So, you've just had an off? How did the safety gear hold up?

[Dark Shadow]

Given the massive amount of crash testing that's kindly been undertaken over the past few weeks by PSB members, I thought it may be worthwhile if those that have tasted dirt recently, pass on the learnings of their testing with regard to how their safety gear held up.

Riders are often replacing gear and fortunately a lot stay upright never get to know if their gear is going to do what they hope it will. So as a buyers guide, how about passing on some info

Off details
Travelling Slow-ish/Quick-ish?

Hit the ground Light/Heavy?

Once on the ground I Slid/Tumbled

What gear were you wearing?

How well did your gear hold up?

Did it in your opinion save your ass?

Would you recommend or warn other riders off any of the gear you were wearing?

[Mybowlcut]

Great idea. Look forward to replies.

Could even add:

- What was the ground surface like?
- List of injuries

[taint]

High side at around 80km/h. Wearing Levis jeans, ixon textile jacket (cheap winter jacket), Joe rocket shortcut boots and shift shorty gloves.

Boots are scratched. Metal buckle part worn away.
Jacket is no longer waterproof. Many holes and rips.
Gloves, leather is fine. Material panels wore through and got road rash on wrists.
Jeans are unscratched.

I should mention I tumbled a lot rather than sliding.

Heavy impact to left shoulder, just bruised. A few breaks in my arm. Split elbow (ulna) a few inches down the middle. Broken wrist. Road rash and impact damage to knees and wrists. Jacket rode up my back and am missing a chunk out of that. Some soft tissue damage to ankle and knee.

Gear is a throw away but it mostly did the trick

I'd imagine that leathers would have stopped a little of the road rash but the breaks all resulted from the way I tumbled down the road rather than anything else.

[Inebrious]

The abrassive resistance of the the power ranger outfit (Teknics Xcellerator) at quickish speed and hard impact onto gravel side of road, rocky bush, gravel then back onto road is superb. All stitching 100pc intact, kangaroo hide scratched but not penetrated, no injury to arms and body. Right leg had minimum grazing because knee slider caught and pulled out of boot. Cut off by ambos.
Though not imported any more, Suomy Spec 1R scratched left, top and rear. Top vent smashed, right side ground down due to being unconscious ripping visor off. No head and arguably no brain damage.
Alpinestar GP plus gloves don't need replacing though broke right little finger. Stitching in place and mild scuffing.
Knox contour back protector saved back though didn't survive ambulance officers scissors. Maybe some wire braces
Puma 1000 boots snapped off by ambulance officer because laces were not noticed after unclipping buckle. No injuries to feet, great resistance after grinding buckles 3/4 off sliding.
I can recommend not trying this test at home but highly recommend these products.
Thinking power ranger outfit, Sidi vortice air, Knox contour bp straps resewn, Shark rsr2 carbon helmet (light weight, neck needs love and care).
Oh thanks ambos for saving my quality of life, I will heal, love your work.

[CitizenD]

Hit by Landcruiser at the lights.

Jacket, jeans, riding boots didn't absorb any impact. Gloves made the fist I waved in the air as the slunt drove off look menacing though.

[Hamster]

Right leg had minimum grazing because knee slider caught and pulled out of boot. Cut off by ambos.
.

Sorry to hear that mate. Seems a bit harsh though considering it only had "minimum grazing".

[g0zer]

1.
Off details
Travelling Slow-ish/Quick-ish?

70km/h

Hit the ground Light/Heavy?

low side, while dragging knee not far to fall

Once on the ground I Slid/Tumbled

Slid

What gear were you wearing?

1pc teknic race suit

How well did your gear hold up?

scuffed but still servicable

Did it in your opinion save your ass?

definately

2.
Off details
Travelling Slow-ish/Quick-ish?

60km/h

Hit the ground Light/Heavy?

low side, while dragging knee not far to fall

Once on the ground I Slid/Tumbled

Slid

What gear were you wearing?

1pc teknic race suit

How well did your gear hold up?

scuffed but still servicable

Did it in your opinion save your ass?

definately

3.
Off details
Travelling Slow-ish/Quick-ish?

1km/h

Hit the ground Light/Heavy?

front tucked while trying to ride over kerb

Once on the ground I Slid/Tumbled

sat there

What gear were you wearing?

