Gear to Protect the Rider

Watching the videos showing motorcycle crashes upped my due diligence regarding gear to protect the rider.

A helmet is an obvious requirement. But, what kind is the best.

The full faced helmet is certainly the best. This is what I wore when racing open wheeled formula race cars and I can personally testify to the importance of a full face shield having survived being hit by large chunk of metal from the race car ahead that struck me in the face at 80+ mph. A full faced helmet is even more critical when riding a bike without a large windshield. 

So the first decision is to choose either a traditional full face helmet, or a modular type with a hinged face and chin shield. 

More than 50% of head injuries related to motorcycle accidents are due to a frontal strike to the lower face. A modular type helmet may fail in such an accident.  So one must weigh this risk against the benefits of better comfort and communication allowed by a modular helmet. (One other deficiency of the modular helmets are that they allow more wind noise.)

Another choice is the material of the shell---thermoplastic ABS or more expensive fiberglass.

I am trying an inexpensive GMAX modular helmet but will probably end up with a Bell SRT traditional helmet. The GMAX MD04 is an adequate helmet, but does not have the extra tinted flip down sunglass feature that some modular helmets have. I do worry that in a collision that the hinge on a modular helmet could fail. The traditional full face helmet like the SRT can take a hit on the chin with more protection. Both helmets have excellent peripheral vision.

New technology like MIPS (Multi Directional Impact Protection System) or carbon fiber provide some additional protection, but a well made, properly fitted fiberglass Snell rated helmet like the SRT is a good solution. I would consider one in a bright color like the "Proverb" model below. (Although the Bell "advertising" is a bit of a deterrent.) 

Another choice would be an "Adventure" helmet like the Bell MX-9 shown above. This helmet has MIPS technology and is made from polycarbonate. It is not Snell rated but is EC 22.05 which is considered to be the EU equivalent or higher spec. I ultimately ordered this one because it provided the best visibility and strongest face shield. I also liked the peak visor for sun shade and the ability to wear goggles under the face shield. Finally, it came in a color and design that I felt was the most visible. The peak visor can create some drag at speeds above 65 mph, but I hardly ever ride at those speeds.

There are trade offs with helmet material. ABS is "adequate" and inexpensive but not superior. Polycarbonate is strong and resilient, stronger than ABS, but not as strong as fiberglass. Fiberglass is strong, but relatively rigid. So, if you hit your head on pavement, the MX-9 polycarbonate would be better as it would allow more deformation of the helmet and less shock force applied to the brain--especially with the MIPS. On the other hand, the fiberglass SRT would be better if your head struck a "sharp" object like a curb directly as the fiberglass would spread the impact to the head over a larger area. My take is that any direct hit where the added strength of the fiberglass would matter would probably be such a severe force applied to the brain or neck, that brain or spinal damage would result. (There are YouTube videos showing fiberglass helmets "surviving" a cement block drop, where a polycarbonate helmet is "deformed", but the head and brain inside the helmet, or the neck connected to the head would probably be severely and permanently damaged as the real protection of the helmet is mostly from the styrofoam liner.)

Race car drivers are likely to strike their head on a roll bar--fiberglass helmet better. (I have experienced this being knocked unconscious in a NASCAR crash where my head hit the roll bar.) On a bike, I think the most common impact would be on pavement---mild low side or serious high side crash impact---polycarbonate with MIPS better. 

The next decision is regarding armor and abrasion protection. The traditional "leather" suit is considered the gold standard for abrasion protection, but leather is hot and expensive. Upon some research, I concluded Cordura textile was adequate as long as armor was added. The Cordura would likely be destroyed in a 5 second slide (unlike leather that might survive for another day) but the armor would likely minimize damage to the rider. 

Motorcycle apparel armor is rated by European CE Standards as Level 1 or Level 2. Level 1 is rated to allow transmission of a max of 24 kN; Level 2 a max of 12 kN.

Upon some research I discovered the HWK line of outerwear, sold on Amazon. Adventure Jacket: Cordura 600D outer fabric, Level 1 armor in elbows, shoulders and back. Mine is white and black. Works great in cold weather with the addition of a neck scarf. 

Adventure Touring Pants to match with armor in hips/thighs and knees. I ordered the pants in one size larger. They fit over jeans, but also have an adjustable waist allowing them to fit without wearing jeans underneath. 

The HWK pants and jacket are rated "4 season" but I thought they might be too hot in the hottest summer weather. Plus, I thought additional armor under the jacket and pants might be prudent if riding at higher speeds.

The best "armored underwear" I found to be worn over a shirt and/or under a jacket was the BOHN product. Level 2 armor in elbows, shoulders and back. (Watching riders falling off in races, I noticed that most were sliding on their backs, so armor on the back is important.) 

Bohn undergarments for pants are also excellent, but I chose the ICON equivalent instead as the D30 Level 2 armor was supplemented with additional kevlar abrasion protection. These "Armored Compression Pants" are made to wear under jeans.

Finally, the boots. Good to go with leather above the ankle with heavy soles. I preferred to go without laces. So I chose a pull on "Wellington" style boot.

Finally, in colder weather, the "wind chill" temperature becomes a factor. The rider's body is generally well protected by good outerwear, but the hands and the head/neck are particularly vulnerable. Speed affects the equivalent temp.

Hands are protected by gloves, but auxiliary heat from heated grips or heated gloves is useful. My bike has heated grips. In addition, the Barkbusters hand guards shield the wind. (Without the heated grips, even with the Barkbusters hand guards, and heavy duty insulated gloves, I noticed that at 40 deg F, equivalent to 26 deg F at speed, my hands were cold.) 

The G310R is a "naked" adventure bike, but my bike has a Puig Sport Windshield. It shields a bit of the chest from wind, but not much for the head.

I added a Puig 6007 Windscreen Extension to provide additional shielding for the head area. The concept of this is not "traditional" in that there is no direct shield in front of the head provided by a "high" shield. Essentially, an "air curtain" is provided by the extension that provides a channel for air to flow directly upward, redirecting the air above the lower shield that would otherwise flow directly toward the rider.

I set up a very crude air flow measurement test using a leaf blower to direct air toward the windshield below the extension. It showed that the "equivalent" air flow is now redirected from 20 inches above the driver's seat (just below neck) to about 32 inches which should be just above the driver's head is leaning slightly forward.

The "real world" result seems to be that the extension substantially reduces the velocity, noise and turbulence at the helmet...but does not eliminate it.  Additionally, the windshield and extension are very narrow, so there is a lot of air flowing by the sides of the helmet, and magnified by air that is directed up along the sides of the fuel tank.

The extension worked well---made riding more pleasant--especially as it reduced the cold air flow directed to my neck and chin area.

Here is a pic of the Puig Sport Windshield and the Extension mounted on the bike.