Gearing Up - lower body protection?

redhandmoto · Post by **redhandmoto** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 2:02 pm

FWIW, I routinely wear inexpensive plastic motocross knee/shin protectors over regular levis.

Gross frontal impact protection only, granted, and looks a little...excessive. I don't care: I love my patellas the way they are. Went with these after trying armored riding pants in summer - way, way too hot.

Over the ankle boots? Mmmm, yeah. Get an ankle beltsanded-down by the pavement in a slide sometime, then report back.

IMHO. YMMV. De gustibus non est disputandum.

ravenlore · Post by **ravenlore** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 2:56 pm

redhandmoto wrote:FWIW, I routinely wear inexpensive plastic motocross knee/shin protectors over regular levis.

Gross frontal impact protection only, granted, and looks a little...excessive. I don't care: I love my patellas the way they are. Went with these after trying armored riding pants in summer - way, way too hot.

Over the ankle boots? Mmmm, yeah. Get an ankle beltsanded-down by the pavement in a slide sometime, then report back.

IMHO. YMMV. De gustibus non est disputandum.

I wear MX leg armor under my pants legs. Every ride. (because i don't currently have sufficient disposable income to get k-legs and have yet to source overpants in my size)

redhandmoto · Post by **redhandmoto** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 4:08 pm

ravenlore wrote:
redhandmoto wrote:FWIW, I routinely wear inexpensive plastic motocross knee/shin protectors over regular levis.

Gross frontal impact protection only, granted, and looks a little...excessive. I don't care: I love my patellas the way they are. Went with these after trying armored riding pants in summer - way, way too hot.

Over the ankle boots? Mmmm, yeah. Get an ankle beltsanded-down by the pavement in a slide sometime, then report back.

IMHO. YMMV. De gustibus non est disputandum.

I wear MX leg armor under my pants legs. Every ride. (because i don't currently have sufficient disposable income to get k-legs and have yet to source overpants in my size)

well, there ya go. good on yaz!

avonpirate · Post by **avonpirate** » Fri Oct 12, 2012 9:06 pm

ed85379: Einstein is quoted as saying: If your facts don't substantiate your premiss..... change the facts.

jone · Post by **jone** » Sat Oct 13, 2012 2:14 pm

ed85379 wrote:
Dooglas wrote:
ed85379 wrote: if I am just making quick 1-2 mile trips in my town to the store or something, I might go out in shorts and sandals.
You're right. In your case, ankles probably aren't the primary issue.

Just like car accidents, most scooter accidents happen within 5 miles of home. Feet and ankles are pretty vulnerable when you go down. Hands as well.
I have always hated that alleged statistic that claims that "most accidents happen within "blah miles" of home." And the reason is because it is simply improper statistics. The reason that most accidents happen that close to home is because MOST PEOPLE hardly ever travel further than that from their home! Accidents are no more likely to happen near your home than far away, but they *are* more likely to happen on longer trips and busier streets and at rush-hour, etc.

I am aware that feet and ankles and hands are very vulnerable if you go down, but I also realize that if I had to get all bundled up in sweltering weather, I simply wouldn't want to ride, so it would be defeating the purpose.

I will note that I HAVE gone down, but that was during the MSF course on one of their stupid manual motorcycles. I sprained my foot (through thick boots), got road rash (through jeans) and more road rash and a broken finger (through leather gloves). Now, if you want to wear a kelvar body-suit every time you go out, with armor plates and metal shims along the limbs to prevent any possible injury at all should you go down, that's fine, but I'd rather enjoy my ride while protecting what is most important (my head).

The MSF course can be taken on a scooter. They provided a 150cc in my case. The motorcyclists snicker at first, but after they gnash their gears and stall for the fiftieth time they begin to envy the scooter.

heatherkay · Post by **heatherkay** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 5:43 pm

Ouch!

http://deadspin.com/5952555/my-severely ... motorcycle

Edit -- just a warning that some of the photos are probably NSFW

Edited again -- just realized this is the same account as that hellforleather link above.

Milt · Post by **Milt** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 8:19 pm

I usually wear Danner 'Fort Lewis' boots as my normal 'shoes', whether riding or working. Properly laced, I find it hard to imagine these things coming off in a crash without taking part or all of my feet with them.

I confess to being less than consistent in my upper leg protection, however. On longer rides (on the Harley), I use leather chaps for wing protection as well as road rash prevention, but on the scooter or for short rides on the MC, I just wear my everyday jeans.

