Hands - alot of people who ride seem to not wear gloves which I think is a tad mental - a slow fall without gloves could easy result in lack of digits.
It really REALLY REALLY REALLY FUKING HURTS - hitting the deck, and the resulting broken bone(s) after, take it from me - I really do know. And it's amazing how much can't be done with 1 arm..................eating (cutting up food), cooking, washing up, laundry, washing self, dressing - the list IS endless!!
So, wear gloves, jacket, boots (even DMs ok) ankles snap easy so defo avoid trainers! Trousers - leather, jeans 9quality or kevlar ones) and a lid. open face lids are the best I think, i can look over my shoulder and see so much more than wearing a full face!! Easier for wearing out on the trails too - i've got a crosser lid but I really prefer my open face jobbyD69x
I dislike open faced helmets. I can never seem to get a decent fit with them. it's also the fact that you have a seperate join which during an accident could snap and leave you with your face exposed!.
I always wear gloves, jacket, jeans and my oxtar boots minimum. Usually dragon jeans though.
The Arai Freeway is THE best in open face lids, made as per standard of their full face ones (and tad cheaper) Alot of people say open facelids cld be more dangerous in an accident but it's horses for courses I think. A good friend of mine was in a horrific accident on his bike and lucky for him he'd been wearing an open face, if he had been wearing a full face his neck would have been broken and he wldnt be around now. Sure he had to have his face rebuilt but better than being 6 feet under!
I don't see how a open face stops your neck from being broken? when i worked with the ambulance service most of the most serious accidents we attended the rider had an open face helmet on. Which has just put me off them.
that's fair enough. Think it has something to do with the curvature of the lid, design that sort of thing, and how the head hit=s the deck in the first place. I used to wear a full face but after trying an open face I found it safer - in the life saver look kinda way and being able to see clearer at junctions. Another thing is if lady luck is not on your side and you come off atleast with an open face cpr not a prob, unlike full faces. Been alot of debate over the yrs about this, one reason those flip lids got popular - they also good for spc wearers, like me, for goin to pay for go go juice/pint of milk. Such a pain taking lids off!! Open face has this going for it too!!
Each to their own really, i just know what I prefer - even in the winter!!!D69x
Hands - alot of people who ride seem to not wear gloves which I think is a tad mental - a slow fall without gloves could easy result in lack of digits.
I see a lot of people without boots - even ankle walking boots are better than trainers with easy to break ankles!
I always wear a leather, armoured jacket, a pair of ski trousers over thick jeans (I only ride a little 125 so full leathers are less of a necessity but protection still needed), bike boots, leather gloves and of course the legally required helmet.
Number of blokes I see on massive bikes with short sleeved tee shirts - drives me mad.
I was in Southend over Easter...along with just about every motorbike in the country!
One thing led to another, and I've got the go-ahead to learn to ride once the little'un is grown up a bit!
Yay!
Two wheels good, four wheels...um...practical but uninspiring...?
Not sure I agree with this one to be honest, I'm a biker, I ride a 2003 ZX636R Ninja in black, sexy looking little bike! But I also drive a 2006 Astra VXR and I love riding/driving them both and get pleasure out of them too, the bike more so but thats mainly to do with speed! So yea biking is more fun however thats not at the expense of enjoying a good 4 wheel blast sometimes too!
Haven't got any time for people who wear shorts and t-shirts even on scooters.. i've seen too many dead bikers and scooterists wearing just that.
yeah i totally agree i cant love my leathers enuf id rather get too hot and have to have a shower than have that chance of having no leg left,
i have always been around bikes and love them dream bike is a suzuki gsx-r600 k2 :) gorgeous but at the mo due to lack of finances in the last few years happy to ride on back of partners until i get mine lovin the ktms at the mo thinking dirt bike for first bike :)
Hey everyone, thot u mite like to know that I AM RIDING AGAIN!!! Been out 5times in last 3wks - not alot (only done about 150miles) BUT after what I've been through it's AMAZING!! Not looking at the trails yet as I know my arm isn't strong enough for that malarking yet but give it time & it will be. It's truly WONDERFUL to be out on my Little Bikey tho, pootling along 'my' old lanes - last mon in particular best ride so far, abit windy but otherwise perfect! Rode back from my mates workshop today and,after stopping for chips, got on and 'made' us ride back thru the tail-end of rush hr - all aok, soooooo PLEASING!!
The only obvious prob (other than extreme arm ache after the first coupla rides/ long rides) I have is this flipping CRPS (chronic regional pain syndrome) which means the right messages aren't getting sent from my brain to my arm, so am getting very peculiar sensations at times! Like a tickerly pins and needles thing in my left hand - it seems to stop tho when I tell it (out loud) to stop being so daft and enjoy the ride!! And then it does!! Will be intersting t see how it copes with riding VtBoo (she's a Vtwin, but NOT a custom!)
Hoping to get out on my darling VtBoo by end of this week (oh the luxury of heated grips - they'll be great for my hand!), and soon as take her away to Cornwall for her retirement at my parent's small-holding. Am really looking forward to getting back on her, a year (and abit) is a loooong time out of the saddle! I've had my VtBoo 10yrs (been riding 14 and ahalf) and she looks after me so amazingly well. They are both wonderful proper job Bikeys and I love them both soooooo much. There am done now expressing my love for my Bikeys to you good people :-) Take it eazy everyone, go safe :-)
Yes, been riding for 20 odd years now and ride a Honda Fireblade (900). Also own a Triumph tiger 100 which is still in boxes in my ex's garage. Before the Blade I had a Buell Firebolt for awhile till some pikey twat nicked it. Great bike but not for riding 20 miles a day thru winter(she really didn't like that).
