Improving hip knee protection

[gland]

When I bought my leathers it scared me how little hip protection there was. When skiing and snowboard I have way more hip/sacral/coccyx protection than I was able to buy for my RST Evotech2 pants. Why is that? At motorbike speeds (plus road furniture) perhaps most people think it's futile?

Would these fit under leathers? http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com/product/new-pr...

And if I'm going that far, would it be just as easy to get the pants version and whip of the current knee protectors? http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.com/product/new-pr...

Please tell me if you think this is a waste of time

[2wheelsjimmy]

My leathers have hip and really good knee protection. Get better leathers?

And those might fit, depends on how much space you have.

[gland]

2wheelsjimmy said:

My leathers have hip and really good knee protection. Get better leathers?

And those might fit, depends on how much space you have.

Yes, better leathers might be the way forward. The RST Blade II jacket and EvoTech2 pants fit me well but I'm very close to buying a set of Alpinestars so I can put a Tech-Air vest under it.

I sound safety-mad but I'm self employed and time sick/recovering is much more expensive than investing in good gear. Last year was my first year on a bike and I'm still on a bike gear learning curve.

Which leathers do you have?

[poo at Paul's]

Wear shorts and ride accordingly. Guaranteed to never fall off

[TiminYorkshire]

I've had hip and knee protection in Hein Gericke and Arlen Ness leathers, so shop about and try them on.

[2wheelsjimmy]

Held yagusa.

[mckeann]

You can buy aftermarket armour from forcefield or sastec that might fit into your leathers if they have space for it. Definitely worthwhile if there's a pocket for it, and physically enough room to fit it

[tjlazer]

I wear dainese including the d-air jacket, it’s impressive stuff. There’s only so much you can do with the hips given the restrictions chunky armour would do to movement, but the knee (and shin) armour with their leathers is a reason to wear them rather than riding jeans. Check the gear is certified CE2 as well the armour.

[V8 FOU]

As a "lucky to be alive" survivor, the bits that get damaged are those that stick out. Wrists, shoulders and ankles. Not a lot you can do about wrists, or shoulders, really. Ankles best protected by good boots. Back protector is essential and a very good helmet. I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for my (previous) Schuberth. Neck broke/concussion, etc but still here!
Really, all you can do is wear the best you can get, but defensive riding is probably better than any riding gear.

Shorts? Some years ago I used to ride with a group and one of them was a copper. He was the one who rode in shorts, t shirt, flip flops and helmet. Didn't fall off as far as I know...... Pillock.

[bogie]

If your leathers do not have real hip protector pockets (just light padding) then you can buy separate pockets and fit armour easy enough.

Failing that you buy better leathers - you do get what you pay for to a certain degree. The old school real race leather shops make stuff you can crash in a few times and keep racing all weekend. Some of the off the shelf cheaper brands seem little more than fashion leather with token armour in comparison. There is a big difference between a £400 suit and a £1000 custom one.....

[gland]

Thanks for all the advice! I ordered a few sets of Alpine Missile jacket and pants to try on and they've arrived already. They look great and immediately fit better than the RST. It's probably due to all the accordion-style panels.

Alpinestars do a Level 2 hip protector so I'll get that instead a third party. See how it goes.

V8 FOU, thanks for commenting. You mentioned defensive riding. I'm learning quick as I can: got the Roadcraft book and did a Bikesafe last year. I'll do another or look into IAM. I think Superbike School has helped too but in a different way.