Protective equipment from motorcycle riding days - good idea?
Posted by Avarria587@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 34 comments
This is probably one of the more ridiculous posts on this subreddit, but it’s something I’ve been thinking about.
I am probably giving up motorcycle riding. I am moving to Chicago and having two vehicles isn’t realistic. I’m also not wanting something nearly 600 pounds when the avg speed of traffic is 30 mph.
I wanted an e-bike for years. I want something I can pick up and put into my apartment or put on a rack at work.
Thing is, I got all this fancy motorcycle equipment around 😵💫.
Alright, so how ridiculous would I look with armored gloves and an Aerostich suit? My helmet is terrible, so I would get something more appropriate. My boots also would be inappropriate. But my glorious astronaut suit?! I thought about just taking the armor out.
The alternative is selling my gear.
lFightForTheUsers@reddit
Would you mostly be riding in roadway in mixed traffic? If so I would keep it.
I sometimes feel like I look a bit out of place with my heavy rain gear - oversized windbreaker, rain pants, waterproof boot covers, gloves like you'd see when doing gardening, wraparound glasses. But then I can show up somewhere in pouring torrential rain and still be almost completely dry. Worth dealing with the hassle!
ExtremeProfession113@reddit
Class 3, no need for motorcycle gear. You won’t be riding on the same high speed roads. Depending on roads, bike lanes (good ones not gutters, just dangerous class 3) your average speed will be lower than you think. This is something you will start to notice.
Smart riding is planning your route to maximize 25 mph roads.
Depending on how you ride, you can break out a good sweat on class 3. I commute with class 3, roads no bike lanes. Wear a suit most days. Not astronaut suit either. Gloves for sure, and proper bike helmet.
Otherwise, better to use proceeds from motorcycle gear for under and uninsured motor vehicle insurance.
InsideYork@reddit
Just filter, if you do get a helmet a ff motocross one, it will be much cooler
trtsmb@reddit
If you're doing 20+, you gonna want max protection. I cringe every time I see a 14/15 year old kid on a hacked Surron-style bike doing 30+ with a hoodie and shorts on and the helmet hanging off the handlebars.
Slight_Nobody5343@reddit
best thing is to ride on safe places and keep it slow and controlled. if you are around a bunch of cars and stroads going 20+ it makes sense to get moped gear
sanjuro_kurosawa@reddit
This is the practical side of ebike gear: doing 20-30mph certainly justifies maximum protection which is a full-face helmet, protective suit with armor, boots, and gloves. Then there is the gear compromise necessary when you are pedaling, which is difficult in this kind of gear. Finally, can riding in a more cautious fashion mitigate your chances of crashing?
I ride class 1 ebikes and I maintain a 60-70rpm cadence, albeit with much less effort than when I'm biking. Efficiency is important; so is comfort while I'm in heavy and stiff gear.
If you don't pedal that much when riding, then your gear doesn't have to be as light and flexible.
As for the bottom line, crash impact, what riders sometimes miss is the riding adjustments that you can do. For example, an open road with few cars, you can likely go at top speed with a minimal chance of crashing. Head down a bumpy road with cars passing, that may be a time to slow down.
Motorcycling is typically done above 30mph and protective gear is paramount. Bicyclists who average 13mph don't wear DOT helmets or full suits.
It's a compromise: it's possible for a motorcyclist to crash at 60mph and have minimal impact; it's possible for a cyclist to have hit the ground hard at 13mph. So should you prepare for the typical crash. And for ebikes, there is not just a mild discomfort by wearing motorcycle gear; it can impede your ride. So you need to decide about this compromise; do you want the most protective gear when you pedal?
Silverback_S5@reddit
I was hit by a car that was going 45mph a year ago & the only thing that saved my life was wearing a D.O.T approved helmet, gloves, shoes, etc, I flew over the car & landed on my head, which the helmet cracked/split in ½, those ILM helmets are a great budget helmet, that's 1 of the reasons I bought it, from seeing all the Amazon prime comments saying how it saved them! 👍
I have a Fly Odyssey modular helmet now, & am just getting ready to getting back to riding after my accident, took 7 months to heal physically, mentally took a lot longer, this wasn't the first time I was hit by a careless driver, & they say e-Bikes are the problem....🤔
Brilliant-Cake9525@reddit
Keep your motorcycle jacket and gloves on
Laserdollarz@reddit
In the winter when it's cold enough, I wear a motorcycle helmet, big moto gauntlets, an alpinestars armored jacket, and kevlar-lined jeans. I apply a generous amount of anti-fog spray on the helmet visor weekly. I have lighter gear for warmer weather, but I never ride without helmet+gloves, at the very minimum.
Thegoodguy013@reddit
Protective gear is good. If you have it and the weather permits it I'd say use it. You might warm up really fast though so be careful. Motorcycle helmits are great! Don't forget you can use dirtbike helmits too! They have some that don't cover the mouth this helps to prevent fogging. Don't forget to have something to cover your mouth though. Mainly at night to keep the bugs out of your mouth like a rabaclava or something. (Check local laws some as in some places masks are illigal). Happy riding!
