Got called a newbie rider, for wearing gear!

[Kawasaki 636]

I wear Joe Rocket speedmaster 4.0 leather when I go somewhere more far than like 2 miles or highway, and I bilieve that if I fall on my shirt I ll get hurt way more that on that armored jacket. Also I don't care what people think, I just put on my boots, riding Icon pants and gloves..

[ervins]

Originally Posted by mdqueenz

I rode my bike (900 Custom) to work for the first time ever today. Got lots of compliments on it from lots of people.

At the end of the day, as i am getting ready to leave, i start to put on my gear (FF helmet, armored mesh jacket, and gloves).

Then some **** really ticked me off. Called me a noob rider for wearing a jacket. Stated that "If you crash it's not going to do anything for you, it's just going to shred. You must be a noob rider".

Now mind you, i am a new rider, but whether i have 2 months experience or 20 years, i will never ride a motorcycle without the proper gear.

I shouldn't make too much of it, but it just upset me to hear that. There is so much peer pressure out there to look like the classic biker. Just sad that so many people rather look cool than ride as safe as possible.

MD

Tell that idiot to call me (if you want a number let me know) and I will call him a bigger noob for not even going half the speeds I do and that we DO NOT RIDE with people who are not geared up...HAHA what a poser that guys is. Riding without gear is silly..On a 15mph crash my ICON Merc 3 jacket was rendered useless for further rides at aggressive speeds. Take that to heart...Keep wearing your gear and in 50 years I will still be posting with you.

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by Frenchy

Very nice. Hmmm, I may need to get one of those. I've been going no gear (jacket) because it was so hot here. How is it for rain protection? Does anyone know where you can get the jacket and the pants (maybe as a "kit")? C.C. mentions the matching pants, but I didn't see it on the site. I'd like to kill two birds with one stone, and get the raingear out of the bags to free up some space...

I've never seen mesh pants, and really I would question the value of their protection.... in a drop, your shoulders, outer arms, and your entire legs are most vulnerable.

I find that even when it's pushing 110 and I'm wearing a tank top, I can tolerate regular jeans and leather chaps on my legs... it's just not a part of the body that collects/radiates a large amount of heat. Your primary radiators are your scalp and chest.

For rain? Grab a set of Frogg's Toggs. They are similar to Tyvek. Very lightweight and breathable, so they are not uncomfortably hot during a midwest summer thunderstorm where you can't see 20ft in front of you but it's still 90 degrees.
You can get the "biker" style for around $60-$80, they are black with a reflective strip across the back of the jacket and pockets in the pants, or Bass Pro Shops sells the regular style, no reflective strip, no pockets, multiple colors, for about $45.

Both even come with booties!

[Trashman900C]

any thoughts/suggestions on these jeans?
im considering one of these........
Cortech DSX Pant - Motorcycle Men's Denim Street Pants Gear Apparel 2008
^10% off
Icon Racing Insulated Pant - Motorcycle Men's Denim Street Pants Gear Apparel 2008
Fieldsheer Slider Jeans Pant - Motorcycle Men's Cruiser Denim Pants Gear Apparel 2008
what do you think?

Robb

[Semperfi]

so many good points made here but i have to say one thing about the FF helm. I have only been riding a very very short time and i gear up but today i got hit in shield by a rock and i know that if i was not in a FF helm i would probably been in some serious pain.

[RichLockyer]

Yup.

Rocks hurt, bugs hurt (especially bees), hailstones hurt... sometimes rain hurts.

Nobody ever said that riding is painless.

As far as large rocks that can cause injury, a windshield will take care of those.

[Inquisitive]

Semperfi, I believe you are wise to wear a Full Face Helmet. I like the fact my KLR has hand guards. Rocks, or most any flying object are often capable of causing some discomfort to say the least. Watch your toes and knees as well. Hence the benefit to "gear up".

[Semperfi]

lol Rich i dunno how my 500R would look with a windshield like yours but her it could be a new style right lol. Riding may not be pain less but its totally worth it.

Inquisitive, ya i dont have hand guards but i wear my mountain biking full finger gloves with top padding for that reason.

[3x500r]

Wife and I recovering from accident. We had full gear on and some riders from work gave me a hard time. I brought my gear in and the are now believers. wife and I both wasted our helmets, gloves and jackets, after being rear ended on freeway during rush hour (driver admitted to seeing us just didn't stop). We both broke several vertebrea, wife ankle and my wrist. After eight months I am back riding. Our helmets saved our lives and only a few small areas of rash - wore through jacket and gloves.

[Hacker]

Originally Posted by jed2009

thanks alot for that reply, rich. that cleared some stuff up. i will definitely buy a textile jacket with armor seeing as money is kind of a problem with me at the moment. i think i have it narrowed down to about 3-4 jackets so tonight im gonna compare and contrast and everything.

I needed some thing for the HOT/HUMID days here in NW Tennessee. I've been wearing this one for the last couple of weeks and absolutely love it. Well worth the money, with CE armor in the knees and shoulders and the padding in the back. VERY cool riding on hot, sultry days.


Tour Master Draft Air Mesh Motorcycle Jacket :: New Enough, LTD

BTW, I heartily recommend the service at New Enough.

[jed2009]

thanks hacker. i think i have decided on the alpinstars exile jacket. i know it doesnt ventilate the most, but it has great ratings and i watched the review on it and it seems like it would make me most comfortable protection-wise which is whats the most important. i'll order it from new enough since ive heard such good things about it

[Frenchy]

Thanks, Rich.

I sure could have used some booties for Laconia. If it wasn't raining from up, it was from down. Oh yeah, the rain gear I have now leaks...

[hothavasu]

My wife won't let me on the bike with out my helmet. I think she would deviorce me if I didn't.

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by hothavasu

My wife won't let me on the bike with out my melmet. I think she would deviorce me if I didn't.

Hmmm, now that's just crazy enough to work!

[KZBob]

Rain gear...hmmm

I tried pretty much all the cheap stuff (25 dollarish) and ripped every one.

Finally tried the 89 dollar Teknic suit, and still use it 8 years later.

[Frenchy]

It rains in NV? lol

[KZBob]

LOL More than ya think......its called Monsoon Season

[jed2009]

just puttin in a good word for Alpinestars.... just got my a-stars exile textile jacket in the mail yesterday and this jacket is amazing. breaths awesomely, fits great in most positions, style is great. i feel so much more protected with this thing on

[GeorgiaRider]

Originally Posted by BlacKawi

I just ordered a mesh jacket about 5 minutes ago....the longer I'm on here, and from the stories I've read about far more experienced riders than myself, I think it's the purchase I'm looking forward to receiving the most....

I've always rode with FF, gloves, etc....but the heat down here kept me in short sleeves most of the time....

From what people have said....the mesh isn't much hotter than riding without it....so I'll be anxious to try it out....

If you're ever down in my area you'll know who I am.....I'll be the only one with gear on....

What's it like riding down there when the love bugs are out? Lots of faceshield cleaning for sure...

[morir]

Anyone that's dropped & slid(I have), and lost flesh(I have) will tell you that riding without gear is just dumb. Will your gear shred? Of course it will...that is what it is designed to do...so you won't! Every time I see riders with no jackets, and SHORTS!!!....well.... I know it's a lot more comfortable, but it'll only take one low speed slide and a leg or arm full of gravel to give you the idea that protective gear will..um...protect you! *ahem* so..... to the guy that called you a "noob"... well, he is really just demonstrating that he doesn't really seem to know a lot about anything.

Keep wearing gear, and riding safe.

I was always told that chicks dig scars....but I discovered that I don't dig pain.

Scott