[maxib]

Originally Posted by MarinoKouch

It feels like -21F with the wind where I'm at, but I'm still riding.

yeah, but you're much younger than I! Have a good ride and be safe!

[dicknose]

Originally Posted by Red Rider

You've obviously never gone done while wearing jeans. They won't afford any protection even at half that speed...it has nothing to do with being socially acceptable.

Ive gone down at speed wearing lycra. Ive actually highsided a bicycle at speed going down a steep hill. Put the bicycle down on the road more times than the motorbike (and at faster speeds)
Yes you will get a few grazes on your knees and elbows but its not that bad at low speeds.
Not sure why I should worry that much about 40mph and below when I was more than happy to ride my bicycle at those speeds (and higher) wearing pretty much nothing.

If Im riding to work I will be wearing jeans at work. Im not going to wear my leather pants to then change at work - that would take almost as long as the commute!
Yes I realise that jeans offer pretty much zero protection, but Im happy with that considering the conditions of my commute (ie no high speed)

As I said above - I see the big risk in suburban areas being impact, not sliding. So I dont see that the added protection of leather pants gives me much compared the hassle of having to change at my destination.

I do find it funny that people will jump on people who ride in jeans as if they are taking this huge risk. Yet when you think about it, if you are worried about safety why would you be on a bike in the first place?
Risk management is about what you are prepared to do to min risk and balance that against other factors such as cost, effort or enjoyment, convenience.
To me jeans have a low effort but a slightly higher risk. Im prepared to take that risk.
Suggesting to not ride but take the car means trading fun and commuting effeciency for safety and comfort. Again - Im happy to have the extra risk of injury on the bike compared to the car to have the enjoyment of riding!

So yeah - jeans offer little to no protection. But Im happy with that for most of my riding.

[Red Rider]

I'm not going to debate the merits of wearing jeans (or lycra) over leathers because there is no debate. Wear whatever you want...it's your hide.

[CBR929RE]

Roger Lee Hayden after he crashed his BICYCLE at about 30mph 13x Forums - View Single Post - Roger Lee Hayden got some serious road rash!!!!!!!

[ldavis]

shoei helmet, icon titanium gloves, teknik jacket, fieldsheer boots, and jeans.

[dicknose]

Originally Posted by Red Rider

I'm not going to debate the merits of wearing jeans (or lycra) over leathers because there is no debate. Wear whatever you want...it's your hide.

This looks like a debate to me. You might not choose to take part, but clearly there is a debate about it.

There is no argument leather is safer!
But clearly anyone who rides a motorbike doesnt list safety as the most important factor in their transport choices!

[Bigtoe]

Originally Posted by maxib

I don't care what pads or armor are included...denim is as good as wearing nothing. Skin grafts are not funny.

I either wear my Aerostich Roadcrafter one piece, or one of three one or two piece leather suits that I have, one of three pair of riding boots for street or track, one of two full face helmets, one of four sets of gloves with gauntlets and my lucky rabbit foot under the seat.

I don't really care what I look like to others. Odds favor I'll be the one getting up, dusting off and riding home instead of taking the ambulance taxi to where the jello is indigestable.

I have always thought jeans were not good enough protection, but finding a pant that is good enough is some what tough. I ended up buying two piece leathers and I cant wait to try them out this spring.

[jhonda41]

Originally Posted by dicknose

If Im riding to work I will be wearing jeans at work. Im not going to wear my leather pants to then change at work - that would take almost as long as the commute!.... Yet when you think about it, if you are worried about safety why would you be on a bike in the first place?

So yeah - jeans offer little to no protection. But Im happy with that for most of my riding.

Since you're going for little or no protection, can we assume that you wear a beanie helmet, no gloves, no jacket and thong slippers?

textile overpants are the happy medium (risk management) for me. I can fit them over my jeans or hospital scrubs and I can get out of them in about 1 minute.

