Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

Tough one what do you currently use? I RIDE THEREFORE I AM!

I use leather hiking boots(old T5 models!!) and normal jeans. The new stock of specific pants that I waited for has arrived at the dealer - Now decision time !! I ride a Dakar, so the "pots" of the boxer engin is not currently a problem. (I have tested the bigger boxers and will eventually "grow" into them. On each test ride though I ended up with "blou kolle op my maer merrie!!), which convinced me proper boots = GS boxer! Regards

Jaco as jy gaan offroad ry - def boots! Ek het lank met 'n jean gery met fox kneepads onderaan. 'n jean het natuurlik nie veel beskerming as jy oor teer gly nie.

Stem saam met Bester, hou in gedagte GS Boots - "awesome protection" moeilik om mee te loop, ongemaklik om heel dag te dra, nie waterdig, lyk soos spacemuis met civvies. Prys R 3040.00 Santiago - "good protection" wanneer ingebreek (sommer gou gou)loop lekker, dra myne aldag heeldag, 100% waterdig, lyk heel skaflik met civvies. Prys R 3040.00 Freak I RIDE THEREFORE I AM!

I think the gist of this question boils down to '' '''on a limited budget''' - what is the highest priority in safety gear, pants or boots?'' Answers so favoured by salesmen using scare tactics like ''well, what is your head worth to you?'' are not useful. All they do is cloud your judgement into spending more than you need to on (for example) a helmet with all the extras (which does not boil down to extra protection, only extra comfort and features). What is useful is a quote from [http://bmwmotorcycleclubcape.co.za/user/leon Leon Krouwcamp] during an intro to offroad riding course: "Buy the best protective gear ''that you can afford'' [my emphasis]. One day, you ''will'' fall. If you don't have protective gear you will get hurt and spend a lot of money on medical bills, and then you '''will''' buy yourself protective gear anyway. So buy it now and save yourself the pain and the money." Now, if I could afford only boots '''or''' pants, but not both, I would go for boots: * Most beginners use their feet to correct overbalances and riding errors, and many have the bad habit of dragging their feet when riding slowly or when pulling away from a stop. Sooner (rather than later) a foot/ankle will get hurt. * Broken feet/toes/ankles are more expensive to fix than roasties on the legs. * Pants will not protect you from a broken leg anyway. During my slow acquisition of protective gear, I bought: # a Maxxis suit and pants. It was cheap and is nasty - no ventilation means you sweat till you can barely sit because your skin pulls on the seat. However, it will protect you in a fall. # some Edgars 'Motorcycle Boots' for R80. Yes, they would offer scant protection, and are a schlep to put on because of the laces and ankle-straps. However, they are better than nothing, better than shoes, and I use them often when I ride to work where I can't stomp around the office in serious off-road boots. Also, there is lower risk on-road at commute speed. # some Cape Union Mart fur-lined boots. Not the best protection, but nice and warm and a good price. Then I went to [http://leatherforever.co.za/ Leather Forever] and got myself: # daytona boots: For more serious riding, and off-road. When off-road, it is easy to hit your foot or shin on sticks or rocks and solid, strong, specialist riding boots are important. # touring jacket: This was expensive, but has vents and a million pockets. When I put on this jacket I become ready for anything - any weather, any breakdowns, any cleaning of visors etc. # kevlar jeans: for our hot weather. When it rains I pull over some plastic pants. When it is winter I wear my Maxxis pants. I hope this helps. You are not being crazy trying to keep the budget low. Salesman theory is not reality ;-) regards Charles

Hi Jaco Almost EVERYTHING you buy is a compromise driven by finances. This is just so, nothing wrong with it , it just is. Regardless of your budget, boots and pants are fairly equaly balanced in my book, and seem to be yours judging by the original question. Don't go out and buy the best top of the range of any one item and absolute cr*p for the rest. Balance you purchses. Having said that, the R3000 quoted for a single pair of branded boots will do you more good if you split your cash, and for example spend R1500 on Citi pants by BMW (a realy great all rounder) and a pair of Touratech all round boots for the other R1500. You can progress from there IF you find it necessary. If your budget does not allow this, go for a reasonable (R1000 - R1500) pair of the most WATERPROOF short boots you can find, and retain the jeans for a short while (ride carefully)this was my first priority in the beginning. You are more likely to get your feet wet than break an ankle IF you fall off. Build up your riding gear over a time, keeping the balance, and don't get get suckered into buying the best of something you might never be able to enjoy to the fullest. Know your limmit. Donald Own a GS and never run out of road.

