Gearing up?

[wysper]

I have recently traded my SV650 for a DR650. On the SV I was a complete ATGATT.
Even short runs from work to get lunch, a trip of about 3km there and back. I would gear up. Boots, gloves, full leathers and helmet of course.

Now on the DR, for some reason I feel it is ok to just shoot out in jeans, jacket, gloves and lid. And what ever shoes I am in – not jandals or slippers

I have to make a conscious choice to gear up before going to work on the DR. I know I am traveling at the same speeds. I know I am at the same risk. I know the road will be just as vicious on the DR as the SV but I still feel different about the danger.

Why is this? Anyone else have similar experiences? Especially from you guys and gals with a couple of different styles of bikes in your garages.

Do you gear up differently when you are riding different bikes? I am not meaning when you go full on trials riding as opposed to a track day. But if you are taking different bikes out for a bit of a blat.

[That looks like fun]

I have recently traded my SV650 for a DR650. On the SV I was a complete ATGATT.
Even short runs from work to get lunch, a trip of about 3km there and back. I would gear up. Boots, gloves, full leathers and helmet of course.

Now on the DR, for some reason I feel it is ok to just shoot out in jeans, jacket, gloves and lid. And what ever shoes I am in – not jandals or slippers

I have to make a conscious choice to gear up before going to work on the DR. I know I am traveling at the same speeds. I know I am at the same risk. I know the road will be just as vicious on the DR as the SV but I still feel different about the danger.

Why is this? Anyone else have similar experiences? Especially from you guys and gals with a couple of different styles of bikes in your garages.

Do you gear up differently when you are riding different bikes? I am not meaning when you go full on trials riding as opposed to a track day. But if you are taking different bikes out for a bit of a blat.

Safety is an attitude that needs to be cultured by the individual. Fashion is also an attitude
Different styles of bike lend themselves to different fashion sense, Sportys = one piece leather, Harleys = German Helmets and leather chaps plus a beard (yes even for females). Adventure bikes fashion is tough well worn and dirty. Jeans aint tough
It comes down to a choice, do I want to be fashionable? or do I want to be safe?

[Owl]

It comes down to a choice, do I want to be fashionable? or do I want to be safe?

What about "fashionably safe"?

[nothingflash]

tough well worn and dirty

Sounds like a girl I knew once...

[Motu]

It's been the opposite for me,I've been riding adventure bikes only for the previous 10 years,and have always worn dirt boots with them on the road.Dirt bikes are narrow with small folding pegs....not much protection for the legs going down or being hit by a car.Now I'm on a BMW with rigid pegs and big cylinders out the side I feel a bit safer in the leg department,and have just bought some street boots which I have always scorned as having little protection.

[wysper]

Yes. I understand the 'fashion' changes in styles of bikes. I was just surprised that I seemed to think differently about what I needed to wear to ride safely. Full leathers won't be practical when adventure riding but would be fine for the daily commute. It was just interesting that I felt I didn't need to wear them.

@Motu, I have always thought that road boots were pretty good. I haven't tried on any dirt boots. I will do soon, so it will be interesting to see how different they are to wear.

[Urano]

yea it happens to me when i wander around with my wife's scooter.
it's the same speed, the same streets, but i have to force myself to wear even the backprotector.

it's a stupid way of thinking: gear it up!

[JR1]

yea it happens to me when i wander around with my wife's scooter.
it's the same speed, the same streets, but i have to force myself to wear even the backprotector.

it's a stupid way of thinking: gear it up!

Exactly. Scooter riders (I'll admit i usta be one), wear rain coats, work pants, hoodies and other high performance gear. Now i ride a 250 I'm leathered up everywhere i go, and as previously said i'm doing the "same" speeds around town. Why is that? Gear choice reflects reflects what bike you ride, your perception of the bikes capability's and the impact a crash may have on you. If said crash was going to happen..

[scooute]

Exactly. Scooter riders (I'll admit i usta be one), wear rain coats, work pants, hoodies and other high performance gear. Now i ride a 250 I'm leathered up everywhere i go, and as previously said i'm doing the "same" speeds around town. Why is that? Gear choice reflects reflects what bike you ride, your perception of the bikes capability's and the impact a crash may have on you. If said crash was going to happen..

I also have to admit that I used to ride a scooter, I was ATGATT though as I have always been very aware of the dangers due to an accident my mother was involved in as a pillion when she was younger. I think however alot of scooter riders are doing it purely for convenience, therefore to wear ATGATT is not convenient to get off and walk into a meeting. I think I get what OP is talking about though sometimes you do feel a little "safer" on diff bikes, as we all know not the case, funny how it works on the mind though huh!? Ride safe