28 October '04

I've become a Gear Geek.....

by Laurie Sherfey

I finally upgraded to a full-size motorcycle this year, after zipping around the Tidewater area for 4 years on a 250 cc scooter (and that's a whole other story, because you get no respect on a scooter. But don't get me started there!).

Since I ride on the local military bases when commuting to work, I have always had and worn basic gear - long pants, a riding jacket, boots, good helmet, and gloves. You get used to that, and then it feels like driving the cage without your seatbelt, after a while. In the few close calls I had in those 4 years, I always knew I at least had some protection on my tender skin, and fortunately, never found out whether it was really enough to do the job.

But now I'm riding a bigger bike. I'm going farther, faster, and into a much wider variety of riding situations. I ride on highways, I ride long distances, and I've experienced my first torrential downpour. I quickly found my ragtag collection of gear was no longer cutting it, it just wasn't adequate for the more demanding riding I'm doing with a bigger, more powerful, more versatile bike.

It's a perfect bike for me - a Suzuki Dual-Sport (A.K.A. the DL-650, or "Wee Strom"). Contrary to the "Wee" nickname, it's a tall bike. Light, and agile, but very tall, and pretty massive looking, with a fuel tank just under 6 gallons. It's not quite like most bikes I see around here - Harley cruisers, imported sport bikes, long-distance dressed-out behemoths. I guess it's closest to the BMW F-series bikes, but at a friendlier price. I don't impress anyone with my 650 cc's, but I do turn a lot of heads, riding it!

Somewhere, somehow - and I don't know when, or how - gear was no longer just a necessary evil. It became part of the fun, for me. I upgraded to a full-face helmet, which turned out to be a lot quieter, and more comfortable, not to mention being a lot safer. I added a mesh jacket for riding on the hot days. I got a pair of cowhide gauntlet gloves for cold-weather riding.

I found a great deal on a pair of quality riding boots on the internet. Those made a huge difference - more protection, better traction at stops. I won't ride without them now, I really love them.

I scored a used two-piece textile riding suit on eBay, and loved the pants, with sturdy hip and knee armor. I became quite good at all the zippers, snaps, belts, and Velcro.

When I get to work in the morning, I'm like one of those dolls you get your toddler, to teach them how to dress themselves! So I quit riding in my trusty old jeans.

When I eventually discovered the jacket wasn't watertight, I got back on eBayand found a Firstgear Kilimanjaro jacket at an unbeatable price (again, gently used). Along with all the cool fasteners, I started to figure out uses for all the cool pockets, I learned to pop the liner in and out with one hand tied behind my back, and my eyes shut.

I understood - and then caught - my brother's enthusiasm for Aerostich products. I couldn't even think about one of their uber-expensive suits - but I did get elk skin gloves and neck triangles for both warmth and cooling down.

I cruised their website, just for fun, regularly, drooling over their waterproof saddlebags. Eventually, a custom pair of Roadcrafter pants in my exact size (and I am hard to fit!) showed up on their website sale rack. I swallowed hard, and ordered them, telling myself that one skin graft - even a very small one - would cost a whole lot more. They came yesterday, and they are a gear geek's dream come true! The zippers, and armor, and the fabric, are all unbelievably high quality. And did I mention the zippers?!?

They fit perfectly, and I have the coolest zip-on adapter that makes them into overalls. Maybe someday I'll get a jacket to match, but for now, I'm one happy gear geek, the pants match all my other gear pretty well. Anyway, function overrules appearance anytime, for me. This equipment will definitely do the job!

My gear now seems to take up more space in the garage than my bike does. But I do use it. Every time I ride. I know it's not the norm around here, I know I look like some kind of space invader. The guys on sport bikes with shorts and no shirts, the guys on Harleys in skid lids, leather jackets, and jeans - they stare, and many laugh.

People stare at me in stores, and it's probably not because they're admiring my boots. But this is how I ride, knowing I'm just a little bit more ready for whatever comes at me. If it rains, or gets cold, I'm still good. I'm ready for the rocks, bugs, or whatever else gets slung my way. And, if the unthinkable happens, I'm more prepared to deal with a hard metal vehicle, or the even harder pavement. Not that I'm planning anything like that - I've taken the MSF course, I practice maneuvering, and braking, and I'm a safe rider. I've never been down, and I'm highly motivated and trained to keep it that way!

Still, it's just a little crazy out there, and I feel a lot safer with my gear, it's a bit of added safety factor. It keeps me warm, and dry, and feeling a little safer when I ride.

I don't look down on other riders who ride without the gear, but I must admit I do feel more prepared to deal with whatever happens.

It's an added bonus to have all those pockets, and all the zippers, and Velcro, and snaps to play with! I'm not the only rider I know who wears gear. But I am the only rider I know that is this much into gear. And yet, I hope I never, ever need it. I want to wear out those Roadcrafter pants in the seat, with thousands upon thousands of safe, accident-free miles in the saddle.

Whatever you're wearing, ride safe out there!

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