Why Its Wise To Wear Body Armour

[wantan]

Other than economic reasons, I guess attitude and priorities plays an important role here.

Granted that those that ride recreationally on high capacity super bikes will fully suit up for the ride. They have the means to spend on every aspect of protection. Some will say that the protective gear cost more than a small commuter scooter.

For the majority of the less fortunate commuter bikers, basic protection can be had for a modest cost. It boils down to attitude and priorities. Granted that short trips to the shop renders suiting up cumbersome. The hot tropics does not help either. But if you fear getting hurt, you should overcome these inconveniences. Some have pointed out that despite owning a helmet, they choose to put in the basket rather on their head.

I have a fellow rider that makes his own knee pads from PVC stuck onto a rubber sheet affixed with Velcro.

So gear according to you ability. Something is better than nothing in a crash.

Yep, its no problem to put on your nice expensive riding gear if you go riding long distances at higher speeds. Its much more difficult for the daily commuters who really use their bikes for living, working and transportation.

Would be nice to share some ideas how to create cheap, stylish and useful protection for the needs of the normal daily riders, that commute at lower speed (not only but mostly in city areas). A synthetic mesh jacket with coverings of cordura is uncomfortable and sweaty. I own two mesh jackets (a heavy one and a light one) and its a pain to wear them in tight traffic at hot weather. Jeans is much more comfortable. I will try to put some elbow armour in my jean jacket. It has the perfect size for this. And maybe sew a piece of cordura or something similar on the outside of the elbow area. And i wear my knee protectors above my jean pants. This should be enough to avoid injuries like the ones Ian got. Most times i just want a proper comfortable protection for lower speeds. On longer distances i wear my mesh jacket and i never go faster than 100km/h, maybe 110km/h, but sure not faster. Driving faster is not allowed on public streets in LOS, someone told me

[JSixpack]

Would be nice to share some ideas how to create cheap, stylish and useful protection for the needs of the normal daily riders, that commute at lower speed (not only but mostly in city areas).

A jeans jacket, jeans, gloves, and hiking boots work pretty well around town at slower speeds. I took a tumble once such as Ian's, in town, when coming around a corner and hitting a patch of dirt. I was so thankful I was wearing the above basic light gear, because I received mostly bruises. Shredded everything, jeans, gloves, jacket, but better them than me! As somebody said, any gear is better than none.

I wouldn't even travel down my soi w/o gear. Thai lady in the neighborhood, wearing no gear, didn't get 50m out her driveway before a dog ran in front of her and she crashed and got banged up pretty badly. I'd never wear short pants, short sleeves, or sandals on a bike.

Going on a longer trip w/o gear (good gear)--it's just asking for it.

And I wouldn't worry about looking stylish, though it seems to be an important consideration around here (lot of gays, perhaps). I look overdressed around town but I don't give a shit. "Better overkill than roadkill" (made that up myself, lol).

[thai4me]

Would be nice to share some ideas how to create cheap, stylish and useful protection for the needs of the normal daily riders, that commute at lower speed (not only but mostly in city areas).

A jeans jacket, jeans, gloves, and hiking boots work pretty well around town at slower speeds. I took a tumble once such as Ian's, in town, when coming around a corner and hitting a patch of dirt. I was so thankful I was wearing the above basic light gear, because I received mostly bruises. Shredded everything, jeans, gloves, jacket, but better them than me! As somebody said, any gear is better than none.

I wouldn't even travel down my soi w/o gear. Thai lady in the neighborhood, wearing no gear, didn't get 50m out her driveway before a dog ran in front of her and she crashed and got banged up pretty badly. I'd never wear short pants, short sleeves, or sandals on a bike.

Going on a longer trip w/o gear (good gear)--it's just asking for it.

And I wouldn't worry about looking stylish, though it seems to be an important consideration around here (lot of gays, perhaps). I look overdressed around town but I don't give a shit. "Better overkill than roadkill" (made that up myself, lol).

You took the words out of my mouth. Very well said.

Basic Elbow and knee pads can be had for a few hundred baht. They provide some protection from abrasive injuries in low speed falls. Many of the budget motocross guys use them.

A kee niu friend whipped up his own but it really looked ugly. Then again, he couldn't be bothered with what others thought of it. I will grab a pix of it the next time i see him.

[IanForbes]

Would be nice to share some ideas how to create cheap, stylish and useful protection for the needs of the normal daily riders, that commute at lower speed (not only but mostly in city areas).

