When I was younger, I took a lot of chances. I think like anyone who grew up in the 60's and 70's we were influenced by our parents and the times.
Riding on a motorcycle with just a tee shirt and vest, jeans, boots and a beanie, that's the way most of us rolled back then. Over time, with a few friends involved with meeting the pavement and burying others you grow up and grab a brain and realize - HMMM - I am NOT invincible - this too could hurt me.
I would never have ventured on to a motorcycle with shorts and sandals or flip flops on - I am not comfortable with that degree of exposure and I never have been.
I have had stories submitted to our community newspaper (The Busted Knuckle Chronicles) on how someone's motorcycle gear saved their life - their hide...I have seen first hand the ravages of road rash - the horrible swelling and scabbing. The scars...
Good Gear is important - at a certain age you come to realize that. For some us the realization takes longer because we weren't weaned on motocross.
Yesterday I asked about helmets and what you wear and why you wear it.
Today I want to ask you for your thoughts on jackets. As riders we go through all kinds of elelments. You can, in certain parts of the country see all 4 seasons in one day - so what jacket do you wear? What brand, why did you choose it?
Do you wear leather like I do (really, really heavy leather) or do you wear a fashion leather - light weight.
Do you wear cordura? Armour? Denim?
What do you wear and why do you wear it?
Please join the discussion here, on Face Book or over in the forums on www.beltdrivebetty.com - I would LOVE to hear from you on this topic.
Please remember, if you post by using anonymous - unless you email me to tell me who you are - I will NOT post your comments.
In other news:
Veteran's who ride converged on Royal Canadian Legion Br. 71 to celebrate the life of John Shannon, a Vietnam War veteran from the U.S - it was a first...
BMW has announced two recalls
Honda has some bikes it is considering for the Canadian market.
Check out the new radar in Holland - it's good for a giggle if nothing else!
In Clinton Ontario 130 riders took part in a toy run
If you are among the fortunate and are riding today - PLEASE, ride like everyone is out to get you and is blind and can not see you.
Belt Drive Betty
Ride & Editor
The Busted Knuckle Chronicles
www.bustedknucklenews.com
www.beltdrivebetty.com
I wear HD FXRG Leathers, they are heavy with armoured elbows and back with a built in kidney belt for back support. It comes with a full jacket quilted liner for cold weather and I have never had to wear anything other than a long sleeve T under it. This model now comes in a lighter material also. But I prefer the leather
ReplyDeleteHmmm - I have seen a few people wearing the FXGR leathers - they are really comfortable?
ReplyDeleteI have had the Joe rocket style but prefer the leather, I find it more comfortable. I also wear the FXRG pants but not the leather version, too hot.
ReplyDeleteMe Again Betty - Just catching up on some of your posts. I've never been a T-shirt gal, maybe that's because even in the 70's when I started, I started with a Rider Training Course first - the course has changed a lot over the years, but one thing remains the same - and that's THE EMPHASIS ON APPROPRIATE RIDING GEAR and using WHAT'S UNDER YOUR HELMET. Sure the first boots were leather work boots that laced up well over my ankles, the first jacket was leather and denim (back when it was denim and not spandex) jeans were the norm. Today - it's Joe Rocket 3 in one science - kevlar and armour, fairly lightweight with an inner mesh layer that breaths. After riding in the heat of Wyoming and the Dakotas in mid July I quickly realized leather was far too hot and heavy - it exhausted me. The boots are Tour Master (my third attempt at a mix of safety and water resistance, and not bad) - zip and velcro (I've never understood heels) and the kevlar rocket pants are armoured as well. The pants zip to the jacket so the jacket doesn't ride up (helps keep the pants from falling down as well). I'd love to try BMW gear, it looks form fitting and is highly rated - but for now it's out of my 'snack bracket'.
ReplyDeleteMy helmet - I've discovered the "storm trooper" style modular, full face by HJC and am on my second one. I like it because I don't have to take it off, just flip up the face for full vision when just stopping to get gas etc. (I've never understood the half helmet either, unless only half one's head is important). HJC is a reputable manufacturer. This helmet also has a slide down sun sheild, which I thought I'd love, and have used in extreme sun, in a pinch, but it seems not to sit in just the right place for my eyes. I've heard some folks complain about wind noise in the modular helmets, that's why I wear custom "BIG EAR" ear plugs (in a lovely shade of purple I might add). Ear plugs are safety equipment that's often overlooked but critical. BigEars are molded to my ear canal, washable and easy to insert. Best dollars I've spent in a long time.
