Off road FJ

[Marsh White]

+1 one that, I saw K-Man and his gear after the slide. His bike slid 200+ feet and hit the hill hard enough to seriously bend up the front beyond limping home. K-Man literally walked away with only soft tissue injuries.

Just to clarify: Klavdy did have 2 cracked ribs and a broken finger.  Yes, without the gear it would have been MUCH worse - skin grafts for sure - probably more cracked bones as well.

I'm still guilty of taking a ride in just jeans (but with everything else) from time to time.  I know I shouldn't - but I still do sometimes...        We all do stupid things that we know we shouldn't from time to time...some more than others.

[1tinindian]

All this talk about gear sounds great, but I may never show up at a rally due to the lack of gear.
I'm good with the helmet, jacket, and gloves, but not so much on specific pants or boots.

Give me time, and I may get there, but you guys are a tough crowd.

[TheRadBaron]

I agree that wearing safety gear is most certainly a good idea.  Many lives could probably be saved if all automobile occupants wore full face helmets, and I'm sure that there are people out there who would fully support a law mandating the use of helmets in cars.  Such laws are an affront to liberty.  Different people draw the line between prudent safety measures and overdoing it in different places.  I take personal freedom very seriously and it bothers me when people seek to mandate how safely others must behave.  I think that a man should be free to live as safely or unsafely as he wants. 
Look at the famous old picture of Rollie Free blasting down the salt on at 150mph on his Vincent, wearing only a bathing suit.  If that were today, a lot of people, motorcyclists included, would like to see him deprived of his right to do that.  But back then, it seems that most people didn't find the ideas of personal freedom and responsibility quite as offensive as they do today.  Now Mr. Free is the first man to go 150mph on a bike and it's probably the most famous photo in the history of motorcycling.  He's a legend among men.  It was unsafe as hell and he certainly would have been shredded into bloody hamburger if he fell off, but it was his choice, goddammit.
This religion of ATGATT always creates a division in motorcycling.  The guys who are happy to ride their bikes in street clothes and maybe a helmet generally don't hassle the ATG guys for wearing all the gear, and I wish that the same courtesy was paid vice-versa.  There's a certain amount of danger inherent in riding a motorcycle and I think that that's what attracts a lot of people to riding in the first place.  I know that they risk appeals to me.  If I wanted to be safe, I'd ride a car...with a full face helmet on.
1tinindian nailed it.  There's a lot of motorcycling events and clubs that I'd otherwise be very interested in (like FJ rallies) that I stay away from because I don't feel like being hassled for not wearing every bit of safety gear.
I'm a grownup, I'm an American, I understand the risks associated with motorcycling and I whole-heartedly accept them.  Just let me make up my own mind and respect my decisions regarding MY OWN safety. 
There's nothing wrong with making someone aware of the benefits of proper safety gear, but most of the time it degenerates into self-righteous preaching pretty quickly.

[carsick]

Very well argued. I just noticed how apt your tagline quote is regarding the current topic. Rallies are about acceptance, no fun if everyone is exactly the same. I think I was a bit overgeared at the inaugural Northeast Rally, however I'm a poor rider, so it's compensation for the inevitable fact that I'm going down at some point. The self righteous are usually headed for a fall...

[Klavdy]

Whenever I see "ATGATT" it always reminds me of "ATGANFI"
Wear whatever you want to wear,it's your choice.
Mind you,I wont buy into the helmet laws stuff, that shits me.(Mandatory in Aus)
I've ridden without a helmet and I have no idea why anyone would want to do that all the time.
Noise, bugs, rocks, sun & windburn etc but I'd still like to have the choice.
My choice.
Same as I choose to wear good quality riding gear.
It's saved me from greater harm a few times.
Fluoro fucktards shit me too.
So do people who reckon that it's inevitable that you are going to crash, "You'll have to learn how to lay 'er down, Bro"
Another thing that shits me is waving.
Fuck off with your waving, just coz you're on a bike doesn't mean we are mates, that whole 'Brotherhood of The Road" schtick appalls me.
I do wave sometimes, or nod(we mostly nod in Aus, driving on the left and all)and I'll talk to folks on other bikes at stops and stuff but the freaks who get all pissy because someone didn't wave to them?
C'mon, gimme a break, we're not in the special Olympics,,,

[Marsh White]

There's a lot of motorcycling events and clubs that I'd otherwise be very interested in (like FJ rallies) that I stay away from because I don't feel like being hassled for not wearing every bit of safety gear.
I'm a grownup, I'm an American, I understand the risks associated with motorcycling and I whole-heartedly accept them.  Just let me make up my own mind and respect my decisions regarding MY OWN safety.  
There's nothing wrong with making someone aware of the benefits of proper safety gear, but most of the time it degenerates into self-righteous preaching pretty quickly.

I agree with your overall point...but let me call WHOA!!!! on the the FJ Rally shit you are spewing.  Have you ever been to one?  No.  Then you have no idea what you are talking about.  I actually wore blue jeans and Doc Martens for my first two West Coast Rallies...many others wore blue jeans as well.  Many still do at FJ rallies both east and west.  Most make up their own minds and save up $ and come with better gear as time goes on (we know it is expensive).  But you can wear what you want....we don't collectively judge you based on your gear.  We have all seen many crashes...I personally have seen two different crashes on different years at a WCR from the same attendee who wore NO actual MC gear at all (except for a helmet).  Well...he fucked himself up physically so bad during the last crash he still hasn't been back to a rally...and his last crash was in 2006...

