Great PSA from our UK brothers

[Pat Conlon]

Is it worth it?

https://youtu.be/UMzVsD7F2l0

This should be on every network in the US.

[red]

Is it worth it?
https://youtu.be/UMzVsD7F2l0
This should be on every network in the US.

Pat,

I'm all in favor of riding gear, but that UK video misses the big issue: almost every one of the injuries mentioned there would not be prevented by most of the "riding gear" on the market today.  I believe that soft, impact-detecting gear using D3O (and similar) material is what is really needed, but that UK video does not even mention the stuff. 

Here is a video showing three ordinary gloves being impacted, and the underlying plates break under the impact.  Then a glove using D3O material is tested, and the plates do not break.  Now I want a jacket, boots, gloves, and pants made, using such materials.  I doubt that most riders (and I) could afford that stuff, but at least I know it's out there.  THAT would really reduce bike injuries, even bicycle injuries.

https://youtu.be/pCQT9K6eMpw?t=60

My $.02 worth.

[Sparky84]

Is it worth it?

I reckon It is Worth it !  

Doesn't matter how good a rider you are, it's the other motorists you have to be wary of and road conditions.
Summer time here and the amount of riders without gloves that's the first thing you put out when you go down,  your hands.
If you're just going for a casual ride to the shops, beach, not going far doesn't mean that you need no protection.

And sometimes shit just happens and I'd rather some bruising than skin grafts.

But I do need to get a summer jacket, mine has no ventilation unless you leave it unzipped

Cheers Alan

[Pat Conlon]

Is it worth it?

I reckon It is Worth it !  

Cheers Alan

Yes Alan, and I know another Alan that would agree with you..

Red, of course not all injuries can be prevented, no question, and there will always be room for improvements in riding gear.
However, the point of the PSA is to make young riders think.

[red]

Red, of course not all injuries can be prevented, no question, and there will always be room for improvements in riding gear.  However, the point of the PSA is to make young riders think.

Pat,

Yeah, good luck with that!   

I'm just sayin', there is a fairly good solution to that injury issue, and the PSA isn't telling.  All a young rider can get from that video is "If you ride, expect broken bones (and worse).  Riding gear can't protect you from the injuries mentioned."  What is the choice there?  No riding?  Then you just lost the audience that you came to talk to, right there, because a rider will go riding.

Tell them there are dangers, certainly, but be sure to tell them they can "suit up" in comfortable soft armor that will be very rigid on impact, and probably protect them from most of the injuries mentioned in the video.  THEN maybe they will listen.  Saying there is a risk is really not enough.  Give out the good answer, guys!

https://youtu.be/pCQT9K6eMpw?t=60
.

[Troyskie]

He he he,

I think most of us will guess my opinion, as I'm typing this from my hospital bed.

ATGATT.

Red, you are partially correct, some of the major trauma will not be prevented by good gear, but given the little trees I bumped through, and the ant hill I ended up on I can, with certainty, state I would either be paralysed or at least far more smashed up without my gear. The ants attacked my leathers, not me.

Open face is for boof-heads who like bugs in their face (I realise we're not really talking helmets here).

Further, i can testify that the only injury I have from my off is where I didn't have any armour (broken bum).

I have no scratches, bruises, etc. my leathers and helmet are now ruined and will need replacement.

Kind of a timely topic for me.

Given the vid showed gloves, I make a point of wearing winter gauntlets most of the time. My off has only reinforced (pun intended) my slightly more conservative than normal attitude to good gear.

Btw-my gear (except helmet) was cheap stuff from Aldi. Certainly lived up to those EU safety standards!

Troyskie

[PaulG]

I think this should be the standard bearer for gear.

https://youtu.be/1MEUOW7cERI

At least for those pedestrians that text while crossing  the intersection.  Don't know why it never caught on in the GP circuit.

[giantkiller]

I've been saved by my gear. The time the paramedics said. "there's nothing more we can do for this guy" After they checked for pulse and started directing traffic. I was wearing a helmet gloves full one piece leather suit and boots. Supposedly @ less than 30mph. My head was fractured in 2 places, broken nose, impacted the vertebrae in my neck, tore my lung in 2 places, tore my liver, my spleen, my lower insestin in 2 places, broke several ribs, my hip, shattered my left elbow. I now have 42 pieces of titanium holding me together. I'm sure I've forgotten things.  But that being said. If I hadn't been wearing the gear. I would have been splattered all over the car that pulled out in front of me. And although not very often I'm still guilty of going for a short ride without the gear.
Oh yeah the leather suit they cut off of me will go on the wall of my new shop.

[giantkiller]

My latest crash on the  hopped up raptor 700. I always wear gear. Topped out in 6th gear.probably about 75-80mph. (Bigger tires). I was slammed to the ground on my left side and then summersaulted out into the woods. Broke my scapula, 8 ribs,(one on both ends) partially collapsed lung, broken collar bone. Once again I still got broken up pretty bad. (Spent 2 days in a trauma unit) but without the  armor In the jacket. I doubt I would have been able to ride the 34 miles back to the truck. And then the 45minute ride to the hospital. And refuse The flight for life to the trauma center.(6 1/2 he ambulance ride). Another time I would not have made it if I had not been wearing my gear.

[ribbert]

........But I do need to get a summer jacket, mine has no ventilation unless you leave it unzipped

Cheers Alan

Alan, my last jacket was my first "all seasons" jacket and I loved it but 10 years ago the nod to ventilation with the water proof and thermal liner removed was token. Australia has the ideal climate for these. I replaced it recently and after much research bought this. - www.motooutlet.com.au/dririder-vortex-2-jacket

Mid price range, well designed features and Aussie company. One thing I didn't even consider in my choice was how much more comfortable the 3/4 length is. I couldn't go back to a short jacket again. In the last few months I have tried it out in -6 up to mid 30's and I've done about 7k in it, I'm very happy with it.

Noel