No need for safety gear...

[pantablo]

I've convinced myself: even if there is only one single guy / gal out there who thinks twice and at least uses a leather jacket instead of a t-shirt, it was worth [it]

That's how I look at it too. Especially on this forum since the gs is such a popular first bike for many, it makes even more sense. glad its getting around. The more the merrier.

btw-welcome to the site guys!

[nathanael]

Yeah, there is no doubt that good gear is an absolute must. I'm always amazed when I see kids on their gixxers, busa's, whatever driving down busy LA freeways like a bat out of hell with a T-shirt and shorts. Just this weekend I witnessed this very phenomena; kid on a sportbike weaving in and out of traffic, lanesplitting at high speeds wearing a baggy T-shirt and shorts!  It made me cringe to be honest.

As you can guess, I have pretty good gear, except I must admit that I only wear good ol' Levi's when I'm riding.  After my near rendezvous with the rear of a truck yesterday (read the post "almost got taken out by a truck") I am realizing my foolhardyness and wondering what type of protective gear you guys wear for your legs? I ride a lot, and short distances (don't have a car) so I want something that hopefully I can put on and keep on all day. What should I be purchasing here? Draggin jeans? something better?

Thanks for any and all advice.    

nathanael

[straightforward]

Pantablo, 'the more the merrier' does pretty well match my response to a posting at gs-500.de by Danny from Berlin, who indicated his intention to copy my translation to a different forum. Can't be copied often enough. I asked to keep a link to your original post intact, though.

nathanael's question shows that 'go buy the best gear you can afford' ain't always a reasonable enough hint when it comes to the daily use of that gear. I tend to include one more aspect, ie something like 'determine for yourself: how much hazzle will you accept as a part of your day-in-and-day-out dressing procedure, so you will NOT occasionally skip it?'

Little protection is given by the extra super trooper leather gear that's sitting at home in a drawer for all kinds of different reasons, including it not being appropriate for the place you are going to, or outside temp exceeding 100F (wonder why I'm thinking about 100F, while looking out of my window and seeing the road being covered with snow :x). Maybe some affordable summer (sic!) mesh gear that's always used and stowed away in a topcase when you're off the bike can, bottom line, provide better overall protection?

[Roadstergal]

I am realizing my foolhardyness and wondering what type of protective gear you guys wear for your legs?

Joe Rocket Phoenix overpants.  Putting them on at home and taking them off at work, and vice versa on the way home, is a pain, but a lot less of a pain than losing the skin on my legs...

[Alphamazing]

Every time I read that I want to get more safety gear. Road rash hurts, but being crippled or dead is a lot worse.

Wear all your gear, people.

[RVertigo]

Road rash hurts, but being crippled or dead is a lot worse.

Well...  When you're dead, you don't care any more...  'cause you're dead...

How f%&ked up am I that I won't let my wife ride with anything less than armored leather, but I rode around with a jacket that was WAY too big for me and wouldn't have done a damn thing in a crash?


I have a tex jacket that fits now...  I think I'm going to get a perf'd leather one too...

[TonyKZ1]

I just read the post by pablo, wow... Kinda makes you think, a very sobering message.... I always wear my gear, rain, shine, cold.. But I know people who don't for whatever reasons. I just ordered some new leather armored gloves from newenough.com, Tourmaster Cold Front Carbon gloves, to replace my old joe rocket gloves that are too big and coming apart.
hmmm..... Tony

[Rick Blanc]

Just incase some aren't getting the message. This thread is from one of the other boards I belong to. It's a crash story with pics.
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=119359

[tophyr]

Reposted at www.pnwriders.com.

[sherry]

I think of my riding gear, helmet (full face with shield down), gloves, boots and jacket with body armor like my American Express Card .  I don't leave home without it!!!!!!!!!!!!

[banner]

lol...i admit i look like a freak when i get off the bike..but i'm usually riding it:)


full race leather pants...motocross boots you could beat the bleep out of someone with, full leather jacket, and those shiny gloves davipu has/had

[daneilah]

if you're goin down in a crash, and time stopped, and someone walked up to you and offered more gear to you, would you take it? if you say "yes," then you're not wearing enough gear.

