[Monster231]

OK, I admit it. when I use to ride dirt, i used to wear helmet, boots and chest protector, just because crap would fly all over me and I would tear up my clothes and shoes. The onlt reason I wore a helmet Was to protect my eyes. When I stared riding street bikes ( I NEVER wore a helmet or anything else ) but they were all short rides to class and back, I rearly was over 20mph. Since I have purchaced my own sport bike, and in doing all the research, I never go out with out my gear on. NEVER.

But here is the question how many of you actually do, always ride with a helmet and jacket on. I see so many preaching about gear on these forums and yet when I see the same people at get togethers, they are the ones drinking, wheeliing in front of bars, with no even as much as glasses or gloves on...

So I wanna am I gonna be the only loser wearing helmet and jacket all summer long

 

[fastbaill2004]

I always wear my helmet, even if it is only a short trip around town. I must admit that on hot summer days i don't wear my leather. It's just too hot and humid here in the midwest.

 

[R1up0n1]

I wear all my gear all the time! I don't care if I am going 5 MPH and 1/2 mile. Helmet, gloves, jacket, and boots. As far as the heat goes....I got my mesh jacket.

 

[jeeps84]

I wear me helmet and gloves every ride. I am also one of those that will constantly proclaim the importance of gear and might be caught on a short trip with nothing more than gloves, helmet and street cloths. You will never see me doing wheelies and riding fast on those occasions either.

It all comes down to choice. I live in a free country where I can decide on when to wear my gear and have scars to remind me how important it is.:2cents:

 

[JK_DILLA]

everything all the time. Not so much in my early impressionable years though. if i had a nice bike back then i would have been squidtastic. But i didnt so i just looked poverty stricken. I needed guidance.

 

[ne1469]

I wear gear at all times...Jacket (armored leathers in winter season & armored mesh in th summer), Helmet, Boots, Gloves, Astars Knee/Shin armor, & my new addition-- Bohn riding shorts.

 

[GixxerNHemi]

well..i have NO choice.

NY state law requires me to wear a helmet....and i wouldnt get on the bike without one anyway.

Ive been riding dirtbikes and quads now for over 8 years on my families 250 acres upstate new york....and even though i can do WHATEVER i want on my machines on my land.....i always wear AT LEAST a helmet and gloves.

i might start the machines up in the garage and ride to the end of the driveway in street clothes...but if im gonna ride....i wear the gear ALWAYS!!!!

 

[DLIT]

I always have my helmet, jacket and gloves on. There's times when i'm running errands in the summertime (110-115 degrees) that I'll just wear a t-shirt, helmet and gloves. But whenever I'm pushing it you'll see me in helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots.

 

[slam150]

I ride with my Helmet, Jacket, and gloves.

when i laid my bike down, i was wearing my jacket, helmet, and gloves.....
the gloves saved my hand from missing at least 1/4-1/2" of skin, the jacket saved my right arm "all of the arm" and the helmet didnt get a scratch on it "but my head was safe".

My leg, well, lets just say that i wasnt wearing any pants, or riding boots and my knee cant grow hair on it anymore, and i now have the scars of a fallen rider.

oh, and my leather boot on my right foot had metal rings where the laces were "were", after i laid it down the laces were gone and my boot was well..."Gone"

wear your gear, and if you dont and just wear a few things, your still gona get a rash.

 

[jtemple]

Helmet, Jacket, Gloves, Boots, Jeans. I wear them every time. I need pants; trying to scrape up the cash.

 

[Gas Man]

All the gear all the time... well or at least... DOT helmet, gloves, and riding jacket

 

[slam150]

I think the gloves, jacket, and helmet are the most important, the shoes and pants arent the most neded, but i know they are highly recomended, but they cost wayyyy to much. lol

 

[marko138]

I wear all my gear all the time! I don't care if I am going 5 MPH and 1/2 mile. Helmet, gloves, jacket, and boots. As far as the heat goes....I got my mesh jacket.

:iagree: 100%. I never ever get on my bike w/o full gear. Even riding 3 miles up the road to the shop. Never.

Like JK and probly many of us...I sometimes didn't gear up when I was younger and dumber.

I've "rode" without a helmet once...sitting in traffic in Carlisle to get to the show. 90 some degrees and not moving doesn't work for me. So I ditched the lid.

 

[oldetymebiker]

I came from Minnesota, which has required helmet use for years, and I started roadracing early on (I was 18 and it was 1974...you do the math) so I got to see the value of full gear firsthand (lowsided a few times); when the first Bell full coverage helmets came out for bikers (you take the variety of helmets today for granted, but back then there were only a couple of Snell approved lids, Bell and Simpson, and they were hyper-expensive) I bought one.

I'd had my new Bell full coverage about two weeks when I was hit by a drunk on the freeway, I never saw him come up on me, he was weaving in and out of traffic about 30 mph faster than surrounding cars...when he hit me, I slid about 30-40 yards on my face and chest. I was also wearing gloves, boots and my leather jacket. When I was able to pick myself up and assess the damage, I noticed:

The toes of my boot were torn through, but my feet were OK.

The palms of my gloves were worn through, but my hands were OK.

The front of my jacket was toast, but my chest was OK.

The chin bar on my helmet was GONE...worn right through, but my face was OK. If I had been wearing my old standard helmet with just a face shield, I'd have been a plastic surgery candidate, at the least.

I don't throw a leg over a bike without everything on, PERIOD. Armoured mesh jacket and pants are great for hot days, leather for everything else... and the best helmet, gloves and boots I can afford. A buddy of mine on another board has this signature:

"Sweat washes off, roadrash doesn't"

If you've ever had roadrash "debrided" by a nurse (they take a brush and sanitized soap and water, and SCRUB the dirt and asphalt out of the raw wound), then you probably don't want to repeat the experience.


.....of course, ya'll are free to do whatever ya want.........

 

[twisty]

Does flip-flops, shorts, and Teeshirt count?

 

[marko138]

Does flip-flops, shorts, and Teeshirt count?

Absolutely...for squids.

 

[AUR6]

I too always wear my gear, granted it isnt the total package, Helmet Jacket jeans, its about all that i can afford at the moment. i too have had my share of rash in my early riding years. :nonod: :cursin: :cursin: :cursin:

 

[GSXR1000DJ]

I always wear gloves, jacket, and helmet. If its hot...I just go faster. :lol:

 

[bumblebee]

Sometimes I do...Sometimes I don't...

 

[Back _Marker]

Absolutely...for squids.

I'm a squid...

But i'm wearing my helmet now cuz I keep loosing my oakley's.

I've had only 2 street crashes, one with gear and one without gear. I lost traction during a cloverleaf run and suffered roadrash on both palms and right knee. Helmet never touched the ground. Had no leathers or gloves. Asphault melted onto my knee.
Second crash was around 70 mph going through a posted 30 mph bend. Loose gravel and an on coming vehicle made for a big eye opener. I went off roading and hit a guardrail. I flew about 20 feet into a wooded area. I had full race gear on and suffered only both sprained ankles.

I crashed about 7 times at the track. Ironically, my helmet never got scratched. Ku****ani's lasted 2 crashes. Dianese was good for 3. I went with cheaper sets after that.

With this new bike, I doubt I will wear protective gear other than gloves and helmet. I ride to work and don't plan on doing anything crazy. I always have a backpack on with a rainsuit stored in it and a first aid kit. If I ever decide to do stunt riding again, I would definitely get full gear and piece together a crash bike.

-a|ex