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Denim jeans while riding.

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  • #76
    I went through the woods on my head. Something tore a large hole in the right shin of my Levi's. I got a bad rash in that spot, but nowhere else below the waist. Too bad I was wearing a wife beater that day, though.
    Joe


    78XS1100

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    • #77
      My son tells me that the problem with hemp is that tends to burst into flames and smoke like crazy...
      "Time is the greatest teacher; unfortunately, it kills all of its students."

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      • #78
        The argument that track racers wear top-to-bottom armor is a little otherworldly, as the same approch could be used to argue that whenever one get in a car, one should have on a full Formula 1 protection suit.
        Not really, if denim gave the best protection rather than leather, then they would be requiring you to wear denim.

        Please understand though, I'm in no way saying everyone that wears denim should run out and get leather, wear what you like, it's an individual choice, a risk vs benefit, cost vs benefit, comfort vs safety assessment we all make every time we ride, you go with what you are comfortable with. Sometimes I wear leather, sometimes armored denim, and sometimes just denim.

        I have a Joe Rocket Santa Fe armored mesh jacket that works even in our 100+ degree summers.
        I have one too...love it!
        My son tells me that the problem with hemp is that tends to burst into flames and smoke like crazy...
        LOL..and after that...no one seems to care...
        Last edited by Guy_b_g; 01-24-2010, 01:14 AM.
        Guy

        '78E

        Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur

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        • #79
          Originally posted by Guy_b_g View Post
          What do the pros wear? Don't you think they know something we may not have learned by personal experience?
          Probably, but I doubt on my XS I will lowside at 170 mph at Laguna Seca #6 curve.

          Originally posted by Guy_b_g View Post
          There is not a track out there that will let you race in denim, and as far as I know, there isn't even one that will let you do a track day in denim.
          Dunno. I would love to find out some time though. Not many good tracks in KS.

          Originally posted by Guy_b_g View Post
          Why do you suppose that no motorcycle cops wear denim? Always leather or armored textiles. Fact is, leather offers more protection.
          Ah, here is the phrase that really got me and inspired me to reply. Truth is, I don't know, but I imagine it has something to do with being ready for hearing a Village People song.

          Originally posted by Guy_b_g View Post
          That said, I do wear denim at times, even knowing the disadvantages.
          Me too.
          Ich habe dich nicht gefragt.

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          • #80
            I have leathers and wear them except when it gets really hot and humid. I then switch to a levie jacket and remove the shaps. I will be getting somthing cooler then leather for both myself and wife this year.

            Deny
            1978 XS1100E - The TimeMachine
            1980 XS850 Special - Little Mo

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            • #81
              Gear vs Protective Gear

              I've had my experiences with protective gear:



              That's me directing the nozzle. That's a real structure fire. After dousing the entrance I and Bob proceeded into the structure, room by room, putting out the fires as we went until we made it to the bedroom where the mattress was burning.

              The gear protected us from the heat, sure. But after we went in through the door we had to stay down on our hands and knees while we crawled on broken glass, sharp metal, and other nasties. The gear outer shell was heat, tear, and abrasion resistant. Really nice features to have when it was needed.

              The gear was also heavy, awkward to move around in, and hot in anything other than winter weather. But that is as they say, the way it is. We just wore the gear in order to do the job. If the gear was too heavy or hot for you then choose another profession. Safety Engineers directed what the gear weighed and felt like.

              My textile riding jacket isn't made of the same material or anything close to it. I see the jacket as a product of a customer driven engineering process where genuine protection in a crash was given a lower priority.

              It's too Expensive= use cheaper material.
              It's too heavy= Make it lighter by using less/lighter material.
              It's too Hot= Ventilation flaps with velcro to open/close.
              No place for my I-Pod/wallet= pockets, pouches, zippers, compartments.
              Ad Nauseum....as the customer decides what he wants.

              In the end the product is more suited to keeping the rider looking good, comfortable, and dry while riding in the upright position in a rainstorm (Not recommended...). What happens when the bike lowsides or highsides is an afterthought, not a primary function.

              I wear the textile jacket. If I fall I'll make sure to provide after pics of how well it and my denims dealt with the abrasion. Till then I'm not deluding myself that even with the textile pants I can hit the pavement, slide 200 feet like a stuntman, and walk away from it with no road rash.

              With the gear for fighting fires? I'd bet money on it.
              Last edited by Larrym; 01-24-2010, 05:29 PM.

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              • #82
                I dunno... I agree, to a point. In no way is modern, everyday motorcycle gear designed to hold up to he rigors of firefighting. That is certain. But that is for the same reason that Scuba gear is not suitable for motorcycling. They are specialized, for the safety needs of the activity and the wearer. Motorcycle gear is not designed to be drug through a fire over broken glass every day, over and over. It's meant to protect once, and only once.

                The thing is that we are not required to wear any kind of safety gear at all (except helmets in some cases). The thought driving the industry seems to be that they need to make a product that will protect, but will be comfortable enough that the safety-minded consumer will still put it on every time he rides. If it's not comfortable, the consumer is not going to wear it. We could dress like Robocop, but would we be comfortable enough to actually enjoy our hobby?