I don't drive (the thought terrifies me) so ride all year when have to. Love going to rallies and rode to Assen a few years ago for the Moto GP.
I consider myself a biker first above anything else tho I don't get the miles in like I used to.
Divine that's wonderful news, really happy for you sweet and at least you're taking baby steps as is sensible! I can imagine how frustrated you've been, I've been missing riding a lot since I couldn't ride over the summer (after a long period at uni) with my shoulder and now I'm back at uni, missing it more so now I've been riding the brother's 650 and realised how much fun a bigger engine is!
AWWWWW - THANKS AA & AD :-) I am being sensible because I know I have to be and (other than the friggin crps) so far I seem to have looked after it aok so I'll just keep on with it. This cold isn't helping much at mo tho :-( Not looking forward to winter coz I know I'm guna have alot of grief with my arm whether it's wet or cold, and that obviously means alot less riding :-( Still am getting out when I can and feel fit enough to. (not sure about VtBoo getting down to cornwall before winter though so hoping my mate will lookafter her in his workshop/garage - I think he'll let me for a price but am too loyal to my OH to do that!!)
AA - my crps is wierd - I do get random pain but not constantly,atleast not any more. I do suffer from a sensation of heaviness in my arm though and that is a constant feeling. The pins & needles thing is crps/nerve related (not sure which, abit of both if you get me). Have had nerve tests tho and all appears to be normal from the results so is a more crps thing. I HATE anyone touching my arm (me included), stretching it to full extension hurts alot too and I really have to concentrate in making it happen. Am to see the pain clinic soon - wow hay!! And am waiting to see a specialist in crps so will let you know how that goes. I thionk the pins and needles is more a nerve thing - it's all settling down after getting stretched over the break, and I was warned that would take a while. I am still, mentally, disconected/disassociated with my arm - not just in that I can't stand looking at the scar (tho am happy to show it to any1 that wants to see!), as neat as it is. And altho I've been given the all clear from the orthopedic surgeon in that the bone is fused, safe and secure I am still sure if some1 smacks it/bangs into it my arm will be knackered again. I am on tabs for the nerve probs which is fine but I don't like the thot i'm blocking out all the uncomfy sensations coz I like to know whats going on.
Ooops have gone on abit! Apols to all but it's really hard to explain, AA I have very good info sheet on crps, email me and can arrange to post to you if you like? (from a surgeon at the Cheltenham General Hospital so you might find something on their website, if not give me a (email) bell and I'll sort the info out! Your foot sounds like a bloody night mare, I SOOOOO hope you get it sorted (ask about nerve conductivity tests, to atleast eliminate that worry and get on pain clinic waiting list!!)
Take it eazy 1 and all, (and stay roasty toasty!!) D69x :-)
AA - re: brain and nerves msgs to affected limb not getting right signals, how I understand not just pain but the sort of things i was describing last night, too. If you get me?? Not very awake at mo!! Had to take a couple extra amiys last night as arm being a pain(!) and wow yes do they help me sleep but not great in the getting me up stakes!!! Am not sure if pain clinic thing is what I need now, but I guess I'll go seeing as I've got the initial assesment appointment!! Just feels like is too late, hey ho! If you need a whinge do email me and whinge/rant away to me til your hearts' content - NO WORRIES!!
As for pain management... I had an off at Oulton Park in June & broke in no particular order....
Various bones in both feet, 4 ribs which punctured my lungs, a shoulder blade which also dislocated the shoulder at the same time, oh and various burns from a ruptured fuel tank.
Anyway, acupuncture worked a treat, was back on the road bike 5 1/2 weeks later, on track 8 weeks later and almost back to full speed in Jerez the Portimoa on the 12 week mark.
I avoided the pain killers as much as possible, as soon as I knew everything was in line it was just a matter of time and gradually working the effected joints more each day.
Yeah I was VERY lucky that they we're all in line fractures so no complications with no surgery needed after lots of me arguing with them about needing drains in my chest and a prior back injury that they felt needed tidying up.
Long and short once surgery gets involved it's a different story so it's a not an apples with apples comparison compaired to your issues which I would say are worse.
Although a positive attitude that the issue is now fixed & it's just the body healing thats causing the pain helps, give it time and you'll be right!
Just be glad when the better weather comes back! LOL!
My 13 year old daughter loves Cal Crutchlow, but i love the road racing especially the IOM TT. John McGuiness rocks as does Guy Martn. And poor Hutchie has broken his leg again which sucks!
I've always loved the look of Harley's (and the men on them) but dont have my licence. My ex tought me how to ride his bike, but that was 12 years ago, and Ive never been on a bike since :( I'd love to get lessons and get my licence, maybe this could be the year I give myself a kick up the ass and do it
Here too, I passed the full test in 2008,but because of lack of money I sill on my 125cc :( I want at least a mild engine bike a honda ST1300 europan Is suitable! :) I did take my bike on the motorway doing 60mph for 122 miles to dorset!! :) with alot of gear and bike lock around your back, it hurts after "f"ing and blind I made it there safe :)