Safety Clothing

[dpex]

I was tooling down a long, steep hill last week, doing the obligatory 80Ks, and there was a dude on a ten-speed, right behind me, keeping up.

I stopped into a gas station today, to fill up. There's a 50-something, riding a basic Harley. She's leathered to the nines. I stood behind her, in the queue to check-out and notice sweat pissing down her neck from her head.

Couldn't help myself. Me dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and sand-shoes, with sweat pissing down my neck.

'You're a tougher bod than me. How can you wear leathers on a day like this?'

She replied, 'I want to feel safe.'

That blew me away. She's clearly suffering from hypER thermia, and that makes her feel safe?

And you're all thinking, "get a grip, leathers or similar are essential!'

Are they?

So here's a Q. In the last twelve months how many mad ten-speeders have been killed on the road, compared to motorbycalists. And these ten-speeds wear lycra and a foam hat. And they're often doing speeds near the limit. And they have road grip and braking systems which would put the average motorbike off the road forever.

Then there's this Q, presaged by this comment.

In the stats for the last little while, those bikers ending up dead hit something, extremely hard. Fence. wall, house, on-coming car/truck/bus/mini-van...but.... And here's the big but.... They all died, more or less instantly.

I invite any of you clever-arses to do the math then tell me how an average 79Kg human, hitting a stationary object at better than 50KPH will be saved by their leathers.

Okay, so the more imaginative of you see a front/back-end wash-out. Poom! Down goes the leathered, skidding on his cow-hide.

First scenario. Inside left corner. Coming the other way at the wrong time is a bus. The leathers save the initial ground contact. The bus goes thumpety thump.

Second scenario. Outside right-hander. Back washes out, rider sails over the bank and hits a tree. Tree gets pissed at the assault. Rider is turned to mush inside his leathers.

Third scenario. Biker washes out, skids on various parts of his leathers, hits nothing, isn't run over by a bus, and spends the rest of his/her life preaching about the value of 'protective' clothing.

I say, 'Bullshit!'

Protective clothing, on the road, is the biggest con unhung. It protects ONLY AGAINST the most nominal accident, yet it costs a fortune and spoils your day when it's hot.

Me, when on the road, as opposed to on the track? I've decided to dress for the climate knowing that my ride is way more pleasant and that no amount of leather or flash boots will save me from getting squished under a big yellow bus.

[Mom]

...no amount of leather or flash boots will save me from getting squished under a big yellow bus.

It will however presereve some of your skin which is actually your biggest organ and with out which your chances of survival are nill. Still like you say you will ride cooler. Fingers crossed you dont meet the tarmac and cost us more in ACC levies because you need shit loads of expensive skin grafts and are unable to work for months and months and months.

[duckonin]

We all belive what we want to belive, stay with your thoughts, leave others with theirs....

[thehovel]

No amount of body armor will save you from death ( body slamming a tree) but small offs become BIG offs if you loose yards of skin . Also in leathers the body is kept all together so the Police don't have to collect you from all over the road (much cleaner thank you) Regards Richard

[Latte]

dpex is just stating what level his "compromise" between safety and comfort while road riding is currenty at. With an explanation as to how he's come to that opinion, obviously everyone's risk vs reward ratio is different.

I don't agree with his view, but I won't begrudge him of it. And oh how I hate the river of sweat down my back (and further :( )

[JMemonic]

I guess you could always ride in shorts no shirt and bare feet if you feel that way, but why should I be expected to pay for your skin grafts from your sliding down the road, oh it happens to the lycra louts too, seen it up close and real personal.

[Grumpy]

Each to their own I 'spose but in today's political climate with all the shit ACC have thrown at us I think this is a topic that deserves some careful thought. Dpex seems to have done that but I would have to disagree with the conclusion. My personlal opinion is if it's too hot for the gear then I don't ride. I've been unfortunate to go down the road and my gear came up trumps. My guess is a few bruises hurts alot less than a heap of road rash.

