You wear what?

Riding home from the big city the other morning, I noticed many other riders on the road heading to work. Its about a 100Km ride. (60 miles for our brothers to the south)
So...besides all the different bikes, I noticed everything from full leathers, to cut off shorts and a tank top.
Now I'm not one to judge, but I feel uneasy riding in shorts just around town. I would never even think of going any distance without at least jeans on my legs. Highway riding is always in full gear. (Joe Rocket Ballistics)

I have even seen guys riding 2 up with the girlfriend on the back in nothing more than shorts and a bikini top. While this is a nice sight, I can only imagine what a spill at speed would do to that sexy young thing.

What do you wear and what are your thoughts?

Peter.

 

Boots, leather chaps, armored jacket (leather most days, mesh when it's really toasty out) gloves and a full face helmet.

I like looking at the scantilly clad cuties on the back of the sport bikes. Hope I never see one after a spill or worse.

 

I wear jeans with helmet, gloves and riding (joe rocket) jacket. sometimes I feel lazy and don't wear my riding boots and jacket but I make it difficult by putting my insurance and ownership in the jacket.

 

Jim

 

ATGATT baby

All The Gear, All The Time

I've seen what happens to those sexy cuties on the sport bikes - you don't want to.

Even for my short drive to work (~10km) I wear it all - full face helmet, leather jacket, leather gloves, leather chaps, full leather riding boots.

 

I agree, with atgatt. I know a guy who rides in saddles, shorts and wife beater. I told him hes crazy. At least jeans, helmet, gloves, and jacket. Even if its a 5 minute ride.

 

ATGATT

Full face helmet, padded leather jacket and riding pants, unpadded leather jacket under main jacket, calf length riding boots, kevlar leather gloves.

I've posted this before but it makes the point very clear:

Warning the images in this link are graphic in nature:

Live to ride ride to die

As for the girl on the back:

Road rash.
Pretty girl falls off back of bike for the story of what she went through. Not too graphic but does have pictures of road rash.

I prefer to keep my skin.

 

Wow. The road rash story is sobering.

 

Bikini top...... please take picture to use as examples.... LOL

I usually wear boots, jeans(town) / leather chaps(hwy), tshit, leather vest or leather jacket, half helmet. & leather gloves.

 

Scorpion Exo-700


+

Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0


+

Joe Rocket SuperMoto


+

Fieldsheer Booster


+

ADIDAS Wrestling shoes



I need to get some proper riding boots but my wrestling shoes work well for now for feel and ankle support. Also I need to get some mesh pants for hot weather, the textile pants are ok, but don't breath enough to be comfortable when its over 80F.

 

JR Revolution boots ( mid-shin height - weather proof)
Tecnic pants ( I prefered the JR pants - way better)
JR Ballastic Jacket
JR leather/armoured race gloves
waiting for my new Soumy Spec 1R helmet

All of the gear, all of the time. I don't ride in jeans just for 5 minutes anymore... I've done that and that was the 1 time I wrecked a bike properly.

When it gets hot enough full gear is cooler than shorts/t-shirt. (About body tempature)

 

I read about Brittany and her road rash, and I glanced through the other site.. It made my girlfriend not want to ride on the back of my bike anymore. Man that info will make any rider think twice about getting on a bike without gear. I have a leather jacket and a helmet thats it. The rest of my gear is on the way... I dont do that much riding and wont til I get my bike up to par. Excellent link tho, I think all riders should read that info, and wake up and (NOT) smell the asphalt.

 

Shoei RF-8, Aerostitch full suit, ICON TiMax gloves and ICON Field Armor boots. All the gear all the time, hot or cold. Mommy said if I won't stop riding, at least I would have to wear the best protection we could afford.

 

I agree, I do not wear shorts, regardless if I am in town or in the highway. I have one buddy here that I used to ride with (still do occasionally), but last time we went out, he wore shorts, flip flops, and DIDN'T wear a helmet! I was flabbergasted about the helmet to say the least, but flip flops? I mean, that had to be annoying shifting through gears.

My rule of thumb is jeans, or these zip of pants I am currently wearing (so I can convert to shorts at my destination). On the highway, you might find me wearing a t-shirt occasionally, and gloves only when its cold out, but its not unusual to find me in a long sleeved t-shirt or even something heavier during this time of year (like a "drug rug").

