Gearing Up - Are you ATGATT, MOTGATT or something else?

[DeusExMachina]

Touring pants with the sewn/built-in CE pads/armor should cover that.

Well, meant to be used on tour anyway.

 

In town, I guess it's still gonna be battered/bleeding/swollen knees until someone can come up with armor that isn't hard and hot to wear, or bulky and troublesome to stow away.

[ORen]

Knee guards are ok for town rifing, easy on easy off, easy to stach in a box or even a bag. Worst case scenario, you leave them by the bike locked in some bag. Very doable and very easy, best part is they don't even wrinkle the pants !

[donutbiker]

Hey guys,

 

Last Friday, went on a trip to Mersing with some friends from the Singapore Bajaj Team.

 

I was closing the convoy and the bike in front of me got bullied by a car overtaking him. For a 1 month old rider he managed really well to slow down and control the bike as much as he could, but ended up kissing the side road pretty hard. Typically the type of accident for which you have NO RESPONSIBILITY and all you can hope for is have space to take your bike to on the side road or have the skill to stay on it even if you have to break hard. The car overtook him, and suddenly swerved to the left of the road for no apparent reason, he had to swerve too to not hit it and went off road. There was a small ravine there, a bit of grass, but mostly tons of rocks and hard dirt. Of course, the car didn't stop.

 

The rider was wearing an armored Jacket, A full face helmet and mesh but padded full gloves. He was wearing solid shoes (some doc martin's type) and.. a pair of jeans. Well guess what? Yep, that's it, the knee took it all. The only damn place he didn't protect got busted. Nothing too serious, just a hole in the bone of the knee cap and a massive swollen articulation but still..

 

Have a look at the pictures, you'll realize his gear saved him a unpleasant face feeling as well as his arms showing bloody bones.

 

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1232/5157210634_1a0b2595b3_z.jpg

 

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1364/5157201944_930aa6a67d_z.jpg

 

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1152/5157253008_a2bd3508ca_z.jpg

 

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1148/5156728969_5169fc664b_z.jpg

 

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1408/5156537489_4490108ef5_z.jpg

 

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1228/5156462645_9f7495239d_z.jpg

 

All things considered, and now that I know he is alright, this wasn't a big accident. We were riding at 85kmph, he managed to slow down before hitting the ground. So I think this is a good example of what can happen, and it doesn't have to be your fault, and it doesn't have to be because you're tired or not paying attention. $#@* happens. Please gear up, MY or SG it's all the same, this guy saved his fingers, arms, elbows and face thanks to his gear and if he had just knee guards on him, he'd be jumping around right now on both legs !

 

Hope this helps people make a choice, honestly, I say it again, experience and confidence and luck will only take you so far. it's ok to fall or get into an accident but it's better to get there in a robocop suit you can jump out from all smiling and laughing, isn't it ?

 

THk U for sharing and thank goodness your riding buddy is ok.

 

For those looking for a light knee shin guard with good articulation in the knee, check out THOR Quadrant which can be bought online for less than US$30 (I think???..I can't remember the price).

 

I have started to use my thor quadrant on my non-working days, But I think I will start to wear it ALL the time.

 

A review of it can be read at http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/thor-knee-guards

[EasyRiding]

THk U for sharing and thank goodness your riding buddy is ok.

 

For those looking for a light knee shin guard with good articulation in the knee, check out THOR Quadrant which can be bought online for less than US$30 (I think???..I can't remember the price).

 

I have started to use my thor quadrant on my non-working days, But I think I will start to wear it ALL the time.

 

A review of it can be read at http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/thor-knee-guards

 

Thanks donutbiker. I'm finding a replacement for my Alpinestars reflex kneeguard. Another choice for me.

[DeusExMachina]

Mmm yeah. The Quadrant does look less bulky than the usual hockey player styled kneepads.

Do they bunch up your jeans or pants? I hate it when that happens.

[lutein]

Which ones do you have? I've got a Komine pair from Motoworld but not a fan of its rather bulky cut and the not-so-desirable dark blue colour.

 

My jeans are from Draggins. Bought it in Melbourne. It is damn bulky and makes me look fat so I also don't like to wear it. I might just use the knee guards instead (bought from Motoworld but never used them).

 

Hey Lutein, sorry to hear about your fall - I hope my future bike will recover :P . More seriously, that jacket is clearly saying: "what fall ?", it's really reassuring how well this stuff works. Nothing happened to the helmet ?

 

Helmet is fine. I fell on my back and right side rather than head-first. Jacket was also torn at the back. Thank God for Dainese back protector.

 

Duke (the bike) is still sitting in the workshop after 3 weeks. Still waiting for the parts to come in!

 

I invested in a Pacsafe bag: I basically dump jacket, knee guards and FF helmet in the bag (waterproof) and attach it to the bike. (the bag has a metallic net not so easy to break through. At my work place it's a basement carpark so no issues there at all. When I park in an openspace, I place the bag in a way that it's a bit hidden by the front wheel and it doesn't attract attention. In any case, we usually park in SG for what , 2-4h max ? If you go to a friend's place you can find a safe place to park and leave your gear. I've parked in all sorts of places (hm, legal or not ) and the gear I got for my first ride is still with me. The truth is, SG is pretty damn safe, people don't roam around carrying a set of cutters and whatnot looking for bikes to rob..

 

I have thought of using the Pacsafe bag. But the cost... oof. Cheaper than a Givi rack + box though!

 

The rider was wearing an armored Jacket, A full face helmet and mesh but padded full gloves. He was wearing solid shoes (some doc martin's type) and.. a pair of jeans. Well guess what? Yep, that's it, the knee took it all. The only damn place he didn't protect got busted. Nothing too serious, just a hole in the bone of the knee cap and a massive swollen articulation but still..

