oldryder
Well-known member
Good examples of why to wear all the gear all the time!
I've been riding since 1971 and never been down until recently. never wore much gear in the beginning (cutoff's and tennis shoes were typical) but have gradually wore more as the years have gone by
for a long time I've worn a helmet and I began wearing a leather or mesh jacket with armor about 3 years ago. still mostly wear jeans and street footwear.
I began roadracing last year.
In the past month I've been down twice on the race track during an advanced riding class, both times low sided at 35 - 50 mph. my fault both times.
I wasn't hurt seriously either time. 1st time all I got was a bruise on my chest and 2nd time I dislocated a finger which popped back into place on its own when I pulled my glove off.
In both cases I was wearing the leather pants from my 2 piece race suit plus a mesh jacket for my upper body, race gloves, helmet, and race boots. good but not great protection.
I'm sharing this because in my normal street attire I would've had serious road rash on my hands, butt and upper leg and possibly broken fingers.
In the advanced classes and in roadracing people go down fairly regularly. An actual injury at the riding classes is unusual. At the racetrack some more serious injuries occur but speeds are MUCH higher and usually riders walk (or maybe limp) away from even high speed crashes. It's surprising how much protection you actually get from good riding gear.
wear it and someday you'll be glad you did.
I've been riding since 1971 and never been down until recently. never wore much gear in the beginning (cutoff's and tennis shoes were typical) but have gradually wore more as the years have gone by
for a long time I've worn a helmet and I began wearing a leather or mesh jacket with armor about 3 years ago. still mostly wear jeans and street footwear.
I began roadracing last year.
In the past month I've been down twice on the race track during an advanced riding class, both times low sided at 35 - 50 mph. my fault both times.
I wasn't hurt seriously either time. 1st time all I got was a bruise on my chest and 2nd time I dislocated a finger which popped back into place on its own when I pulled my glove off.
In both cases I was wearing the leather pants from my 2 piece race suit plus a mesh jacket for my upper body, race gloves, helmet, and race boots. good but not great protection.
I'm sharing this because in my normal street attire I would've had serious road rash on my hands, butt and upper leg and possibly broken fingers.
In the advanced classes and in roadracing people go down fairly regularly. An actual injury at the riding classes is unusual. At the racetrack some more serious injuries occur but speeds are MUCH higher and usually riders walk (or maybe limp) away from even high speed crashes. It's surprising how much protection you actually get from good riding gear.
wear it and someday you'll be glad you did.