I do have two helmets for myself though - a completely enclosed helmet for long highway trips and dome protector for in town and quick highway runs.

 

Totally, especially at stop lights when the engine is pouring out heat.

 

ive not ridden in about 12 years but i used to wear jeans and an A-2 with my Nolan N-35 (full face) anytime i was out of town. cowboy boots on the feet...

in town, alot ot times without the helmet. sometimes in shorts and my asics running shoes and a T-shirt...

say what you want, you wont bother me. this is why i live in America and not some Commie country...

david

 

I'm so happy this topic has come up. I'm also happy the majority of you all protect yourselves appropriately. Personally, I wear a full face helmet, gloves, armored jacket, and boots, always. I haven't been riding all that long, and have yet to find armored pants I like, so I wear my carharts.

As an EMT and ski patroller, I deal with trauma everyday. Hitting a tree at speed on skis isn't much different than doing the same on a bike. Its damn ugly. Also, growing up, my father directed rehabilitation for those with brain trauma. For anyone who hasn't experienced this, let me assure you that you want nothing to do with it. Despite what your wife may think, your skull is not that thick.

Be safe.

 

How fast do you suppose you need to be going to travel 522 feet on the pavement?

 

Do yourself a favor, and get some armored pants. They may feel a little awkward at first, but you'll get used to them. If the heat bothers you, get a good pair of meshies. I wear Cortech HRX pants when it's really hot out, and I recommend them highly. They won't protect your skin like leather will, but they're a lot better than jeans, and they are cool enough in any weather, as long as the bike is moving. Besides, leather does nothing for you if you decide not to wear it because it's too damned hot outside.
ATGATT is where it's at, as far as I'm concerned. Shop around and find the best products for you given the conditions under which you most often ride. You may find yourself having to buy two or three different sets of armored clothing to meet varying conditions. It can get expensive, but it's well worth it.

 

Thanks to eBay, I was able to obtain the following gear for around $350:
Warm Weather: Icon Tarmac Jacket
Bell "shorty" helmet
Justin Ropers or Rocky 911 Boots
Alpinestars MX3 Gloves
Cold Weather: LBZ Leather Jacket
Shoei and Shark Full Face Helmets
Icon Super Duty Gloves
Alpinestars Ridge Boots
I still cant get myself to spring for the pants, opting for jeans instead. A great option for those who prefer to ride in jeans, is a good set of knee & shin guards. (Stay away from the $14.95/pair types with the 2 (or even just 1) strap closure- My SixSixOne's have a full velcro closure and dont move around at all.) You can hardly tell I have them on under my jeans, and offer about the best impact protection for everything below your thighs.

 

blue jeans do nothing once they hit the pavement. They instantly shred away leaving only skin to contact the pavement. Only jeans that should be worn are those that have the reinforcement in them and are specifically made for motorcycling.

ATGATT is what I do...I usually walk to places that would just be a short ride, because I don't want to put all the gear on to go a mile, and I will NOT ride without it. It saved my a$$ (and arms, and knees) once already....

 

Was just reading all the posts and looking at the different places everyone is from. Definately agree that gear is important. I'm in Texas and you wouldnt believe the number of guys tearin around town in shorts and no shirt this time of year. Usually with no helmet either.

Question I have is, what is best for summer riding when the temp is pushing 100 degrees? Jeans, good footwear, helmet (even though its not required in TX) and gloves seem obvious. I would like to wear a jacket in the summer but man is leather hot in the texas sun. Is mesh best? Any opinions?

 

Labelleb - when the heat gets really really high - that 100 degree mark area - it is actually cooler to be wearing proper gear than no gear...

What happens is that when it gets really hot the wind warms you up. You sweat but the wind steals the tiny bit of cooling the sweat has made. Wearing a jacket you sweat - but you control the wind so that the wind helps the sweat evaporate (cooling you) but not too much wind as to heat you up again.

Proper touring style riding gear will have good vents and be fitted properly so as not to cling and sweat you out...

