[LITEITUP]

Every once in a while Ill put on my full leathers to go ride, usually by myself for some reason. I see MAYBE 2 riders a month with full leathers. When I take off on my bike a have my helmet on, leather jacket, gloves, and riding boots, 99% of the time.
I wear a helmet in stores all the time to pay for gas, get some gum, whatever. People look at me funny sometimes but I dont care.
Freedom is where I put my gear on then go riding. Maybe if I had a Harley and was 90yrs old I might say screw the gear. Otherwise I want to get up and ride again if I fall over.

[Bobcat Sig]

Originally Posted by analogbear

I am with slick will...I have seen just that pattern. On the larger scale, I have seen a downturn in driving skill as the protective features of autos have increased. People are not required to learn anything about really driving before they get licensed, and we are getting into that first generation of kids from the first generation of kids who didn't have to learn how to drive a manual tranny, or parallel park, etc...Very sad.

... as well.
I just moved to Billings and you have two groups of riders: The squid-tastics idiots that just bought there shiny to cruise up and down main street. The others: guys on cruisers with equally same amount of gear; none. I have seen ONE guy with full leathers and less than a handful more will a quality, leather jacket and a decent helmet (Shoei, Ara, Suomy, etc.). It's just brutal around here ...

But to clarify. I rock the full suit and when I am running errands, its the leather jacket, kevlar enforced jeans, motorcycle specific boots, good gloves and the requisite helmet.

[jhonda41]

Originally Posted by pmlavigne

Does it follow then that people who ride with minimal protection- t-shirt, shorts, sandals- ride well within the limits because they know how vulnerable they are? I like to here from both groups

There are some folks that wear full gear because they are going to ride harder/take more risks on the streets -myself included to an extent. I might wear my track leathers if I am going to be riding in the mountains all day, where some gravel or critters can send me sliding into the woods regardless of my speed.. Of course there are some geared up yahoos that ride like idiots on the street but from my experience the guys in full leathers/gear tend to be more responsible.

I dont think the opposite is true. Most people that do not wear gear are either:
1. Superhuman.... They are indestructible, so they will be able to survive any type of crash.

2. Super motorcyclists..... they are so skilled it is absolutely impossible for them to ever come into contact with the pavement in an uncontrolled manner.

3. Super careful.... hence they can refrain from wearing gear because it is impossible to get hurt while riding at/around/below the posted speed limit.

I find that the sportbikers are a combination of 1 and 2.... while cruisers are a combo of 1 and 3.

I am neither 1 or 2, so even if I am think I am 3... I dress for the part.

Originally Posted by Kick_Ass

wheres the fun?!?!? maybe it's because i'm younge and "stupid" as i think may of you would classify me, but the reason i ride is the feeling of freedom.

Why am I any less "free" than you because I wear gear? You sound like those people out there that dont believe in using condoms.

[jhonda41]

Which reminds me.... I need to start wearing my back protector again when I commute

[Hondachunk]

I never venture out without my full gear on; leathers, boots, gloves, helmet(law over here) and back protector.

I have seen and read about far too many offs involving riders in jeans and t's and the damage that is done by sliding down the road on their skin. Personally I'd prefer to burn through a layer of cow skin than several of my own. Just remember that no matter how good or safe you ride there is always someone out there determind to kill you

Just my preference

[MT Wallet]

Originally Posted by 1morebike.com

You'd look funnier with skin grafts all up and down from wearing shorts/t-shirt

BTW, MT Wallet- you post on ls2.com alot, don't you? The name sounds familiar.

Hey 1morebike, yeah thats me heh-heh.

You visit there from time to time?

I agree with the skin grafts comment. I don't wanna be laid up in the hospital and not able to work and pay my bills.

[MT Wallet]

Originally Posted by LuckyLightning

Nice!

Thanks!

[MT Wallet]

Originally Posted by pmlavigne

There is a theory in automotive circles that says the more safety features on a car- seat belts, airbags all around, ABS brakes, computer controlled stability systems, etc- the more reckless the driving habits may be. In simpler terms- I have so much protection here I can't possibly get hurt so I can drive like an idiot! Although I would never be critical of anyone for riding with maximum personal protection, my question to those who do is this- do you ever find yourself riding just a little over the top on public roads when you are fully decked out? Does it follow then that people who ride with minimal protection- t-shirt, shorts, sandals- ride well within the limits because they know how vulnerable they are? I like to here from both groups

It doesn't make me ride more aggressively with my leathers on. Though it used to when I first rode with them. Now I am back to normal and just ride the same...carefully

[MT Wallet]

Originally Posted by Kick_Ass

wheres the fun?!?!? maybe it's because i'm younge and "stupid" as i think may of you would classify me, but the reason i ride is the feeling of freedom.

i don't see any joy in ridding if "oh my goodness I'm gonna die from the heat" is all i can think about. and this might ruffle some feathers aswell, but i'd ride more often without my helment if i could. be it cliche, but i like to feel the wind in my hair. yes i realize this is not safe, however you kind of accept that risk when you buy a bike.

i am not condemning anyone who chooses to ride with full-up gear, just enjoying my right to ride with as little as i see fit while not losing sight of why i ride; the freedom.

i enjoy the hell out of this web site even though i feel many of the frequent posters are more about making a statement of how "responsible" and "insurance friendly" they are, than how enjoyable ridding a motorcycle is.

