Full gear all the time?

[sootie]

Their "winter" gear is often just not quite up to it. (But go home and fit heated grips )

Heated grips are really great for battery sales for those who commute on bikes around Auckland!
(Some bikes have better charging than other - small and offroad tend to give the most trouble.)
FYI

[James Deuce]

I sat in my bike on the side of the road with no helmet on and then rode it down my "driveway" (special gravel/grass blend). I got yelled at by two different people. I think they may have been jealous because of the sexy cut of my jib.

[Ocean1]

I try not to be a slave to habit, but for the road the only real variable for me is the pants. I'll wear anything from jeans to kevlar reinforced pants, (with or without armour) to fully armoured synthetics to leather.

And here's the thing: you're probably no more or less likely to damage yourself no matter what you wear, whether you're aware of it or not your risk-taking behaviour takes into account how safe or exposed you feel. So the worst thing you can be is confident that your kit will save your skin in the event of an off. Because you'll ride accordingly. And the fact is luck will dictate far more of the outcome of your bin than any scrap of clothing.

So gear up all you like, but try to ride like you're naked.

[FJRider]

I sat in my bike on the side of the road with no helmet on and then rode it down my "driveway" (special gravel/grass blend). I got yelled at by two different people. I think they may have been jealous because of the sexy cut of my jib.

Next time ... keep your jib in your pants ... otherwise it wont just be your parents yelling at you ...

[James Deuce]

I couldn't help it, I was tacking at the time.

[onearmedbandit]

And here's the thing: you're probably no more or less likely to damage yourself no matter what you wear, whether you're aware of it or not your risk-taking behaviour takes into account how safe or exposed you feel. So the worst thing you can be is confident that your kit will save your skin in the event of an off. Because you'll ride accordingly. And the fact is luck will dictate far more of the outcome of your bin than any scrap of clothing.

So gear up all you like, but try to ride like you're naked.

80km/h off in jeans or leathers? What would you choose?

[DEATH_INC.]

80km/h off in jeans or leathers? What would you choose?

Funnily enough, the last off I had on the road (120ish kmh) the only part that didn't really get rashed was where the jeans cover. Not fancy kevlar one's either...

[onearmedbandit]

Funnily enough, the last off I had on the road (120ish kmh) the only part that didn't really get rashed was where the jeans cover. Not fancy kevlar one's either...

Ok then. 80km/h off in jeans or leathers where you slide on an abrasive surface on your arse.

[Madness]

I couldn't help it, I was tacking at the time.

Careful, you'll pull something.

[Ocean1]

80km/h off in jeans or leathers? What would you choose?

On chipseal? Leather, all things being equal. But they never are, I don't tour with leather for example, not good in the wet and too bulky to carry.

Risk isn't just about consequences, dude.

[FJRider]

Risk isn't just about consequences, dude.

Nor is the wearing of any gear ... about the removal of risk. But about the management of the consequences ....

[AllanB]

Yep - neck to toe in leather.

[skippa1]

interesting thread. I have always been strong on ATGATT, certainly for the open road. But having moved to Auckland, I found that sitting in traffic on an air cooled bike in 20 degree + temperatures, I found that all of the gear can be very hot and you can end up sweating so much that you dont actually concentrate the same. I have found that on 50kmh rides, jeans and an open face hemet help me keep cool and concentrate which I think is safer than sweating, fogging up and feeling like you are going to pass out.

[onearmedbandit]

Risk isn't just about consequences, dude.

I never said it was.

[FJRider]

interesting thread. I have always been strong on ATGATT, certainly for the open road. But having moved to Auckland, I found that sitting in traffic on an air cooled bike in 20 degree + temperatures, I found that all of the gear can be very hot and you can end up sweating so much that you dont actually concentrate the same. I have found that on 50kmh rides, jeans and an open face hemet help me keep cool and concentrate which I think is safer than sweating, fogging up and feeling like you are going to pass out.

Interestingly ... I live in an area where summer temperatures get over 35degree temp's ... and wearing Cordua gear is actually cooler than black leather.

If you live in Auckland ... 50 km's wouldn't get you out of the city. Even on a motorway ...