Joined
·
3,720 Posts
Now many people say "armour won't do any good, it helps with road rash but nothing more " but they are talking about kneepads - I'm talking about armour.
And my idea of ATGATT goes way beyond kneepads.
One of the good things about riding in the cold where I am at this time of the year is that you need more layers - or rather, you can be comfortable in more layers.
Instead of extra insulation I add more armour and protection.
First to be added in the cold weather is some extra underwear, mine are full length and made from 100% woven Kevlar - not quite as warm as some tech fibres but better at fending off slicing and abrasion; 2 birds with one stone.
Same with gloves, my inner gloves are woven kevlar
We still aren't saving any broken bones or internal injuries from jangling our insides around or severe penetration wounds though.
In any weather I've usually got my airbag vest on. The idea is that it inflates as you depart from the seat and then deflates under force when you impact on something - it isn't trying to bounce you off things it is trying to decelerate you more slowly so that your innards get banged around less violently, it also spreads the forces out and gives a bit of distance between you and anything hard or sharp and hold your neck straight.
Some of the stuff in my chest is pretty important so if the weather isn't too hot I add yet another layer to fend off broken ribs, penetration of vital organs and evisceration or similar inconveniences.
Designed to spread the force of impacts and generally keep the red squishy bits on one side and the cariageway on the other. Forces are spread across the whole chest by the structure of the outer layers which also crush and absorb and the inner layers reduce the chance of anything passing all the way through and reduce deformation of bones and tissue.
![]()
This piece in particular is unlikely to do anything about road rash, it is in completely the wrong place, hence I don't sign up to the "all armour is for road rash" idea.
So, a blow to the body will meet the airbag and its inner/outer mesh cover, then the chest protector then the standard leather/Cordura jacket and then a layer of kevlar. I'd say that increases the survivablity slightly.
Am I trussed up like a turkey? A bit, but no more than I am with normal thermals and rain gear on and I don't feel less mobile. My stuff is all close fitting (it helps that I have the figure of a racing snake to begin with)so I look less like the Michelin Man than somebody wearing non-motorcycle gear. The airbag adds a bit of weight though.
If you don't want to wear it, don't wear it - that should go without saying, "I don't want to" is a good enough reason.
On the other hand, if I had to take an axe to the chest I'd rather be wearing my full gear and I reckon I'd have a better chance of walking away than most. Replace the axe with road debris or something with a Ford badge on the front and I feel just the same.
And my idea of ATGATT goes way beyond kneepads.
One of the good things about riding in the cold where I am at this time of the year is that you need more layers - or rather, you can be comfortable in more layers.
Instead of extra insulation I add more armour and protection.
First to be added in the cold weather is some extra underwear, mine are full length and made from 100% woven Kevlar - not quite as warm as some tech fibres but better at fending off slicing and abrasion; 2 birds with one stone.
Same with gloves, my inner gloves are woven kevlar
We still aren't saving any broken bones or internal injuries from jangling our insides around or severe penetration wounds though.
In any weather I've usually got my airbag vest on. The idea is that it inflates as you depart from the seat and then deflates under force when you impact on something - it isn't trying to bounce you off things it is trying to decelerate you more slowly so that your innards get banged around less violently, it also spreads the forces out and gives a bit of distance between you and anything hard or sharp and hold your neck straight.
Some of the stuff in my chest is pretty important so if the weather isn't too hot I add yet another layer to fend off broken ribs, penetration of vital organs and evisceration or similar inconveniences.
Designed to spread the force of impacts and generally keep the red squishy bits on one side and the cariageway on the other. Forces are spread across the whole chest by the structure of the outer layers which also crush and absorb and the inner layers reduce the chance of anything passing all the way through and reduce deformation of bones and tissue.
This piece in particular is unlikely to do anything about road rash, it is in completely the wrong place, hence I don't sign up to the "all armour is for road rash" idea.
So, a blow to the body will meet the airbag and its inner/outer mesh cover, then the chest protector then the standard leather/Cordura jacket and then a layer of kevlar. I'd say that increases the survivablity slightly.
Am I trussed up like a turkey? A bit, but no more than I am with normal thermals and rain gear on and I don't feel less mobile. My stuff is all close fitting (it helps that I have the figure of a racing snake to begin with)so I look less like the Michelin Man than somebody wearing non-motorcycle gear. The airbag adds a bit of weight though.
If you don't want to wear it, don't wear it - that should go without saying, "I don't want to" is a good enough reason.
On the other hand, if I had to take an axe to the chest I'd rather be wearing my full gear and I reckon I'd have a better chance of walking away than most. Replace the axe with road debris or something with a Ford badge on the front and I feel just the same.
