Interesting ATGATT reaction

[nessus]

In Finland, we ride in full gear all the time. Sometimes jeans, in the city 60 km/h. And wheather here changes very fast, its smart to wear proper outfit. Its wierd, you can ride a bike without a licence. Very dangerous.
::) Sorry, my english writening isnt very good.

[Shinigami]

Your English is great, especially compared to most Americans' Finnish (except in the UP of Michigan, where it seems there are more Finns than in Finland!)

Well, if anyone here needed convincing here is a quick story from my group ride today- went out with three Ducati Monsters, an R6, and one Gixxer liter bike, covering about 250 miles of some of the best twisties Utah has to offer. All but one of these guys is way faster than me, but I kept up well enough on my new CBR600RR.

The Gixxer rider happens to be a co-worker, but with my travel schedule and time away from the office I never met the guy before today. Great rider, extremely fast and very smooth.

He wore all the gear except gloves.

Over lunch we were discussing gloves, I was explaining why I had switched to my less than completely comfortable but supportive Taichi gloves over a new set of Lee Parks Deersports I was trying, halfway through the ride.

...and he happened to mention that he doesn't like riding with gloves at all.

This guy is a master machinist in my company, I joked about how the guy with the most need for healthy hands is the one who doesn't wear gloves. He tells me his plan is to simply tuck and roll if needed. I mentioned that instinct would act way before he could think about what to do...

I bet you can see what's coming...

Sure enough, 6 hours into the ride on the way back, while leading his squadron of three bikes (I was in the trailing squadron of 3) he comes into a curve in a canyon that has dropped a LOT of bikes recently and lowsides his Gixxer- hard. Goes sliding face-first over several yards of asphalt and gravel.

Helmet saves his face. Jacket saves his forearms and chest (both items gave their lives in performance of duty- zipper tab gone on jacket, holes in forearms and chest, helmet and visor took some grinding). Knee banged up but not too bad.

Hands looked like hamburger. Bloody, rare, and no doubt, very painful hamburger. Palm skin gone on 30% of one hand, back of the other cut up as well. No broken fingers but pain and swelling.

I gave him my first-aid kit which I always keep in the backpack, doused it with topical Benzocaine, Neosporin and cleaned them up as best he could.

Other than beating himself up for stupidity and mourning the once-pristine Gixxer, he handled it all pretty well.

But, I am sure that was an uncomfortable ride home...

Then there's the story of how a pickup truck full of ...immigrants... stopped and tried to make off with my bright red Arai Corsair which I had one of the guys place on the road edge 50 yards ahead of the curve as a warning to other bikers... I will save that story for another time.

But I had a real brief moment there when my mind was occupied by the thought of the H&K P7 in the quick-deploy pouch in my backpack rig...

[RedRover5683]

That story is so sad, so unnecessary. Among all of the essential items included in full protective riding gear (a'la ATGATT) high quality, gauntleted riding gloves are truly the least inconvenient, the least expensive, and the easiest to use.

How ironic that this accident happened to your friend within hours after he'd been duly warned about the inadvisibility of riding without wearing highly protective gloves, especially given his occupation, and especially when riding rather competitively (i.e., aggressively) on the street.

In my opinion, adequate hand protection is as critical as head and eye protection. The motor and sensory areas of the human brain's cerebral cortex which are devoted to the fine dexterity and fine touch of our fingers and hands are huge compared to most other motor and sensory areas of the body controlled by the brain. Indeed, the highly evolved, exquisite dexterity and touch sensitivity of our fingers is one of the most defining features that separates humans from lower primates and mammals.

Aside from helping to protect our hands and fingers from severe injuries, wearing gloves also protects our hands and fingers from a multitude of less ominous but very uncomfortable things while riding fast, such as being whacked by airborne pebbles, stones, large insects (often of the stinging variety), large rain droplets, etc. Preventing painful sunburn and wind burn is another good reason to wear riding gloves. Moreover, padded gauntleted gloves which cover the wrists will provide a modicum of wrist protection.