ENJOY THE RIDE

I actually enjoy riding like this.

It gives me a feeling of security, like a warm blanket...a hot cup of cocoa on a cold night... a comforting hand in times of trouble.

er...sorry.


What I mean is, I still feel the freedom of riding. I in fact, feel even more free, because I am not so worried about being hurt if I go down

[Kick_Ass]

to the fullgear riders i'm not going to say you're wrong nor do i think that, if thats the way you enjoy your ride then keep it up.

i was just shedding some light on the other perspective that seems to draw all the criticism.

[Juggernaut]

I don't know what made my best friend change his mind, but he just bought himself a full leather one-piece track suit. He was a bare minimum gear rider, helmet, gloves, over-the-ankle dress shoes and a two-piece suit (the kind you wear with a tie to church or a formal dinner). He told me someone showed him a pic of a friend of his that went down in a beater and shorts, not pretty.

[Bigdaddy75]

I gear up when I ride dirt, even in the heat... If it gets above 30c I don't even bother with the bike I just hit the surf

[-Z-]

On the full gear issue, or rather, the flip side of it....there are two girls around here that I see riding around on a regular basis, and I'm not sure which one is more insane.....

The first one wears jeans, regular tennis shoes, a T-shirt but usually it's stretched enough from the big cans (and I don't mean on her bike) that it doesn't come down to her waist properly....and a chromed HALF HELMET with one of those big spikes on top. Rides a Gixxer 750.


And the second is wearing a full-face helmet....goes very nicely with wife beater and workout shorts and flipflops! NOT EVEN JOKING! Rides a Kawi 6R.

[Juggernaut]

Originally Posted by -Z-

...and a chromed HALF HELMET with one of those big spikes on top. Rides a Gixxer 750.
...

I think there is something going on with the GSX-R riders and freaky styled helmets. Two weeks ago I was in West Virginia and saw two people getting onto I81 and one was on a GSX-R1000 in full gear and had a blue helmet with a blue mohawk thing like the Roman officers used to have on their helmets. Later that week I saw a squid with the same helmet (might have been the same person) on a GSX-R1000 down here in Yorktown with his squidette girlfriend behind him as he popped a wheelie on a two-lane road going around a curve during rush hour.

[-Z-]

Originally Posted by Juggernaut

I think there is something going on with the GSX-R riders and freaky styled helmets. Two weeks ago I was in West Virginia and saw two people getting onto I81 and one was on a GSX-R1000 in full gear and had a blue helmet with a blue mohawk thing like the Roman officers used to have on their helmets. Later that week I saw a squid with the same helmet (might have been the same person) on a GSX-R1000 down here in Yorktown with his squidette girlfriend behind him as he popped a wheelie on a two-lane road going around a curve during rush hour.

Actually, in my part of California here, even a lot of more experienced and less wild riders are wearing the mohawks. The things are 20 bucks and you can get them in a lot of colors. Personally I think they look stupid, but even most of my buddies (and we're not the stunting kind) wear them, the argument for them being that people sure as hell notice them, and anything that gets us easily noticed improves our chances of not being hit by somebody driving along in la-la-land. Come out to the local bike night, and at least a third of all the riders there will have them on.

[adorski]

I always wear a jacket and gloves whenever I ride (learned my lesson the hard way)

Gloves to protects you from flying pebbles in the freeway (have you ever been hit by a pebbles in the freeway with you bare hands? that's really hurts)

I used to wear a regular sneaker shoes with a lace until one of my friend told me to tuck in the shoe lace cause one of his friend broke his bone cause the shoe lace got tangled with the bike

so I bought a regular casual shoes without a lace and use it when I ride

I had an accident/crash before
there was one time (note one time) that I ride with just a helmet on and just slippers (no shoes)regular shirt and jeans with my F3 600 and thought to myself I'm just going to the bank so I'll take side street
going back I changed my mind and told myself to take the freeway since it's only 2 exits away

it happened when you least expected
riding about 80mph on a fast lane when a car swerve to my lane and I tried to avoid him but to late I crash and the bike was totally wreck
never mind the bike but both my arms where all scratch road rash I lose one finger nail on my toe and i was sliding on the freeway and trying to get up while sliding the only time I've stop is when my head hit the highway divider boooom it crack the helmet

lucky me all I've got is road rash and not even a single broken bone

from that day on I always wear a leather jacket with back protection
gloves and helmets
shoes and jeans no matter what the weather is

I can stand the heat but not another road rash cause I think I don't have much skin to lose anyhow LOL

[Got Fast?]

yessir, if i just gotta grapa pack of smokes or some little things from a small store i dont even bother. Good point about the security angle. Next time I'll walk in and yell "Freeze" than follow up with "-ing out there", could be fun

[JAMAIL]

always in full gear, and yes people make fun of me for it. Some of the neighbor kids even call me "Red Power Ranger." But I have 2 instances that I have been into one a stunt guy was laughing at me in my gear. Half hour later he crashed in his T-shirt and shoes. He did have his helmet on. 2 weeks ago went out w/another rider he had leather pants decided not to wear them went down if he would have had his leather pants on he would walk have walked away.

