riders not wearing gear

[ninjablk08]

I'm been putting miles on my bike to get better and enjoy my ride and i come across so many bikers riding there bikes with no gear except there helmet and sometimes gloves . It's been hot here (bay area,Ca) but i'm in full gear , so far of the hundreds i counted only 2 were in gear , one rider was bare chest, most in tank tops or t-shirts , it's so sad i feel i'm old fashion in my gear but cant ride without them on

[Snake]

They will regret not wearing gear if they ever go down. You on the other hand will be prepared and be able to get back to riding much quicker with less heal time. Keep wearing your gear and ride safe.

[almost40]

Be cool. Wear a tanktop and shorts. When, not if, you go down and do a little pavement surfing think about how cool you were while your road rash is healing.

[istreefitty]

Well I kind of brought up a troubling point. I am in the military, and I was stopped for wearing my gear (jacket, gloves) because it is out of regs (my jacket is colorful to say the least). I kindly asked the MSgt if he would rather me get injured significantly by not wearing my gear, and to that he had no reply. I know that the USAF has no "uniform approved" gear but the number of Blue Falcons in the AF is astonising......anything to make themselves feel better i guess, any comments

[Strider]

I was out just a few minutes ago to go to the store and I passed 4 bikers on SS bikes, two with their girlfriends on board ... no gear in sight except helmets all the way around! Makes me sick to see that.
My gear saved my life last month (IMO), and I will continue to wear it and promote it till the end of my days!

ATGATT 4Ever !!!!!

Originally Posted by istreefitty

Well I kind of brought up a troubling point. I am in the military, and I was stopped for wearing my gear (jacket, gloves) because it is out of regs (my jacket is colorful to say the least). I kindly asked the MSgt if he would rather me get injured significantly by not wearing my gear, and to that he had no reply. I know that the USAF has no "uniform approved" gear but the number of Blue Falcons in the AF is astonising......anything to make themselves feel better i guess, any comments

I'm curious about this too, any others in the service have this happen?

[Momaru]

Yeah, I spent part of the weekend in VA Beach and out of the 100+ bikers I saw this weekend only 10 had gear beyond helmets on. Nine of 'em were riding off one of the many military bases in a sport-bike pack. Incidentally they waved me on and I rode witn 'em for a few blocks. The 10th was a touring rider going the other way.

Every other rider I saw this weekend was sportin' teeshirt + shorts armor. Even passed a couple on a ape-hanger where the guy had shorts, she had a bikini. Not even a helmet between 'em. All I could think about is how funny the skin grafts will look against their fabulous tans.

[sharky nrk]

i have seen 7 riders that would count as sportbikes - k8 gsxr 600, 08 250R, 2nd gen sv650, 1200 bandit, older cb1100, ducati s2r 800, 2nd gen sv1000. only the duc wears any gear. the others not even a helmet - none of them. they all ride around town gunning it and junk. makes me ashamed to ride my bike through town by association

[backinthesaddleagain]

was behind a guy (rider) and girl (passenger) ,on a cbr929 yesterday cruising by the beaches. she just had a little terry cloth cover up (and helmet) and the rider, damn, i know there was a rider, but dont really remember much about him. haha, sometimes it pays to have the slower, smaller bike, and be at the back of the pack.

[capt_bugaloo]

Some motorcyclists have to learn the hard way.

[noche_caliente]

I've given up looking because it disgusts me so much anymore

[backinthesaddleagain]

i should add that i was sweating like a pig in my helmet, riding jacket and jeans.

[zenxfour]

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

i should add that i was sweating like a pig in my helmet, riding jacket and jeans.

I have helmet, jacket, and jeans and boots. I sweat my ass off and I sweat a lot... playing sports, laying on the beach... 'quality time' with the ladies; anything. But I would rather have a sweaty helmet and shirt when I get off my bike then not have my skin that I need to play sports, lay on the beach and have 'quality time'...

I may get a mesh jacket with armour...but helmet gloves, must have all the time.. tempting not to wear a jacket but I like my jacket, paid good money for it and it was bought for 'the crash.' Be smart, not cool.

[Sailariel]

Here in Maine we have a lot of potential "Two wheeled organ donors". In Maine a helmet is optional. Seeing riders in tank tops, flip flops, no helmet, and no gloves, is a rather common sight around here. In my view, anybody so attired is not only taking a chance but also looks ridiculous. We have MC tourists coming to Maine from other states, and the first thing that comes off is the gear (mostly HD riders) In our bicycle club, you don`t ride with us if you don`t wear a helmet. The club has put enough peer pressure on cyclists, that a helmetless bicycle rider is a rare sight indeed. In fact a cycle shop owner actually lost business because he was not wearing a helmet while road testing bikes he had repaired. I think that the AMA should launch a national campaign promoting safety gear--maybe even offer some sort of incentive.

