I saw a need in the motorcycling community to have one place where someone can find all the answers they have about motorcycles and apparel, instead of searching the web and becoming overwhelmed with too much information.

In 1994, when I got into riding, a lot of the magazines were talking about something that was just beginning to take off at the time- textile riding apparel. They talked about the virtues of being wind and weatherproof and their ability to protect you in the event of a crash. Well the truth is, for about the first 6 months of my riding career, I did what a lot of other beginners do; except for a short helmet (a real one, not a novelty) and maybe a thin pair of riding gloves, I rode around in street clothes; Denim jeans and a jacket, and maybe a pair of Timberlands or Harley style engineer boots. When it got a bit colder the only thing that really changed was I put on my everyday leather jacket which was not a real motorcycle jacket (fashion weight leather). But the magazines insistence paid off, and one day it finally clicked. I went down to my dealer and I bought a new FirstGear textile jacket. I couldn’t believe how many features it had. The jacket came with what was basically an owners manual to go over everything. It was about $375, which was a lot of money for a jacket back then and still is a lot for a textile riding jacket today. The matching pants soon followed and cost another $275- phew! Well you get what you pay for, as I’ll explain.

Fast forward about two years later and I’m on my first really big trip. I rode alone from my then home on Long Island, NY to Asheville, North Carolina for the Honda Hoot. I spent a week camping on the road, and all in all covered 2,000 miles. I had the time of my life! Through most of the trip I experienced very little rain, except for some isolated showers in the mountains along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then, on my last day, in the last few hours, it happened. I was outside a service area in New Jersey, listening to my weather radio and I could see the black clouds in the distance. A gentleman stopped to talk to me, and we agreed I was going to get wet. Actually, I almost made it to NYC, when the sky opened up. I’m talking about rain like cats and dogs, people looking at you out their car windows like you’re crazy, kind of rain. Indeed, I don’t remember any other bikes that day. But you know what- I was dry! I couldn’t believe it. A drop or two in my open vents (it was June) but that was it. And that was it for me too-- I was convinced from that day on about riding gear. The clothes allowed me to concentrate on the job at hand.

About a year later, that bike would be totaled by a car, but the gear kept me safe. A trip to the hospital revealed no broken bones, internal injuries, concussions or any of the likes. I did spend about three weeks extremely sore and barely able to walk as I had black and blue marks the size of footballs up and down my legs. My legs were the only part of my body clothed in non-riding gear, i.e., jeans. For the rest, I had on a Full-Face helmet, the same riding jacket I told you about, thicker motorcycle gloves, and I was still wearing engineer boots. You want to know what damage I had to those parts of my body? Barley a scratch.

Thankfully, seven years later there have been no more incidents like that, though I've had plenty of run ins with Mother Nature. My wardrobe has changed a few times, but I still have that jacket tucked away in my closet. Although it doesn't fit me anymore, I can't seem to part with that particular piece. Life's fine on the open road and what do I have to thank for it? Well besides a bit of knowledge, and skill, I contribute the rest to; you guessed it, Gear!

Why the Right Bike?

My riding career as well as my inventory of bikes can be looked at as a progression. I started on a small cruiser (500cc range) and after a few years got a full-size "standard" (750cc) and then a few years after that I got a "big" sport-tourer (1000cc). Did you notice I used the word "career"? Motorcycling is not a fad, or something you get into out of a passing interest. You get into it the same way you would take on any other advanced skill, such as flying or mountain climbing, or learning to throw that perfect curve ball. Many peoples motorcycle "careers" are not that long. Everyone knows someone who knows someone who fits into this category. A lot of people simply give up motorcycling after scaring the hell out of themselves or having a crash. But I guarantee that the majority of these people either were on bikes that were poor choices for their skill level or needs or they were not properly trained, or very often-- both.

Believe me, I worked at a motorcycle dealership and I've seen it all! A lot of people's egos get in the way when they purchase a bike. There are other things that can get in the way too, like an overzealous salesman. Even our preconceived notions of what it means to ride a motorcycle from the media can influence our decision. If I've learned one thing it's that riders who start too big severely slow their learning curve, because they are intimidated on these big bikes; and probably they never reach their full potential. That's why I'm here; to make sure you get the right bike. As a Rider Coach with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), I'm also concerned with the image of motorcycling, and that includes keeping the accident rate down. At Gearhead Joe, I only have once concern and that's getting you on a bike that you will feel comfortable on, and you will enjoy-- for your riding career. Look at me as your personal protector from those "other" factors I discussed.

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