[Mark Olson]

wear what ya want, it's your ass.

[Klavdy]

Seems most folk change up into serious road riding gear as they get more into riding.
Not  mainly through peer pressure, no, they work out that decent gear rocks.

[andyoutandabout]

This would be a good point for me to mention my lovely Arai lid. Gosh it's really super and although expensive, well worth every cent spent. Yes great gear is good and it so adds to your biking experience. Proper boots so laces don't loop over controls and prevent that all important foot deploy at stop signs. Gloves with knuckle protection helping you dish it out to that a-hole who just pulled out in front of you. And leather jackets and pants to make you feel and look like the rebellious sex charged rock god you are.
f**k yeah

[Travis398]

There's a lot of motorcycling events and clubs that I'd otherwise be very interested in (like FJ rallies) that I stay away from because I don't feel like being hassled for not wearing every bit of safety gear.

None of that happened at the North East Rally, so you can't use that as an excuse. Show up with a helmet and no one will judge you.

I think I was a bit overgeared at the inaugural Northeast Rally, however I'm a poor rider, so it's compensation for the inevitable fact that I'm going down at some point.

Says the guy who couldn't keep it under 145mph.



We all know the better you can ride the less gear you need.
crazy bike in lebanon

[1tinindian]

I have to say, attending a Rally this summer is very high on my bucket list, because in a way, it justifies the whole reason for having an FJ.
But I would like to think my presence at a Rally would center more around the fact that I actually made it there, instead of what gear I DID NOT have.

I agree with Klavdy about the helmet laws, as Iowa is a state that allows a choice, and I'm thankful for that, and I sometimes do ride without a helmet while putting around town on the old Triumph, but when I hit the highways, the helmet is part of the deal, and honestly, it's more for the comfort and protection from wind blast and debris.
I have eyes that water something terrible due to the wind, and with that come impaired vision, and that is something I just can't handle while on two wheels..

I have went down in the past, and was damn lucky to have had a helmet, leather jacket, and jungle boots on at the time.
I went over the handle bars and went off into a ditch and landed on my head, so I do realize the importance of the riding gear.

I'm most concerned about a proper riding shoe/boot, that provides adequate protection and still allow for ease of use concerning the foot controls.
My son and I have looked at some boots, and the seem very confining.

Any advice on foot wear?

Leon

[Klavdy]

Foot wear?
Yeah, get some dedicated motorcycle boots.
Don't get race boots,they can be pretty stiff, get some touring style boots.
I have a pair of Oxtar/TCX Infinity boots that are comfortable enough to wear on the plane from Australia to the U.S.

TCX Infinity GTX Boots Review at RevZilla.com

Don't cock about with lace up workboots,get some good touring boots.
You shouldn't need to spend a fortune, a decent pair of boots can be had for under $200 and you'll wonder why you didn't get some earlier.
Have a look HERE.

[1tinindian]

Foot wear?
Yeah, get some dedicated motorcycle boots.
Don't get race boots,they can be pretty stiff, get some touring style boots.
I have a pair of Oxtar/TCX Infinity boots that are comfortable enough to wear on the plane from Australia to the U.S.

TCX Infinity GTX Boots Review at RevZilla.com

Don't cock about with lace up workboots,get some good touring boots.
You shouldn't need to spend a fortune, a decent pair of boots can be had for under $200 and you'll wonder why you didn't get some earlier.
Have a look HERE.

Thanks for the help, I'll definately take a look!

Leon

[craigo]

I have a set of Icon Tarmac boots that are very comfortable, even as street shoes.  Cost about $125 and work great at protecting the ankles and feet.  Here is the link and a pic:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/36/19313/ITEM/Icon-Tarmac-Ventilated-Boots.aspx?WT.ac=SLIsearch


So proper footwear need not be expensive.  I have a Tour Master mesh jacket and some Joe Rocket gloves that I always wear, regardless of temp.  And yes, sometimes they are too warm, but the alternative if I drop the bike is far worse than being a bit warm.  I buy a new helmet every 2-3 years.  Currently I have a Scorpion EXO-400.  Very nice helmet.  Breaths well and fits nice and tight.

As far as pants, I wear jeans.  I have not had a set of leathers since the mid 80s.  I know I should, but have never gotten around to it.  Next house sale, maybe.

CraigO
90FJ1200

[TheRadBaron]

[/quote]

I agree with your overall point...but let me call WHOA!!!! on the the FJ Rally shit you are spewing.  Have you ever been to one?  No.  Then you have no idea what you are talking about.  I actually wore blue jeans and Doc Martens for my first two West Coast Rallies...many others wore blue jeans as well.  Many still do at FJ rallies both east and west.  Most make up their own minds and save up $ and come with better gear as time goes on (we know it is expensive).  But you can wear what you want....we don't collectively judge you based on your gear.  We have all seen many crashes...I personally have seen two different crashes on different years at a WCR from the same attendee who wore NO actual MC gear at all (except for a helmet).  Well...he fucked himself up physically so bad during the last crash he still hasn't been back to a rally...and his last crash was in 2006...


[/quote]

You're right and I apologize.  I get kind of worked up sometimes.  I was making a generalization and I meant no offense to the FJ rally.  From what you say, it sounds like a damn good time and I hope to make it to one.