Hiromi_X
My new helmet!
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While finalizing the sale of my car and the purchase of a new motorcycle, I took a motorcycle safety course and bought my gear. This helmet is a Shoei RF1000 in silver. From years of experience observing my fellow drivers, I know that bloody few drive intelligently or defensively. 'Cause I don't wanna get squashed, I'm trying to do as many passive as well as active safety shits. I've read that visibility plays a major issue in car/motorcycle accidents. Of course, drivers don't want to hurt us, but they're just not looking for motorcyclists, so it's important to be seen. Solid white (or bright yellow) is super-visible, but they didn't have that color in stock, and I'm gonna be riding soon, so I went for the silver, which is still more visible than black or a patterned helmet.
My major issue with helmets is glasses. I have contacts, but there will be days when I can't wear contacts, and on those days, I have few alternatives to riding since I'm selling the car. So I need a helmet that will allow me to wear glasses while riding. The earpieces of my glasses wouldn't fit in cheaper helmets -- I'm assuming it's because the visor opening is much narrower in those models. My other major issue was price. But when I thought about it, being cheap in terms of safety for the head seemed stupid. I have only one brain and I like my face, so the big $$$ for this helmet is totally worth it.
Those are leather gloves with extra padding in the knuckle and palm, and I also got a textile jacket with body armor at the shoulder, elbow, and spine areas. Apparently leather affords the best abrasion protection, but is way out of my price range. The jacket I got is made of cordura (very thick nylon), which is still good protection, and is breathable, a huge plus in Texas. I'm going to forego buying riding pants. It seems a bit overkill to me. There is a pair of women's motorcycle boots that I hopelessly covet, but buying the helmet put me over budget. So no boots for now. :(
Can't wait for my first ride on my new bike.
Comments
SWEEEEEEEEEET!!! What bike are you getting? Being able to wear my glasses in the helmet was the HUGE selling point for me with the Fulmer I just picked up. And GOOD JOB! on the safety course. They offer one here at Pellissippi State that automatically gives you the endorsement, which I am eventually planning on taking (and getting a bike when my car dies)... :)
Again... SWEET!
1. Posted by Darkneuro on June 28, 2007
WICKED! Put's a giant smile on my face.
2. Posted by ben on June 28, 2007
hmmm... you might want to save up to buy the riding pants. if you fall off your bike for whatever reason, you will DEFINITELY fuck up your legs while sliding along the road at 40 mph with your bike on top of you. that will pretty much burn/scrape off all your skin and most of the flesh down to the bone. i'm just sayin'.
3. Posted by janet on June 28, 2007
I was 40 when I got my first bike. It was something I thought I'd never do. I was an EMT many years ago and I know first hand what "can" happen. But one day I did ride. I'm glad I did. I'm glad you took the course, be as careful as you can as well.
There is an aspect to riding that I never anticipated. No matter how aware I thought I was before I started, it pales in comparison to what I see, sense and feel when since.
enjoy!
4. Posted by Brian on June 28, 2007
Way to go girl!
Please, just don't ride like they do in California. Here, it's legal to ride between lanes and sometimes the nitwits do it at about 80 mph even though they aren't supposed to be going more than 45. I've almost hit many of them because you can't see them coming.
Much as 'd hate to lose Hiromi in panties and bra, maybe you should show off your new helmet and riding duds in the header.
5. Posted by Omnipotent Poobah on June 28, 2007
Oh, one more thing...I saw the best license plate for a motorcycle here in Georgia. Maybe it's available in Texas...it simply said: STOP
6. Posted by ben on June 28, 2007
Nice looking helmet Hiromi. How long did the course take, I am thinking I should take one.
7. Posted by Captured Shadow on June 28, 2007
*swooning quietly in the corner*
8. Posted by Tina Marie on June 28, 2007
No. Fucking. Way.
*swooning noisily in the middle of the room*
I have the exact same helmet. In silver. Because it was the most visible color available that wasn't white.
Great minds, all dat shit.
(The only thing I don't like about it is that the visor only has a thumb tab on one side, which is kinda dumb because you're always going to be using it one-handed, but which hand you have available will depend on whether you're moving or stopped, so you need tabs on both sides. Oh well. S'pose I could buy a different visor one of these days.)
9. Posted by Ray on June 28, 2007
Janet: DEFINITELY fuck up your legs while sliding along the road at 40 mph with your bike on top of you. that will pretty much burn/scrape off all your skin and most of the flesh down to the bone
Laying it on a bit heavy, eh? There's nothing *definite*, I know a person who has low-sided twice in their life at more than that speed and didn't do much besides fuck up their blue jeans. When I low-sided at about 25 I didn't have the bike on top of me, it went ahead of me. Flesh down to the bone? I don't mean to trivialize road-rash, but let's knock off the Signal 30 theatrics.
Safety gear is a trade-off between cost, comfort, and safety. If you want to be absolutely safe, you wouldn't be riding a motorcycle in the first place. You wouldn't even be on the roads. You'd be home under your bed hiding from monsters.
You can gear up to the max with full leathers on the off-chance that you end up falling, and then after 15 minutes in stop-and-go traffic in the Texas heat, you'll be dizzy and dehydrated and more at risk of doing something stupid out of exhaustion and frustration. So you trade off a little accident protection to buy a little comfort with the expectation that you're helping keep your mind focused on the road.
Tour de France riders reach speeds over 40 mph on downhill segments in arguably more hazardous conditions than Austin traffic, and they do it wearing a half-helmet and some dayglo spandex pajamas. You don't hear much about "flayed to the bone" in the Alps. They trade-off safety for comfort and performance. Same thing.