The ability to fall/roll that my Aikido sensei shoved down my throat has saved me in a few bicycle crashes - I am now thankful for that mandatory practice we had at the beginning of every training session. Fortunately, I haven't been down on a motorcycle or scooter since I nearly lost a leg in a car-bike crash back in 1969 (the reason for the high top boots - the scar is painful when lower topped boots rub it). With any luck, the same reflexes will kick in if that ever happens.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 8:52 pm

Milt wrote:The ability to fall/roll that my Aikido sensei shoved down my throat has saved me in a few bicycle crashes - I am now thankful for that mandatory practice we had at the beginning of every training session. Fortunately, I haven't been down on a motorcycle or scooter since I nearly lost a leg in a car-bike crash back in 1969 (the reason for the high top boots - the scar is painful when lower topped boots rub it). With any luck, the same reflexes will kick in if that ever happens.

In a general sense, I'm sure it can help. Quick reflexes are certainly beneficial and simply being in good physical condition can prevent or lessen injuries, particularly from impacts. I know a couple people who've probably saved themselves some hurt by handling a slide well, too. Rolling away from a 300lb. scooter or even bigger motorcycle is probably a lot different than going down on a bicycle, though. And it's hard to break with instinct, which is usually to extend our arms and land on our hands.

Milt · Post by **Milt** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 1:03 am

Hope I never have to test that theory, but in a very near miss (literally a matter of inches) back in the 80's, the MSF advanced course training saved my life while another rider in the same incident, who clearly lacked training, died.

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:10 pm

I completely agree about Kevlar jeans. Not only are they mostly ugly, and ill-made (beyond the woven in kevlar)... they don't even come in my size pretty much anytime. I'd have to order men's Kevlar jeans. Cause that's not gonna look awful on me.

I'd rather pay the same amount of money and come up with a different outfit. Legsheilds. Forcefield limb tubes. MC pants, possibly under a skirt or over pants or leggings. There's plenty of other options that make as much sense and cost around as much.

Ravenlore: Those are brilliant. My Christmas wish will be for them to go on sale. Deep, deep sale

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 6:25 pm

The Forcefield armor adds a lot of bulk according to some reviews I've read. Of course, that's good in some ways (lots of padding). I'm actually holding onto a pair of jeans that's a size too large in case I get the Bohn pants.

ravenlore · Post by **ravenlore** » Thu Oct 18, 2012 7:09 pm

LunaP wrote:I completely agree about Kevlar jeans. Not only are they mostly ugly, and ill-made (beyond the woven in kevlar)... they don't even come in my size pretty much anytime. I'd have to order men's Kevlar jeans. Cause that's not gonna look awful on me.

I'd rather pay the same amount of money and come up with a different outfit. Legsheilds. Forcefield limb tubes. MC pants, possibly under a skirt or over pants or leggings. There's plenty of other options that make as much sense and cost around as much.

Ravenlore: Those are brilliant. My Christmas wish will be for them to go on sale. Deep, deep sale

These folks have very decent looking Kevlar jeans. Including women's plus sizes. Not cheap, but i've found that attractive gear in my size isn't cheap, if available at all.

siobhan · Post by **siobhan** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 12:31 am

ericalm wrote:The Forcefield armor adds a lot of bulk according to some reviews I've read. Of course, that's good in some ways (lots of padding). I'm actually holding onto a pair of jeans that's a size too large in case I get the Bohn pants.

The Forcefield limb tube don't add a lot of bulk. They slip on your leg, or over a long sock (like a wool ski sock) if you like to layer. The stretch fabric is comfortable and doesn't cut off circulation (I'm very thin so that may help?), and it doesn't get stinky. I wore them on a 2-week trip...so comfortable you forget you have them on, even after riding 10-14 hours a day.

If you're looking for something completely unnoticeable under skinny jeans, nothing is gonna do that. But I would have the Forcefields on under those quick-dry hiking pants (and the riding pants over them), and when I would take off the riding pants, you couldn't tell I had the knee armour on. I really, really like the Forcefield stuff.

I don't really get the "I don't want my pants to look like riding pants" vibe. I take my riding pants off when I get to work, and if I'm out riding and stop somewhere, I'll either keep them on and walk around the shop, restaurant, or hiking trail, or take them off quickly and stash 'em. Who cares who stares? I'm cooler than them. Any by the way, no one is actually looking; they're too busy texting or yakking away about what's for dinner.

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 4:15 am

siobhan wrote:
ericalm wrote:The Forcefield armor adds a lot of bulk according to some reviews I've read. Of course, that's good in some ways (lots of padding). I'm actually holding onto a pair of jeans that's a size too large in case I get the Bohn pants.
The Forcefield limb tube don't add a lot of bulk. They slip on your leg, or over a long sock (like a wool ski sock) if you like to layer. The stretch fabric is comfortable and doesn't cut off circulation (I'm very thin so that may help?), and it doesn't get stinky. I wore them on a 2-week trip...so comfortable you forget you have them on, even after riding 10-14 hours a day.

If you're looking for something completely unnoticeable under skinny jeans, nothing is gonna do that. But I would have the Forcefields on under those quick-dry hiking pants (and the riding pants over them), and when I would take off the riding pants, you couldn't tell I had the knee armour on. I really, really like the Forcefield stuff.

