Myths of Motorcycling...

[Hltoppr]

I noticed that Motorcycle Cruiser has put together an excellent article on the 12 Deadly Myths of Motorcycling. As more of this forum's members have expressed an interest in riding and expeditions on motorbikes, the article is worth a read.

And my two cents:

1. Take an approved Motorcycle Safety Foundation basic rider course or experienced rider course.

2. ATGATT.....All the gear, all the time. Dress only in what you're willing to slide down the pavement at 40mph in....jeans will be gone, and you'll be sliding on skin in 3-5 feet, BTW.


http://motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/


Ride Safe!
-H-

[Lok47]

I agree, dress for the crash, not for the ride (wear gear).

Most new street riders will brake hard when someone pulls out if front of them. I think swerving is the best way to avoid obstacles. It takes longer to brake then to maneouver out of the way.

[Scott Brady]

Good stuff. I need to beef up my gear, as I only have a helmet and gloves. I am going a lot more moto riding now in the forest. I am just waiting for a tree to take my arm off.

[mountainpete]

I'm reading lots of motorcycling books lately in preperation for a possible mult-week ride late this summer (can't discuss details just yet). I've been through the absolutely great Adventure Motorcycling Handbook, various repair and touring books and advanced riding skills books just sucking in as much info as I can get.

One of the best books on riding skills that I have been through is the one I am working on right now called More Profficient Motorcycling by David Hough. This is an absolutely superb book for everyone who rides a motorcycle as it really gets people to think like a rider should. I would consider it the next level beyond MSF course - ideally this book should be given to everyone their second year of riding. At the same time, I can't think of any non-professional rider who couldn't benefit from this book.

It deals with varous situations riders encounter and the different possible reactions. It also deals with countersteering and leaning techniques, delayed apex turning and collision avoidance. The author repeats for emphasis quite a bit on subjects like countersteering, but it's with good reason.

If you ever ride on the street, I would consider the book a must read. For myself, I would say that no one book has influenced my riding more.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1931993033.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[VikingVince]

2. ATGATT.....All the gear, all the time. Dress only in what you're willing to slide down the pavement at 40mph in....jeans will be gone, and you'll be sliding on skin in 3-5 feet, BTW.

http://motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/dangerous_motorcycle_safety_myths/


Ride Safe!
-H-

That certainly makes sense...but I guess that means you have to wear full leathers in 90 degree heat? Bummer...that would be unpleasant, hot and sweaty, no?...especially if you stopped in a town and walked around for a while. Of course, compared with peeling my skin down to the bone I'd take the hot leathers. I had a Honda 550 years ago and I'm back in the market for a small dual sport (250cc) that I can carry behind my truck.

Enjoyed the "myths" link as well as the other posts from all you knowledgable bike folk...thanks

[Hltoppr]

Yeah, full gear gets hot if you're not moving, but there are many more options than full leather. Personally, I would look like one of the Village People in full leather....:(

I've used textile riding gear exclusively. While leather provides the best protection, some of the good quality cordura is exceptional for dual sport riding.

Currently, I'm using a BMW Savannah II Jacket and BMW Summer Pants. The jacket is 700 weight cordura, with armor in the back, elbows and shoulders. Full chest, back and arm vents keep it cool, even on the beach in Mexico. A Gore-Tex liner gives you some waterproof protection.

The Summer Pant is 500 weight cordura, with knee armor, and they zip off into shorts!

My winter/foul weather outfit consists of Aerostitch Darien pants and jacket. 500 weight cordura with full armor at all the points you'd need it, and gore-tex too....yup....this is hot in Mexico in June....

You don't have to go full leather to be safe, and gear is definitely a personal choice, but if you're gonna be in the middle of nowhere with the possibility of a crash...on or off road...you might as well stack the odds of preventing an injury in your favor....heck...I'll stack those odds in my favor on my everyday morning commute!

