Riding and safety gear - what do you do.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: Yuma, AZ
Riding and safety gear - what do you do.
So I finally got my harley ('05 Heritage) after wanting one for years. Now I am having an internal argument with myself. Just what safety gear to wear when? Lets leave helmets and boots out of this because my personal preference is I don't get on the bike without both. But after that.....
So how many of you never ride without a protective jacket, leathers, gloves etc. do you wear protective pants and jacket all the time, just long trips, never? I guess my main argument is do you do anything different when taking a leasurly ride around town compared to a highway ride.
I know in my own mind if I fall off this thing at anything more than a walk and I'm not wearing protective gear I'm going to get screwed up real bad. I'm arguing with myself on just how much of a gamble I want to take. I'm seriously thinking about regrouping and just plain not getting on it unless I'm wearing everything: protective pants, jacket, and gloves. How many of you do or don't do the same?
So how many of you never ride without a protective jacket, leathers, gloves etc. do you wear protective pants and jacket all the time, just long trips, never? I guess my main argument is do you do anything different when taking a leasurly ride around town compared to a highway ride.
I know in my own mind if I fall off this thing at anything more than a walk and I'm not wearing protective gear I'm going to get screwed up real bad. I'm arguing with myself on just how much of a gamble I want to take. I'm seriously thinking about regrouping and just plain not getting on it unless I'm wearing everything: protective pants, jacket, and gloves. How many of you do or don't do the same?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
To tell you the truth,I wear what makes me comfortable.
If it's cold I wear a leather jacket,chaps,boots and gloves.
If it's hot,jeans,boots, tee shirt and leather vest.
If I go down,I go down.
If it's cold I wear a leather jacket,chaps,boots and gloves.
If it's hot,jeans,boots, tee shirt and leather vest.
If I go down,I go down.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 5
From: Hudson Valley, NY
i used to just ride with a t-shirt and shorts or whatever, but recently someone i know went down very hard and i've been a bit more cognizant of not completely f*cking myself up if i go down.
i wear some thick jeans, steel toe boots, schott thick leather jacket, leather gloves and DOT helmet (sometimes full face still can't get used to it). i just started this so the leather is fine because it cooled off a ton up here. for next summer i'll need something cooler to wear during the summer.
it does feel good to ride in a t-shirt though.
i wear some thick jeans, steel toe boots, schott thick leather jacket, leather gloves and DOT helmet (sometimes full face still can't get used to it). i just started this so the leather is fine because it cooled off a ton up here. for next summer i'll need something cooler to wear during the summer.
it does feel good to ride in a t-shirt though.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
Oh I forgot,fingerless gloves!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 1
From: Haney, British Columbia
I think one should wear what makes you feel secure. None of my business what anyone chooses, wear shorts for all I care, prolly feels good for reasons I don't know.
During my "learning curve" I was fully suited up. My brain was full of "what ifs". Now that I'm more confident in my riding skills I tend to dress for the weather and my comfort. I prefer running shoes. Mostly because of comfort and I'm not comfy walking around once I get off the bike in my clog hopper heavy boots. It's just me, I don't like them. I've stripped down to a sleeveless shirt during the heat of the summer or a shirt and vest. But when it gets chilly, I'm layered and covered. I do this for comfort, not cause I think I'm going down.
The main thing is that I do not get on my bike and expect to fall. I don't put the thought in my head. I can't control what might happen to me, but I certainly don't dwell on negative thoughts and think "if I go down with out my arms covered it's going to hurt" Ya, I get it... it's going to hurt, but damn it I'm not going down if I can help it and if I do I have no one to blame but myself. Shorts, I'm afraid I draw the line. My lilly white hairy legs are just not "cool" and I don't need to cook my right inner thigh.
Ride on, ride safe.
During my "learning curve" I was fully suited up. My brain was full of "what ifs". Now that I'm more confident in my riding skills I tend to dress for the weather and my comfort. I prefer running shoes. Mostly because of comfort and I'm not comfy walking around once I get off the bike in my clog hopper heavy boots. It's just me, I don't like them. I've stripped down to a sleeveless shirt during the heat of the summer or a shirt and vest. But when it gets chilly, I'm layered and covered. I do this for comfort, not cause I think I'm going down.
The main thing is that I do not get on my bike and expect to fall. I don't put the thought in my head. I can't control what might happen to me, but I certainly don't dwell on negative thoughts and think "if I go down with out my arms covered it's going to hurt" Ya, I get it... it's going to hurt, but damn it I'm not going down if I can help it and if I do I have no one to blame but myself. Shorts, I'm afraid I draw the line. My lilly white hairy legs are just not "cool" and I don't need to cook my right inner thigh.
Ride on, ride safe.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 5
From: Hudson Valley, NY
wear what you're confident riding in. nothing wrong with wanting some protection if you hit the street. that's how thick leather jackets came about and why bikers started wearing them. the early riders weren't making fashion statements.
don't let people get you down and say stay off your bike, if wearing the gear gets you confident on two wheels then wear it. to each his own, same people don't want to be lectured to about wearing riding gear and helmets should afford you the same courtesy if you want to wear it. it's a personal decision.
don't let people get you down and say stay off your bike, if wearing the gear gets you confident on two wheels then wear it. to each his own, same people don't want to be lectured to about wearing riding gear and helmets should afford you the same courtesy if you want to wear it. it's a personal decision.
Last edited by babalu; Sep 10, 2010 at 09:40 PM.
SPF 50 sunscreen, no shirt. Your local ink shop can take care of the rest.