Laid er' down

[gliscameria]

Laid down my Bandit a week or so ago...

No real damage, some scraped up fariings and engine.

Took an off ramp a bit too sharp, hit a wierd patch of road, and ended up w my peg hitting the curb, which instantly smashed me under the bike into the pavement. Slid on the road a bit, smacked my helmet, then shoulder, then ribs into the curb. All I remember was thinking "WTF?!" hitting the ground, a bright white flash, and then not breathing with a searing pain in my right side laying in the weeds. After a few minutes of getting my breath I was fine though, my shoulder wasn't exactly working though.

The police were excellent. On the scence instantly, had a few cruisers block off traffic, brought the paramedics and firetruck, made me sit on the curb while they held my neck. Very cool guys.

After about a half an hour they helped me pick up my bike, got it started up and rode off! Had my mechanic check it out, totally okay! How neat?

If it wasn't for the helment I'd probably be drooling and ****ing on myself currently, w a serious supervillian half face, it took a good whack on the curb, and if it wasn't for the armor I'm pretty sure I'd be in a sling with a pound or two of flesh missing.

A good experience all in a in. Even in the phoenix heat I am 100% sold on armor and a full face helmet.

[DimitriT]

Glad you were able to ride away from it.

All the gear, all the time.

[argonsagas]

Any time you can ride away from a "downer" is a good time.

Look at the good side of this one....there are only two kinds of riders: those that have gone down, and those that will.

You have joined the elite, and can stay upright from now on.

[yasser]

Thanks for sharing this story and providing a reminder.#-o Glad to hear you are up and riding again.

[bradleymaynar]

Glad to hear you faired well. Now, if you've not done it already, get yourself a new helmet and save the old one as a reminder. It's done it's job and is ready to be retired.:-D

Brad tt

[qslim]

Helluva tale, man. A lot of guys roll their eyes when I show up for a ride in a full face, armored leather coat, and kevlar jeans (Dragginjeans.com, I love 'em!). I've never been down, but I know I will someday, and I sure don't want to spend a month in a burn ward nursing roadrash. I'm glad you and your machine are good to go.

[UncleMike]

Glad you're okay. It can only make you a better rider, right?

Whenever I ride, I wear my full-face, armor jacket, armor gloves and leather, over-the-ankle boots. It's the pants that worry me. I always wear jeans, but I worry it's not enough. I'd like to commute more on my bike when necessary, but wearing the same pair of pants to meetings everytime, especially armored, just wouldn't float in business.

[qslim]

I always wear jeans, but I worry it's not enough. I'd like to commute more on my bike when necessary, but wearing the same pair of pants to meetings everytime, especially armored, just wouldn't float in business.

Yeah, I know what you mean. Although I've been blessed with a technical automotive career and can dress as far down as I please, a lot of guys I know are in your shoes (nice wingtips). A couple of them have opted for the full-riding suit deal, where they can put an armored jumper over decent business clothes. Though in the summer you would probably look like you jogged to work in your suit. I haven't come across any riding pants that look terribly professional.

[UncleMike]

Yeah, I know what you mean. Although I've been blessed with a technical automotive career and can dress as far down as I please, a lot of guys I know are in your shoes (nice wingtips). A couple of them have opted for the full-riding suit deal, where they can put an armored jumper over decent business clothes. Though in the summer you would probably look like you jogged to work in your suit. I haven't come across any riding pants that look terribly professional.

Well, I own my own business, and make my own hours, so most of the time a nice pair of jeans is fine. If clients can't handle that, then f*ck 'em.

I just want something more, you know?

[Atilla the Bunny]

. . . It's the pants that worry me. I always wear jeans, but I worry it's not enough. . .

Note to all: Having been down, and wearing jeans, I can tell you that having your skin and flesh peeled down to the bone is not fun. Jeans last for about .oooo2 seconds and then it's all skin.

So. . .

I commute to work, and my work place is fairly formal.....Suits and the like.
I usually wear my suit pants and shirt, throw my Joe Rockets over them. I use the mesh pants and jacket in the summer time, and I carefully roll my suit Jacket in my tank bag or backpack. I usually have a backpack, because I carry my laptop home.

When I get to the office I spend two minutes taking off my riding gear and putting on my jacket and I am ready for my day.

[gliscameria]

Pants n' at

I really wish they made a pair of easy off pants like my Tour Maser Intake jacket. I slid a good bit on it and it took no damage, other than a minor scrape on the shoulder.

Something tough and meshy that would zipper or buckle off. maybe even direct some air up your back.

[Gravity Tester]

I really wish they made a pair of easy off pants like my Tour Maser Intake jacket. I slid a good bit on it and it took no damage, other than a minor scrape on the shoulder.

Something tough and meshy that would zipper or buckle off. maybe even direct some air up your back.

Only problem I see with easy off is just that I would think you would want a complete circle of Fabric while you are slidding down the road. I agree w/ Attlia Over pants seem to fit most of my needs. you need to change out of your riding Boots to your wing tips any how so while your shoes are off drop your pants & your all set.

I have a pair of meshed pants where the meshing is in the Front of the legs then a minimal amount of amor in the hips. I would like more in the hips & thighs so still searching. On cold morrnings just doing a joy Ride I have a pair of leather pants I put on underneath my mesh ones keeps the wind out. My buddie told me once why he only uses leather "That Skin is already dead"

[DanTheMan]

I have an old AeroStich suit I bought from a friend. It's in close to perfect shape and I feel much more confident now that if I go down, it'll take the road rash and not my skin. AeroStich will go over your street clothes too. You can find them at www.aerostich.com . Already done the road rash thing on a bicycle at 32 mph. I had on all the good cycling gear including a helmet, but the short sleeves and shorts gave me road rash on my right leg and right arm, and a rock got caught under my helmet by my right eye. I still carry the scar.
I'll always wear the whole works now, higher speeds hurt much worse on bare skin.:-|

[J_C]

I have a pair of First Gear 'HT Air' Overpants that I wear on almost all of my rides. Though I have a pair of A* leather pants that I wear at the track, the overpants are extremely convenient and comfortable. I know they won't hold up as well in a crash as leather, but they're most likely better than jeans (at least I hope).

If I was going to become a moto commuter I would definetely just wear an aerostich 1 piece over my work clothes.