Just curious what you guys(and girls) wear when you ride, I myself always wear my lid and jacket, it's hotter than hell here right now, but my boys need a dad, so they stay on.

Couldn't agree more!!!
Worked in the emergency room long enough and hated it when a guys face has been ground off by the road :x They gave me good stories though...

yeah that would be a good picture, ground chuck, I argue with guys all the time, when they say they just run to the store or something, and don't put on their gear.

I always wear my lid and at least long pants. I would say I wear my jacket about 80% of the time. Every now and then I will make a trip to the store without it but if IM going to ride hard then the jacket stays on even if its 90 out. Honestly I can really see how people can ride with a helmet. The wind bugs the hell out of me when im ridding over about 45 or 50mph plus my eyes water like hell even when i am wearing glasses. So i just don't ride without it for safety and comfurt.

I have thought about this...

Apart from insurance problems, its the clothing/safety issue that puts me most off riding a motorbike.

A full leather. booted, protected, spinal insert set-up is undoubtedly the safest way top travel BUT its a bloody hassle to get in and out of and makes you sweat like a pig.
Thus its a bit impractical for a short sunday morning blast.

Conversely, wearing jeans and a flimsy jacket is asking for trouble.

Has anybody experienced/own a good combination out there?
Something thats pretty safe on a ground skid yet doesnt fry your bolox off?

There have been plenty of studies from the mandatory helmet laws which have shown decreased number of deaths, brain injury, and length of rehabilitation by up to 50%. Keeping your lid on, even for the short hops, only makes sense for you and your family.
I often hear my patients arguing that it's their right to choose whether or not they gear up. My counter is always considering what effect you have on others. Easiest way to think about it is how much would it change YOUR life if you had to spend the rest of it taking care of someone (changing adult diapers, handfeeding...) because of a brain injury.

Oh hell, enough morbid stuff. We're all big boys and girls. I've seen some mesh jackets with armor sewn in that look like they should be comfy, but never tried it because it made me think of Right Said Fred.

Right Said Fred.

:lol:

Dont tell me those morons made it over your side of the pond.. !
Jesus.. I apologise on behalf of the English nation... :oops: :oops:

I also never ride without my helmet.My riding friends all make fun of me but hey,I'm just waiting for one of them to get hurt.I also wear my leather jacket about 70% of the time :)

Hey rascal, all it takes is a split sec. for something to go wrong on a bike, we all know this. so sweating for a couple of hrs on sunday, versus a life time of eating through a straw and having someone wipe my ass for me, I'll stick with the gear, a very small price to pay.

yeah man I always wear a jacket, long pants and a lid. you never know what may happen. I live in Florida too so i sweat my ass off. But a little sweat is better than road rash.

I always, were my lid. minus a short burst up the strip at hampton beach in NH. I live in Mass, where helmets are required, but its good to cruz the beach strip in NH once in a while without it.
I think that riding gear looks cool , and is proven safer than a t-shirt, but everyone rides once in a while with just a t-shirt. a good matching jacket and helmet I think just makes your set up look that much better.
I definately recommend Long pants. Jeans at the least!!! I wore shorts one day and in a parking lot passed a car at a few mph and they opened there door and hit me in my leg, my leg fried on my pipe for a few seconds... almost went to the ER but being an emt I was able to properly care for the wound myself.... well minus the big scar i have now!!!
with a serious bike a serious gear set up is an option I think is well worth the money and minor discomfort from sweat. if you get a good riding jacket with enough venting you only get hot when you stop in traffic.
I like joe rocket gear. looks cool and is protective. there are many options other than leathers, there lighter, allow more air flow, and have built in protection from both spills and weather. i like wearing gloves too. I bought ringers mechanic style gloves with built in gel pockets on palm, they look like good, have good air flow, and they decrease vibration and are wicked comfortable for longer rides. only draw back is that there is no hard protection on them in case of a spill.

