Gear Need-to-Knows

[Rider]

Originally Posted by Mistress Maygin

The girls spoke earlier of curb sqirrels who wear "gear" that's really just for show. I know this stuff exists and would like to avoid it like the plague. What's the point spending the EXACT SAME AMOUNT of money for something that won't save your ass just cuz it's pink? Oy

The I would avoid Icon anything. Even though some of their stuff is ok, it still has squid and curb squirrel written all over it. There are exceptions of course, and thats just my opinion. There are several riders here that love there stuff.

[Mistress Maygin]

Originally Posted by Bassplayer

yup... i agree. i just meant by the fact that the padding will make it more snug at first, and with use will break down...

Yeah, I was told something similar. Not that it will necessarily be uncomfy, but that the padding will eventually mould to your head and thus fit "better"

[Rider]

Originally Posted by Mistress Maygin

When I was at Cycle Gear a few months ago the guys pointed it out to me on a couple of the girl's jackets. The "armor" was like pieces of plastic, and there was a tag on it that said, "Not to be worn as protective riding gear" or some such. And it was the same price as all the real jackets, I was like.... WHAT?!

Apparently, people are that F-in stupid? Oy.

Make sure the armor you get is CE approved.

[Bassplayer]

Originally Posted by Rider

The I would avoid Icon anything. Even though some of their stuff is ok, it still has squid and curb squirrel written all over it. There are exceptions of course, and thats just my opinion. There are several riders here that love there stuff.

i like their mainframe helmets. but thats pretty much it.

[Mistress Maygin]

Originally Posted by Rider

The I would avoid Icon anything. Even though some of their stuff is ok, it still has squid and curb squirrel written all over it. There are exceptions of course, and thats just my opinion. There are several riders here that love there stuff.

Yeah, it was an Icon jacket. I guess the name says it all, right? LOL

Didn't fit me anyway. The XS jackets were still too roomy.

Originally Posted by Rider

Make sure the armor you get is CE approved.

Now will that be like the DOT helmets and say it in a prominent place somewhere on the gear/tags?

[Bassplayer]

wow...they should try 2 custom form fit ya! how tiny are ya?

[Rider]

Originally Posted by Mistress Maygin

Yeah, it was an Icon jacket. I guess the name says it all, right? LOL

Didn't fit me anyway. The XS jackets were still too roomy.



Now will that be like the DOT helmets and say it in a prominent place somewhere on the gear/tags?

Yes there should be a tag on it that says CE Approved.

[Mistress Maygin]

Originally Posted by Bassplayer

wow...they should try 2 custom form fit ya! how tiny are ya?

I design my own clothing for this exact purpose. But I don't think that a corset will do me too good in a bike accident, so I can't make my own gear. Darn.

Well, I have huge knockers but a tiny frame. Clothes are difficult to fit. I also have wide hips but no ass, so my shape is funky.

My chest is a 36-38" but my waist is like 24". Then my hips are 34-36" again. If it fits one part of me, it doesn't fit the other. The jackets I tried were just snug enough in the chest, but the arms and waist were baggy.

Originally Posted by Rider

Yes there should be a tag on it that says CE Approved.

Goody. I prefer not to trust salesmen. Some of them know what they are talking about, others just want to make the sale, you know? So I can say, is this CE approved? And they'll say yes just so I buy it. Next thing, you're scraping me off the highway.

[Bassplayer]

Originally Posted by Mistress Maygin

I design my own clothing for this exact purpose. But I don't think that a corset will do me too good in a bike accident, so I can't make my own gear. Darn.

Well, I have huge knockers but a tiny frame. Clothes are difficult to fit. I also have wide hips but no ass, so my shape is funky.

My chest is a 36-38" but my waist is like 24". Then my hips are 34-36" again. If it fits one part of me, it doesn't fit the other. The jackets I tried were just snug enough in the chest, but the arms and waist were baggy.

ahem... yea, makes sense you'd find it hard to fit.

[neebelung]

Originally Posted by Mistress Maygin

Besides that you'll need 8million dollars, what else is there?

I was at Cycle Gear a while ago trying on jackets and gloves and what not, to get an idea of cost and fit. I was told that the jackets should be very snug, very little room to move around. Because of that, even the Extra smalls were too big on me. if this is true, it will be SO MUCH FUN finding good gear.

Also, I believe it was Icon they said was the vanity gear and on the tag even said don't wear for protection? (I know Nee will know what I'm talking about, we had this talk on the other board).

What brands are the best?

What materials?

Gloves are hard to find too. I have tiny hands but long fingers. So if the glove fit my hand the fingers were too small and vice versa.

Anyone know where I can get "gear for freakishly deformed people"?

I think you'll have good luck with Alpinestars, as it runs very small, AND comes in an XS. Their jackets are definitely petite-friendly.

You may want to look at brands that are sized like clothing (i.e. 2, 4, 6, 8) rather than the S, M, L, so you can get a more precise fit (Teknic and G Line by Hein Gericke are both sizez this way).

As for gloves, I've found that Icon's ladies gloves run very tiny and with freakishly long fingers (no joke ). And they do offer XS's in their ladies' gloves.

As for the "not intended as personal safety gear" or whatever that disclaimer said, yeah, it's always baffled me, but I also haven't seen it in a while. I believe it was intended just as a "CYA" (so people wouldn't sue them if they went down in some Icon gear and got hurt) but who knows

As for materials... well, while mesh offers the lowest level of protection, realistically, you're in Florida, so you're going to want one. It's just the way it is. Riding in much more than mesh in summertime here is just ASKING for heat stroke, IMO. So, make sure it's got CE approved armour in the shoulders, elbows and back (not just the dual density foam)

From least to most protection, it's:

Mesh
Textile
Leather (cow)
Leather (roo)
Leather (stingray...i.e. Held gloves)

Perforated leather is a good happy medium, in that it'll give you good protection while still allowing you to breathe (somewhat).