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Post by tortoise on Mar 1, 2009 15:05:55 GMT -5
I had been using some cheap foam kneepads from Wal-Mart. They were easy to slip into and slide up, but the elastic straps are not all that strong and they need to be repositioned frequently. Better than nothing, but they leave a lot to be desired. Weight is .8 ounces per pad. For short errands, if safety gear items are too much of a nuisance to put on, they tend NOT to get used . . but these Icon Field Armor Leg Guards would definitely offer superior protection. A compromise is these $15 Turtles Kneepads (Lowe's garden department). The heavy duty straps are easy to adjust, attach, and detach. Weight is 3.2 ounces per pad. Experienced a relatively low speed slide-out after entering an intersection free-right-turn too fast. No significant abrasions to full riding gear . . just a little tar transfer to right knee. Was wearing the Turtles knee pads under bib overalls and only suffered a sore right leg for a few days.
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Post by owenbrau on Mar 1, 2009 17:34:16 GMT -5
Those foam ones at the top are going to do squat in a crash. They aren't intended for impact, just comfort padding and minor bumps. I'm going to check out the Icon armor, that's be a nice alternative to the armored riding pants I am considering.
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Post by oldnslow on Mar 17, 2009 14:15:47 GMT -5
You might want to check out the Alpinestars Reflex Elbow Guard and Reflex Knee Guard sets. They are less than half the money of the Icon gear and they may be a better fit for medium and larger people.
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Post by oldnslow on Mar 18, 2009 10:51:05 GMT -5
The Icon and Alpinestar products are designed, sort of, to be worn under your regular clothing.
Most two wheeler accidents happen on those short trips to the store or work.
Think of putting your armor on as putting the cage of a car around you and buckling your seat belt. It doesn't really take much time and it could protect you if the worst happens.
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Post by tortoise on Jul 15, 2009 21:30:29 GMT -5
Motorcycle crash video (driver tumbles and survives) . . full face helmet, jacket, and jeans were definitely an asset.
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Post by chaz12 on Nov 20, 2009 3:17:52 GMT -5
Ya, and that is what I wear. Helmet, leather jacket, leather gloves, blue jeans and steel toe boots. My fears are not on my riding ability or protection, but being run over by a vehicle behind me. Now this guy was lucky to have slid off the highway and lucky again to be followed by a police officer. But how many of us that ride on highways are not followed by a trucker ? One wrong move or blowout, could end one's life. But riding is fun and can be dangerous too. Checking out your ride daily and making sure you are protected is a plus.
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dwatts5250
Junior Dawg
Lets Get Dangerous!
Posts: 8
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Post by dwatts5250 on Jan 11, 2012 15:28:20 GMT -5
Wouldnt have thought knee protection would be needed on a scooter, till I did the same right turn "Oh sh*t", i went wide, bounce off the center median and toppled over. My knees got rashed and they hurt, I broke my right mirror, and bruised my pride. Im looking at those apex & icons now. I didnt want to spend $60 on gloves, til I saw whats left of my other ones.
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Post by chaz12 on Jan 11, 2012 20:37:41 GMT -5
I got knee and elbow protection from Walmart in the toy section. They use them for skateboarding. They were are $10.. Just slide them on under clothing.
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Post by Globs on Jan 22, 2012 10:09:12 GMT -5
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Post by terrilee on Jan 22, 2012 10:21:50 GMT -5
knee pads ??elbow pads ??
why dont u guys put on a suit of armor before u ride ? i agree with the helmet etc. but i think u guys are so SCARED u take the fun out of riding if u are going to plan for any & every lil thing that COULD go wrong u will need a suit of armor a trailer full of spare parts etc etc
heck just get a trailer to pull a spare scoot also
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Post by inuyasha on Jan 22, 2012 10:42:46 GMT -5
knee pads ??elbow pads ??
why dont u guys put on a suit of armor before u ride ? i agree with the helmet etc. but i think u guys are so SCARED u take the fun out of riding if u are going to plan for any & every lil thing that COULD go wrong u will need a suit of armor a trailer full of spare parts etc etc
heck just get a trailer to pull a spare scoot also
Hi Terri If they were practical and more comfortable i would wear a suit of armour ;D If theres something that can prevent injury or death im all for it Safety first should be your main concern while riding, it is for me I wear armored riding gear and highly recommend it for others Take care and drive safely dear friend Yours Hank
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Post by imnts2 on Jan 22, 2012 11:28:03 GMT -5
I agree with Hank. Courage is not the isue. You really do not know how much you of that anyone has till the chips are down. I would rather be able to pick my azz up and ride home and enjoy by time with my bride than deal with road rash for weeks or - worse. I ride with a lot less concern in Europe than here.
Chaz - I seem to think a lot of your riding is at speed of 50+, I think Hank does a lot more low speed urban driving. I really am an old man and sort of need to protect my bones. And and I hope Terrilee has a lot of powwows left to dance in. So I think this have been one off the more usefull threads. some good perhaps usefull ideas. Cheers lefty2
In any case, some good ideas. I guess I need to learn how to bookmark threads.
