American Motorcyclist April 2016 Street (preview version)
HIGH-TECH HELMETS: NEW OPTIONS FOR PROTECTING YOUR HEAD
DISTRACTED DRIVING: AN UPDATE
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NAVIGATION
April is Go Ride! Month, and the AMA encourages everyone to get out on to the roads, the trails or the track and enjoy the great outdoors .
50. GUEST COLUMN
American Motorcyclist magazine (ISSN 0277-9358) is published monthly by the American Motorcyclist Association, 13515 Yarmouth Dr., Pickerington, OH 43147. Copyright by the American Motorcyclist Association/American Motorcyclist 2016. Printed in USA.
Subscription rate: Magazine subscription fee of $19.95 covered in membership dues.
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April 2016
Volume 70, Number 4
Published by the American Motorcyclist Association 13515 Yarmouth Dr. Pickerington, OH 43147 (800) AMA-JOIN (262-5646) www.americanmotorcyclist.com
STREET COVER
Researcher David Thom discusses some of the technical advances in today’s motorcycle helmets.
DIRT/COMPETITION COVER Ed Barth and others detail how to build a vintage racer on a budget of $2,000.
To switch the version you receive, call (800) 262-5646, ask for membership services. Want to read both versions? Call the above number to get both delivered to your home for just $10 more a year. Members can read both versions online at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/magazine for free.
PAGE 20. Lawmakers are trying to tackle distracted driving. We update you on their efforts.
PAGE 24. 2015 AMA National Enduro Women’s Class Champion Shawn Davidson talks about racing.
Jeff Kardas
Product Comparo:
Bohn Armor Pants vs Kevlar Jeans
Ac�onSta�ons Boss Paul English talks about the differences in lower body protec�on op�ons.
Kevlar reinforced jeans are popular with riders of all kinds of bikes.
Draggin Jeans were among the first on the market, and there are now many similar versions available. Many riders are interested in how these compare to the Bohn Pants.
Q: Paul, please explain the differences between Kevlar riding Jeans and the Bohn Pants.
PE: In short kevlar has great abrasion resistance and is excellent for gravel rash when you’re sliding down the road. With the Bohn System we’re focusing more on Impact Protec�on the vulnerable ‘corners’ you land on and damage knees, hips, and elbows and shoulders with the shirts. An unprotected impact in these places can put you in the ER and off work. And hurts!
Q: But won’t your armor grind through in a wreck?
PE: Actually in over 15 years, we’ve never seen our armor significantly damaged at all! This is because in a crash, we tend to bounce and slide, scrubbing the speed off.
Q:The Bohn System has to be worn under jeans as an extra layer, isn’t that hot and a hassle?
PE: Posi�oning armor snugly against your body is the best way of providing comfortable and discrete protec�on so that it’s in the right place if you have a fall. Yes, it’s definitely an extra step compared to jeans but on the other hand you can then wear your own jeans, or whatever pants you choose. It gives you a lot more op�ons.
Q: But isn’t it hot?
PE: The only �me you no�ce the Bohn Pants being hot is in the heat of the summer when you’re a stands�ll, say si�ng on your bike at a light.
At that �me of year eveything’s hot! Otherwise they breathe really well in all seasons; and we do have op�ons of a mesh shell material and also a winter thermal solu�on.
Q: What about pu�ng armor into kevlar jeans?
PE: Some companies do have this op�on, which on first impressions is a good idea. But what actually happens is the armor ‘flops’ around the outside of your leg as it’s a�ached to the jeans so you can imagine that it won’t be in the right place if you actually do hit the ground.
Q: So do I need to upsize your jeans for the Bohn Pants?
PE: Surprisingly most people find that their exis�ng regularfit, or relaxed jeans fit perfectly over the Adventure Pants that’s because the armor mainly fits where your jeans are loose.
Q: Don’t the Bohn Pants make your jeans look bulky?
PE: No one can see you have anything but your jeans on!
Q: And you make armored shirts too?
PE: We think of the pants and shirts as ‘A System’ that protects you ithout having to wear full armored gear specially in the heat.
Q: So what’s the best choice?
PE: As a lifelong rider myself I love to have choices in bikes, accessories and gear. Many riders are happy with kevlar jeans, and most are very well made. We’re proud of the Bohn Adventure Pants and the amazing customer reports we get, but everyone has different priori My sugges�on is to give us a trywe’ve a great Can’tLose 90 DayTrial Offer! And they’re made in the USA too.
