Squidly gearless riders

[VSG]

I don't feel comfortable riding without gear.  I always wear a helmet, gloves, boots, and a jacket (all designed for motorcycle use).  I have pants that match the jacket, but there's been times where I just wear jeans around town.

I've noticed that my jeans are starting to get thinner/rip near the knees just from normal wear.  So they're definitely not going to hold up in a 30-40 mph drop.  It may take a few extra minutes to get all the gear on, but I think it's worth it.

[Toogoofy317]

Well,

Like I said I am a firm believer in gear. Was an EMT for six years here in Orlando and Polk County. I scrapped up more than my fair shair of gearless riders. The ones that always got me were the ones who have their helmet attached to the bike instead of their head  .

With that being said I did run a few errands yesterday with a long sleeve shirt on. I just can't afford gas in the car and pay for my numerous doctor appointments. Doc won't let me work but still expects to be paid! I actually felt better back on the bike than in the car. May be due to my adrenal glands failing on me and it is hard to produce adrenaline and cortisol which regulate bp we found out. Anyways, with two doc appointments, drug store, bank, it turned into an all day affair. In the middle of my ride I stopped in at a friends house and visited and drank a ton of water. Without the jacket, I stilll had helmet, gloves, pants, and boots, was completely different. When walking into buildings was able to cool down relatively fast.

So, I either have to find an extremely light jacket, ride without one while temps are above 90, or something I can't even bear to think about maybe not ride. I don't think the last one is an option I've put too much money into the bike and I just love my bike too much!

Mary S.

[08GSSteve]

Hey Mary,

If you wish to ride without the gear due to medical reasons then hell who are we to ruffle your feathers.

You have your head in the right place thats for sure so you do whatever you want and ride with whatever gear you want.  No point wearing your gear if you are going to pass out.

Ride Safe, Have Fun and hope you get well soon

[mojonixon]

I have to side with Mary, I live in South Florida, went for a ride at about 11am today and it was already 87 degrees! About noon I stopped for drink and it was freakin hot about 93 and I was sweating heavy in the mesh jacket I have from coretech. I either have to give up riding for the summer(yeah right) or leave the jacket home. I hate it, the jacket gives me a feeling of some semblance of security, without I feel very vulnarable, guess its something I have to get used to?!

[ohgood]

I have to side with Mary, I live in South Florida, went for a ride at about 11am today and it was already 87 degrees! About noon I stopped for drink and it was freakin hot about 93 and I was sweating heavy in the mesh jacket I have from coretech. I either have to give up riding for the summer(yeah right) or leave the jacket home. I hate it, the jacket gives me a feeling of some semblance of security, without I feel very vulnarable, guess its something I have to get used to?!

a 30 mph get off can leave you with no skin on your arms/back/whatever-is-exposed.

ATGATT.

i rode around today in 96F heat in tampa, at 2pm. hot. all my gear. drank like a horse whenever i stopped. sweated like hell.

if you think it's hot now, imagine laying on that pavement for 20 minutes while help arrives.... all skinned up

[El motociclista]

So, what is your guys'/gals' personal policy on gear for passengers that only occasionally, or perhaps even only one time, will go riding with you? I have only an armored jacket (a small woman's A* jacket) and a medium size helmet for a passenger and I just don't feel that's enough. At the same time, how does one afford to shop for various size people that will ride with you?? Is it sensible to not take a friend out for a ride if they're not fully geared up? Is it sensible to ask that they buy gear for themselves if they want to go riding? Is it the right thing to do to tell people you cannot take them for a ride unless they're geared up head-to-toe? What are your thoughts on this?

[08GSSteve]

Personal choice realy.  My wife NEVER gets on the back of any of my bikes till she is in her riding gear.  We have both been down the road before and we have thanked our riding gear that saved our skin.

If they do not want to wear gear then thats their choice....Just don't Buddha Loves You to you when their lovely female breasts hit the hot road and get shaved down to nothing.........yea think about that one (OUCH).

I have let mates jump on the back of my bike with no gear (jacket boots gloves but wearing helmet and jeans) BUT they have been informed first that if we have an accident I take no responsibility what so ever and would PREFER them to wear gear.

[Toogoofy317]

Well,

Today I did some late afternoon riding after 1600. I wore my nexxo mesh and armour combo. Within 10 minutes sweat was dripping down my pants. I stopped paid a bill drank 1/3 of my camelback because was feeling slightly ill. Went over to the drugstore bout 20 minutes away while waiting for script finished off camel back and drank an iced tea and had a payday bar. When I got out to the parking lot at 1800 the digital thermometer on the window of my bike read 108 degrees! Ouch I know it was in a parking lot in the sun for a half hour but damn that's hot for May! Anyhow it is now about seven hours since the ride I have not been able to get out of this cold sweat. I'm drinking a lot of water but my muscles hurt, world spins when I stand, and feel worse than when I drove to St. Augustine without stopping, and am having some tingling in my left arm.