Cow skin is a lot tougher than my skin!

[p.dath]

Here's the latest report on motorcycle crashes form the Ministry of Transport:
http://www.transport.govt.nz/research/Documents/Motor%20vehicle%20crashes%202008_Section%204%20Mot orcycle%20casualties%20and%20crashes.pdf

From table 34 (fatalities), for open roads, largest majority of fatalities was while cornering, 32.7% (16 riders). Second biggest category, head ons, 18.4% (9 riders). For urban roads largest number of fatal accidents was while cornering, 6.1% (3 riders). After that it is split evenly between lots of different crash types.

From table 33 (not fatal accidents), for open roads, largest majority was while cornering, 14% (186 riders). For urban roads largest category is right turn against traffic, 11.4% (151 riders), followed by cornering, 8.7% (116 riders).


ps. This means if your going to have an accident, it is probably going to happen on a corner.

[p.dath]

Also, consider the accident scale (from the Hurt report?) that was established. Basically they found you could survive a serious trauma to a single limb or body part (such as your head), but two serious traumas had a high probability of being fatal.

So when considering injury prevention, you of course want to avoid a serious trauma - but you especially want to avoid two serious traumas.

So if your only wearing a single piece of safety gear, such as a helmet ...


But, in my humble opinion, if is up to the individual rider to determine what they consider to be the risks and the level of mitigation they choose.

I might like sky diving naked, the next guy might consider that an extreme risk.
I might like taking a walk in the park, but the next guy with Agoraphobia might consider that risk extreme.
The moral being, we all have different thresholds, and need to show some respect and consideration of what others feel and think.

[xgnr]

Have you ever fallen off wearing minimal kit?

[xgnr]

oh yeah... after being nailed in a rear end prang last April I have only just healed. low speed 20km or so . The gear did not save me from my neck injury but 'cos I had decent gear on I bandaged the bike up and carried on. Only got a blackened toe. If I was in minimal kit I would have been in hospital getting gravel removed from my legs and arm.

[slofox]

After seeing the results of a dude without gear falling off in a 50km zone just around the corner from me, I'll stay with the leathers thanks...

[Quasievil]

the best method to decide what you should wear in any condition is to ask yourself this
As im binning and flying through the air ready to land what would I prefer to be wearing?

Ask this question before you ride, as its hard to get your gear on in time whilst mid air.

[ckai]

You gotta remember that lyra wearers shave so the hairs don't rip skin as well. I've had first hand experience with hairs vs no hairs fall.


the best method to decide what you should wear in any condition is to ask yourself this
As im binning and flying through the air ready to land what would I prefer to be wearing?

Ask this question before you ride, as its hard to get your gear on in time whilst mid air.

I think this sums it up quite nicely.

[Big Col]

Its amazing but one small dose of gravel rash cures all the big ideas of not wearing ATGATT.

[YellowDog]

Good post dpex.

I have been through this thought process myself however have come to completely different conclusions.

Last week we saw that poor 71 year old bugger die whilst sitting in his car minding his own business when a 2.5 tonne 4x4 hits him on the head. His number was up and that can happen.

The fact is that if you screw up on a corner or come into contact with something that shouldn't be there, then there is a good chance that you will be going down. If you are on a corner then the Russian Roulette scenario comes into play. As already stated, this is a recognised percentage of accidents that lead to death, but not the entire scenario that you should make your decision upon.

Like you I feel confident that I could ride around without protective gear all day and sometimes find it a real drag having to get changed and all dressed up like a dog's dinner.

My solution was to get two suits. One for long journeys and one for short ones. My Gortex Nylon Spool thingy cools me at around 30kph, so as well as keeping me cool it also protects me from the harmful sun (better than a T-shirt can). It takes 2 minutes to slip on. I am not a big fan of this kind of suit as IMO it is not tight enough to hold the armour in the right places should you come off however it is pretty good and during the Oil/Diesel off I had last year when I hit the ground a around 30kph, I skidded for about 5 metres and just got up without a scratch (a couple of nice bruises though). In that real life scenario I would have been Faaaarked without protective gear.