 

His knees pretty much looked like mine after my accident. Just a few weeks of pain and he'll be alright.

[lutein]

Ah well, since I made a double post I might as well show off some pictures:

 

A clearer picture of my jacket.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5084160934_9906d0984a_z.jpg

I was apparently half-kneeling while trying to stop myself from sliding so both boots showed abrasions.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5083537065_acb6e8b928_z.jpg

Bike fell on its right side and slided about 10-20 meters.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/5080230143_82b0f07a70_z.jpg

There goes my expensive Rizoma bar ends. Thank God for engine guards/frame sliders!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5080817400_e40dd21a8d_z.jpg

Edited November 9, 2010 by lutein

[donutbiker]

Mmm yeah. The Quadrant does look less bulky than the usual hockey player styled kneepads.

Do they bunch up your jeans or pants? I hate it when that happens.

 

It seems to work well with my Levis jeans.

 

Nope, it does not bunch up under my jeans.

[DeusExMachina]

Woo... expensive fall, Lutein. Hopefully your bike... besides you.... had protection.

 

 

K thx Donut. Bought it online?

[ORen]

@lutein :Daaamn that was a harsh fall, look at those rizoma bar ends..! All of a sudden it looks all super heroique that you only got the knee "scratched"

You know there's a SG retailer for Pacsafe stuff yeah? Sports Connection pte ltd, they have a shop at the Shaw Towers. So you can save at least the shipping. You should check it out, a Ducati with a box is just bike torture

[ORen]

double bubble

Edited November 9, 2010 by O'Ren

[blackiek7]

I have gotten a pair of Alpinestars SMX 2 Air Carbon with Kelvar knuckles for $88.80 from LAB. Am using it for a week and think it's the least protection my hands are gonna be with.

[mmkbad]

Nice pictures posted by O'ren. Maybe should send the pics to the driving centres to show how proper protective gearing can save your skin. Then probably we can see new and more riders rolling out with FF helmets, gloves and armoured jackets.

 

Seeing his scraped knee makes me wanna get myself some riding pants/knee guards, but i guess until the time comes when they come up with less bulky knee armour (d3o armor maybe?), i'll just stick to my normal jeans for my daily riding/commuting.

 

Pity your riding buddys AGV helmet, A* gloves and komine jacket. You mentioned he was a 1 month old rider so i assume his gearing is new as well? But i'm sure investing in good gearing is much more worthwhile than having a bloodied, battered body.

[ORen]

yeah all his gear was new, but he can still use it, change the visor for the helmet and maybe get new gloves but the jacket still has lots in it to offer !

[SparkerS1]

lucky got protection to lessen the impact, reminds me of the time i kena tat only time wifout my gears, suay suay tat day nv wear then kena.

now is full protection all the way.

 

My injuries also quite jialat, looking at the pics reminds me of the same injury patch on my elbows n knee n shoulder.

 

For those who laugh n look at me as if i'm a clown OTR, lets see who have the last laugh.

 

any riding i can join?

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

any riding i can join?

 

I organise small scale local makan/shopping outings. Since adopting a "safety oriented" format a month ago participation has dwindled considerably but I feel much better when everyone turns up properly protected.

 

There is no way a convoy organiser can explain why some are in sexy Robocop armour, others are in Industrial Revolution-era improvised protection and the rest in sandals lmao.

[mmkbad]

There is no way a convoy organiser can explain why some are in sexy Robocop armour' date=' others are in Industrial Revolution-era improvised protection and the rest in sandals lmao.[/quote']

 

Robocop armour?

This is mine:

 

Its an Rjays Octane Jacket which i pasted 3M scotchlite fabric to the rear padding and elbows!

[ORen]

Looking good mmkbad ! Added the reflective patches or they come with the jacket ?

Pandora: let me know if you plan on organizing a ride next week after Wednesday please

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Looking good mmkbad ! Added the reflective patches or they come with the jacket ?

Pandora: let me know if you plan on organizing a ride next week after Wednesday please

 

Alright, I'll see when I can get a bunch of small bike riders together towards the end of the month for a leisurely safety convoy demo. These past weeks I've been participating in 2A/2 outings and we ride pretty hard on the more 'technical' routes.

[mmkbad]

Looking good mmkbad ! Added the reflective patches or they come with the jacket ?

 

I added them myself. The jacket only came with a small strip of reflective (

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

I added them myself. The jacket only came with a small strip of reflective (

 

Thanks for the example, I have to do the same to my leather jacket :3

[4th_Espada]

My input:

 

just got back from knox distributor at jurong west to get the aegis back protector, feels good and kept inline with ur spine bones..got it for 215..This is for the case of me going NSH..

 

ask him if i could upgrade my level 1 alpinestar armour which i got from regina, he wasnt sure but was more than willing to help and see what he could do. So i brought my alpinestar textile jacket and changed the elbow, shoulder and back protector for only 90 and best part is the replacement armours are all knox level 2. Fits perfectly.

 

Saw in his shop a mesh jacket which is a prototype and he is selling for 100 flat (pics attached)..comes with knox armour and gd reflective too...they also have those raincoat with armours too..again less than 100..really really affordable and of gd innovation i must say..

 

I would recommend those of you who are beginners and those who are looking to upgrade their armour to visit them..im not advertising for them but just feel that their no obligation services are really meant to help us with safety.

 

[lips]

is this located at Block 541 Jurong, West Avenue 1 #01-1046C?

[4th_Espada]

yes it is...

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

yes it is...

 

good stuff will check them out, thanks