Ok, I just did something I thought I'd never do. I went out to lunch w/o all my gear on. I have a textile jacket, textile pants, boots, gloves and helmet. I've never ridden without the whole kit on.

Today in Raleigh it's a beautiful 70F, and I'm stuck at work. I needed to go out and get a really quik bite because I was working on something that needed to be finished asap. So I headed out without my riding pants or boots on, simply because I didn't want to be in what is effectively a textile snow suit and come back to work 20 minutes later a sweaty mess.

The whole time I was out I was uncomfortable. The same sort of uncomfortable when you feel naked when you don't buckle your seatbelt in your cage.

So, do you guys ever run errands w/o all your gear?

I always wear some kind of jacket, mesh for warm days, textile for cooler.

For my legs I usually wear long pants, if not I'll put on some dirt bike knee/shin pads. I also always wear gloves and a helmet.

Fortunately for michigan riders it's not often that it's warm enough to go without gear. By the time the sun goes down it's always cold.

I would recommend wearing gear everytime you ride, but I guess that goes without saying. The trick is finding the right gear for the right temperature. There's lots of options out there.

I often wore just jeans and boots (sometimes trainers) until my girlfriends cousin came of his ZX6 and shattered his hip about 5 months ago. Since then its leather all the way...even when its really hot. The wierd thing is, I ride better in jeans...more movement etc. so I wonder if I am less likeley to have a crash. On one of the hotter days I was so uncomfortable that I couldn't concentrate and made lots of silly mistakes. I'm looking for a compromise for next season.

i ride my bike to school everyday,... i can't wear leather pants (the same ones at that) to school everyday... so i mostly wore jeans, never shorts or anything else though, i made sure it was at least denim... (it's better than nothing right?)

i also wore just regular shoes,... which i know i need to change... i just need to find some comfortable boots that don't look to lame to wear... (i always wear a jacket with padding in shoulder, elbows, and back, as well as always wearing gloves, and a helmet (which goes with out saying in ca.) )

I'm like most people here, I have good Sidi Boots, fully padded leather jacket and race gloves.. and helmet :P

But have never bought pants nor would I wear them in town. I will most likely buy some next spring but will only wear them If I'm going to ride for a day or a blitz up in the country.

Not for going to friends, or dtown,etc..

Cool - I'm anxious to see how this poll shakes out.

I bought my bike to commute to work as well as the weekend riding. I guess the one thing I wasn't prepared for when having a bike, was that I'd be dragging all this gear around all the time. Makes it a real hassle to drop into a store to pick up something. It won't be such a big deal when it's colder out, but I don't know if I'll be riding in pants to commute next summer.

When I was growing up, my Mom worked in the ED. I saw my share of road rash and the procedure to remove stones and dirt. So, for me, ATGATT.

I want to chime on proper clothing. Some guy on the internet said that all the leathers and stuff other than an helmet was just a false security.

Now, while that may be true, I wear pants and jacket with pads, as well as a full face helmet. I don't want to get in a fender bender type accident and be destroyed. Gear can help in those times. High speed crashes, who knows what can help.

One other thing, is be careful if you ride with shoes or boots with laces. One friend came off a freeway exit, stopped to put his foot down, his laces were tangled in the foot pegs. The mototcycle found it's most natural position, horizonital.

Since most of us Hornet riders, ride naked, I certainly hope we all enjoy the ride behind a full face helmet.


Good riding,
Happy Holidays,
tgom

I'm ashamed to say that i don't even own any proper pants or riding boots. I ALWAYS wear denim and tennis shoes or boots, however, as i, too, have seen a couple of road rash incidents that could have been easily avoided or much less painful if the rider was simply wearing jeans. As tomacana said, it makes all the difference in a (relatively) small accident or fall to at least have your whole body covered by some sort of durable material.

I do, however, own a couple of decent armored jackets and wear one and a full face helmet EVERY time i ride. I know what it's like to not want to lug around the gear and have been tempted to go without a jacket for a short ride on a hot day, but between my wife and my own sensibilities i have not done so.

I'm hoping to get some padded overpants for the Spring as lately i've become more and more conscious of how little protection my knees have (even with jeans) were i to impact or slide on them at all. I would probably wear them if i knew i was to be riding for any significant period of time or on any twisty roads...but probably not every single time i go out.

I want to chime on proper clothing. Some guy on the internet said that all the leathers and stuff other than an helmet was just a false security.

False secuirty my ass. That's got to be one of the dumbest things I've read on the internet.

I'm living proof {and so are thousands of other riders} that proper gear will save your ass. I've come off twice on the street in my leathers, and both times came away without a scratch.

Second street crash being a pretty voilent one, a 50+mph lowside. Threw a Z1000 into a righthander, on some rock hard tires. Way before I had any decent lean angle, the thing tucked and that made it a long way down to the pavement. I bounced like a rag doll, ended up going across two lanes of opposite traffic, finally resting in a nearby ditch.

