What's your 'Chinese' Protection?

It's not easy to find decent biker gear everywhere in China. There's plenty of gear but what, exactly, will do the job you expect it to? What are the options? This is a summary of what little experience I have here. With any luck the other China riders will share their experiences too.
I trust Tanked Racing. They don’t just sell in China, they sell in the UK, the USA and all over the world. Their products are not too cheap or too expensive and they’re easily available in my area so it's my choice of gear.
Head protection is at the top of my list so I wear a helmet, while riding, all year round. Besides saving your skull from an accident - that we all hope will never happen - it also:
A: stops bugs and road debris from getting in your eyes.
B: blocks the wind or at least most of it
C: protects your head from the dirt and pollution keeping your hair and face clean
D: it may also protect you from the unseen: a small bird, in my case, while doing over 120kph

Until now I’d been wearing some Fox (fake but a good fake) elbow and knee pads which I wore out on rides. The knee pads saved me from losing some skin when I slid out on gravel two years ago. They were sliced up and unusable afterwards but they did the job and only cost me 40rmb to replace.
Since then I’ve upgraded my safety gear. I went out one day to buy a set of biker boots and ended up getting four things in total:
1: Leather boots T05009
2: Shin and knee guards TP604
3: Upper thigh and buttocks protector TP752
4: Upper body armour TP717

All items are Tanked and listed on this site http://www.tanked-racing.cn/products...ge=2&Classid=0
Here are my personal photos.
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1: Leather boots
Until now I'd been riding with hiking boots and sometimes old sneakers. The new boots are heavy and they desensitize my feeling for the shift pedal. I'm almost used to this though and had I been wearing them at the same time I was hit by a car they might have reduced some of the bruising on my calf muscle.
I've been told that these were a steal at 280rmb. The same pair back in the UK could've been around 1000rmb. No VAT in China :icon10:.
Walked around in them all day to wear them in. Feels like wearing skiing boots. Painful but necessary.

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G'Day,

Took overseas visitors to the Hongqiao Pearl City Market (aka fake market, really hate these fake market places) the other day and one of the shops sold BELSTAFF jackets, sleeves too short and the protectors sit in the wrong place.

2: Shin and knee guards
Comfortable, good coverage and tuck nicely into the boots.
I'm not an expert with materials: What does this look like to you? It's hard but also a little flimsy.
I'm guessing they should give a dozen or so meters of road rash protection.

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3: Upper thigh and buttocks protector
I've usually walked away with bruises around my hips or a huge pain in my coccyx from landing on my arse after coming off the bike. This bit of gear seems to have all those areas covered but I've yet to test it out.
I think this would be suitable for bicycling and skiing as well and motorbike riding.
Notes:
Although these are, apparently, part of a set along with the 'Upper body armour' there is no zip or any other way of connecting them together.
They are big enough to be worn over a thin pair of trousers, but since they aren't connectable to anything else and would easily slide off in the event I went skating across the road backwards on my posterior I'm going to be wearing them underneath a larger sized pair of jeans (the winter jeans that are big enough to wear over two pairs of thermals). This ought keep them cleaner too.

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4: Upper body armour
I've never seen anyone wearing this stuff (in the west or in China) so I sometimes ask myself why I bought it but it replaces my old elbow pads and provides a lot more road-rash protection for the rest of the upper body.

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It seems you are much more protected then the average rider in China.
Wearing protection should be a no-brainer though.
Even the short ride to the shop on the corner can end in disaster, not only in China.

My biggest concern on all these "loose" body amour should be if it remains on the right places in case of an accident.
It surely will do in case of a slow speed fall, but it might slide or become loose at any higher speeds, and if you start to slide, roll or tumble.

In such case those hard plastic protectors might break bones in stead of protect them.
I had an off from my motorbike 2 years ago, fell at relative low speed at the corner of my back-protector (original Berik), which then acted as a kind of lever to break 3, and crush an other 4 of my ribs. Pretty sure that without the protector, I should have walked away. Kind of bad luck I guess.

Anyway, I still believe that leather is the way to go, although it might be hot sometimes.
Good leather bike gear (at least 1.2mm, and all seams at least 3 times stitched) with integrated protectors, will protect you against road rash, and will keep the protectors in place.
Good and strong boots will prevent your ankles from breaking, and good gloves will protect you against most of the most horrible and painful experiences.

Finally, my helmets.
All of the guides that I can find for head-sizing say that a M size helmet is suitable for 56-58cm sized head.
I'm a 59 and the M is perfect for me, if not, then it's a little too big but I can't find any smaller helmets. I don't want a helmet rattling around on-top of my head and I can't deal with a helmet that will restrict the blood flow. A helmet that causes squashed cheeks and ultimately a funny facial expression while worn is also what I want. The pads inside the helmets are removable and washable but won't stay as firm as they were, brand-new, forever. I only get a little bit of that squashed cheek feeling nowadays.

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There are three open/close-able vents on each helmet that don't really seem to do anything. Maybe they got clogged up with the pollution on the first day I rode with them open.
My favourite feature is the detachable visor. As soon as your old visor is too scratched up to use you can swap it really easily. The detachment clips are a little tricky to use at first but you get used to them.