Cheers,

-H-

BTW...Mexico....100 degrees....June....Full Gear! Call it the Baja Weight Loss Plan.... :ylsmoke:

http://hltoppr.smugmug.com/photos/65419615-M.jpg

[VikingVince]

thanks again, H, for the useful info...I shoulda realized that clothes "technology" has evolved since I last rode a bike! One more question if you would: What do you wear to protect you ankles?, i.e. what type of boot/shoe do you recommend? thanks again

PS...I like the Baja Weight Loss Plan idea...nothing else has worked so far!!!!!!!

[Lok47]

To protect your ankles get some good riding boots. I personally wear Sidi race boots, but they also have touring boots that should protect just as well. Other companies such as AXO, Alpinestars, Joe Rocket, Teknic, etc, etc should make boots for any application that are capable of protecting your feet, lower ankle and lower shin area.

[Hltoppr]

For dual sport use, I wear Sidi Discovery boots. They're well armored, but not as stiff as some motocross boots, as well as waterproof...They've worked great for the last 10K miles I've put on them!

-H-

[Hltoppr]

And here is my wife and I in the gear we wear for round town....

-H-

[robert]

Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives

Yeah, there are a few situations—like where you are right next to a driver with his window down who is about the to change lanes—where full-time noise-makers might help a driver notice you, but all that noise directed rearward doesn't do much in the most common and much more dangerous conflict where a car turns in front of you. Maybe it's the fatigue caused by the noise, maybe it's the attitudes of riders who insist on making annoying noise, or perhaps loud bikes annoy enough drivers to make them aggressive. Whatever the reason, the research shows that bikes with modified exhaust systems crash more frequently than those with stock pipes. If you really want to save lives, turn to a loud jacket or a bright helmet color, which have been proven to do the job. Or install a louder horn. Otherwise, just shut up


I actually thought about copying that, along with the link, and printing it on cardstock to put on the bikes around here- Jeeezzuss I hate open pipes (I also hate thumping car stereos and coffe can mufflers; I must be getting old). I've said something along those lines for a long time but you can't tell the idiots that have them that it doesn't make sense.

[VikingVince]

And here is my wife and I in the gear we wear for round town....

-H-

You mean when you go out on Saturday night? Cool:exclaim: you must turn some heads :hehe:

thanks to both of you for the shoe info...hmmmm, I wonder if Sidi makes size 14!!!!!

[goodtimes]

I also hate thumping car stereos and coffe can mufflers; I must be getting old.

I dont think ANYONE likes those! (save for the idiots who feel it is their moral obligation to put them in their $800 honda civic's).

[Hltoppr]

I dont think ANYONE likes those! (save for the idiots who feel it is their moral obligation to put them in their $800 honda civic's).

1/2 of the price of the car is the muffler....:ar15:

-H-

[underdog]

Myth 2: Loud Pipes Save Lives

Yeah, there are a few situations—like where you are right next to a driver with his window down who is about the to change lanes—where full-time noise-makers might help a driver notice you, but all that noise directed rearward doesn't do much in the most common and much more dangerous conflict where a car turns in front of you. Maybe it's the fatigue caused by the noise, maybe it's the attitudes of riders who insist on making annoying noise, or perhaps loud bikes annoy enough drivers to make them aggressive. Whatever the reason, the research shows that bikes with modified exhaust systems crash more frequently than those with stock pipes. If you really want to save lives, turn to a loud jacket or a bright helmet color, which have been proven to do the job. Or install a louder horn. Otherwise, just shut up


I actually thought about copying that, along with the link, and printing it on cardstock to put on the bikes around here- Jeeezzuss I hate open pipes (I also hate thumping car stereos and coffe can mufflers; I must be getting old). I've said something along those lines for a long time but you can't tell the idiots that have them that it doesn't make sense.

Yeah, sound is directional. You can hear these guys AFTER they've passed you. But if someone with open pipes is approaching from a side street and about to pull in front of you, you're not going to hear them before you see 'em. Especially if you've got the windows up and the A/C on.

