Temptation ...

[Blue_SV650S]

Its been hot and sunny, wearing leathers means sweating buckets ... who succumb to the temptation of not wearing them?? ..

The past couple of weeks I've been riding round, not only with no leathers (i.e. in shorts and t-shirt), but with no lid either 8)

[northwind]

I don't ever ride without my gear, but then I've got glass bones :D But I do have an assortment of different gear that suits all weathers, my (rubbish) Frank Thomas jacket has huuuuuge vents and I've got a Spada mesh jacket which gets worn about once a year on average, which is exactly like riding in a t-shirt. It's ace...

[kitkat]

bikini and flip flops, love the summer

[the_lone_wolf]

The past couple of weeks I've been riding round, not only with no leathers (i.e. in shorts and t-shirt), but with no lid either 8)
not a legal requirement on a push bike;)

[hovis]

Been Out A Few Times In Shorts And A Vest......... Still Wore Me Lid Though

[plowsie]

Just been down shop in shorts and a shirt.

[Blue_SV650S]

not a legal requirement on a push bike;)

;)

[Speedy Claire]

The most i`ll go without would be protective trousers and only for a really short distance, would always wear my boots, gloves, and leather or textile jacket. I see too many bikers who`ve suffered horrendous injuries due to not wearing the proper gear.

[Sean_C]

The last 2 times I've worn jeans out for a ride, both very short rides, I felt very very vulnerable. I wouldn't consider going out without leathers.. might invest in some leathers that have vents though!

not that im going anywhere for a while.. :p

[the_lone_wolf]

;);)

;)

[northwind]

No joke, I was out on my pushbike tonight wearing hein gericke armoured denim trousers, my old Frank Thomas jacket and a pair of Akito gloves :smt119 I cycle better protected than most motorcyclists :compress:

[Gene genie]

kept with leather jacket bu un-zipped the bottoms in favour of draggin jeans. not comfortable on motorway though so just the commute up to now. keeping my backside in place is a bit of an issue aswell. but great fun non the less.

[neio79]

Cant believe peeps on here are using the old only when i nip to the shops as a excuse for not gearing up. What is the point of wearing just a helmet or that and boots and gloves when skin strip at the rate of 1 inch a second on collision with tarmac at high speed.

stupid stupid people!!

I have never ridden anywhere not even to the shops with out kit on. IMO its not worth the risk.

I knew a lad who took his bike for a small run around camp to get it out for a bit when it was laid up. He was wearing jeans t shirt boots gloves and helmet. Hit some gravel went down at 30, took the skin down to the bone on his hip and a few other places.

Think on before wearing nothing.

[yorkie_chris]

I've got several pairs of draggin jeans, pretty much all I ever wear.

Always got either my textile jacket on which is excellent in all weathers as it's got so many vents in, or my other jacket which is stretchy mesh stuff with lots of armor attatched. I wouldn't reccomend it to anyone, but it's all the usual slide-points covered.

[SoulKiss]

For about the last week my riding kit has been...

Mesh Jacket

http://www.chaoscrypt.com/icon/timax2mesh.jpgand Kevlar jeans
http://www.chaoscrypt.com/icon/jeans.jpg
With my Sidi Vertigo Corsa's
http://www.bikersdirect.co.uk/Sidi-Vertigo-Corsa-Black-Anthracite_0_0_OEA7.jpg
For the trip to Torquay I added extra leg armour
http://www.chaoscrypt.com/icon/legarmour.jpg
All in all its been quite pleasant out.....

Oh and of course a lid :P

[markmoto]

next on my list a mesh jacket and a pair of draggin jeans or similar.

[sinbad]

next on my list a mesh jacket and a pair of draggin jeans or similar.

Mine too. Not going to ride in normal jeans and anything else just gets stiflingly hot in no time.

How much was the leg armour Soulkiss?

