Proper Footwear
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Washington, DC
I usually wear shorts for short trips but last year coming across the interstate after leaving Sturgis I got a bee or something up my shorts and stung me right on the ABC (***-ball connector)...hurt like a bitch and I had the wife on the back and going 80 mph so I couldn't lose focus.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 373
Likes: 4
From: PA
Not trying to argue.. guess I'm just a little cranky today. I agree but I always find some people to agree with this kind of post as they just got back from a ride in a tank top and brainbucket helmet(if any at all) I guess my point was that people shouldn't just look at their footwear but all their gear. Unfortunately I'm guilty of not wearing FULL gear like I probably should all the time either. Being alert to drivers, road conditions etc is great but accidents happen.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Adel, Iowa
I got rear-ended by a guy riding a Triumph two nights ago who was going about 70 mph in a 35 mph zone. He was swerving in a out of traffic and ended up plowing into me. He was wearing flip-flops and is still in the hospital for foot surgery. I was wearing my HD boots and ended up with a broken ankle - but would have been much worse if I weren't. I'll never ride without my boots on again.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 250
Likes: 2
From: Alabama
I do think AGATT is important, but also notice that most responses were from cooler climate riders. I grew up in N. IN and following AGATT was not that difficult.
I now live in lower AL and it is unbearable to follow AGATT in the summer, even after dusk during the dog days of summer. I many times choose not to ride in the summer, and when I do I have to alter the AGATT. Many times it is long sleeve shirt, light pants, summer Mil boots and DOT half-helmet.
I try and have been through MSF and have experienced a few spills in my lifetime. The last one really instilled the importance of AGATT but I still choose to alter during extreme heat. I am researching some mesh jackets that might help.
It also appears to me that the more south you go, the less you see AGATT applied.
I now live in lower AL and it is unbearable to follow AGATT in the summer, even after dusk during the dog days of summer. I many times choose not to ride in the summer, and when I do I have to alter the AGATT. Many times it is long sleeve shirt, light pants, summer Mil boots and DOT half-helmet.
I try and have been through MSF and have experienced a few spills in my lifetime. The last one really instilled the importance of AGATT but I still choose to alter during extreme heat. I am researching some mesh jackets that might help.
It also appears to me that the more south you go, the less you see AGATT applied.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
Ive had 2 family members lose a foot from motorcycle incidents, one of them was wearing boots and one wasn't. As far as Im concerned anyone who rides in flip flops is a total idiot.
I usually wear shorts for short trips but last year coming across the interstate after leaving Sturgis I got a bee or something up my shorts and stung me right on the ABC (***-ball connector)...hurt like a bitch and I had the wife on the back and going 80 mph so I couldn't lose focus.
Actually have worn tennis shoes on occasion for comfort. I know better. Don't always wear what I should.
Last edited by Rico Rose; May 17, 2013 at 01:50 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: columbus ohio
before I decided to live the slower life I was riding sport bikes. I was screwing off in a parking lot and lost control, at the time I was wearing gloves, armored leather jacket, full face helmet, double kneed jeans, and stupid me tennis shoes. well I lost control and wrecked the bike bad, broke it in half actually. the brake lever got into my tennis shoe and sliced my foot from the ankle to the middle of the sole of my foot and cut everything to the bone. 135 stiches later and over a year to learn how to walk again with no feeling really reminds you of the proper gear, even if it is uncomfortable and hot at times. This happened 7 years ago and still have no feeling in my foot. btw, the rest of my riding gear came out amazing and the doctors were amazed at how it held up. my foot looked close the the first one, I was on pain killers and my friend took a pic of me running my finger around my bones that were showing in my foot.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 36
From: Four Corners
Hmm... around here it seems that the amount of protective gear one wears is relative to the amount of money they have (and conversely, how much medical they can afford). So, retirees with big banks accounts = flip flops, shorts, and a one-size-too-small tank top. Grizzled old road dogs with more money in their bikes than their bank accounts = full gear. Funny!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,833
Likes: 35
From: Southern Maryland
I only wear military boots style boots when I ride. For the last two years it was a pair of Blackhawk Warrior boots. They are basically a tennis boot because your throw them on and they are comfy.
Now I am wearing Danner. A month in and they are broken in.
I admit I don't wear leather on the legs and that is due to not finding a good pair yet. Maybe I should bite the bullet and get some Fox Creek...
Now I am wearing Danner. A month in and they are broken in.
I admit I don't wear leather on the legs and that is due to not finding a good pair yet. Maybe I should bite the bullet and get some Fox Creek...