Topic: what riding gear do you wear

[Stixxy]

Icon Mainframe full face
Leather jacket or Textile Alpinestars jacket
Icon elbow, knee, chest and back armour
Icon Jeans or Yoshimura leather pants
Icon Super Duty gloves
Nitro boots

Lots of colours too to maximize my visibility to other drivers.

And yes other riders do call me an ATGATT 

[jkidd01]

I usually wear a $40 helmet I got from Meijer (similar to Wal Mart for those not in the Michigan/Indiana/Ohio area)
A short sleve t-shirt
Usually Jeans, but sometimes shorts. Especially if I'm heading to a friend's place with a pool.
And my regular everyday tennis shoes.

Actually... exactly like what my avatar picture shows me in.

[Rocking-M]

...Joe Rocket Alter Ego 2.0

I've been looking a those.
How do you like them?

How's the airflow with the flaps opened up?

Around here it can be in the 40's on the way to work and in the 80's in the afternoon. I need something that'll work over a wide temp range.

actually, I have no problem with full leathers in 80 degrees. But, we only have one stop light.
Perforated leathers are fine in the heat and in fact help insulate a bit from the heat.
I'm a heat expert, I grew up in the tobacco fields of NC and have cropped tobacco in 110degrees.
Use to ride down there with shorts and t shirt and open helmet. Wife on the back in a tube top.
34 years ago now. The leathers actually keep me cooler in the heat than I was in t-shirt and jeans.

But, it's just a humid heat!

btw, those who scoff at gear should keep it to themselves. Takes a certain kind of stupid to
ride without gear. I know, I've been there and done that.

[bucky katt]

Vega full face helmet (i forget the model) Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0 mesh jacket, draggin jeans clone and a pair of 5.11 tactical zip side boots.

[andy750]

The Hassle of Protective Gear...

And the reason for protective gear... http://www.youtube.com/user/AtlasRid.../8/TFD9az2eAv0

and

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=70937.msg789905#msg789905

[sangyo soichiro]

The Hassle of Protective Gear...

Someone's going to steal his suit if he just leaves it in the wheel like that.  Then he'll have a reason to make another goofy gesture to the camera.  I also noticed that he doesn't brush off the bottoms of his socks before he puts on his boots.  He has time to make smart-alec gestures to the camera, but can't find time to brush off the bottoms of his socks.  He's going to get a pebble in his boot that he won't notice until he's applying the rear brake.  And then it'll be too late. 

I'm all for good gear, but if I followed this guy's example, I'd have to replace my stolen gear all the time.  And I'd have pebbles in my shoes.  I hate pebbles in my shoes.



 

[scrapvalue]

The question that was asked in this post was, "what do you wear"?    It's not about how superior of a human you are because of your choice of gear.
Wearing all the gear isn't about, "the hassle". It's about freedom of choice.
Riding is inherently stupid, no matter how much gear you wear.
So for someone who is inherently stupid to call someone else inherently stupid, for their choice of riding gear,(or lack of), is in it self, inherently stupid.

 

[sangyo soichiro]

There are a couple posts in this thread that I'm not sure if they are directed at me or not.  But in case they are, I'd like to make it clear that I'm not scoffing at the gear.  But I am curious what you gear-minded folks do when the gear is a hassle.  That was the point of the post where I posted the pictures of the "stormtrooper" and "Batman" gear.

For example, let's say you were going to the county fair.  Fairs usually go on in the summer, so it's hot.  You want to spend the entire day there. 

Now, if you wear all your gear, what do you do with it?  If you leave it stuffed in the tire like in the video above, some kid is going to mess with it just to impress his friends.  You could keep wearing it, but it's hot, and you'd look like Ricky Racer (or Batman).  You could carry it around, perhaps in a backpack, but that could get tiresome, and what would you do with the backpack if you wanted to go on a ride?  You could hide the backpack in the weeds somewhere and hope nobody messes with it I suppose.  Or maybe the fair security would let you store it in their building.  So what would you do?  This is not scoffing - it is a sincere question.


Personally, here's my answer to my question:  I'd probably wear only a light jacket that I could easily carry, and a helmet (as it's the law in Michigan).  Maybe I'd wear my cheapest (in case it gets stolen) helmet and leave it with the bike.  Or maybe just carry it with me all day (a hassle).  See... already I'm not sure what to do with the helmet.  (I know... most bikes have a helmet lock.)


Now, if I were leaving my home only to go on a nice long ride that ended at my home, then the gear is no problem. 



By the way, on a typical day, I wear a leather jacket and a helmet.  If it's cold, I also wear leather gloves.  I don't really own any other gear, but if I was going to go on a particularly long trip, or go to a track, I'd get knee-sliders and other equipment like that.  But as it is, I simply don't have much gear.  I did, however, just buy an Icon jacket that has the armor.


As a side note, you know how in some states the law requires riders to wear a helmet... I don't mind that (although would rather it not be the law...), but I would not like it if all this gear like knee-sliders and such was made into a law.  Just throwing that out there....