For longer journeys I wear zipped up race leathers. They also have critical cooling areas, so I don’t have such problems.
I have solved my issue and maybe you should solve yours without putting yourself in unnecessary danger:
Maybe you should swap your bike for an open top car.

[allycatz]

As a scooter rider its easy to fall into the 'cant be bothered putting all me gear on mode' but still have on mimimum helmet, jacket and decent footwear. Yep, Ive wondered myself at the difference between bike riders in t-shirts or a cycle when it comes to an off particularly those in tri-athlons etc coming off at speed. Personally, either on my scooter or riding as a pillion, I would rather put up with a bit of heat, drink plenty of fluids to compensate and minimise the risk factors

[ckai]

I think the real question is why do we buy protective gear? Is it to save skin and bones or save our lives, because only a helmet (to a certain degree) can do the latter.

If I wasn't wearing my full leathers when I binned, going under the speed I could have, I would have gotten a shattered pelvis, shattered shoulder and collar bone and if I wasn't wearing the gloves, a shattered hand and maybe forearm. This on top of still having my skin but my fall was an impact fall and not a slide. I would still be in hospital (with maybe a year of rehab) if I was wearing kit for the weather. This was crashing at maybe 50-70 km/hr and only hitting the road.

That was a hot day, not as hot as now mind you. I wasn't pushing it, quite the contrary. It was one of those things and it only forced the point that even though I may not wear leather all the time, I'm damn well gonna wear armour.

I suppose you never really appreciate kit until the shit hits the fan. I sure as hell didn't. I wore it but didn't fully appreciate it.

[aroberts]

I agree with Big Col. When I was a lot younger, I came off in a 50 k area when a van turned in front of me. Broke 3 ribs and an ankle. But by far the most pain I have ever experienced in my whole life was the gravel rash when my trousers just got shredded (not fun lying on the side of the road in your undies waiting for an ambulance either).

Simple decision maker for me. I don't ever want to have that again. My jacket has flaps and zips that let the air in. Cordura trou get hot, but only when stopped and you can undo them a bit when your stopped.

[kiwifruit]

I don't find a set of full leathers uncomfortably hot on a hot summers day.

[MSTRS]

dpex - what a crock of shit. Waaaay more bikers are injured than are killed. Gear is all about MINIMISING the injury. No surprises for guessing what happens to the 'died of injuries' stats when insufficient gear is (not) worn.
I wouldn't care, except for the wee fact of high treatment costs hurting all of us through ACC levies.
If cover was provided on a sliding scale, dependent on gear worn, would you still prance about essentially naked?

[yungatart]

You are entitled to your opinion, dpex.
But do you know how they get embedded gravel out of your skin at A& E? They use a scrubbing brush and minmal pain relief. I hope you are as tough as you think you are, because the nurse isn't going to stop just because you are crying in agony.

[FROSTY]

I've asked the self same question in a diffferent way ahile ago. Question is are you "safer" being cooler therefore more mentally sharp ? I experienced this at Nelson one year.Perferated leathers rather that standard ones and the difference in comfort on a hot day suprised me.
Id be interested to see the riding gear available for some of the hotter climates.
I did have a thought of some form of body protection like MX guys wear. Enough to saVE SKIN BUT LITTLE ENOUGH TO STAy cool

[p.dath]

I've asked the self same question in a diffferent way ahile ago. Question is are you "safer" being cooler therefore more mentally sharp ? I experienced this at Nelson one year.Perferated leathers rather that standard ones and the difference in comfort on a hot day suprised me.
Id be interested to see the riding gear available for some of the hotter climates.
I did have a thought of some form of body protection like MX guys wear. Enough to saVE SKIN BUT LITTLE ENOUGH TO STAy cool

I have to say I've been tempted at buying one of these "mesh" jackets. Designed to still save your skin in a slide, but lets lots of air through.

