Motorcycle safety gear questions

[Way Cool Jr.]

I am signed up for my motorcycle class and was looking at safety gear. I would be riding during the summer, and in Texas, it gets hot. I saw the Joe Rocket "Phoenix" style jacket, but didn't know how well it would hold up in a crash.

What do they make for pants, that give good protection and are cool (temp wise).

Do they make stuff that can go over shorts, sort of like the jacket?

Any help would be appreciated.
TIA

 

[Fausto]

I'm in GA so I can relate to the hot weather issues.

For summer stuff, you basically have two choices: perforated leather or cordura. Vanson makes some very nice jackets and pants that have varying degrees of perforation. Some just have sleeve scoops and fold-down panels on the chest area and others are completely perforated. If money is no object, get a summer setup and a winter setup. If you're like the rest of us po folks, go for the "convertible" jacket.

As for how things will hold up in a crash, the main thing you are concerned with is abrasion resistance. This is why denim sucks; you will slide for about 40ft and then the denim is toast...meaning you are now sliding on skin...not good. There is endless debate as to whether leather or cordura is better, but both will save your hide at non-racing speeds (read: under 100mph or so). Pretty much any of the major makers are plenty safe (Vanson, Joe Rocket, AGV, etc).

If you want stuff that can be worn over street clothes, check out Aerostitch. Their one-piece suit can be put on or removed in about 20sec, ventilates pretty well once you open everything up, is waterproof, and is worn over street clothes so you can pull it off and be comfy in shorts and a t-shirt upon reaching your destination or stopping for lunch or layer warm stuff underneath it in cold-weather riding. They are about as expensive as leathers, but can be tossed in the washer to be cleaned (leathers get pretty funky after a summer or two). They are also just as protective as a good set of leathers...have removeable armor and back protector, etc. The only drawback is they're somewhat dorky looking.

Good luck,
Fausto

 

[NewCompGeek]

the point is to stay on the bike lol but the leather are nice

 

[The Stigenator]

Its a good idea to wear leathers or some sort of protective stuff even in summer despite the heat.

If you realise in the high speed your riding at, your body perspires, if your not wearing any protective stuff the sweat just evoporates. If you wear leathers it keeps you cool cause it wont evaporate. Also during the summer drink lots of water / gatorade / powerade.. stay off caffieen based drink.

I wear jeans all the time, somehow I dont think I will look good in leathers. However I plan to get some pants later so I can pull them over my jeans. In most cases jeans do the trick. Also a pair of summer gloves and winter gloves. The summer gloves are pefforated, its keeps your hands cool, the winter stuff is for winter. I have two pairs of gloves that I use.

hope this helps.

TGG

 

[Alienwho]

The only thing i'm sure to wear is long pants and a helmet. Some times I don't even wear long pants but then if my leg hits the engine it burns.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

Whats up Way Cool Jr.

For summer riding I'm getting the Phoenix jacket fromthese guys.
I got my leather jacket from them and they seem to have the best prices. They are in texas so you'll have to pay taxes, but it is still cheaper.

The material is supprisingly strong. It's true that the textile clothing isn't as strong as the leathers but they will save your skin if you wipeout. Joe Rocket does make the Reactor which is a textile jacket with leather in the contact spots.

If any of you went to the Dalls motorcycle show, they had a textile suit that some dude was wearing when he hit a deer at 80MPH and was thrown from the bike. He slid several hundred feet and walked away. They do make wrap around pants but I would suggest Draggin jeans. They are blue jeans with armor pads in them.

Also remember to get a good set of gloves and a comfortable helmet. Whatever you do don't buy a used helmet. One drop can ruin a helmet, even though you can see any damage.

email me at@ if you have more questions.

 

[Way Cool Jr.]

The Phoenix jacket looks the best. Other people have mentioned Brosh stuff. Anyway, they have Cool Pants, I wonder if they are any good. Here is the link. I would like something I can through on over shorts or my work pants (khakis).

 

[Damage]

The Hein Gerick VPilot is really nice and has vent zippers. I would try to find something with some lightwieght body armor in it also...

 

[Mungla]

Here is a list of the gear that I always wear, no matter what:

1.) Arai Quantum/f Helmet
2.) Joe Rocket Meteor 3.0 jacket
3.) Joe Rocket Ballistic 3.0 pants
4.) Joe Rocket Radiant gloves (the Radiant's are for winter, I have a pair of thinly made textile-material gloves for summer)
5.) Pair of cheap Wal-Mart shoes that cover my ankles

Leather isn't worth buying anymore. Textiles will take 10x the wear/force that leather will. Most of JR's textile clothing is 100% water-proof, whereas leather will only hold water out for a few minutes (that is, if you keep the leather conditioned correctly). Also, JR's Meteor jacket has bolted-on (yes BOLTED ON!) kevlar sheets, with shock-absorbing foam padding underneath. The Meteor has the kevlar/foam protection in the elbows and sholders, and a very decent spine protector. All of the professional riders (racers) that I know all love the JR Ballistic pants. The Ballistic pants have kevlar sheets on the rear-end, crotch, and knees (knee area also has foam).

If you go with thinly made pants/jacket, you should know that you WILL crash within the first 6 months of owning your bike. Everyone crashes. There are two types of motorcyclists: Those that have crashed and have now moved on to greater things, and those that haven't crashed yet ride completely paranoid around every obstacle.

Check out for your shopping needs. Their prices aren't the best, but you won't get repackaged merchandise either. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com