Idea for thin, lightweight hip armor

I prefer having knee AND hip armor in my riding pants, always. Most hip protectors are rather thick and uncomfortable. But Dainese created 2 products that I think work really well as hip protectors.  One of which is clearly designed by Dainese as a Hip Protector (pictured above). They're smaller, about 3in wide by 5in tall and designed to fit specifically into their riding jean models that offer hip protector pockets.

But the other armor they make with the same lightweight, strong material are Dainese Pro Shape Knee Protectors for their riding jeans:

Both of these protectors are CE Certified and are Level 1. I put the knee protectors in my Gear 2's hip armor pockets! They're comfortable, light and I don't even know they're there.  Each pair costs less than $40, definitely a worthy investment.

This is why we gear up. Because you just never know.

http://bmwsuperbikes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=19503

Definitely worth reading, take a few minutes and see what can happen.. all because of a sofa! A freaking sofa! 

Stay Safe My Friends. 

Passenger on a motorcycle dies from wearing a novelty helmet.

The Press Enterprise - May 7, 2012. "(CHP Says) Woman’s helmet a factor in motorcycle death."

http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/hemet/hemet-headlines-index/20120507-san-jacinto-woman-killed-in-hwy-79-crash.ece

"I'm just a passenger."

If I hear this statement one more time, I'm going to cry. However, every passenger I've ever spoken to says this exact same thing.

No, you aren't just anything. You are a rider too. It doesn't matter if you're on the backseat. You are up against all the same obstacles as the driver (cars, other riders, deer, etc). Why should your level of safety be any less important?

The next time you hear someone say this, or if you are the one who says it, please think of Suzanne in the story above and GEAR UP. You need a full face helmet, gloves, a jacket, pants and boots too. And no, you don't have to spend a couple thousand dollars on full race leathers. But you do need protective gear that will save your head from serious injury. A jacket, full face helmet, gloves, boots and pants. 

If you were the driver, wouldn't you feel responsible for your passenger's injuries or worse, their death, if you were in an accident?

A passenger's choice to not wear gear is his/her own, yes. But you are the driver and you choose who gets on and who gets off. And that trumps any passenger's choice.  

Schoeller Keprotec

Sometimes there's more than meets the eye when it comes to buying protective gear. The first thing that comes to mind for many people is Kevlar. But, that's just one of the many materials out there that provides protection in the event of an accident. Here's another one that's fairly common, especially in gloves.

 

The picture above shows a glove lined with Schoeller Keprotec. What is this mysterious fabric?  Simply put, this fabric provides extra abrasion and tear resistance in gear. Read all about these properties here.

If you find yourself contemplating why you should spend more than $40 for the plain leather gloves, or the $100 pair lined with Schoeller, hopefully that will convince you to spend a little more. :)