The Protective Gear Poll

[Slingshot]

There are a few threads floating around at the moment regarding the stupidity of not wearing protective gear.
I'm interested in how many people wear gear and what level of protection they wear and how often they wear it.

For the purpose of the poll please assume the following:
Wearing a helmet is required by law and is therefore excluded from this thread
Full protection includes Jacket, Pants, Gloves & Boots.
Some protection includes some of the above
No protection includes none of the above.

Don't feel like you have to post but participation in the poll is mandatory :Police:

[k14]

I always no matter what, wear my leather jacket, leather gloves, jeans (getting leathers in the next few weeks), back protector (on rides going out of the city) and boots (either my alpinestars racing boots or my leather work boots) depending on the purpose of the ride.

[Big Dog]

Always wear gloves, its not just accident protection but as I am accustomed to wearing them I seem to have less finite control over the er.. controls.

99% of the time I wear a heavyweight kevlar/cordua the other 1% is just around the block when checking an adjustment (ie top speed 25kmph) or I'm wearing the leather because Training Wheels is cold on the back.

85% of the time wear touring pants Too hot for three months of summer unless you are doing a long open road run.

Always wear heavy leather boots but to poor for M/C boots.

But I never wear protection.... not for this kind of ride anyway :lol:

[LB]

Always wear gloves - Spidi, have both summer and winter ones. Always wear a Belstaff cordura jacket with armour and back protector. Always wear boots - Dainese. 99% of the time wear Spidi bike pants, armoured. About twice a year I will take my bike to work wearing all the above except the pants - wear jeans. It feels really funny - cold, breezy, exposed.

I can't say I've always worn this good gear, but have always since Day One worn boots and gloves.

[Urban Terrorist]

Always wear Gloves and m/c boots. Depending on the ride and conditions I pick between armoured waterproof jacket and pants, one piece leathers and the traditional black leather jacket/trousers combo.
Every now and then I'll skimp on the trousers and wear jeans.

[riffer]

Always helmet, obviously.

Spool Cordura jacket with kevlar armour.
Dririder Cordura pants with kevlar armour.

Both of these have winter lining, which is out at the moment.

Gloves not so great, just summer weight, which is okay at the moment, but I will need some good ones for winter as it gets real cold in Upper Hutt.

As for boots, I had some jodphur style boots with wrap-around straps and buckles hand-made by Last Footwear Company. Cost about $450, but fit like a glove.

When I have some buck though, I would prefer some leathers. And a decent helmet. I have a brand new Cyber helmet they gave me with my bike. It's okay, but I hope I don't have to rely on it.

[KATWYN]

I wear full leathers with back,shoulder,elbow,knee protectors
in the suit. Proper motorcycle boots. Gloves with those hard lumps over
all knuckles....thats me suited out.

My concern is for the younger (or older ) first time bike buyers that by the time they spend all their hard earned money on buying a motorcycle, there is not a lot left over for the real important thing - bike gear - so in turn safety is compromised. (ie) borrowing a "mates" helmet that who
knows if its been dropped etc and wearing jeans instead of protective pants

I know ACC subsidised this sort of thing (protective gear) years ago and it didn't work out because of people abusing the priviledge, but surely there
must be another way of getting ACC to subsidise and a better way of
policing it to protect riders that don't wear the right gear because of the
shear expense of it.

[Jackrat]

Always wear gloves,Good leather jacket,steel cap forestry boots.
Intend to by a pair of enduro type boots one of these days.
Wear jeans,Prefer open face helmet in summer,full face in winter.
Wear a back brace protector on longer rides,but that is more for comfort than protection.
Best bit of safty gear I have is in my head.

[Lou Girardin]

Vented gear is much more comfortable in this heat and I guess that'd make more people wear it.
Lou

[Andrew]

Full leathers, boots, gloves and a hemet, always a must for me!

[DEATH_INC.]

I pretty much always wear a fully armoured 1 peice race suit,race boots,race gloves,ect.as much as I can get!

[Motu]

Like Lynda,what I wear now I haven't always worn - times change and so do we.These days I wear a Spidi jacket with hard armour and back protector,Armourtech trou with soft armour,my Sidi motocross boots are 23yrs old and I have always worn them,on or off road.I have always worn gloves - but I like them thin...in the old days I would use black dress gloves,if I couldn't get unlined I would rip the linning out,sometimes I would cut the ends off the fingers too(this was long before that was a trendy look) then I started wearing leather MX gloves,now they are some modern,but unlined light gloves.

In 1980 I had my leathers custom made in OZ,but they have badly shrunk and had to give up trying to get into them a few years ago - I hope cordura doesn't shrink like leather....if they had told me it would shrink after 20yrs I would of got a couple of sizes bigger.I sometimes wear jeans around town,but seldom ride in the city,so it's not a common thing for me.Used to like riding in my MX pants,might get some more,but sturdier ones.

[wkid_one]

In 1980 I had my leathers custom made in OZ,but they have badly shrunk and had to give up trying to get into them a few years ago PMPL - I haven't seen much leather shrink on a cow/deer etc.......me thinks it may not be the leathers that are shrinking but............

I always thought leather stretched with age and use?

[wkid_one]

I know ACC subsidised this sort of thing (protective gear) years ago and it didn't work out because of people abusing the priviledge, but surely there
must be another way of getting ACC to subsidise and a better way of
policing it to protect riders that don't wear the right gear because of the
shear expense of it.
Yeah that is back when ACC used to replace the gear if they cut it off

[SPman]

My concern is for the younger (or older ) first time bike buyers that by the time they spend all their hard earned money on buying a motorcycle, there is not a lot left over for the real important thing - bike gear - so in turn safety is compromised. (ie) borrowing a "mates" helmet that who
knows if its been dropped etc and wearing jeans instead of protective pants

Better to have $2000 worth of gear on a $2000 motorbike, than no gear on a $4000 bike, methinks!
:apint:

[Motu]

PMPL - I haven't seen much leather shrink on a cow/deer etc.......me thinks it may not be the leathers that are shrinking but............