[p.dath]

First scenario. Inside left corner. Coming the other way at the wrong time is a bus. The leathers save the initial ground contact. The bus goes thumpety thump.

The statistics I have read suggest a corner accident is the most common, but your not likely to run into oncoming traffic if your outside of a city. I think a super busy road at 30,000 cars a day has a 2s gap between cars, and is meant to have a median barrier.

At 10,000 cars a day the gap is much larger. Many "progressive" countries overseas use either a median barrier or some way of seperating the traffic. In NZ it varies by which terriroity your in. Alas most terrirories do nothing about roads this busy.

And finally, many more NZ roads are something more like 1000 cars a day or less. The gap is now so large that your not likely to get hit by an oncoming vehicle, or that an oncoming vehicle can stop before hitting you.


Second scenario. Outside right-hander. Back washes out, rider sails over the bank and hits a tree. Tree gets pissed at the assault. Rider is turned to mush inside his leathers.

I guess it depends on how badly you wash out. The tree may cause a single serious trauma - which is usually survivable. Abrasion resistant clothing may save you form suffering a second serious trauma - which is usually the difference between living and dying. Plus it is highly likely to save a lot of your skin. Loosing skin is pretty painfull.


Third scenario. Biker washes out, skids on various parts of his leathers, hits nothing, isn't run over by a bus, and spends the rest of his/her life preaching about the value of 'protective' clothing.

Haha. I think that if they perceived that it saved their life, they would be doing a lot of preaching! Nothing like learning the value of something by nearly loosing it.


I say, 'Bullshit!'


I guess if I had some influence on the situation (which I don't), I would prefer an education system, probably at the beginning of the driver licencing program, that told riders about the most common kinds of accidents and the resulting injuries, and how to minimise those injuries.

Then we could leave it to each rider to make an informed decision, confident that they know the risks they are accepting.

[slofox]

If you get hot in your leathers, you aren't going fast enough to get the breeze through...go faster! :whistle:

[dpex]

the best method to decide what you should wear in any condition is to ask yourself this
As im binning and flying through the air ready to land what would I prefer to be wearing?

Ask this question before you ride, as its hard to get your gear on in time whilst mid air.

Or you could ask of yourself these questions.

1. 'Because I will be riding today with minimal clothing should I take extra, extra, extra care throughout the ride?'

2. 'Should I ride more slowly?'

3. 'Should I corner extra cautiously?'

You see, for me there's two upsides to riding in a t-shirt, jeans and sand-shoes. First; I stay way cooler than I would even in modest gear. Second; I become Mr Conservative rider.

[dpex]

I don't find a set of full leathers uncomfortably hot on a hot summers day.

I guess it's fair to assert that some folk have far higher temperature tolerances than others. Mine is fairly narrow. I start feeling seriously cold when the temp drops below 18 degrees, and I feel quite ready to die in 23 degrees.

Remember the Christmas 2008 circuit at Taupo? The heat was intolerable. I had to wait in the shade of the building, with my jacket right off and pouring water over my head and timing matters so that I was very much last to go through the dummy-grid, have my chin-strap and pack-protector checked, then off into the breeze.

Even the five minute wait on the start grid almost did me in.

The first race was okay, on account of the heat of the day had yet to get up a head of heat. Then we had to wait two hours till the next. By the next I'd done at least four litres of water and still didn't want a piss!

The last person I saw as I went for the dummy grid was Sue. What I didn't realise was that my brain had been fried by the heat. And we hadn't yet started! Round I went till I found my spot at the start grid. Then sat, waiting while the marshals took their time. Poom, we're off.

I came screaming down the front-straight to end lap three and utterly ballsed the hairpin and still didn't realise my brain was fried. Took turns 2 & 3 faster than I have ever dared. Rolled into 4 feeling like superman. Rolled into 7 and started scrapping shit off the crankcase....'Yahhoooooo!' Screamed I as I nailed the dude on the Duke going outside!