[dizzyblonde]

The most bare i go out is in my draggin jeans, however i am considering some motox shorts with hip armour and knee ones to go underneath

[dizzyblonde]

I think peeps that go out in shorts and tshirts + trainers are asking for trouble

[SoulKiss]

Mine too. Not going to ride in normal jeans and anything else just gets stiflingly hot in no time.

How much was the leg armour Soulkiss?

About £30 but I had to get it from the US.....

I am planning on getting on of these
http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.co.uk/images/product/gallery/Shirt/1.jpg (http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.co.uk/shirt.asp)
and these
http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.co.uk/images/product/gallery/ProPants/1.jpg (http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.co.uk/pro_pants.asp)
to go with this
http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.co.uk/images/product/gallery/BackProtector/1.jpg (http://www.forcefieldbodyarmour.co.uk/back_protector_sport.asp)
That should see me well padded :)

[plowsie]

What is the point of wearing just a helmet or that and boots and gloves when skin strip at the rate of 1 inch a second on collision with tarmac at high speed.

Neio I have to slightly disagree with the above mate, if you come off yeah you tear up your skin i know that, do it on me own risk, you don't have a helmet on, the most vulnerable part of your body is open to injury. I know what your saying though, but there is a line that you have to draw for stupidity.

[northwind]

Cant believe peeps on here are using the old only when i nip to the shops as a excuse for not gearing up. What is the point of wearing just a helmet or that and boots and gloves when skin strip at the rate of 1 inch a second on collision with tarmac at high speed.


The author Iain Banks (VFR owner) says this:

"I love the feeling of freedom the experience gives, even if you do have to surround yourself with a whole prophylactic suite of helmet, armoured leathers and serious boots. Of course, you don't have to; only the helmet is compulsory in this country. But hte thought of biking in a helmet, shorts, trainers and T-shirt (as you do sometimes see people doing), so that, if something you can't avoid does happen, you end up sliding along the road at 50 miles an an hour or whatever, scrubbing off speed by the gradual abrasion of your wrist, ankle, knee, pelvic and spinal bone- the flesh having sloughed easily, if painfully, off in the first few seconds- while your helmet keeps your brain undamaged, entirely conscious and in full-on pain-appreciation mode is enough to make me look upon my insect-splattered leathers with something almost bordering on affection."

[Wayluya]

When I got the SV I got me old leather bike jacket out the loft......still fitted :D

But I only wore it once......I stick to what I wear on the Scooter, a normal coat, trainers and jeans. More Comfy.

Is it Big and Clever? No. Will I be sorry if I have an accident? Probably.........will I change? No.

Wisdom does not always come with age.......

[yorkie_chris]

Yeah, road rash really fkin hurts!

[BanannaMan]

All gear....All the time.

If you had seen as many bike crashes as I have over the years....
You'd be in full kit all the time as well.

You are no safer 2 miles away from home than you are at 200 miles.

[G]

If I'm only going for a bimble I just wear jeans, boots, alpinestar summer jacket and gloves/helmet.

When I say bimble I mean not going over 60mph....I.e only when the girlfriend is on the back...otherwise I wear leathers because I have no self control.

[$tevo]

I stopped wearing shorts after I branded me leg on the exhaust. Not at all funny

[neio79]

Neio I have to slightly disagree with the above mate, if you come off yeah you tear up your skin i know that, do it on me own risk, you don't have a helmet on, the most vulnerable part of your body is open to injury. I know what your saying though, but there is a line that you have to draw for stupidity.

Well appart from the fact you will be concious to feel every little rip as your flesh rapidly peels from your body, then to the bone as that grinds away. mmmmm nice. Bearing in mind losing big chunks of flesh and mussle is just as debilitting as a serious crash fully protected.

Sounds harsh but i think the people wo ride in shorts and T shirts are f**king cretins and deserve what they get.

