Body Armor Checklist

[waya]

OK,

Here is a body-armor checklist I have put together to go by. Comments would be appreciated.

This is based on information found here: http://motorcyclesafetyinfo.com/motorcy ... _gear.html (http://motorcyclesafetyinfo.com/motorcycle_safety_gear.html)


DOT Approved Helmet
[list:1vbh7hiq]
First Choice. Full face helmet.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Second Choice. 3/4 face helmet.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Third Choice. All others.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq][/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Gloves

Must have good padding/protection for knuckles.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Need to have reflective areas.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Other recommended requirements?[/*:m:1vbh7hiq][/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Boots

Leather or other tough material.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Short heel.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
At least 6" tall to help protect ankles.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Thick durable rubber sole.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq][/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Armored Jacket

Must have CE rated body armor for shoulders, elbows, and spine/back.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Should include reflective stripes.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Should fit with extra clothes underneath while sitting on bike.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Better if adjustable using side laces and a belt.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq][/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Armored Pants

Must have CE rated body armor for hips and knees.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Good pants are made of leather, nylon, or Kevlar.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq][/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Riding Suits

Must have CE rated body armor for shoulders, elbows, spine, hips, and knees.[/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
I understand "sliders" are a good idea. Should this apply also to jacket/pants above?[/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
I think this can be treated as a jacket/pants replacement?[/*:m:1vbh7hiq]
Pictures of one: http://www.motorcyclegear.com/browse/vi ... mages/3804 (http://www.motorcyclegear.com/browse/view_product_images/3804)[/*:m:1vbh7hiq][/*:m:1vbh7hiq][/list:u:1vbh7hiq]

About the reflective colors:

... the best choice is yellow, which is the color most visible to the human eye ...

[Water Warrior 2]

Wow, you have been busy. Your choices are pretty much spot on for most items. I personally would shy away from an actual riding suit. Those are primarily for the go fast crowd and track use.
I use textile and mesh jackets and pants. 12/13 inch tall boots, my choice and default footwear due to foot size/shape etc.
A little known secret by many folks is Merino wool(Smart wool)works all year round in boots and will never itch. Gloves, 3 pair, waterproof textile insulated glove worn once in 2006. Leather armored, somewhat vented gloves. My favs and almost always worn are leather insulated gauntlets from Red Wing. Light insulation and super comfy no matter what.
Helmets are both full face with one being flip up. Ear plugs..........Always protect your hearing from wind and engine noise. Never leave home without them.

[mrlmd1]

As long as you're getting saddlebags, tuck in some raingear to carry around when you get stuck in a sudden downpour, and get the boot covers (About $15-20).

[alantf]

and get the boot covers (About $15-20).

Mine are factory treated with something called IMPRAPERM. I don't know if you can get those boots in America, but if you see any with the tag sewn in, I can't recommends them highly enough. They don't let any moisture in, yet they don't make your feet sweat any more than with other boots.[attachment=0:2h1zo46q]b31.jpg[/attachment:2h1zo46q]

[Water Warrior 2]

Alantf, who made your boots ??

[waya]

and get the boot covers (About $15-20).

Mine are factory treated with something called IMPRAPERM. I don't know if you can get those boots in America, but if you see any with the tag sewn in, I can't recommends them highly enough. They don't let any moisture in, yet they don't make your feet sweat any more than with other boots.[attachment=0:26efdk4r]b31.jpg[/attachment:26efdk4r]

I really can't get proper fitting shoe-wear/boot-wear.

I am Native American and as a general rule of thumb, our feet are taller and wider than what is normally manufactured. Lookup "Nike-N7". Our feet also in general don't "splay outwards" but are pointed directly forwards.

[Water Warrior 2]

Wow, quit a difference in foot structure. Have you ever tried a Red Wing store for foorwear ?

[alantf]

Alantf, who made your boots ??

They're by OUTSTARS TECHNOLOGIES :)

If you google outstars technologies motorcycle boots it'll bring their web page up.

[waya]

Wow, quit a difference in foot structure. Have you ever tried a Red Wing store for foorwear ?


Never heard of "Red Wing", the only tennis shoes I can get to mostly fit properly are the Native American specific Nike-N7's

[edit]

The boots I currently have are a combo-zipper draw-string. With the strings all the way loose, I still have sometimes uncomfortable pressure on the inner top side of my left foot.

I will have to find me a cobbler to increase their height at some point very near in the future.

[mrlmd1]

Boots are like helmets when it comes to fit. Don't expect to find something on the internet that fits without trying it on first.

[waya]

I can't usually get my foot into boots that I find in stores.

[Water Warrior 2]

If you can find a Red Wing store in your area it might be a worthwhile store to check out. They do make some nice boots and have some options for fitting footwear properly. Maybe just Google them to see what they make before searching for a store.
I too have a problem with footwear. Older feet get wider and with a wide fallen arch it is no fun looking for footwear. Luckily New Balance make 4EEEE width in a size 12. I can even get my custom arch supports into them without difficulty. Without the supports I can't walk without pain.
Now here is the question of the century. How the heck did I find a pair of AlpineStar riding boots big enough and wide enough to allow me to walk comfortably without my supports. They are normally a narrow boot typical of Italian boots. Found them in Marysville Tenn in 2007. Shoulda bought both pair in stock. $100 for a pair and here they were $300 Can if they had a pair that fit.

[Water Warrior 2]

Alantf, who made your boots ??

They're by OUTSTARS TECHNOLOGIES :)

If you google outstars technologies motorcycle boots it'll bring their web page up.
Thank Alantf, I just may have another source for boots. I should look for some closer to home though. :2tup:

[waya]

Just Googled it.

There is one right next to a motorcycle store!

The one I was poking around in today!

[Water Warrior 2]

Sounds a lot like one stop shopping for some folks.