1pc teknic race suit

How well did your gear hold up?

protected me from hot bitumen

Did it in your opinion save your ass?

definately

[jaseyjase]

The Off - [ame=http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=TxDhTz9mudo]YouTube - Track Day High-Side Crash 2nd March 2008[/ame]

The result










Walked away with bruises and sore/pulled muscles. Gear definitely did its job, dont skimp peoples.

[Gambino]

wow, that was a pretty impressive crash, how did it happen, as im assuming the tyres would of been warm enough, looked like the back slipped sideways, interesting.

Suburban offs, Rjays leather Jacket, never had an issue, I remember I rear ended a car one day (fuckwit stopped midway through a corner) completely destroyed the front end of my bike, and I catapulted into his car, no damage whatsoever, love the leather jacket.

With the textile jackets, do You feel safe in them? like the heavyness of the leather with the armor makes me feel safer, and the few times ive had a quick spin on the bike without a jacket on, feels weird and unsafe

[Captain Starfish]

Off details
Travelling Slow-ish/Quick-ish?
About 80km/h

Hit the ground Light/Heavy?
Somersaults in the air, landed on feet, bounced and more tumbling.

Once on the ground I Tumbled

What gear were you wearing?
Draggin pants, Wicked Leather jacket (from 2 piece set)

How well did your gear hold up?
I am never buying draggins again. Fucking things slid around so the kevlar got out of harm's way, road went through the pants and my knee.

Wicked Leather jacket had the double stitching ground out in a couple of spots, no jacket wouldn't suffer the same fate under the same conditions, but Reid's stitched it up good as new and I'm still wearing it now.

Gloves were rooted but only light grazing to the palms suggests they did their job.

Boots were scuffed. Steel caps. Tough as nails (and my ankles are fine thanks).

Chin of helmet suffered some grazing and it looks like one of the clamps (flip lid) snapped.

Did it in your opinion save your ass?
The jacket, gloves, helmet and boots? Absolutely!!

The draggins? Hell no!

Would you recommend or warn other riders off any of the gear you were wearing?
Already done, I think.

[Fat Pat]

80 KPH, Kwinana Fwy in rush hour.

Splitting, some shit flew out of a ute in front of me, and landed in front of wheel. Braked, unfortunately, on some sort oily/radiator coolanty mess on the road - lost the front - down I went. Eternally gratefull that I fell into a great big space.

Hit ground with left knee and both gloves and then flipped over on my right shoulder blade and slid along feet in air staring back to my bike, gearsack AND slightly startled driver behind me - all moving along at around 50 KPH.

Came to a stop on shoulder blade and everything was silent for a short time....

Was wearing a Rivet leather jacker, work trousers (I know I know) Shoei and Doc Marten work shoes (I know I know)

Trousers? pfft - I have a nice abrasion type scar - slowly fading on my knee. Dri Rider gloves heavily scuffed on both palms (not wearing gloves would have REALLY SUCKED!) but completely usable, and I can't see any mark on my Jacket even though I slid on dry bitumen for perhaps 20 metres!

Gloves and Jacket made all the difference. I still needed some physio for my shoulder and wrist, but I would have been in a "world of hurt" without my leathers on. I purchased Draggins and Rossi boots the next week!

Who would squid seriously? I've ridden in 45 degrees in all my gear, there's no way to contemplate NOT wearing it after my 'off.

[Cap'n James086]

Travelling Slow-ish/Quick-ish?
about 20km/h as I managed to wipe off some speed

Hit the ground Light/Heavy?
landed on my head and left shoulder so pretty heavy but not really bad because of the low speed

Once on the ground I Slid/Tumbled
Tumbled

What gear were you wearing?
Helmet, jacket, gloves, denim jeans (not kevlar) and shoes

How well did your gear hold up?
Ripped the vents, visor and spoiler off the helmet. Also gave it a pretty pink scrape as you can see.

The jacket has a barely visible scuff on the shoulder.
Gloves got a hole and a bit of blood in them from my crushed fingers.

Did it in your opinion save your ass?
I had a badass headache for the rest of the day and I don't particularly want a scuff like there was on the helmet on my head so I'm going to say yes, the helmet saved me.

The armour in my jacket probably prevented a shoulder injury too. I wouldn't have got bad gravel rash because of the low speed.

