Leathers?!?

[KatanaBob]

For the past two days in michigan its been up into the 80's and 90's. Relatively warm, but I never ever get on my bike unless I am going to walmart (I can see it from my front porch) without putting on the leathers. Why on earth am I seeing an average of 2 to every 50 riders not wearing jackets! Thats crazy! I don't care if you are the best rider in the world, some jackass, or some animal can still knock you off. Is that little bit of extra wind really worth the price of possibly loosing an arm! Just insane.

[DS06C50T]

There's just no explaining what reasoning people use sometimes. Just do your thing, stay safe, and don't worry about them. Don't mean to sound cold, but you can't account for everyone else's stupidity!

Just keep doing what you're doing.... and get home in one piece.

Best,
Daryl

[Louis]

My motto is (yes I stole from somewhere ): "If it's too warm to wear gear, if too warm to ride".

In my opinion, the slight discomfort of being too warm is greatly outweighed by the potential discomfort of road rash.

Boots, jacket, gloves, helmet are always on. For convenience store trips I mght not put my riding pants but I'll at least wear jeans.

[Clint]

2? That's it? You must be in the gear-wearing capitol of the world. I'd be lucky to see two riders WITH jackets.

[inspiron]

Not wearing gear because it's too warm is a very weak argument. I have a mesh jacket and mesh riding pants - there is plenty of air flow, but I still have protectors on my shoulders, elbows and knees, and some protection from road rash if I should go down. I've ridden in 90°+ weather - the secret is to drink lots of water (or Gatoraide) and keep moving!

[tlwisner]

Lots of people do things that seem stupid to me. Larry Grodsky's last article that just came out in Rider listed the three pillars of American Motorcycling Stupidity:

1. Riding without a license
2. Riding under the influence
3. Riding without a helmet

Most people that die on motorcycles in the U.S. fit into one or more of those categories

I'll make sure that I and my passenger are geared up to my satisfaction, others can gear up as they deem fit. Hell, I'm just happy to see people wear helmets. I did see some U.S. motocops on TV wearing gear, light and dark gray armored riding jackets instead of the short sleeved shirt - although I've never worried about motorcycle cops since they are better trained and more expereinced riders than just about anybody else.

[Scribbles]

It was well into the 80's in Central Ohio on Saturday, and Lancer and I took the nice weather opportunity for a long ride. We both geared up--mesh jackets, jeans, gloves, helmets, and boots. We saw so many people not wearing any gear at all. We did not ride yesterday, because it was over 90, and a bit too muggy.

Being new makes us over-cautious, but I am in this for the fun, not to see how fast I can kill myself.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by Scribbles

Being new makes us over-cautious, but I am in this for the fun, not to see how fast I can kill myself.

Do you really think you are over cautious? I'm thinking that some other people are merely under-smart. I do know a few people who deceided that jackets are a good thing after much pain and their skin finally grew back.

The right gear can be comfortable in any weather.

Maybe anybody riding a motorcycle is crazy, but people decide how much risk they are willing to accept. Some people accept the risks of street racing on Gixxers while wearing a tshirt and shorts, some of us take a little more care for our own well-being.

[POE-BOY SAMICH]

I'm looking at getting a mesh jacket so that I can be more comfortable during these hot Texas summers. However, I currently wear a Joe Rocket Meteor with the removable front panels and it is NOT so very bad.

I do sweat some under the Meteor, but c'mon, it's Texas!
I'm hoping the mesh will ease up on some of the heat, but I don't think the discmfort of wearing the proper gear is THAT MUCH to overcome. So much of it is mental. Plus, as already mentioned here: any discomfort from the heat beats the heck out of the discomfort from an accident w/o proper gear.

[Scribbles]

Originally Posted by tlwisner

Do you really think you are over cautious? I'm thinking that some other people are merely under-smart. I do know a few people who deceided that jackets are a good thing after much pain and their skin finally grew back.

The right gear can be comfortable in any weather.

Maybe anybody riding a motorcycle is crazy, but people decide how much risk they are willing to accept. Some people accept the risks of street racing on Gixxers while wearing a tshirt and shorts, some of us take a little more care for our own well-being.

Gee--you mean we're smart? COOL! Thanks!