This one made me stop and think.   

I wear jacket, helmet, boots and gloves, but still wear jeans a lot of the time.  No excuse.   





 

[Egaeus]

if you're goin down in a crash, and time stopped, and someone walked up to you and offered more gear to you, would you take it? if you say "yes," then you're not wearing enough gear.

This one made me stop and think.   

The problem with that is that if someone were to offer me more gear, I'd take the whole store.  However, you can't ride that way! 

I have everything in that post.  I dare someone to get in a fight with me!

[pandy]

Bump for a good read. 

[galahs]

Thanks for the bump Pandy. 

Wearing the right gear has saved me from suffering serious injuries during an off. The off just made me super concious of never taking a risk of riding without gear.

How many people I see riding without gloves suprises me. Can't believe they are willing to risk the use of their hands   

[yupoo]

i ride in shorts and a t shirt. It is a choice i make and i do know the consequences. I've crashed before pretty bad but i had my gear and came out with no road rash but only a bruised ego. I make my choice because i am not carrying 30lb backpack of school texts, Pants + extra pair of shoes + 10lb leather jacket around campus in 95 degree weather.

[brk_05]

i ride in shorts and a t shirt. It is a choice i make and i do know the consequences. I've crashed before pretty bad but i had my gear and came out with no road rash but only a bruised ego. I make my choice because i am not carrying 30lb backpack of school texts, Pants + extra pair of shoes + 10lb leather jacket around campus in 95 degree weather.

First, I'd like to thank whoever for the bump.  Excellent read and I will show this to people who ask, "why do you need boots... why gloves?"  or "Isn't it too hot to wear all that?"

In reply to Yupoo, I actually give you credit for being honest and posting your reply on the board.  I agree that it is personal choice and you pointed out the key, YOU KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES.  It just reminds me what they taught in the MSF course that I took over the past couple weeks.  Riding comes with a risk.  Its all about how much risk YOU are willing to take.

[Alphamazing]

i ride in shorts and a t shirt. It is a choice i make and i do know the consequences. I've crashed before pretty bad but i had my gear and came out with no road rash but only a bruised ego. I make my choice because i am not carrying 30lb backpack of school texts, Pants + extra pair of shoes + 10lb leather jacket around campus in 95 degree weather.

This is why mesh jackets were invented. I live in Texas, and it's pretty regularly that hot, if not hotter. With a good armored mesh jacket you can walk away without road rash and not even notice it when you're riding. I don't wear boots when I ride to campus, but I don't wear flip-flops either. I wear jeans too, because they will save your skin in a low speed accident pretty nicely. I've worn jeans every day so far, and it's regularly over 90 here. It's not THAT hot.

[spc]

+1  Mesh jackets are great
Mine held up great when I got hit by a truck

[yupoo]

i ride in shorts and a t shirt. It is a choice i make and i do know the consequences. I've crashed before pretty bad but i had my gear and came out with no road rash but only a bruised ego. I make my choice because i am not carrying 30lb backpack of school texts, Pants + extra pair of shoes + 10lb leather jacket around campus in 95 degree weather.

This is why mesh jackets were invented. I live in Texas, and it's pretty regularly that hot, if not hotter. With a good armored mesh jacket you can walk away without road rash and not even notice it when you're riding. I don't wear boots when I ride to campus, but I don't wear flip-flops either. I wear jeans too, because they will save your skin in a low speed accident pretty nicely. I've worn jeans every day so far, and it's regularly over 90 here. It's not THAT hot.

I've tried pants and i was unconfrontable all day. Yesturday i wore shorts and i had a a puddle stain on my ass (just from sitting around in lecture) because my body is like a shag carpet, im way to hairy. I understand the risk, believe me but i never judge someone for riding without gear unless they are doing spirited riding. I am not being stubborn about gear, i just dont have the money to try a bunch of different stuff to suit my wants. I am willing to take a bit more risk but im glad most people atleast know what will happen in the event of a crash with compared to without gear