Try your luck at leather perforated jacket/pants combo - I personally have stuck to full textile Joe Rocket Ballastic gear - it's currently 35C here if you could the humidity and I'm doing all right so long as I don't sit about in traffic. Not much you can do when you aren't moving :-/

Woot.

 

Dress for the slide not the ride.

 

With thanks from to this forum, I just ordered a leather motorcycle jacket and a pair of Draggin Utility Jeans. I am a kinda big guy and can't see my self in full leathers so the Draggin Jeans make a good substitute. I already have some good heavy leather boots. So I will be saving my skin after I get both things.

 

Full face helmet, jeans or thick khakis, gloves, thick long-sleeve khaki, running shoes. Quite a bit more than what I wore as a bike courier in downtown Chicago, though a jacket is certainly in my future.

 

I have conformed to new safety standards in my riding gear with a new jacket addition. I hated doing it but road rash really does put a hitch on your giddy for awhile. What to do...well, get a jacket that is not hot and still somewhat safe...impossible! I think that I may have found the perfect solution with the right compromises.

First, let me give you a little background information on my path to decision. I started at Cycle Gear first to lay my hands on the latest fashion and technical know-how. I was like a tourist seeing new sites for the first time and also maybe a touch of being like a "kid in a candy store" kind of stuff. I had a mission to accomplish and the will to make it happen that day. The only thing I saw that would do the trick was a Joe Rocket textile jacket. I just loved it but when I tried it on, I felt like the store was about to violate me in almost a sexual way with the high price. They had some pretty girl hovering about my vicinity with watchful eyes over my movement in the jacket section. She could have sold me anything in the store so I tried not to look too interested in the jacket out of fear. If she came over at that time, I might not have had the strength to fight her sales technique off...mostly with the nice fitting Joe Rocket jacket I had on and was drooling over.

I don't even want to admit how close I came to being steered in the direction of buying full MX gear for my safety equipment. I figured that the only thing that could hurt me then was a firmly rooted tree or some Blondie snob talking on a cell phone in her SUV. :lol: I had to get all of that out of my head because I don't think that things could ever be the same again if I wore all of that stuff. I would feel like some gladiator ready to do battle as I hung out eating ice cream at Sonic or strolling about the local Walmart looking for a deal on fishing lures or oil filters. I just couldn't bring myself to do it and I shook of the thought trying to focus back on the light jacket idea.

My luck came through on Sunday when I was in vulture mode reading Craigslist postings. There was a textile jacket for cheap in there with full armor and a zip out lining in Yamaha blue. I just hated the idea of wearing some guys sweaty old jacket but had to go see it on Monday to satisfy my curiosity and get it out of my head. It was some rich computer geek that had purchased a sport bike and all the gear, only to make excuses why he was selling all his practically new gear because...in reality... the bike he just sold scared the living crap out of him. He said that he didn't have the time for riding anymore and decided to sell all of his stuff he purchased recently. I offered him 50 dollars and walked out the new owner of a Yamaha blue Feildsheer textile jacket. It appears that it will do the trick but now I hate it because it even matches my helmet and I'll look like a pretty boy on the bike! Oh well, maybe a little grease or chain oil on the sleeves will set it right soon. I love the vents and the liner it came with but still have to look for pants now for the highway rides.

 

good move Scrape. A little sweat on a hot day is better than not having skin.

 

ATGATT - no exceptions.

Here in the sweltering swamp, the gear has to be mesh in the summer to be bearable. But I have my doubts about the abrasion resistance of most of the mesh gear I've seen.

I did some research and finally came across the Tourmaster CX-Air jacket.
It's mesh, but has heavy leather on the back, shoulders, and elbow/forearms, along with CE-approved armor. It also has a waterproof/windproof liner and quilted insert for use in the winter.

I paired it with some Tourmaster mesh overpants, CX-Air gloves, HJC CL-SP full-face helmet, and hiking boots.

So far I've ridden in temps up to 98 degrees (F), with a heat index of 107. Traffic jams are, of course, no fun, but as long as I'm moving I'm fine.

I don't know how much protection the overpants would really offer, but I think they're better than jeans. I read of a gear test that Cycle World did back in the '80s -- where they found that jeans wore through after sliding 4 feet on asphalt.

