New Helmet? Gloves? Body Armour?

[OldGeezer]

I always wonder how well the mesh protects in a slide, somehow I just feel safer with my heavy leathers leathers, the mesh looks like it would just rip apart. Nothing wrong with textile if it is the right fabric and properly sewn, but the mesh, I don't know…

 

[Fatty SS]

I've seen lots of crash reports with mesh. It'll get destroyed in a slide, but it will protect your skin. One big advantage to leather is that it can sustain several crashes. Textile and mesh are both 'one time use' garments. But they do both protect you in a crash.

 

[wr5757]

I've had 3 or 4 helmets now. Before I buy I check out http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/ to see the rating. They do a good job statistically. They crash about 30-33 helmets before they put a rating on it. They give it a 1-5 star rating, and show where the major impact zones are on the helmet.

 

[wr5757]

As for anti-fog, the pinlock stuff works well if you have a visor with pins. If not I've used the Akari Clear ride and fog city inserts, both do a fantastic job compared to a visor without Anti-fog treatment.

 

[yellowcarbon]

I have a Vanson perforated leather jacket, but when it is smoking hot (AZ regularly gets above 105 degrees), it retains too much heat. Particularly when at lights or when running around town. I have a Vanson mesh jacket that has cordura & leather along the outside of the arms, shoulders and back. The front and sides are mesh. It offers less protection than perforated leather, but it is much cooler to wear when commuting.

I bought a Motoport Kevlar mesh over pants that is suppose to arrive today. I am excited to give it a try. It is supposedly as tough as Vanson leather (which is extra thick and makes standard leathers look cheap). From my understanding, it flows air like standard mesh. They are pricy (around $375 new without a liner, $525 with a liner), but if they work as they say they do, it will be money well spent. In fact, if it does work, I will be getting a matching jacket before next summer. I have a couple of Vanson jackets that work well in the fall, winter and early spring. So I am through the majority of the hot weather and am good to go for the fall & winter.

 

[Phlegm420]

If you like the way the HJC fit your head as I did, you might try the RPHA-10 helmet. I got one for 360 bucks off of revzilla. It is the lightest helmet approved by snell and dot. It also has a pinlock shield for that oregon weather.
Here is the model I bought: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/hjc-rpha-10-evoke-helmet. I did much research and this helmet is comparable to many higher priced helmets.

 

[OldGeezer]

Textile and mesh are both 'one time use' garments. But they do both protect you in a crash

Thanks for the info Fatty, good to know. Still prefer my leathers

Vanson leather (which is extra thick and makes standard leathers look cheap)

Yet despite being so thick they fit like a glove after being broken in, most comfortable leathers I've ever worn, best fitting off the rack ones too. I looked at that Vanson mesh jacket, but being in the Great White North where it rarely gets into the 90's and where most of my riding is outside the city I can't justify it yet Good luck with the overpants yellowcarbon. Kevlar is incredibly tough stuff, it is friggin hard to cut and should have good abrasion resistance. I think you'll be pleased with them.

 

[Internet Annoyance]

Thanks for all the great feedback. Im sure lots of people would get benefit from it. Ill post some pix this weekend of some of my damaged gear, pretty crazy. much appreciated.

 

[BuddhaBuell]

all I know is asphalt eats flesh so a cows ass is better to grind on then mine
[smirk]

 

[yellowcarbon]

My Motoport kevlar mesh pants are great. I took them on a quick 10 mile loop and they allowed me to stayed cool even though it was over 95 degrees. They flow air very well and feel as protective as my Hein Gericke leather race pants. They make my other mesh gear look like a toy. I can put them on nearly as fast as some Levi jeans.

This is much like my Vanson leather jacket. It is expensive and I hesitated to spend the money. But now that I did, I can't believe that I lived without it. Race leather level protection that flows like mesh. Well, it is a kevlar mesh, but now even in the same category as the cheap nylon stuff. Much like race leathers, I can see this standing up to multiple crashes. I can even wear shorts under it so I don't have to wear pants when I commute.