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Post by klaviator on Jan 22, 2012 11:32:31 GMT -5
knee pads ??elbow pads ??
why dont u guys put on a suit of armor before u ride ? i agree with the helmet etc. but i think u guys are so SCARED u take the fun out of riding if u are going to plan for any & every lil thing that COULD go wrong u will need a suit of armor a trailer full of spare parts etc etc
heck just get a trailer to pull a spare scoot also
I wear protective riding gear. It doesn't reduce my enjoyment of riding, it allows me to enjoy it more. Most of my gear wasn't very expensive. It is more comfortable than not wearing it most of the time. I don't plan to crash but if I do it could make the difference between walking away from the accident or a trip to the hospital. A few years ago I hit Bambi and went down at around 65 MPH. I not only walked away from it but rode my bike home. I would probably needed an ambulance without my riding gear. As for knee pads, you can get knee pads designed for dirtbike riding for about $15 and up at pretty much any motorcycle shop.
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Post by Globs on Jan 22, 2012 11:42:23 GMT -5
The way I look at protection is imagining how I'd feel about buying and wearing the stuff from a hospital bed.
It's all very well being brave when you are fit and well, but stuck in a ward for that 3rd knee operation (and the reaction to the anasthetic) for the sake of $30 of comfortable knee wear just seems a bit dumb.
In fact just losing a few days riding and mobility because of it would be pretty sad, one just has to man up to scootering being a contact sport and dress accordingly.
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Post by larry001964 on Jan 22, 2012 11:43:54 GMT -5
knee pads ??elbow pads ??
why dont u guys put on a suit of armor before u ride ? i agree with the helmet etc. but i think u guys are so SCARED u take the fun out of riding if u are going to plan for any & every lil thing that COULD go wrong u will need a suit of armor a trailer full of spare parts etc etc
heck just get a trailer to pull a spare scoot also
I wear protective riding gear. It doesn't reduce my enjoyment of riding, it allows me to enjoy it more. Most of my gear wasn't very expensive. It is more comfortable than not wearing it most of the time. I don't plan to crash but if I do it could make the difference between walking away from the accident or a trip to the hospital. A few years ago I hit Bambi and went down at around 65 MPH. I not only walked away from it but rode my bike home. I would probably needed an ambulance without my riding gear. I road a bicycle for a very long time growing up, never wore any protective gear, it was not even made back then. I remember when i saw my first bicyclist wearing a helmet, My first thought was "what a sissy". Now in hind sight I could not have been more wrong.. After years of seeing friends in the hospital from accidents i rethought my use of protective gear. I'm In 100 % agreement with Hank, I wonder if the guy who was killed going to the Larry Crowne movie would have survived had he had on more protective gear, or the thousands of minor accidents that left someone with a permanent injury that they must work with every day to support their families, would have sustained that much damage, questions we will never know the answer to... You can't replace your health, but you can replace a scooter and protective equipment... I agree with hank
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Post by inuyasha on Jan 22, 2012 11:45:03 GMT -5
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Post by BaronScooter on Jan 22, 2012 12:27:14 GMT -5
TeriLee, wearing safety equipment...properly fitted does not detract from the riding experience AT ALL. It actually enhances the riding experience. There are only 2 types of riders...those who have kept the rubber side down and those that have not. When things go "sideways" you can only "HOPE" for the best, and have the proper safety equipment to prevent loss of life or limb.
I have only been in a couple "tip overs"...rear ended by an inattentive cager and on my sportbike on a gravel down hill and steep uphill transition and turn. Both times proper riding gear (leather chaps in one case and full leather gear on the other) saved me regarding the legs and arms protection.
But on the scooter, I have not found "CONVENIENT" lower leg protection...I do wear a Cortech Armored Denim Jacket, but the "matching" pants did not work for me, so currently I use "classic denims (not good) or my Harley chaps if I go on longer trips. Honestly, I would like full zip sides denim pants with padding and CE armor that was compatible with the jacket, but they are not to be had yet.
The Aerostitch suit is the closest thing to proper riding ware by the touring crowd (be it Goldwings, BMWs...) or sport touring crowd. If full on sportbikes full leather suit, either 1 or 2 piece... but at almost $900 or more is way too high for inexpensive scooter riders on a budget, so threads like this always garner interest, even to me who knows the answer is one I cannot really afford perspective. It then boils down to personal choice.
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Post by larry001964 on Jan 22, 2012 12:27:45 GMT -5
I think i like the airbag jacket over the body armor. I think it would protect you better..
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Post by inuyasha on Jan 22, 2012 13:05:22 GMT -5
I think i like the airbag jacket over the body armor. I think it would protect you better.. Hi Larry The best would be to combine both in one jacket The airbag for vital organs in your chest and your spinal column and armor pads for arms, forearm, elbow and shoulder Full face helmet armored gloves and pants with a pair of rugged boots to round out the package Been riding motorbikes for quite a long time, as a youth i took risks, wore no protective gear and was very lucky to only have a few different road rash incidents and bumps and bruises nothing major As i have become older i no longer think as such and want to take every possible safety precaution i can and hope that others think the same To everyone, i wish you only the best in all that may come your way Take care and drive safely dearest friend Yours Hank
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Post by imnts2 on Jan 22, 2012 14:28:44 GMT -5
All of you - thanks. Hank. Good find.
Good topic. Maybe you gotta be lucky enough to get old to start to think about riding again tomorrow.
Cheers lefty2
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