[.OrgOwner]

On the subject of gear I was out in the "cage" today driving around with the wife and we spotted a guy at the lights on an R1 - This guy stood out quite a lot and my wife commented that he was in full gear on the street, thats what made him look a little out of place. I don't have a clue about percentages but I very rarely spot someone around the streets in full gear. I am guessing maybe 1 in 50 if I was being generous?

[ConqSoft]

Only the smart ones...

[Liteone-74]

Are You meaning Jacket, Pants with Pucks, Boots and gloves?? Seems here most sport riders are wearing helmets, gloves and jakcets, sometimes rain style pants and boots. rarely knee pucks and race style boots.

[.OrgOwner]

This guy was pretty much decked out to hit the tar and walk away with a grin, full leathers the works.

[analogbear]

I wish I could wear that stuff all the time...I am stuck with my wife-beater, swim-trunks, flip-flops, and sun-visor...


Just kidding...I wear the obligatory leather: good gloves, really good jacket, 3/4 length boots, and then these really cool jean-like pants that have a (kevlar?) weave on the surface for durability and more importantly reduced friction...The only down side is they are a bit warm (though less than either my leathers or Tour Masters) and they do shine a bit...

[giza]

depends on how hard your gonna ride for the day,and were you are going.If your out for a cruise go the usual leather or fibre jacket,draggin jeans & leather boots(helmet and gloves of course).
If your headed up the twisties and are going to try and lean it over at 60deg then i agree full leathers and sliders.
Flip side to all this,its the other people on the road that we gotta look out for too,we can all be the best riders out there,its just when your against the worst driver.

[MT Wallet]

Originally Posted by .OrgOwner

On the subject of gear I was out in the "cage" today driving around with the wife and we spotted a guy at the lights on an R1 - This guy stood out quite a lot and my wife commented that he was in full gear on the street, thats what made him look a little out of place. I don't have a clue about percentages but I very rarely spot someone around the streets in full gear. I am guessing maybe 1 in 50 if I was being generous?

I'm one of the very few where I live that wears full gear.

Back protector, gloves, leather suit, gloves, boots and helmet

[Juggernaut]

I've seen maybe one in the past two months. Most of the riders in my area are on cruisers and most wear a brain bucket and little else safety-wise. The guys/girls on sportbikes always have a full-faced helmet and t-shirt, no gloves, jeans or shorts, and sneakers. None appear too bright and when I see them they just look odd. I don't have full leathers, just my helmet, gloves, a good leather riding jacket with the protection plates, jeans, and safety boots.
Agreed on the "worst driver" comment. My brother wears leather shoes that cover his ankles, gloves, and a helmet, with a two-piece suit. When we went riding he asked me if I planned to fall, I told him no, but I don't plan on being sideswiped either but why take the chance. I think the cops around here would probably look extra-hard and just might even pull guys in full leathers for the slightest infraction

[jhonda41]

This summer breaks a personal record for me.... the most folks stopping to ask me if I am hot in all my (textile) gear.

For some reason I always think they are asking me for directions since its kind of hard to hear through the ear plugs.

Although I do it on occasion, I feel like an idiot wearing full leathers and pucks on the street.

[Okami]

im the only one around my area with full leather, some say i look like a marshmellow with all the white, i love it though at least they see me!

[MT Wallet]

Every ride.

Every sweat-drenched, "oh my goodness I'm gonna die from the heat" ride...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ographs072.jpg

[.OrgOwner]

While we are on the subject have you ever gone into a shop with your helmet on? I did the other day, parked right at the front door and left the engine running and went in a grabbed the Saturday paper and threw some coin down. I was not giving it any thought until the guy told me I should have my helmet off... I see the guy every second day but I never thought about the security angle.

[MT Wallet]

Originally Posted by .OrgOwner

While we are on the subject have you ever gone into a shop with your helmet on? I did the other day, parked right at the front door and left the engine running and went in a grabbed the Saturday paper and threw some coin down. I was not giving it any thought until the guy told me I should have my helmet off... I see the guy every second day but I never thought about the security angle.

heh-heh I did that once, but only to spy on my ex-gf whom I hadn't seen in years.

[slickwill]

Originally Posted by .OrgOwner

While we are on the subject have you ever gone into a shop with your helmet on? I did the other day, parked right at the front door and left the engine running and went in a grabbed the Saturday paper and threw some coin down. I was not giving it any thought until the guy told me I should have my helmet off... I see the guy every second day but I never thought about the security angle.

Yeah, I've done it.

[stegen]

never wear full gear unless im riding to chicago or the twisties. causual, i wear maybe my jacket and helmet other wise just pants shirt and glasses

[nedro]

I wouldn't worry too much about the security thing, let the cashier do the worrying. It IS still America, at least for the next couple of minutes anyhow. Never know what the Little Man will do next.

But on the subject of gear. I live at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains. In the mountains it's about 95% full gear head to toe. On the freeways, it is almost 95% wife beaters and sneekers. The two groups come from vastly different backgrounds also. It is plane to see.

[MT Wallet]

I always get teased for my full gear

But I am dressing for the crash.

[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.

[analogbear]

I hit the gas station in helmet all the time...Really freaks out the kiddies...

[LuckyLightning]

I can't bring myself to ride unless I have my jacket, helmet, gloves, boots and leather pants. Occasionally I'll wear jeans instead of leathers for a trip to the corner store, but I feel naked out there with out armor.

[LuckyLightning]

Originally Posted by MT Wallet

Every ride.

Every sweat-drenched, "oh my goodness I'm gonna die from the heat" ride...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ographs072.jpg

Nice!

[Twincam]

Well when i go out normally im out in my boots / gloves / helmet ( uk regulation) and leather jacket...
I dont normally wear my 1 piece suit unless i know i might be belting it or long journey.
I have ridden in short sleeves and shorts before - feeling the breeze (not boasting) and have also been in a shop with my Helmet on.
I have a reason to say to them that its my religion to wear it. I believe that i should be able to walk in with it on - the muslim women do! (not personally racist)

[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

[pmlavigne]

Sorry! I'd like to HEAR from both groups

[slickwill]

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 think it seems to go completely opposite from what I have seen. Most of the people who dress safely ride safely and the people who dress like idiots often ride that way. I have witnessed way worse riding from people dressed in shorts and t-shirts than I ever have from anyone fully decked out.

[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.

[slickwill]

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.

I also have noted the same thing. I was always proud that I drove a manual and was embarrassed to have to drive the family auto. I enjoyed learning about techniques like double clutching, heel and toe downshifting, etc. Skills that you never really use but just in case I ever need to I'm ready.

[Kick_Ass]

Originally Posted by MT Wallet

Every ride.

Every sweat-drenched, "oh my goodness I'm gonna die from the heat" ride...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ographs072.jpg

wheres the fun?!?!? maybe it's because i'm younge and "stup