| Author | Message | ||
     Not_purple_s2 |
Today I saw a guy wearing the Icon Field gear today (kinda funny since it was in maybe the high 60's low 70's. But I've noticed this type of riding gear is starting to gain popularity. Mostly I've only seen it on stunters and the like but I'm starting to think that it might be a good alternative here in the deep south. Some of the higher end MX style jackets seem like they would be far better protection than the mesh jacket that I wore most of the riding season last year. 1. They have much more padding and armor including front and back protectors. 2. They're "form fitting" which is should be better in a crash. Anyone here using this kind of gear? More importantly do you know anyone that went down on the street wearing MX style gear and how well did it work? Here are some examples of what I'm talking about.     The last two look pretty good to me | ||
| Tank_bueller |
Just bought an EVS. Haven't worn it yet, but it does seem to place the armor better than a jacket with armor. But, unlike a jacket, there is no abrasion resistant material surrounding the armor. Just bought a DR650 as well, and I am realizing quickly that different equipment is necessary. Crashing a jacket at 50mph on the street might get you by, but I don't think the "pressure suit" type armor was designed with that type of crash in mind. More like low speed, hard impact with the ground/rocks/trees/handlebars/etc. My $.02 | ||
| Nevrenuf |
nothing says cool like the road warrior look. | ||
| Barker |
i wear icon field gear under my leather.  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I wouldn't wear JUST the armor. Like Tank stated, the abrasion resistance of that stuff is pretty limited. That stuff is either meant to be worn under a leather jacket or race suit or is meant to be worn under an MX jersey off road. I like the idea of the chest protector in addition to the back protector. I would be looking for that in addition the the in jacket armor at the elbows and shoulders. Won't keep you cooler, but it will protect you better. | ||
| Thumper74 |
Neil, I always get the "Welcome to the Thunderdome" when I show up in Joe Rocket and black everything... Oh yeah, 40 and sunny today! | ||
| Froggy |
I have a buddy that has the one in the second picture. He is a stunter and its taken some low speed parkinglot misshap abuse, and its worked fine for that so far. Thankfully he hasn't tested at speed yet. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
it's a pretty cool look on a naked bike i think. i should be getting another jacket tomorrow from up there thump. | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
Yeah, I completely agree that abrasion protection is poor and uncertain. But I don't think my mesh jacket would be much better. I can't imagine it holding up for more than a couple of feet against an asphalt slide. I might also add that if I were to get a set of this "naked armor" It would be mostly for city riding. When you're standing still in traffic in 100deg heat all the perforation in the world does not help. And thinking about it now this kind of armor is probably better in the low speed car induced accident that would be more likely to happen in the city. (Message edited by not_purple_s2 on March 12, 2008) | ||
| 07bamafan |
I have the Alpinestars armor in the second picture. It works well when I use it for dirt riding. Last summer I went on a 5,000 mile trip around the Southeast. The mesh armor was nice and breezy in the scorching heat of June. Just like wearing a T-shirt. Be sure to wear long sleeves though. The last day of the trip, I wore just a short sleeved T-shirt under it, and the mesh pattern left a nice grill-mark sunburn. |