The sweeper was there and suddenly Sue's face entered my thoughts. Why? Dunno. Maybe because it was the last face I recognised before the start.

Anyway, I felt a deep frown forming, followed by a question, 'Why are there now cones over the mini-S?'

I almost went through them till the dude on the Duke roared past on my left and rolled right. It was about then my brain came back to life and I realised I was so far gone that I'd somehow associated seeing Sue with a standard MottoTT track-day, on 5.

That was it. End. Stuck up a hand and kept it up all the way to the off-ramp.

That is the effect serious heat can have on a 'reasonably' experienced rider who suffers badly from heat exhaustion.

So, you see, in my case I am actually a lot safer riding in extreme heat (for me) in light clothing than leathers.

Now transfer such effect onto a once-a-monther who is too embarrassed to admit the heat kills him/her, so he dresses in the full leathers.

[kiwifruit]

Perhaps look at why the temperature affects you so much, maybe there are some things you could do to reduce your sensitivity to it.

[Quasievil]

Or you could ask of yourself these questions.

1. 'Because I will be riding today with minimal clothing should I take extra, extra, extra care throughout the ride?'

2. 'Should I ride more slowly?'

3. 'Should I corner extra cautiously?'

You see, for me there's two upsides to riding in a t-shirt, jeans and sand-shoes. First; I stay way cooler than I would even in modest gear. Second; I become Mr Conservative rider.


ah ha......and with you this mindset other road users will follow ?

Bikers mindsets often have little to do with a crash, often its the other guys mindset thats out to fuck ya up

But we all know this right ??

[p.dath]

I guess it's fair to assert that some folk have far higher temperature tolerances than others. Mine is fairly narrow. I start feeling seriously cold when the temp drops below 18 degrees, and I feel quite ready to die in 23 degrees.

This may sound dumb, but salt helps with your body's temperature regulation, particularly in heat. Do you have much salt?

[YellowDog]

I guess it's fair to assert that some folk have far higher temperature tolerances than others. Mine is fairly narrow. I start feeling seriously cold when the temp drops below 18 degrees, and I feel quite ready to die in 23 degrees.

Remember the Christmas 2008 circuit at Taupo? The heat was intolerable. I had to wait in the shade of the building, with my jacket right off and pouring water over my head and timing matters so that I was very much last to go through the dummy-grid, have my chin-strap and pack-protector checked, then off into the breeze.

Even the five minute wait on the start grid almost did me in.

You have certainly raised some good points. If you have ever had an accident related to your own errors then I understand your rationale. I have not had many incidents to base my views upon however of the ones I have had, they were all complete shocks and not something that could have been anticipated by riding slower.

I am often quite envious of those whom ride without all the safety gear. But I still won't do it and I bet the one time that I do, I'll come a cropper.

I would advise you to look at what gear you can wear to help deal with the heat issues that you have.

Good luck.

[EJK]

I should wear leathers to bed then......


....just to feel safe ;)

[p.dath]

I should wear leathers to bed then......


....just to feel safe ;)

If it stops your rashes, why not. :lol:

[yungatart]

I guess it's fair to assert that some folk have far higher temperature tolerances than others. Mine is fairly narrow. I start feeling seriously cold when the temp drops below 18 degrees, and I feel quite ready to die in 23 degrees.


Dude, this is seriously NOT normal.
Have you had your thyroid function checked?
If not, go and get it done.

[Shadows]

I say, 'Bullshit!'

Protective clothing, on the road, is the biggest con unhung. It protects ONLY AGAINST the most nominal accident, yet it costs a fortune and spoils your day when it's hot.



I fell off at a moderately low speed wearing jeans once.

I then discovered that large itchy pus ridden foul smelling wounds that don't even start to heal until 8 months have passed aren't my cup of tea. Neither is constantly finding pieces of stone chip have worked their way to the skin surface months later and having to pick them out with a needle.

I always wear leathers now.