Ok so here's the question, supposing I'm going to do normal riding and not any type of street racing or drag racing.
Gloves, Helmet, Jacket, and boots? Along with Jeans? Would that be the way to go?

damn right guest, the best way to go in the summer time is a nice vented mesh or kevlar jacket. I have an Alpinestars mesh and it's protective and keeps me as cool as possibble. A Shoei helmet has lots of vents and also keeps me cool in the summer. The only down side to the summer is long pants and boots, jeans at the least, no matter what it's gonna be hot but it's better than getting hurt or even killed in a crash. Even a minor crash in a parking lot or anywhere else in shorts will hurt alot more w.shorts and a T-shirt on, w/no helmet you can be looking at major injuries in even a minor crash i pretty much stick to that everytime I go out.

i always wear my helmet, try to wear my jacket all the time but it just gets so hot here in washington.

I've seen guys wearing shorts and a t-shirt and just a helmet. I've also seen some guys wearing jeans and chaps with a jacket and helmet, which looks a little funny to me. :lol: But I guess its better to save your butt cheeks for skin grafting. Cause it would really suck if you had to shave your leg or even worse, your face, cause you had a hairy ass prior to the accident. :shock: Oh well, shaboogie!

I just have one thing to say to squids who dont wear gear:

You do NOT look cool traveling 100+ with a a tank top. shorts and flip flops/tennis shoes.

Undoubtedly I will have a squid once or twice a month pull up on their new bike, no gear, no lid, just a tshirt and sometimes jeans, but usually shorts, and rev their engine. Like they wanna try me. I just look at them and laugh. (as I sweat like a hog in my hanson leathers.)

Ocassionally I will tach 'er up to the rev limiter just to get them drooling and let them take off like an ass and just easy out and cruise.

It was very odd reading your replies to this topic as I - living in Finland - always use full gear when riding my bike; meaning: Back protector, zip-together leather suit, helmet, 'semi-racing' gloves and boots. And I just couldn't even THINK about anything else.

Of course helmet is a mandatory gear in Finland but I can't see any reason why someone would take such stupid risk like driving without helmet even if it is not mandatory..

'Luckily' the driving season in Finland rarely offers opportunities to even a slight sweating... :D

RoseRRRR & R6'03

until i can afford a pair of boots ive been wearing a pair of sneakers, my helmet, gloves and i just got my brand spankin new icon jacket.

as far as pants go... been wearing jeans.. and probably wont get any leathers till fall or next season.

Lid always, jacket most of the time....

i always wear a helmet, gloves and jacket, and if im going far ill put on my riding boots. i dont have pants yet, but i will get some eventually (need them for the track)

helmet, jacket and gloves. I live on a military base, so it's pretty much required.

<--- Helmet always, Leather or Textile (depending on season) Jacket 99.9% of time, Gloves always, Jeans/Pants 99.9% of time, Boots 99.9% of time, Ride fast - all the time. Care how anyone else dresses? nope. Do they ride in our group... not usually, cause they realize they can't keep up without gear on, and/or its too dangerous w/out gear.

I'm guilty of riding w/o my helmet. I've done it many a times. However, I won't get on the highway w/o it. I've been riding with it more now, that I have changed who I ride with. I've been over the handle bars before and got a little road rash, I was wearing Silver Tab Jeans (not a hole in them before the paramedics got there) a t-shirt which was ripped in a few spots and a lid.. I don't like to ride w/ gloves but after pulling a glass shard out of my hand this weekend I think i'm gonna start..

Being in the fire department and working at a police department i see it more times than not, if you wear your gear you are good, and if you dont plan on either dieing or being seriously injured

If you are going to ride a race bike on the street, then you better wear protection or you will either be found dead or in a hospital getting skin grafts!!!

Summer riding I suggest the following:

1. Full face Aria RX7 ( excellent ventilation and lightweight)
2. Joe Rocket Textile Alter Ego Jacket (padded and ventilated)
3. Teknic Aquavent Pant (excellent protection, 1000X's cooler than jeans)
4. Joe Rocket Control Gloves( lightweight and ventilated)
5. SIDI Escape Boot (above the ankle protection, cool and lightweight)

I have worn this equipment all summer, at times in 100 degree weather. Absolutely no problems!!! comfortable, safe, and cool.................

One word about jeans. If you have a high speed crash wearing jeans, you will most likely need skin grafts..... Jeans do not protect.

Dragginjeans.com makes a pair of jeans with kevlar sewn into the knee's and ass, they are nice but HOT in the summer.

good luck.