998S
Sorry to hear about the incident with your back-protector. Really bad luck there.
The upper body armour, as may not be too clear from the photos I used, features a bunch of straps on each arm that can go pretty tight but apart from that it's just a zip up mesh shirt.
Another thing; I just found that the back-protector is detachable. Undo two zips, to clips and a couple of Velcro straps and off it goes!
The back part features a large Velcro cummerbund and two more straps that loop into the front part of the armour. Without it, however, I can see the whole thing getting wrapped around my arms and face as I slide down the road on my back. With it, I may suffer the same fate as you did.

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If I ever find real leather biker gear with protective plates then I'm going to get it. For now, this is what I have.

There are a couple of other threads about protective gear for bikers but none specifically about what's accessible in China for those without the means to buy stuff easily from the internet. It's also been a while since anyone posted anything on the older threads.
Jape. Is this thread ok as it is or should it be merged?

I almost forgot the to post about the gloves. I never ride without them same as the helmet and now the boots.
The upper body armour, knee pads and butt-protector are only used during recreational rides or any ride out of the city.

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The thick, woolen lined gloves (Upper red and black pair) are my winter gloves and the lower red pair are the cooler summer gloves (some fake brand).
I'd like to get a better pair but I don't know whether or not tanked gloves will cut it.
Maybe the TCV31??? http://www.tanked-racing.cn/products...assid=16&dis=1

Dear Pete,

Good thread. I'm curious why you're going down the path of piecemeal protection rather than getting all that stuff integrated into a riding suit or suits, where all the protection is built in and the jacket and pants then zip together to keep everything on your body and correctly positioned.

Also, there are several other threads in MCM that discuss these basic issues of safety apparel and clothing and more clothing and gear and helmets and helmets and helmets. You get the picture...

cheers!

...got it.

Thanks for those links. I'd only found a couple of them myself.
Looks like I'll need to get on the internet to buy some sort of integrated suit. I want one with knee grinders.

Here ya go, a nice Aerostich suit which I personally would love to own.

Shame, I just don't have the 10,000 or so kuai to shell out.

They even have custom tailored Roadcrafter suites, which would no doubt give superior protection. You could even opt for a high visibility lime yellow suit, insuring that no one could have you in eye sight without noticing, which I think we could all appreciate. Again, the suit would run about 6k before alterations.

I just figured this thread could use some leather vs. synthetic banter. :gun_bandana:

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Originally Posted by soberpete

4: Upper body armour
I've never seen anyone wearing this stuff (in the west or in China) so I sometimes ask myself why I bought it but it replaces my old elbow pads and provides a lot more road-rash protection for the rest of the upper body.

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Have something similar back home saved me from injury many a time.Mine doesn't move around.Everyone I ride with has something similar but we are all dirt riders.I feel naked without it actually I won't ride with out it unless I'm doing trials.

Hey soberpete you just need to get a leats neck thing and your fully covered.

Protection helps, and I agree with 998S leather, particularly an all in one is the best. Just the cost that's stopped me getting one. But being 100% aware, never riding drunk and never riding over 80% of your ability is the best protection of all.

I remember Felix posting about some kind of exoskeleton armor that he wears when it's too hot and humid for jacket and pants.

I just say, screw it, and sweat a lot.

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Originally Posted by soberpete

I almost forgot the to post about the gloves.

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Yeah, don't save on good, strong gloves - Might get painfull otherwise (will save you the 3rd picture :icon10:).

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OUCH! 998S is that PS or real? I remember I had some brand new deerskin gloves and flopped down on the left side and my left pinky finger was caught under either the clutch lever or grip and it tore a hole in the gloves finger. My finger was intact and actually just fine, I don't even recall any pain, but for my pride.

Finger, that's one of those funny words, they don't fing really. Say it 20 times and starts sounding really silly. finger finger finger.....

How many adventure riders(that's ADV riders all over the world) do you see wearing leather these days.

You would look like a tool riding around on your 200cc Chinese motorcycle in full one piece leathers.

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Originally Posted by Maux

OUCH! 998S is that PS or real? I remember I had some brand new deerskin gloves and flopped down on the left side and my left pinky finger was caught under either the clutch lever or grip and it tore a hole in the gloves finger. My finger was intact and actually just fine, I don't even recall any pain, but for my pride.

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Well, sadly it is no PS.
Happened kind of same as your experience, just a bit more severe.
The lever or handlebar crushed it, no way to stitch it back on.
Keeping it in some Beijiu with snakes and other little sneakers, makes for a good drink :icon10:

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Originally Posted by bigdamo

How many adventure riders(that's ADV riders all over the world) do you see wearing leather these days.
You would look like a tool riding around on your 200cc Chinese motorcycle in full one piece leathers.

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Yeah, this is exactly true, it all depends on your ride and circumstances.
They published an article in the UK last year, in which they concluded that safety is closely related to feeling relaxed.
Sweating in a hot jacket full of protection might make you so uncomfortable, that a crash might be just around the corner.
Riding in a T shirt and shorts on a 280 km/h sportbike might make sense after all :wheelchair:

However, it is undeniable that a one piece lather suit with professional amour is the best protection you can get.
From there it is a matter of compromises.

