Question About gear...

[Sidewalk]

really?? well i guess since im starting out the best thing for someone like me to do is ride in complete silence so all my focus is on riding.

I recommend starting off without the music and with plugs. By the way, there is a proper way to wear earplugs. You roll them up, reach around behind your head with the opposite arm and pull up on your ear and slide the plug in. Images here

I like to ride with music too. But that is a totally different thread. I recommend reading the other threads on the subject or else you will totally throw off the track of this thread into a full fledged argument.

Here is an example:
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258411&highlight=music+riding

 

[Kim]

good looking out. im havent gotten to badly bashed on barf yet and im not about to start now!

 

[JaJaWarrior]

true. to be honest. I think rider should do without music. it is a distraction. i mean all the noise gives feedback about how the bike is doing, i can hear about the traffic better...just stuff like that.

 

[Karbon]

so most riders wear ear plugs? i kinda wanna be able listen to music...is there some sort of system i can use to hear music or do u guys just use your ipod or mp3 players ear phones? and i do like shoei i want a clor scheme and an all white one. thanks for the recommendations

The only time i wear earplugs is when i'm hauling on the freeway. In town i like to be able to hear everything around me. In my mind it affords me a sensory edge if you will.

Starting out, i don't recommend music. I think even at low volumes it can be distracting. Plus you need to get an idea of what your bike sounds and feels like through the rev. range as you are shifting.

 

[Twisted]

..i mean with minimal(spelling?) noise as possible with the earplugs in.

Around town I don't like to have anything in my ears. Being able to hear what is going on around you can save your ars.

When I head up to the twisties I listen to my ipod in one ear only. It actually helps me focus. I can still hear the engine, so all is good...

On the freeway ill put some earplugs in.

 

[JaJaWarrior]

Around town I don't like to have anything in my ears. Being able to hear what is going on around you can save your ars.

When I head up to the twisties I listen to my ipod in one ear only. It actually helps me focus. I can still hear the engine, so all is good...

On the freeway ill put some earplugs in.

that sounds like a good way to go too.

 

[JaJaWarrior]

hey what do you guys think about riding jeans?? are they about the same as "actual" riding pant?

 

[209manny]

hey what do you guys think about riding jeans?? are they about the same as "actual" riding pant?

no they are nowhere near as close to actual riding pants. They only have the kevlar lining on the seat and knees. So if you are sliding on you calves then you will get some road rash, they also don't have built in armor. They are just a step up from regular jeans, but I would not consider them to be real riding gear.

 

[davidji]

They only have the kevlar lining on the seat and knees. So if you are sliding on you calves then you will get some road rash, they also don't have built in armor.

Not exactly. I've seen 'em exactly like you describe, but the last store where I looked at 'em, they had 2 models: one with abrasion resistant material throughout. And another with armor. So you could take your pick.

I've never heard of riding jeans doing especially well in a crash, but there are different kinds.

Esquad has armored jeans with all abrasion-resistan fabric. Never seen 'em anywhere tho--USA doesn't show up in their "find retailers".

I can't tell how much abrasion coverage Draggin jeans have. Butt & knees, but I can't tell about side of the leg. You can get 'em with armor.

 

[209manny]

Not exactly. I've seen 'em exactly like you describe, but the last store where I looked at 'em, they had 2 models: one with abrasion resistant material throughout. And another with armor. So you could take your pick.

I've never heard of riding jeans doing especially well in a crash, but there are different kinds.

Esquad has armored jeans with all abrasion-resistan fabric. Never seen 'em anywhere tho--USA doesn't show up in their "find retailers".

I can't tell how much abrasion coverage Draggin jeans have. Butt & knees, but I can't tell about side of the leg. You can get 'em with armor.

To me they are a compromise between comfort and riding gear. I for one would not consider them to be proper riding gear, compared to leather or textile pants.

 

[GAJ]

Had two crashes in Draggin' Jeans; saved me from major road rash both times.

That is a fact; not conjecture.

Have asked Santa for armored shorts to go under them.

Not as protective as my Aerostitch of course but far, far better than the jeans I see most wearing.

 

[mosquito]

Music & earplugs... Though I don't suggest it for anyone, since it's illegal and can be distracting, I use these ER4's from Etymotic. They're not cheap, but sound fantastic. The rubber (latex?) tips reduce most low and high frequency noise so without music they definitely reduce fatigue yet still allow conversation. (I also wear them on airplanes for this reason.) While riding I have my iPod set up so that I can stop it at any time and wind up doing it whenever conditions need 'more attention'. It's interesting that once I stop the music I usually leave it off for the rest of that particular ride.

On jeans, personally I wouldn't wear the Kevlar jeans around here; dunno what I'm going to do in a hotter place. They look like they'd be more comfortable but I really want the padding / armor. I've been down twice, both at < 5 mph. First time I didn't have any padding and was sore for a couple of weeks. The second time only my ego was bruised.

I have a pair of Fieldsheer textile overpants with armor that I've been wearing since August. When it was hot I wore shorts underneath and now jeans. For getting overheated I just learned to drink more water and 95% of the time I was fine. I did have to stop a couple of times to cool off.

When it's gotten below about 45° F, I've been adding rain gear on top to reduce the wind through them and either my textile jacket perforated leather jacket.