REV’IT! Airforce Mesh Jacket

June 30th, 2006 · Comments

After my disappointment with the sizing of the Hit-Air MX Airbag jacket, I went to my “safe” option: The REV’IT! Airforce Mesh Jacket. I got it from Blue Moon Cycle in Norcross, GA, who’s our local REV’IT! Dealer. Riding to the dealer in my leather jacket (Thanks Young Han!) was a bit uncomfortable with the humidity this morning, but riding back in the Airforce Jacket was a pleasure. The arms vented well, the jacket fit just right (except my gut is bigger than my chest!), and I was glad to see the reflective materials built-in to the jacket. It’s got really nice fitting armor in the arms, and feels like a very substantial well-made jacket. My only criticism is that the back-armor on the jacket doesn’t go as far down the back as I would expect. In the future I may look into something like the BMW Back Protector II to put underneath the jacket, but I do wonder if it would still fit. I did also have to special order the jacket because I wanted the silver version. Most dealers only stock black motorcycle jackets, because riders want to wear black for some unknown reason. Black however, is the last color I want to wear in the sweltering Atlanta sun

The ride itself to the dealer was a nonevent: 15mi. in rush hour traffic. I got to practice my gear changes a lot more than I ever expected to, enough that they are almost second nature to me now. The way back however was a bit scarey for me. Everything was great up until I was within 5 miles from home, and completely blew the left turn from Holcomb Bridge onto Warsaw Rd. I changed into second gear during the turn (bad news), over acellerated (worse news), panicced as I saw myself running into the curb and light pole, and hit my brakes in the turn (horrible news). The bike got real unstable, but I stayed on and got through the turn. I made an ass out of myself, but stayed on. Then at the intersection of Magnolia and Mimosa near my house, I managed to stall the bike. Ugh.

It worries me a bit about how bad my cornering technique is getting. I’ve read the books, and understand it conceptually, but I think I just have a hesitation to lean into my turns very far. It actually reminds me a bit about my hesitation to take turns fast on my rollerblades: I let my fear take over and cause me to slow way down. I see turns as my biggest area for improvement on my bike. If I can’t get it down myself, I may have to look at the Atlanta Motorcycle School for help.

Tags: motorcycles

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thomas 3 years ago 1 point
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Cool diagram! I wasn't aware the difference in technique had such a different effect. As far as I can tell, I'm countersteering. I thought about the bad turn situation, and I think a lot of it had to do with target fixation. I was looking at the cars, then looking at the light post, and heading right toward it, rather than looking at my destination. It really is true when they say the bike goes to where your head is aimed.

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http://human.io/

Mike 3 years ago 1 point
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I put this in my comment, but apparently it got stripped out.

mC

http://www.vsa.cape.com/~wayg/mrep/csteer.gif

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Mike 3 years ago 1 point
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I'm sure they covered this in your class, but finally grasping counter steering was an epiphany for me, even after riding for a year or so. On a long straight highway, gently push on one grip and feel the bike lean over. You can hold it at that slight lean, and compensate with your weight until you get the feel of it. After this, you'll realize won't need to move your body at all, and still have total control.

mC

http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/moto...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countersteering

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