DuckAxe0@reddit
Be sure to purchase a bulletproof vest.
Zuliman@reddit
You would look ridiculous and it would be crazy overkill, but the first time you meet pavement at speed and don’t have it on you’ll wish you did.
With that said, I’ve never worn more than standard work clothes, helmet, and gloves. You do you! If you want to wear neon pink and polka dotted medieval jousting armor or a bedazzled speedo go ham while riding go nuts!
Same_Bit2000@reddit
Do not copy my wardrobe Im an original
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
So you’re saying I can ride in my chainmail?!
adfunkedesign@reddit
Yea full helmet and armour jacket will save you. Also when it's chi cold
SnowDrifter_@reddit
Honestly, it really depends
I'm a big proponent of moto helmet and moto gloves for ebikes. Street helmets are pretty stuffy for this purpose, but a motocross helmet and ski goggles(dual pane, no fog) is just perfect IMO
That said, what else I wear really depends on where and how I'm riding. If I'm on mixed use trails, I'm a fair bit more lax. I've determined that my injury risk at low speed ~15mph on a controlled trail with pedestrians and other cyclists is low enough not to warrant any significant body protection. Helmet, gloves, knee, elbow pads.
But if I'm in the street with cars, curbs, and the like - then I'll dress up more. Upper torso gets light weight moto gear (pando). On my legs, I haven't found a great solution that's comfortable to pedal while offering protection. I'll throw on knee pads and a set of tailbone / hip protection underwear (you can get stuff that holds CE pads) but that's about it.
Yuck_Few@reddit
I was thinking it might be a good idea to buy elbow pads, as every bicycle wreck I have had resulted in an elbow injury.
TyKingFrost@reddit
I wear mine, since I regularly cruise at speeds of 25-30mph. Dress for the slide, not the ride! The only opinion that matters is your own
RichardBallsandall@reddit
Use what you have. I use my snowmobile gear in the winter. Heated shield helmet, handlebar gauntlets, bibs, bigass Klim jacket.
mrtunavirg@reddit
Yes. Same predicament. I wear full gauntlet gloves and full face helmet.
If you plan to go more than bicycle speed you should have more than bicycle gear.
Lucidlie@reddit
Can always ride an euc as well, most euc riders wear moto or similar gear
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
I’m too old for that, lol. Nearing 40. I would be a statistic in a week.
Lucidlie@reddit
What, we have riders in their 60's. The first time I saw an euc in the wild was a grandma
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
That sight would’ve been epic, lol. It’s something to consider.
NotASockPuppet88@reddit
Fullface helmet (MIPS preferred) Visor optional but better with imo.
Anything else is optional. I personally also have a padded jacket (Armored) with also padded jeans. So i dont look too overdressed for an ebike -- but that depends on who you ask!
In the end, falling off an ebike or motorcycle at 15/20/30mph is still bad news and can result in serious injury. Better to be safe.
neverfakemaplesyrup@reddit
I’ve thought about this too, from watching Fort9’s comparison video on e-bikes vs moto. Been thinking about streetwear-style protection.
A fair amount of folk where I live wear bright vests or coats with high vis laced in them, but well, that’s the majority of a super slim pop. I live in Rochester ny so very few people bike here. It lowkey already feels like a humiliation ritual, lol.
Duct_TapeOrWD40@reddit
I ride both. If you don't use mainly throttle, the helmet will fog due to the more breathing. The jacket, boots and leg protectors are jzst uncomfortable. Only the gloves are perfect for both use.
Avarria587@reddit (OP)
Yeah, I would definitely need a new helmet. My boots are also a no-go.
Duct_TapeOrWD40@reddit
Technically there is one exception. If you start hard trail downhill or dirt jump montain biking, you will need your kit. The only piece of my motorbike gear I ruined was one of the gloves on a hard trail fall.
MLG_HerobrineYT@reddit
I use a full face MTB helmet and motorcycle gloves. Occasionally I'll use a windbreaker jacket which is (hopefully) good for skids. My MTB helmet is definitely more ventilated than the full face motorcycle helmet I tried, although I'm not sure if I feel as safe with it.
JG-at-Prime@reddit
I bike commute in Los Angeles traffic.
If I saw someone riding down the street in a full on shiny suit of armor; they wouldn’t get any more than a thumbs up from me.
That said, a lot of gear is very uncomfortable on a bicycle / e-bike versus a motorcycle. Bicycles involve more rider movement than motorcycles.
Consider a full face mountain bike helmet. A motorcycle helmet will fog up if you are exerting.
DonnPT@reddit
I've worn the gloves and one of my jackets. Both with armor - gloves with knuckle caps, jacket with elbow inserts. It has been fine, when the weather is cold enough. Not setting up for pavement surfing, I'm not really going all that fast, but getting thrown to earth at any speed isn't good for the unprotected body.
El_Guap@reddit
I use my helmet, gloves, and I have an aramid hoodie with level 2 ghost armor and wear those with my high powered e-bike.
Strange-Branch-293@reddit
Do whatever you please. Going down on an ebike is no fun. The better your armor, the better the fall