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Originally Posted by 998S

Well, sadly it is no PS.
Happened kind of same as your experience, just a bit more severe.
The lever or handlebar crushed it, no way to stitch it back on.
Keeping it in some Beijiu with snakes and other little sneakers, makes for a good drink :icon10:



Yeah, this is exactly true, it all depends on your ride and circumstances.
They published an article in the UK last year, in which they concluded that safety is closely related to feeling relaxed.
Sweating in a hot jacket full of protection might make you so uncomfortable, that a crash might be just around the corner.
Riding in a T shirt and shorts on a 280 km/h sportbike might make sense after all :wheelchair:

However, it is undeniable that a one piece lather suit with professional amour is the best protection you can get.
From there it is a matter of compromises.

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Depends what riding you are doing for sure as you say.Years ago we (moto X ,Enduro and dirt track) were forced (by the rule book) to race in leathers while in the US they had long since switched over to synthetic race wear.When they finally changed the rule and everyone stopped racing in leathers there was no increase in injuries.

The dakar guys don't race in leather(well not many)and their doing some pretty high speeds at times.

Sure if you got a sportsbike and like to go fast full leather is the go.

I have to laugh at my mate back home who has a great struggle zipping up his one piece leathers over his big fat gut and comes home stinking of sweat after riding in summer.I also laugh at him when he stops for coffee or lunch so does everyone else.

Not many sport bike owners in China and certainly not many places in China where you can wind it out.

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Originally Posted by bigdamo

Not many sport bike owners in China and certainly not many places in China where you can wind it out.

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Right, but if you ride on the road (and I thought that was the basis of the OP, I might be wrong), it does not really make a difference if you hit the concrete from a 200cc or 1000cc bike.

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~~No, it is not me~~

You might look and feel like a clown in a 1-piece, but hit the deck once and you might let them laugh...

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Originally Posted by 998S

Keeping it in some Beijiu with snakes and other little sneakers, makes for a good drink :icon10:

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I really don't want to believe that but it's probably true. :eekers:

Is that photo from china E? Thanks for not posting anything more gorey.

Here's another point for anyone not wearing full gear. Chinese hospitals do not give out pain killers until you have seen a doctor and paid in full. I have given out gloves and helmets to friends who are too stubborn to wear them on warm days. Much better than waiting in line at the hospital, which unfortunately I've also done.

Thanks for the heads up bigdamo. Never heard of those things before.
On the Leatt website it said the price for a road-bike neck brace would be US$ 419.00 which equals 2 638.85477 Chinese yuan.

I just found those 'Leatt' neck braces on Taobao. They sell between 500rmb and some over 5000rmb.
The cheap ones have to be fake and I don't know if I'll be getting a real one if I pay 2600 odd rmb for one on Taobao.

I did a little looking around on their website and I'm pretty impressed. I'm just not sure whether or not I'm really going to need one of those if I'm not really doing any professional racing. I know, someone is probably saying "You can never be too safe" but I'm also considering the time when I'm so clogged up with gear that I can't concentrate properly and then get into an accident.

On the other hand, the road-bike neck brace doesn't look heavy or restricting and it could save my neck (pun intended).
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P.s. There are a couple selling on Taobao for 3000 and 3500.
P.s.s. I think I'll ask my dad to get me one from the states.

I've also been looking into these things all night. I'm really hooked and I want one.
I've sent an email to Dad asking him to pick one of the above braces up for me and bring it with him when he visits China next month.

Has anyone done a thread on one of these yet? If not, I'll do one.
It is designed to - along with a full-faced helmet - support the neck and spine in the event of severe force to the helmet.
They state that it can't protect against everything but it will provide some well needed support in the examples below.

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Much more info to digest here if interested.
They don't just do these for street motorcycling, they also do braces for Mx, Enduro, Mountain Biking, BMX, ATV, Kart and Snowmobiling.

Definitely don't get the taobao one.Probably cause more injuries than it is suppose to prevent.The leatt has been out for a few years now I think you either love them or hate them.

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Originally Posted by bigdamo

Definitely don't get the taobao one.Probably cause more injuries than it is suppose to prevent.The leatt has been out for a few years now I think you either love them or hate them.

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I'll avoid the ones on Taobao. Thanks.
How do you feel about them?

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Originally Posted by soberpete

I'll avoid the ones on Taobao. Thanks.
How do you feel about them?

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Hard to say I have never used one.From talking to people who use them they take a little while to get used to but must be set up right.I think the people who don't like them didn't set them up right.

I will probably get one if and when I go back.Riding dirt bikes I think they are another thing to guard off injury as I come off abit.I don't know if I would use it just riding on the road.

Probably use it where I live here due to the roads here(both dirt and tar) being dangerous.For example you can be riding/driving on a good section of tar and then come around the corner and there is pot holes every where and square edge pot holes at that some a foot deep.In a car it is sketchy on a bike it would be just down right dangerous.

I hate square edge pot holes especially the ones were your front wheels drop into.