[Don R]

My steel toe boots suck for shifting, whats an option besides my tennies? Whatever jeans I'm wearing at the time I get on, yes i've burned through denim before, boy does it get hot!
I have a couple leather jackets, I like the one with the flag on the back because people tend to see it and might not run me over. Mechanics gloves in the summer. My racecar helmet Bell X15.

[Frankenkit]

boots from your local army surplus might do the trick, Don.

[Rocking-M]

And the reason for protective gear... http://www.youtube.com/user/AtlasRid.../8/TFD9az2eAv0

and

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=70937.msg789905#msg789905

Andy, I can't see that youtube video you posted. the link took me to my logging vids or something.

gear works. I had these posted when I was the old Rocking-M
my pants had one hole worn in them where my pocket knife was. The bolster on the knife was also
ground off a bit. Boots had the sole pretty well torn lose and scuffed but I reglued the sole and still use them.
Still use the pants, gloves and jacket also, the helmet sits on the shelf.

[Retro Rocket]

Wearing all the gear isn't about, "the hassle". It's about freedom of choice.

I would say it is about common sense.

btw, those who scoff at gear should keep it to themselves. Takes a certain kind of stupid to
ride without gear. I know, I've been there and done that.

I just say to those that think it is their right to wear what ever they want or what ever they don't want, explain to me what all the bull#$%* is about your freedom being challenged when the first time you fall off or are hit by a car you are going to die? not much freedom in death.....I suffered horrible injuries after a hit and run 29 years ago and have enjoyed years of riding since, i would have been dead without the riding gear, i still had a fractured skull and shattered jaw with a good helmet on, i had a lacerated liver as well and a severely smashed left arm and my jacket was top notch. My point is i had all the right gear on as far as safety goes and it only just saved my life, even if i had just an open face helmet on i would not be here now. I don't see it as a personal freedom to wear the correct gear, i see it as an intelligent decision in self preservation.

Mick

[Rocking-M]

I suffered horrible injuries after a hit and run 29 years ago and have enjoyed years of riding since, i would have been dead without the riding gear, i still had a fractured skull and shattered jaw with a good helmet on, i had a lacerated liver as well and a severely smashed left arm and my jacket was top notch. My point is i had all the right gear on as far as safety goes and it only just saved my life, even if i had just an open face helmet on i would not be here now. I don't see it as a personal freedom to wear the correct gear, i see it as an intelligent decision in self preservation.

Mick

your lots smarter than me Mick, took me a number of years to get around to gear all the time. Now I'm sure it's the best/smartest way
to ride.

[Retro Rocket]

I suffered horrible injuries after a hit and run 29 years ago and have enjoyed years of riding since, i would have been dead without the riding gear, i still had a fractured skull and shattered jaw with a good helmet on, i had a lacerated liver as well and a severely smashed left arm and my jacket was top notch. My point is i had all the right gear on as far as safety goes and it only just saved my life, even if i had just an open face helmet on i would not be here now. I don't see it as a personal freedom to wear the correct gear, i see it as an intelligent decision in self preservation.

Mick

your lots smarter than me Mick, took me a number of years to get around to gear all the time. Now I'm sure it's the best/smartest way
to ride.

Don't RM,when i was younger and bullet proof i didn't always wear all the gear either but after that accident it completely changed the way i thought about safety. It is hard here like i said earlier because we live in a semi tropical climate but i can live with a little sweat and heat to feel safe. I don't wish to sound like any sort of saint either as i still ride hard, which ups my chances of dropping the bike but i just think its silly after being in a bike accident ward for a couple of months, not to cover up with quality riding gear....

Mick

[Kframe]

100% of the time I wear my Shoei RF-1000, leather gloves, over the ankle leather hiking boots, long pants, and a motorcycle jacket.
The jacket I wear depends on the weather.  I've got full leather + CE armored Belstaff jacket for anything from 50°F to 85°F.  Hotter, and I wear a synthetic textile mesh jacket, with light elbow armor (not CE).  Also have a Triumph textile jacket with an attachable wind/rainbreaker.  If it's really coming down, I have the Triumph Chevron 1-pc rainsuit.  It's amazing! 

Sorry these pics are so big, they're from commercial sites.



Add bootcovers, and waterproof gloves, and you can ride multiple days through heavy rain and stay nice and dry inside. 


I also always wear sunglasses, so I can have my visor up and still be protected. 

When it's cold, I've got Thinsulate lined leather bomber jacket from Wilsons (gay pirate jacket) that's very warm, and I also have Triumph textile overpants with CE knee armor and a waterproof rubber liner that makes riding in the 20°s a reasonable idea.



Anyway, my opinion is more gear is better, but if something is so heavy or hot or constricting that you end up leaving it at home, it makes 0% help in a crash.  So, wear as much as you can afford and as much as you can commit to wearing all the time. 
That's my version of ATGATT.  It helps if you can have a couple different glove, pant, jacket options so you can adapt to the weather and wear some sort of gear all the time. 

