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dr350-digest          Wednesday, June 9 1999          Volume 01 : Number 074




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Date: Tue, 8 Jun 1999 23:39:03 -0400
From: "David M2 Thompson" <[e-mail]>
Subject: (dr350) Re: Dual Sport Riding Gear

After the helmet, goggles, boots & gloves, The next items to consider are:
Earplugs - Mostly to reduce wind noise, not to the noise from loud exhausts,
which is something that really annoys the landowners & other outdoor
recreation people, so in the interests of preserving the dwindling riding
areas available, I run a stock exhaust system.

Knee pads - Fall once in a rock garden (50% of my riding) without them and
you will be a believer

Elbow pads -    See above

Chest protector - a distant fourth for dual sporting, which is not racing.
I just hang back to avoid the rock roost and in turn, try to run in as high
a gear as practical to minimize roosting the guy behind me.

I wear Gaerne Dual Sport riding boots.  You can actually walk in them!  They
have a little less protection but a lot more comfort than a motocross boot +
a lug sole that's a life saver when you're bulldogging the bike on a muddy
hillside.

I wear MSR pants &riding jacket, add layers when its cold, toss 'em in the
washing machine when they're dirty and spray them with Thompson's wood deck
sealer to waterproof them when required.

Helmets & goggles are matter of finding a good fit to your head & the helmet
eye port/goggle interaction.

David M2 Thompson
AMA# 504560  STOC# 840
Current STable
90 Suzuki DR350S
91 Honda ST1100
94 Honda VFR





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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 8 Jun 1999 21:38:30 -0600
From: "Tom Warr" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (dr350) Riding gear..

I spent some money on riding gear several years ago - good investment:  It
is still going strong, despite 20,000+ miles of riding.  It extends my
riding season to nearly year round - that alone makes it a good investment.
It is waterproof - no need to stop if it starts raining.

The trick is to find something appropriate for your riding style, and local
climate (stiff vs. loose, light weight vs. tough and wind resistant, warm
vs. cool and vented).  It is difficult because they are hard to find on the
shelf - you can't beat seeing it and trying it on, as opposed to mail
ordering.

Agree with the comments about earplugs - once I started using them, I liked
them so much that I never ride without them.

TW




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------------------------------

Date: Tue, 08 Jun 1999 23:08:58 -0700
From: Brian Bucknam <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (dr350) Riding gear...

PATRICK ANDERSON opens the can:
>Ok,
>here is a new can of worms.  What do you all recommend for riding gear?
>Not for racing or anything,  just dual sport riding, trails, etc.  Maybe
>some protective gear besides boots and a helmet.(Items I already have!)

I have not really seen many things on the market oriented specifically for
us dual-sport types, with the exception of the Combat Touring Boots and
Darien jackets and pants from the Aerostich guys (mentioned by Gino).

Personally I wear my Aerostich Roadcrafter (jacket and pants) because:
  - I already own it
  - it is waterproof
  - it has knee, shoulder and elbow pads and hard shells & a (somewhat lame)
back protector
  - it has fairly good ventilation

I bought the Roadcrafter for commuting and street touring, but it works fine
as a dual-sport outfit.  The down side:  cost is about $800.  Plus if it
gets really dirty I have to wash it before wearing it to work on Monday.


I have so far always worn my full-face street helmet.  I got a dirt helmet
and goggles for Christmas this year, but so far it has been too chilly for
me to want to ride at highway speeds.  Hope to try the dirt helmet soon.


I do also have a chest protector (no shoulder parts) and some Answer "garish
logo" pants and jersey.  I occasionally truck my bike out to some
single-track woods stuff and that is the outfit I use there.  These are not
cheap, but they're not as expensive as Aerostich stuff.  However, they don't
have any knee or elbow armor and that worries me.


For boots I wear my "army style" 10 inch boots with plastic toe.  Hey, I
spent $800 on a jacket and pants -- I don't have another $250 for Combat
Touring Boots!


Mike T then says:
> Now, I'm going to open another can of worms. I was going to say that I =
> don't really care what I look like because, for the most part, I ride ALO=
> NE anyway.

I'm in pretty much the same boat.  A street riding buddy of mine wants to
get a dual-sport, but can't afford it...  Another guy with a
non-street-legal XR400 that I rode with a few times last year just sold his
XR to buy a house... I want someone to ride with, but I don't let that stop
me.

