I was as totally ruining a thread about hand guards by discussing ce approved gear so thought I'd start a new thread with some resources on finding your way through the quagmire that is motorcycle clothing certification.
In the hand guards thread I stated this:
- start quote
I'm a safety nerd so try to buy only fully CE approved gear, especially gloves.
Here are are a couple of good links I use when buying my gear:
A big issue in Australia is trying to find fully CE approved gear as our shops are full of stuff that isn't crash tested at all. I wouldn't even let my mother in law wear non-CE approved gear
As as it turns out, my so called CE Approved ixon gloves (that I raved about on said hand guards thread) are only approved under the gardening glove tear resistance standards. God I hate being misled and I also hate misleading others. Double whammy!
I come from a long line of bull****ters so always try to not do it myself. I'm sure my wife gets tired of my constant researching of topics no one cares about
So just in case anyone does care here is a great chat on ADV about certified gear:
Good idea. Pricey I'm in much the same boat as you, young family etc and when I replace items next time around I'll be going for CE tested items as much as I can. A few years ago I had no idea when I bought stuff, having said that I feel good in what I wear and am comfortable with the choices made.
What you want and what you can afford are two different things sometimes. I know it goes without saying that the rider has the greatest influence on safety when you ride. I commute to work and mostly put the bike on the ute to take to offroad rides. Most of my mates have non rego bikes. I have learnt a whole lot since starting riding 4 years ago and I really pushed myself and have had lots of minor stacks. About 12 months ago I had a wakeup call, not far into a ride I had a big off, absolutely railed a rut flat out felt like I was Johnny Walker (as if!) didn't stand the bike up enough out of the corner and off I went into the bush, straight towards a tree, I can still see it in slow motion, could wash off enough speed ended up just throwing myself and the bike to the ground and we both hit the tree a fair bit slower. Split my knee cap to the bone, rode the rest of the day mind you (after a short spell doing the dance of pain hoping about!).
Lucky I had kneepads on. I just thought, what the hell am I doing riding like that, its only time before I really stuff up. I've backed off about 10-20% since then and barely come off in the last year. Aaaaand I've already started to derail this thread.
I wear DriRider Adventrue series jacket and Rjays textile pants with knee pads on road, with Paragon 2 boots. Shark S900 (I think) helmet and DriRider gloves, that have come apart at the seams (probably because I keep putting them in the washing machine, then dryer) - I'm currently looking for a new pair. I've also got RST kevlar type jeans with knee pads.
Offroad I can't wear a pressure suit, I've tried them but I just get too hot and it affects my riding. I've thought about getting one just for winter. I currently use Fox Airframe and elbow guards - lets just say they have quite a few marks on them. Fox comp 5 boots (soon to be fox comp 8 - prefer Sidi's but funds wont allow) knee pads, Fox V1 helmet and fox mx gloves. Textile pants and Jersey. Adventure riding , I'll wear a mix of both depending.
Next elbow and knee guards will probably be the neoprene type that wont move at all.
Thanks for the links.
Leigh.
-- Edited by leigh on Wednesday 5th of October 2016 12:34:37 AM
I was thinking the same thing about the thread hijack, hate it and them went and did it, I've deleted my stuff.
I know I'm banging on about Ironclad gloves but I'll never wear anything else since owning them
My first ones were the Ranchworks model, Great value for money and 2 years of riding, garden, painting, yes welding as well, washed, soaked, dried and still stay perfectly supple, still strong and in 1 piece
These are my new ones, a little warm on hot days but nice in the winter, grippy dots on the palms, tough reinforcement, excellent stitching.
I will have a sticky beak next time I go to Bunnings, they look good, do they do up at the back? My only thought, when your sliding backwards down the road wondering about the choices you made in life will they slip off. The Dri-Rider ones I have I can pull off without undoing them, I don't think that's good.
My Kong Gloves arrived yesterday Mighty impressed with the protection on them and the wrist band is nice and long. Not tried them riding yet, seems they will need to be broken in