I walked away from that, and am certain that if I didn't have ALL my gear on it would have been much worse. Funny thing is, that morning I contempleted just wearing my jacket, since I didn't plan on riding "that hard".

Once you fall like that, the price of your next helmet/boots/leather jacket doesn't seem all that important anymore...

...at least denim... (it's better than nothing right?)...
No not really. I've crashed 12 speeds with Levi's on and had bone showing...
Just to put this in context, a single layer of 1.4 mm cow hide will last 5.8 seconds, while 200 gsm denim (or your standard jeans), will last just over half (0.6) of a second (SATRA, 2002).
See the rest of the really great article from the Auzzie Government here:
http://www.roadsafety.mccofnsw.org.au/a/88.html

.. (i always wear a jacket with padding in shoulder, elbows, and back, as well as always wearing gloves, and a helmet (which goes with out saying in ca.) )
The very least I'd say.

Everyone has to find their comfort level, just like an insurance deductible, but I'd just ask if the inconvenience or "fashion" of proper gear is a good enough reason to take a gamble. I've seen guys ride bikes w/o a helmet or maybe just a leather jacket (unzipped) that wouldn't risk a c-note on a roulette wheel and still carry full comp on a 8k car... kinda crazy if you work the math (to me at least).

Spend the extra money and get gear you like, looks cool and fits well. You'll be more apt to use it. 5 minutes to put it on and the inconvenience of carrying it around pale in comparison to one trip to the E-room and how long it takes to grow skin back... Chris (AKA MOTO) has the right idea. :thumbsup

At the very least get a damn Hawaiian shirt... no protection but at least you'll look good...feeling lucky?

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-87643157442797_1925_1512265.jpg

One thing that I like about sport bike riders is that they put on proper attair to ride more than other riding groups. There is always an exception. Just a generalization. The sport touring group may dress the best overall.


Matt and others, regarding my post, I suscribe to riding with saftey attaire.
I wear reinforced canvas pants with knee pads and I wear ether a mesh textile or a winter textile jacket, both with elbow, shoulder and back pads.
Alway gloves, full face helmet, boots and sunglasses. Not exactly stylish, but I like the weight and comfort level.

My paraphrase about false security. You ride flat out cause you got 'the gear', you may be dressed in good funeral attair. You may get the good leathers cut off on the ride to the ER but you may have a lot less road rash and less broke parts. I think that is the meaning, it is for me. I intend to dress safe and not ride reckless or strive to keep the amount of safe riding at the max. If I catch meself not being safe I lean toward safer.

Ii's hard to make a statement and have it understood. Some things shouldn't be said or at least to some age groups. Twin brothers once told me' Dad said using a rubber is like washing your feet with your socks on'. They both got girls pregnant their senior year. Old dad shouldn't opened that bag o worms.

cesu pro wrote:
...at least denim... (it's better than nothing right?)...
then rnd wrote:
No not really. I've crashed 12 speeds with Levi's on and had bone showing...

it's still better than NOTHING... in the article you posted denim lasted about 0.6 seconds and what would flesh last? 0.0 seconds???

in all seriousness though, i do completely agree with you... i would like to get some more gear, boots, pants, leather, everything. but i haven't found a pair of boots that i really like yet... i'm looking still.... same goes for pants... i need a few pairs though, because wearing the same pair to school everyday? could get a little foul... and a few pairs is going to be expensive...

isn't there some sort of "under-armor" sort of things you can wear under your jeans? i thought i saw that somewhere...

If you are riding everyday to school maybe get a top box (they look dorky here, but in other markets lots of people use them and they are damn handy) and some over pants that you just take off and store when you get to school.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/rg/pants/
BTW that is a great site, think I've posted it before, lots of good info.

I hang all my gear all over my office... I come in all suited up...cue dramatic music (playlist 7) as I bust thru the front door slow-mo style visor up slipping off my gloves then sloooowly unstrapping the helmet with the sharp staccato tap of my boots providing the meter...Girls in the front seem to like it... Now it is quite possible half are thinking "dork" but I don't think so... there is just something about "uniforms" that the eye finds pleasing, especially the female one.

Save Your Hide Guide (http://www.motoport.com/saveyourhide.pdf?Merchant_ID=ALL&Merchant_Fax=1-760-233-7561&Merchant_Phone=1-800-777-6499)

-see the differences between denim, kevlar, nylon, denier, and leather when it comes to cycles to failure.

I hang all my gear all over my office... I come in all suited up...cue dramatic music (playlist 7) as I bust thru the front door slow-mo style visor up slipping off my gloves then sloooowly unstrapping the helmet with the sharp staccato tap of my boots providing the meter...Girls in the front seem to like it... Now it is quite possible half are thinking "dork" but I don't think so... there is just something about "uniforms" that the eye finds pleasing, especially the female one.

