Proper kit

[Kwacky]

I've got a new case. I can't mention much about it, but the rider involved was wearing very cheap kit, and it shows. Not a very high speed crash but a few of the injuries are more serious than they should have been. I reckon the boots offered less protection than a pair of trainers.

I realise clothing and safety stuff isn't cheap, but you can find bargains and a few places do credit deals. It's not worth cutting corners when it comes to what you ride in.

[Rossgo]

Don't really know what to say here but I guess the problem is none of us know quite how our equipment will hold up and we usually buy from price so I can understand how motorcyclists have a problem when it comes to some parts of equipment not holding up. But surely they all should be fit for purpose no matter what price they are set at??

[R1ckster]

I agree although having used cheap and mediocre stuff most my life I have experienced stuff coming apart at the seams with the mileage and daily use hate without having an off... And just as an example more recently I had an off two years ago on the Nurburgring in the cheapest entry Rukka kit and not hardly a graze on the fabric impact points..maybe it was luck. But defo opened my eyes to pay for what you get.

Most my pain was from my toes .. Maybe due to cheapish boots I don't know but would have been interesting if I had some more expensive branded boots. Maybe no different but would be interesting to know

[kingfixer]

I have always assumed that the cheaper the stuff is the less protection it offers. having looked at some of the stuff that goes in the Sale section at fowlers , granted they are cheap but the gloves for instance that are only £20-40 look like they offer no protection at all or very very little. I only normally buy Dainese or Rev-it stuff.

[Blade]

Always buy the best you can afford and like most things in life you get what to pay for. Agree with Kwacky you can get good kit at a fair price if your prepared to shop around and be patient and wait for sales.

People see rider clothing as fashion items when in reality there personal protective equipment.

If you were going to jump out of a plane would you buy a unbranded parachute made in China and sold on ebay for £19.99 or want a product from a branded and respected manufacturer who carries out vigorous testing and was well reviewed in a professional and respected industry recognised body ?

Never understood the buy cheap mentality when it comes to safety equipment.

[Rossgo]

I must admit I have some good gear, eg I have some goretex boots that cost an arm and leg but when you out them on you can tell they will hold up very well. But sometimes quailty isn't about how much you spend. I have some RST gear that isn't that expensive eg full leathers but they can't be too bad if the racers use them and so many people do...surely??

[duke63]

Buy the best you can afford.

There is quality gear available at sensible prices and the more you pay the more features it will have.

All my kit has held up well in the offs i have had so would not hesitate to buy from any of those brands again.

[Cav]

An example of a great deal. My 1 piece suit is a £1000 suit, I got it for £570 shipped. I got over 40% off !!!!

In order of necessity and therefore where the money should be spent I would say: helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, trousers.

I've spent about £2000 on all my equipment over time but I started with just a helmet, gloves and jacket. It was when I had my first crash I realised boots were also required and when I have my boots I came away with grazes and a nail through my knee after a 45mph crash

[C00kiemonster]

Couldn't agree more. I think we all wonder if the kit we buy is too expensive but my A* boots saved my foot when I crashed at Malory that's for sure.

[Kwacky]

My kit did a great job when I had an accident. I'm so glad I was wearing a back protector.

[Blade]

Good quality modern kit is very good.

I had a crash at Oulton at over a 100mph and apart from a hospital check up walked away injury free.

Can you imagine if someone gave you a leather suit and helmet and told you to jump of a high speed intercity train you would think they were mad, but this is the abuse good kit can handle.

[Kwacky]

Well to be fair I've never wanted to jump off a moving motorbike

[C00kiemonster]

Problem isn't with the kit, it's the soggy bag of meat inside it that breaks.

[Blade]

Well to be fair I've never wanted to jump off a moving motorbike

As you know unfortunately we don't often get to choose

[Rossgo]

@Cav bloody hell nail through the knee sounds nasty mate

[Cav]

Yeah.. it stung a little.

Still got the scar

[Kwacky]

chicks dig scars, so everyone is a winner

[StMarks]

chicks dig scars, so everyone is a winner

I've got plenty of scars Kwacky, & I wish I'd had a chick for every time I've been told that.

Fwiw I have yet to meet a girl who is not put off by them.

Obviously it's said to comfort patients, but I suspect that it's origin may have it's basis in; "Girls are not too put off guys they really dig, by a few little scars"

[kiwikrasher]

Well if anyone wants real life crash data on equipment, just send it my way, I'm bound to test it out sooner or later..

[Rossgo]

Well if anyone wants real life crash data on equipment, just send it my way, I'm bound to test it out sooner or later..

[SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH AND SMILING EYES]