I have a full beard and all it does is keep my chin warm in Winter when I grow it a bit thicker.

You're spot on there Yannih. The turbulence and hence the noise is caused by the visor edges, air vents, side pods (if it has them) and also air rushing past the bottom edge of the helmet. That's why a screen of the wrong size or shape can make things much worse 'cos it really screws up the helmet maker's attempts at aerodynamic efficiency. JMO

There's tons of wind noise on the freeway. I have an Alienhead 2 and the wind still overpowers it at 80-85 MPH.

Hagrid, I'm afraid you have it backwards.

I've ridden shorn and unshorn on three different scooters. Smooth equals laminar. Laminar equals noise. Explain.

I have a full beard

* Last updated by: hagrid on 4/5/2015 @ 6:57 PM *

[quote]
I have a full beard

Go on.../quote]

OK OK! I have a partial beard..

* Last updated by: pegscraper on 4/6/2015 @ 4:32 AM *

After those pics, I'm not arguing!
Hagrid, whatever you say is fine by me...

Lol... you fellas are all right! Took me an hour to get the orientation right.

Parting thought: fuzzy microphone on a boom.

Grizzly Adams,eat your heart out..dang! Strangely enough that's the mental picture I had of Hub. Haha

* Last updated by: Nastynotch on 4/6/2015 @ 7:52 AM *

Only a man of Hungarian wrath and zeal can grow such a fine lock of facial hair. Worthy of any knit sweater. It is time for me to

Used to be young and invincible. Now 46 and things hurt before the crash. So I protect them ahead of time to keep the potential damage and additional pain to a minimum:

- Pants Drayko Renegade Riding Jeans <- Pretty great. 8/10. Comfortable enough to wear like they're my regular jeans, which was my hope.

- Boots TCX X-Ride WP Boots <- Fantastic! 10/10. Comfortable enough to walk around in almost like they're my regular footwear, which was my hope.

- Gloves Alpinestars. Mine have been discontinued, but they have those plastic knuckle protectors, pretty much these.

- Jacket Joe Rocket Atomic 4.0 I love the fit, quality and attention to detail on this jacket ... like the little pocket for each zipper to keep it from flapping around in the wind. Plenty of zippered vents, front and rear.

... and for the noggin:

- Helmet Arai RX-Q DNA helmet <- Fantastic! 10/10. Comfortable enough to wear around every day almost like I'm wearing my regular helmet

I already wore my helmet full-time ... then was on a group ride on a super nice day, and a fellow female rider who had her helmet in her cruiser's saddlebag, instead of on her head ... in a left-hand turn about 45 mph she drifted off into the grass ... group rides staggered so she was already close to the edge ... prob got distracted for a moment who knows ... tried to correct back onto the road by turning left, bike slid in the grass, then when it caught the pavement, highside she went. I was 6 bikes back so didn't see it, but she prob landed on her head. By the time I could stop and try to help the others she was gurgling and she heaved 2 more breaths ... paramedic told me those were 'agonal gasps'. And that was that. And I'll for sure always wear a helmet now.

* Last updated by: extrapolator on 4/15/2015 @ 11:16 AM *

Tried on the Schuberth C3 Pro last week. A local BMW dealer keeps a full stock of colors and sizes, I had my pick...

All you "intermediate oval" guys, rejoice! It will fit you fine. Me, it gave me a forehead hot spot in about 5 minutes...

Same day, I also tried on a Kabuto Ibuki (modular), their latest offering. A different local dealer is now an outlet for them, and I requested one to try on.

Better, no forehead hot spot, but still tight front to back. It would do, if I did not already know a Nolan N104 Evo fits me perfectly (and I have now eliminated all the competition brands).

That track day story a few posts back, tho, that really got my attention. I think what I read is, the track accident caused the modular to become "pried open", and the force of opening along the normal pivot line and subequent non-opening at the limit, caused severe whiplash and broke the spine. Dude, thats chilling...

Can you tell me the brand being attributed to this?

Arai makes a big deal about their helmet shape, and how it is "rounder" by design to enhance sliding ability across pavement. So, I think I'm learning there is something positive about that design.

Hagrid the Horrible?

I couldn't get in close enough to identify the brand. The ambulance and first responders were on scene right away.

Last night just before bed I decided to go for a spin "around the block" ... almost wore only helmet and gloves ... and jeans and t-shirt ... heck just around the block, right Instead suited up ... and rode about 40 mi

Once riding I thought how easily it is to barely twist the throttle in any gear and exceed 60 ... and then how it would feel to hit the ground, even grass, at 60

I don't want to know man. I'm pretty sure it would suck though.

I did some asphalt surfing at 50 mph. It wasn't fun, and I was geared up.

The only road rash I had was quarter sized scrape on my knee. I tore up my rotator cuff and bruised my thumb and hip pretty badly.

The shoulder and thumb took months to get better. The hip was just a nasty bruise.

I pushed my bike home after the crash. If I wasn't wearing gear, it would have been much worse.

I reckon body armour is equally as important as a leather or abrasion resistant suit these days. I broke my hip in '04 falling off a bicycle at 15mph so I always wear some hip protection along with the usual shoulder, elbow, knee etc when out on the 14. Didn't prevent a broken collar bone when I dropped the R1 though but there's not really that much you can do to protect that part of the body IMO.

Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 jacket
Rev'it Sand 2 pants
Alpinestar gloves
Schuberth C3 Pro helmet
411 boots........................everytime, short or far
I broke four ribs and a nasty hip hematoma at 25mph a month ago. Messed up all of my safety gear except for the boots. It does it's job the best it can. Without it, it would have been bad.....

* Last updated by: KJ6TQG on 4/10/2015 @ 1:30 PM *

I'm new and I don't mean to steal a thread, but what are your opinions on Joe Rocket gear? They seem to be reasonably priced.

I have no personal experience with their stuff,but it seems like good quality. I'm a huge alpine stars fan.

* Last updated by: Nastynotch on 4/15/2015 @ 8:44 AM *

I'm new and I don't mean to steal a thread, but what are your opinions on Joe Rocket gear? They seem to be reasonably priced.

Joe Rocket makes good stuff. I haven't seen anything junky yet.

I believe you'll find that many folks on this forum opt for "better-to-best" gear.

Rocket is in the "good" class of gear. It's good, but you can get better, if you have the coin.

Raindeer:

Get gear that you can afford, but get the complete kit. That is, dont say "I'll buy this $600 jacket today, but I'll wait on boots 'n gloves until I have more coin".

Instead, buy the jacket, boots 'n gloves with the $600 you got.

...and then wear it every time. Every Time.

I believe the hardest parts to protect are the wrists, hips and knees. Maybe the neck and collarbone, too.

I come to this opinion by way of pain. No better teacher...

Hips and knees can be pretty well protected recently, say last 5 years. Good pants with armor in those places is valuable (make sure it protects your hips).

Neck and collarbones can be protected by neck brace, but I dont know any street rides who ride with them. All my dirt bike buddies wear them, and now I wish I had been that smart. (I'm out for next 8 weeks with my left collarbone in 5 peices from a dirt bike getoff. Surgery was yesterday).

Wrists are perhaps the hardest / weakest link. We do that superman move during getoff, its hard to not do that.

Hey Mebgardner,

Sorry to hear about your collarbone. I guess all you can do at the mo is rest up.
I've heard of these neck braces but not actually seen one or even considered one for road use. I also ride on the dirt, not competition just for pleasure and never considered one for that either. Maybe it's time for a re-think.

All the best with the recovery.

Sorry meb to hear that news, I wish you a speedy recovery.