[Mogolf]

Regular everyday riding: Leather jacket, A*boots, full gloves, jeans and helmet. Always.

I do suit up in the 1 pc. for all day riding on the backroads or mountains. I too have learned lessons the hard way about bodysurfing on asphalt (with and without gear). I'll take the gear please, hold the t-shirt. As I've heard it said before, "Better to walk away in disgust than ride away in an ambulance". Heck, I'll just talk walking away...

[PopeyeGB]

After seeing the aftermath of several accidents involving Bikers and knowing that at 30mph when you have no protection and hit the tarmac (pavement) you will lose 6mm of flesh for every metre travelled then I always, always wear full gear when riding.

Agree with the comment about you're only as safe as the worse cage driver.

Maybe the guys who don't wear leathers should check this out.

Sobering and definitely not work / child safe.

Live to Ride - Ride to DIE

Tony

[-Z-]

Usual gear for me: Shark helmet, alpinestar LEATHER jacket w/ alpinestar gloves or Dainese LEATHER jacket w/ dainese gloves (yeah, gotta match), and either my set of Icon Recon jeans (for when it's really warm, since they're ventilated) or my Joe Rocket Steel jeans. Ever since a lady in a Cadillac Escalade directly to the right of me decided that I didn't exist and that it was okay for her to move into my lane and slam me across oncoming traffic and into the wall, I wear gear.

I WOULD wear boots too, but unfortunately I wear a 13 extra wide in regular shoes, and a lot of boot companies (like alpinestars) don't make boots in anything larger than a 12.5, let alone wide widths!

As for what other people wear when they ride, I say that it's all
gravy. Wear what you want. Hell, you don't want to wear a helmet? That's fine with me. You can do whatever you want to your own body. AS LONG AS I DON'T HAVE TO PAY MORE IN TAXES SO YOU CAN GET YOUR DISABILITY CHECK BECAUSE YOU GOT FREAKING BRAIN DAMAGE ON A BRAIN YOU DIDN'T EVEN USE!!!!

I think I've made my point.

[robbied]

Originally Posted by -Z-

Usual gear for me: Shark helmet, alpinestar LEATHER jacket w/ alpinestar gloves or Dainese LEATHER jacket w/ dainese gloves (yeah, gotta match), and either my set of Icon Recon jeans (for when it's really warm, since they're ventilated) or my Joe Rocket Steel jeans. Ever since a lady in a Cadillac Escalade directly to the right of me decided that I didn't exist and that it was okay for her to move into my lane and slam me across oncoming traffic and into the wall, I wear gear.

I WOULD wear boots too, but unfortunately I wear a 13 extra wide in regular shoes, and a lot of boot companies (like alpinestars) don't make boots in anything larger than a 12.5, let alone wide widths!

As for what other people wear when they ride, I say that it's all
gravy. Wear what you want. Hell, you don't want to wear a helmet? That's fine with me. You can do whatever you want to your own body. AS LONG AS I DON'T HAVE TO PAY MORE IN TAXES SO YOU CAN GET YOUR DISABILITY CHECK BECAUSE YOU GOT FREAKING BRAIN DAMAGE ON A BRAIN YOU DIDN'T EVEN USE!!!!

I think I've made my point.

I would keep looking for boots. There are heaps of companies that make fantastic boots and you need to protect your feet/ankles/shins after all thats what you use to walk. Im sure a company has your size/width.

[robfromsc]

look into Oxtars. Im size 12 and kinda wide, they fit me great!

[fireblade3876]

I would say here in the UK 95% of all sportsbike riders wear full leather gear all year round, the other 5% wear textile, you never know when some idiot in a cage is going to sideswipe you, so you may as well be prepared.

[robfromsc]

Originally Posted by fireblade3876

I would say here in the UK 95% of all sportsbike riders wear full leather gear all year round, the other 5% wear textile, you never know when some idiot in a cage is going to sideswipe you, so you may as well be prepared.

funny, seams like thats the total opposite here in the us. im streatching it ,but you get the idea. ive walked into my local shop with my leathers on one day and i got vibed there of all places...guess i left my flipflops at home

[fireblade3876]

Correct me if i am wrong but the impression we get about sprtsbike riders in the US is very casual and alot of it revolves around stunting hence the clothing, but here in the UK its all about the racing culture and i suppose that projects to the gear we wear.

I have numerous amounts of friends with large Sportsbikes and not one of them is into stunting, we throw the occassional wheelie, stoppie and burnout but here its all about narrow twisting roads through the countryside away from the public eye or the fuzz for that matter.