I've got both Rocket and Alpine Star armored gloves - depending on the temperature. My Rocket leather gloves are white - and for good reason. The first pair were black and after the first ride in real rain my hands turned purple from the leather dyes - I switched to white and no more problems.
Thanks for listening to my 2 cents.
VStarLady
ridingonavstar.blogspot.com
Me Again Betty - Just catching up on some of your posts. I've never been a T-shirt gal, maybe that's because even in the 70's when I started, I started with a Rider Training Course first - the course has changed a lot over the years, but one thing remains the same - and that's THE EMPHASIS ON APPROPRIATE RIDING GEAR and using WHAT'S UNDER YOUR HELMET. Sure the first boots were leather work boots that laced up well over my ankles, the first jacket was leather and denim (back when it was denim and not spandex) jeans were the norm. Today - it's Joe Rocket 3 in one science - kevlar and armour, fairly lightweight with an inner mesh layer that breaths. After riding in the heat of Wyoming and the Dakotas in mid July I quickly realized leather was far too hot and heavy - it exhausted me. The boots are Tour Master (my third attempt at a mix of safety and water resistance, and not bad) - zip and velcro (I've never understood heels) and the kevlar rocket pants are armoured as well. The pants zip to the jacket so the jacket doesn't ride up (helps keep the pants from falling down as well). I'd love to try BMW gear, it looks form fitting and is highly rated - but for now it's out of my 'snack bracket'.
ReplyDeleteMy helmet - I've discovered the "storm trooper" style modular, full face by HJC and am on my second one. I like it because I don't have to take it off, just flip up the face for full vision when just stopping to get gas etc. (I've never understood the half helmet either, unless only half one's head is important). HJC is a reputable manufacturer. This helmet also has a slide down sun sheild, which I thought I'd love, and have used in extreme sun, in a pinch, but it seems not to sit in just the right place for my eyes. I've heard some folks complain about wind noise in the modular helmets, that's why I wear custom "BIG EAR" ear plugs (in a lovely shade of purple I might add). Ear plugs are safety equipment that's often overlooked but critical. BigEars are molded to my ear canal, washable and easy to insert. Best dollars I've spent in a long time.
I've got both Rocket and Alpine Star armored gloves - depending on the temperature. My Rocket leather gloves are white - and for good reason. The first pair were black and after the first ride in real rain my hands turned purple from the leather dyes - I switched to white and no more problems.
Thanks for listening to my 2 cents.
VStarLady
ridingonavstar.blogspot.com
Me Again Betty - Just catching up on some of your posts. I've never been a T-shirt gal, maybe that's because even in the 70's when I started, I started with a Rider Training Course first - the course has changed a lot over the years, but one thing remains the same - and that's THE EMPHASIS ON APPROPRIATE RIDING GEAR and using WHAT'S UNDER YOUR HELMET. Sure the first boots were leather work boots that laced up well over my ankles, the first jacket was leather and denim (back when it was denim and not spandex) jeans were the norm. Today - it's Joe Rocket 3 in one science - kevlar and armour, fairly lightweight with an inner mesh layer that breaths. After riding in the heat of Wyoming and the Dakotas in mid July I quickly realized leather was far too hot and heavy - it exhausted me. The boots are Tour Master (my third attempt at a mix of safety and water resistance, and not bad) - zip and velcro (I've never understood heels) and the kevlar rocket pants are armoured as well. The pants zip to the jacket so the jacket doesn't ride up (helps keep the pants from falling down as well). I'd love to try BMW gear, it looks form fitting and is highly rated - but for now it's out of my 'snack bracket'.
ReplyDeleteMy helmet - I've discovered the "storm trooper" style modular, full face by HJC and am on my second one. I like it because I don't have to take it off, just flip up the face for full vision when just stopping to get gas etc. (I've never understood the half helmet either, unless only half one's head is important). HJC is a reputable manufacturer. This helmet also has a slide down sun sheild, which I thought I'd love, and have used in extreme sun, in a pinch, but it seems not to sit in just the right place for my eyes. I've heard some folks complain about wind noise in the modular helmets, that's why I wear custom "BIG EAR" ear plugs (in a lovely shade of purple I might add). Ear plugs are safety equipment that's often overlooked but critical. BigEars are molded to my ear canal, washable and easy to insert. Best dollars I've spent in a long time.
I've got both Rocket and Alpine Star armored gloves - depending on the temperature. My Rocket leather gloves are white - and for good reason. The first pair were black and after the first ride in real rain my hands turned purple from the leather dyes - I switched to white and no more problems.
Thanks for listening to my 2 cents.
VStarLady
ridingonavstar.blogspot.com