I guess my philosophy with motorcycling in general is that I try really hard
not to make THE BIG MISTAKE or, more likely, the SERIES OF SMALL MISTAKES
WHICH LAND YOU IN REALLY BIG TROUBLE.  Every so often, I'll be out in the
forest and have not seen anyone else for the last 2 hours and 20 miles and
this little voice in my head will say "You can probably get across that
stream, but if you mess up, you could be screwed quite seriously" and I
usually turn around/go another way.  However, I realize pretty clearly that
there are always circumstances beyond my control that can land me in REALLY
BIG TROUBLE anyway.  For those I carry a first aid kit, basic camping-type
survival stuff (whistle, space blanket, small mirror, matches) and my wits.

If the sharp broken branch that I could not have possibly seen to avoid
pokes a hole in my throat (or whatever) and I'm bleeding to death on the
forest floor, I'll just be hoping that I was a good son/husband, a good
friend, and that I have few regrets.  Why do you go motorcycling, anyway?

Brian
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Brian Bucknam         [e-mail]


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------------------------------

Date: Wed, 09 Jun 1999 05:42:59 PDT
From: Bryan Nolastname <[e-mail]>
Subject: RE: (dr350) Riding gear..

I ride alone too, Mike.  I dont really have much choice in the matter, cause
none of my biking buddies live in the Dallas area.  But even if they did,
riding alone is much better for me.  I like being able to pick my pace,
stopping points, route, etc...  I have come to love the solitude I find when
I'm off on my bike alone, especially when I'm taking road trips.  It is one
of the best stress-relievers I know.

When I was on sportbikes, I rode w/ some guys now & then.  I adopted an
almost paranoid fear of group riding from having fools acting stupid on
their bikes, not keeping a safe distance, etc...  Eventually I just quit it
all together.  It seems most of the guys I have known around here are REALLY
into the social aspect of riding (sportbikers, anyway).  I mean, many of
these guys simply would not ride it their buddies aren't going to ride with
them.

I would like to do an extended cross-country/dual-sport ride that involved
trails in nice scenerey & camping out.  That DS ride in Moab sure sounded
cool.

Bryan in Dallas
95 DR350SE


>Now, I'm going to open another can of worms. I was going to say that I
>don't really care what I look like because, for the most part, I ride ALONE
>anyway. Not that I prefer to, but none of my friends with bikes (mostly
>quads, actually) seem inclined to go thru the trouble to load up the
>trailer to go riding (which really means "take all the junk from under the
>trailer, in front of the trailer, etc.") Apparently, they'd rather find
>something else to do. On the other hand, riding the DR couldn't be easier:
>open the garage door, ride away. Anyway, how many of you guys ride alone?
>What precautions do you take? How do you feel about it philosophically
>speaking?
>
>Mike T
>'96 DR350SE


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------------------------------

Date: Wed, 9 Jun 1999 08:00:23 -0600
From: "Vik Banerjee" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (dr350) Riding gear..

- -----Original Message-----
From: Bryan Nolastname <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail] <[e-mail]>
Date: Wednesday, June 09, 1999 6:43 AM
Subject: RE: (dr350) Riding gear..


>When I was on sportbikes, I rode w/ some guys now & then.  I adopted an
>almost paranoid fear of group riding from having fools acting stupid on
>their bikes, not keeping a safe distance, etc...  Eventually I just quit it
>all together.  It seems most of the guys I have known around here are
REALLY
>into the social aspect of riding (sportbikers, anyway).  I mean, many of
>these guys simply would not ride it their buddies aren't going to ride with
>them.


Its just my opinion, but riding alone is a bad plan unless you are ridding
at 50% or less than your capabilities.  You just can't predict what might go
wrong and without a buddy its really easy to get far from help on a DP bike.
Several people related to me serious accidents they had while off the tarmac
on backroads and trails - many of these accidents were unavoidable (ie.  I
was just riding along when blam I went down without notice or related to an
unexpected mechanical failure)  All it takes is a broken leg and no help to
really ruin your day.

However, like all things its a question of how much risk you are comfortable
with.  Think about what you'd do when you have an accident offroad and be
realistic about the fact that it can happen to you even just "putting"
along.   If you are okay with the idea go ride solo.  On the otherhand if
your basis for ridding alone is that you won't have an accident as you are a
good rider going easy - keep in mind the best guys make mistakes or have
accidents sooner or later - its just a question of when.

If you do ride alone I'd recommend leaving a route info sheet with someone
who will miss you after a few hours when you don't return, don't deviate
from the route you gave them, wear all the protective gear you can get,
carry a comprehensive FA kit and know how to use it - finally ride well
below
w your capabilities.

One of the guys at the Moab Rally had a picture of his wife and his dog
velcro'd to the outside of his Darien sleeve as a reminder what his
prioritize were when the desire to roost struck him - smart guy.