Ah, there's nothing better than enjoying the pristeen beauty of one of our national parks when a group of 30 of these guys goes rolling through. And trying to pass a group this big is like trying to get around 3 tractor/trailer rigs. Rolling Roadblocks is what me and my BMW buddies call 'em. (I know; *****, *****, *****).

Another one that always gets me are the loud pipe guys with the full leathers but no helmet. You ask 'em, "so, why do you wear all that leather?" They'll tell you, "for safety, man.:confused: "

As to some of the earlier discussion in this thread, there are plenty of synthetics out there that provide excellent abrasion protection in case of a slide down the road. And, some of them have a very open, screen-like mesh weave that REALLY lets the breeze through. Comfortable in the 100+ degree Arizona heat. I've got one, it's a Hein Gericke jacket, that is made like this AND it has a full, zip-out liner that is some kinda waterproof/breathable stuff. When it's hot, the liner's in the saddle bag. It gets zipped in for cold or wet weather. I took this jacket to Alaska last summer. It was blistering hot going up through Utah and Idaho and the mesh just shined. Once in Canada and Alaska we had freezing rain, snow, hail and wind chills in the teens and the liner kept me warm and dry. Really good stuff.:clapsmile

[dhackney]

This a good thread, as many here seem to be interested or pursuing adding motorcycling to their exploration transportation options or daily lives.

As a veteran of more motorcycle get offs than I could count, all I can say is that if I hadn't worn the gear, I wouldn't be typing this (at least with my fingers).

My advice is to:
- start small, on a small, light bike
- read those 12 myths every week for a month or two - they are all absolutely spot on
- invest in training for yourself before you invest in "improving" the bike
- don't get on the bike without all the gear (this includes our esteemed forum founder...)

Here's a shot of our bike's thermometer in the Namibian desert:

http://www.hackneys.com/Africa/Hackney10D/images/image360.jpg

Here's me in the same desert:
http://www.hackneys.com/Africa/Hackney10D/images/image366.jpg

I'm wearing the same gear hltoppr uses for "winter/foul weather" gear. If you unzip the vents and open up the main zipper for some airflow it's livable in those temps. And actually, the deserts in Africa and the Middle East were not the worst, that was definately Japan in August, with less heat but Houston Class humidity and crawling traffic in the mountain valleys.

When you are out in expedition mode on a bike you can only carry one set of gear and synthetics make a great choice. I haven't worn my leathers in years.

When I'm in Baja I'm usually dressed like this:
http://www.hackneys.com/photos/02-baja-beach.jpg



Note that since I'm not wearing the full synthetic jacket and pants with integrated body armor I'm wearing a chest protector over my jersey and elbow pads. I've also got roller-blade knee pads on under my pants and full size off-road boots.

I'm also wearing a neck wrap that does protect your collar bone in the case of a big get off. Popular with motocrossers, they prevent the helmet from snapping down and popping your collar bone. After about 30 minutes you forget it is there. Very good for off-road riding, especially for people like me who have a close and intimate relationship with the soil, sand, rocks and cactus between here in San Diego and Cabo San Lucas.

For seven-days-in-the-dirt-bike-saddle comfort I'm sitting on a gel seat and have a kidney belt on.

And while we're talking expedition riding in general and Baja in particular, never go down there without a GoreTex or equivilant jacket (actually, I never go anywhere without one...).

Some expedition relevent bike info from this shot:
The front fender pack contains everything for a flat: wrenches, tire irons and a front tube (which will also work on the rear, just has a few wrinkles). The rear pack contains tools and key spares (levers and controls mostly - things you break when you fall). Every open threaded hole on the bike has a spare bolt with a bunch of spare nuts and washers threaded and locked onto it. Both tubes are injected with Slime (goo that helps stop leaks - really works). All bolts on the bike sealed with Lock-tite. Heavy duty, metal backed handlebar brush guards. Big fuel tank (this shot was along the Pacific coast a LONG way from anywhere). Compression ratio of the motor matched to expected local fuel. Key bolts, plugs & connectors drilled & safety wired. Garmin V GPS. No sat phone because I was riding with some other guys who had one. No EPIRB, but I wouldn't go out again to remote areas without one. Medical air evacutation information in my billfold - and my riding buddies knew where to find all my medial insurance info (the danger in Baja is not getting killed, it's getting seriously hurt with no way to get to medical care quickly). The chest protector pack held my camera, batteries and memory cards. The backpack was 98% full of toys for the kids at an orphanage that we support down there plus some emergency food, space blanket, the camelback system built into it for water, and desert survival info - when you are riding in desert areas, know how to survive in the desert.