During the winter, when I count all the layers, plus the time it takes to get my ear plugs, balaclava, helmet, gloves and heated gear plugged in/strapped on just right.... it somewhat defeats the purpose of taking the bike.... but in the end, when I zip past co-workers in traffic it all works itself out.

-jh

[-Z-]

I can say first hand that denim doesn't offer any noticeable protection.

The first time I crashed, I was wearing jeans, running shoes, helmet, gloves, and get this, a fairly thick denim jacket. To this day I still have no clue where I got this info from and haven't been able to track it down, but I remember reading a whole bunch of articles that said that if you didn't have leather available, a heavyweight denim jacket would be sufficient protection...

Uh, no.

Amazingly, the only injuries I had were the road rash sort. Unfortunately, it was A LOT of road rash. I slept on my stomach for about a month and a half. My girlfriend said my back looked like hamburger. I still have some signs of scarring from it.

[jacobflyin]

I ride to and from work with leather jacket, glove's and Arai helmet. but after that it's full leathers anytime I ride the twistes I am in full leathers there is much more that can happen to you on the road than a track,

Tracks no gard rails, good asphalt, and medics close by.
Street bad drivers, sh**y roads, Gard rails, and the great oil spill in the road.

Bikes are easy to come by life's are not unless you a Cat.

[THE JESTER]

Having had two cracked collar bones , one dislocated knee and at least three concussions two involving being knocked out cold and many other bumps and bruises in one season of competitive pocket bike racing all at speeds around 50 mph in full race gear . It still amazes me that anyone riding a full size bike in anything less than proper protective gear can't see the writing on the wall , let me put it another way it's going to hurt and could make a mess on the asphalt , you know the thin red line that follows your path as you slide down the road on your arse in your denim jeans and jacket with trainers and no gloves and an open face helmet.

[NDMBlackBlade]

Dude's only get on your bike with full protection.
just watch a stunt vid with some tool looping his bike and fooking himself.
i have came off at 145 mph and had nothing wrong with me.

Just look at Indian Larry, Standing on the seat of a harley at what 20mph 2 ft fall and he aint around no more.
don't be a cool dead guy be late be hot when you get there but be alive..

[redrider67]

The good old debate...I will tell you how I crashed then you all can flame away..I am posting to make a point.

I crashed last September doing a wheelie at 100MPH..

Gear I was wearing.

Scorpion EXO700
Held Akira Gloves
JR Speedmaster Jacket
Draggin Jeans
Gaerne Boots.

At that speed you can guess how long I slid and tumbled down the highway, seemed like eternity.

My injuries open wound fracture to my left tibia, took the skin to the bone. 2 quarter sized road rash on my right knee. No other road rash to my ass or legs just the impact points of hitting the road with my knees.

Before you all flame away, I was on a country 2 lane road with a 3 mile straight with no cars coming. Normally where I do wheelies so if I crash the only person I hurt is myself.

Only thing I regret that day is not wearing the JR leather pants that day, if I would have probably would have avoided the 6 day hospital stay and surgery and the 3.5 months on crutches.

So I can attest that draggin jeans do hold up but leather is better!

I did order another pair of the jeans with the knee armor, so I will still wear them for the local bike nites.

[steingar]

1. Don't do wheelies. Its dangerous and illegal in most states.

2. Kudos to the OP. The best gear is gear you wear. Yahh, I have all sorts of leather doodads and I put on as many as I humanly can whenever I ride the bike because dammit I paid for the $!&@$#!$@!!! things so I might as well use them! But get stuff you'll use.

[redrider67]

Originally Posted by steingar

1. Don't do wheelies. Its dangerous and illegal in most states.

2. Kudos to the OP. The best gear is gear you wear. Yahh, I have all sorts of leather doodads and I put on as many as I humanly can whenever I ride the bike because dammit I paid for the $!&@$#!$@!!! things so I might as well use them! But get stuff you'll use.

From now on I ride the speed limit and wear full leathers

[TattooedGQ]

I need to get some pants, preferably leather....ones that dont make me look homoerotic if i have to walk into a store. OH well.