I guess my biggest fear is that I will have to use my gear because of my gear! Do I "feel" safer with the gear on of course yes. Like I said I'm a proponet and no one gets on my bike without gear period! So, I know it is a personal choice on to gear or not. Was just trying to feel out the rest of you guys and see if I'm looking at this the right way. I mean if I get dizzy on my bike because of my gear isn't that almost as irresponsible as choosing not to wear gear in more suitable tempretures. I guess what I'm trying to say is if you know that wearing the jacket can contribute to an illness isn't that bad too? Wouldn't I be at higher risk of accident and one that doesn't matter if you got gear on or not. I don't know about you guys I've not have had roadrash except when I got hit on my bicycle by a car But, I can assure you having your bloodpressure bottom out and spending four days in ICU isn't a walk in the park either. There are two days I don't even remember. How I got to the hospital must have been by the grace of god. One minute was ok next minute well you know!

Thanks to all for being a sounding board! I hate having to be stuck in this predicament. Maybe I can get what they use at NASA a shirt that pumps cool water around the body with tubes running through the shirt!

Mary S.

[Chokstick]

My 2 cents...

Ride the way that going to be safest.  You say that wearing gears makes you feel like you're going to pass out?  Well there is an old saying...if it hurts to stand, then sit down.  You're not doing anyone any favours riding around with the risk of making yourself spill.  The way I see it, gear is meant to protect the rider from the all to real possibility of spilling.  If the rider decides not to wear the gear, its their choice (of course a bucket is a must!!).

I hate to ask this...but if you're feeling like passing out when riding, do you think you should be?

[yamahonkawazuki]

Well,

Today I did some late afternoon riding after 1600. I wore my nexxo mesh and armour combo. Within 10 minutes sweat was dripping down my pants. I stopped paid a bill drank 1/3 of my camelback because was feeling slightly ill. Went over to the drugstore bout 20 minutes away while waiting for script finished off camel back and drank an iced tea and had a payday bar. When I got out to the parking lot at 1800 the digital thermometer on the window of my bike read 108 degrees! Ouch I know it was in a parking lot in the sun for a half hour but damn that's hot for May! Anyhow it is now about seven hours since the ride I have not been able to get out of this cold sweat. I'm drinking a lot of water but my muscles hurt, world spins when I stand, and feel worse than when I drove to St. Augustine without stopping, and am having some tingling in my left arm.

I guess my biggest fear is that I will have to use my gear because of my gear! Do I "feel" safer with the gear on of course yes. Like I said I'm a proponet and no one gets on my bike without gear period! So, I know it is a personal choice on to gear or not. Was just trying to feel out the rest of you guys and see if I'm looking at this the right way. I mean if I get dizzy on my bike because of my gear isn't that almost as irresponsible as choosing not to wear gear in more suitable tempretures. I guess what I'm trying to say is if you know that wearing the jacket can contribute to an illness isn't that bad too? Wouldn't I be at higher risk of accident and one that doesn't matter if you got gear on or not. I don't know about you guys I've not have had roadrash except when I got hit on my bicycle by a car But, I can assure you having your bloodpressure bottom out and spending four days in ICU isn't a walk in the park either. There are two days I don't even remember. How I got to the hospital must have been by the grace of god. One minute was ok next minute well you know!

Thanks to all for being a sounding board! I hate having to be stuck in this predicament. Maybe I can get what they use at NASA a shirt that pumps cool water around the body with tubes running through the shirt!

Mary S.

if anything, can you take the liner out of the mesh jacket?

[ohgood]

So, what is your guys'/gals' personal policy on gear for passengers that only occasionally, or perhaps even only one time, will go riding with you? I have only an armored jacket (a small woman's A* jacket) and a medium size helmet for a passenger and I just don't feel that's enough. At the same time, how does one afford to shop for various size people that will ride with you?? Is it sensible to not take a friend out for a ride if they're not fully geared up? Is it sensible to ask that they buy gear for themselves if they want to go riding? Is it the right thing to do to tell people you cannot take them for a ride unless they're geared up head-to-toe? What are your thoughts on this?

No one will be allowed on my bike without gear. Ever. I'm far from perfect, and don't want their skin grafts weighing on my mind.

YOU don't have to provide gear for everyone, you just don't let anyone ride that doesn't have gear. Buying your wife/gf/aunt/mom/whoever gear is the proper thing to do. Friends and aquainances can buy their own.


