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Boogiman1981
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 06:58 am: |
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Well I am finally suited. Yep it's piece meal but it'll do for now. RF-1000 lid 2005(yes i know it's time for a new one) Icon TiMax circa 2004 ie the original TiMax Alpinestars B-52 jacket 2010 Frank Thomas leather pants amour knee sliders etc 2011 Bilt boots 2011 total over the years 885 plus tax finally feeling safe on the Buell...well you know (Message edited by boogiman1981 on June 08, 2011) |
Boogiman1981
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 06:59 am: |
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the safe comment has nothing to do with the bike and everything to do with my own personal fears/concerns about keeping my flesh intact |
Hybridmomentspass
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 07:28 am: |
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Is this what you plan to where anytime on the motorbike? Even for short trips around town/to store? How is the Bilt stuff? Good quality? I see that CG is pushing the hell out of them |
D_adams
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 07:33 am: |
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Nothing wrong with feeling safe, I probably spent twice that amount. I take that back, my wife spent it on me. I told her what I wanted, picked sizes, etc. and then she went hunting for deals on it all. She gets it. Showed her one pic of someone that got rashed up pretty bad from not having gear, never questions me about bike safety gear at all. I guess she likes the way I look now as opposed to having a lot of rashed skin. I have a 1-piece suit that I only wear on the track typically, then separates for normal riding. It's getting tougher to get into the suit now, I need to lose about 30 lbs or so. I've seen too many guys running around in shorts & flip flops and wonder when they're going to crash. Saw one yesterday on a gsxr 750, he was at the same gas station as I. 100 degrees out, I'm in full leather gear. Yeah, I was hot (he asked why I had all the gear on and "ain't you hot in all that?") but I KNOW if I go down I won't end up with much road rash. The guy on the gsxr, he'll look like so much ground up hamburger when he's done. Shorts, tennis shoes, tank top. At least he had a helmet on, so his face will stay purdy. I guess if it gets much hotter, I'll forgo riding for a while and take either the van or the 4x4 truck. |
Boogiman1981
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 07:44 am: |
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hybrid- have my jeep for that but no every time i swing a leg i wont be wearing all the gear. as for the boots this is my first pair of track boots so i wouldn't know the difference between them and Astars or sidis. i do know shoes and foot comfort. these aren't bad. i am still getting used to wearing this style of boot period though so i will have to reserve judgment. D- i have no doubt. no one in my life has ever complained or questioned safety gear except the first year or so i had a bike and bought 4 helmets... i come from cruiser land and this bike leans sooo much further than the honda shadow did i know th ebike will do it fine i however may not add to that various variables on public roads and you get a higher likely-hood of an unplanned get off in much more dangerous conditions than that of most tracks. the confidence inspired by having the right gear on was amazing as i rode home from CG last night |
Jdugger
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 08:15 am: |
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Good man. Gear is an important part of owning a motorcycle. I've had a couple of non-event spills, and two major crashes. One from a motor locking up, and one from an idiot at a track day T-Boning me. In all of the crashes.... no rash, no head injuries, even though I *shattered* a couple of helmets. Good on you for this thread. This sport is dangerous, but it doesn't have to be needlessly dangerous. |
Boogiman1981
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 08:48 am: |
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J- exactly we can mitigate the inherent dangers of our sport via training, experience and a calm mind. combine that with the proper gear and you've got something that is a lot less likely to maim or kill you. interesting thing i found out yesterday and reaffirmed this morning on my way to work fully suited is that i find it more enjoyable even with a pinch here and a pinch there from the new gear. it wasn't a conscience thing but something that i realized after i'd gotten to work and my ankle was being rubbed raw on the walk in... also just a reminder to those of you with leathers or those of you getting lethers don't forget the leather conditioner/mink oil. the new pants were a little snug when i bought them. oiled them and needed to hit the jacket anyway. this morning fit much much much better |
Jdugger
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 08:55 am: |
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I don't like riding motorcycles without helmet and full gear. I find it less enjoyable. With regards to the helmet, I think sportbikes are just plain NOT FUN to ride without one. Windy, noisy, uncomfortable and generally unpleasant when a spec of sand or a bug hits your forehead. Put the safety argument aside, and I'd STILL wear a good full-face simply because it makes the whole sport so much more enjoyable. I realize that makes commuting impractical, but I just don't feel comfortable at all unless in full gear. On the street, it's a Taichi zip-together 2-piece. (ever tried to take a dump in a one piece?) On the track, it's a one-piece race suit. If that's not appropriate for my destination, I'll just drive the car. (Message edited by jdugger on June 08, 2011) |
Mcrbuelligan
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 08:58 am: |
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After my last crash ive gone with a full dainese gear Axial pro in boots Rebel Jacket Delta Pro Trousers Thorax chest plate wave back protector by far the best gear Ive had though my Rukka jacket is also decent and is still going strong after 10 years |
Xbniner
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 09:57 am: |
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I picked up the Bilt Gloves when CG had them on sale. Not quite as nice as my Alpinestars but I think they will hold up ok. Excellent quality for 30 bucks anyway. |
