re: Safety , have you considered body armor?

[KNIGHTENFORCER]

hey guys, hearing and reading about guys/ gals taking a spill on their bikes, accident fatalities, and actually seeing some in person...it made me realize that jackets, boots and helmets alone wont protect you completely..have you guys considered getting something like these:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...108&Division=1
or:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...108&division=1
I saw them online and on ebay...the vest itself can be worn inside any riding jacket, and you can hide the shin/knee guard underneath your riding pants or jeans, As much as I love riding my bike, I'm also safety conscious (having learned my lesson about 3years ago, on a ninja 600r-not even going fast,about 30-35mph but got cut off by a flatbed truck at the worst moment on a bad curve, taking a spill, without any armor..just a regular jacket and boots....the part i injured was my knee/shin and forearm, i also took a good bump on my chest and head...thank God I was wearing a fullface helmet!) Anyway...I think of that moment everytime I commute with my bike...I take the Expressway a lot to and from work(about 60miles) and in NY the expressway sux for a rider...I'm not one of those people who weave in and out of lanes and go between cars etc...but still, you ride safe, do everything by the book, and next thing you know there's some guy tailgaiting, or just want to cut you off for some reason...even when your within the speed limit....anyway, Sorry for the rant...what I'm trying to say is, you can never have too much riding armor/protection...esp when it comes to your SAFETY...and arriving home safely to your loved ones/family.

[nhoel]

That's some nice gear... I might consider that this winter season... summer was pretty brutal here in LA that wearing a jacket was already torture... It was a choice between safety and passing out from the heat...

[cjjtulsa]

Just received my Mesh-tex 2 jacket yesterday, and was thinking about already upgrading the elbows to the CE approved armor without having worn it yet.

On a side note concerning gear: Don't know if all bike cops are this way, but here in Tulsa they wear half helmets, short sleeved shirts, and regular uniform pants with tall boots. Don't they seem a little underdressed for cruising the expressways at 70mph? I realize their job would be hampered by the correct gear, but then I would think that the guys who should be the poster children for promoting safety would gear up more than they do. Just an observation.

[Road Momma]

My hubby and I always put our armor jackets on when we ride.

We live in FL and yes it's very hot with the jackets but we know what could happen if we take a spill.

Road Momma

[inspiron]

Originally Posted by nhoel

That's some nice gear... I might consider that this winter season... summer was pretty brutal here in LA that wearing a jacket was already torture... It was a choice between safety and passing out from the heat...

I don't ride a cruiser, but given the choice between being warm (when stopped) or having my skin scrubed with a wire brush to remove stones and dirt, I'll take the warm gear any day of the week. Just ask Gixxerdale what happens when you don't wear gear.

When it's warm, you have to keep yourself hydrated - make frequent stops, and drink alot of water or sports drinks. Try to avoid coffee and high sugar drinks (coke, etc.). And try to avoid very cold drinks - it's better if they are cool or room-temperature - drinking an ice cold water when it's 100°+ outside can give you cramps.

When on your bike (in gear), try to keep moving. If you know you are going to be stuck in traffic, you might as well take the car.

[KNIGHTENFORCER]

Nhoel, I'm thinking the same way...it'll be bearable to wear during the cool season, CJ....I have the joerocket rio mesh jacket...it came with the elbow,shoulder, and spine pad(removeable)..it's my favorite jacket.....i could wear it in the summer time, and with the liner...i could wear it in the spring and fall...i have several jackets, and i wear the mesh one the most...i just take the liner with me and put it on when the temperature drops. As far as copgear on the bike...i believe it's mandatory for them to wear their concealed body armor (kevlar vest) underneath the uniform...here in NY they also wear leather jacket(thick cowhide) and tall boots-no matter the season. I agree with you as far as the short sleeve shirt goes...but i guess diff department/states, different budget...etc...Roadmomma and Inspiron...i also agree with ya.

[stp1971]

That is an idea???? Might look into it,,hmmmm,,more concealed bling..

[Pinhy]

Originally Posted by stp1971

more concealed bling..

isnt that an oxymoron?

[cjjtulsa]

Originally Posted by KNIGHTENFORCER

CJ....I have the joerocket rio mesh jacket...it came with the elbow,shoulder, and spine pad(removeable)..it's my favorite jacket.....i could wear it in the summer time, and with the liner...i could wear it in the spring and fall...i have several jackets, and i wear the mesh one the most...i just take the liner with me and put it on when the temperature drops.

Mine has a zip-out windbreaker liner also. It's got soft armor in all the normal places (elbows, shoulders, back), but you can upgrade to the hard CE approved stuff, so I'm thinking about at least putting some in the elbows. I figure that would be the most vulnerable area in a lay-down. I was going to buy black because it looked kind of slick, but my wife mentioned that since it was a mesh jacket and would be worn mostly when it was hot, that a black jacket in the sun might not be the ticket. Plus she said that it would be the least visible. She's always right, so I bought a silver one. Looks good, I just hope I don't look too "boy racer" with it on. Got to keep that cruiser image, ya know.

[nhoel]

Originally Posted by inspiron

When on your bike (in gear), try to keep moving. If you know you are going to be stuck in traffic, you might as well take the car.

I almost laughed at this... sorry, but being stuck here in traffic is almost a daily guarantee (hence the popular way of lane splitting in California). But just to add something to your reply... You can also be smart by getting the proper gear for your climate. I originally bought myself a buffalo hide leather jacket and started riding out in it... Summer got brutal and at one point, I had to get out of traffic and cool myself down in a shade coz I was about to past out from the heat... My solution??? Get a friggin mesh jacket... I got the one by Joe Rocket Phoenix 3.0. Really makes wonders at 15 mph. I take road rash seriously and wouldn't want to ride one without any extra layer of protection like a jacket.

[oklahoma_mike]

Originally Posted by cjjtulsa

On a side note concerning gear: Don't know if all bike cops are this way, but here in Tulsa they wear half helmets, short sleeved shirts, and regular uniform pants with tall boots. Don't they seem a little underdressed for cruising the expressways at 70mph? I realize their job would be hampered by the correct gear, but then I would think that the guys who should be the poster children for promoting safety would gear up more than they do. Just an observation.

There might be a reason I will find out.

[intimid8er]

My summer jacket

Winter Gear



Gloves

[intimid8er]

Oh yeah....forgot my summer helmet too...

[MagnumForce]

ROTFLMAO!!! Classic Intimid8er! I like samurai gear.

[nhoel]

dang, that body armor seems heavier than the bike itself!!! Do you use an engine hoist to get you on the bike??? (joke, joke)... cheerios!!!

[intimid8er]

Originally Posted by nhoel

dang, that body armor seems heavier than the bike itself!!! Do you use an engine hoist to get you on the bike??? (joke, joke)... cheerios!!!

Nah...I climb a half ladder and jump on!

[KNIGHTENFORCER]

[quote=intimid8er]Oh yeah....forgot my summer helmet too...


LOL....Intimid8er....I like your armor/helmet better...too bad it does'nt come in black to match my bike

[nhoel]

Originally Posted by intimid8er

Nah...I climb a half ladder and jump on!

Ouch... then, definitely, you need some armor/cup down there if you just jump on it...

[oklahoma_mike]

Originally Posted by nhoel

Ouch... then, definitely, you need some armor/cup down there if you just jump on it...

LOL

[QuacktheDuck]

the teknic supervent jacket is great...has ce armor and all, I love it as a summer jacket. Lately though things have cooled down...back to leather and hard armor.