No gear, no ride = clear conscience

[Jay_wolf]

I have the same rules about Girlfriends , im not being funny, but i dont want to have another persons life in my hands , say i get taken out , and she dies i live , and id be the one who took there daughter away from then , unless in complete full gear and with the permission from there parents

[bucks1605]

This topic of passengers reminds me of something I saw two weekends ago. This guy riding his sport bike, he's got on full gear; helmet, jacket, pants, etc. But his girl on the back has on some little one piece skirt thing and no helmet! I was like, WTH are you thinking man! I would never let anyone on my bike without gear.

[Jay_wolf]

So he falls off ,and gets back up, and she looses half her skin , and she agreed? crazy

[El motociclista]

So, what is your guys'/gals' personal policy on gear for passengers that only occasionally, or perhaps even only one time, will go riding with you? I have only an armored jacket (a small woman's A* jacket) and a medium size helmet for a passenger and I just don't feel that's enough. At the same time, how does one afford to shop for various size people that will ride with you?? Is it sensible to not take a friend out for a ride if they're not fully geared up? Is it sensible to ask that they buy gear for themselves if they want to go riding? Is it the right thing to do to tell people you cannot take them for a ride unless they're geared up head-to-toe? What are your thoughts on this?

No one will be allowed on my bike without gear. Ever. I'm far from perfect, and don't want their skin grafts weighing on my mind.

YOU don't have to provide gear for everyone, you just don't let anyone ride that doesn't have gear. Buying your wife/gf/aunt/mom/whoever gear is the proper thing to do. Friends and aquainances can buy their own.


No gear, no ride = clear conscience

Agreed. I have neither a proper pair of motorcycle-specific pants or boots for passengers. I have several friends/aquaintences that have been wanting rides and I've been coming up with various excuses about not being able to b/c I felt weary of having them on my bike without those two items for them. I completely agree with you that a passenger needs to be fully geared-out before they ride with me. I guess I'm just gonna have to tell them I can't unless they're willing to buy themselves those items. Sorry, I'm not made of money.

[bucks1605]

So he falls off ,and gets back up, and she looses half her skin , and she agreed? crazy

Apparently... 

At least she looked good!

[frankieG]

after i finished my chemo and got back on my bike...oh about a month i guess.  i was always wearing my gear. it was not a problem until one day i had vacuum problems and the bike died on me.  within minutes i began to over heat and the black walls were coming into my vision.  luckily there was a business near by and i made it there.  the people were great.  they got me cold water, a damp cloth and turned up the AC.  then they called the dealer i worked at and got them to come get the bike.  they even drove me home.  one thing i learned when i was getting my chemo is that in general people are very caring and kind.  oh i am ranting...wear your gear

[Toogoofy317]

Yeah,

My predicament is I can start out feeling fine. I never get on the bike unless I feel with no doubt I can make it. On the one day I didn't wear the jacket I felt realatively well after. With half of the riding in the nexxo jacket I made it home but paid for it.As a matter a fact the next day had to be returned to ER for fluids, and meds for cramping.  I have only had one time where I got to the point of no return. I will assure you if I ever get anywhere near that point again I will call a friend and if they can't get there soon enough will call EMS. I am a bit afraid though to leave my bike in some random spot along 192.

So, with this being my first whole summer in Fl with the bike I guess it will be trial and error as far as the heat goes. I got the bike in August and this is really the first time I've had this problem. Most of the time for me was finding enough layers. I'm praying that once my cortisol levels back on par and am off the prednisone my thermostat will return to normal.

As far as not riding I'm so fed up with being told what I can't do that I want to scream.  I turn 28 next week and honestly I'd rather go to heaven sliding into home plate than laying on the couch wondering why I didn't do the things that I love to do. I have to learn my boundaries and go from there but it is a process that I will not learn over a night.

Now with passengers I don't let them ride without gear. I have two jackets and two helmets. If they fit they can ride if not get your own. I'm not responsible if there is an accident I have no money as it is. I've seen some places where people carry an agreement in their saddle bag and makes their friend sign it in case of an accident they won't be held responsible. so, to each their own.

[08GSSteve]

My bike was just written off by a little old lady about 12 hours ago and my riding gear probably saved my life or at least saved me from SERIOUS injury.

The outlay for good quality riding gear paid off for me today.

[bucks1605]

My bike was just written off by a little old lady about 12 hours ago and my riding gear probably saved my life or at least saved me from SERIOUS injury.

The outlay for good quality riding gear paid off for me today.

That's all I need to hear to keep me in mine, all the time. To many idiots out there, I trust myself, but you can't count on other drivers.