Shame it sounds like you'll be learning the hard way too.

[dpex]

Good post dpex.


Maybe you should swap your bike for an open top car.

As a mater of fact I have an open topped car. A lil red MX5. In the heat I drive around in a pair of shorts and I'm fine till I have stop at the lights. There the sun busts my head if the roof is down. Put it up and it's like being under a 50 kilowatt solar collector. And so my solution is to carry an umbrella. I stop at the lights and pop the brolly. That way I get shade and airflow.

[dpex]

ah ha......and with you this mindset other road users will follow ?

Bikers mindsets often have little to do with a crash, often its the other guys mindset thats out to fuck ya up

But we all know this right ??

I'm not responsible for anyone else's mindset, quasi, only my own.

And at the end of the day I prefer the John Stuart Mill approach....Have a a deco at his treatise "On Liberty".

It's my body. My Mind. I, like all of you, are entitled to do with them what I wish so long as in the doing I do not purposely cause an evil to the third party.

And no. Don't give me shit about ACC. It was foisted upon me without my permission.

And no. Don't give me shit about family responsibilities. I don't have any. And if I did I would still be entitled to act as I do because my family....as they have in past....accept that I have a right to exist as I wish, as have they.

In past, as I have done all the mad-hatter things I have done, insurance has assured financial security.

'But what about you not being there, as a father?' I hear you scream.

Well. Life is like that. There are no rules upon which one can rely in this life. I could have easily fallen off a roof and broken my neck as I could have had a bike accident dressed in a T. So what should I do to protect my family against a mischance of me ending up maimed or dead?

Never go on a roof? Never try a bungi jump? Never fly in a commercial airliner? Never drive a car? Never ride a pedal bike? Never swim in the surf? Never walk on a crossing or drive a car? Never stop to help a cop who is being assaulted by thugs. Never climb mountains? Never go to hospital lest I should catch the super-bug?

Life is filled with risk, and that risk spreads out from the one to the many like ripples on a pond.

There is no way one can avoid risk anymore than there is any way that one can 'safely' presume what will happen within the next ten seconds. And if you think one can, cast your mind to the 'beliefs' of those, on bikes, whom, ten seconds earlier were simply enjoying the trip till it all went pear-shaped.

You see, we all have a right to continue along this mortal coil as we choose. Others are entirely rightful in cautioning us, advising us, even petitioning us, but none have the right to force us to do with our bodies and minds as 'they' think fit. Despite their best intentions no man has the right to impune an evil on a man who refuses to take good counsel.

If it were the case, then all men would be required to believe in God, or Brahma, or Allah, or the Labour Party.

No. We have the right to choose our course.

In my case, when the clear and present danger of the track is ahead, I'm dressed to the nines in every bit of protective gear I can buy, because I know I'm going to push it to the limit.

But on the road, in the heat, I prefer to take it all very cautiously, dressed in a t and jeans.

Have you ever noticed the California Highway Biker Patrol guys wear nothing but helmets and short-sleeved shirts.

Perhaps the anal retentives should press to have these guys wear full leathers, like we insisted they don't bring their nuclear powered/armed ships down here.

BTW: Has any American, nuclear-something ship melted down, anywhere in the world.

Ya gotta wonder about those who choose an hysterical position and then set about forcing it on others.

[onearmedbandit]

As a mater of fact I have an open topped car. A lil red MX5. In the heat I drive around in a pair of shorts and I'm fine till I have stop at the lights. There the sun busts my head if the roof is down. Put it up and it's like being under a 50 kilowatt solar collector. And so my solution is to carry an umbrella. I stop at the lights and pop the brolly. That way I get shade and airflow.

Ok I don't see any smilies suggesting a piss take, I don't know you so I don't know if you are the type to take the piss, but I really hope you are taking the piss.

[Quasievil]

I'm not responsible for anyone else's mindset, quasi, only my own.

And at the end of the day I prefer the John Stuart Mill approach....Have a a deco at his treatise "On Liberty".