The author Iain Banks (VFR owner) says this:

"I love the feeling of freedom the experience gives, even if you do have to surround yourself with a whole prophylactic suite of helmet, armoured leathers and serious boots. Of course, you don't have to; only the helmet is compulsory in this country. But hte thought of biking in a helmet, shorts, trainers and T-shirt (as you do sometimes see people doing), so that, if something you can't avoid does happen, you end up sliding along the road at 50 miles an an hour or whatever, scrubbing off speed by the gradual abrasion of your wrist, ankle, knee, pelvic and spinal bone- the flesh having sloughed easily, if painfully, off in the first few seconds- while your helmet keeps your brain undamaged, entirely conscious and in full-on pain-appreciation mode is enough to make me look upon my insect-splattered leathers with something almost bordering on affection."


my sentiments exactly. I have never fund a problem with keeping cool unless stuck in a jam or something.

[plowsie]

Well appart from the fact you will be concious to feel every little rip as your flesh rapidly peels from your body, then to the bone as that grinds away. mmmmm nice. Bearing in mind losing big chunks of flesh and mussle is just as debilitting as a serious crash fully protected.
Better than possible brain damage or cracking skull open, taking chunks out of it, i'd take the body any day for pain than the head.

Sounds harsh but i think the people wo ride in shorts and T shirts are f**king cretins and deserve what they get.
I love you too baby :D

I do get ya point, most of the time (Ie. To work and missus's) it is protective Jacket and Jeans, mainly the part that I don't fit in me leathers, but that is coming back. But, if going on a proper ride where I will ride silly or quicker than used to, I put the whole lot and sweat!

I won't learn until it comes about - oh wait it did once, i was in thin work trousers, I still wear them now, they were hardly marked after a 30mph drop. Just lucky i spose, normally I woulda expected my leg to be marked into the road. But i never ride in my work trousers now thats for sure!

[yorkie_chris]

my sentiments exactly. I have never fund a problem with keeping cool unless stuck in a jam or something.

Honestly occifer I have to filter like a complete tw4t, it's sunny! :D

[Blue_SV650S]

I see a lot of people wearing Jeans (normal jeans) on bikes ... sure better than nowt, but barely surely??? :scratch:

I should imagine at say 15mph, you'll stop in what 5m??? It'll still go through the jeans, but you will end up with just a nasty graze, but at 30mph+ by the same virtue, its only going to have minimal affect? Jeans are going to go through in the first couple of meters aren't they?? I really don't see that as much more sensible than nothing at all!! ;)

To me it is either leathers (or proper textiles) or it might as well be shorts!! 8)

Also you can wear all the protective gear you like, when you hit that lorry head on at a closing speed of 100mph its all irrelevant anyway :shock:

On my MOTORbike I always wear full leathers, however hot ... but psychologically I feel less vulnerable/as well protected as possible ...

I sometimes wonder if I should go out in shorts as the inherent feeling of vulnerability might keep the speeds down and me more alert ...

I dunno if it is an urban myth, but the safest car ever was a old American car that had a big spike in the middle of the steering wheel ;)

[yorkie_chris]

Very wierd when I fell off my 125, I had normal jeans on and my knee was well scuffed. But my ar$e and hip had some pretty big grazes without a mark on my jeans?!?

[Blue_SV650S]

Very wierd when I fell off my 125, I had normal jeans on and my knee was well scuffed. But my ar$e and hip had some pretty big grazes without a mark on my jeans?!?

Skin is weak stuff ... you imagine your behind landing on the deck with the full force of your body (+acceleration) landing on it instantly ... its gonna be quite a bit of force, your skin will rub HARD on the inside of your jeans as they swivel round that few CM before they become taught!! :shock:

This is also what worries me about textiles ... where they are not spray-on and rigid like leathers, you are going to get a lot of movement between your skin and the jacket/bottoms in an off ... I think you could still end up with some pretty nasty abrasion related injuries ... also where the armour won't stay in place in an off, I am not sure it will do much good ... not as much as in the tight fitting&sturdy leathers ..

