Differences in vests

mainlinecoffee · 02-12-2014, 09:16 PM

With bug session coming up I was thinking about breaking out the vest and mad professor goggles again and I was wondering how many here even wear vests and why? I have been hit by enough bees and rocks on the highway that I would much rather be a little warmer than bleeding at 70mph. And was wanting to get a few opinions on material, leather seems to be the gold standard but I really don't want to drop the cash on one,I do have a old German flack jacket covered In band patches and spikes that would stop anything from a stray pebble to a supersonic 22... Do you(whoever) wear chaps or vests or atgatt? And why? Just wanting to get some other opinions,my gear is basically bates boots denim jeans and a tee shirt with the ocasional goggles and vest and it seems to work well. The last time I went down I was cut off going about 34 hit the SUV and skidded, I don't think any amount of gear would help that but what is considered decent protection?

grasshopper · 02-13-2014, 08:14 PM

currently I wear a full leather jacket for safety and bugs. in colder weather I use a full face modular helmet, in warm weather I sometimes switch to my skid lid half helmet with some clear safety glasses or motorcycle sun glasses. I always wear a helmet cause I don't know what will happen. I normally wear jeans but I do own some leather pants I wear normally when it is cold.

mainlinecoffee · 02-13-2014, 10:46 PM

I should get a good skid lid but I really don't see the point,brain damage is like death,it is or it is not with very little middle ground. I was thinking about grabbing some chaps but I'd feel kinda like that guy from the blue oyster cult. I am more concerned with road rash than head butting a SUV. Maybe chaps and a light jacket and a smaller set of glasses

grasshopper · 02-13-2014, 11:20 PM

I hear you on the brain damage it would be like metallica's ONE. there are a wide variety of motorcycle pants on the market. I use ebay to get a quick glimpse of them. the leather pants I have are plain black and I got them two sizes bigger to fit over my other pants. they still fit good by themselves. I have my eyes on some riding jeans.

JWR · 02-13-2014, 11:33 PM

I'll stay out of this thread...but ATGATT for me.

grasshopper · 02-13-2014, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWR

I'll stay out of this thread...but ATGATT for me.

a picture is worth a thousand words. what is the story behind that helmet?

JWR · 02-14-2014, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grasshopper

a picture is worth a thousand words. what is the story behind that helmet?

Went down at about 45 mph on a wet road January of last year.
Picked the bike up, and rode it home. Insurance co totaled the bike.
I bought it back and and had it ready to ride to Daytona by the first of March.

Before.

After.

mainlinecoffee · 02-14-2014, 12:31 AM

I think that's the thing he used to keep his face on his head and off the pavement...good point I didn't even think of.

Water Warrior 2 · 02-14-2014, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainlinecoffee

I think that's the thing he used to keep his face on his head and off the pavement...good point I didn't even think of.

34% of get offs result in a face plant. Full face is the only way to go. I believe in ATGATT because there is the added protection of armor in the knees, hips, elbows and shoulders if you go down. Actual riding boots and leather gloves are a must.
You may be the best and safest rider in the world but a Buick backing out of a driveway can still get you. It can happen in the blink of an eye.
I have textile pants and a jacket that are machine washable when they get dirty or covered in bugs. Just pull out the armor and add a bit of soap.
The final decision is up to the individual and the amount of risk he or she is willing to take. Riding a motorcycle is risky enough without going half naked in the process. I rode 2 or 3 times with only jeans instead of riding pants. Felt good and cool in the warm weather but if I had a fall my knees might never be the same.
Ask BurksBuild about his slow speed crash 2 or 3 years ago. It was quite devastating both physically and emotionally but he fought back with all his might to get on 2 wheels again. All because of a dog on the loose and it ran out to get him. BB is a safe rider with many miles under his belt but stuff happens.

mainlinecoffee · 02-14-2014, 12:32 AM

I know some guys in the leather scene that would shit a brick if I got chaps,at least it's not like leather overalls or highway patrol uniform.

02-12-2014, 09:16 PM	#1
mainlinecoffee Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: lexington ky Posts: 223	Differences in vests With bug session coming up I was thinking about breaking out the vest and mad professor goggles again and I was wondering how many here even wear vests and why? I have been hit by enough bees and rocks on the highway that I would much rather be a little warmer than bleeding at 70mph. And was wanting to get a few opinions on material, leather seems to be the gold standard but I really don't want to drop the cash on one,I do have a old German flack jacket covered In band patches and spikes that would stop anything from a stray pebble to a supersonic 22... Do you(whoever) wear chaps or vests or atgatt? And why? Just wanting to get some other opinions,my gear is basically bates boots denim jeans and a tee shirt with the ocasional goggles and vest and it seems to work well. The last time I went down I was cut off going about 34 hit the SUV and skidded, I don't think any amount of gear would help that but what is considered decent protection? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-13-2014, 10:46 PM	#3
mainlinecoffee Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: lexington ky Posts: 223	I should get a good skid lid but I really don't see the point,brain damage is like death,it is or it is not with very little middle ground. I was thinking about grabbing some chaps but I'd feel kinda like that guy from the blue oyster cult. I am more concerned with road rash than head butting a SUV. Maybe chaps and a light jacket and a smaller set of glasses Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-13-2014, 11:33 PM	#5
JWR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 1,413	I'll stay out of this thread...but ATGATT for me. __________________ Jerry Truth is there are lots of great bikes available and not nearly as many good riders out there riding them... "A man's got to know his limitations..." Login or Register to Remove Ads Last edited by JWR; 02-13-2014 at 11:37 PM.
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02-13-2014, 08:14 PM	#2
grasshopper Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: manning, sc Posts: 484	currently I wear a full leather jacket for safety and bugs. in colder weather I use a full face modular helmet, in warm weather I sometimes switch to my skid lid half helmet with some clear safety glasses or motorcycle sun glasses. I always wear a helmet cause I don't know what will happen. I normally wear jeans but I do own some leather pants I wear normally when it is cold.
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02-13-2014, 11:20 PM	#4
grasshopper Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: manning, sc Posts: 484	I hear you on the brain damage it would be like metallica's ONE. there are a wide variety of motorcycle pants on the market. I use ebay to get a quick glimpse of them. the leather pants I have are plain black and I got them two sizes bigger to fit over my other pants. they still fit good by themselves. I have my eyes on some riding jeans.
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02-14-2014, 12:31 AM	#8
mainlinecoffee Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: lexington ky Posts: 223	I think that's the thing he used to keep his face on his head and off the pavement...good point I didn't even think of.
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02-14-2014, 12:32 AM	#10
mainlinecoffee Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: lexington ky Posts: 223	I know some guys in the leather scene that would shit a brick if I got chaps,at least it's not like leather overalls or highway patrol uniform.
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