VERY SOUND REASONING from Donald Excellent, BMW Dealers should give this advice to EVERY customer. I'm kinda stumped by that- I've bought three bikes via dealers and each time they have been very keen to sell me a bike and not once have they shown concern over my gear!! The only reason I 1st bought gear was because of my embarrasment at pitching for my first club ride in jeans, takkies & a windbreaker. So it was poor relation, not safety that drove me to safety gear. My helmut was 6 yrs old! It took my friend Red Adventure doing the unforgivable to teach me the value of safety clothing. After Red's accident I went directly and sacrificed whatever I had to do to buy a Rox Jacket, next month, a Rox pants, next month boots, and then a new system 5 helmut. I now go to the cafe in the car rather than the bike, because I have to suite up every time I get on my bike- NO COMPROMISE. For my money get the boots- ankles are take longer and are harder to repair than knees and legs. Ask any physio. But as long as you plan to get the stuff- PILLION ALWAYS COMES OFF WORST. GET YOUR PILLION TO DON PROPER CLOTHING AS WELL. I attended a bike accident on Sir Lowry's pass a while back, The lass on the back had roasties on her back n bum that made bystanders puke. But it was her mishapen ankle bones and broken heel that ensured she won't walk normally ever again or wear high heels. The guy riding had full safety and sat by me the whole time asking if she would be ok. Adjust your riding style the moment you have a pillion. Andyman Yup that's me. Standing up in the traffic on the 1150GSA.

Thanks for your replies, I am now in the market for offroad boots... Regards

Having just had an off, at only 60kph, had I not had a good jacket, armoured trousers and boots, I would be sitting with: Broken legs, Broken ankles, Broken Collar Bone and no skin on my lower half, arms and back. Despite having good boots, I am blue below my knees, with sever bruising along my ankles and feet and around my knees. My hips are badly bruised and I even ended up with a fabric burn on my right knee. I've always sworn to wear armoured gear and invested heavily in good stuff. I cannot see how someone will invest in a bike and then try and find chea gear to go with it. I've sacrificed about R9,000 worth of gear in this get off. Three months in hospital would have lost me nearly R200000 in wages, plus the costs. Call your bank and get the cash. Lawrence

The last 3 replies say it all, sell your mother in law if you have to but for goodness sake shop around and then make an informed decision on the best product to suit your needs. One dresses for "incase I fall"(which you will sometime or other)not to look good. For what it's worth boots are BMW Safari (I think) and clothing is Lookwell. Bum in the saddle, always.

Hi Hermanator, Glad to hear you are OK. I agree with safety gear and I said it numerous time on this forum. I learned the hard way. Same type of accident at a slower speed and bang..... I was bleeding. At this stage after spending quite some time in hospital the bill runs up to nearly R400000 and still a knee replacement coming up in 6 months time. I learned my lesson and will not even go around the block without full protection. I so hoped the people on this forum would also have learned something from my accident, but you still see a lot of our club members riding around dressed for the beach. ATTGAT always.

Hi all, Thanks for your reply and comments. For the last few weeks I did some serious "looking around" and eventually bought the Gaerne MX boots. Very comfortable with good protection as well. regards

Hi all, Got the Gaerne MX boots just before the Challenge and it "safed" me from a possible ankle fracture. Had a small "off" in a dry river bed (dry river bed = very thick sand!). A big rock in the form of a small mountain appeared as from nowhere and distracted my "focus". The bike fell on my leg as a hit the rock and I was trapped underneath for several minutes. All my mates where busy picking up bikes earlier in the sand section. I had to wait untill someone became "availible". (Gannabos,jou blik...m!) The Gaerne MX boots is very comfortable and seem to have good protection thanks for all your replies