Reasons to wear riding gear

MarkG · 08-16-2017, 10:54 PM

I went through several states this summer and enjoyed the 10,000 plus miles of riding. It could have been a whole lot different if I wasn't wearing riding gear. Consider why going without a helmet and face-shield is not a good idea at touring speeds.

Montana has what I call epoxy bugs. These nasty things are trained to miss the windshield and hit dead center on the helmet face-shield with a very solid impact. Using multiple cleaners and ten to fifteen minutes of careful work visibility can be restored. The splat rivals any epoxy found in the local hardware stores. Without a good face-shield I would have been blinded or at the very least had to have stitches. The bugs in South Dakota and Wyoming are gooey and usually hit the windshield.

Next on the list are the birds in the rural areas. I missed all but one medium size bird and took a hit to the top of the helmet. Another one of those attention grabbing moments at 70 mph. If anybody thinks they can duck fast enough, good luck. No damage to the helmet, at least it wasn't my bare head.

Fortunately I missed the hail but still saw a lot of bad weather in one form or another. I learned years ago never leave home without cold weather gear even on a day ride. The temperature extremes ranged from 32 to 120 degrees. I used every bit of my heavy gear more than once throughout the trip.

The most dangerous things on the road are rental motor-homes. Driving down the middle of the road and will always cross the center line on corners. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if they were banned from the highways.

One final suggestion. I drove with my bright lights on most of the time. I noticed a lot of other riders are finally doing the same thing this year. People are paying less attention and aren't seeing other cars much less motorcycles.

Ride safe and think seriously about protecting your eyes and other valuable body parts when going for a ride.

**JD Hog** · 08-17-2017, 01:09 PM

Great advice MarkG

I always drive with my high beam headlight and driving lights on during the day. It does get more attention than the low beam. I will be going on a 4000 mile trip next month and will have all my gear also.

The Black Knight · 08-17-2017, 05:37 PM

**Kawalski Rider** · 08-17-2017, 09:35 PM

Well heeded advice... As a friend of mine likes to say, "keep your head on a swivel". You, are your best defense. Being seen goes for what's behind you as well as on coming traffic. Have your escape route planned for that driver with tunnel vision, that only sees the the vehicle AHEAD of you. Being deep trunked, while stopped, will really screw up your day.

Ride safe everyone....

Cheers, David

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

Loafer · 08-18-2017, 06:49 PM

Some humor mixed in with the serious reading is great. I personally crashed in June
of 2000, if it wasn't for the gear I would have been ripped apart. Had to replace some leather but it saved me. Thanks for sharing this. Be Safe.

08-16-2017, 10:54 PM	#1
MarkG Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chandler, AZ Posts: 1,255	Reasons to wear riding gear I went through several states this summer and enjoyed the 10,000 plus miles of riding. It could have been a whole lot different if I wasn't wearing riding gear. Consider why going without a helmet and face-shield is not a good idea at touring speeds. Montana has what I call epoxy bugs. These nasty things are trained to miss the windshield and hit dead center on the helmet face-shield with a very solid impact. Using multiple cleaners and ten to fifteen minutes of careful work visibility can be restored. The splat rivals any epoxy found in the local hardware stores. Without a good face-shield I would have been blinded or at the very least had to have stitches. The bugs in South Dakota and Wyoming are gooey and usually hit the windshield. Next on the list are the birds in the rural areas. I missed all but one medium size bird and took a hit to the top of the helmet. Another one of those attention grabbing moments at 70 mph. If anybody thinks they can duck fast enough, good luck. No damage to the helmet, at least it wasn't my bare head. Fortunately I missed the hail but still saw a lot of bad weather in one form or another. I learned years ago never leave home without cold weather gear even on a day ride. The temperature extremes ranged from 32 to 120 degrees. I used every bit of my heavy gear more than once throughout the trip. The most dangerous things on the road are rental motor-homes. Driving down the middle of the road and will always cross the center line on corners. It wouldn't hurt my feelings if they were banned from the highways. One final suggestion. I drove with my bright lights on most of the time. I noticed a lot of other riders are finally doing the same thing this year. People are paying less attention and aren't seeing other cars much less motorcycles. Ride safe and think seriously about protecting your eyes and other valuable body parts when going for a ride. __________________ Mark Griffin 2021 Manhattan Metallic K1600GTL 2016 Silver K1600GTL - sold 2015 Red/Blk Cross Country Tour - sold 2008 Red/Blk Nomad - sold KE7HG VBA 00176, IBA 65686, MOA 211564 Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Maggie Valley '11\|Kanab '12\|Estes Park '13\|Red Lodge '16\|Custer '18 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-17-2017, 01:09 PM	#2
JD Hog Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Placerville, CA Posts: 2,960	Great advice MarkG I always drive with my high beam headlight and driving lights on during the day. It does get more attention than the low beam. I will be going on a 4000 mile trip next month and will have all my gear also. __________________ Jim Diebolt 2015 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS The Black Kaw 2005 Vulcan Nomad Sold 2006 Honda 1800 VTX (Freebie) Sold 2008 Harley Ultra Classic Sold 2001 Harley Ultra Classic Sold Hangtown, Kalifornia VBA #2625
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08-17-2017, 05:37 PM	#3
The Black Knight Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Italy Posts: 6,227	__________________ VBA 02514 - VROC 35394 VN 800 A - VN 900 Classic VN 1700 Vaquero Usque ad finem.
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08-17-2017, 09:35 PM	#4
Kawalski Rider Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 305	Well heeded advice... As a friend of mine likes to say, "keep your head on a swivel". You, are your best defense. Being seen goes for what's behind you as well as on coming traffic. Have your escape route planned for that driver with tunnel vision, that only sees the the vehicle AHEAD of you. Being deep trunked, while stopped, will really screw up your day. Ride safe everyone.... Cheers, David Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk __________________ Cheers, David Baughan aka: Kawalski Rider VBA #03514 2002 Vulcan VN1500L Nomad fi Pearl Burnish Beige/Pearl Luster Beige
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08-18-2017, 06:49 PM	#5
Loafer Sr. Contributor Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 18,287	Some humor mixed in with the serious reading is great. I personally crashed in June of 2000, if it wasn't for the gear I would have been ripped apart. Had to replace some leather but it saved me. Thanks for sharing this. Be Safe. __________________ Gerry Martineau / 802 VT / VBA #0892 /[email]glmjgm@gmail.com[email] Login or Register to Remove Ads
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