I always wear my helmet and my mesh jacket with body armor (someone mentioned they didnt know much about them) and jeans. My friend hit the bed of a flatbed truck at 110mph on the freeway a few years ago and i had to witness the aftermath so i always wear gear and stopped riding like a moron. the jacket is very breathable and comfortable and not too hot (unless im sitting at a stoplight). I usually wear my gloves too (unless its way too hot). Anyway i cant fathom riding without them. happy riding everyone

my fathers opinion on the whole situation is that if people dont wear gear then why should the rest of us have to pay taxes on your a$$ if you end up a vegetable. so i gear up.

I am glad to see so many people gear up before they ride. I don't know about you guys, but I have never planned to wreck......it just seems to happen, (I have been down 3 times to date). All I can say is you get what you pay for in the terms of gear. I ride only Arai helmets, and racing rated leathers......usually Dainese. I am starting to warm up to Icon's stuff, because it looks cool and it is very functional for the price. I am not sure I would rock their helmets, but there jackets, pants, boots, gloves, and body armour is great.
Like I said, you never plan to go down, if you do, you need the right gear to walk away. Funny, but I will see guys out on the most tricked out bikes, and they ride with crappy gear saying they don't have the money for a helmet or leathers.......crazy!!!

helmet, jacket and gloves. I live on a military base, so it's pretty much required.
+1
Always wear my astars leather jacket helmet and gloves. I dont have riding pants so i wear jeans and boots. I plan on getting Icon TiMax pants in the near future.

yikes that's nuts dude! I saw one dude almost wearing the same gear as you described, a lid, tshirt and shorts but with flip flops. he should have a Big DA on his shirt and helmet. HAHAHA!

safety is a major issue for me. I want to have kids and see them grow up.

Helmet, jacket, boots and gloves always as a minimum for the commute. If I'm out for a 'ride' I'll wear full gear like my Aerostich suit or leathers.

Last time I checked the road was just as hard and abrasive when it's 90 out as it is when it's 70. Sweat can be washed off.

Live to ride another day!

I always wear a helmet, gloves, and I have a first race mesh jacket with armour. I usually wear regular boots or my strrl toe work boots that's usually where I'm going.

Gear = good chance of life :)
No gear = good chance of death :cry:

Bought my 2002 R6 friday and it will arrive next tuesday. Before it gets here, I need to get a helmet, jacket, gloves and at least some kind of boot.

Im thinking Shoei helmet, joe rocket jacket, dont know what kind of gloves or boots though???

Any suggestions?

not too sure where you are hailing from so hard to give advice (Pretty sure brands differ a bit depending on where you are from).

I personally ride with Wolf Nimbus 2 two piece suit (around £620 from harpersraceshop.com), Sidi Vertico boots, HJC AC-ll Shiva lid and Belstaff gloves. Also have a Belstaff winter jacket. Think the lot cost around £1120 sterling but it has been bought over time.

Can't put a price on life.

Joe Rocket Phoenix Jacket and Pants, full length gloves with carbon fiber knuckles, boots covering the ankles, and an AGV full face helmet.

I just picked up a kid (23) a couple of nights ago and flew him into the hospital. He was RUI with no protection what so ever. He died on scene moments before the first EMS units arrived, they resusitated him back to life. He had major road rash throughout his body and a depressed skull fracture, unconscious the whole time and his outcome is marginal.

Be smart, ride with gear and ride safely, or someone like me will be picking your pieces up from the pavement.

That's a pretty harsh tale but it's unfortunate that it happens.

It makes my skin crawl when I see guys over here on R1's & Gixxers with just shorts and tee on. Some people use the argument that they are only popping to the shops or some **** like that but it only takes one c#nt in a car to pull out and it all over.

I would rather sweat my bollocks off in summer in full kit than lose them!!

Chicks dig scars!!

Its true
But I whole heartedly and totally agree - full kit all the time.
I wear full leathers, boots, gloves and lid ( lid - mandatory over here ), and boys, you have to admit, girls in tight leathers? Doesn't it look great?
LOL!!
:lol:

i waer joe rocket mesh jacket, joe rocket gargo pants, joe rocket gloves, shoei helmet, sidi vertigo boots. full gear all the time. i just know if i dont wear it, thats gonne be the time that that @ss turns left right in front of me.

Burnrubber - is it hard to wear lid if your head is flapping?
You are from Canada right?! eh

I have thought about this...