A few other thoughts regarding safe riding gear...

1) Blue jeans provide little if any protection under real-world riding conditions(Extreme RoadRash: Cause Effect and Lesson Learned*-*SpeedFreakInc.com BRC). Unfortunately, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's Basic Rider Course may be unwittingly perpetuating this myth, because the course currently requires only that students wear, at minimum, blue jean pants. While jeans may provide a modicum of lower body and skin protection during the very slow speed exercises on a typical BRC training range, blue jeans are worthless in the real world. As the above link attests, if one should happen to hit the pavement and slide while wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, these fabrics will disintegrate within a few short seconds, and what remains will become imbedded in one's skin, right along with gravel, dirt, etc.

2) Some feel that it's not necessary to practice ATGATT when riding only short trips to the local grocery store, or wherever. However, statistics repeatedly show that the vast majority of motorcycle accidents actually occur within a small radius of home or other very familiar locations. The BRC emphasizes this pitfall in which we may tend to be less vigilant and more easily distracted when we're riding within a self-perceived, false zone of comfort, when in fact this is when we may be most likely to get into trouble.

Indeed, I've often found that local neighborhoods, streets, and shopping center parking lots are often the most treacherous and unpredictable situations. In these familiar locations, I find that if I'm not paying attention, cagers tend to not only fail to see motorcycles, they may just as well see us and assume that it's perfectly OK to pull out in front of us, often with direct eye contact (never trust that) along with a friendly wave and smile as they do so (often while they're talking on a cell phone, or while they're simultaneously talking to, and looking at their kids in the rearview mirror).

These morons seem to be oblivous of the fact that motorcyclists have equal road rights and an equal share of the road. They often misjudge our speed; they often tailgate us; they often closely pull in, in front of us, totally ignorant of the fact that we're trying to maintain a 2-4 second separation and a safe distance between ourselves and forward traffic. How silly. It's as if they're going to get where they're going much faster by angrily and impatiently tailgating us, then passing (often on the inside), and then abruptly cutting in front of us. Gee, I guess they showed us who's boss...

3) I'm a relatively new rider (~24,000 miles since 6/06). I mostly ride alone, although last year I gained some invaluable experience riding with another motorcyclist (mainly with my older brother, who is a veteran motorcyclist), but I've not yet been part of a group ride.

At any rate, when I first rode with my brother last summer, my bike was equipped with Autocom's Super Pro AVi kit, but his was not. As we rode, I was ignorant of the basic rule of riding with other motorcyclists, which is to ride your own ride. Thus, I found myself struggling to keep up with him at times, yet I was unable to directly communicate with him. He'd assumed that I knew the rule of "ride you own ride".

Soon after this, I provided him with all of the necessary Autocom gear, along with a Kenwood FreeTalk XL 2-way radio for hands-free, VOX-activated bike-to-bike communication, and my God, what a difference this made when we rode throughout southwestern North Carolina and Tennessee, including Deal's Gap, etc.

I think it's unfortunate that a great many riders seem to dismiss or fail to even think about the inestimable value of going to the considerable trouble and expense of equipping their bikes and helmets with a communication system such as those offered by Autocom. (My advice would be to avoid any current BlueTooth products. BlueTooth eats battery power, while Autocom is hard-wired for power, rider-to-passenger communication, as well as directly powered bike-to-bike FM radios.)

When riding with another biker, the ability to effortlessly talk (hands-free) with another rider is not only a powerful safety tool, it's also great fun. For example, the lead rider can effortlessly report and alert trailing riders of any potential problems, such as curves with nasty patches of gravel, a loose dog hell-bent on chasing bikes, a treacherous decreasing radius curve, etc., etc. Moreover, simple messages can be exchanged such as being low on fuel, needing to take a break, etc., as well as sending out a SOS if one breaks down or goes down.

In the case of your friend, in which he was in the lead while you were trailing him, a bike-to-bike communication system would've allowed you to alert him that the upcoming curve is very tricky, so please slow down, and be extra careful.

