[eon]

Agreed

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If a 1500 lbs car was to hit you then no gear will help. If we are talking about it running over the top of you then I think it might. If you were to lie down in the road and have a car run over you at 10mph and you have the choice of wearing a back protector, race boots etc, would you choose to wear the gear? I know I would.

But, as you have said we all find a personal balance in the risks we take and how we approach them. I know I lean towards the safety end of the spectrum (you just need to look at what I ride to know that).

[eon]

I’m not sure what you mean about 80mph and the car behind you. If a car hits you at a speed differential of 80mph then yes, nothing is going to save (I doubt it would help much at 40mph either). If you are sliding at 80mph then good gear will definitely save you. If a car runs over you while you are sliding then that’s going to hurt but gear could certainly improve your chances.

I am going in the opposite direction from you. I am currently shelling out a lot of cash to get better protective clothing. I am riding more miles, riding faster, cornering faster than I was in the beginning so my need is greater now than it was then. I made plenty of mistakes as a beginner but I was going so slow I could recover from them. I make less mistakes now but the consequences are higher. And while I cannot really afford this expense just now, not having better protection could cost me a lot more.

Plus shopping for bike stuff is fun

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Glad to see you on this board. It’s always nice to have some experienced riders around so it is not always the n00b leading the n00b! And thanks for all the videos, they have been entertaining and informing me for the past year now.

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Very nice looking. Get him to buy them for you now as an early birthday present. Better safe than sorry. Then, when your birthday rolls around he might feel guilty enough to get you something else!

I’ve just started upgrading all my gear and it’s addictive. Started out as just buying a cheap summer jacket. Ended up buying an expensive summer jacket, expensive back protector and expensive boots. Better lock the credit card away for a while.

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I’ve been keeping mine in my jacket pocket. Since I only have the one bike jacket and will not ride without it it has not been a problem. However I have just ordered a summer jacket so now I’ll have to stow it on the bike somewhere so I don’t forget it.

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The tune is “Let’s Get It Started In Here” by Black Eye Peas. Fast hip-hop song I guess, I dunno. I lost track of song categories when it got more complicated than rock, country, pop or punk.

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Glad you are having fun. Don’t stop reading books on how you are supposed to be doing all this. This is the time you will pick up bad habits that will be hard to get rid of later on.

Practice late apexing as your standard way of cornering.
Set your entry speed slow enough so that you are gradually rolling on the throttle through the corner. You will take the corner smoothly and safely. This all takes practice and I was all over the place in the beginning. It gets easier though!

I’m not sure why you are on the rear brake when turning into side streets. That seems unnecessary to me. Parking lots and U-turns yes, but for side streets? Maybe taking a wider line would let you take it a little bit faster and give you more visibility?

Oh, and there was something else I’ve been meaning to say. I think it was you who mentioned the importance of making eye contact with car drivers at intersections. Well, from everything I have read this is a very unreliable method. Drivers can look right at you but not ‘see’ you. I know this happened to me once when I was driving a Chevy Blazer!!! It’s best to ride based on what they actually do, not what you think they will do.

Have fun and be safe
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[eon]

I think a “how to” article on this would be a great addition to the site. It was only after I started riding it dawned on me “I don’t have a spare tire”. Some quick searches and I got myself a plug kit and an air compressor. Later on I realized there is a big difference between tubeless and tubed tires. Being able to patch a rear tire does not sound like a simple task to me.

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My brother once tried to get a deal for paying cash at a bike dealership. He was told no deal as the dealer actually got a cut back from their finance arm for sending business their way. This was some years ago, not sure how things work in todays climate.

My question for Kellys Kawasaki is why should I buy from you? It’s great that they are #1 but what does that have to do with me? Why should I buy from you? Simple question. If price between dealers are comparable then what are the differencing factors? It could be getting a deal on gear, it could be getting a deal on servicing, it could be building a relationship with a dealer/service area.

And yeah, I would keep it simple and stick to the truth. If you are just browsing then say so. They will then work to make a sale and you might get a good deal. If you pretend you are buying and then do not, come the day you do have the cash they may not give you the time of day. Why should they? You have been kicking tires for the past two months.

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Knox seems like a good company dedicated to producing quality goods. Again, webbikeworld has several reviews of their products. Reading those articles gives an insight into what to look for in back protectors. I am skeptical of Dainese and Alpinestar protectors as I do not believe these companies make these products. They are simply attaching their brand to someone elses product. Who knows what criteria they used to pick them. I’m sure quality was part of it but I’m also sure dollars was a big part. You may be paying premium dollars for average goods with a brand label.

The bottom line is any of these products are likely to be superior to the protectors shipped with jackets. The elbow/shoulder pads are often CE certified but the back protector almost never is.

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Small world indeed. I work just round the corner from there and also stayed at the Red Lion when I was moving here. You will know me if you see me. Red 3 wheel scooter with bright yellow jacket. Not easy to mistake me
I was not out the past few days though, work mostly from home. Hope your time here has been productive and enjoyable. Certainly been nice weather (at least for us). Post pics of your Friday ride. I hope to do a ride report but its a ride organized by a local online bike mag (www.soundrider.com) and while these rides are always great fun, there are not many stops for photos. Just non-stop riding

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Hey, you might have seen me this morning! I rode through downtown to just past the conference center (assuming that’s where you are). Shame you can’t go riding here. I’ve a day long trip planned for Saturday over the mountains to the “dry side” of WA. Mountains, desert and the Colombia river all in one day. Can’t wait!

Your Friday trip sounds like fun. Good luck with that.

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Can only comment on what I have, the Tourmaster Response boots. These are more comfortable than Timberlands but only provide the most basic of protection. I’m not sure you can get maximum protection and wearability. Either you will have to compromise on safety or else change into comfortable shoes at your destination.

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