Do you wear protective clothing?

[87gsxrnut]

When I was stationed in South Carolina, I usually didn't ride much in the summer. Like riding through a hair-dryer. Horrible.

- Nut

[SNAFU]

Originally Posted by tricker

Full helmet, leather jacket, leather gloves, jeans, and boots.. no matter the temp, no matter the weather. I haven't ridden 2 up yet but when the time comes they'll need the same as what i've got on.

[inspiron]

I wear ATGATT ...

[eb77k]

Everyone's got a story about the guys head rolling down the road like a pumpkin. If a guy got hit so hard he tore off a finger, I don't think a regular leather glove would have saved it.

You are never safe on a bike, get used to it. You can dress up like a storm trooper and still get hurt. I have yet to see any gear (except a helmet) which would actually stop a bone from being broken. Soft tissue damage yes, broken bones no.

On the road, depending on the weather, I'll wear as little as jeans, t-shirt, and chuck taylors. As it gets colder the stuff goes on. On the race track, I wear everything I have.

As far as passengers, I don't demand anything special. I do realize I've got someones life in my hands and adjust my behavior accordingly.

[intimid8er]

eb....I'm not being confrontational...just curious as to your view on the following based on your statement above.

I agree with you in some ways. I put on a leather jacket and wonder how it's going to help other than road rash.....

However, that aside, do you not see value in proper footgear? Granted a foot can get tore off as easy as a blink, but based on your statement....Do you see any protective value in a good solid pair of boots?

[tricker]

Originally Posted by eb77k

You can dress up like a storm trooper and still get hurt.

[eb77k]

I understand everyones urge to continue to live. So, state your opinions I'll take no offense.

Footgear is huge. If you slap your ankle on the road or the heel you are really going to hurt. Grinding one of your ankle bones down will also be a life changing experience (don't ask me how I know).

Wearing the right stuff is better than none. But all you can do is minimize the damage. You are not safe by any means. Your wits and skill will do more than any clothes.

[inspiron]

That's the point.

No gear is going to let you walk away from a major crash, but it could mean the difference between a few weeks or the rest of your life in a hospital bed

Major accidents are not the only risk, though. A friend of mine (a moderator at another bike forum) broke his collar bone in a bike accident a few weeks ago. He was wearing full gear, so the "only" injury was his shoulder. No road rash, no head injuries - "just" a broken collar bone.

Without gear, he would be a lot worse off than he is.

[Thundurburd]

I posted this link here once before and think it might be a good time to look at it again. Having a crash involves a roll of the dice and anything can happen. Not only is it important to survive but I think it's important to be protected as much as practical from debilitating injuries to knees, ankles, elbows, etc.

The guy in the link above walked away without even being sore. A good example IMO.

[MikeHump]

I wear my helmet, gloves, and jacket every time I ride (although, I bought my bike a few months ago, so I have yet to experience the 110 degree summer in a leather jacket). I'm working on getting some boots and pants, but my financial situation is getting in my way haha. I'll probably get boots before I get pants though.

[m50riderga]

Summer - Full face, jeans, boots, mesh gloves with armour on nuckles and mesh jacket with armour.

Winter - Full face, jeans, boots, leather gloves with nuckle protection and leather jacket with armour.

Passenger must do the same.

[drgibson]

I always wear protection.

[87gsxrnut]

Major accidents are not the only risk, though. A friend of mine (a moderator at another bike forum) broke his collar bone in a bike accident a few weeks ago. He was wearing full gear, so the "only" injury was his shoulder. No road rash, no head injuries - "just" a broken collar bone.

Same here, back in '89. I would be dead, no doubt, without gear.

- Nut

[tricker]

Originally Posted by MikeHump

I wear my helmet, gloves, and jacket every time I ride (although, I bought my bike a few months ago, so I have yet to experience the 110 degree summer in a leather jacket). I'm working on getting some boots and pants, but my financial situation is getting in my way haha. I'll probably get boots before I get pants though.

hottest i've ridden with my leather jacket was when it was 95 degrees. Lets just say i was a bit toasty after about 15 miles.. probably going to invest in a mesh jacket this spring.

[Jammer]

What I'm thinking after reading parts of this thread and reflecting. On my Gixxer so far since I got it in 04..there hasn't been a close call that I have had that couldn't have been prevented without me acting in a way that I shouldn't have been. It may sound typical..but I believe the best armor you have is what's between your ears.

Sincerely...

[MikeHump]

Originally Posted by tricker

hottest i've ridden with my leather jacket was when it was 95 degrees. Lets just say i was a bit toasty after about 15 miles.. probably going to invest in a mesh jacket this spring.

Yeah, I might have to do the same. In the black leather with a black helmet and black gloves, riding on a black bike, I'm sure it won't be anything less than toasty haha.

[Mechanic]

Originally Posted by Nick Mystic

I consider myself a cautious and safe motorcycle rider and I actively seek out information that I can use to ride more safely. I returned to riding a motorcycle this past August when I bought an '07 Suzuki M50 Limited Edition. Back when I first rode motorcycles nearly 40 years ago there was no such thing as protective clothing beyond a helmet,leather jacket and a pair of jeans. At least as a high school and college kid I had never heard of any such thing.

I recently read a story about a young woman who as a passenger flew off the back of a sport bike that was traveling at a very high rate of speed. She had no protective clothing beyond a poor fitting, too large helmet. I won't go into the details of her injuries, but as you can imagine she will never be the same again. She slid over 500 feet on the pavement before coming to a stop!

I ordered two different protective jackets and a pair of protective pants today from an online shop. One jacket was for winter use and one for summer use. I have two questions for forum members:

1) Do you wear protective clothing when you ride: all the time, sometimes, or never?

2) Do you make sure your passenger is wearing protective clothing before you take someone for a ride? If so, do you provide them with the clothing?

[Mechanic]

Hello Mystic
I'm an old fart that has been riding bikes all my life, I started at thirteen and am now sixty-one and still ride. To answer your questions, yes to both of them, I wear all the gear and so do my passangers or they don't ride with me. I learned very early that if you don't have the proper safety gear, and you get into trouble on a bike you are going to hurt for a long time. The gear may not look to cool or whatever, but you have a choice to make, you will look a lot worse after an accident or just a drop, if you don't havewear the gear. Just my oppinion, like the saying, everybody has one. Take care and stay safe, and most of all enjoy your ride. It's not how fast you can get there, its how much you enjoy the trip. Doug (Mechanic)

[Nick Mystic]

My new gear arrived yesterday and I'm pleased with the apparent quality of both of the jackets and the pants. I thought I'd post a few photos showing what the gear looks like. In case anyone is thinking they would like to have some protective clothing, but think it would be too expensive you might want to check out the site where I made my purchases: Mens Motorcycle Jackets :: Jafrum :: Men's Textile Motorcycle Jackets

The two jackets I bought cost $64.95 and $59.95. The protective pants were $59.95. These were the cheapest prices I found after doing a web search. Both jackets have removable linings. The shorter length jacket with more of the bright yellow on it is actually a mesh jacket where all the black material is showing. You can unzip the inner waterproof liner and the quilted vest to be left with just the mesh and the abrasion resistant material over the rest of the jacket and the protective pads.

I was very pleased with the service this company provided. I placed my order on Wednesday around noon and I received it the next day around 1:30 p.m. with free shipping!

It is supposed to be sunny and about 50 degrees here tomorrow, so I am hoping to get a chance to gear up and take a ride to see how everything feels out on the road.

[drgibson]

Dude you better hope tricker doesn't spot that shinny reflective material, he tends to hone in on things like that.