ABC TV - CATALYST - 8pm Tonight Motorcycle Clothing...

I saw a preview on this story on my lunch break today...could be interesting...

"Motorcycle clothing put to the test - does heat stress from wearing hot protective gear contribute to accidents? And how much protection are you actually getting?"

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/

 

And the test case will be to fall off at 110kph with only shorts, t-shirt, shoes and helmet and then try it with some gear.

 

Summer isn't motorcycle season anyway.

 

Really?

 

How they tested this is, er, "interesting" to say the least...get dressed in all the gear (head to boot), and get in an over-sized oven set at 35 degress + high humidity...and get on an exercise bike!!

 

Yes really, notice how his reactions were a bit slow once he got hot and that was only getting him to 35 degrees, try that crap on a 40+ degree day, you end up cooking your brain. Nothing pleasant at all about that, not to mention sweat and the fun that can be. Spring Autumn and Winter are beautiful times to ride bikes. This Summer was an exception with an unusual number of cool days, I was actually riding through fog about a month ago in the Blue Mountains - was lovely. Summer is probably lovely on a bike if you are in shorts and a t-shirt riding down to the shops to get a coffee.

 

Not sure I'd go as far as "Summer isn't Motorcycle season", however yes - it can get too hot some days for sure.

 

Interesting test. I've ridden in >35 degree days plenty of times and never felt like I got as hot as that guy did.

 

It was interesting, but disappointing as well. I think the main take-away from it, although not actually expressed, was to recognise the signs of heat stress/fatigue and take a break before the condition gets out of hand...and hydrate!

It was disappointing in that the clothing tests didn't go far enough. They said that they had the top ten selling articles of clothing there in front of them, but didn't do any testing in relation to heat fatigue etc. And they only did abrasion testing on small textile/leather samples. They didn't show what happens to ballistic nylon in testing. Straight denim, denim/kevlar, and thin leather were tested in which the thin leather sample was the worst performer. No, I didn't expect the poor bloke to "test ride" all ten sets of riding gear in that oven!

I think a rating system akin to the ANSTAR system is a good idea, and I believe that the same boffins who invented that system also work for Shark helmets (or are at least contracted to Shark helmets). I don't for a minute suggest that they re-invent the wheel in terms of the CE rating system, but have it as an adjunct. Just my thoughts on the programme.

 

I've learnt to adjust my jacket depending on the temp AND if the sun is out, which can mean pulling over to do so. I heat stressed on my first run through the Cotter, so I took a helmet off break as well.

 

In my limited riding experience, I've found that you only stew in your own juice when stopped in traffic. Once moving, the temperature settles down a little, so is somewhat tolerable. I've never been to the point of heat stress though (which is a good thing!!).

@Aeek --> I think that may be key - recognising when you're too hot to continue riding...take a break & breather...no need to be a hero about it. If you reckon it's hot, stop and revive (as they say!).

 

And always take a bottle of water (or two) on a ride.

Dehydration increases the risk of doing dumb things.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/22855911/

"Being dehydrated by just 2% impairs performance in tasks that require attention, psychomotor, and immediate memory skills..."

 

I though they did test the ballistic nylon as the times were- Kevlar 6.5 thin leather 3.25 denim .75 and ballistic nylon at .45 . A quick review on iview would clear this up but I haven't got the time at the moment

 

Yeah I think that's right
Does anyone wear the Kevlar trouser liners/ inners?

 

That all sounds great except when it is 40 degrees, there is no wind and the air coming into your helmet and jacket is hot, that just doesn't cool you down and sitting in the shade just takes you out of the sun. The only time it feels good is when you first get going after you stop and the wind hits the sweat on your face, feels like air conditioning for a moment. The mesh jackets just let hot air in and only work well in Spring and Autumn when they let nice cool air in. Cracking the visor lets hot air in and closing is not much good either.

You can tell when you are getting too hot because you get a screaming headache - that seems to be the start of it. Not much good comes from that because you just want to get home, so you go faster.................

In Winter I just wear a flanno under my mesh jacket and a neck sock and it is comfortable (probably because I can remember what summer was like LOL), hands get cold but even with those cloth inner glove things you can buy. Maybe some nice winter gloves would be good but they are pretty bulky.

Philsey, can you buy trouser liners for nylon pants or do they mean the ones inside say a pair of Draggins?

 

You can buy Kevlar liners...

http://www.dragginjeans.com/draggin-liners/

http://theaussiecoat.com.au/index.php?route=product/product&path=80_125_131&product_id=194

 

Riding across the Nullabor in the heat a few years ago I learned to wear a wet t-shirt under jacket, soaking wet socks, a soaking wet balaclava under helmut and a soaking wet neck warmer. By the time I got to the next petrol station all was dry and I was nice and cool. So it all started again, soaking everything and dry and cool at the next stop.

 

Yeah like the ones in the dragging link
Are these worth getting or you got a pair

 

I don't have them.

I just wear my Kevlar jeans or textile pants and change into work pants.

I've heard that some people wear them under work pants, so they don't need to change when they travel between places of work.