Obviously textiles have to be much better than nothing at all, but I personally prefer leathers, for two reasons ... firstly the aforementioned concerns and secondly, I think leathers look cooler!! :D

[Alpinestarhero]

I prefer to sweat it out and stay safe. If I get too hot, I'll just pull over where tehres some shade and have a rest and some water :D

[metalmonkey]

All cars should come fitted with that big ass spike on the steering wheel, it will be best saftey device to be ever fitted.

Its up you what you wear on the bike, I either wear full armour textiles or leathers, not willing to take the chance to many idiots out there.

For those wearing just a lid I see it as a form of natural selection. I saw a kid in East London on a RS125 a year or so a go just wearing a cheap lid, shorts and trainers. Man if he came off wearing that he would be in a world of pain.

[Steve_God]

Its been hot and sunny, wearing leathers means sweating buckets ... who succumb to the temptation of not wearing them?? ..
Me, wearing:
- Summer armoured gloves
- Textile armoured jacket with air vents
- Knee armour to fit either under or over my jeans.
(And Helmet ofc...)

Much cooler and still protected! :thumbsup:

[Supervox]

The only time I don't wear 'full-on' bike gear (Lid, Leather or Textile Jacket, Leather or Textile Trousers, Boots, Gloves) is when I ride to work when I wear my usual chino-type trousers.

Silly ?

Possibly, although it is only just over a mile to my office through the village, with no main roads - at approx 0650hrs as well so not a lot of traffic around.

[flymo]

For the trip to Torquay I added extra leg armour
http://www.chaoscrypt.com/icon/legarmour.jpg


Jeez, that Torquay must be rougher than I thought!

[Jackhammer]

It will see you well warmed up too in the sunshine - i have the forcefield shirt and it feels great on - i'm 6ft2 with a 42" chest and oddly enough i opted for a small sized top - the large didn't seem to "fit" it was far too loose IMHO -

Blue - yup have succumbed to temptation my 6 mile schlep to work is now done in boots Jeans and Leather Jacket and Lid -

anyway i seem to remember you saying that didn't do any road riding - so is that why there are lots of nudge nudge winks winks going on :-D

[SoulKiss]

anyway i seem to remember you saying that didn't do any road riding - so is that why there are lots of nudge nudge winks winks going on :-D

Thats because the "biking" he has been doing without a lid has been on a push-bike......

[Blue_SV650S]

anyway i seem to remember you saying that didn't do any road riding - so is that why there are lots of nudge nudge winks winks going on :-D

I think you misunderstand, I have a road bike, but I only use/d it for commuting NOT joy-riding/pleasure.

The nudge nudge wink wink was because when I said I was in shorts, t-shirt and no lid; I was actually referring to where I have been on my PUSHbike recently ;) I believe in sods-law, so I ALWAYS wear my full gear on my motorbike even in the sweltering heat! ... and duly sweat my bo-larks off :(

[Grinch]

I wear a mesh alipinestar jacket, vented wolf leathers or the hood jeans, plus vented gloves. Hasn't been warm enought for me to wear just my pants and a lid yet.

[chris8886]

i must admit i don't where my leather trousers all that often as find them quite uncomfortable. i where my draggin jeans or the alpinestar equivalent and leather/textile jacket, appropriate gloves to temperature, boots (always) and helemt. if i know i'm just going out for a mad dash around i'll put the leather trousers on too.

[Jackhammer]

I think you misunderstand, I have a road bike, but I only use/d it for commuting NOT joy-riding/pleasure.

The nudge nudge wink wink was because when I said I was in shorts, t-shirt and no lid; I was actually referring to where I have been on my PUSHbike recently ;) I believe in sods-law, so I ALWAYS wear my full gear on my motorbike even in the sweltering heat! ... and duly sweat my bo-larks off :(

Yep I though thats what you meant - as soon as you said no lid i was like hmmmmm :^ounless ......

[Grinch]

Never catch me doing that -

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/thegrinch/photogallery/bikes181103/meonsvinamillie.JPG

[tanis34]

weyhey the grinch is colour co-ordanated :) lol

[Grinch]

Yep, even had a blue tinted visor. I loved that helmet too... its now a hanging basket.