There’s nothing better than cruising with the guys on the weekend. Been doing the same for years and it never gets old - there’s always something going on or a place to go. And this is how we ride, jeans and denim jacket - unless it’s winter anyway.
But now we wear this Bohn gear underneath. Yes it’s underneath! You can’t see it, and we can’t feel it.
I just feel happier when I have some protection these days, though I’m sure we’re not going to have a spill. Check it out - read their testimonials - that’s what I did. And they give you a 90 Day Trial too.
Riding seems much more stressfull these days and with this gear we can Relax and Ride, with Peace of Mind!
.... terrific product. I crashed at 70mph last weekend and I was barely injured. Your knee pads worked perfectly to cushion the impact. I have some swelling and road rash but not a single fracture. Thank you most sincerely.
They are very comfortable, I forget I even have them on, fit great, and it's great knowing I have the protection under my jeans. Thanks so much.
...your product has made a believer out of me and the select few who ..saw my kamikaze flight through the air. I can only.imagine the numerous injuries that luckily avoided by wearing the armor.
I am happy to report my bohn armored pants helped save my butt in a crash this past Thanks,week-end. great product consider this a testimonial to their effectiveness
...the road littered with gravel...I walked away without a scratch, the bike was not so lucky. I just wanted to say thank you and let you know that your product saved me a lot of pain
VIEWPOINT
NO EXCUSE NEEDED
Just Get On Your Bike And Ride by
Rob Dingman
Riding season is finally upon us! I have been envious all winter of those of you who live in states where you can ride all year long. Most years, I have been able to sneak a day or two of riding in during the winter when it warms up enough so there is no ice on the road. But I haven’t had that kind of luck this year. When it has been warm enough, there has been too much salt on the road. For those of you in the South, there is nothing that promotes rust on your bike like road salt.
I have really been looking forward to this riding season. I don’t know if it was a longer-than-usual layoff from riding this winter or the fact that the year before last I sold my touring bike and replaced it with an adventure bike.
Although I really enjoyed the sewing-machine smoothness of my Goldwing, these days, I look forward more to riding my Triumph Tiger. It is so much more versatile. While nothing eats up highway miles like the Goldwing, the Tiger is the go-anywhere Swiss Army knife of motorcycles. The Tiger was even quite comfortable on the long trip to Americade last year, and I hope to make the trip again this year.
I also can’t wait to get out on the trail on my Husaberg. The trail system in the Wayne National Forest in Ohio closes for the winter, and I usually try to get there with some colleagues from the AMA on opening day every April 15.
For the past several years, the AMA has celebrated the riding season by designating the month of April as AMA Go Ride! Month. Now, most of us don’t need an excuse to go ride, but riding with a purpose can help us achieve the AMA’s mission of promoting the motorcycle lifestyle and protecting the future of motorcycling. To that end, there is a theme for each week in the month of April. This year’s weekly themes are as follows:
• April 4-10: Go Ride with the Next Generation: Celebrate what it means to pass our love of riding motorcycles to the next generation.
• April 11-17: Go Ride the Unknown: Take your motorcycles—and yourself—on roads and trails less traveled.
• April 18-24: Go Ride Together: Experience motorcycling the best way: with others. Connect with clubs and go on group rides.
• April 25-30: Go Ride for a Cause: Use your motorcycle for good. Help raise money and awareness for those in need.
There are also opportunities to win some cool prizes from companies that support the AMA. Those who participate will have the chance to win by sharing photos on social media, engaging with the AMA in various ways or simply entering a drawing. Details will be announced each week in a press release and shared at both www.facebook.com/americanmotorcyclist and on Twitter @ ama_riding.
For their part, members of the AMA Board of Directors will be riding together during the week of April 18-24 as part of their board retreat in Ohio. Current plans include both street and offroad rides.
We’re going to take full advantage of the spring weather, the clear roads and the fresh trails during April and the rest of the riding season. And we hope all of you will do the same. Join us! And Go Ride!
Rob Dingman is AMA president and CEO.
The AMA Beta National Dual-Sport Series features the country’s best organized dual-sport rides. Events include miles of well marked, challenging trail connected by scenic backcountry roads. The challenging, national caliber terrain is designed to bring out the best in each rider.
