by Admin
12. August 2010 11:21
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Motocross racing and Trail Riding has the potential to be an extremely dangerous hobby. It is essential that no matter what type of riding you
do you are properly equiped and understand what all the equipment is for:
HELMET
One of the most obvious and required pieces of equipment is a Helmet. Motocross helmets are generally more an open faced helmet with a chin guard to protect
your chin and face from roost and rocks. There are many different
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brands and price ranges. The main difference between the brands and price ranges are:
- Graphic Design
- Internal Comfort
- Durability
- Composition of Protectative material
When trying on helmets to purchase, ensure you try on many different brands. Each brand has slightly different sizing and it is important the helmet is a snug
fit.
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BOOTS
Motocross boots do more than just look cool when you are blasting around the trails or hitting up the jumps on the track. Motocross footwear needs to have more
protection, soles that grip foot pegs, absorb shock, and prevent your legs from hyperextension, much more than casual dirt biking boots. Motocross boots are more
susceptible to rocks, debris, and as falls are regularity in racing, they need to be tough enough to withstand heat and a hundred kgs of machine
possibly landing on them. With innovative designs and seriously impressive technology, the best motorcycle boots for Motocross Racing and Dirt Bike Riding need
to perform effectively, becoming an extension of your feet and legs, while offering the best protection from injury.
KNEE GUARD and BRACE
There are 2 different types of knee protection, Knee Guards and Knee Braces.
Knee guards offer basic coverage of the knee cap and sometimes offer shin coverage as well. They are the simplest form of knee protection and also
the most used. They are popular for their inexpensive cost and their lightweight, non-structured designs. Knee guards are extremely comfortable to
wear for any rider. The most basic guards will only cover your knee and directly above and below. There are also guards that have full shin coverage,
some with just a soft material that is good for trail riding to ward off cuts and scrapes, and some with a harder plastic that are good for running motos
and will protect you more in case of a crash.
It is a common misconception that knee braces only need to be worn post-operatively or after an injury has already occurred. Knee braces are intended for
use not only after an injury, but also as a preventative measure. They are designed to absorb impact and keep your range of motion under control. The latest
technology and best available are braces made of carbon fiber, which are considered rigid-framed knee braces. Carbon fiber is a woven carbon filament that
allows the knee brace to be incredibly rigid and to absorb impact and vibration. It is extremely light weight which makes it comfortable to wear for long
rides. These braces are the best in knee and leg protection in any sort of crash. The second type of brace is the soft sided brace. These knee braces are
made up of a variety of materials such as nylon, foam, neoprene, and TPR (thermo plastic rubber). Most riders will start out with a soft sided brace because
it is generally an easier transition from knee guards. Also, the cost of carbon fiber braces is quite a bit higher than the soft sided braces.
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BODY ARMOUR
Pressure Suits offer all-around comfortable protection. Serious protection and coverage should be taken into
consideration when talking about pressure suits. It's also important to keep in mind that comfort should never be compromised for coverage.
This shouldn't be hard however, since many pressure suits on the market today are naturally contoured to fit your specific body type. In addition,
pressure suits allow your body to follow the movements of your specific riding style. Pressure suits are also great for extra protection on
the shoulders and arms. Some brands come with removable upper arm guards. This is a nice feature since some people use them and some
simply do not. Another nice feature is the free floating shoulder system, which allows the shoulders to move freely and comfortably while riding.
Roost vests are often at times preferred over a full-covered pressure suit. A roost vest
serves its purpose as a roost deflector. It blocks the upper body from rocks, dirt, mud, and debris, while keeping the rider cool and allowing them a
free range of motion on their bike. While many things may slow you down when riding, roost should not be one of them. A lot of riders have many complaints
about regular pressure suits being too bulky, uncomfortable, and most importantly, moving out of place in the event of a crash. It's instrumental to find
a protector that moves with your body, not away from it and that follows your body's every move, making sure its protection, though minimal, is used to its
maximum potential. Even though most roost vests are not designed to offer much protection in the event of a crash, a light/small amount of impact protection
is given directly to the ribs and chest. With its incredibly lightweight feature, a roost vest offers more comfort with less restriction than a full covered
pressure suit. Many also have a more contoured, tailored fit than traditional protectors. While a roost vests offer maximum coverage, it doesn't offer maximum
protection, but it is better than nothing at all. As an unrestrictive piece of safety gear, a roost vest is another one of those pieces that some riders wear
and some don't. It's strictly up to the rider whether or not they want to wear one. Those riders who do choose to wear the roost vest vs. the pressure suit,
often claim that the roost vest is much more cooler temperature wise than a regular pressure suit. Many come with innovative, extensive, and natural venting
air channels to keep a rider's body temperature down while riding. With its lightweight features and maximum airflow, a less-bulky, lightweight roost vest may
be of interest to some riders. However, a rider is definitely giving up less protection when wearing just a roost vest.
GLOVES
MX Gloves are fairly self explanitory. They are designed to give some protection to the hands from abbrasions in the event of a crash. They do only offer limited
protection however, as they must be thin enough to allow adequate feel and precision while operating the bikes control's.
GOGGLES
Goggles are designed to protect your eyes from debries and also to protect your vision in unfavourable conditions. They design and shape are made specifically to
fit inside MX specific helmets. There are many different brands and styles of goggles but all perform much the same function. The different price ranges differ
mainly in quality and durability of the lense, as well as the ability to add tear-off's. Goggles are essential when riding as even a simple misguided rock can
leave you blinded for life.
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