I don't really get the "I don't want my pants to look like riding pants" vibe. I take my riding pants off when I get to work, and if I'm out riding and stop somewhere, I'll either keep them on and walk around the shop, restaurant, or hiking trail, or take them off quickly and stash 'em. Who cares who stares? I'm cooler than them. Any by the way, no one is actually looking; they're too busy texting or yakking away about what's for dinner.

My vibe is more "I would rather have something that just looks like riding pants than ugly other pants."

For the Forcefield, I'm looking at the full Pro Pants, not the Limb Tubes. The Tubes are look good, but I'm looking for more coverage.

A closer look at the Bohn pants: no abrasion protection other than the armor inserted into the lycra pants.

The Drayko jeans: no armor, but great abrasion protection according to videos and drag test reviews.

Hrrrrmmm.

siobhan · Post by **siobhan** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 4:01 pm

ericalm, just the bite the bullet and get a pair of Rukka or Klim riding pants. They cost a zillion dollars but it'll save you all the research time, and the wasted cash on inferior products

I guess my thing is I don't wear jeans, ever, so it's overpants. I use the Forcefields for technical riding where I don't want the armour to move, at all. Overpants with armour are for commuting, easy D/S riding, or street riding.

I am under the Rukka spell. It's like wearing nothing.

And they come with suspenders! I was getting ready to leave work, some of the students had a question about something, and I didn't have my jacket on yet. One of them said, "Are you wearing suspenders?" I nodded and thought, oh yeah, give it two years, suspenders will be baaaack!

Lokky · Post by **Lokky** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 4:10 pm

siobhan wrote:ericalm, just the bite the bullet and get a pair of Rukka or Klim riding pants. They cost a zillion dollars but it'll save you all the research time, and the wasted cash on inferior products

I guess my thing is I don't wear jeans, ever, so it's overpants. I use the Forcefields for technical riding where I don't want the armour to move, at all. Overpants with armour are for commuting, easy D/S riding, or street riding.

I am under the Rukka spell. It's like wearing nothing.

And they come with suspenders! I was getting ready to leave work, some of the students had a question about something, and I didn't have my jacket on yet. One of them said, "Are you wearing suspenders?" I nodded and thought, oh yeah, give it two years, suspenders will be baaaack!

Holy crap, I'm all for safety gear gear but some of those pants cost more than I paid for my motorcycle ._.

siobhan · Post by **siobhan** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:05 pm

Lokky wrote:
siobhan wrote:ericalm, just the bite the bullet and get a pair of Rukka or Klim riding pants. They cost a zillion dollars but it'll save you all the research time, and the wasted cash on inferior products

I guess my thing is I don't wear jeans, ever, so it's overpants. I use the Forcefields for technical riding where I don't want the armour to move, at all. Overpants with armour are for commuting, easy D/S riding, or street riding.

I am under the Rukka spell. It's like wearing nothing.

And they come with suspenders! I was getting ready to leave work, some of the students had a question about something, and I didn't have my jacket on yet. One of them said, "Are you wearing suspenders?" I nodded and thought, oh yeah, give it two years, suspenders will be baaaack!
Holy crap, I'm all for safety gear gear but some of those pants cost more than I paid for my motorcycle ._.

Haha, that's what I get with hanging out with the BMW and KTM crowd

Seriously, the word USED is your wallet's best friend.

avonpirate · Post by **avonpirate** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:06 pm

The small amount of road rash I got last week REALLY hurt. I now understand the drugs they gave my sister. Glad I had suede pants on but they did get frayed.... but they protected me from what culd have been much worse.

avonpirate · Post by **avonpirate** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:09 pm

I was wearng Shotts washable suede jeans. They run about $400 a pair, but I pick them up at the local thrift store for $15 - $20. I have many pairs.

tortoise · Post by **tortoise** » Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:56 pm

The physics of every mishap are different, but reducing injury risk odds can be very affordable . . knee protection example (Lowe's garden department).

avonpirate · Post by **avonpirate** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 12:23 am

Tortoise: I have inline skating armour and mnt bike armour and gardening armour I have been thinkin about the application to scootering.... but they all have elastic backing. Would the friction displace the knee pads?

tortoise · Post by **tortoise** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 4:31 am

avonpirate wrote:Would the friction displace the knee pads?

All depends on the physics variables . . but also consider the downside of not wearing kneepads because the design is too much of a nuisance to put on for short errands.

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:12 am

Such things might help in a direct impact. Maybe less so in a slide. They probably won't hurt but I wouldn't feel; very confident in them compared to gear made for riding. There are motorcycle knee and shin guards you can get if you like, and if you put a little time and patience into shopping around, you cash get them, fairly inexpensively.

Lots of guards here under $30.

More