When's the Last Time You Checked Your Riding Gear?

HayaWakened

HayaWakened

Donating Member
Pic #1
Love this jacket. Bought it off a member years ago.

Wore it riding earlier this week. Took it off for a meal. Put it back on later, couldn't get my hands through. Thought the elbow pad had somehow gotten flipped around ...

IMG_9598.png


Pic #2
What was left of this jacket's elbow pads. Yep, that's both pads ...


IMG_9599.png



CHECK YOUR GEAR
 
HayaWakened said:
Pic #1
Love this jacket. Bought it off a member years ago.

Wore it riding earlier this week. Took it off for a meal. Put it back on later, couldn't get my hands through. Thought the elbow pad had somehow gotten flipped around ...

View attachment 1671662

Pic #2
What was left of this jacket's elbow pads. Yep, that's both pads ...


View attachment 1671663


CHECK YOUR GEAR
Click to expand...

Wow! How old is that jacket? I’ve got a 20 year old fully armored Joe Rocket double layer ballistic mesh jacket that still has pliable pads.
 
I was originally going to get D30 so I went down to a nearby Cyclegear to pull the pads out of an ICON jacket and compare the sizing before I ordered them. These were on the shelf for $5 less and a little thicker! Elbows and shoulders are good to go now!
thumbnail_20240808_130800.jpg
 
I think it's a true statement, that they don't build them like they used to.
My Joe Rocket leathers and Ballistic nylon jacket have been soaking wet more times than I can remember, and in triple digit heat and below freezing temperatures.
The nylon has seen several crashes in dirt and snow.
I have put SaddleSoap on my leathers maybe 3 times.
My Joe Rocket boots hang on too, other than glueing a sole back on, and losing a puck off of the outer front.
The original summer gloves from that suit lasted many years as well, but sweat eventually does them in.
All are over 24 years old, and were made in Vietnam.
 
sixpack577 said:
I think it's a true statement, that they don't build them like they used to.
My Joe Rocket leathers and Ballistic nylon jacket have been soaking wet more times than I can remember, and in triple digit heat and below freezing temperatures.
The nylon has seen several crashes in dirt and snow.
I have put SaddleSoap on my leathers maybe 3 times.
My Joe Rocket boots hang on too, other than glueing a sole back on, and losing a puck off of the outer front.
The original summer gloves from that suit lasted many years as well, but sweat eventually does them in.
All are over 24 years old, and were made in Vietnam.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I guess comparing today’s gear with old one is like comparing today’s appliances with the ones grandma had.
 
@mabupa My RASP 2.0 is about 10years/25k-ish miles old now and all the zippers, velcro and liner are still in good condition...no holes, broken teeth, rips etc. One plastic snap broke on the forearm adjustment, but I just had to glue it together. I wash it once or twice a year without the armor inserts and rub chapstick on the zipper teeth after it dries. It absolutely earned the $100 (+30 for armor replacement) I spent on it.

I have no clue how y'alls leather gear survives...my dad's old jacket broke zippers and flaked apart after 20yrs.
 
BlueBacon said:
@mabupa My RASP 2.0 is about 10years/25k-ish miles old now and all the zippers, velcro and liner are still in good condition...no holes, broken teeth, rips etc. One plastic snap broke on the forearm adjustment, but I just had to glue it together. I wash it once or twice a year without the armor inserts and rub chapstick on the zipper teeth after it dries. It absolutely earned the $100 (+30 for armor replacement) I spent on it.

I have no clue how y'alls leather gear survives...my dad's old jacket broke zippers and flaked apart after 20yrs.
Click to expand...
I’m considering a better quality textile if I can’t get this zipper issue resolved without too many headaches. I no longer bother buying leather living in Florida. My first leather jacket was replaced when after my low speed crash and the white and black leather hayabusa jacket I bought years ago has been taking space in my closet.
 
mabupa said:
... the white and black leather hayabusa jacket I bought years ago has been taking space in my closet.
Click to expand...
You should be careful when storing leather jackets in closets. Leather jackets tend to consume closet space which can lead to an increase in apathy. More apathy, less riding, next thing you know your bike is listed on Craigslist (for god's sake) at a steep discount.

There happens to be a MLJRC (Motorcycle Leather Jacket Recycling Center) very near me. I'll pay for postage, you mail me that dangerous leather jacket, I'll test it in a controlled riding environment and let you know if it's safe to return to you or if it needs to be recycled.

Testing takes about three (3) years, FYI

Maybe I should have PM'ed this

;)
:poke:
 
HayaWakened said:
You should be careful when storing leather jackets in closets. Leather jackets tend to consume closet space which can lead to an increase in apathy. More apathy, less riding, next thing you know your bike is listed on Craigslist (for god's sake) at a steep discount.

There happens to be a MLJRC (Motorcycle Leather Jacket Recycling Center) very near me. I'll pay for postage, you mail me that dangerous leather jacket, I'll test it in a controlled riding environment and let you know if it's safe to return to you or if it needs to be recycled.

Testing takes about three (3) years, FYI

Maybe I should have PM'ed this

;)
:poke:
Click to expand...
lol!!! I’ll let you try it for as many years as you want for a fee. :laugh:!! I was a little “chunkier” when I bought it so I think it’s a size 48
 
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