I always thought leather stretched with age and use?

I think it's the Australian cows,but I can't afford a new set of leathers these days,so I'll never find out if New Zealand cows shrink in 2 planes or only in one plane like those wierd Aussie ones.

[georgedubyabush]

PMPL - I haven't seen much leather shrink on a cow/deer etc.......me thinks it may not be the leathers that are shrinking but............

I always thought leather stretched with age and use?

You dont see many 20 year old cows around though. Come to think of it older cows do have a 'shrunken' look to them. wtf?. I really need to get some sleep. :sleep:

[Jackrat]

If any of you lot are cheap like me go to your local Protector safty shop.
You can get black Riggers gloves with a light weight yet warm liner.
They were $15.00 when I bought my last pair and have lasted five years so far.

[Slim]

It's been many years since I hopped on the bike without full protection.

I remember when ACC replaced motorcycle gear after accidents: they payed full replacement cost on an old Nolan helmet, so I put the money towards a new Shoei helmet. No abusement of the system from me though - I told them the age of the thing & the cheque just showed up for $350! They even repaired the damage to the borrowed Dainese 2-piece leathers I had on during the accident (the ambulance officers weren't given any chance to cut them off!)

[matthewt]

My comment on this is that jeans aren't going to protect you. Even the kevlar lined jeans won't help you on a half-decent slide. They may quote how many feet/yards/meters you can be dragged behind a truck in them but that is usually on a runway with a smooth surface. I ripped the knees out of my kevlar reinforced jeans in seconds on one of the main South Island roads and have the knees to prove it.

Also, full face helmets are a must (not just in winter). I'd be glad to send a JPG of my helmet after a crash which quite clearly shows what would happen if you had an open face helmet.

At the end of the day it's up to the individual how much protection they want.

[KATWYN]

Better to have $2000 worth of gear on a $2000 motorbike, than no gear on a $4000 bike, methinks!
:apint:

Exactly. that is true

[Hitcher]

Under the Shoei XR900 I always wear earplugs -- the reusable, corded, plastic grommet type from NZ Safety.
Gloves: Orina summerweight, Alpinestars winterweight (both brilliant gloves)
Boots: Daytona Goretex (my best-ever gear purchase -- these are fantastic boots)
Jacket: Leather when fine; Cordura if it's wet.
Trousers: Leather or Draggins when fine, Cordura if wet.
:apint:

[What?]

My leather pants have shrunk. :(

[Hitcher]

My leather pants have shrunk. :(
Sounds a bit like my wetsuit...
:shit:

[MrMelon]

I always wear my Draggin Jeans, leather gloves, sidi boots, and cordura jacket when I go out on the bike.. even if it's just around the block. I get the feeling these jeans won't protect me all that much in a spill, so I should probably try and find some armour I can stick in there.

if I'm going for a big ride I'll wear my leathers, but they seem like a bit of a hassle to get on for riding around town.

[Coldkiwi]

but they seem like a bit of a hassle to get on for riding around town.

so is getting a blood transfusion! I wear the one piece suit every where now. more comfy than anything else too besides having armour in all the right places (yet to get a back protector but I know I should). Keep my stiffer W2 race boots for longer rides but the Stylmartin yukons are good for everyday. Gloves a must and I can count the number of rides i've had in jeans on 2 hands.

Putting all that gear on is less of a hassle the more you do it. I can suit up three times as fast as my fiancee when we go out for a ride because i practice at least twice a day! (no car ya see so I have little choice)

[jrandom]

Ho hum. Orina cordura and CE armour zip-together jacket and pants, leather boots (can't afford proper MX/racing boots... sniff...), light Teknic gloves for summer, heavy waterproof Spidi gloves for winter, never leave home without 'em.

Have been known to ride up to the shops from work in shorts and shirt... bad jrandom! It's just so bloody hot atm :sweatdrop

Never get on bike without gloves, though - for some reason the thought of grated-up hands scares me worse than any other bit (bar head, of course, but that's what the helmet's for). Tripped and fell while going for an early-morning run a while back, put hands out when falling - very hurty. Owwwww. And I can't have been going more than 12kph or so at the time.

[James Deuce]

so is getting a blood transfusion!

Hear Hear!

Its a myth that grazes never killed anyone. You skin is your biggest organ (keep the Beavis and Butthead chuckles to yourselves lads!) and significant damage to large area of your skin is potentially fatal. The body reacts agressively to skin damage to stop you leaking fluids and to prevent wound infections. However excessive damage to a large area of skin, say 30% of your surface area (buttocks, backs of thigh, feet, and forearms - quite easy to do at 100km/h with no protective gear on) would overwhelm the repair response.

The body needs fluid to drive this response so other systems that need fluid have to go without. It can't repair that damage quickly enough so you also lose a lot of fluid while the attempt is made. In the meantime bacteria and dirt is getting in causing infection and interupting the healing process. You go into shock and your eloctrolytes (sodium and potassium) get out of balance so the body's electrochemical processes are compromised. This can lead to heart attacks.

A blood transfusion is necessary to offset the loss of blood and fluid and you can get diseases from unscreened blood. One that isn't screened for is Hepatitis C and this will take 20 years off your life if you catch it.

The damage itself is actually a friction burn and we all know what these look like when they heal. You'll also need skin grafts to fix some of the worst damage, but you have to wait until the burns have healed as much as they will. Then they take skin off some other part your body and stick it over the top fo the exposed flesh and hope it takes. Then you have another part of your body that has to heal.

