Chance of a Crash?

[JamesG]

With my luck, the one time I didn't wear any gear will be the one time I go down. Which is why I always wear something.
Helmet, gloves, jacket, and pants.

Occasionally I will get weak and ride up the the corner store and the auto zone a few blocks up road with just a helmet and gloves. But I ALWAYS wear gloves. I've had my share of roadrash, and you can "live" with rash just about anywhere else, but on your hands REALLY sucks.

[Phil]

Keyser,

You mentioned speed and distance.  I don't think distance matters because you never know when the unexpected is going to happen (by definition), but I do think that you can control speed, and thus the severity of a crash.  

At speeds under 60 km/h you're traveling at what I consider bicycle speeds.  I have never felt the need for full leathers on a bicycle, and of course no one wears arm or leg protection in the Tour de France despite considerably higher speeds.

My point: protection needs to increase with speed.  With my JR Phoenix outfit I feel extremely well protected at 30 km/h and well protected at 60 km/h.  At 100 km/h I feel I am giving up a little protection for comfort.  At higher speeds I would wear heavier equipment.

BTW, I don't know of any material that will protect against being hit by a truck, except maybe a luxury car with six airbags.  :lol:

Thanks Phil, that was my point... degrees of risk according to speed (I take the point that distance does not matter).

Why would you need a full leather-racing suit at 60km/h? Its pointless in 100+ degree weather. But there is no doubt a t-shirt and shorts are not adequate protective equipment at any speed!

[Wrencher]

Distance is also a factor. The fewer cars/bikes/idiots/potholes/sand/etc you are likely to come in contact with the better the odds of keeping it rubber side down. Crashes are all unexpected, thats what makes them accidents. It only takes one soccer mom with 3 screaming kids and a ringing cell phone to really ruin your day or even your life. At the same time, the shorter the ride and the fewer perils you encounter, the less likely it is you are going to crash. Accidents do happen, and we don't get to choose when and where, but we can lower the odds of it happening by doing or not doing certain things.

I don't think anyone has EVER complained that they had too much gear on when they go sliding down the pavement. The more the better and the better quality the....err....better. The gear I have definately saved my skin on one occasion (case guard also kept my ankle from being crushed between a guard rail and the bike). I certainly wouldn't have wanted anything less, quantity or quality wise.

I still enjoy the option of wearing all my gear, or not wearing it. Its just as personal a choice as the bike we ride or the design on our jackets and helmets.

[RotaryTempest]

Well, I usually wear a t-shirt for upper body, khaki shorts for my legs, and a ballcap for my head.  oh yeh, can't forget the sunglasses!
But then again, I have a deathwish and don't plan on living past 27 anyway.  Old age is for geezers!
Heck, just yesterday I drove down the interstate this way (I actually did have a helmet, but it got stolen last friday, and I was wearing a leather jacket)  but i'm a broke kid, can't afford any gear!

[mp183]

[WAP]

The stat that often gets quoted in these types of discussions (i'll bite the bullet this time) is that the majority of crashes happen within ~5 miles of home. What's this mean? It's simple really, as JeffD said: full gear, every time.

To answer keyzer's question, for my money an Aerostich Roadcrafter one-piece suit is worth every penny. It's all weather, fits over your street clothes, and can be donned/undonned in just a few seconds. Not as crash-proof as leathers, but it's far more convenient. Safety gear's not of much use if you don't use it after all. Only had my suit for a few days now but i absolutely love it.

[Arpee]

If you're not willing to suit-up; walk or take the cage...it's as simple as that.  Remember your heros (Rossi, Biaggi, Hodgson, Mladin, et al) they wear full leathers no matter what the weather.  Catalunya gets hot, but they deal with it...so should you.

[StanFry]

Helmet
Gloves
Joe Rocket Ballistic Jacket
Heavy Jeans.

I have a one car garage that is constantly being used by friends and family.  With three bikes (GS, R1, BSA Lightning) taking up space, I constantly have to put them on the street to make room, and I put my helmet on every time.  I've seen guys lose balance on a parked bike and go down. My head could hit the pavement, fence, wall, other cars on the way down.  
I also have a four year old son, I make him wear his helmet on his bicycle when he drives it into the garage, and I'd have a hard time convincing him to wear it if I didn't.
They legislate a helmet while on a bike, but you're still allowed to wear just a thong. I just can't figure out that logic.

[Casimir]

These people take the "less gear" thing a little too far. The guy in the included picture is wearing a doo rag and flip flops.  

[Toecutter]

I always wear a helmet, but I used to go out in jeans and a t-shirt quite a bit.  Then I gave it some thought and decided I didn't particularly want to slide on my bare back at any speed, so now I always wear my jacket and gloves.  I still just wear blue jeans, and I'm sure I'll come to regret it sooner or later, but I can't afford anything better right now.  Next on my list is a pair of real mc boots.

[spotswood_suzuki]

Helmet, Gloves, Jacket, Leathers and MC Boots......yea it takes me awhile to get fully suited up, but then I can enjoy the ride.  I have had lots of people ask me about wearing all that gear in the summer.  I just tell them it keeps the sun off and I am prob more comfortable then they are and a heck of a lot more protected.

Wayne

P.S.  MP183....where in NJ are you?