If you only read one article about gear: Difference between revisions
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[[Category:Protective Gear]] | [[Category:Protective Gear]] | ||
==Why Safety Gear? Accidents Happen== | ==Why Safety Gear? Accidents Happen== | ||
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Motorcycle safety clothing breaks down into some obvious categories: | Motorcycle safety clothing breaks down into some obvious categories: | ||
* Helmets | |||
* Jackets | |||
* Gloves | |||
* Pants | |||
* Boots | |||
* Full suits | |||
For the purposes of this article, we can lump "everything but helmets" into one category and helmets into their own category. | For the purposes of this article, we can lump "everything but helmets" into one category and helmets into their own category. | ||
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There are many myths about helmets that are worth dispelling. Helmets DO NOT: | There are many myths about helmets that are worth dispelling. Helmets DO NOT: | ||
* Impair the rider's ability to hear traffic | |||
* Reduce field of view | |||
* Cause greater neck injury than "no helmet" in a crash | |||
* Cause fatigue from weight | |||
For more information on helmets, please see the [[Helmet|helmet FAQ]]. | For more information on helmets, please see the [[Helmet|helmet FAQ]]. | ||
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This is a thought experiment to see if you have enough good gear. It's already elsewhere in the FAQ, but the idea is so good that it's worth linking to. [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Do_I_really_need_to_wear_all_this_stuff%3F#The_Sander_Test Please read it.] | This is a thought experiment to see if you have enough good gear. It's already elsewhere in the FAQ, but the idea is so good that it's worth linking to. [http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Do_I_really_need_to_wear_all_this_stuff%3F#The_Sander_Test Please read it.] | ||
==The Financial Perspective== | |||
One common complaint about motorcycle safety gear is that it's expensive. This is true. It probably costs a minimum of $600 to outfit yourself with a reasonable set of safety gear: helmet, jacket, gloves, pants and boots. If you can't afford to get the safety gear, you can't afford to be riding a motorcycle right now. Save up your money until you can afford both the bike you want and the safety gear. | One common complaint about motorcycle safety gear is that it's expensive. This is true. It probably costs a minimum of $600 to outfit yourself with a reasonable set of safety gear: helmet, jacket, gloves, pants and boots. If you can't afford to get the safety gear, you can't afford to be riding a motorcycle right now. Save up your money until you can afford both the bike you want and the safety gear. | ||
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You don't have to spend $1000 to get a good set of gear, but if you plan on spending that much, you'll be happy when you get set up for less. One trick you can use to save money is to locate the model and brand of gear you want, but in last year's model. This gear is exactly as protective, but retailers need to clear it out for "next year's model." This stuff tends to go on sale around the fall and winter, although it's worth checking any time of year. | You don't have to spend $1000 to get a good set of gear, but if you plan on spending that much, you'll be happy when you get set up for less. One trick you can use to save money is to locate the model and brand of gear you want, but in last year's model. This gear is exactly as protective, but retailers need to clear it out for "next year's model." This stuff tends to go on sale around the fall and winter, although it's worth checking any time of year. | ||
The Finanaces of Crashing | ====The Finanaces of Crashing==== | ||
For this discussion, let's set up a scenario in which we have two different riders: Casual Carl and Safety Steve (thanks to David Hough for the naming convention. Go read his book, [[Ninja 250 Rider's bookshelf|Proficient Motorcycling]], if you haven't yet). | For this discussion, let's set up a scenario in which we have two different riders: Casual Carl and Safety Steve (thanks to David Hough for the naming convention. Go read his book, [[Ninja 250 Rider's bookshelf|Proficient Motorcycling]], if you haven't yet). | ||
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And, of course, this strictly-numbers analysis doesn't look at what happens to a person who has to endure that kind of pain for 4-5 months. It doesn't examine the mental problems that could develop, or the strain on relationships with other people, or the fact that Carl chose to never ride a bike again as being far too dangerous -- he considers himself lucky (and rightly so) that he didn't die in that accident. | And, of course, this strictly-numbers analysis doesn't look at what happens to a person who has to endure that kind of pain for 4-5 months. It doesn't examine the mental problems that could develop, or the strain on relationships with other people, or the fact that Carl chose to never ride a bike again as being far too dangerous -- he considers himself lucky (and rightly so) that he didn't die in that accident. | ||
==Conclusion== | |||
As I hope has been made painfully, gut-wrenchingly clear at this point, good quality riding gear is an essential part of riding a motorcycle. Regardless of how skilled you are, there's always a chance that something could throw you from your bike, and if you're not wearing safety gear, it could be the beginning of the end of your life. | As I hope has been made painfully, gut-wrenchingly clear at this point, good quality riding gear is an essential part of riding a motorcycle. Regardless of how skilled you are, there's always a chance that something could throw you from your bike, and if you're not wearing safety gear, it could be the beginning of the end of your life. | ||