The best you can hope for is broken bones as these are designed to break to prevent damage to soft tissues. Soft tissue (tendons, ligaments, muscle) doesn't repair itself well where bones do. Even surgical intervention, which is quite successful with boney injuries, isn't a guarantee of a fully functioning repair in the case of soft tissues.

Just put the gear on guys. When you are 20 gathering scars can be shrugged off pretty easily, but by 40 those scars will be painful all the time, and at 70 they'll be debilitating. Break bones (well except your skull and spine if at all possible) by all means, but try to avoid damaging your soft bits.

Jim2

[Drunken Monkey]

Sounds a bit like my wetsuit...
:shit:

Yes - 'tis a scientifically proven fact that wetsutis and motorcycle leathers shrink in the closet over winter...something to do with the cool air....no, that wasn't it...I think it's all the pies and lack of exercise...

[Coldkiwi]

uhhh HUH HUH!
HEH! HEH!
Hey Beavis! He said 'biggest organ'!
Yeah! HEH HEH
HUH HUH!

[franco]

I have just returned from a 2 week stint in Queensland (holidays). And I couldn't believe the number of motorcyclists over there who ride in singlets, tee shirts, jeans and shorts. A good +80%. And about 99.9% of the pillions (all women btw) were in similar gear or less :D

I naturally assume it's a climate related thing - the temp was always between 35 - 42 deg, dropping to a chilly 28 deg at nite.

So maybe living in NZ with it's slightly cooler climate ;) has some advantages, like ensuring we mostly don on the protective stuff...

[James Deuce]

uhhh HUH HUH!
HEH! HEH!
Hey Beavis! He said 'biggest organ'!
Yeah! HEH HEH
HUH HUH!

Doh!! I KNEW it. And from the bloke heading to Parachute too!

[Coldkiwi]

Doh!! I KNEW it. And from the bloke heading to Parachute too!

well you DID say don't do it. Never would have thought of it otherwise ;)

[Coldkiwi]

I naturally assume it's a climate related thing - the temp was always between 35 - 42 deg, dropping to a chilly 28 deg at nite.


must be the heat although I can't imagine they have any less accidents so there must be some scraped up bikers over there. You'd think there would be a huge market for perforated leather jackets and suits in hot areas like Qld. But of a shame really because it would probably make it cheaper for us to get them here!

I fully understand being reluctant to wear heavy gear in that heat.. but not when the alternative is getting skin grafts and err... all the other stuff that was kindly detailed before (yummy) :sick:

[wkid_one]

Hear Hear!

Its a myth that grazes never killed anyone. You skin is your biggest organ (keep the Beavis and Butthead chuckles to yourselves lads!) and significant damage to large area of your skin is potentially fatal. The body reacts agressively to skin damage to stop you leaking fluids and to prevent wound infections. However excessive damage to a large area of skin, say 30% of your surface area (buttocks, backs of thigh, feet, and forearms - quite easy to do at 100km/h with no protective gear on) would overwhelm the repair response.

The body needs fluid to drive this response so other systems that need fluid have to go without. It can't repair that damage quickly enough so you also lose a lot of fluid while the attempt is made. In the meantime bacteria and dirt is getting in causing infection and interupting the healing process. You go into shock and your eloctrolytes (sodium and potassium) get out of balance so the body's electrochemical processes are compromised. This can lead to heart attacks.

A blood transfusion is necessary to offset the loss of blood and fluid and you can get diseases from unscreened blood. One that isn't screened for is Hepatitis C and this will take 20 years off your life if you catch it.

The damage itself is actually a friction burn and we all know what these look like when they heal. You'll also need skin grafts to fix some of the worst damage, but you have to wait until the burns have healed as much as they will. Then they take skin off some other part your body and stick it over the top fo the exposed flesh and hope it takes. Then you have another part of your body that has to heal.

The best you can hope for is broken bones as these are designed to break to prevent damage to soft tissues. Soft tissue (tendons, ligaments, muscle) doesn't repair itself well where bones do. Even surgical intervention, which is quite successful with boney injuries, isn't a guarantee of a fully functioning repair in the case of soft tissues.

Just put the gear on guys. When you are 20 gathering scars can be shrugged off pretty easily, but by 40 those scars will be painful all the time, and at 70 they'll be debilitating. Break bones (well except your skull and spine if at all possible) by all means, but try to avoid damaging your soft bits.

Jim2
Well - no need to watch discovery channel tonite then

[Hitcher]

Doh!! I KNEW it. And from the bloke heading to Parachute too!
What is this Parachute gig at Mystery Creek anyway??
:eek5:

[Ms Piggy]

"[QUOTE=KATWYN]
My concern is for the younger (or older ) first time bike buyers that by the time they spend all their hard earned money on buying a motorcycle, there is not a lot left over for the real important thing - bike gear - so in turn safety is compromised. (ie) borrowing a "mates" helmet that who
knows if its been dropped etc and wearing jeans instead of protective pants"[\quote]
Indeed! I know that how feels! :( Being a new, young, fresh rider, when I was first thinking about buying my bike I sorta thought in the back of my mind, "Yeah it'll be sweet having a bike" (which it is!!), but then I hadn't really thought about the cost of helmet, gloves, jacket, pants - not to mention helmet hair - that's a HUGE fashion cost! Oh my gawd! :msn-wink:

However - I know that safety should be first and formost in my mind as a rider. :niceone:

[wkid_one]

must be the heat although I can't imagine they have any less accidents so there must be some scraped up bikers over there. You'd think there would be a huge market for perforated leather jackets and suits in hot areas like Qld. But of a shame really because it would probably make it cheaper for us to get them here!