One other thought... IMHO, a lot of folks buy their gear too large. For the various pads and armor to stay in place and protect what they're supposed to protect, the jacket and pants need to fit pretty tight. Just my 2 cents!

Stay safe!
Herb

 

I just received my new Draggin Jeans. They fit great, a lil heavy, about to go for a ride to see how they feel in the heat. It is 80 and humid here in Boone, NC. Should be fun. :-D The kevlar in these jeans makes them heavy, but I may wear these on a normal basis.

 

I'm an ATGATT guy...even on my scoot, while it seems most scooter riders dress like they're crash immune.. they way I see it ..at 50 km/hr the pavement is just as hard on a scoot or a litre bike

As for being raped by the retailers on gear....
Try NewEnough.com closeouts and bargain basement sections...

I already had my CKX full face
I grabbed a Cortech Fusion jacket (textile, armoured, vented with full removable liner), JR Phoenix Pants (Mesh, one size up so they work alone or as overpants), JR Reactor boots and Powertrip Strong Arm gloves.

Whole package delivered to my door, after the Canadian government dipped in for duty and taxes, for $325 CDN

 

Kobe Leather jacket with armor and kevlar, jeans, joe rocket gloves, a Bell Helmet and my Doc Martens.

I was in a low speed wreck (20-25mph) about a year and a half ago and I was only in jeans, jean jacket, gloves and helmet and it tore the crap out of my arm. I had fatty tissue hanging out of a hole just below my elbow. Denim immediately shreds when you scrape against the ground. I need to find a better pant to wear while riding as I did get some pretty nasty abrasions on my legs. Now, I wear nothing less than my leather jacket, helmet, jeans, boots and gloves.

 

you like your jeans? Try these out: http://www.dragginjeans.com/

 

I always wear jeans. One of my old co-workers has a good 3" circle branded on his leg from his exhaust compliments of his one and only time riding in shorts. I'd rather not f*** up any tattoos, or any potentially tattooed skin.

I always wear a helmet. Honestly, it's damn near impossible to find a comfortably-fitting full-face helmet that will fit me right between dreadlocks and large gauge ear piercings. I can SQUEEZE into a 2XL, but my face is pressed against the face shield because my hair takes up so much room in the back. I still wear it on longer rides, but it's not one bit comfortable and to be totally honest, I question how much it would even protect me in a crash because it's so ill-fitting. For in-town and most of the time, (now that I'm not commuting two and a half hours on my bike every day) I stick with a half-helmet and goggles.

Speaking of that, I always wear eye protection as well with the half-helmet. As a piercer, debris in my eye could easily be a career-ending move. I've got a nice set of goggles I usually wear, but for short trips I'll sometimes just wear safety glasses.

I almost always wear gloves as well. Same thing... my hands earn my keep -- gotta take care of them. The best vegan gloves I've been able to find, unfortunately, are available in gauntlet-only, so in the summer I've been wearing them with the gauntlets rolled down. Not too comfortable, but beats dead animal parts on my gloves or not having gloves at all.

As far as shoes... I'll admit I'm pretty lax as far as that goes. I generally wear high-top skate shoes anyway, and that's what I wear to ride in. As lame as it is, I just hate always having to have an extra pair of shoes with me. They're probably not the most protective things in the world, but it could be worse.

Jacket/pants -- if I'm riding very far on the highway I wear a heavy denim jacket. I don't own a riding jacket or pants, but I'm looking into it. Would be nice for longer rides and such.

I understand it's silly to not wear everything all the time and it's like saying "I'll put my seatbelt on right before I crash" but I like taking my bike for short trips and such, and I would hate having to wear all the gear all the time... I don't think I'd ride nearly as much as I do if I had to wear everything all the time.

 

I've got a black Caberg modular helmet that I always wear, though if I'm only going a couple blocks I'll leave the chinbar flipped up. I've also got a pair of Fieldsheer mesh gloves with knuckle armor and a pair of deerskin gauntlets for when it's cold.

In town it's:
Jeans
Unlined Carhartt jacket if it's warm, leather jacket if it's cold
High top hiking boots
Aforementioned helmet and gloves

On the highway it's:
Leather jacket
Leather pants
Leather high-top motorcycle boots
Aforementioned helmet and gloves
I have pretty much no wind protection, so when I'm on the open road my gear is comfortable, even when it's hot out.
If it's a super long ride, I'll slip an iPod in my chest pocket and wear the earbuds under my helmet, turned up -just- enough so I can hear the music amid the engine and wind noise, but not so loud that it drowns out traffic.