                The need for comfort has driven the creation of things like mesh, abrasion-resistant cloth that still holds armor in it's strategic locations, even after an impact. Consumer responses have created things like breathable, waterproof clothing and rain gear that will keep a rider dry for hours in a downpour but will last for years in an envelope in a saddlebag.

                I agree that most people (including myself) don't wear enough safety gear when they ride. However, most of us ride because we enjoy riding, and protection in the event of a crash is often an afterthought. Most of us would not want to hamper our riding enjoyment with uncomfortable clothing in the name of safety, especialy when there seems to be so little in the way of actual, scientific data surrounding it's use. Jeans are comfy, and have been worn in rigorous conditions ever since the gold rush. That does say something about the protection factor. Could we do better? Absolutely. Would we be as comfortable? Perhaps, but spending $150 on something that I'm unsure of is rather difficult sometimes...
                1980 XS850SG - Sold
                1981 XS1100LH Midnight Special (Sold) - purchased 9/29/08
                Fully Vetterized and Dynojet Kit added, Heated Grips, Truck-Lite LED headlight, Accel Coils, Irridium plugs, TKAT Fork Brace, XS850LH Final Drive & Black SS Brake lines from Chacal.
                Here's my web page devoted to my bike! XS/XJ User's Manuals there, and the XJ1100 Service Manual and both XS1100 Service manuals (free download!).

                Whether you think you can, or you think you cannot - You're right.
                -H. Ford

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                • #83
                  I don't think buying and wearing modern textile protective clothing is any different then installing sticker tires, better suspension, more comfortable handlebars, using better oil etc. When products are available that enhance the experience by making it more enjoyable, longer lasting and or safer, we tend use them.
                  Of course it's a to each his own the conclusion as to what enhances the experience. Some prefer "the wind in their hair" freedom of riding near naked and other like full protective coverage. However, the people riding around in shorts and without helmets will get no sympathy from me when they go down, and I will expect none from them when on real hot day when full protective gear can be hot to be wearing in slow traffic.
                  Rob
                  KEEP THE RUBBER SIDE DOWN

                  1978 XS1100E Modified
                  1978 XS500E
                  1979 XS1100F Restored
                  1980 XS1100 SG
                  1981 Suzuki GS1100
                  1983 Suzuki GS750S Katana
                  1983 Honda CB900 Custom

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                  • #84
                    Buy levi jeans!!

                    I have eaten it on asphalt at 35mph and my Levi jeans were scraped, but not torn, and after a washing looked about as good as new! My knees were bleeding slightly underneath of the jeans, but no big deal considering what could have happened.

                    I got a pair of Harley jeans as a gift and was hit by a moving truck on my mountain bike, and they ripped through both knees!

                    Buy Levis or maybe something like the riveted double knee Carrharts. They will not cost you a bundle, and will probably save your poor body if you don't buy something that offers more protection.

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                    • #85
                      Back when I was (amatur) road racing, full leathers were required. I had one-piece Bates, $600 (1980). On the street I wore jeans and a nylon jacket... in Phoenix.... always. I also always wore a full-face helmet.
                      Now days I usually wear Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket and pants. A lot of the time I'm in just jeans. When it gets colder I wear either a leather jacket (no armor) or a Frank Thomas textile jacket (armor) with a water proof liner when it's REALLY cold. I always wear a full-face helmet.
                      Something I noticed in working at the hospital for 7 years.
                      Most (but not all) cycle accidents were sport bikes. These younger riders had roadrash mostly on their legs (armored jacket and jeans). In summer it was upper body too (tank-top and shorts).
                      Older riders mostly had the dislocations and broken bones but less road rash (more leather). Also more head trauma proportional to the smaller helmet. The turtle shell is more a statement than a piece of protective gear.
                      No piece of gear can protect you from every accident. You may slide, slide into things, get run-over while or after sliding, Slide off things, slide under or over things. One thing they talked about in the pre-race rider meetings was the "Frier Tuck" or "Fry or Tuck". As you leave the bike, tuck into a ball. Notice the armor is on the forearms, shoulders, and back? Don't put your hands out to catch yourself, you'll just break your collarbone. Tuch your shoulder and land on that. After you leave the bike and are sliding along, slow-roll. As you slide your protection is wearing away. Use all of it. Slide on your side, your back, and the other side. Try to look where your heading and you can (to a point) steer away from hard obsticles. Once you are done sliding, count to 10 before trying to stand-up. I watched a guy fall off his bike on the main straight at Riverside (now long gone)(I also have no idea how he fell off and I was watching him). He slid a few hundred yard and tried to stand... he was still going about 40 MPH. Humans can't run that fast.
                      Pat Kelly
                      <p-lkelly@sbcglobal.net>

                      1978 XS1100E (The Force)
                      1980 XS1100LG (The Dark Side)
                      2007 Dodge Ram 2500 quad-cab long-bed (Wifes ride)
                      1999 Suburban (The Ship)
                      1994 Dodge Spirit (Son #1)
                      1968 F100 (Valentine)

                      "No one is totally useless. They can always be used as a bad example"

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