What gear do you ride with?

As weird as this may sound, I want to know what it feels like to crash. If there was some way I could simulate having my rear wheel slip out, or something similar I would. We practice panic stops, swerves, etc; why not ways to minimize damage in a slide? I do NOT want to 'simulate' slamming into some solid object.

That said, I hope I never do..knock on wood.

 

It's called a DIRT BIKE. Dirt riding experience is the best teacher for low-traction 2-wheeled situations, it doesn't take a whole lot of dirt riding to make you a much better street rider. I have very little dirt riding experience but what I do have taught me a lot that can be applied to the street.

 

The heated vest project - I brought a heated seat pad from walmart for $9. I pulled the heating panels out of it, and stitched them and the wiring into my vest, then covered it with a thin layer of fabric to protect it, and stitched that in place as well.

If you want a hi/low setting, wire them in parallel and in series. I have mine using a timer type set-up which fakes providing low voltage by oscillating between on and off. Wider apart pulses works like low voltage, closer together is full voltage. At full blast the seat was rated at 44 watts.

To get the most heat, I put the vest on, pull a large sweater over it, then put my jacket on. At full heat it approaches uncomfortably hot - so I simply turn it down after I defrost. With a warm core, my hands also stay warm.

 

Thanks alot woot,
Now I've got to go to wal-mart...

 

I'm always protected...

Always a KBC full face DOT/Snell helmet. Two interchangeable face shields, a clear one and a shaded one.

Heavy duty Red-Wing black leather motorcycle boots (only company that sold my size) and jeans.

Summer jacket: armored Joe Rocket Phoenix 5 mesh jacket with a zip in wind proof liner that is great for cool mornings/evenings.

Winter: Joe Rocket armored Jacket with a zip in quilted liner.

Medium Weight leather motorcycle gloves...really need some winter gloves...but I can hack it in NC most of the time.

Need some true winter gloves and some true winter cover pants...I've worn thermal underwear under the jeans...great for the ride, but you roast if you stop to eat.

 

I'm just now using the leather jacket and blue jeans.

I've got some gloves somewhere too. . .

HJC with clear bubble, not full face. Sunglasses with no side rim to block peripheral vision. Clean, and no scratches.

 

Don't ride on gravel too often. If I do, its not fast. Never got hit in the lower body by a June bug, but caught several in the chest, neck, and face. Bugs are crazy down south.

I think this is what makes riding enjoyable-- It's always in the moment and you take it as it comes. At least it is that way for me(zen baby).

 

Full face helmet, textile armored jacket, MX gloves, jeans and runners or hiking boots. I use gauntlet gloves in the cold, electric vest, textile armored pants and work or hunting boots. Jacket and pants are supposed to be waterproof but I pack a one piece rain suit.

 

Yeah. If you ever find anything that TRULY is, let me know. I'm talking ride all day in the rain without a trickle finding its way down the back of your neck or other regions waterproof.

 

fitz,
I rode from Stillwater, OK to Choctaw, OK, by way of HW177 (2 lane blacktop). 62miles+ in my Tourmaster Transition 2 and full face helmet during a downpour. It took about 2 hours. My hands were all wrinkled because I had summer riding gloves on. My legs were soaked (jeans). And when I got off the bike water 'squished' out through every hole in my shoes.

My head, upper body, arms, etc were bone dry. For much of the ride I was hunkered down right above the gauges, and there wasn't much wind, so that helped.

 

I always wear jeans, full face Bell Helmet (with reflective striping), Gloves, and leather boots that come above my ankle. When it's hot out I have a long sleeve light weight pull over that is University of Tennessee Blaze Orange. When it's cold out I have a black/blue leather jacket with silver 3m reflective piping along the sleeves wrists and waist.
I sometimes feel like a dork covered from head to toe, but as T says "Dress for the slide, not the ride"

 

I have an armored and vented Cortech jacket that I wear on all but the hotest days. Usually 85+. I have a full face HJC helmet but I usually ride with the visor up unless it's raining or dark out. I have wrap around sunglasses. I wear jeans and steel toed work boots. and I have padded leather gloves. When it get's colder, I zip the liner into the jacket and switch to heavier and longer motorcycle gloves and through my rain pants on over my jeans. I would like to get a mesh jacket next year.

mikeg

 

mike,
I wear my transition2 in Oklahoma summers, 90-100. It has pretty decent vents, but I can see the headline now if I ever get caught in a traffic jam:
"Mysterious Motorcycle death. Rider falls dead in traffic jam, many witnesses, no one saw anything."

 

Hmmmm

Scorpian EXO 400 Helmet
Cortect Fusion jacket
JR mesh pants
JR boots
Full leather Guntlet style gloves

Love Woot's MacGyver vest idea.... hmmmmmmmm

 

I've been riding in ~40deg temps lately. I finally put the liner in the jacket and it works GREAT. My upper body and arms are nice and warm. Now I need to get some winter gloves and I'm working on something for my neck (any suggestions?)

 

For my neck a wear a light cotton turtle neck sweater not to heavy so i can put in on for late nights ride or added protection on a long hwy ride

 

Neck gator - tube like neck scarf - works great!

 

Glovewise, for really cold and/or wet weather I picked up a pair of these http://www.compacc.com/prod.cfm/cid/1001006/pid/18547 and I really like them, TOTALLY warm down to 37F which is the coldest I rode this year before it started to snow... One note: I used their size chart and they run small. Order the next size up. For face/neck, if you are going to be riding in really cold weather you might consider a full balaclava http://www.compacc.com/prod.cfm/cid/1001009/pid/20708 for maximum toastiness...

 

I saw a 'balaclava' yesterday at the local climbing/outdoor store (small shop really), but they wanted $40 for it. It looked perfect, but I wasn't sure what it would be like with a helmet. At the price of the one you linked to I may give it a shot. I ended up with a fleece gator. I'm not real sure it'll stop the wind like I need, but it may work out for the stop and go traffic I ride in.

 

Check Campmor for balacavas.