I fully understand being reluctant to wear heavy gear in that heat.. but not when the alternative is getting skin grafts and err... all the other stuff that was kindly detailed before (yummy) :sick:
In my old job - one of the girls I knew who was working for the loans centre in OZ was heading home after work, down the m'way. On the way a Police Vehicle had stopped on the side to help a stranded motorist - and u'turned in front of her without any warning and no chance to avoid the vehicle. Needless to say she ploughed (and I mean ploughed) in to the back of the van and ended up a fair distance from the accident scene unconscious. She was extremely lucky to survive - thankfully for leathers she was wearing (mmmm girl in leathers) - but still managed to break both legs, arm and a variety of other contusions and scrapes. Still a nice 3 month stay in hospital recovering and shit load of rehab.

It goes to show you, even the most unlikely vehicles can cause you grief.;

Wrong place wrong time

[Coldkiwi]

What is this Parachute gig at Mystery Creek anyway??
:eek5:

Its a huge outdoor music festival that runs from the friday to the saturday. It has been at Totora Springs (just out of Matatmata) for the last 8 yrs or so but now that it is attracting around 22,000 people in tents (and another 5000 odd people coming in for a day) they needed to shift to a larger site.
About 110 different singers, bands, speakers, cultural groups from every musical genre but they're all christian. Everything from hard house and soul funk to old school gospel style and heavy metal (there's even a southern style barndance that normally involves 1,000 people).
oh yeah., sports competitions, burnout comp, fair ground rides, kids programmes and heaps of good espresso shops :)

I've been every year since 98 and it rocks.
And in case you were wondering, no there is no jumping out of planes: the company that organises the festival is called Parachute Productions.

A highly recommended way to spend a weekend. pack ya tent and go (the weekend is cheaper than a day at Big Day out too). :Punk:

[James Deuce]

Well - no need to watch discovery channel tonite then

At least I wrote it myself and didn't post someone elses pdf ;)

Jim2

[jrandom]

old school gospel style
Love it!

southern style barndance that normally involves 1,000 people
Unnnfff :sick: run for the hills, Billy-Sue, they evil lahn-dancin' types a-comin' tah get yer

...

At least one can turn up in the sure knowledge that the organisers are not likely to book Marilyn Manson any time soon :devil2:

[Hitcher]

Love it!

Unnnfff :sick: run for the hills, Billy-Sue, they evil lahn-dancin' types a-comin' tah get yer

...

At least one can turn up in the sure knowledge that the organisers are not likely to book Marilyn Manson any time soon :devil2:
ROTFL

Yee Haa!!
:shit:

[What?]

Yes - 'tis a scientifically proven fact that wetsutis and motorcycle leathers shrink in the closet over winter...something to do with the cool air....no, that wasn't it...I think it's all the pies and lack of exercise...
That's a releif. I was worried that it might have been the booze :beer:

[Coldkiwi]

Love it!

Unnnfff :sick: run for the hills, Billy-Sue, they evil lahn-dancin' types a-comin' tah get yer

...

At least one can turn up in the sure knowledge that the organisers are not likely to book Marilyn Manson any time soon :devil2:

hehe, well, its not a barn dance with cletus and billy may but it is a heck of a lot of fun. The lead singer/banjo player must be a stand up comic the rest of the time!

No, I don't think we'll see dear little marilyn there anytime soon. But there is equally heavy music (I assume the lyrics are less offensive but as with most thrash music I can't figure a single word out either!) :p

[Racer X]

In my old job - one of the girls I knew who was working for the loans centre in OZ was heading home after work, down the m'way. On the way a Police Vehicle had stopped on the side to help a stranded motorist - and u'turned in front of her without any warning and no chance to avoid the vehicle. Needless to say she ploughed (and I mean ploughed) in to the back of the van and ended up a fair distance from the accident scene unconscious. She was extremely lucky to survive - thankfully for leathers she was wearing (mmmm girl in leathers) - but still managed to break both legs, arm and a variety of other contusions and scrapes. Still a nice 3 month stay in hospital recovering and shit load of rehab.

It goes to show you, even the most unlikely vehicles can cause you grief.;

Wrong place wrong time

Everyone knows a police vehicle is the MOST likely to cause you grief! :msn-wink:

I would ride w-out a helmet round town if I could, but on the road, ALWAYS have gloves - saw what happened when my mate fell off. And since I don't own leathers just go for 2 or 3 pairs of jeans on long trips

[Motoracer]

If you haven't got proper protection, hiding roller blade knee pads under the jeans is a great trick. And if you wear em on the outside, you can scrape it across the road while cornering (if you are a knee out hanging off kinda rider).

[Hitcher]

If you haven't got proper protection, hiding roller blade knee pads under the jeans is a great trick. And if you wear em on the outside, you can scrape it across the road while cornering (if you are a knee out hanging off kinda rider).
Now riding with rollerblades on would be exciting -- handy though if you wanted to get your foot down, rather than your knee...
:confused2

[LB]

You dont see many 20 year old cows around though. Come to think of it older cows do have a 'shrunken' look to them. wtf?. I really need to get some sleep. :sleep:
When searching for the word tissues (needed to explain something Hitcher said in another thread) I found this post.

My Dad had a cow who lived till she was 25. She was a special pet as she was one of three heifer (girl) triplets, an extremely rare thing (normally you get a mixture of bulls and heifers in bovine triplets). The other two died younger, but Dad kept Vanessa on. She was still milking five years after having her last calf. She was a lovely lovely cow, really quiet and friendly. She kind of got like a big beer belly as the years progressed, I guess due to gravity taking it's toll. The point to this post (I think!) is that her skin would have stretched a bit in the gut region, not shrunk. Guess this doesn't help your leathers situation Motu.

[LB]

You dont see many 20 year old cows around though. Come to think of it older cows do have a 'shrunken' look to them. wtf?. I really need to get some sleep. :sleep:
When searching for the word tissues (needed to explain something Hitcher said in another thread) I found this post.