Sorry, this is getting way off topic. I'll stop now.

Doug

[goodtimes]

It's not too far off topic....and you have touched on a few things that probably don't cross many of our minds (like spare bolts, adding loc-tite to everything, etc). I do the same sort of thing on my jeep (which does the whole rock crawling thing), but honestly havent even given it any thought with respect to a bike (a not to distant addition to my garage).

[VikingVince]

Doug...thanks for the additional tips on protection as well as the pics...it's good to see as well as hear. Actually, using roller blade pads for knee protection had occured to me...but then I heard this little voice inside saying "no that's dorky"...lol...so, thanks for reinforcing the safety aspects:bowdown:

[dhackney]

Some things I forgot in the Baja shot:
- I'm also wearing riding shorts with integrated padding
- The pants have integrated pads

Notice a theme here?

If you are going to get out there where the interesting stuff is on a bike you are definately going to become one with the dirt, rocks and cactus sooner or later. More protection is good.

On our long distance overseas expeditions the most important thing is finding well padded gear that is super comfortable, vents well, very adaptable for changing weather conditions, rugged and waterproof.

Be wary of anything that requires you to put on additional things for rain, i.e. take off your jacket to put on a waterproof lining. Think about what you put in your jacket pockets for a minute. Now rehearse a sudden rainstorm in an open area. Keep in mind that we have ridden for THOUSANDS of miles without seeing an overpass. Now slow down and repeat the section of the mental video showing you standing in the rain with your non-waterproof jacket off, putting on your now wet waterproof liner over your now soaking body and then adding the now completely soaked non-waterproof outer jacket, including all of the completely waterlogged items you put into the pockets of said non-waterproof outer jacket. I watched my wife go through this dance for a month with a jacket system she used for just that trip. Thank god she had picked it out herself. She went GoreTex when we got home.

For straight up domestic street riding, especially on a sport bike, get a spine protector and wear it.

Another very, very important safety item is warmth. For expedition work, get heated grips and a heated seat. We also carry electrically heated fleece jackets. Cold will really kill you, but you'll never see it on the accident report or in the obit "cause of death" field. Cold slowly robs you of your judgement and reaction time. Stay warm to stay alive.

If you have any doubts about any of this protective gear ranting and raving, attend any motorcycling competition event, desert, MX, SX, dirt, flat track or road race for a day and while you are there walk through the paddock. Check out the post-crash riding gear, especially the leathers of the road racers.

[Scott Brady]

I need to take your comments to heart. I often ride with just a helmet and gloves.

And sometimes even without that...
http://www.expeditionswest.com/about_us/motorcycle.jpg
Yes, stupid... I will start adding to my safety gear, starting with good boots and pants.

[dhackney]

Scott,

Check the sale racks for last year's designs. You can buy top quality off-road gear for huge discounts if you are not intersted in having the current year's graphics & colors. The place it's hardest to find big discounts is with boots, but it can be done.

We've found the Italian manufactured boots to be instantly comfortable with very little break-in required. We've currently got Alpinestars for Steph and MSR (made by Alpinestar) for me. Again, if you are willing to buy last year's design/model you can save a lot of bucks.

The non-cotton jerseys work better for the heat. Cotton takes forever to dry out and is really clammy when wet and cold.

If you've got old dirt bike gear that doesn't fit or you aren't using there's a non-profit program that puts inner city kids on dirt bikes that is always looking for donations of usable gear. That's where all of our dirt gear is going before we take off.

Doug