99buellx1
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 10:03 am: |
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Don't make the mistake of wearing the gear and feeling safer, and turn it into riding harder and less safe. |
Boogiman1981
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 10:07 am: |
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J-depends on the commute. i ride 37 miles for the short ride and who knows how long taking the long way home. that def makes it easier to commit to the suit. however the only real difference for me is the pants and track boots. now that it's warmed up i was wearing my 2 piece mesh suit and regular shoes. |
Boogiman1981
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 10:08 am: |
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99- you're right about that. i just haven't been riding anywhere near where the bike is capable of because of my lack of protection |
Bueller_bjorn
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 12:49 pm: |
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I wear my full Alpine star leathers head to toe with the optional CE approved body armor inside regardless of the temperature. I just stay hydrated and rather be safe. When I see people on sport bikes in flip flops and shorts I just chuckle and say to myself they will find out the hard way. Even if I'm just going around the corner I wear full gear b/c it doesn't matter how far it just takes one idiot on a cell phone. Enjoy your new gear and be safe! |
Jsg4dfan
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 01:01 pm: |
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The fresh pile of useless gear I have now was far cheaper than the skin grafts that would have been needed. Sunday at a track day I low-sided at a rapid rate. My CR is busted up pretty good, but all I got was a ground up pinky finger that's now in a cast, a sprained ankle, and a few bruises. Gear is always worth it. |
Echo15
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 01:25 pm: |
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I've got a Teiz one piece and a Teiz mesh (summer fashions, ya know) suit to commute in. Several hot and cold weather jackets and pants. Sidi boots, Alpinstars low boots (for the hot days). No reason to not gear up. I don't own a car so I don't consider it extravagant (everything bought on sale over the last 5 years). Scorpion helmets. Lee Parks gloves. Did I mention I've highsided at 55? |
Froggy
| Posted on Wednesday, June 08, 2011 - 01:50 pm: |
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quote:I realize that makes commuting impractical
I will have to disagree with you there. I wear a one piece textile, gauntlets, Scorpion full face helmet, and Sidi Vertigo gortex waterproof raceboots. I have commuted to work nearly every day for the last 4 years regardless of weather and temperature. Hell its happened to me more than once where I've ridden on unplowed snow covered roads. Cars suck, for a while I didn't even own one and just rode the bikes. I can't even really drive a car anymore, they just don't feel right on top of being boring and inefficient.
quote:But the safety argument aside, and I'd STILL wear a good full-face simply because it makes the whole sport so much more enjoyable.
I agree with that. I can't ride without full gear and enjoy it. I am less comfortable and worrying too much about other things like getting sun burned or bugs rather than actually riding. |
Spectrum
| Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2011 - 08:46 am: |
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The issue with full gear and commuting is when you have to wear business attire at work. It's not cool to arrive at work with sweaty and wrinkled shirts. I just keep a set of business attire at work and wear the 1 piece Aerostich over my street close for the commute. This is convenient for me only because a have a dry cleaners in the building where I work and can cycle the business attire through the cleaners as needed. (Message edited by spectrum on June 09, 2011) |
Boogiman1981
| Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2011 - 09:26 am: |
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Spec- good point. i wear a shirt under jacket and keep pants @ work luckily i can wear jeans and polos but even if i have to wear oxfords and slacks i'd do the same thing |
Boohoo
| Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2011 - 10:20 am: |
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I have a 2 piece fist gear suit and I always get comments like "if I had to wear all that garbage I wouldn't ride" ( mostly from people who don't ride) or my favorate "I don't plan on going down" I don't plan on going down but if I do I'm ready (Message edited by boohoo on June 09, 2011) |
Boogiman1981
| Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2011 - 10:35 am: |
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exactly Boohoo i have absolutely every intention of keeping the tires where they belong. however in the event i can't i really like my skin and joints. pretty fond of my memories and ability to get dressed etc too... |
Jdugger
| Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2011 - 10:39 am: |
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> "I don't plan on going down" I love that one, along with "well, I don't ride dangerously like you do." I usually respond with "yes, but you ride like someone that won't be able to save it when that day comes." Last I checked, when some phone-talking, mini-van driving soccer mom t-bones you on a left turn, it wasn't your fault, but you are on your ass anyway. I've long given up commuting as "too dangerous". Ironic, I suppose, coming from a racer. |
Boogiman1981
| Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2011 - 10:50 am: |
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not really J racing is much safer when done on a closed circuit track than riding on public roads has ever been. |
Bueller_bjorn
| Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2011 - 10:52 am: |
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For those who need to wear dress pants to work and don't feel like changing like me this is an option I found. http://www.motosweeney.com/draggin-kevlar-clothing /metros-dress-pants/draggin-metros/prod_257.html |
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