Gizmo wrote:
Rigpig wrote:
I repeat, he was stupid. Stupid to go out like that and stupid to come off.
Yep...Anal
So we have to get off and walk our bikes when we are near kids or on gravel. Or do we have to dress like mad max just in case somebody else does something stupid.
The vast majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by some body else, as this looks like it was. So why are we stupid.
You said he was stupid to fall off....was that realy the case..
Why do we have to compensate for bad roads, stupid motorists, stupid pedestrians, poor road signs, diesel spills and a hundred other man made preventable hazards.
OK - motorbike clothes must posess four main qualities
1. Keep rider warm in winter/cool in summer
2. Keep rider dry (applies all seasons
)
3. Conspicuous
4. Protect in case of mishap.
Each - like cyclists - have degrees of choice and it does depend on how you use the bike anyway
Short journeys? a light anorak or oversuit would be adequate.
Long journeys in winter? Like when I ride my bike - I have
layers - top to keep out the wet, second to keep me warm and ventilated and a third to protect in case I come off the bike. (No one is exempt - GMP lost an officer on a routine training excercise on Wednesday morning.
An accident can occur no matter how skilled/advanced/COAST aware - thought the latter really
really helps reduce the possibility
)
Research has shown that 85% of motorbike accidents involve frontal/near frontal impacts and this means the biker is thrown off his bike.
OK - so conventional wisdom says I should "step off my bike (motorised or bicycle) and slide along the road as opposed to "rolling with the bike" How many think that when about to collide with something?
Not many and that includes police officers..
Does not matter - if I jump ship and slide along the tarmac - I'd still be seriously injured ..
without some sort of protection
The legal obligation to wear a helmet means my head is reasonably protected - remember these are better made than cycling helmets in general. I feel "lost"without either and as regards the cycling one.... my trendy racing one is a "light as a feather to wear and keeps insesct out of my hair."
But regardless of the cycling argument as regards the helmet .. all cyclists and bikers have the same sort of problem .. protection of hands, feet, arms.. legs. In the case of cyclists - sure we can pedal to deent speeds ..
but facing facts .. a motorbike.. Honda.. Suzuki.. BMW... Ducati.. etc.. can all reach speeds well over the ton :yikes
If you land awkwardly.. at speeds of 30 mph and over... you are really vulnerable. (Have fallen once in training - fortunately on track before hitting the main roads .. but even so .. it :censored :
hurt ....
So .. regardless of weather .. gloves, correct footwear (boots for motor bikers and cycling shoes for cyclists) and a tough jacket for bikers and tough but light jacket for cyclists would be a minum requirement. Remember the sheer breeze caused by travelling does cool as well.
Buy the best and most durable you can afford - and I direct this advice to cyclists as well
Read the mags for best buys... all these mags feature the budget buys and I can commend their tips.
I wear Barbour waxed cotton products on my motorbike and my police motorbike in the summer and sometime lightweight leathers.
(Have use of all vehicles in the fleet and we have very powerful "toys" here
These are quite cool and I do not feel "overheated" in thme either.
Heavier duty versions in layers in the winter.