I do know what you mean. We saw a woman yesterday who was a definite squid-in-training. Brand new bike with temp. tag, no gear other than helmet--painted to match brand new bike, and she could hardly touch the ground at a stop. She was so shaky on the bike, we though she was going to dump it while waiting to turn left onto her street. She was not using her head when she bought a bike that she could not reach the ground on, when she got on the bike without any other gear, and obviously without taking any kind of training.

Lancer and I actually are still over-cautious. We have taken a few longer rides, but not on any major freeways yet. We just want to know that we feel right when we do it. We also both feel that we do not even feel right without our gear. I am the same way with my seatbelt. I do not feel comfortable being in a moving car without one.

[Rockhead]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

2? That's it? You must be in the gear-wearing capitol of the world. I'd be lucky to see two riders WITH jackets.

Same thing around here.

[BlueMax]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94 and Rockhead

2? That's it? You must be in the gear-wearing capitol of the world. I'd be lucky to see two riders WITH jackets.


Same thing around here.

Same thing here, I was riding 59 Freeway, Saturday and I was the only rider (out of 6) that had helmet, jacket, gloves, long jeans and boots. Out of the other 5 at least 2 had helmets.

I am writing this off to the fact that I took the MSF-BRC and the other riders had not.

[SKTR]

Originally Posted by KatanaBob

For the past two days in michigan its been up into the 80's and 90's. Relatively warm, but I never ever get on my bike unless I am going to walmart (I can see it from my front porch) without putting on the leathers. Why on earth am I seeing an average of 2 to every 50 riders not wearing jackets! Thats crazy! I don't care if you are the best rider in the world, some jackass, or some animal can still knock you off. Is that little bit of extra wind really worth the price of possibly loosing an arm! Just insane.

I'm just a little east of you, and yup has been warm. My choice has been the "draggin jeans" w/ armor and draggin jeans "100% kevlar shirt w/armor kit. I haven't crash tested the stuff nor do I intend to, yet hope it is a reasonable compromise. Forgot to mention, gear includes full helm.

[Fishpart]

I saw many riders here this weekend riding with no helmet, no shirt and sandles! What the heck these people are thinking "or not" is amazing to me! What Idiot's.

[BlaznBlu]

Gotta agree with everyone, full gear is the only way I ride. Flip-up modular helmet, mesh jacket with armor, gloves, boots, mesh pants with armor for long rides / jeans for short rides to the store.
Central Florida can also get hot and humid, but if I can gear-up, so can anyone else.
It amazes me how many donor-cyclists are willing to leave more than rubber on the asphalt and ride around without shirts or jeans, with their helmets bungeed to their seat. I could look at a pretty girl sitting on the back of a bike in her bikini top and short, but only if the bike is parked!

[SNAFU]

I seen a Woman riding her Scooter with shorts on the other day.
But she was wearing a helmet!

[Louis]

Originally Posted by BlaznBlu50

I could look at a pretty girl sitting on the back of a bike in her bikini top and short, but only if the bike is parked!

That's where you have it wrong! You must look intensely, she might not be gorgeous very long, so make the most of the moment!

[TechJD]

well as it has hit the high 80's and 90's I got me a leather vest
I wear it with a long sleve shirt, in place of my leather jacket
I'm still wearing gloves and helmet, jeans without chaps and boots
but then I very seldom go over 50, and most of the roads around here
you cant run much over 40 anyway
Country Living and Country Roads are the best

[azoazc]

Originally Posted by inspiron

Not wearing gear because it's too warm is a very weak argument. I have a mesh jacket and mesh riding pants - there is plenty of air flow, but I still have protectors on my shoulders, elbows and knees, and some protection from road rash if I should go down. I've ridden in 90°+ weather - the secret is to drink lots of water (or Gatoraide) and keep moving!

I drench my mesh jacket in water too!! Like A/C when riding at a good clip!

[BlueMax]

Originally Posted by inspiron

I have a mesh jacket and mesh riding pants - there is plenty of air flow, but I still have protectors on my shoulders, elbows and knees, and some protection from road rash if I should go down.

inspiron can you please recommend a good pair of mesh riding pants. I am new to riding and have seen several but am not sure which is the best valve.

Thanks and safe riding,
BlueMax