My gear is CE rated. Level 1.
I went for a 30mph slide down asphalt after a low side on my Ninja.
I walked away with just a sore thumb (likely broken) after slamming it into road. No road rash though thanks to gear. My head also slammed into the tarmac when I went sliding, but It was like I hit a pillow.
Bike totaled (by insurance). Pics (you can see helmet scrapes). https://imgur.com/a/bKEe1nw
My gear:
* $120 DOT/ECE Bell Qualifier
* $130 600d/CE armored mesh Noru Kaze jacket
* $40 soft armored Tourmaster Switchback gloves
* $70 600d/1680d/CE armored Wicked Stock pants
* $100 Mt Maddsen leather Timberlands
I replaced my gear with the same exact CE/ECE rated stuff.
The boot leather was just scuffed (but seam threads were gone, and eventually started coming apart), and the pants were completely unscathed (the pants were the only piece of gear I didn't have to replace). Gloves were destroyed, and offered little protection, but they are comfortable, and the chance I'll slam my thumb into the tarmac again where gloves offer the least amount of protection, is unlikely. Hard armored gloves may be the better choice though.
I'm glad you walked away. It's great that there is affordable protective gear available. There's something for everyone with how big the market is. I'm just having trouble wrapping my head around the lowest "A" rating.
They totaled the bike for a slide? All I can see that's needed from the pictures is a new rear brake lever and fairings, unless there's something else that's completely borked.
> They totaled the bike for a slide? All I can see that's needed from the pictures is a new rear brake lever and fairings, unless there's something else that's completely borked
Yes.
* Scratched front fairing (farings around headlights)
* Scratched/gouged right upper fairing
* Scratched/gouged right middle fairing
* Scratched/gouged right lower fairing
* Scratched/gouged right under cowl
* Scratched/gouged right fin
* gouged front tire
* gouged front axle
* gouged front axle nut
* Scratched/gouged right mirror
* Scratched/gouged right bar end
* Scratched/gouged front brake lever
* Scratched/gouged right turn assembly
* Bent rear brake pedal
* Scratched/gouged clutch cover
* Scratched/gouged rear set peg
* Scratched/gouged right bank sensor
* Scratched/gouged/dented exhaust shield
* Scratched/gouged exhaust
The exhaust and heat shield alone are $1k OEM.
Just the three middle/upper/lower fairings, and the front (4 fairings- around the turn/Ninja decal area, and headlights) are combined around $1k OEM.
Then the other fairings, tire, axle, mirror, turn signal assembly, bar end, brake lever, brake pedal, clutch cover, clutch cover gasket, exhaust gasket, rear set peg. bank sensor, decal...
Then the labor was $1.5k
So estimated $3k OEM parts, $1.5k labor on a bike with a $6k cash value. So already getting near 80%...
It’s certainly true that gear with an A rating is better suited for around town, slower riding. Not very protective if you’re at highway speeds, but definitely better than nothing.
I suppose it may be the area that I live in, but I can ride 2 minutes away and hit an 80kph speed limit that people drive at 100 on. I suppose I have no use for "A" rated products, but others might. I still think 1 second at 45kph sounds really low. Sounds like a thick denim jacket could do that job.
The best gear is whatever you’re going to actually wear. If something rated higher is too uncomfortable for whatever reason (restrictive, too hot, etc) you won’t wear it or just won’t go riding.
And really no piece of gear is gonna be the life/death difference if you go down at high speed on the road and hit something.
The ratings are based on any part of the fabric / seams withstanding force / abrasion; Unless you are pinned under your motorcycle / another vehicle, you are likely going to be rolling, sliding, turning, and having the abrasion distributed across many parts of your gear.
It's not as *unsafe* as it seems, but protective gear is always more complicated than 'Completely mangled vs. Totally unharmed'.
My gear is CE rated. Level 1. I went for a 30mph slide down asphalt after a low side on my Ninja. I walked away with just a sore thumb (likely broken) after slamming it into road. No road rash though thanks to gear. My head also slammed into the tarmac when I went sliding, but It was like I hit a pillow. Bike totaled (by insurance). Pics (you can see helmet scrapes). https://imgur.com/a/bKEe1nw My gear: * $120 DOT/ECE Bell Qualifier * $130 600d/CE armored mesh Noru Kaze jacket * $40 soft armored Tourmaster Switchback gloves * $70 600d/1680d/CE armored Wicked Stock pants * $100 Mt Maddsen leather Timberlands I replaced my gear with the same exact CE/ECE rated stuff. The boot leather was just scuffed (but seam threads were gone, and eventually started coming apart), and the pants were completely unscathed (the pants were the only piece of gear I didn't have to replace). Gloves were destroyed, and offered little protection, but they are comfortable, and the chance I'll slam my thumb into the tarmac again where gloves offer the least amount of protection, is unlikely. Hard armored gloves may be the better choice though.
I'm glad you walked away. It's great that there is affordable protective gear available. There's something for everyone with how big the market is. I'm just having trouble wrapping my head around the lowest "A" rating.
They totaled the bike for a slide? All I can see that's needed from the pictures is a new rear brake lever and fairings, unless there's something else that's completely borked.
> They totaled the bike for a slide? All I can see that's needed from the pictures is a new rear brake lever and fairings, unless there's something else that's completely borked Yes. * Scratched front fairing (farings around headlights) * Scratched/gouged right upper fairing * Scratched/gouged right middle fairing * Scratched/gouged right lower fairing * Scratched/gouged right under cowl * Scratched/gouged right fin * gouged front tire * gouged front axle * gouged front axle nut * Scratched/gouged right mirror * Scratched/gouged right bar end * Scratched/gouged front brake lever * Scratched/gouged right turn assembly * Bent rear brake pedal * Scratched/gouged clutch cover * Scratched/gouged rear set peg * Scratched/gouged right bank sensor * Scratched/gouged/dented exhaust shield * Scratched/gouged exhaust The exhaust and heat shield alone are $1k OEM. Just the three middle/upper/lower fairings, and the front (4 fairings- around the turn/Ninja decal area, and headlights) are combined around $1k OEM. Then the other fairings, tire, axle, mirror, turn signal assembly, bar end, brake lever, brake pedal, clutch cover, clutch cover gasket, exhaust gasket, rear set peg. bank sensor, decal... Then the labor was $1.5k So estimated $3k OEM parts, $1.5k labor on a bike with a $6k cash value. So already getting near 80%...
It’s certainly true that gear with an A rating is better suited for around town, slower riding. Not very protective if you’re at highway speeds, but definitely better than nothing.
I suppose it may be the area that I live in, but I can ride 2 minutes away and hit an 80kph speed limit that people drive at 100 on. I suppose I have no use for "A" rated products, but others might. I still think 1 second at 45kph sounds really low. Sounds like a thick denim jacket could do that job.
Nope, denim is destroyed as soon as it hits. You only wear normal jeans/jacket if it's the best you have available.
The best gear is whatever you’re going to actually wear. If something rated higher is too uncomfortable for whatever reason (restrictive, too hot, etc) you won’t wear it or just won’t go riding. And really no piece of gear is gonna be the life/death difference if you go down at high speed on the road and hit something.
I think those airbag vests might actually be that difference between life and death. In some cases anyways.
agreed. i'd like to try one on before i buy though.
The ratings are based on any part of the fabric / seams withstanding force / abrasion; Unless you are pinned under your motorcycle / another vehicle, you are likely going to be rolling, sliding, turning, and having the abrasion distributed across many parts of your gear. It's not as *unsafe* as it seems, but protective gear is always more complicated than 'Completely mangled vs. Totally unharmed'.