oh dear oh dear - summertime

A mate from work was knocked off his bike on the M25 yesterday (don't know what speed- 60-70 I think)- was in full kit- leather top, textile keks and back protector. Lost a bit of skin on his forearms, but other than that, says his back protector did it- without that he would have been in serious trouble. (amazingly, his lid wasn't even scratched after a 50 yard slide)

This makes me think I will never ride in less than proper gear (was my general policy anyway).

I've seen a few this year- including a pillion with a t-shirt and jeans this morning. I do wonder, but as said above- it's not really up to us to dictate. Just observe!

Scooter rider in shorts. No shoes. Shocking. Silly imo. Silly to most people I presume!

Originally Posted by thedonal

I've seen a few this year- including a pillion with a t-shirt and jeans this morning. I do wonder, but as said above- it's not really up to us to dictate. Just observe!

You are right to a point... You see gravel rash is clased as a major injury (for obvious reasons) and so when these foolish people slide along shedding flesh faster than jonny vagas on a diet the major injuries of bikers goes up and anti-bike propaganda gets some extra fuel.

So it does effect us in that the government looks at out safety closer and causes us all hastle.

[timwilky]

My blade riding neighbour is a paramedic.

He once knocked on my door demanding beer at the end of one bad shift where a chest cavity had opened as the vest/shorts failed to stop the internal organs being spilled as the guy slid down the road and my mate had to pick them up to send with the remains of the body

[G]

Whenever I go on my bike its normally for a purpose ie long/fast ride or commute. So wear the full hog.

Minimum full textiles with minimal armour (Commute)......Maximum full leathers will heavy duty armour.

I can understand to some extent, if someone was bimbiling 2 miles to the shop and back all in 30 zones, you COULD be tempted to wear shorts, tshirt and trainers......the risk is very very minimal. I personaly know that I would end up going the long way or having a quick blast so would never do it.

[SoulKiss]

I once rode my SV with just shorts and a t-shirt.

Ok so it was just from the front of my house, up to one carpark then back to my garage in a gated community, and I can really see why you would be tempted.

But my choice is to wear a bit more than that, but after suffering from really bad cramps due to salt loss from sweating in my leathers so much (on my CBT no less) I had to go down the jeans and mesh jacket route, and find them to be great.

Even do motorway stuff in the jeans (with added hard armour)

i fell off my push bike on a road at 20mph or so, totally knackered my elbows, knees etc. dread to think what would happen if i came off even at 30.

yep, its just the same on a push bike, so I guess if someone is only riding round town at 30 then its a risk that they might be reasonable taking - would still wear jeans though incase the exhaust landed on my leg - I've come off pushbike and skinned my arms and legs pleanty, but at 30mph its just surface damage really (I'm currently sporting a 6 inch patch of gravel rash on my left arm). For extra urban speeds though I'd never ride in anything less than full gear.

I like riding without a helmet. I do it quite often, if I'm out shopping and I want to go to the other side of the shopping centre instead of lumbering about in my leathers I just hop on the bike and ride it round, my helmet on my arm. I'm doing like 20 MPH or less and some fools hoot their horns and tell me I'm going to kill myself, but they're driving a car and staring at me, they'll most likely knock somebody over.
Look after yourself, us darwin award types will do the same.

Originally Posted by alpinestarhero

Someone has to supply the donor organs I suppose...

Yesterday I rode around richmond park at 20 mph with my gloves off and jacket undone. It felt really nice, kept me really cool. I can understand why people are tempted to ride without full kit....but the benefits don;t outweigh the risks. Riding home from richmond park (now zipped and gloved up) i got hot, very hot, but as long as I kept moving it was bearable. And if I got too hot, then I'd just stop and have some water and sit in the shade.

Saying that, I really wish I wore jeans. They owuld have been easier to get off when I got home than my leather trousers, they where stuck to me!!!

Ride safe

Matt

Get an undersuit - works wonders, soaks the sweat up and is more confortable than ridign without. Then leathers in 30+ are not *so* mcuh of an issue. ANyone thinking 'just a short trip' should read big apes 'Alway wear your freaking leathers' link...

Oh - and as has been said it may be your choice, but some poor sod has to scrape you off of the floor...