It's my body. My Mind. I, like all of you, are entitled to do with them what I wish so long as in the doing I do not purposely cause an evil to the third party.

And no. Don't give me shit about ACC. It was foisted upon me without my permission.

And no. Don't give me shit about family responsibilities. I don't have any. And if I did I would still be entitled to act as I do because my family....as they have in past....accept that I have a right to exist as I wish, as have they.

In past, as I have done all the mad-hatter things I have done, insurance has assured financial security.

'But what about you not being there, as a father?' I hear you scream.

Well. Life is like that. There are no rules upon which one can rely in this life. I could have easily fallen off a roof and broken my neck as I could have had a bike accident dressed in a T. So what should I do to protect my family against a mischance of me ending up maimed or dead?

Never go on a roof? Never try a bungi jump? Never fly in a commercial airliner? Never drive a car? Never ride a pedal bike? Never swim in the surf? Never walk on a crossing or drive a car? Never stop to help a cop who is being assaulted by thugs. Never climb mountains? Never go to hospital lest I should catch the super-bug?

Life is filled with risk, and that risk spreads out from the one to the many like ripples on a pond.

There is no way one can avoid risk anymore than there is any way that one can 'safely' presume what will happen within the next ten seconds. And if you think one can, cast your mind to the 'beliefs' of those, on bikes, whom, ten seconds earlier were simply enjoying the trip till it all went pear-shaped.

You see, we all have a right to continue along this mortal coil as we choose. Others are entirely rightful in cautioning us, advising us, even petitioning us, but none have the right to force us to do with our bodies and minds as 'they' think fit. Despite their best intentions no man has the right to impune an evil on a man who refuses to take good counsel.

If it were the case, then all men would be required to believe in God, or Brahma, or Allah, or the Labour Party.

No. We have the right to choose our course.

In my case, when the clear and present danger of the track is ahead, I'm dressed to the nines in every bit of protective gear I can buy, because I know I'm going to push it to the limit.

But on the road, in the heat, I prefer to take it all very cautiously, dressed in a t and jeans.

Have you ever noticed the California Highway Biker Patrol guys wear nothing but helmets and short-sleeved shirts.

Perhaps the anal retentives should press to have these guys wear full leathers, like we insisted they don't bring their nuclear powered/armed ships down here.

BTW: Has any American, nuclear-something ship melted down, anywhere in the world.

Ya gotta wonder about those who choose an hysterical position and then set about forcing it on others.

Sheesh dude, you a bit pent up inside ?

Let it all out mate, you will feel better about it (how do ya post smilies on quick reply ?)

[blossomsowner]

i wear leathers.

it is really hot around town at this time of year.

solutuion..........unzip the jacket for the first 3 minutes till i hit the open road.........then zip up with left hand as throttle is wound on with the other.........


don't ride round town!!!!!!!!!

simple

[Jonno.]

Get a mesh jacket. [/Thread]

[R-Soul]

I guess you could always ride in shorts no shirt and bare feet if you feel that way, but why should I be expected to pay for your skin grafts from your sliding down the road, oh it happens to the lycra louts too, seen it up close and real personal.

Yup, a mate of mine went down on a bicycle at a paltry 70kph - think "40% of body" road rash, and salt baths to disinfect the total area that sting like hell, and festering scabs for months.

I have just recently got a proper set of 2 piece leathers. And I was considering whether to replace my normal commuting touring jacket and rain pants for commuting with these. The fact is that when I ride in the leathers, I feel a lot less anxious, and can enjoy the ride more. Riding in anything less makes me feel exposed now.

[R-Soul]

I should wear leathers to bed then......


....just to feel safe ;)

You dont!!?

EEEK!

You know what they say about safe sex...

[R-Soul]

Ok I don't see any smilies suggesting a piss take, I don't know you so I don't know if you are the type to take the piss, but I really hope you are taking the piss.

Actually from the other posts, I think you should take your leathers off, and go and stand in front of the fridge for 20 minutes...