I never ride unprotected, even if it's around the block I'll throw my helmet and gloves on. I'll also never ride in shorts. The way the can exits my bike on the left side, I often find myself rubbing my jeans against the pipe when I'm stopped in traffic.

 

And for myself.

"Vega" full faced helmet
Heavy (but not armored) Screaming Eagle (not to be confused with the HD division) leather jacket, with venting.
Leather riding boots.
Leather gloves (should probably get some armored ones)
And plain old levis jeans.

I would like to get some protective riding jeans but got a case of sticker shock when I checked into that at the local dealer. Is there an inexpensive way to go about that or do you just have to bite the bullet? I think the ones they had were around $150.ca.

Ideally I'd like to pay under $100 if I can. Especially if I wanted to have 2 pair so I don't have to put them through the laundry as often.

 

well, i now am regretting looking at the site link to Live to Ride, Ride to Die. Makes me rethink what i'm wearing, i really need to invest in a good jacket.

 

Shoei RF-1000 BRIGHT YELLOW full-face helmet.
32-33 NRR foam earplugs (I'm working through a sample pack right now).
Vanson Highwayman "Hardcore" jacket http://www.vansonleathers.com/product_p ... rdcore.htm (Man, I wish that thing had vents).
Mesh or insulated textile gloves.
Jeans (been looking at overpants for a while, but jsut can't pull the trigger)
Redwing steel-toed boots.

If it gets really warm, like today, I skimp by not zipping my wrist cuffs all the way and by soaking a bandana to wear under my helmet (like air conditioning for your scalp and keeps your helmet from getting as funky!). That's it. If it's REALLY hot and I'm stuck in traffic, I'll unzip my jacket WHILE I'M STOPPED. When the light changes, I re-zip.

The jeans are obviously my weak link, I'm working on that. FWIW, in my one slow get-off, I slid on my knee (and other parts) for about 10 yards and the jeans held up. Again, not ideal, but better than shorts.

Redneckzombi: As for not wanting to put on all the gear for short trips, I can understand that, but I can tell you that it really does become a routine and it gets to where you don't even think about it (unless it's 95 and humid and the sweat is pouring off of you while your'e still gearing up - in which case its sometimes better to gear up inside in the A/C). I've been riding for 12 years and to be honest, I started out as a jeans and T-shirt guy (and boots and helmet - fat lot of good the helmet would have done if I'd have been wishing myself dead versus skinless). When I fell off, I was lucky enough that it was cold out, so I just so happened to be wearing jeans and a heavy jacket (2-ply denim - one layer wore through on my arm, the other layer held up). That was the wake-up call for me to dress better. All the time. If it's "too hot" I simply don't ride. But that's just me. I'm just saying if you don't wear the gear all the time, give it a shot - it just might become second-nature for you, too.

 

What is a good affordable jacket with some armor in it? I do not currently have one, and have to get one, but I do not know what is a good one. I know usually that the more they are, the better, but what are some good ones that won't cost me a arm and a leg? I would like all the protection I could get, but have it still look good. I saw some nice Icon ones, but there $400.00 :O

 

Half helmet, tee, jeans, combat boots. It strikes me funny that so many use so much more protection on the highway than in town. Not many go down on the highway but someday that old lady IS gonna put you over her hood in town.

 

T-shirt, jeans and a full face helmet....

 

I agree with that 100% - that's why for many of us, it's gear ALL THE TIME. The pavement is just as hard and unforgiving inside the city limits as outside. I think the lower average speeds in town lull folks into thinking it's just about like riding a bicycle, so whats the worry. But ever get off a bicycle around 20-25MPH? I have, and it hurt like hell (I've actually gotten more road rash from bicycle crashes than motorcycle crashes). It cant' protect you in the closet.

 

Anthony14.. check out newenough.com , thay have lots of gear in the bargain basement and closeout sections that are good quality and cheap.... all brand name stuff too,
See what catches your eye....

 

Thanks.