My Dad had a cow who lived till she was 25. She was a special pet as she was one of three heifer (girl) triplets, an extremely rare thing (normally you get a mixture of bulls and heifers in bovine triplets). The other two died younger, but Dad kept Vanessa on. She was still milking five years after having her last calf. She was a lovely lovely cow, really quiet and friendly. She kind of got like a big beer belly as the years progressed, I guess due to gravity taking it's toll. The point to this post (I think!) is that her skin would have stretched a bit in the gut region, not shrunk.

Guess this doesn't help your leathers situation Motu.

[Wonko]

Leather jacket, gloves, and decent boots all the time. Day to day the pants are normaly jeans, but weather/fashion/out of town rides get the leather pants treatment (I get funny looks when I show up at work wearing leather pants, don't ask).

New helmet is on the cards, and some bike boots too.

[kasper]

Now riding with rollerblades on would be exciting -- handy though if you wanted to get your foot down, rather than your knee...
:confused2

tried that little stund last week. When I rode in to town.

Now I need a new set of wheels for my roller blades. it was usufull for when yoru creeping along at the lights. keeps you balanded and mobile

[Motu]

Being crazy is no new thing - the man who taught me so much more than my trade was a milkbar cowboy and when he was a lad in the 40s they used to tow each other on roller scates down the Mt Wellington Highway,concrete then....jumping each joint untill they got it wrong.

[Solarwind]

Arai NR-3 full-face helmet, Aerostich Roadcrafter 1-piece suit (mostly waterproof heavy duty goretex, it goes on over my regular clothes in a few seconds), Spidi NT gloves, Sidi Strada Evo boots. I got sick of getting wet when I misjudged the weather so I wear waterproof stuff as a matter of course now. I also have no excuse to go without protective gear when the Aerostich is so convenient ;)

[jrandom]

Aerostich Roadcrafter 1-piece suit

Would welcome your comments on the Roadcrafter. How much did you end up paying for it in Pacific pesos? How's the waterproofing hold up in various conditions? Is it an overpriced pile of shite or is the Aerostitch marketing ra-ra mainly correct?

[Solarwind]

Would welcome your comments on the Roadcrafter. How much did you end up paying for it in Pacific pesos? How's the waterproofing hold up in various conditions? Is it an overpriced pile of shite or is the Aerostitch marketing ra-ra mainly correct?

I got it a few years ago when the NZ dollar was pretty high, it was about $700 US plus I had to pay $200 NZ to get it shipped over here, plus import duty. I think it ended up costing something like $1600 NZ all up, so about the same as a good-quality BMW/Spidi/etc. goretex 2-piece. They had two available in my size, the alternative was waiting in line 2 months if I wanted to pick a different colour. The only weak spot for the waterproofing is the zippers, which it has a lot of. There are more waterproof suits but they're much more involved to put on and take off, the 'stich is aimed at the commuter and casual sport-tourer I think. I found a matching sports bag and lugged it around with me when I was at uni. You may get a slightly damp crotch if you ride in a serious downpour, that's as bad as it gets. It's very comfy to wear, once you break it in. A bit bulky for walking around a lot in. It's warm. It's probably the best _everyday_ suit you can get, perfect for going to and from school or work when you might otherwise risk it with jeans and a jacket. I wouldn't wear it when racing or in a heavy downpour.

[ManDownUnder]

I always wear all the safety kit I've got - the only thing missing is the leather pants.

MDU

[Coldkiwi]

[QUOTE=Wonko](I get funny looks when I show up at work wearing leather pants, don't ask).

QUOTE]

don't need to wonko! I've had to put up with all that while I was at Uni. Still, once you've had a bin and used them, its an easy comeback

[Motu]

Just seen a wanker ride past on a sports bike - sneakers,cargo pants,helmet,gloves,T shirt....with a back protector! Got the vital parts covered at least.

[yessum]

Just went for a quickie in T-shirt and jeans, boy that felt good!
Pity i'd have to be scraped off the tarmac if I came to grief.

Other than that i wear full gear all the time(+back protector), with either jeans or leather pants depending on the speeds involved.

yessum! :shifty:

[jrandom]

I wouldn't wear it ... in a heavy downpour.

Isn't the 'heavy downpour' resistance the main *point* of it, though? I mean, when it really starts pelting down, you don't want to have to pull over, get your wets out, and climb into them while the amused cagers drive by and snigger.

Saw some guy doing just that as the sleet came down on the side of the motorway southbound just before the Harbour Bridge last week... heh - already had *my* gear on :moon:

[Two Smoker]

Saw some guy doing just that as the sleet came down on the side of the motorway southbound just before the Harbour Bridge last week... heh - already had *my* gear on :moon:
Thats why i got both leathers and Armoured wet weather gear, so i can pick depeding on the weather, i also got a pair of draggin jeans.

If you don't wear gear, your stupid:moon: . I reakon if you aren't wearing gear and come off then you can fix yourself because you didnt try to prevent injury in the first place.

[k14]

Yeah, i most of the time i wear my Shoei RF900 helmet, spidi 2-piece leathers, alpinestars smx boots, teknic somethingrather gloves and most of the time i wear a clover back protector.

i wear all of that except when i go to uni, i wear jeans, leather jacket and just normal shoes. but if i am going into a 70kph or higher zone i always put on full gear. might get some draggin jeans sometime, but the levis do the trick for the moment.

[wkid_one]

HOw is the back protector K?

[k14]

going sweet, havent had to "use" it for its intended purpose yet.

but it is at my olds home in new plymouth gathering dust and i am at uni in chch. only 32 sleeps to go untill me and my bike are one again, that is 32 very long nights :angry:

[MD]

I'm sure all those of us that have come a cropper, off a bike, push bike or just tripping over running down the drive, know that instinct takes over and your hands go out first to break your fall. So why do so many riders not wear gloves? Its probably been hammered to death on this site already buts its my pet hate. Don't they have any idea that they will be down to bone in a few seconds. A friend came off last year in jeans on a slow turn. Bum was scarr :bash: ed big time. Went out and bought full leathers as soon as he could wear pants again. Lets keep our skin on where it belongs.
Mark D

[Big Dog]

Saw some knobs(tm) the other day on a bmw with matching bmw helmet, gloves, and and armoured wet weather gear. But the funny, nay stupid thing is they were both wearing matching beach feet style sandles.