Cheers,

Vik

>I would like to do an extended cross-country/dual-sport ride that involved
>trails in nice scenery & camping out.  That DS ride in Moab sure sounded
>cool.
>
>Bryan in Dallas
>95 DR350SE
>
>
>>Now, I'm going to open another can of worms. I was going to say that I
>>don't really care what I look like because, for the most part, I ride
ALONE
>>anyway. Not that I prefer to, but none of my friends with bikes (mostly
>>quads, actually) seem inclined to go thru the trouble to load up the
>>trailer to go riding (which really means "take all the junk from under the
>>trailer, in front of the trailer, etc.") Apparently, they'd rather find
>>something else to do. On the other hand, riding the DR couldn't be easier:
>>open the garage door, ride away. Anyway, how many of you guys ride alone?
>>What precautions do you take? How do you feel about it philosophically
>>speaking?
>>
>>Mike T
>>'96 DR350SE
>
>
>_______________________________________________________________
>Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com
>
>Visit dr350 archives at http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=dr350
>Subscribe to Dual Sport News...write to [e-mail] for info.





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------------------------------

Date: Wed, 9 Jun 1999 08:13:37 -0700
From: <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (dr350) Riding gear..

Here's what I wear from the top down:

Bell Moto 6 (white). Odd, but my previous Moto 4 had better cold & warm weather
adaptability; though heavier, it held up better to surface dings and damage. A
baklava is donned for cold weather. Scott plain black goggles (no lettering),
light gray lens.

Plain white heavy-duty cotton tee, from an outlet store (basic colors avail.),
over a USA Racing (where did they go?) schoulder/chest protector, MS Racing
cotton vented jersey (no longer avail.) underneath. Kevco-Stubbs kidney belt.
MSR Enduro Pro deerskin gloves (awfully comfortable; everyone ought to at least
try them on once.) An MSR Gold Metal jacket is over all in winter.

MSR Lite-Ning Pro (royal=minimum graphics) pants, Thor or AXO knee/shin & elbow
protectors, lightweight cycle shorts. Old style McDavid knee brace (one outboard
hinge; no bow-legged riding here). In summer: MS dual sport pants (no longer
available; will replace with MSR Gold Metal) or evolution MS Racing nylon/(real)
leathers.

Hi Point royal boots (avail. in black only these days.)

Everything is plain with a minimum of markings, slashings, splaterings & fem.
colors, and complements the DR well, being either royal or white. I (will
always) dislike the odd, wild, baggy, attention-getting-is-the-goal weird stuff
that the companies produce and ga-ga buying public swallows so readily.

John

P.S.: Moose recently came out with what they call Qualifier pants.




PATRICK ANDERSON <[e-mail]> on 06/08/99 02:09:06 PM

Please respond to PATRICK ANDERSON <[e-mail]>

To:   List <[e-mail]>
cc:    (bcc: John D Gill/USA/Conexant)
Subject:  (dr350) Riding gear..




Ok,
here is a new can of worms.  What do you all recommend for riding gear?
Not for racing or anything,  just dual sport riding, trails, etc.  Maybe
some protective gear besides boots and a helmet.(Items I already have!)
Actually,  that might even be good advice for somebody out there.  I
wear a Bell moto5 and Alpinestars Tech3's.  I love that helmet,  even if
it is a bit heavy.  The boots are great too,  I really dont have much of
a point of reference,  but they havent taken long to get reasonably
comfy.
If there is some sort of "dual sport," specific pants or jerseys or
anything that you know of,  go ahead and post please,
Thanks a bunch
PJ
94se

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------------------------------

Date: Wed, 09 Jun 1999 11:32:22 -0400
From: Brian Wagner <[e-mail]>
Subject: (dr350) Airbox

New to the list and just started looking at some modification sites.
Where can one get the Cycle Gear airbox everyone raves about?  I've
tried three search engines and the only mention is on people's pages
listing their mods.

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------------------------------

Date: Wed, 09 Jun 1999 11:42:49 -0400
From: Brian Wagner <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: (dr350) Riding gear..

[e-mail] wrote:
>
> Everything is plain with a minimum of markings, slashings, splaterings & fem.
> colors, and complements the DR well, being either royal or white. I (will
> always) dislike the odd, wild, baggy, attention-getting-is-the-goal weird stuff
> that the companies produce and ga-ga buying public swallows so readily.
>
Amen that! Why won't anyone make off-road gear for adults who DON'T want
to look like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers?  What I'd like to see are
some riding pants that can be pulled out and over a pair of motocross
boots.  My friends and I like to stop someplace to eat after riding, but
can't find dual-sport suitable gear that doesn't send most restaurant
hostesses to the phone to dial 911.

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------------------------------

End of dr350-digest V1 #74
**************************