New Gear Required??
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
Since you've already got the stuff, wear it. I catch the hackneyed "Power Ranger" **** occasionally from just wearing a FF and Joe Rocket mesh jacket. I guess unless you look like you just rolled out of a meth lab, you aren't doing it right.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 242
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,933
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From: Kentucky
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
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From:
Although you could have a wreck two blocks from your house, I don't feel like it's a major event everytime I go for a ride like I need to suit up for the Isle of Mann race. Sometimes I just hop on the Ol' RoadKing to run for a meal or get something from the local Home Depot. On long rides I do wear a black Tourmaster 3/4 jacket.
On a long ride, say 2 to 6 thousand miles, I wear a tee shirt, jeans, boots, bandana, eye protection, fingerless gloves or gauntlet gloves (depending on the time of year). I also carry with me a leather jacket, leather chaps, half helmet and rain gear for when required.
It's easier figuring out what to wear if you wear the same thing regardless of distance. Works for me.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 238
Likes: 1
From: Cedar Park, TX
I always wear the gear no matter how far I go. I have reason to trust it and know how bad it can be without it. I have lighter weight HD mesh jacket with body armor for summer and the Olympia Airglide for the cooler months. A Nolan 103 and gloves. It is about how much risk you are willing to take for the stupid cagers around you. It is about you being comfortable with that risk and it doesn't matter what anyone else says. Wear what you are comfortable with. If people laugh so be it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
On a short ride, I wear a tee shirt, jeans, boots, bandana, eye protection, fingerless gloves or gauntlet gloves (depending on the time of year).
On a long ride, say 2 to 6 thousand miles, I wear a tee shirt, jeans, boots, bandana, eye protection, fingerless gloves or gauntlet gloves (depending on the time of year). I also carry with me a leather jacket, leather chaps, half helmet and rain gear for when required.
It's easier figuring out what to wear if you wear the same thing regardless of distance. Works for me.
On a long ride, say 2 to 6 thousand miles, I wear a tee shirt, jeans, boots, bandana, eye protection, fingerless gloves or gauntlet gloves (depending on the time of year). I also carry with me a leather jacket, leather chaps, half helmet and rain gear for when required.
It's easier figuring out what to wear if you wear the same thing regardless of distance. Works for me.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 970
Likes: 1
Seriously, tho, I've lived in both Mass and NY (and various other states). Although NY can be a real pain in many ways, I still think it's a more "free" state than Taxachussetts. Nobody tries to tax me here (NY) for merely owning a motorcycle, which they did in Mass. Nobody bothers me about my loud pipes, my non-DOT helmet, my lack of turn signals...or anything else for that matter. Sidecars (which I have) are subject to no special rules, and my passengers ride without a helmet often. I pass cops all the time and I get a friendly wave or nod. Mass was a whole different ball game.
All that said...and back to the topic at hand, my reaction to the question was the same as mentioned by one person above: sport bike gear is designed for a different riding style and position, and probably won't be very comfortable on a Harley. I do wear a FF helmet on the highway, mostly. Half or 3/4 helmet on local roads. Having owned a couple of sport bikes, I tend to ride the HD a bit slower (a lot slower) than I did those. I wear jeans and boots regardless of weather, but beyond that it's always an open question. Everything, however, is black.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
Liz, now that we have to wear REAL DOT helmets in Jersey I also look like a bobblehead with my new Gazoo half helmet. I bought a modular full face helmet a few years back. The problem is, I kept grabbing a handfull of Goatee everytime I tried to flip up the front section. Ouch!!
Last edited by BikerV; Aug 26, 2010 at 09:51 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,938
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From: MD just outside DC
Liz, now that we have to wear REAL DOT helmets in Jersey I also look like a bobblehead with my new Gazoo half helmet. I bought a modular full face helmet a few years back. The problem is, I kept grabbing a handfull of Goatee everytime I tried to flip up the front section. Ouch!!