[Holy Roller]

I Always wear my leather jacket and gloves, boots usually my work boots. I prefer an open face helmet. I wore it to cold kiwi as my son had my full face one. After 4 major oops... apart from helmet changes it has been the gloves that have needed replacing, usually the stiching has been torn apart... hate to think what the fingers world have looked like if they had no leather covering them. The jacket after a bit of shoe polish you could hardly see that it had been for a skate down the road. Used to have leather pants but sold all the gear after my first oops. I was engaged then and wanted to stay around to see the wedding day. I haven't been able to afford any since. One day I hope to purchase a Spidi granturismo touring suit mainly because it has leather in the right places. Old school leather still rules :2thumbsup .

[ching_ching]

Every time I ride I wear:-

helmet
protective jacket
protective pants
gloves
boots (steel toe, calf high work boots... yet to get me some proper bike ones)

Saving up for some draggin's for shorter trips.

Other than that I never leave home on my bike without the above mentioned.

ching_ching

[FROSTY]

I'd like to say I always wear all the propper gear all the time but as we're being honest here I gotta say i don't
On a decent ride i wear boots,gloves,leather jacket.and cadura bib and brace trou.
On the track or a scratch Ill wear leathers and a back protector
But for local piddling around on the GTR I've got a bit slack lately
Sometimes wearing a paddock jacket normal trou and street shoes.
slack I know -I guess its time for a review of the situation :doh:

[dhunt]

I normally wear jacket, gloves helmet in town. Full gear out of town. But after an accident yesturday which I did happend to have full gear (See NewBe's forum for details on accident) I might start wearing full gear all the time. More hassle but less pain.

[magnum]

had old gear but bought some good second hand gear,mainly off trademe.agv 2 peice leathers$400.sidi vertibra boots$180.ryno gloves$60.always wear them also a back protector as i dont ride around town only on the open road.

[SPman]

I've started wearing jeans again around town :eek:
But I put the knee armour from my cordura trousers inside the legs over my knees.
Well...its what I normally take out !

[madandy]

Its funny you know...I have always worn all the gear I have for all rides on my motor bike.:- Jacket, pants, gloves, boots.....but as a young(er) fella racing pushbikes ,both mountain and road, at speeds approaching 120km/h I never once gave any thought to safety gear other than Giro helmet and leather fingerless gloves. :doctor: all I had on was that silly lycra :laugh:

[Marknz]

Always wear:

Good quality helmet, AGV Mladin rep or Nitro Hodgson rep
DriRider Summit Jacket & Leather pants or 1 piece TigerAngel race suit
Sidi Road Boots or AlpineStars race boots
DriRider Thinsulate Winter Gloves or Alpinestars GP Plus race gloves
and Dainese armadillo back protector

Won't ever wear Draggins again after seeing the aftermath of a relatively simple 'get-off' in Aussie... not pretty. And them thar nurses just love picking gravel outta your skin :-(

[Coldkiwi]

Well, I'm happy to say that this thread has given me some positive encouragement. Having seen how many people regularly wear back protectors, I'm wearing mine all the time too.

Oh, and in case any of you cordura users were wondering why some people persist with leather, Noriyuki Haga provides a good explanation!!

[SPman]

Oh, and in case any of you cordura users were wondering why some people persist with leather, Noriyuki Haga provides a good explanation!! "Nitro Nori" living up to his moniker! :sweatdrop

[Storm]

I have only three words of wisdom - safe is good

[Mongoose]

Always a minimum of leather jacket, gloves and solid footwear. Any trip further than work and leather pants get added to the list. And yes, I too have doscoverd that leather shrinks, especially if its left hangin in the wardrobe too long, females will prolly relate to clothes that do that :whistle:

As one bike salesman was overheard to say once "Aint it amazing that guys will spend 25k on a bike and $50 on their head."

[aff-man]

Always wear riding boots,helmet,gloves and jacket (usually the KBC sport cordura one but will wear leather on accation)and jeans when riding around here. When i go for big rides it's the KBC cordura pants,boots gloves,helmet,armour and leather jacket. Looking at getting a 1 or 2 piece leather suit but don't really have the funds. :weep:

[DebK]

Just purchased some Joe Rocket padded/armoured pants from TradeMe. Cost me $87.00 delivered! Hardly worn & fit well. Was budgeting for $200+ so well chuffed.

So now I have the armoured jacket (ladies Alpinestars), race/road boot (Sidi Vertebrae II - also purchased off TradeMe for $350... not worn), pants, gloves (not armoured though).

Okay okay, so I'm on a scoot. But with doing motorway speeds I'm gonna break bones & peel skin like a bike rider at the same speed. Long gone are me wearing a skirt & stilletto's on the scoot to work.

My husband doesn't ring me as soon as he gets to work now. We joke about it.. I ring him & say "You didn't call me to see if I made it to work okay!" his reponse is "I rang around all the hospitals & they say you're not there so I know you're okay". He's a keeper...

