As the thread starter I wish this thread to stay open as long as there is not breach of acceptable forum conduct. If the thread has not turned into insult fest or something, it should remain open.
Anything Motorcycle.. Let's begin by continuing the conversation about gear. The last post in one of the few interesting threads in the forum was this ...
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This sums it up well..
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Tests are conducted all the time to compare the abrasion resistence of motorcycle riding gear materials and leather always comes out on top as the most durable material. Furthermore, leather does not melt from friction, it will cushion your fall more than motorcycle textiles would and it offers the best protection against a road rash. The fact that leather also lasts through multiple crashes whilst textiles will probably only last through one, says a lot about the difference in protection and impact between the two materials.
The textiles vs leathers debate basically comes down to protection vs everything else. It must be said however, that even though leathers offer more protection, all motorcycle textiles have to abide by EU standards and so its not like they don’t offer you protection at all. Motorcycle leathers just offers better protection – that’s all.
If you are a commuter, then motorcycle textiles are probably the best bet. They are more comfortable and have more pockets for storage. Motorcycle leathers are designed for performace riding so you are not able to wear many layers underneath, and if its hot, you’re going to arrive sweating – not good for your next promotion or that honey that you are trying to impress!
If you are into extreme riding, then it is unquestionable that leathers are what you need!
My personal opinion when it comes to textiles vs leathers is that skin takes a lot longer to heal than discomfort – but then again I don’t commute to work everyday, I am no longer on a budget and I have seen enough to put my safety first – always!
then
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I'm slightly afraid of posting up what bike I'm going to be getting because of the discussion on here...but I'm ready for the possible reaming...
I'm picking up (on Wednesday/Thursday) a 1999 Suzuki TL1000R.
Yes, it's a liter bike
yes, I don't have as much experience as other riders,
yes, it was the price that i could afford and the style I wanted
and YES, I will be purchasing a full set of leathers and a high quality helmet...and never disrespecting the power that the bike has...it gets me jumpy thinking about it
I would say that a litre bike is usually a mistake for a new rider but if you are very careful and actually take the time to develope the skill, you should be OK. A TLR1000 is not a Superbike, it is more of a sport touring bike and therefore is more forgiving than the GSXR1000, ZX10R, R1 or CBR1000RR. It will be somewhat easier to ride, but still has tons of power... Please try to be safe.
PAX
PS: This is what part of the alphabet would look like if Q and R were eliminated
- Mitch Hedberg (RIP)
I'm a daily commuter with my motorcycle, and I ride with mesh jacket and pants lined with lots of armor everywhere. It's the only way to go in our summer heat.
I think a lot of Harley-type guys buy "leathers", but they're JUST leather, no armor. And then they'll usually throw on a brain-bucket at most. So they go down, they'll have half a face and oatmeal bones..but all their chest hair.
As for the 1000cc bikes for beginners, that's STUPID. For example, the average life span of a Yamaha R1 is something like 45 days.... DAYS!!
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Many don't make it home from the dealership, sometimes the rider doesn't make it either. Last year's record was 5km (From the notices I read). Brand new rider, brand new GSXR1000. 5km later, bike destroyed, rider's life too... RIP
To be fair the TLR is no R1. It is a potent machine, but it has a touring attitude. Respect will keep him alive... I hope.
Please tell me you have taken an MSF course at least. If not, don't swing a leg over that bnike until you do. You WILL get yourself into a heap of trouble without at least the basics down.
PAX
PS: This is what part of the alphabet would look like if Q and R were eliminated
- Mitch Hedberg (RIP)
I've taken the MSF and am looking at their level 2 course right now. I'd go to track school if I could but I'm not going to spend the money on a high-dollar suit until I stop losing weight.
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I have yes.
And I'm going to be selling my other bike back to the dealer and going to get as much gear as i can with that, and anything extra is coming out of my pocket...im not going to ride it unless i'm fully equiped...
i have absolutely no objections to this thread, as long as it doesn't turn into a flame war. the last thread was locked due to going off topic, but since this is a general discussion about motorcycles, you take the discussion in any direction you want (within reason).
