What do you guys wear for upper body protection when you know you'll be letting it all hang out when offroad? I'm having difficulty finding stuff that 1. won't make me look 12 years old or like Darth Vader or 2. is comfortable enough for a long on-road ride and seem over the top looking.
I wear a long sleeve underarmor shirt then this. http://www.rockgardn.com/items/body-armor/flak-jacket-flak-jacket-detail.htm Then a vented jersey on top.
Similar to above I wear a core saver from 661 (no shoulder pads) under a jersey under a normal mesh or solid armored jacket, or the core saver with a jersey and elbow guards (lacks should protection in this scenario though), or just the normal armored jackets. Depends on rain quotient for teh day and lenght of trip and heat range expected. Layer is the key. Normal armored mesh or solid pants most of the time, with lightweight nylon convertible pants under for quick dry and comfort and walking around off the bike, or KLIM Dakar pants with knee guards, EVS padded riding shorts (hip, tailbone and thigh pads) sometimes over light poly long johns.
I've got a Sinisalo Jacket from Kelly @ Motosportz that has holders for protection in the shoulders, elbows and back. I got the pads from Spyder or some other maker. I also have a 661 mesh suit that can go under a jersey or ?
When it comes to protection, what I look like is the last thing I'm concerned about. If I were, I'd ride a cruiser. I have a few setups that work well for me depending on the temps. and riding I'm doing. For summer off-roading: Under-Armour base layer shirt, Alpinestars riding shorts, poly-blend socks, Klim Revolt Jersey, Klim Dakar pants, EVS Revolution 4 deflector, elbow pads, knee pads and riding boots. Summer on-road: same clothing, but in place of the deflector and elbow pads, I wear a mesh jacket. Winter: same base layers, wool-blend thermals, warm clothing, Aerostitch Darien jacket w/liner, Aerostitch Darien Lite pants w/liner.
Acerbis Koerta torso armor 661 knee braces/pads Klim pants (in the boot) Gore-tex socks Gaerne boots OR Rev'It jacket and pants Oxtar dual purpose boots
I always wear full armor, gloves and boots. The Armor will either be stuff like 661 or built into my Jacket and pants. And than Moto X or enduro boots, depending on the riding.
I use a Joe Rocket alter ego. It has a mesh base garment that has all the padding/armor then a waterproof inner garment that can be unzipped and removed and a ballistic nylon outer garment that can be unzipped and removed. When the outer garment is in place there are vents that can be zipped open for better airflow. all in all it's a pretty nice set-up, I just wish that it was an Enduro length rather than a short jacket. Even though I wish it was a bit longer at least it offer good protection and versatility. Oh yeah, I also wear an elastic kidney belt with extra armor for the back.
I recently bought an Akito Desert adventure suit. Pants and jacket with built in armor, removable insulated liner, removable rain liner. Seems like nice gear for a reasonable price. Used it on a street ride, since I got too fat to fit into my street leathers anymore.
Wow...I just looked it up and it is a really nice looking suit! I assume you ordered the smallest size...how is the fit? Are the pants easy to hem? You know, some manufacturers don't run the zipper all the way to the bottom so it's easier to hem...Olympia is really good about it. I really dig the looks of that suit! Photos are always appreciated WoodsChick
The pants I ordered were 30s and were still roomy enough with all the liners in place. The jacket was a small and was cut not to bind, so the fit was good. The leg zippers are gusseted and go all the way to the bottom where there is a snap. The pant legs are not too wide, and I haven't tried to wear them over MX boots. I was wearing street touring boots with the suit. The armor was flexible enough and not too bulky, so I didn't notice it much at all while I was riding.
I recently picked up a ZacSpeed SP3. Haven't tried it out yet (been too cold) but I'm anticipating it being exactly what I've been looking for. It will be nice to have the integrated Hydro pack and small back pack. A little more expensive than a standard set of chest protectors, but I'm hoping it'll be worth it.
Axo air cage mesh suit, Klim chinook pant, Gaerne Boots, knee/shin pads and whatever cheap jerseys and gloves I can find (I trash them). Various base layers and jacket depending on the weather. I've become an Atomic Moto junkie no thanks to Kelly
I wear a Klim TexVest, EVS knee/shin and elbow guards, motox boots and the $30 camo bdu pants. Different gloves and layers as needed of course. The vest is awesome, my favorite piece of gear. The pants are cheap and incredibly durable, and they do not melt on my mid pipe. They tuck in the boots and have plenty of room for the knee guards. I haven't been able to bring myself to spend $100+ on a pair of pants, especially with the mid pipe melter. I have a Tour Master Transition jacket and Venture pants with the built in ce armor. I like the idea of armor in them but it is not as secure as separate guards. I had my jacket liner out (and so the sleeves/guards were looser fitting) and went down and my elbow guard left half my elbow exposed. It was soft dirt so no foul. I wear the separate EVS guards now as I know they will be staying put.
Klim pants, knee/shin pads/guards, MX boots, 661 pressure suit, Shoei Hornet and MX Goggles. Gloves I wear cheap ol leather ones from harbor freight.....go figure. Sometimes I wear my one piece Teiz suit as well.
That's funny. I learned how to ride on the street. I've had several motorcycle gloves of varying costs. One day I was about to go on a ride and couldn't find one of my gloves (KIDS--drat). So I took a pair of mechanics gloves I had in the shop. I absolutely loved them. I buy the cheap ones at Autozone that have the velcro strap at the top of them, and then cut off the velco to make them easier to put on/off. I also buy one size larger than normal. I used to think that my wrists hurt from squeezing the grips too tight when I had a sportbike. But the truth was my gloves were too tight. I think a guy will be safer if he is more comfortable riding than wearing something safety-designed and uncomfortable. Thanks for all the replies. After looking online at what everyone else has, I orderd the new Fox Darth Vader jacket. Now I just need a nice looking jersey to hide its hideousness....
I crashed riding on the street about 4 years ago. I slid feet first on my belly for 60', grinding off the top left buckle of my Alpinestars, the metal zipper pulls on my jacket, a rubber snap on my riding pants, and the top of the lip stuff I had in my right front pants pocket. If I hadn't had velcro straps at the wrists of my gloves they would have been ripped right off my hands as I slid down the road. I very clearly remember looking at my hands as I was sliding (think superman flying through the air with his arms out in front of him, only he's on the ground and flying backwards) and thinking "Huh...I'm glad my gloves aren't coming off..." the gloves were pretty scuffed up afterwards, but they stayed on and did their job. I haven't bought street gloves without velcro straps at the wrist since StreetChick
I had to show my old 'Dragbike gloves' which I thought 20 years ago were the best. Till my buddy had a spill going quite fast and slid on his palms. Well the rivets heated up so much it burnt his hands... you can still see the scares to this day on he palms.
THAT is a really good point. It's really easy to fool ourselves that we'll "take it easy" when on the asphalt. But the reality is....."Hell, I'm on a straight stretch, I might as well check the shift light in 6th gear..."
I like SIDI Discuvery boots good protection and easy to walk around in. Feel like there old friends right out of the box!