10. Posted by Ray on June 28, 2007
actually ray, i meant if you fell off the bike, as in someone cuts you off and you lose control or something, then you can get seriously hurt. it happens more often than you think. i don't think describing what could happen if you don't get thrown clear from your bike is "theatrical." but if you aren't going to use your bike on the highway where you'll be traveling at high speeds, then i guess you'll be ok without it.
11. Posted by janet on June 29, 2007
PS ray, try actually reading my comment before flying off the handle at me ok? is it such a crime to be concerned for another person's wellbeing? especially if this is hiromi's only mode of transportation, she could very well be traveling on the highway.
12. Posted by Janet on June 29, 2007
When I fly off the handle, sweetie, you'll know.
I read what you said. What you said was she will DEFINITELY fuck up her legs if she falls off her bike "for whatever reason", which is obvious bullshit. Obvious bullshit + the inflammatory gore factor is not what a new nervous rider needs to hear right now about her new ride.
13. Posted by Ray on June 29, 2007
Congratulations, and wise choice on the helmet. When it comes to protective gear, buying the best you can afford (as opposed to the legally mandated minimum) makes a great deal of sense. Enjoy your rides!
14. Posted by Mike M on June 29, 2007
A friend once told me "Spend as much on your helmet as you think your head is worth." When you put it like that, the expense seems entirely reasonable. :)
15. Posted by Calico on June 29, 2007
NIce choice on the helmet.
Think about boots though. Trust me, i know; my one accident, a heavy pair of redwings is the only thing that stopped me losing a foot. After helmet, boots are the most important piece of safety gear, IMO.
Cordura's a fine choice for the jacket. I really don't think leather is any better, particularly in hot weather.
They don't need to be fancy-shmancy motorcycle boots. I wear combat boots, and used to wear work boots. You just want something sturdy with good, non-slip soles.
16. Posted by elvis on June 29, 2007
I agree about the boots. If I had a budget and had to choose between boots and pants, I'd choose boots.
Any full face helmet that's DOT and Snell approved is going to give you about the same level of protection. Over a certain price you're just paying for features. The Shoei is an awesome choice.
17. Posted by Ray on June 29, 2007
I agree about the boots. If I had a budget and had to choose between boots and pants, I'd choose boots.
Because hiromi in boots and no pants...
Sorry, wait, that was the old blog.
18. Posted by elvis on June 29, 2007
Thanks everyone, for your positive feedback (and swoons even)! It is much appreciated.
Darkneuro, I getting thees in silver, which matches my helmet now that I think about it! The Ninja 250 first came to my attention because of its price. I was shopping for scooters at the time when I discovered that bike. I considered the Rebel, which is shorter than the Ninja, but it felt awful when I sat on it -- the engine is squarish and dug into my thighs -- and in any case, I find myself gravitating toward sportbikes.
I really, really wanted the blue Ninja, but the dealer I went to didn't have blue, and they were the only dealer I didn't hate. If I insisted on the blue, I would've had to wait like a month or something.
Anyways, the silver will go better with my red motorcycle jacket.
:D
Omni, in any case, splitting lanes is illegal in Texas, so I won't do it. But I think it's a good idea and should be allowed within safe limits.
Captured Shadow, the one I took was something like 8 hours classroom, 10 hours on the range. Just google Motorcycle Safety Foundation and you'll find classes in your area.
Ray, that's gotta be karmic in some way. I was going to buy a modular helmet but didn't really like the idea. I'm glad I questioned my previous judgment. I went into the store ready to buy that other helmet. I love this one; I wear it around the house, heh heh heh, to get used to having it on my head. It's comfy, despite the weird feeling of having your cheeks gripped and the unusualness of having weight on my head. And as Calico and Mike pointed out, my head is worth every penny.
Re: the sliding/being "thrown clear" controversy -- Janet, I totally appreciate your concern, but I'm making an educated risk assessment and choosing to forgo the pants. In addition to cost, it would be *immensely* uncomfortable in Texas, as Ray pointed out. If I'm uncomfortable and in a big hurry to get off my bike, that'll compromise my safety more than the risk of going without the pants.
Karl said:
They don't need to be fancy-shmancy motorcycle boots.
No, I reeeeally want the fancyshmancy ones. These, to be exact:
http://www.specterroad.com/en_produits.htm
#8506, the women's boot. I want pull-on boots. I don't wanna fuck with laces.
19. Posted by Hiromi on June 29, 2007
I just wanna clarify that I have boots already -- I have three pairs of sturdy Timberlands-type boots that I'm gonna wear.
20. Posted by Hiromi on June 29, 2007
I kinda like these for you, Hiromi!
21. Posted by elvis on June 29, 2007
Awesome! All it needs is a Hello Kitty stencil.
22. Posted by Ray on June 29, 2007
Bleah, Girl Boots!
Anyways, it'll clash with my jacket. ;p
23. Posted by Hiromi on June 29, 2007
Very cute.
And safeish. Protect your eyes, protect your hands, they're probably the most valuable parts. Note "valuable", not talking about anything else in "the old blog"...
And there's only one thing more this side of hypeness - where's the attached iPhone??
24. Posted by PJS on June 30, 2007
Oh boy! I married into a family of gearheads, so I've heard all about this stuff. I look forward to seeing if there are any new cartoons that come from this.
25. Posted by rufus on June 30, 2007
i will be riding vicariously along with you! way to go, hiromi! that helmet looks super. and all the precautions you're taking assures me you'll be coasting the roads in all your awesomeness. :)
seriously, i'm ecstatic for you.
26. Posted by {illyria} on July 1, 2007