[Sensei]

Use it or lose it !! eg skin !! Sensei

[Dodgyiti]

I always wear full gear, even up to the dairy. You just never know. 15 years ago when I met my future wife I made her get ALL the gears before she was even allowed to go on the back. And this weekend I was going to take her for a ride and she wouldn't go because her pants are in need of repairs to the zip. So the message is, start right the first time, too late is always too late. Habits should be good ones, the AA should enforce it when they do the learners/restricted testing.
Does anyone know a leather repairer out west Ak? we cant find anyone to fix 'er pants up? PM me if you do :cool:

[Blakamin]

Rjays Pants and jacket of the armoured and waterproof variety $300
FFM helmet $200
some kevlar/thinsulate/hipora gloves $70
steel capped blundstones $supplied by Kenworth when i worked there

Budget safety or what?
would love to be able to afford more but when you only have 1 1/2 wages and a baby you have to be very careful

[Gasman]

Orina Cordura jacket with back protector etc, leather calf boots, Neo cordura pants with protection (these are brilliant for keeping warm and dry, but are not top notch as far as long slides are concerned (not speaking from experiance I'm pleased to say), but that's an investment I still need to make. I also will need to buys ome 'real' M/C boots. Full face helmet.
I'm interested in getting some Draggin Jeans for summer - anyone got some?

[Grumpy]

The cost of gear these days it would be a crime to leave it in the cupboard.

I moved to the Hawkes bay at the beginning of last summer and was amazed at the number of bikers out in shorts and tshirts. It was the first thing that I commented on to the mrs .... once I had peeled off my sweaty gear and dried myself down.

[Bob]

Full gear at all times. Helps I have a range of kit to cope with different conditions.

Bering jacket and trousers for colder/wetter weather (though I wear the jacket as often as possible)
Bering gloves - all weathers
Rayven jacket in Summer (it is much thinner and lighter than the Bering)
Hood jeans (similar to Draggin' - heavy denim, reinforced with Kevlar) for Spring, Summer, Autumn or if it is looking like it might rain
Hein Gericke boots - all weathers.
Arai RV helmet (Compulsory here as well, so might as well own a good one)

I want to replace the Rayven jacket with a proper specially made Summer jacket at some stage. But not a real rush. I'd like a Hood jacket (again heavy duty denim with Kevalar lining), but they don't come cheap (£120 - so NZ$320 roughly)

I've also got an HJC CL-14 lid as a backup - but it wasn't as comfortable as the Arai so it doesn't get worn. Nice to have one there if I need it though!

[Zapf]

Full gear at all times. Helps I have a range of kit to cope with different conditions.

Bering jacket and trousers for colder/wetter weather (though I wear the jacket as often as possible)
Bering gloves - all weathers
Rayven jacket in Summer (it is much thinner and lighter than the Bering)
Hood jeans (similar to Draggin' - heavy denim, reinforced with Kevlar) for Spring, Summer, Autumn or if it is looking like it might rain
Hein Gericke boots - all weathers.
Arai RV helmet (Compulsory here as well, so might as well own a good one)

I want to replace the Rayven jacket with a proper specially made Summer jacket at some stage. But not a real rush. I'd like a Hood jacket (again heavy duty denim with Kevalar lining), but they don't come cheap (£120 - so NZ$320 roughly)

I've also got an HJC CL-14 lid as a backup - but it wasn't as comfortable as the Arai so it doesn't get worn. Nice to have one there if I need it though!

Hay Bob, seeing you in the UK and might have seen more BMW riding gear than us. Have you heard good / bad things about BMW leathers?

tkns

[JohnBoy]

for me it depends on how far i am going, if just up the road nothing. if going into hamilton leather jacket, if going to welly for the weekend full gear. if on the track, full gear (i borrow my mates spike leather pants, dont know if i can now cause i crashed in them last time :doh: ).
if i am going for a trash dosen't matter how far i wear full gear.

[avgas]

Cheap Skin and Bone!!!!!!
trust me with this - i know
and a helmet - well you know
got a $20 head, get a $20 helmet

[bear]

Full gear for anything out of 50km/h areas, otherwise jeans and full other gear (jacket, helmet, gloves, boots).

[Ramius]

I always wear the gloves and boots as well as the jacket. As for the pants, it depends on the time and type of day. If it is midday and I am driving around town or in the burbs, I will only wear a pair of jeans, all other times I will wear my M/C pants. :Punk:

[inlinefour]

There are a few threads floating around at the moment regarding the stupidity of not wearing protective gear.
I'm interested in how many people wear gear and what level of protection they wear and how often they wear it.

For the purpose of the poll please assume the following:
Wearing a helmet is required by law and is therefore excluded from this thread
Full protection includes Jacket, Pants, Gloves & Boots.
Some protection includes some of the above
No protection includes none of the above.

Don't feel like you have to post but participation in the poll is mandatory :Police:

Xpeed fibreglass helmet.
Spool racing gloves.
Spyke pants and jacket.
Stylmartin boots.

Its not a matter if you come off, as eventually everyone does come off for whatever reason.
:bash: :third: :Oops: :2guns:

[TwoSeven]

Always wear gloves,Good leather jacket,steel cap forestry boots.
Intend to by a pair of enduro type boots one of these days.
Wear jeans,Prefer open face helmet in summer,full face in winter.
Wear a back brace protector on longer rides,but that is more for comfort than protection.
Best bit of safty gear I have is in my head.

I'm pretty much the same - in town its the half face and and old 'frank thomas' synthetic jacket I got back in the 80s. Gloves will either be leather or my snap-on mechanics ones - depending on what I pick up.

Out on the open road - i'll wear a full face lid and change sneakers for boots (like docs) and depending on how long the trip - leather trousers.

Up on the port hills or scratchn - i'll put on the full leathers and kit, but I very seldom go up their now.

[jase]

It only takes a few minutes to put your gear on, Wheather it's a full suit or just leathers,Boots and Gloves. Gear can be replaced, Skin can NOT!

[カワサキキド]

It only takes a few minutes to put your gear on, Wheather it's a full suit or just leathers,Boots and Gloves. Gear can be replaced, Skin can NOT!

Skin grows back, just don't lose to much at a time!

I've got a Spool Jacket and the Gloves, now I just need to get the boots and pants.

