Shorts and a Shirt

[Andrew]

If you plan to ride around in shorts you may aswell ride wearing a hawiian shirt, thong and jandals.

and there's something wrong with that?

Think of those who have to scrape up dead bodies from accidents. It must drive those professionals crazy each time they see a biker without adequate protection.

[Sycophant]

Dude, do you want to be nick named dumbass?

I wouldn't even think about it. Like I said, I normally have a moment of "ahh, that must feel nice" followed by "by god he's going to be really screwed if he bails."

I won't even ride without gloves.

As for a pushbike, I've hurt myself enough on them to feel under-dressed when I ride them now.

[marty]

Think of those who have to scrape up dead bodies from accidents. It must drive those professionals crazy each time they see a biker without adequate protection.

ambos maybe. cops probably not.

it's not the grazes that kill - it's the aorta tearing off the heart when the body comes to a sudden stop and the heart is still moving forward that'll do it every time.

[Antallica]

Humph.

Hehe, hey!.. it's more powerful than a push bike

[Hitcher]

There was a great article in the UK Bike magazine earlier this year where they had four bikers -- three guys and a gal -- fanging their bikes round a circuit whilst wearing fewer and fewer garments and noting the lap times. Needless to say the times for full leathers and armour were notably higher than full nude...

[Marmoot]

Gotta follow the Vespa club guys. They almost always wear full suits. Except, they're not leather.......................

[SPman]

Full suits gotta be better than Fool suits!

[jrandom]

... a gal -- fanging ... full nude...

And you didn't scan the relevant photos for us?

[750Y]

i occasionally ride, gumboots & shorts, on a couple miles ride to the gas station.
btw i don't live in a built up area so the risks are drastically reduced due to their being only 2 side roads on that journey and an average 2 to 3 cars.
a small point is that i trust myself enough to feel confident doing so(& that's not complacency either). but i do worry about learners who can't ride well & don't know the risks cos they are the ones more likely to ass off and graze themselves. ouch!!!!

[Nouseforaname]

OOOO sitting on the bus last night on my way into the city for a few beers.... i spot a brand new Gixxer Thou with a rider wearing shorts and a singlet and his pillion wearing the same..... sneakers, no gloves, nothing. It made me feal sick to the stomach looking at these guys and thinking 'what if'. But hey if thats there choice, fine :disapint:

[diss1dent]

Shit;

I'd never ridden be4 this weekend; and when I went and bought my bike on Sat morning I rode it back with a shirt and shorts. I came to my sences and put a jacket on when I got home (admitidly only a shower proof one) and some thick work pants; but by the sounds of it I better invest in some gear quick smart. Obviously I havn't come off before, but the pain is still vivid of coming off my push bike years ago.

So is a leather jacket and pants the go? Or a suit?
Also I'm wearing my work boots (steel caps) but theres definetly no ankle support there.

I dont know how you guys on the bigger bikes can actually wear just shorts and a shirt. I went up the motorway yesterday and all but 2 buttons on my shirt un-did and my shorts blew right up my legs; thats why I came home and put the better stuff on.

[bluninja]

Wow! Not really the best way to start, glad nothing happened on your ride home. At a minimum, properly fitting helmet, motorbike gloves, stout boots with ankle protection, plus pants and jacket designed to protect you in a spill, (as opposed to jeans and a fleece). I'd also highly recommend a back protector.

[Slingshot]

As a side thought, does anyone know where you can buy Kevlar material like the stuff used in Draggin Jeans? I normally ride in jeans but I prefer my Levis to the Draggin jeans, I figure if I could get the kevlar I could have it sitched into my Levis.
Ideas anyone?