Gear rant...

[muskrat]

After looking at the track day pics, it appeared that many people were wearing 2 piece, lightly armored suits. Not to get onto a soapbox, but I HIGHLY recommend going out and buying a full suit.  Zippers fail, and most 2 piece setups do not zip around the entire thing. They are also generally lacking in the armor department.  My recommendations:


Wear a mouthpiece! I almost bit off my tongue when I went down. I always wear a mouthpiece at the track now. Cost about $2

Back protector. We do not need any Chris Reeves in this group.

Track worthy leathers. I like kangaroo myself. No break in period.

Gauntlet style gloves with armor and a secure wrist strap. Most quality gloves will have a strap over the wrist, and then a larger one at the end of the gauntlet.

Leave the touring boots at home.

A quality helmet that fits properly. If the helmet is too loose, your brain will still get scrambled.


Mos of the people on this forum are probably rolling their eyes right now  I just felt that it was important to bring this up. Gear is not a place to skimp. It is there to save your life.

The "cruiser boots" statement was all ME and believe it or not they have armor inside of them with lace-up and zipper for 12 inches up from the ankle.  Finding a pear that fit before the event was IMPOSSIBLE but I'll try again tomorrow at Moto Liberty.  

Riding is a choice we all make and probably more than 90% of us know what can and has happened (I've had my days in the hospital).  Many people wear shorts, I don't, and many wear helmets with flip-flops thinking they are safe.  The dumb driver is what I fear most.  I've had too many deer in the headlight moments already  

[Kevin848]

Dress for the crash, not the ride!

[cm]

It's never the bike... it's always the rider. Time proven statement of all time. [moto]

I hear that a lot but I think that at some point, the bikes make a difference in terms of how fast one gets around the track.  when two riders of equal skill can get the same percentage of the potential performance from their bikes, the bike with the higher potential will go faster...Of course, it was Novice so the likelihood that the trike rider had enough skill to overcome his bike handicap was very likely....

[fastwin]

Thought I would post a for some cool gear I just got. It's a T-Pro Forcefield L2 back protector from Matrix Motosports http://www.matrixmotosports.com/. Click on body armor on their home page. I have read about them and their flexibilty caught my eye. They are L2 level protection. It is similar to the slip in Joe Rocket jacket upgrade which I use, which costs extra and takes place of the standard foam protector they offer. Worth the money in my mind. But I have always wanted to go a step up protection-wise with a full coverage protector over the high grade slip in Joe Rocket jacket pad.

I originally ordered a small given the sizing chart on their website but the small did not offer long enough velcro waist strap pieces. When velcro'd together around my waist they barely overlapped with only an inch+ connection overlap. They are stretchy but when stretched tighter for more velcro overlap it made it way too tight around the gut. Sure I could loose 10lbs. in the gut and it would fit fine but swapping out for a medium is so much easier!! The medium pad is about a inch or so longer (actually better, more coverage!) and the waist straps are longer so there is plenty of overlap without it being too tight. Fits great!

Matrix Motosports was very nice to deal with. Scott Conley, one of the owners, handled all my emails regarding the swap and was very nice and helpful. Not sure if Moto Liberty handles back protectors like this or not. I didn't think to check until I was already involved in the swap. Anyway, check out their website if you have back protector interest. Check mine out in person on our next group ride.

[Slag]

Some jackhole on a geneology forum just asked if it was acceptable to wear their kilt while on a motorcycle 

[pipeliner1978]

Some jackhole on a geneology forum

you need a job.......

[never2loud]

Kilt, you say?  Was it the new Dainese kilt with slip in foam protectors?  I heard about it at the last track day, I think...

[muskrat]

Thought I would post a for some cool gear I just got. It's a T-Pro Forcefield L2 back protector from Matrix Motosports http://www.matrixmotosports.com/. Click on body armor on their home page. I have read about them and their flexibilty caught my eye. They are L2 level protection. It is similar to the slip in Joe Rocket jacket upgrade which I use, which costs extra and takes place of the standard foam protector they offer. Worth the money in my mind. But I have always wanted to go a step up protection-wise with a full coverage protector over the high grade slip in Joe Rocket jacket pad.

I originally ordered a small given the sizing chart on their website but the small did not offer long enough velcro waist strap pieces. When velcro'd together around my waist they barely overlapped with only an inch+ connection overlap. They are stretchy but when stretched tighter for more velcro overlap it made it way too tight around the gut. Sure I could loose 10lbs. in the gut and it would fit fine but swapping out for a medium is so much easier!! The medium pad is about a inch or so longer (actually better, more coverage!) and the waist straps are longer so there is plenty of overlap without it being too tight. Fits great!

Matrix Motosports was very nice to deal with. Scott Conley, one of the owners, handled all my emails regarding the swap and was very nice and helpful. Not sure if Moto Liberty handles back protectors like this or not. I didn't think to check until I was already involved in the swap. Anyway, check out their website if you have back protector interest. Check mine out in person on our next group ride.

I don't need a suit anymore but while surfing I found this http://www.motonekoparts.com/Agv-Sport-SP4-One-Piece-Leather-Suit-p-16258.html
cheap!  maybe someone else can use this info.