A jeans jacket, jeans, gloves, and hiking boots work pretty well around town at slower speeds. I took a tumble once such as Ian's, in town, when coming around a corner and hitting a patch of dirt. I was so thankful I was wearing the above basic light gear, because I received mostly bruises. Shredded everything, jeans, gloves, jacket, but better them than me! As somebody said, any gear is better than none.

I wouldn't even travel down my soi w/o gear. Thai lady in the neighborhood, wearing no gear, didn't get 50m out her driveway before a dog ran in front of her and she crashed and got banged up pretty badly. I'd never wear short pants, short sleeves, or sandals on a bike.

Going on a longer trip w/o gear (good gear)--it's just asking for it.

And I wouldn't worry about looking stylish, though it seems to be an important consideration around here (lot of gays, perhaps). I look overdressed around town but I don't give a shit. "Better overkill than roadkill" (made that up myself, lol).

Good point...

Another low speed accident I had a few years ago... again while wearing shorts. And, it was patch of oil that someone had sprayed water on... making it even worse. I should have learned my learned my lesson the first time.

[Fishenough]

Ian, for gods sake keep your clothes on!

Grab a banana leaf or something....

[BigBikeBKK]

Would be nice to share some ideas how to create cheap, stylish and useful protection for the needs of the normal daily riders, that commute at lower speed (not only but mostly in city areas).

A jeans jacket, jeans, gloves, and hiking boots work pretty well around town at slower speeds. I took a tumble once such as Ian's, in town, when coming around a corner and hitting a patch of dirt. I was so thankful I was wearing the above basic light gear, because I received mostly bruises. Shredded everything, jeans, gloves, jacket, but better them than me! As somebody said, any gear is better than none.

I wouldn't even travel down my soi w/o gear. Thai lady in the neighborhood, wearing no gear, didn't get 50m out her driveway before a dog ran in front of her and she crashed and got banged up pretty badly. I'd never wear short pants, short sleeves, or sandals on a bike.

Going on a longer trip w/o gear (good gear)--it's just asking for it.

And I wouldn't worry about looking stylish, though it seems to be an important consideration around here (lot of gays, perhaps). I look overdressed around town but I don't give a shit. "Better overkill than roadkill" (made that up myself, lol).

You took the words out of my mouth. Very well said.

Basic Elbow and knee pads can be had for a few hundred baht. They provide some protection from abrasive injuries in low speed falls. Many of the budget motocross guys use them.

A kee niu friend whipped up his own but it really looked ugly. Then again, he couldn't be bothered with what others thought of it. I will grab a pix of it the next time i see him.

The kids who race scooters at Thailand Circuit often wear knackered hand-me-down leathers held together with duct tape and home made knee sliders, and even though it might not be pretty it does offer good protection.

In my opinion, you shouldn't buy a fast bike if you can't afford to buy proper gear to go with it.

Or, to put it another way, when you plan your budget for a bike, it should INCLUDE all the riding gear.

Everyone goes down sooner or later. Riding a bike without proper gear is just asking for it!

[BigBikeBKK]

Would be nice to share some ideas how to create cheap, stylish and useful protection for the needs of the normal daily riders, that commute at lower speed (not only but mostly in city areas).

A jeans jacket, jeans, gloves, and hiking boots work pretty well around town at slower speeds. I took a tumble once such as Ian's, in town, when coming around a corner and hitting a patch of dirt. I was so thankful I was wearing the above basic light gear, because I received mostly bruises. Shredded everything, jeans, gloves, jacket, but better them than me! As somebody said, any gear is better than none.

I wouldn't even travel down my soi w/o gear. Thai lady in the neighborhood, wearing no gear, didn't get 50m out her driveway before a dog ran in front of her and she crashed and got banged up pretty badly. I'd never wear short pants, short sleeves, or sandals on a bike.

Going on a longer trip w/o gear (good gear)--it's just asking for it.

And I wouldn't worry about looking stylish, though it seems to be an important consideration around here (lot of gays, perhaps). I look overdressed around town but I don't give a shit. "Better overkill than roadkill" (made that up myself, lol).

Good point...

Another low speed accident I had a few years ago... again while wearing shorts. And, it was patch of oil that someone had sprayed water on... making it even worse. I should have learned my learned my lesson the first time.

Good lord! You are quite experienced with the whole road rash scene, eh? Hope you are healing well and that next time you'll gear up to avoid such damage and spare us from these pics!

[IanForbes]

Ian, for gods sake keep your clothes on!

Grab a banana leaf or something....

