Do you always were your protective gear?
Discussion
Picking up my first bike for 15 years tomorrow.
Used to ride sport bikes for fun. Now buying a KTM 390 Duke for transport (although hopefully fun too).
When I used to ride I never went anywhere (garage to garage!) and always wore full protection (leathers, boots, etc).
I just bought today a textile jacket and trousers (Harvalssons - following suggestions on another thread). If I use the bike for out of town riding I will use the full gear. But when riding into town (3 or 4 miles of 30 mph) not so sure. Definitely the jacket but if I don't have somewhere to put the rest of the kit less certain. When I go into town the bike will be acting as a scooter....and I don't think I would wear full kit on a scooter for riding around town.
Other thoughts?
If I don't where the trousers and boots what are the best alternatives?
Used to ride sport bikes for fun. Now buying a KTM 390 Duke for transport (although hopefully fun too).
When I used to ride I never went anywhere (garage to garage!) and always wore full protection (leathers, boots, etc).
I just bought today a textile jacket and trousers (Harvalssons - following suggestions on another thread). If I use the bike for out of town riding I will use the full gear. But when riding into town (3 or 4 miles of 30 mph) not so sure. Definitely the jacket but if I don't have somewhere to put the rest of the kit less certain. When I go into town the bike will be acting as a scooter....and I don't think I would wear full kit on a scooter for riding around town.
Other thoughts?
If I don't where the trousers and boots what are the best alternatives?
LoonR1 said:
It's your choice, other than the helmet which is compulsory. I always wear full kit, again that's my choice.
Bit confused how "when I used to ride, I never went anywhere...." I'm guessing that you'd be Ok not to wear any clothes at all in that case!
Well...I meant I didn't use the bike to go somewhere, park up and do something else (like you do in a car). When I went out on the bike is was purely to ride it and have fun. Bit confused how "when I used to ride, I never went anywhere...." I'm guessing that you'd be Ok not to wear any clothes at all in that case!
its been said... its your choice.
Personally I wear a Lid, Gloves, Boots, Back protector and Dainese textile jacket and trousers that zip together. Also in this weather a neck muff and balaclava help.
On a ride out its always full leathers.
Also top tip... when you commute, they'll always be little incidents, especially as you find your way again. Don't share these with the Mrs..
Personally I wear a Lid, Gloves, Boots, Back protector and Dainese textile jacket and trousers that zip together. Also in this weather a neck muff and balaclava help.
On a ride out its always full leathers.
Also top tip... when you commute, they'll always be little incidents, especially as you find your way again. Don't share these with the Mrs..
Some might say it’s the wrong attitude but every time I jump on a bike I don't convince myself that everyone is out to kill me nor do I think too much about crashing. So in the winter I wear stuff that keeps me warm and dry which on the plus already has quite a bit of knock protection built in. For general summer riding I wear normal jeans and a jacket and a pair of dealer type boots. For longer trips I wear mesh stuff which also has built in knock protection.
I know it's not for everyone but in the summer I really enjoy riding in "civilian" clothes rather than full bike gear and that’s one of the main reasons why I still love biking.
I know it's not for everyone but in the summer I really enjoy riding in "civilian" clothes rather than full bike gear and that’s one of the main reasons why I still love biking.
Locally, my minimum is a vest, gloves and the helmet. The vest makes sense as I have to put something on, might as well be the protective gear. Helmet is compulsory, and the gloves I just do because even at a low speed you're going to use your hands to protect yourself.
Once I know I'm going to do a road that has a 50mph limit or higher I wear full protective gear.
Once I know I'm going to do a road that has a 50mph limit or higher I wear full protective gear.
Priorities are gloves and boots. If you don't want to walk around your destination in bike boots there are alternatives that look conventional but still give reasonable ankle protection but I can't remember the makes.
Kevlar jeans can be worn all day, though you might want to take the armour out.
Kevlar jeans can be worn all day, though you might want to take the armour out.
Schnellmann said:
When I go into town the bike will be acting as a scooter....and I don't think I would wear full kit on a scooter for riding around town.
You probably wouldn't, most people don't. At a minimum I'd wear textiles top and bottom, gloves, helmet at those bike boots that look like casual, everyday boots. You can still catch some wicked road rash at 30-40mph. But it's your skin at the end of the day, wear as much or as little as you want.https://rideapart.com/articles/why-wearing-jeans-o...
I ride my bike around the block when washing it, helmet and gloves being the only protective equipment I use, but I only do about 250m on 30mph roads, so it seems a bit much to get fully kitted up, but I'm under no illusions about what state even a 30mph slide could do to me.
Andy XRV said:
I know it's not for everyone but in the summer I really enjoy riding in "civilian" clothes rather than full bike gear and that’s one of the main reasons why I still love biking.
Ha, I totally get this. It feels so free just meandering along and I have no temptation to hammer it either. Love it.ETA - The problem I have is with the logic of wearing full kit all the time. Let's take riding through town to my office. I don't go near anything but a 30 limit. Yes, of course I could get hit by another car but I also cycle to work on the same roads and will happily wear shorts/t shirt so why is it that on one mode of transport, I would wear much more gear to travel on the same roads and sometimes at the same speeds (less relevant if we're talking about being hit by others).
On the bike forum, they get all angry at people not wearing a helmet to supplement their lycra so really, it just seems to me like people believe a certain level of protective clothing just should be worn on a certain vehicle, without really questioning why.
Obviously, out of town at NSL speeds, gear makes sense!
Edited by Disastrous on Thursday 22 January 17:41
Nipping around the paddock (or just down the drive to test something) without a helmet on always feels lovely.
Most of the time on the Monster it's kevlar jeans, boots, textile jacket (as it has useful pockets), proper gloves. If it's really hot and just around London then sometimes drop to regular jeans and trainers (but at the sturdier end of trainers). Further afield either full textile or leathers.
I do thousands of miles a year on a bicycle, hit 35-40mph on most rides and have nothing more than lycra for protection. If I'm going no faster on the bike it's not the biggest worry - I'm more concerned about proper ankle support (if I overbalance at the lights, etc) than abrasion resistance for town stuff.
Most of the time on the Monster it's kevlar jeans, boots, textile jacket (as it has useful pockets), proper gloves. If it's really hot and just around London then sometimes drop to regular jeans and trainers (but at the sturdier end of trainers). Further afield either full textile or leathers.
I do thousands of miles a year on a bicycle, hit 35-40mph on most rides and have nothing more than lycra for protection. If I'm going no faster on the bike it's not the biggest worry - I'm more concerned about proper ankle support (if I overbalance at the lights, etc) than abrasion resistance for town stuff.
Other than helmet and gloves, wearing a proper bike jacket with CE level 2 armour (mesh, textile or leather) on any ride out is the minimum for me.
If you come off - even at very slow speed - and land on your elbow, you have a very high risk of suffering a broken elbow as a minimum. This can take 6-9 months to heal properly and regain full strength. An armoured jacket mitigates against this.
I know having suffered a broken elbow years ago that snapped clean off and ended halfway up my tricep. Metal work, 2 ops later, and my arm was reset at a slightly different angle. Now, I never get on the bike without a proper jacket.
If you come off - even at very slow speed - and land on your elbow, you have a very high risk of suffering a broken elbow as a minimum. This can take 6-9 months to heal properly and regain full strength. An armoured jacket mitigates against this.
I know having suffered a broken elbow years ago that snapped clean off and ended halfway up my tricep. Metal work, 2 ops later, and my arm was reset at a slightly different angle. Now, I never get on the bike without a proper jacket.
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