[Shinigami]

Rover,

Some well considered and eloquent points.

I will point out though, I would honestly not be inclined to warn a superior/more experienced rider of something that he is well aware of. It's that pesky fine line between being helpful and being distracting...

[RedRover5683]

Shin, your point is well taken. Sorry for getting a little carried away!

[drewl]

I like MY skin. I will protect it.
Other people's skin is negotiable.
Skinless people are what keep me in business.

[Shinigami]

Red,

You certainly have nothing to apologize for, I for one might enjoy hearing from a fellow concerned rider who has good advice, and on a long trip I think wireless comms would be quite useful.

I think my point, which I didn't make very well at all, is that good riding is largely a mental game- and as a world level athlete in a sport with a great deal of mental focus required (archery to be specific), I wouldn't want to be told something that might raise doubt before executing a difficult skill.

Because I am hard-wired for my mental game in archery and in practical pistol, that same mindset personally precludes me from saying something negative like "be careful" to another rider, before that rider takes on a tough set of turns. Especially as I am by no means a world level rider!

That's where I was coming from. Sorry I was not more clear.

[ExciteBike]

Shinigami that was a good post. I ride with helmet, jacket, and gloves. I've been thinking of finding a good pair of riding pants and your post has finally motivated my lazy @$$ to order a pair and just deal with the heat. They should be here by the end of the week. Any comments on the Fieldsheer Titanium Air 2 Pants.

[nozzle]

Always wear a raincoat in the storm.

[RedRover5683]

I was wearing FirstGear's new TPG pants and jacket when I recently low-sided. When I later looked at how chewed up the left pant leg was, I thought Oh my God, what if this had happened during hot weather and I'd been wearing my lightweight Joe Rocket Alter Ego pants and Phoenix jacket?

I've since abandoned the above mentioned Joe Rocket mesh gear. I now realize that it's just too flimsy. The Alter Ego pants have woefully inadequate padding, particularly in the hips and rear pelvic/tailbone region. (In addition, the overall quality and worksmanship is shoddy.)

This led me to the task of trying to figure out which manufacturer is currently making the most protective, well ventilated, comfortable, and well designed hot weather riding gear. When it's 95 degrees in the shade, wearing heavy textiles or leathers is an invitation to misery, dehydration, and heat stroke. I reasoned that the logical solution to this dilemma would be a product line that has to be based on some form of meshed synthetic fabric design and construction, while also being endowed with the most substantial padding and semi-hard armor in critical body regions, particularly the knees and pelvis.

So, I recently went to Iron Pony in search of such products, and after very carefully inspecting and feeling a large array of mesh gear from a variety of manufacturers, I concluded that the hands-down winners are FirstGear's Mesh Tex 2.0 pants, along with their new Rush mesh jacket. In other words, I feel that these FirstGear products may currrently be among the best compromises between adequate ventilation in hot weather on the one hand, along with the best padding and armor on the other hand.

I welcome your opinions!

[Socratease]

I had a Hein Gericke mesh jacket and was unimpressed with its protection in a medium-speed low-side I had. I replaced it with a CyclePort mesh jacket, which is supposed to be much better at abrasion resistance (kevlar/lycra blend material), and it has been very comfortable, though it's a bit on the heavy side. I was able to travel through Death Valley in 110+ temperatures in reasonable comfort with a wet vest underneath it. I wear it year-round, I just throw a rain jacket over it when it's cold or wet.

[slippy]

Here in Delaware the law says there has to be a helmet on the bike for every person on the bike. Why this exists I'm not really sure. Anyway, my brother and I went to a salvage yard to look at a tank the other day, and on the way home we saw a guy wearing a helmet on his elbow. It was just a half, but still, we both thought the same thing - this guy doesn't want to wear a helmet so bad that apparently it's more comfortable to ride with this helmet on his arm than on his head. It's just unbelievable sometimes.

