What is the function (safety) of each piece of gear?
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 217
Likes: 86
From: alexandria in
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 992
Likes: 143
From: eastern NC
Eye protection is a must! You would be shocked at what a bee can do at 70 mph.
Higher boots are better than shoes also because if you are going down your feet are already close to the exhaust---and they get hot. As others have mentioned, there are lots of metal shifter pegs/brake pedals/ foot pegs, etc just waiting to pierce your flesh when your bike suddenly has the "rubber side up". Also, after you snag the leather cushion on your tour pack Ultra, or your seat with one of those "steel eyelet hooks" for your shoe laces, you will vow NEVER to own any more of them. Don't ask how I know that.
Leather is great for cold weather. I now know why cows stand around in freezing temps and don't seem bothered. But for protection, the mesh jackets with body armor provide the best protection. A 3 inch piece of gravel may not look like it can cause much damage unless you land on it with your knee, back or elbow. In the heat you can remove the lining and I find the mesh to be just as cool---if not more so than UV rays beating down on your skin while you just wear a T shirt.
Higher boots are better than shoes also because if you are going down your feet are already close to the exhaust---and they get hot. As others have mentioned, there are lots of metal shifter pegs/brake pedals/ foot pegs, etc just waiting to pierce your flesh when your bike suddenly has the "rubber side up". Also, after you snag the leather cushion on your tour pack Ultra, or your seat with one of those "steel eyelet hooks" for your shoe laces, you will vow NEVER to own any more of them. Don't ask how I know that.
Leather is great for cold weather. I now know why cows stand around in freezing temps and don't seem bothered. But for protection, the mesh jackets with body armor provide the best protection. A 3 inch piece of gravel may not look like it can cause much damage unless you land on it with your knee, back or elbow. In the heat you can remove the lining and I find the mesh to be just as cool---if not more so than UV rays beating down on your skin while you just wear a T shirt.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,411
Likes: 30,634
From: Pennsylvania
Safety Gear: I have been down on the pavement at 50 MPH, asphalt is like a big piece of coarse sandpaper grinding into you. Helmet, gloves, jacket, abrasion resistant pants and over the ankle boots will limit the damage to your body.
Helmet: will protect your head from coming in contact with a hard object and maybe save your life in a collision or get-off.
Jacket: will limit road rash if it is fitted correctly, note that it still may burn through at the elbows, side or back depending on where you land and slide. Armor at the elbows, shoulders, and back will limit damage to those areas, a tight-fitting jacket is better than a loose one as it will not flap in the wind and not slide off as much when you hit the ground.
Gloves: when you fall you will put your hands out to break your fall, your palm and knuckles will have skin removed and nerve damage, wear full fingered leather gloves and your hands will thank you.
Pants: same as the jacket, fit correctly and have padding/reinforcement on the knees & hips. Your hips and knees will get bruised up and skin ground off them if you do not have protection.
Boots: over the ankle boots to protect your ankles/tendons. Additionally, good oil resistant soles that are not too sticky. You do not want them to grab and bend your leg back catching it under the bike in a slide situation. Motorcycle boots have good support, good oil resistant soles that will slide at higher speed but provide good traction when coming to a stop or pushing your bike.
Okay, that is my $0.02 worth. You tell me when you are going to have an accident or get-off and I will tell you when you should be wearing proper riding gear. Good gear is not uncomfortable and will enhance your riding experience. Of course, you can always wear what you want and look cool, but no whining if you are not wearing gear and hit that giant piece of asphalt sandpaper.
Helmet: will protect your head from coming in contact with a hard object and maybe save your life in a collision or get-off.
Jacket: will limit road rash if it is fitted correctly, note that it still may burn through at the elbows, side or back depending on where you land and slide. Armor at the elbows, shoulders, and back will limit damage to those areas, a tight-fitting jacket is better than a loose one as it will not flap in the wind and not slide off as much when you hit the ground.
Gloves: when you fall you will put your hands out to break your fall, your palm and knuckles will have skin removed and nerve damage, wear full fingered leather gloves and your hands will thank you.
Pants: same as the jacket, fit correctly and have padding/reinforcement on the knees & hips. Your hips and knees will get bruised up and skin ground off them if you do not have protection.
Boots: over the ankle boots to protect your ankles/tendons. Additionally, good oil resistant soles that are not too sticky. You do not want them to grab and bend your leg back catching it under the bike in a slide situation. Motorcycle boots have good support, good oil resistant soles that will slide at higher speed but provide good traction when coming to a stop or pushing your bike.