Does anyone have any links to some good armor and/or leather? My motorcycle is still in pieces waiting to be painted and put back together but I'd like to be prepared when I'm able to ride it. It's a '73 Triumph Bonneville 750cc bored .020 over due to stuck pistons when we got it. Not really a cruiser or a sport bike, just a motorcycle. I'm hoping to have some time to get it together this summer. Me and my dad need to sandblast the frame and re-spray it black, finish the paint on the tank and other body pieces, put the motor back together, re-polish the crome, redo the wiring, fix the brakes....the list goes on. Thankfully it's an older motorcycle so no big mess with the electronics and my dad's had years of experience working on Triumphs so he can get the carbs and everything else going good.
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* Student of the University of Oklahoma. Go Sooners!
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Wow, cool old bike. They are a real handful to ride.. So heavy, and tons of bottom end (more now thay it's bored over). Tricky for low speed manouvers.
Anyway, that'll be tricky. I'm sure you want good protection but not really sport stuff. I guess go to some big dealers and see what they've got. Also check out
New Enough for some deals if price is an issue.
PAX
PS: This is what part of the alphabet would look like if Q and R were eliminated
- Mitch Hedberg (RIP)
Yeah, that IS cool I wouldn't mind an old Triumph in my garage.
It's a trip, though. The new Bonnevilles are still basically the same bike!
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as for gear, they do make something in between mesh and leathers... one of my friends just bought this jacket -
click here
It is a mesh jacket but it has leather at all the points where you would slide. it protects you without overheating you
The TL-R's are on par with the new 600 class bikes as far as speed goes. They're heavier and have older suspensions, but they can still rock your ass if you're not careful. Just be careful keeping the front wheel down in 1st, and 2nd, and 3rd, and 4th
In other news, all I need to do my Gixxer front end swap is the triple trees, I got the forks, brakes, wheel, etc. I'll be sure to get some pics up once I get it all put on (hopefully in the next week or 2)
a Tiller will not much much fun for a newb, as mentioned a new 600 would lay the whoppings down on one, not to mention Tillers have a turning radius of a Ocean liner, and weight allmost as much,
And yes they have a bad habit of going from bad to nasty real fast.
Here's what I know about bikes: Every rider I know, EVERY one, has taken a tumble at one time or another. It's inevitable when you ride a fast bike and have no experience. Also, one of my friends is a speed freak and reccomends that 650cc is the biggest size engine you buy. It's got more than enough power, the bike looks big and fast unlike 450's who look like a kid's bike, and because the bike is the same size and overall weight as a bigger bike you'll be gaining experience to ride the insane 1000 to 1300cc bikes one day.
The old saying is, it's not "if" you go down, it's when you go down. If you haven't dumped a bike, you're next. Try to make it at a survivable speed.
Everyone crashes their first bike. Some drop them in a parking lot, learning low speed manuevers, some lowside on an on-ramp and slide into freeway traffic. Try to make yours one of the parking lot type.
Me? Oh ya, dumped dirt bikes all the time while finding the limits and dumped on the street once, ending up in a low speed tip over in the grass. Could have been much worse. If I didn't have dirt experience I would have fallen at a higher speed and maybe gotten hurt or damagfed my bike. As it turned out I didn't even have a bruise and my bike needed only a turn signal lens. I got lucky.
When riding with experienced riders, do NOT work to keep up. If it's difficult then you will end up in over your head. Ride at your own pace, they'll wait for you (unless they're jerks you don't want to ride with anyway). Your pace will improve as you learn, you cannot force it without getting hurt.
PAX
PS: This is what part of the alphabet would look like if Q and R were eliminated
- Mitch Hedberg (RIP)
^^
Yup. Dumped my Ninja on the street, not really paying attention to the corner. If you check out my myspace page, you'll see a background with pics from the accident. If you don't see it, hit refresh a few times. The background cycles.