[redrider67]

Originally Posted by TattooedGQ

I need to get some pants, preferably leather....ones that dont make me look homoerotic if i have to walk into a store. OH well.

If you are on a budget NewEnough has some for $139.00..

Teknic Chicane Leather Motorcycle Pants :: New Enough, LTD

[TattooedGQ]

Those aren't bad, I think I'll pick them up when i get home from work, thanks!

[redrider67]

Originally Posted by TattooedGQ

Those aren't bad, I think I'll pick them up when i get home from work, thanks!

Don't know of you looked but they have the jacket that goes with it for $199.00

[skwyd]

I have been down a few times and only one was my fault. I have thoroughly enjoyed having to remove the dirt, gravel and other biologic material from my skin using a wire brush to prevent infection and disfiguring scarring. I also abso-freaking-lutely love watching the races, and one thing I have learned from what I have seen and experienced is this simple mathmatical formula:

↑(Protection) = ↑(chances of only a bruised ego)

Had I been wearing better protection I would have missed out on that wonderful scrub your flesh off with the wire brush "Learning Experience".

That being said, and as it has been said before, you wear what you can afford to, HOWEVER some people have other 'physical' issues that make it hard to find their desired level of protection. Since November I have lost 50 lbs and have another 150 to go before I can 'afford' to buy a set of Leathers. So in the mean time I take a lesson from the 'Stunters' and wear under armor under my jeans, and wear CE Armor (Community Europe if you ever wondered what CE meant) as well. Other than that it is the usual:

FF Helmet, JR Gauntlet Gloves, A-Star SMX Plus boots, and a little common sense.

[redrider67]

Originally Posted by skwyd

I have been down a few times and only one was my fault. I have thoroughly enjoyed having to remove the dirt, gravel and other biologic material from my skin using a wire brush to prevent infection and disfiguring scarring. I also abso-freaking-lutely love watching the races, and one thing I have learned from what I have seen and experienced is this simple mathmatical formula:

↑(Protection) = ↑(chances of only a bruised ego)

Had I been wearing better protection I would have missed out on that wonderful scrub your flesh off with the wire brush "Learning Experience".

That being said, and as it has been said before, you wear what you can afford to, HOWEVER some people have other 'physical' issues that make it hard to find their desired level of protection. Since November I have lost 50 lbs and have another 150 to go before I can 'afford' to buy a set of Leathers. So in the mean time I take a lesson from the 'Stunters' and wear under armor under my jeans, and wear CE Armor (Community Europe if you ever wondered what CE meant) as well. Other than that it is the usual:

FF Helmet, JR Gauntlet Gloves, A-Star SMX Plus boots, and a little common sense.

You might want to consider some Carhartt jeans they go up to size 54 in the waist. Actually some of them are 15.75 ounce denim which is more than draggin jeans. Along with some knee armor from a place like Bohn Body Armor and you would have some decent protection.

Here is a link for Carharrt Carhartt Jeans: Heavyweight Cotton Denim Work Jeans B73DST

[TattooedGQ]

Originally Posted by redrider67

Don't know of you looked but they have the jacket that goes with it for $199.00

I acutally got a decent leather off of kneedraggers a couple of months back, but snice they took paypal and not my cc over my work server I did pick up some clearance vision boots for 109.00 I didn't even know about that site thanks Red.

[redrider67]

Originally Posted by TattooedGQ

I acutally got a decent leather off of kneedraggers a couple of months back, but snice they took paypal and not my cc over my work server I did pick up some clearance vision boots for 109.00 I didn't even know about that site thanks Red.

No problem, Vision boots are awesome actually picked up a pair of them when they put them on clsoeout!

[RLVampire]

is this overkill ?

Sidi Vertigo Corsa
Teknic Lightnight gloves
Shoei x-eleven helmet
Tour master apex leather pants
Fieldsheer Flex leather jacket

[TattooedGQ]

why would that be overkill......oh and i just got the pants and boots in the mail yesterday.......pretty sweet stuff.