[minuslars]

As much as I would love to ATGATT, I find myself passing out at the handlebars on some days (100 degrees and 97% humidity, anyone?)

[backinthesaddleagain]

Originally Posted by zenxfour

I have helmet, jacket, and jeans and boots. I sweat my ass off and I sweat a lot... playing sports, laying on the beach... 'quality time' with the ladies; anything. But I would rather have a sweaty helmet and shirt when I get off my bike then not have my skin that I need to play sports, lay on the beach and have 'quality time'...

I may get a mesh jacket with armour...but helmet gloves, must have all the time.. tempting not to wear a jacket but I like my jacket, paid good money for it and it was bought for 'the crash.' Be smart, not cool.

actually my tourmaster mesh jacket is pretty cool except when stopped.

[revstriker]

I too ride with a full face helmet, mesh jacket, gloves, jeans, and riding shoes. Most days over the past several weeks have been 100+ degrees in the Dallas area. On Saturday afternoon, the breeze going though my jacket and helmet was very hot. As soon as you stop at a light, you just feel like you are in an oven. But even still, I will not ride without at least this level of protection.

I would say around here, I see maybe 1 in 50 sport bike riders wearing gear other than a helmet. Most do wear helmets though. I would also guess that about 80% of the cruiser riders I see don't even wear helmets.

About two years ago, I was playing around in front of my house with some friends, and we were running short sprints. I took a fall doing this and got a pretty bad road rash on my arm, hand and side. I think about this a lot because I was only at a slow running speed when it happened. I can't imagine hitting the ground with no gear at 30, 40, 50, or more mph.

[ninjabrewer]

Originally Posted by istreefitty

but the number of Blue Falcons in the AF is astonising......anything to make themselves feel better i guess, any comments

Ahh the AF has Blue Falcons also, or at least uses the term. I thought that was a Army thing only. Wonder if the Navy/USMC uses the term also?

nb

[andrewwoo]

yea... better be safe than sorry!

[noche_caliente]

how the heck do they shift in flip flops anyway? OUCH! I've moved her around my garage when working on her barefoot, and if I have to put her in gear or neutral, I can't do it without my boots!

[ninjablk08]

Its good to see you guys wear your gear where its hot or not be safe all and enjoy your rides for a longgggg time.

[beowuff]

Originally Posted by noche_caliente

how the heck do they shift in flip flops anyway?

Well, for most people, it looks like the gear shifter hits right where the strap over the foot is, so it shouldn't be any problem shifting. However, I've never done this myself, so I wouldn't know for sure.

I HAVE, one time, ridden the bike in water socks and shorts. I was extremely uncomfortable and self conscious. I will never do anything like that again.

[capt_bugaloo]

Originally Posted by minuslars

As much as I would love to ATGATT, I find myself passing out at the handlebars on some days (100 degrees and 97% humidity, anyone?)

If it's too hot to ride with gear, it's too hot to ride, period.

[paterick4o8]

Oscar, just think of the pounds you're shedding while sweating in your gear! great way to stay trim

when you're up for it head over to the southbay and we can hit up some roads. I always wear full gear so you won't be alone. plus I wanna see your bike in person

also, do you really wanna be like this? -> http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=22416

[Neema12]

Some motorcyclists have to learn the hard way.

I think the same way

[komohana]

Originally Posted by istreefitty

Well I kind of brought up a troubling point. I am in the military, and I was stopped for wearing my gear (jacket, gloves) because it is out of regs (my jacket is colorful to say the least).

howzit michael,
am a civilian working on the navy base here at PMRF, and have had to go through the safety course to ride. what exactly was out of regs w/your gear?

[ARF07]

I'm pretty sure I'm the only person I know who things it looks cooler to ride with gear. When I was a kid (10 years ago lol), when I saw someone on a bike, it was always the rider with matching gear that looked cool, not the guy with only a helmet..besides, I don't think I could pull off not wearing gear. I'm so skinny I'd look like a lollipop on 2 wheels

[minuslars]

I think we need to start pushing for gear made from that special armor that's thin and fabric-like during normal wear then instantly toughens up on impact, it's being tested for ballistic vests

[minuslars]

Originally Posted by capt_bugaloo

If it's too hot to ride with gear, it's too hot to ride, period.

