Another important thing to keep in mind when planning your expenses is reserving enough money for good off road clothing. Unfortunately, there's no way to completely avoid the risk of injuries, there is no 100% sure method to protect yourself completely from falling off the bike. And you will fall a lot. The only thing you can do is limiting the consequences.
Let's start with boots. Off road boots are probably the most characteristic part of the complete outfit. Massive, heavy, long, very often improved with metal parts much more similar to skiing than motorcycle boots. It's construction is supposed to protect our feet and legs from high tenses experienced while proping the whole bike and from extreme situations like rock hits or even getting squeezed by the whole motorcycle. Additional features are moisture protection and heat protection (from exhaust pipe). While all of this is important, don't forget that comfort is probably just as significant.
This kinds of boots are usually solid and durable, so should serve you a long time. Do not try to save money by buying cheap and low quality ones.
The next important part is the helmet. Off road helmets are completely different from the street ones. The specific visor is used to protect our face from mud and water and the long jaw part keeps our face safe in dangerous situations and makes breathing easier. Prices vary greatly, just make sure that you choose something that conforms to the most recent safety standards.
Goggles are the the part that paired with helmet makes our head protection set complete. Two things to keep in mind: comfort and anti-fog mechanisms.
Torso protection is achieved by using a special kind of armour. Usually the armor consists of only chest, back and shoulder protectors, so you'll have to buy additional protectors for loins and arms (especially elbows). Just add some kind of knee protectors and most of your body should be well covered.
External parts of clothing are a matter of personal preference. If you're mostly riding on a track then just some motocross trousers and jacket should be fine. Otherwise (in natural environment) a jacket with additional pockets and special water and wind proof layers are highly desirable.
Well, I hope you liked the presentation. I tried to highlight that this is a really demanding hobby. It consumes quite much money and time, but the satisfaction is really worth all this trouble.
Only way to not get injured in this case is to not try off road apparently hehe. But hey thats how it is in case of most sports I suppose, besides table tennis parhaps, I dont see how I could get hur...ahh wait...nevermind.
ReplyDeleteOne way or another with all possible dangers I do see why proper protection comes handy. Although it does nearly make one look like a future soldier from space. Ever played Mass Effect?
Comming back to the point though. I think it was a nice and informative presentation. I especially liked the second part which highlighted some of the technical details and choices off road rider has to face.
Even though Im not really in the subject I feel everything was explained in a nice manner.
In other words, well done.
quote "Although it does nearly make one look like a future soldier from space. Ever played Mass Effect?"
ReplyDeleteExactly :) But my first thoughts were that it's almost like a BATMAN suit. Those boots and body armour are almost straight from the new batman movies.
I really liked your presentation even if I haven't got to much to say. And I think it's very helpful for those who want to try this kind of hobby.
I just often dislike sports which require a huge amount of money and special equipment. The only exception being snowboarding. I was once interested in kite-surfing but the amount of effort you have to put, just to start doing it was just to much for me. That's why I stick to other activities.
You guys had associations with the future or fantasy world and I was thinking about knights of Middle Ages ;-) Good helmet and armor were also very expensive, sometimes worth several villages. The nobles going to make war were ready to pay a lot for their safety, but also to show their power, simply saying - to showboat. I wonder if this aspect concerns also off road motorcycling... ;-)
ReplyDeletehow much the whole outfit in the price of a motorcycle?
ReplyDeleteIt is a pity that you did not provide a price range of individual elements.
asia engel said:
The nobles going to make war were ready to pay a lot for their safety, but also to show their power, simply saying - that Showboat. I wonder if this aspect concerns also off road motorcycling ... "
I think that in every sport, subculture associated with it is some element of swank;]
Again curious about costs I'm attaching to Maciej's question. Few of my friends do off road motorcycling so perhaphs maybe I'll try it one day. After your 'topic in a nutshell' presentation I'm willing to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteWhen an adequate season takes place? Or do you ride on motobike whole year even in winter?
I`d like to try offroad motorcycling, but rather wilderness, forest, and such places than for example motocross beeing affraid to break my leg or arm :)
ReplyDeleteJust only for a substitute for mountain bike :)
As someone mentioned, mayby quad will be safer for me, because in general i prefere 4 wheels, especialy cars, fast cars :)
You give the price of this stuff. But I wonder for how long it suffice? I guess this depends on quality of individual elements and exploitation.
ReplyDelete