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Anyone else have a weekend of looking at your bike but not riding it? I had so much to do I couldn't ride until just before the rain came yesterday.. Arrrg!
Every day costs about $2.50 in insurance, I need to ride that thing dammit!
PAX
PS: This is what part of the alphabet would look like if Q and R were eliminated
- Mitch Hedberg (RIP)
I got to ride last night.. finally. The cool summer air feels so nice.
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I'm not sure I needed the huge pictures of a helmet and jacket. I am a strong promotor of "All The Gear, All The Time".
That said, where's the boots, pants and gloves? There's a few items missing from your gear pics.
Now add a back protector too. Though not required, they may save you some serious grief. They are
required at the track, and there's a reason for that.
PAX
PS: This is what part of the alphabet would look like if Q and R were eliminated
- Mitch Hedberg (RIP)
The jacket has a back plate in it. I felt like posting the pic so forgive me I guess. lame...
Hey, no appology needed.. Whatever, it's cool.. This is the "anything Motorcycle" thread after all.
That said, check that Icon Jacket.. Some of their stuff is labelled "Not for road use" meaning it's not good at speed. Just check it.
How do you like the lid? I have never had a Scorpion before.. I am a big fan of Arai and Suomy, have had Laser, and Schuberth as well...
If you can compair, please do.. Oh ya, I wore a Shark for a day to test it...
Currently using an Arai Quantum II.
The back protection in the jacket is not the same as a back protector (seperat gear), although it helps. My Spyke leathers have some back protection but whenever I go to the track, I wear an Alpinstars back protector as well. That's the one piece of gear I don't wear on the street. Too much stop and go, the back protector ccan really make you sweat in slow moving traffic.
That is the only gear I don't wear on the street (unless I'm going for a "spirited ride" with some close buddies).
PAX
PS: This is what part of the alphabet would look like if Q and R were eliminated
- Mitch Hedberg (RIP)
OK, now someone has deleted my post. Don't. Not without at least telling me.
So, no feedback on that helmet eh?
Figures.
PAX
PS: This is what part of the alphabet would look like if Q and R were eliminated
- Mitch Hedberg (RIP)
Yea I can toss out some feedback on it. I like the feel of it alot to be honest and its much much lighter than most I have had on. I get a little pressure on my forehead but it goes away after the padding works its way. Overall I like it, Almost got an EXO400 but the 700 has the antifog and unbreakable visor and many more air vents in it.
Have you worn any other helmets at speed? If so can you compare? Example, My Shuberth Concept is a great touring helmet but at speed it has some shake. At race speed, it gets stupid, to the point that it affects my vision. My Arai is firmly planted, no movement what-so-ever, but it is very close to the face and on long leisurely rides, I'd rather have the Shuberth. I wear the Arai way more
My Laser helmet was good, but it was for dirt, so I cannot compare.
Suomy makes an awesome helmet but for the same money, you can get an Arai. I like the Arai better but people with a more rounded head my like the Suomy better, same goes for the Shark.. Actually Shark helmets seem like a bargain, I might get one next time I need a lid.
Gloves are a problem for me. One season is all I get out of a pair and that doesn't seem right. I always wear out the palm, I don't know why, I think I must pivot on the palm or something. Whatever the problem, it's subtle. I am not trying my first kangaroo leather gloves (just the palms) in the Alpinstars GP pro glove. I hope they last, they're not cheap.
Suomys are by far the most comfortable glove I have ever owned. Soo nice to wear, but they only lasted one season too.
PAX
PS: This is what part of the alphabet would look like if Q and R were eliminated
- Mitch Hedberg (RIP)
I think it would be appropriate to move the gear talk to this thread. The "My bike" thread has been trashed pretty badly (yes, I am guilty, but I'm not alone).
Gloves... What's your favourite?
Anyone have Sidi Vetabra boots? Were they worth the extra coin?
PAX
PS: This is what part of the alphabet would look like if Q and R were eliminated
- Mitch Hedberg (RIP)