I'm *not* putting my bike away from July to September b/c it's too hot to ride with gear

I absolutely agree with ATGATT from a safety standpoint. I respect those who do it. But I personally feel safer not sweating inside a jacket in near delirium. It can be distracting, IMO

That said, my jacket is ALWAYS on at dusk, or in the chance of weather, or during rush hour... I ride with it much more than without.

[paterick4o8]

^
so, safe on the inside
not safe on the outside

got it.

[revstriker]

Originally Posted by minuslars

I'm *not* putting my bike away from July to September b/c it's too hot to ride with gear

I absolutely agree with ATGATT from a safety standpoint. I respect those who do it. But I personally feel safer not sweating inside a jacket in near delirium. It can be distracting, IMO

That said, my jacket is ALWAYS on at dusk, or in the chance of weather, or during rush hour... I ride with it much more than without.

I wear my jacket when its +100 degress, and I don't really sweat that much, as long as I'm moving. I don't think "too hot" is a valid excuse to not wear saftey gear IMHO.

I'm assuming you don't wear a helmet either?

[littlemike]

Originally Posted by revstriker

I wear my jacket when its +100 degress, and I don't really sweat that much, as long as I'm moving. I don't think "too hot" is a valid excuse to not wear saftey gear IMHO.

I'm assuming you don't wear a helmet either?

I rode many days in +100 weather in the past week also and the only part of me that sweat alot is my lower back when I wear full gear. I wear a Icon textile jacket and mesh pants with gloves and they vented pretty well for me.

[TrueFaith]

I have a TourMaster mesh too and it's very good on really hot days. It would be one thing if you could control everything on the street and depend on your own experience to avoid crashing. If that was the case I might not gear up all the time. Since that's very far from the reality of riding and with all the idiots you share the road with, you'll never see me in anything but full gear even on the hottest days.

[emt250]

Most of the guys who go to the college near me only wear helmets, and occasionally a jacket too (but they leave it unzipped).

[ironglory]

what's the difference - wouldn't you wear some protection if ur picking a girl from the somewhere - it doesnt feel comfortable either but you would, right?

[minuslars]

Originally Posted by revstriker

I wear my jacket when its +100 degress, and I don't really sweat that much, as long as I'm moving. I don't think "too hot" is a valid excuse to not wear saftey gear IMHO.

I'm assuming you don't wear a helmet either?

Always a helmet. Skin is one thing, brain is another. Not to mention it's state law.

[b534202]

Originally Posted by zenxfour

I have helmet, jacket, and jeans and boots. I sweat my ass off and I sweat a lot... playing sports, laying on the beach... 'quality time' with the ladies; anything. But I would rather have a sweaty helmet and shirt when I get off my bike then not have my skin that I need to play sports, lay on the beach and have 'quality time'...

I may get a mesh jacket with armour...but helmet gloves, must have all the time.. tempting not to wear a jacket but I like my jacket, paid good money for it and it was bought for 'the crash.' Be smart, not cool.

Don't forget to protect your legs! Jeans won't save your skin.

[ninjablk08]

Originally Posted by paterick4o8

Oscar, just think of the pounds you're shedding while sweating in your gear! great way to stay trim

when you're up for it head over to the southbay and we can hit up some roads. I always wear full gear so you won't be alone. plus I wanna see your bike in person

also, do you really wanna be like this? -> http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=22416

will do as soon as im off on the weekend , will bring a friend down too, he has a 08 Yamaha R6 and with a 15- 43 sprocket set up on my bike freeway riding is so much better

[NJD022588]

Originally Posted by minuslars

As much as I would love to ATGATT, I find myself passing out at the handlebars on some days (100 degrees and 97% humidity, anyone?)

It doesnt get to 100, maybe once every other year. It's not even that common for it to be above 90. If you just dont want to wear gear, then that can be your excuse, but I just dont think NoVA weather is a valid reason for riding without gear, especially since you can get all gear in mesh/perforated. Maybe I'm just a little more tolerant to some slight heat.

I rarely see someone here wear anything other than a helmet, which is required by law.

[Cali619]

Originally Posted by minuslars

I think we need to start pushing for gear made from that special armor that's thin and fabric-like during normal wear then instantly toughens up on impact, it's being tested for ballistic vests

you mean like this?

[noche_caliente]

Originally Posted by minuslars

As much as I would love to ATGATT, I find myself passing out at the handlebars on some days (100 degrees and 97% humidity, anyone?)

The weather in NoVA isn't as bad as in many of the other areas- but hey, if you'd rather bleed than sweat, that's your choice *shrug*