Would you recommend or warn other riders off any of the gear you were wearing?
My gloves at the time didn't have the hard bits on them, they were just leather and my left hand was crushed between my handlebar and the car. I have little strength in my hand now so I now wear gloves with hard bits on the back. My current gloves have carbon fibre knuckles and bits on the fingers. I don't know if it actually would help but I want it there in case it does.

[okiedoke]

came off and slid at about 70k.

Was wearing draggin jeans and they're fuckin awesome...I wear em over my work trousers when Im comin home...not a scratch on the draggin jeans, but my trousers underneath were shredded. Only ended up with some minor grazes, but got bruised to buggery.
Ixon jacket didn't do as well...fabric shredded and the armour has come out, so I'll need a new one, but at least i only got grazing on my arms and didn't have half my skin taken off.

[Magilla]

Sorry to hear that mate. Seems a bit harsh though considering it only had "minimum grazing".

Unfortunately, we can't tell that it's only minimal grazing until the suit comes off...

[drifter]

wow, that was a pretty impressive crash, how did it happen, as im assuming the tyres would of been warm enough, looked like the back slipped sideways, interesting.

Its called a high-side crash.
The rear tyre loses traction and then suddenly regains traction and snaps back in line with the bike. That snap can be violent enough to throw you clean off the bike.

edit: the racing guys/girls can probably elaborate with a more elegant explanation if required.

[Ozboy]

The crash

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyewOFfWqso&NR=1"]YouTube - Stirls Crash with Slowmo[/ame]


Off details
Travelling Slow-ish/Quick-ish?

Fast


Hit the ground Light/Heavy?

Heavy


Once on the ground I Slid/Tumbled

Tumbled

- What was the ground surface like?

F*cken hard!

- List of injuries

Subluxation of the left shoulder
Multiple injuries to the left ankle, major tendon damage inc a piece of cartilage floating around in the left ankle.
Tore thumb nail off (man that hurt)

What gear were you wearing?

Spidi leathers
Sidi Boots
Technic gloves
HJC helmet


How well did your gear hold up?

Very well


Did it in your opinion save your ass?

Oh yeah


Would you recommend or warn other riders off any of the gear you were wearing?

I was never one to buy the cheaper brand helmets, but the HJC is a tough helmet.
I'd buy boots with better ankle protection next time, to stop hyperextension.
The gloves were knackered, but I guess any glove would have been.

[fonzy]

Off details

slow-ish, about 60km/ph

Hit the ground Light/Heavy?

heavy i believe, apparently the bike flicked me off and there was a bit of air time before impact.

Once on the ground I Slid/Tumbled

slid, chunky country road bitumen, gravel edges

What gear were you wearing?

Ixon satanic leather jacket, oxtar leather riding boots, X-over gloves,KBC Lid, normal jeans

How well did your gear hold up?

very well. my upper boddy copped most of the impact, and the Ixon jacket got scuffed but is still usable. boots got chewed up a bit, and the jeans got a bit shredded

Did it in your opinion save your ass?

yes. only thing i would do is have better jeans or leathers on, would have saved some road rash

Would you recommend or warn other riders off any of the gear you were wearing?

nope, it all worked well.....except the (normal) jeans

[Batten]

Great thread!

[RA0]

Off details

Travelling Slow-ish/Quick-ish?
About 80kmph

Hit the ground Light/Heavy?
Heavy

Once on the ground I Slid/Tumbled
Slid a few meters with the right shoulder rubbing against the bitumen.

What gear were you wearing?
Openface helmet with visor down.

How well did your gear hold up?
It was the extra large handlebars and footpegs that saved the day for me. They took most of the impact and helped me keep my body from sliding against the ground. If not for them, I would have sustained a lot more injuries than what I did.

Did it in your opinion save your ass?
Was riding around in shorts and a t-shirt, so that didn't help much. But having the helmet on sure did help, as I slid against the ground with my head down for a few seconds.

Would you recommend or warn other riders off any of the gear you were wearing?
Can't really advice riders about gear as I wasn't wearing much myself,but all I can say is riding without safety gear can be comfy and fun as long as you can keep yourself upright.

What was the ground surface like?
Rough bitumen up in the hills.

List of injuries
Lost some skin on the shoulder, waist,ribs, legs and palm.

[Hamster]

Unfortunately, we can't tell that it's only minimal grazing until the suit comes off...

I was talking about his right leg, hence the . my humour obviously missed the mark again, as you were.