what do you wear riding?
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 27
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RE: what do you wear riding?
A little bit off topic... however...
I live in Ohio and we still have the freedom to wear or not to wear a helmet. I've been riding for thirty years and have been on a number of different bikes in that time. I've always been a "put the helmet on sometimes" kind of rider. I have not been wearing it as much in the last two or three years. Last Sunday, I put the helmet on for the day mainly because I was sunburned the week before and I wanted some positive UV protection. I was on a two lane twisty about 40 miles from my house. A small truck was on the road ahead of me and BAM!, out of the blue a large rock (I think) hit me square in the face sheild. The impact was hard enough that it pushed my head back and stunned me for a few seconds. Had that been my face, I would most likely be writing this from a hospital bed... or worse.
I guess the moral of this story is that you have the freedom to decide (I can even decide on the helmet) what to wear when you pull out of the driveway. I just learned a lesson about being prepared for anything. I would never tell someone else what to do as I feel strongly about personal freedom. It's your choice.
Jim
I live in Ohio and we still have the freedom to wear or not to wear a helmet. I've been riding for thirty years and have been on a number of different bikes in that time. I've always been a "put the helmet on sometimes" kind of rider. I have not been wearing it as much in the last two or three years. Last Sunday, I put the helmet on for the day mainly because I was sunburned the week before and I wanted some positive UV protection. I was on a two lane twisty about 40 miles from my house. A small truck was on the road ahead of me and BAM!, out of the blue a large rock (I think) hit me square in the face sheild. The impact was hard enough that it pushed my head back and stunned me for a few seconds. Had that been my face, I would most likely be writing this from a hospital bed... or worse.
I guess the moral of this story is that you have the freedom to decide (I can even decide on the helmet) what to wear when you pull out of the driveway. I just learned a lesson about being prepared for anything. I would never tell someone else what to do as I feel strongly about personal freedom. It's your choice.
Jim
Novice
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 16
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RE: what do you wear riding?
Obviously the choice is yours. I HOPE to never go down hard but I KNOW it can happen. I've ridden for over thirty years and have never been seriously hurt.
I prefer to wear some jeans with leather chaps, leather jacket, boots, leather gloves (fingerless when warm), and a DOT approved helmet (protective eyewear as well).
This article shows how fast something can happen and how your riding apparel can protect you.
This picture shows how not wearing the proper apparel can get you ashit load of road rash.
That's my two cents.
Enjoy
walt
'92 flstc
Wally's Speed Shop
I prefer to wear some jeans with leather chaps, leather jacket, boots, leather gloves (fingerless when warm), and a DOT approved helmet (protective eyewear as well).
This article shows how fast something can happen and how your riding apparel can protect you.
This picture shows how not wearing the proper apparel can get you ashit load of road rash.
That's my two cents.
Enjoy
walt
'92 flstc
Wally's Speed Shop
Novice
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 19
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RE: what do you wear riding?
I was rear ended by a truck last week and tossed into the intersection, glad I had my leather jacket, gloves and full face helmet on. Like I said before, when you least expect it, expect it. Then again, here in the U.P. of Michigan it's more cold than hot weather to deal with so I think it's easier and more comfortable to wear the extra clothes
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 214
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RE: what do you wear riding?
As posted, go out to the street and drag your hand across the pavement, now imagine several dozen or more feet of that with all your body weight on it at say just 30mph. This will be the good part, it gets more interesting in the ER went they scrub your raw flesh with a rigid SS brush to remove MOST of the pebbles, sand and anything else that was on the street. I could go on, but, you get the picture...Also, stardard denim, unlessspecially backed, is worse than wet tissue paper. It quite simply tears away instantly. The healing time is long and a PIA, and yes, scarring.Most that share the experiencewould ratherhave not and tend to dresswith more protection against the road. And yes,I sometimes still wear a t if I'm just going for milk.There is a link I've read to a women who suffered severe road rash, road ground off one of her breastswith other bits. I'll post it if found, it's worth reading. I'm just saying think about what you wear.
Novice
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 15
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From: Houston, TX
RE: what do you wear riding?
ORIGINAL: ImYrHklbry
....The only Harley riders who follow a dress code are the posers.
....The only Harley riders who follow a dress code are the posers.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 2
From: Franklin, TN
RE: what do you wear riding?
ORIGINAL: rockerhead
Minimum for me is, over ankle boots long pants, gloves, half helmet, light jacket even in summer.
Minimum for me is, over ankle boots long pants, gloves, half helmet, light jacket even in summer.
Exactly what I wear plus leather if it's cool enough.
I know a guy near me that rides a Harley with shorts and sandals. Every time I see him on the road my first thought is "metric rider". Then when he gets closer I realize it'sthe guy I know. I haven't figured out how to tell him he looks silly without alienating him.
Marsh
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 127
Likes: 1
From: Muskego, Wisconsin
RE: what do you wear riding?
Here in Wisconsin I have to be prepared for cold weather any time. Always have a leather with me.
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Joined: May 2007
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RE: what do you wear riding?
We saw a bunch of people at MB bile week wearing shorts andflip flops. No helmets of course. A few of them were old enough to know better too. It's just Darwin's selectivity going on I suppose. It's hard for me to imagine that anyone smart enough to actually understand how to ride a bike would dress like that while doing it. JMHO is all.