Motorcycle rider protection and stuff

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I've been riding on the road for 27 years. I would strongly suggest taking a motorcycle safety course if you haven't done so already. It's important to learn good habits before bad ones become engrained in your brain. I will never tell anybody that riding is safe, but it is fun and I enjoy it tremendously.
I am a firm believe in wearing protective equipment. That includes a full-face helmet, gloves, boots and a jacket. I particularly like my mesh jacket for summer riding.
Remember: "There are old riders and bold riders, but not many old, bold riders."
 
Well being from the hills I rode street bikes on the gravel from age 12 to 16 but always reasonably carefully and recently with the bmer I had no issues. But you can't ride like on the highway obviously :)
 
Rice Nuker said:
Well, i am getting a street bike tomorrow morning unless I die in a car accident en route or on the way home.

I am looking into high-vis jacket and helmet plus a bit of reflective decal crap too. I am thinking a reflective American flag on my helmet and some other small but bright decals on my shocks.

http://www.streetglo.net/

http://discounthelmetfactory.com/hj...otorcycle-helmet-hi-visibility-yellow-medium/

Not too interested in hearing that helmets are stupid or that all black is cool when the apocalypse hits because I already know that but unfortunately there are millions of idiots on the highway that love being behind the wheel while simultaneously doing zero actual driving.

I'm loading up on modulated headlights and bright turn signals.

What is everyone wearing and doing for physical and visibility protection?

Thank you.
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I wear a full-face KBC lid...it's a $140 helmet I got last year for $45 because it was on closeout from Revzilla. That does you no good, since it was disco'd in 2012. Revzilla, Motorcycle Superstore, leatherup.com, and Competition Accessories are always having helmet sales. You can get a good one for about $100. I am considering a modular lid...figure about $175-200 for one of those. (Though Revzilla has the AFX FX-140 on sale for $115, and it even has an integrated sunshade.)

My jacket is a mesh Teknic from Revzilla. It's OK. They have this one on sale, and it is much more visible than mine. Note: avoid ANY black on the jacket! Mine is black & neon yellow, and it is HOT in the sun!

Pants are Shadow Scorcher 2's, just got them, little input.

I have a 2012 Suzuki AN400 Burgman...what's your ride? :glasses7:

Also, from a dude I work with who rides an old dual-sport: before kick-starting one's bike, pull in the clutch. Before releasing said clutch...regardless of the bloody light being on, make sure the bike is ACTUALLY in neutral! Otherwise, you may have three guys laughing at you as you extract your bike from the landscaping.
 
diymirage said:
+1 on boots
I always tell people to wear as much gear as they can afford


I understand that you live in CA so this might not ring a bell but I always use the example of the snow plow
here in MI we see the snow plow come by about 4 months out of the year
they will be doing 55 MPH and their blade will be throwing sparks up 2 feet into the air

if a steel blade being drug about the pavement at 55 MPH get reduced at such a speed consider what would happen if you wiped out on a bike doing 55 MPH wearing only a denim jacket and a shirt

on a side note, I managed to brake my ankle on a dirtbike once, doing only 40 MPH wearing fox comp 5 boots
I think I paid $200 for those
now I wear alpinestar tech 10s that retail for $600

don't cheap out on gear
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I wear my Red Wing work boots (over-the-ankle, steel toe) when I ride...MC boots in my size (11EEE) just don't exist, near as I can tell. :(
 
First thing you should do is take the stock horn and throw it in the trash. Buy the loudest set of horns you can find and don't be afraid to use them. I also would buy the best full face helmet you can afford. Always be aware and leave yourself an out. When sitting at a light keep the bike in first gear and watch your mirrors so you can scoot out of the way. Be safe!
 
I know its been said before, but expect the worst of everybody
on my way to work today I drove past the scene of an accident where a car pulled out in front of a motorcycle
don't know how fast he was going but the guy never had a chance
the front end of the bike was completely gone
 
Look at advrider.com
Mostly a BMW / duel sport site, there is a whole section just on gear, and used gear for sale.
I sold my Buell Ulysses last year but kept all my gear.
I have been down too many times to count, but have never broke a bone, I attribute it to spending money on good gear, heavy jacket with back armor, gloves, pants and helmet.
Check the site out it also has good riding tips, bike maintenance etc. Worth joining.
Also it has good trips, and roads to ride in your state.

Be careful out there, a guy I work with is in ICU right now with his back broke in 4 places and his neck broke in 2.
A lady made a left turn in front of him and he t-boned her, went over the top of the car, he was the type that rode 5 mph under the speed limit.
You just never know what will happen out there.
His jacket did not have a back support.
 
HI Yall, thanks very much for all the great info.

I got some bright stuff and the jacket is quite nice, removable liner, armor in the right places. Next is lower half protection stuff.

I bought reflective hexagon stickers in black and did up my helmet so drunk people could see me while they are speeding down the road at night.

Here is my bike too.

2000 1200 Bandit S with 16.5K on it. Has full Holeshot headers and exhaust, all emissions gone, KN air filters, stage 2 jet and needle kit. Probably 1k in mods, all appear to be done correctly and cleanly.

Runs great but clutch slave cylinder is sticking just a bit, will rebuild that and the master, easy and cheap fix. Been driving all over the hills and curves for days. Put in Mobile syn cycle oil and wix filter then put about 500 miles on it so far. Going up to Auburn into the deep hills and curves on Monday.
 

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Glad you got geared up!
Did you have a fork stop on the front of the bike when you hauled it?
It prevents blowing out the front fork seals.
 
Dang, I did not know about that.

No leaks so hopefully it's good.

I am going to put progressive springs in soon anyways. and later on, put in this cartridge valve kit that everyone likes for those bikes.






sireland67 said:
Glad you got geared up!
Did you have a fork stop on the front of the bike when you hauled it?
It prevents blowing out the front fork seals.
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