Okay, that is my $0.02 worth. You tell me when you are going to have an accident or get-off and I will tell you when you should be wearing proper riding gear. Good gear is not uncomfortable and will enhance your riding experience. Of course, you can always wear what you want and look cool, but no whining if you are not wearing gear and hit that giant piece of asphalt sandpaper.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 492
Likes: 139
From: Bel Air, MD
Revzilla video reviews. You will learn everything you need to know about gear.
Once you start riding you'll understand why motorcycle-specific gear is better than regular clothing.
Many people don't know what they don't know.
Nice job asking questions.
Once you start riding you'll understand why motorcycle-specific gear is better than regular clothing.
Many people don't know what they don't know.
Nice job asking questions.
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 513
Likes: 85
From: NorCal
I have the air mesh pants which I love. I can where shorts in the summer. And step out of it in seconds.The armor is comfortable and placed in the correct position. Nice and cool! Just ordered the air mesh jacket. 8 weeks to get it made. They are in San Marcos.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,166
Likes: 1,801
From: Puget Sound, WA.
As somebody spends enough time and experience riding in all conditions, they choose what is good for them and them only.
To hell with other's opinions and fears dictate.
I'm riding at my best with a pair of jeans, flannel shirt, and tennis shoes.
That's all is required in the end.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
Boots: What do "motorcycle boots" provide that regular work boots dont?
(A lot of boots that are called "motorcycle boots" on the market actually are just glorified work boots. Work boots are better than riding with Converse, but still not the best. If you want real motorcycle boots, get some with CE rated armor in toes, heels, and both sides of the ankle bones.)
Jackets: Which jacket is best? Isn't leather the best?
(Leather is the best, but you want sufficient weight leather, and a jacket actually designed for riding, by a company like Vanson. If you want to go a step further, get a leather jacket with pockets for CE rated in armor in shoulders, elbows, and back. Leather is just for abrasion protection, but armor is for impact protection.)
Vests: why do i need a vest if i have a jacket?
(You don't really need one. Sometimes they provide more warmth. But basically they are jackets without sleeves or armor.)
Pants: What do "motorcycle pants" do that regular jeans dont?
(A typical pair of Levi's these days is 11 oz. of denim. They will only offer abrasion protection for a five yards of a slide, then turn into tissue. Heavier weight jeans can be up to 21 oz, which might increase that to about 10 yards of abrasion protection, then turn to tissue. Real motorcycle pants will either be made of leather and not turn into tissue, or have kevlar lining for abrasion protection, and sometimes armor for knees and hips for impact protection.)
Sorry for what might sound like stupid questions, but i'm planning to start riding this spring for the first time.
(A lot of boots that are called "motorcycle boots" on the market actually are just glorified work boots. Work boots are better than riding with Converse, but still not the best. If you want real motorcycle boots, get some with CE rated armor in toes, heels, and both sides of the ankle bones.)
Jackets: Which jacket is best? Isn't leather the best?
(Leather is the best, but you want sufficient weight leather, and a jacket actually designed for riding, by a company like Vanson. If you want to go a step further, get a leather jacket with pockets for CE rated in armor in shoulders, elbows, and back. Leather is just for abrasion protection, but armor is for impact protection.)
Vests: why do i need a vest if i have a jacket?
(You don't really need one. Sometimes they provide more warmth. But basically they are jackets without sleeves or armor.)
Pants: What do "motorcycle pants" do that regular jeans dont?
(A typical pair of Levi's these days is 11 oz. of denim. They will only offer abrasion protection for a five yards of a slide, then turn into tissue. Heavier weight jeans can be up to 21 oz, which might increase that to about 10 yards of abrasion protection, then turn to tissue. Real motorcycle pants will either be made of leather and not turn into tissue, or have kevlar lining for abrasion protection, and sometimes armor for knees and hips for impact protection.)
Sorry for what might sound like stupid questions, but i'm planning to start riding this spring for the first time.
**Finally, ride with what you feel is best. I usually ride with a DOT full face, 21 oz. jeans (no armor) a Vanson jacket (no armor usually, though I have another that is armored) and CE rated boots with armor that basically look like a pair of Red Wings.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,133
Likes: 504
From: Lake County, IL
Ankle protection can be handy in boots, a little armor to spread the impact if a bike goes over on the ankle. It's also good to have some stiffness in the boot to help prevent that ankle from being bent too far. I had a bike (standing still at the time) land on my ankle and the hiking boots weren't good enough to prevent injury. Fortunately, it was just swelling and soreness, and didn't even cost me any riding time, but it got my attention, and made me regret not wearing the motorcycle boots.