Apart from insurance problems, its the clothing/safety issue that puts me most off riding a motorbike.

A full leather. booted, protected, spinal insert set-up is undoubtedly the safest way top travel BUT its a bloody hassle to get in and out of and makes you sweat like a pig.
Thus its a bit impractical for a short sunday morning blast.

Conversely, wearing jeans and a flimsy jacket is asking for trouble.

Has anybody experienced/own a good combination out there?
Something thats pretty safe on a ground skid yet doesnt fry your bolox off?
I have the AlpineStars Venom jacket which is super breathable and has a zip out liner which is nice to have for fall ridin'. It has armor in the elbows and shoulders so I feel pretty confident with it. For highway rides its full gear for me, head to toe. I aint no squid, I'd rather sweat than bleed. :twisted:

The Joe Rocket Phoenix gear is a mesh gear with shoulder, elbow, spine, hip, and knee pads. The jacket comes with a zip in liner for cooler weather. I ride in Phoenix and its the only way to go for me. Anything else is just to hot. I don't have the gloves, but they have those too.

It seems that most people out there have plenty of common sense, long may we ride.

I always wear my helmet(AGV TiTech), jeans, and gloves. really whats the first instinctive thing you do when you fall....put your hands out. Usually steeltoed boots(thank you Uncle Sam....desert combat boots). If I'm gonna do some serious riding I'll throw on my Jow Rocket Alter Ego. Yeah it gets warm but it least I'm covered.

Dainese 2 Piece Pro leathers and Gloves, SIDI Boots, AGV GP-Pro Helmet, and Ear Plugs (because the AGV is noisy) :D (my next lid will be an ARAI)

I just dont get people who wear jeans, gravel rash hurts! :( and everytime i see someone riding without full protection i cringe! ....Besides knowing u have protection against gravel rash is reassuring and confidence building

Wear Safe, Ride Safe, Be Safe! :wink:

If you cringe just seeing someone not wearing any protection, put that picture in your mind down here in the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix, AZ) during a 116 degree day. That pavement will not only tear your skin up but give you 2nd degree burns too!

OWWWWW!!! Even more reasons to wear the proper gear people....


hot tarmac burn........nasty!! :cry:

OUCH..

YOULL NEVER SEE ME WITHOUT MY GEAR. ALWAYS WEAR THE HELMET AND JACKET. IT ONLY TAKES SOMEONE ELSES STUPIDITY TO MAKE YOU RECONSIDER NOT WEARING ANY... AND WHATS GOING THROUGH THE MINDS OF THE GUYS RIDING NAKED ANYWAY?!?!

Always wear helmut, always!!! Jacket sometimes if too hot, or just around town...but maybe will wera it more often now that I realize too important.

any of you in the bay area, california? People on bayarearidersforum (BARF) are fuckin INSANELY nazi about wearing gear. Like if you mention anything to the TONE of not wearing full gear you got 25 responses flaming the shiet out of you. Haha, lesson learned.

I wear full gear all the time, leather icon jacket, kbc helmet, some leather touring gloves, combat leather boots. Gotta get some leather/armored pants. I had a limp for a month after my minor pothole highside and a contusion to the upper leg muscle. Oh yah and a back protector when I have more moneyy

Pardon my insensitivity to any real Nazi's but ya know what i mean.

lol.. ya i have a joe rocket jacket but id like to replace the back protector with not only something better, but something that allows some air flow.. cuz damn, gets hot in the 90's weve been having.. (all black fyi)

I generally don't use my bike as a means of transportation. Generally out for the cruising and running some small errands.

Helmet: 100%
Jacket: 100%
Gloves: 100%
Ankle Boots: 100%
Pants: 70%

It does get hot sometimes, but its not that bad once you get moving :lol:

Oh yea forgot, today a big a** dragon fly flew right into the shield of my helmet. I was traveling at about 60 mph. I don't think it woulda been pleasent with no shield or even with those glasses some people get by with....

Speaking of flies, there is a fly here in the office and it is annoying the crap out of me. It will soon meet my revenge... :twisted:

Hot pants and boob tube. Hotpants - lightening pink with blue strips down the side, boob tube = electric blue with a lightening bolt down the cheast. I like to feel sexy when I ride...