+1

I know I've definitely have gotten more attention from the ladies here at the office since I started to ride. I also come in "all suited up", and feel like I'm starring in a John Woo film as I stroll in. Except, it's pretty much the swish-swish of the textile suit as I walk.

It's about to get cold enough where overpants aren't going be an issue. If anything, I'll be glad to have them. This summer I'll have to get some mesh, and possibly change clothes at work.

The ONE time I didn't wear anything but a helmet was on my dirt bike on a dirt road surounded by fields. My b/f pointed at a destination down below ahead, I nodded & proceded to consentrate on going through the gears & looked to the side at the destination.
When I looked forward again, there he was in front of me at a DEAD STOP!! I veered to the side & jumped up off the bike--landing on hands & knees... Both bike & I were fine.
All we did was go out for "just a quick ride".
Needless to say 'never again' for me.
AGATT!

...ONE time I didn't wear anything but a helmet was on my dirt bike on a dirt road surounded by fields. My b/f pointed at a destination down below ahead, I nodded & proceded ... there he was in front of me ... I veered to the side & jumped up off the bike--landing on hands & knees ... All we did was go out for "just a quick ride"...
:shock: Nope...not gonna do it... :wink:

:shock: Nope...not gonna do it... :wink:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I wear full gear 99% of the time. When I get to work I drop my jacket on the back of my chair, take my padded overpants off (jeans remain), change into a regular pair of shoes that I keep in a drawer under my desk, and I'm done - my skin is worth the hassle.

I recommend Joe Rocket Alter Ego Overpants to anyone who commutes to work and doesn't feel like changing out of their leather every day. They are awesome and don't look as corny as most overpants that I've seen.

Here's a link to the review. The pictures make the pants look worse than they really look, so don't pay attention to that.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/joe-rocket/



As a general rule:
Cover all the skin you'd like to keep. :thumbsup

I'm new to the site but I've been riding a 599 since Nov 2003.

As a new rider, I learned to wear protection all the time I started out wit a just a helmet and a regular leather jacket. I slowly purchased more equipment over the next 2 years. I bought an Alpinestars leather jacket and Doc Martins. I have only ridden my bike without the jacket 1 time, around the block after cleaning and chain adjustments. I finally added a pair of Frank Thomas boots, and then a new pair of Joe Rocket Aler Ego pants with a new pair of Joe Rocket golves.

I commute 40 miles one way every day and have done so since I got my bike. In Califronia, you can share lanes. last Tuesday I learned how well and important my gear is when I had my first accident. I was side-swiped by a car merging into my lane from the right. My left knee took the mahorit of the impact and the left arm of me jacket took the rest. No impact to the head, so damage to my helmet.

I was travelling around 30 mph, maybe more. My only injuries were a bruised hip, knee, bruised pinky, and a smashed toenail. The bike suffered more damage than I did. wihtout my gear, I would have a shattered knee, thrashed hip, maybe missing a finger, and I would need new forearms (minor scratch from jacket material).

Wear the gear and buy the best you can't afford. You should spend the extra money getting the good stuff, leather if at all possible. My pants are kevlar and textile. While the kneew fabric held up, other areas of the pants with less protection did not fair so well. The frank Thomas boots are actually Aquas for bad wether. While they protected me, I will get a boot with better toe protection. Toes go quickly in accidents.

Kind of long, but You're a DU MAS if you don't wear the gear, even on a 20 min trip to get a snack. At least the jacket, golves, helmet, pants (denim), and boots.

Hey glad your okay and I hope the bike is mended soon as well. Your right about toes...I have a friend who lost his big toe in a crash...and he was wearing what he thought were good boots. Strange thing is he still gets an itch on the top of it even though its not there!

...wihtout my gear, I would have a shattered knee, thrashed hip, maybe missing a finger, and I would need new forearms (minor scratch from jacket material)...Wear the gear and buy the best you can't afford. You should spend the extra money getting the good stuff, leather if at all possible. My pants are kevlar and textile. While the kneew fabric held up, other areas of the pants with less protection did not fair so well. The frank Thomas boots are actually Aquas for bad wether. While they protected me, I will get a boot with better toe protection. Toes go quickly in accidents...
Sounds like good advice and glad you are alright. :thumbsup
If you get the chance can you post up some pictures of the pants/jacket/boots damage?

So, do you guys ever run errands w/o all your gear?
Oh, I don't know. I have sat on my 599 butt naked before, though.
It was kinda funny when I looked down at my lap.
Do it, and see if you don't snicker.

So, do you guys ever run errands w/o all your gear?
Oh, I don't know. I have sat on my 599 butt naked before, though.
It was kinda funny when I looked down at my lap.
Do it, and see if you don't snicker.

hmm.. this thread is almost 2 years old!!

... and im not they type to sit naked in my garage... maybe the living room though...