At risk of teasing the mods, I just can't resist posting this. Is this what you were suggesting?

[IanForbes]

Good lord! You are quite experienced with the whole road rash scene, eh? Hope you are healing well and that next time you'll gear up to avoid such damage and spare us from these pics!

Actually, the road rash is just something I expect occasionally. It is the torn rotator cuff in my shoulder that's going to be a much longer problem. I'm not sure if body armour would have prevented that. it's not going to stop me riding, though... or posting photos. I'm off on another extended trip north next tuesday.

[soihok]

I would see about a doctor about the growth Ian.

Is this how you spend your weekends?

More worrying, is where are you when you get up to this?

[BigBikeBKK]

Ian, for gods sake keep your clothes on!

Grab a banana leaf or something....

At risk of teasing the mods, I just can't resist posting this. Is this what you were suggesting?

LMAO!

Classic!!!

Who took the picture?!

Keep on livin the dream!!!

[wana]

Ian, for gods sake keep your clothes on!

Grab a banana leaf or something....

At risk of teasing the mods, I just can't resist posting this. Is this what you were suggesting?

thats funny man ,

i wonder what a group of thais would say if they bumped into you in the forest ,wearing your banana leaf ..........

keep up the good work !!

[wantan]

Would be nice to share some ideas how to create cheap, stylish and useful protection for the needs of the normal daily riders, that commute at lower speed (not only but mostly in city areas).

A jeans jacket, jeans, gloves, and hiking boots work pretty well around town at slower speeds. I took a tumble once such as Ian's, in town, when coming around a corner and hitting a patch of dirt. I was so thankful I was wearing the above basic light gear, because I received mostly bruises. Shredded everything, jeans, gloves, jacket, but better them than me! As somebody said, any gear is better than none.

I wouldn't even travel down my soi w/o gear. Thai lady in the neighborhood, wearing no gear, didn't get 50m out her driveway before a dog ran in front of her and she crashed and got banged up pretty badly. I'd never wear short pants, short sleeves, or sandals on a bike.

Going on a longer trip w/o gear (good gear)--it's just asking for it.

And I wouldn't worry about looking stylish, though it seems to be an important consideration around here (lot of gays, perhaps). I look overdressed around town but I don't give a shit. "Better overkill than roadkill" (made that up myself, lol).

You took the words out of my mouth. Very well said.

Basic Elbow and knee pads can be had for a few hundred baht. They provide some protection from abrasive injuries in low speed falls. Many of the budget motocross guys use them.

A kee niu friend whipped up his own but it really looked ugly. Then again, he couldn't be bothered with what others thought of it. I will grab a pix of it the next time i see him.

The thread is getting more and more interesting with all the nice pictures of Ian. He doesn't seem to be a man of compromises. Either wearing full gear or wearing nothing at all

Yes, most accidents happen not far from home. You should always wear a basic protection. Even when driving to the supermarket.

Jeans seems to be a good base for a "low speed protection". A good quality denim (blue, not black; thick brand name stuff, not stonewashed or somehow "pre-damaged") offers bearable comfort at hot weather, offers some basic protection and you can put it into a washing machine easily. I would not put my mesh jackets in a washing machine, guess they will get damaged if not washed by hand. To keep the things clean easily is one important thing.

Styling is of course another very important thing, not only for gay people. Just look at all the tough bikers when buying gear. I saw thai men whose only interest was how the new helmet looks. Safety or features aren't so important. They put a helmet on and look into the mirrow. If it is not looking cool they will not buy it. Crazy, i never looked into a mirrow before buying a helmet. Never even had the idea to do that

[soihok]

Ian, for gods sake keep your clothes on!

Grab a banana leaf or something....

At risk of teasing the mods, I just can't resist posting this. Is this what you were suggesting?

thats funny man ,

i wonder what a group of thais would say if they bumped into you in the forest ,wearing your banana leaf ..........

keep up the good work !!

"Tarzan"

[soihok]

The photo acutally looks as if the back ground is pasted in or there was a poster behind.

Was this taken in a Big C shopping centre Ian?

[IanForbes]

The photo acutally looks as if the back ground is pasted in or there was a poster behind.

Was this taken in a Big C shopping centre Ian?

Yah, but the 10 women behind me were all pointing and giggling, and it ruined the photo.

It was actually taken by my girl friend, but she declined my suggestion of taking her photo behind the same banana leaf.

[soihok]

Good on yer Ian.

Nice one.

Chris

Edited February 17, 2012 by soihok