When "good enough" isn't

A recent visit to the local hardware store inspired me for today's post. As usual, I browsed the "specials" rack for any good deals on throw away tools and the like. I often get things like yard work gloves in this area.

On this visit, a pair of gloves caught my eye because of the photo shown on the label, pictured here to the right.

Notice that the "Special $2.99" gloves are obviously ECE certified motorcycle race gloves, because of the picture, right?

Well, obviously they aren't. They would probably be great yard work gloves, but that's about it. While they would be unsuitable for street riding, I wanted to point out that many Motorcycle Safety Foundation beginner rider course students might use them to fit the basic gear requirements for students - which is fine for that use.

Though the picture is of a glove, I wanted the take the example and apply it to the most often overlooked piece of protective equipment for street riding. Here in California, a helmet is mandatory; the rest is up to you. More often than not, the helmet is usually the only gear. The majority of the remaining people will only buy a jacket in addition to a helmet; possibly some gloves too. My highly subjective opinion is that boots would come next. So most riders who thought to get "full protection" would have everything except pants.

More often than not, denim is entrusted with protecting the rider's lower half. This is rather unfortunate because denim is totally unsuitable for the task of protection in most cases. Most information that I have read is the pants will only provide about a half second of abrasion resistance before failing completely.

I have some personal experience in the matter. My first get-off put me in the group of non-pants people. I'll save the nitty-gritty for a future post, but the facts were these: The get off was at less than 20mph, I only slid a few feet, and the resulting abrasion injury to my right knee left me with a quarter size scar that I still have to this day.

Denim isn't good enough. Invest in some armored riding pants or a full suit. And wear it. Gear left at home won't help you. And most accidents happen close to home, so the "I was just going around the corner" excuse doesn't count.

The best pro-gear argument I ever heard was this:

1) Put on all your gear.

2) Stand in front of a belt-sander and turn it on.

3) Any part of your body that you are afraid to touch against the sander needs better gear.