Hot pants and boob tube. Hotpants - lightening pink with blue strips down the side, boob tube = electric blue with a lightening bolt down the cheast. I like to feel sexy when I ride...


i bet you do.... :roll:


:lol: :lol:

Helmet, Jacket, gloves, and boots 100% of the time with jeans. I will be buying some Icon anthem pants this weekend.

i'm also glad to see everyone wears the stuff but one thing i realized lookin through the replies is not a lot of people have back protectors, and protecting your head is the most important but your back is pretty vital too.

ok by all means im am all for gear... riding without a helmate is just plain retarted..

BUT... im looking into getting a bike as a means of transportation. gas prices with my 17mpg car isnt to wallet friendly..

with that being said im way too chicken **** to be riding all fast and what not and i dont think it will be for a WHILE until i would even dare to ride on the highway.. im really looking as it for a cheap means of transportation.

after reading all the post many of you sound like you ride either hard, talk as if you were going for cruises, or stunting or what not, which i would DEF wear full gear. but if you were using your bike for transportation do you suit up, then change to your normal clothes? id assume if you are 100% all for your gear 100% of the time you wear your whole suit everytime you ride... but that means you wear the same 1-2 outfits everywhere you go?

like if i used my bike to drive to work, i highly doubt your gear would meet your jobs dress code... so im curious if you guys actually wear your full gear when you go OUT OUT and just stay in your gear the whole time or change? or are the ones that are 100% gear committed just ones who use a bike for riding rather then transportation?

with that being said im not gonna run around not wearing gear bc i think concerned about "looks" or anything but im finding it impractical to change into riding gear to just go to the store around the corner... im a firm believer in 100% helmate regardless no excuse. i think i would perfer gloves on, and after reading this thread i deffinately think i will get a nice jacket to wear all the time.. but i think boots and pants maybe not be the most practical thing.

given im not going to be racing or stunting and being very careful, i know it may not be in your hands.. just curious for your input

I wear a helmet, leather jacket, jeans, and gloves everytime. And when I can afford 'em, i am getting a leather suite. I bailed last year without gear when a van can out of an uinderground without stopping, I locked 'em up and slid right side down on my skin into the side of his van. I had road rash from top to bottom. Now, I never rride without it.It only takes once to realize how important they are......Oh yeah, I didnt mention, I only had sandels on so my feet were like hambuger.......RIDE FULL LEATHERS!!

Oh yeah, I was 1 half block from home, and was not speeding............Food for thought.

ok by all means im am all for gear... riding without a helmate is just plain retarted..

BUT... im looking into getting a bike as a means of transportation. gas prices with my 17mpg car isnt to wallet friendly..

with that being said im way too chicken **** to be riding all fast and what not and i dont think it will be for a WHILE until i would even dare to ride on the highway.. im really looking as it for a cheap means of transportation.

after reading all the post many of you sound like you ride either hard, talk as if you were going for cruises, or stunting or what not, which i would DEF wear full gear. but if you were using your bike for transportation do you suit up, then change to your normal clothes? id assume if you are 100% all for your gear 100% of the time you wear your whole suit everytime you ride... but that means you wear the same 1-2 outfits everywhere you go?

like if i used my bike to drive to work, i highly doubt your gear would meet your jobs dress code... so im curious if you guys actually wear your full gear when you go OUT OUT and just stay in your gear the whole time or change? or are the ones that are 100% gear committed just ones who use a bike for riding rather then transportation?

with that being said im not gonna run around not wearing gear bc i think concerned about "looks" or anything but im finding it impractical to change into riding gear to just go to the store around the corner... im a firm believer in 100% helmate regardless no excuse. i think i would perfer gloves on, and after reading this thread i deffinately think i will get a nice jacket to wear all the time.. but i think boots and pants maybe not be the most practical thing.

given im not going to be racing or stunting and being very careful, i know it may not be in your hands.. just curious for your input

anybody?

I wear my jacket and lid about 90%. Always on the highway, but some days if im just goin to work which is 5miles away ill just wear jeans and a t-shirt.

Helmet should always be worn on any bike. I will always wear it. Jacket is also a very good idea but it get so hot sometimes that a t shirt is really what it comes down to on those hot days. I dont wear shorts ever so it is always jeans and boots. ( I hate those people wearing flip flops) And than gloves will always be worn also.