[Redstar]

Perhaps its sort of relative to intended speed?
some would dispute that but, if you are a postie its a bit daft to wear a full set of leathers in the summer? or a Cambodian Chicken seller?
so its a relative requirement. I think the problem is when a high performance bike has a twat sporting shorts and T-shirt now thats stupid.

[カワサキキド]

Perhaps its sort of relative to intended speed?
some would dispute that but, if you are a postie its a bit daft to wear a full set of leathers in the summer? or a Cambodian Chicken seller?
so its a relative requirement. I think the problem is when a high performance bike has a twat sporting shorts and T-shirt now thats stupid.

Don't forget the Jandels!
I saw a guy on an old gsx600 riding in shorts and sandal a couple of days ago, I winced at the thought of him losing all the skin from his feet.

[enigma51]

You are better off wearing protection all the time cause when you dont you will off
Murphy's law.

[pritch]

me thinks it may not be the leathers that are shrinking but............


I have this problem, my waist measurement leads the manufacturers to believe I'm about seven feet tall. This means that the trousers are far too long and you can't shorten them or the knee armour would be in front of your ankles. I was given leather trou by a similarly deformed friend and bought a Spidi touring jacket.

My commuting gear is made by such well known motorcycle clothing manufacturers as New Balance, Levi, and Ralph Lauren. (I don't think that's ideal that's just how it is.)

I would like an armoured jacket dressy enough top be worn to work, also a decent pair of textile trou. Eurobike is a bit slack when it comes to importing trou for fat shortarses (Spidi do make them). Next time I feel flush I think I'll email Hein Gericke about a made to meaure pair of their Tuareg trousers.

[Sensei]

Normal road kit for me is > Work jeans / Jean jacket / Work rigger gloves or winter golves / Shoie helmet . Unless I have some business to take care of then the a quick trip to the " BAT CAVE " for the Super suit & away I go
SENSEI

[Slim]

Next time I feel flush I think I'll email Hein Gericke about a made to meaure pair of their Tuareg trousers.
There's a top lady in Auckland that does leather repairs & made-to-measure too I believe.

Do a site search for leather repairs - she's been mentioned recently.


I've got Hein Gericke gear myself that I picked up in England last time I was there. I wasn't aware that they did MTM leathers. :spudwhat:

[Jackrat]

Normal road kit for me is > Work jeans / Jean jacket / Work rigger gloves or winter golves / Shoie helmet . Unless I have some business to take care of then the a quick trip to the " BAT CAVE " for the Super suit & away I go
SENSEI
Oh no,your going to die a most horrible death.
Just ask any of the squids,they've ALL seen it happen so many times. :msn-wink: :rolleyes:

[Zapf]

I have this problem, my waist measurement leads the manufacturers to believe I'm about seven feet tall. This means that the trousers are far too long and you can't shorten them or the knee armour would be in front of your ankles. I was given leather trou by a similarly deformed friend and bought a Spidi touring jacket.

My commuting gear is made by such well known motorcycle clothing manufacturers as New Balance, Levi, and Ralph Lauren. (I don't think that's ideal that's just how it is.)

I would like an armoured jacket dressy enough top be worn to work, also a decent pair of textile trou. Eurobike is a bit slack when it comes to importing trou for fat shortarses (Spidi do make them). Next time I feel flush I think I'll email Hein Gericke about a made to meaure pair of their Tuareg trousers.

BMW makes some odd size gear. you might want to check them out.

[Sensei]

Oh no,your going to die a most horrible death.
Just ask any of the squids,they've ALL seen it happen so many times. :msn-wink: :rolleyes:

???? Not to sure what you mean . Will die because of what I ride in ? Got nothing to do with what ya have on . Only matter's if you slide down the road . Having leather etc on will not save you from been hit by a Car / Truck / Gravel etc . Have been riding on the road for 25 y's now 90% of the
time in Jean's etc , have all the other stuff to wear when I feel like it .
SENSEI

[Jackrat]

???? Not to sure what you mean . Will die because of what I ride in ? Got nothing to do with what ya have on . Only matter's if you slide down the road . Having leather etc on will not save you from been hit by a Car / Truck / Gravel etc . Have been riding on the road for 25 y's now 90% of the
time in Jean's etc , have all the other stuff to wear when I feel like it .
SENSEI
Jezzz man.
I'm on your side, that's what the sarcastic wink was about.

[Biff]

Better to have $2000 worth of gear on a $2000 motorbike, than no gear on a $4000 bike, methinks!
:apint:

Well said.
I know it's a choice thing, but I honestly think you're playing with fire by choosing not to wear at least an armoured jacket & trousers and a good pair of gloves and boots.

Too many people blow their budgets on a bike and worry about protective clothing later. Sorry if I offend, but that's plain dumb.

My communting wear - Cordura armoured jacket and trousers. Proper boots and gloves

Play wear - leather & armoured pants or Draggin armoured cargo pants (for touring and leisurely rides). Leather/cordura Hein Geicke armoured jacket & Knox back protector. Oh, and a Browning 9mm just for those dick head cage drivers.

Jandals, shorts, no gloves? - You need a brain transplant ( no apology if I offend this time).

[motelbob]

was over there a month ago when it was 16-20 deg and no-one wore protective clothing then either. dont think its a heat thing. dont think anyone owns leathers over there!

[froggyfrenchman]

always wear gloves, leather jacket and boots(work boots, 2 poor for mc boots) have just bought leather pants... only wear on long rides and racing ie: not on way to work

[SPman]

Aaaah - Browning 9mm - bit bulky but very nice to play with.....I had several situations this week where it would have come in handy . . . .:devil2:

[Firestormer]

Curious to know how good kevlar jeans are.

[SPORK]

Curious to know how good kevlar jeans are.
I know Alarumba has got some Draggins.

Welcome to the site, dude. BTW, you have someone's old username, I think. Wear it with pride.