Actually thinking about it, I am now not so sure the racing leathers incident was all heat related...

[pritch]

Dude, this is seriously NOT normal.
Have you had your thyroid function checked?
If not, go and get it done.

Whatever gave you the impression he was normal? :devil2:

[dmoo1790]

I haven't bothered to read the whole thread but I felt a need to vent so here goes. What is it with people who don't even wear gloves let alone full leathers? No money as well as no sense? You can get vented gloves which will at least save your hands so you can wipe your own arse after an off. I shudder to think about the state of the no-gloves brigade's hands after even a minor slide along the road. In my early days I couldn't afford good gear but even the cheap gear I had saved me from big road rash (but not the broken collar bone). And if you think it won't happen to you I can only reply by paraphrasing one of the laws of nature: "There are only two types of riders. Those who have crashed and those who will crash in future."

BTW here's an idea which seems to be working for me. Wear bicycle pants under your kevlar jeans. Seems to be a bit cooler around the nether regions in the recent hot Auckland weather.

[R-Soul]

I haven't bothered to read the whole thread but I felt a need to vent so here goes. What is it with people who don't even wear gloves let alone full leathers? No money as well as no sense? You can get vented gloves which will at least save your hands so you can wipe your own arse after an off. I shudder to think about the state of the no-gloves brigade's hands after even a minor slide along the road. In my early days I couldn't afford good gear but even the cheap gear I had saved me from big road rash (but not the broken collar bone). And if you think it won't happen to you I can only reply by paraphrasing one of the laws of nature: "There are only two types of riders. Those who have crashed and those who will crash in future."

BTW here's an idea which seems to be working for me. Wear bicycle pants under your kevlar jeans. Seems to be a bit cooler around the nether regions in the recent hot Auckland weather.

I know that surfers use rash vests under wetsuits which are quite cool. Have you tried that under leathers?

I saw a chick on a scoot go past teh other day on the way to work - wearing a mini-skirt black number and strappy top. She had great legs. as much as I appreciated the fantastic sight, it pains me to think that she could end up with pink road rash scars all over them because she just didn't wear any protective gear at all.

Seriously do people not think that a mere 60km/hr is worth protective gear? Ask a cyclist about how fast 60km/hr is when you come off with no armor.

[R-Soul]

To see what skin looks like after road rash, check out www.ride2die.com - be warned it gets gruesome.

[onearmedbandit]

I wear a cool suit under my leathers during summer, mesh material that does something or other. Anyway, restricts sweat getting through, keeps you cool.

[phred]

To see what skin looks like after road rash, check out www.ride2die.com - be warned it gets gruesome.

B***er - Beat me to it. Good enough motivation for me to sweat and smell all manly.

[aroberts]

Could try this.
http://entrosys.com/

[Ratti]

never mind the sweating. I had a low speed off waaaaaaaaaaaaay back when I was 17. wearing jeans,jandals and a sleeveless top. Never again. Was picking gravel out of the mess for weeks afterward. While I can see where you are coming from, my choice is always ATGATT. I know it's not going to save me in a big off, but in a lesser one it will save me months of pain and scars.

[The Pastor]

safety gear is for girls and homos

[Quasievil]

safety gear is for girls and homos

Cool, Im going to launch a new range called "RM Im a homo" for each sale Im going to give 10% to the ,RM gay home foundation for queers and wankers united.

lol, its 3.am get fucked

[awayatc]

compromise
go Swiss
wear leather
AND shorts

Problem solved...

[The Pastor]

sweet, make it all black with a hot pink arse!

[vegan_virgin]

in recent years i have taken up snowboarding and roller blading. managed to do some moderate damage learning both, had it not been for safety gear it would have been much worse. seems to me once a person makes their choice then its unlikely to be changed by the ramblings or warnings of others and they get to deal with any consequences of this if they do have an accident. personally i would rather be a bit hot and sweaty than ripped to shreds on a bend.