[Bubba Zanetti]

Originally Posted by slippy

Here in Delaware the law says there has to be a helmet on the bike for every person on the bike. Why this exists I'm not really sure. Anyway, my brother and I went to a salvage yard to look at a tank the other day, and on the way home we saw a guy wearing a helmet on his elbow. It was just a half, but still, we both thought the same thing - this guy doesn't want to wear a helmet so bad that apparently it's more comfortable to ride with this helmet on his arm than on his head. It's just unbelievable sometimes.

Where are you in good ol' Delaware?

BZ

[MarkH]

I always wear all the gear - have a couple of different jackets but both with full armour. Even here in the UK where it doesn't usually get that hot you see people out in t-shirts and shorts.

My wife saw a bike the other day in central London (very busy) - rider had on all the gear, pillion was wearing sandals and a short skirt - no matter how good the rider is in Central London you're likely to be knocked off by a cab doing a u-turn or a bus just not looking.

Did you get the phone number of this soccer mum?

[hatzyian]

37C outside today, and probably will be that for the next 3 months, but when I go out its still full gear. I had the standard question yesterday, "Isn't it hot", and I gave the stock answer "NO!!" Here the law says that you must wear a helmet, not sure if it says where, but most riders have them on the arm, or if on the head, not done up.

The other question is "why wear gloves?", and the answer to that is "If you fall over, whats the first thing you put out to save yourself??"

Last week going to work I got zapped by a bike cop with a radar, pulled over, and as I was stopping he saw I had all the gear on, told me to take it easy, and sent me on my merry way. ( normal gear here is t-shirt, shorts, flip-flops and as I said, helmet on the elbow) There is a guy just up the road with a big cruiser who rides around with his helmet on top of the headlight/handlebars.

It would be a squids delight here.

[KC-10 FE]

Ian has a great point. I got pulled over last week for riding rather quickly in a 45 zone. I never saw the cop & asked him where he came from. When he told me where he was hiding, I told him straight up that it was the best speed trap I've ever seen. In this particular incident, you CAN NOT see the cop until you are past him rounding the turn & then you could only see him in the rear view. He took my documents & went back to the cruiser. When he came back, he asked if I was hot wearing all my gear, which was full leathers. I told him it was quite hot indeed unless I'm moving so I need to go fast to have working air conditioning. He laughed when I said that & then I told him wearing full leather is hot but I'd rather sweat than lay in a hospital bed with skin grafts. He told me that single sentence is why he was letting me off with a warning. The fact a PA cop let off a NJ rider on a sportbike is freaking amazing.

KC-10 FE out...

[ZonaMan]

My gear saved my life two weeks ago. RIP 98 VFR.

[5 speed]

Ok, been riding for 35+ years so I have to chime in. First, I live in Florida so you can imagine the idiots I see. Lots of bikes, no helmets, shorts flip flops etc. They ride these cruisers like they are sitting in a recliner at home. Drink holders so they can take a sip at the red lights while they listen to their music. I even saw a cellphone holder so the guy pulls it out while we sit at a long traffic light. WAKE UP PEOPLE YOU ARENT IN YOUR SUV, you are just looking for a way to die.

Second, you need to learn how to ride on a dirt bike. Why? Cause you get to fall alot. And you get to learn what sliding across the ground into a tree headfirst feels like. And you thank your helmet. You get why knee pads are so important as are boots when your leg is under the bike, the back tire is still spinning and you ankle is caught between the rear wheel and fender.

Basically, you then get it, not to mention you learn how to truly control a motorcycle in less than perfect conditions. For in town riding, I prefer my KTM 625. Highly manueverable, can see over traffic, and can run off the road going 60MPH to avoid some idiot without worrying about losing control.

Full gear is essential.

* last pearl; used to work at a motorcycle shop. Guys come in, buying expensive bikes. It was a state with a helmet law. 100 times I have heard this; "what the cheapest helmet you have".

My reply " If you buy a $10.00 helmet then you have a $10.00 head"

I stick with Shoei and Arai.