Look good and stay safe!
-K

[seaweb11]

full wrap helmet
leather motorcycle jacket
leather cloves
long pants, chaps when really cold
boots
yes i have fallen down and gone boom

+1  that was easy.

And the reason for protective gear... http://www.youtube.com/user/AtlasRid.../8/TFD9az2eAv0

1st:  I wasn't actually looking through the lens while riding
2nd: I didn't crash just dropped the camera on it's leash  fun though....

edit: I did look at some serious gear last time in town

[andy750]

I don't see it as a personal freedom to wear the correct gear, i see it as an intelligent decision in self preservation.

Mick

Well said Mick.

And thanks for posting the photos RM - always a good reminder.

Andy

[scrapvalue]

I see a lot of posts about how, "when we were younger" we learned our lesson about riding gear.
I would be willing to bet that if you would have been smarter about your riding, you most likely could have avoided the accident.  I know I could have,(I was wearing the right gear).
So hopefully your riding style has changed with your ultimate wisdom, mine has.

There are a lot of dead riders out there that were wearing "all the right gear".

Ride smart or stay home. No matter what you wear.

[Retro Rocket]

I see a lot of posts about how, "when we were younger" we learned our lesson about riding gear.
I would be willing to bet that if you would have been smarter about your riding, you most likely could have avoided the accident.  I know I could have,(I was wearing the right gear).
So hopefully your riding style has changed with your ultimate wisdom, mine has.

There are a lot of dead riders out there that were wearing "all the right gear".

Ride smart or stay home. No matter what you wear.

I don't know if this referred  to me or not but i was hit by an idiot in the wet that decided to overtake me on a 25mph corner in the pissing rain and slid into me pushing me into a 4 foot deep and square concrete drainage ditch,  i was thrown about 30 feet head first into a tree which tore my helmet off, fracturing my skull and nearly ripping my lower jaw off, i layed in the bush for seven hours bleeding out before i was found,  if you have a way of avoiding #$%* wits that hit you from behind please let me {and Havoc Turbo} know, i really don't see any way of avoiding that at all...


Mick

[dave500]

man!yeah whats to stop dick wits doing stuff like that?in heavy rain and all,man your a lucky one retro rocket!what was the add we had here ,"dont hit the road with out one?"

[dave500]

im a jeans,leather jacket guy,steel toe work boots,when i rode dirt bikes i wore all the gear,same as plenty on here we had some great crashes just bush riding with mates and no real bad injuries,the only difference was no cars/no tarmac/no armco/no street poles etc,i always wear a full face,and gloves,ive got a great pair of black gardening ones that look the part,about a tenth the price of a type with a logo on them and probably heavier duty.

[Brown Bomber]

     I'm not ATGATT but close, (Not referring to the monkey in the hat again ).
HJC Full Faced helmet, Alpine Star boots, Olympia Sports leather gloves, and depending on weather; Tourmaster Transition jacket, off brand leather motorcycle jacket, or Joe Rocket Phoenix jacket.
     I love it when someone tells me they won't wear a full faced because they break your collar bone in an an accident. I tell them I rather have a broken collar bone than a broken jaw and road rash on the face.
     I've had plenty of smart asses ask me, "goin racin?", or " You plannin on crashin?" I just tell them "I'm not above other peoples stupidity." Before they figure that out I tell them about the 17yr old that was texting while driving, and knocked my bike out from under me on a busy 2 lane during rush hour. SUV stopped cold in front of me, heavy oncoming traffic to my left, fence, power pole, bus stop bench on the right. (If anyone want's to question my ability to avoid that we can start another thread on levels of training and experience.)

     It isn't just other drivers we need to be wary of, finding deer on a twisty back road can be an enlightening experience. Insects can be a problem too, (the ones with stingers).
     Imagine trying to stop a motorcycle from highway speeds after a wasp bounces off of your shoulder, and gets stuck under the collar of your leather jacket. Being stung on the neck repeatedly while trying to get off the road safely is somewhat challenging. After that I thought I'd had my share of stingers, then about seven years ago a swarm of bees flew through my path, splattering my helmet and gear, I counted 17 hits just on my face shield and jacket. That alone makes me grateful for being well protected.

[sangyo soichiro]

I don't know if this referred  to me or not but i was hit by an idiot in the wet that decided to overtake me on a 25mph corner in the pissing rain and slid into me pushing me into a 4 foot deep and square concrete drainage ditch,  i was thrown about 30 feet head first into a tree which tore my helmet off, fracturing my skull and nearly ripping my lower jaw off, i layed in the bush for seven hours bleeding out before i was found,  if you have a way of avoiding #$%* wits that hit you from behind please let me {and Havoc Turbo} know, i really don't see any way of avoiding that at all...


Mick

Holy cow Mick.  That's some serious stuff.  The idiot that hit you didn't stop?

[Duke McDukiedook]

Probably not, he was too busy trying to stay on the road and get somewhere real damn quick.

[sangyo soichiro]

Probably not, he was too busy trying to stay on the road and get somewhere real damn quick.

I kind of figured that.  It's just hard to believe.