Safety gear
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: NM
Leathers, helmet, gloves and boots. (all purchased at leatherup.com) I quit worrying about what other people thought about me many years ago. I know scars are tattoos with a better story, but I'm old and don't heal like I did when I was 20 and stupid. My life, my body, my bike, if you don't like it, lump it.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
I've had the Danner work boots for 4 years and they are still going strong. I wear them to work everyday. I am an hvac technician/building engineer/volunteer Law Enforcement Officer. I only use these for my day job though, not for my volunteer LEO position.
Yeah, the sole is falling apart and they need to be re-soled. These are not steel toe. They do stink as I have had them for quite a while. I change before I leave to go home and put on my regular sneakers or light hiking boots, then I leave these at work in my office.
The leather on top of the toes is going pretty soft and starting to sag a little. I used them a few times to ride my Honda Rancher utility quad, but upshifting kind of hurts the toes once and a while. Must be the leather being too soft now from aging and heavy use.
Yeah, the sole is falling apart and they need to be re-soled. These are not steel toe. They do stink as I have had them for quite a while. I change before I leave to go home and put on my regular sneakers or light hiking boots, then I leave these at work in my office.
The leather on top of the toes is going pretty soft and starting to sag a little. I used them a few times to ride my Honda Rancher utility quad, but upshifting kind of hurts the toes once and a while. Must be the leather being too soft now from aging and heavy use.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 752
Likes: 23
From: Acton, CA
I've totalled two bikes in my riding career, got up and walked away both times because I was wearing adequate gear (and also some luck!). The last thing I worry about is what others think. I typically wear FF helmet, gloves, jeans and engineer boots; in cool weather I'll wear my no-name leather jacket, when it's too warm I wear a mesh jacket with armor.
I also have a Scorpion EXO100 half helmet that I wear when I'm in the mood for that. Otherwise I'm wearing a 707 FF. All my jackets, whether leather or mesh, have some kind of armor in them.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
Newby thread. I really don't care what others wear or think most of the time. I can understand asking for recommendations or complaints about a certain gear. I also understand it is a personal decision of the level of protection you feel you need as a rider. I never follow the guy that has crashed his bike several times. I don't believe that everyone has to drop a motorcycle. I also listen to pirates with skepticism. I also know that when I buy a full face helmet to get one with an adjustable vent on the chin bar. If that fails to keep the shield unfogged on the worse day then usually just cracking the shield open just a hair works. I believe in KISS-----keep it simple stupid. I really like a full face modular helmet for ease of off and on. Boots and gloves always. Helmet most of the time. Leather jacket and chaps depending on the cold or rain. I feel no need to wear all of the gear all the time because I ride to survive instead of dress to fail. Fix your boots. Nothing more stupid looking than a rider dropping his bike over a boot or lace issue.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 11
From: Kentucky
People who won't wear anything with a Harley logo, for fear of what others will think, are just as much posers as the guys wearing the whole suit, maybe more so - they're just harder to spot.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 505
Likes: 2
Don't worry about what you think you look like or what the fashion police say. What business is it of theirs anyway? Wear what you want, my mates wear a range from shorts and flip-flops through to full-on power ranger gear, we all take the p*ss but nobody tries to tell anyone else what to do. I go for full gear all the time (ATTGAT) including a full face - as a teenager I had a bad accident and only have a face (plus wife, kids, job etc) because I wore a full face - and have whilst riding ever since (I have 34 years riding experience). I tend to avoid Harley jackets for riding - they are for going to the pub in - but a couple of years ago I saw, was impressed by and bought the FXRG jacket and trousers - not cheap but good stuff. I sometimes, when it's hot replace the trousers with kevlar jeans - Draggin' Jeans but that's my only concession.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Singleton
I wear a beanie/half shell helmet, vest, boots, jeans, preforated gloves and long sleeve shirt when I ride. I wear the bare minimum not because I want to look badass and dangerous, but because it's f-ing hot in San Diego and I feel like being too hot will distract me and possible contribute to a crash. I look at like this- you see sport bike guys in full leathers and a full face doing crazy and dangerous stuff all the time. They crash hard enough, and they're dead. I, however, think twice before going into a corner too hot or blasting down the freeway at a buck twenty. I'll never make fun of someone for wearing what they are comfortable in. It's our bodies, we put our own price on them.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 752
Likes: 23
From: Acton, CA
There are many, just do a Google search for "best armored mesh jackets." I have a Joe Rocket with removable panels, zippers and flaps to let more air in when needed, and am very happy with it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,208
Likes: 374
From: Central Illinois, Between I-80 and I-74
Wear what you want. I avoid Harley leather and boots because I think you can get better gear for the price, or equal gear for less.
BTW: Quite a bit of H-D clothing (including jackets) is not made for riding.
BTW: Quite a bit of H-D clothing (including jackets) is not made for riding.