Don't cheap out on safety equipment. It always amazes me when when someone will spend $5,000+ on a bike but then whines about a few hundred on safety gear. HJC makes a nice inexpensive helmet the CLX-4. A chest protector is also a good investment, I have had a few crashes on the track where I went right done on my chest and didn't feel a thing because the chest protector. A good pair of boots also, I have had my foot more than once wedged between the bike and a tree or rock on tight trails. Good shin/knee protectors, I went over the bars once and slammed my shin on the bars on the way over. Even with the boots and shin protector I had a knot on my shin. If I hadn't had them it would have been much worse. I have also fallen on my knees and been glad I had knee pads on. Good gear can save you a trip to the hospital.
I am also an aggressive C rider and most of my falls have been in races or experimenting on the track. So if your not an aggressive rider you may not fall AS much but if you ride dirt you're gonna fall.
I am also an aggressive C rider and most of my falls have been in races or experimenting on the track. So if your not an aggressive rider you may not fall AS much but if you ride dirt you're gonna fall.