Another "riding without gear" thread.....

[NC]

But it's kewl to wear no gear

[Street Gerbil]

Thanks but no thanks. I came this close to experiencing the joys of skin graft back in my pushbike days (saying hello to tarmac at 50 kph wearing full cordura is no fun but going down at the same speed in skintight lycra is a bitch). Like I said: no armor - no riding for me.

[terbang]

30 years ago there wasn't the choice of gear and we all compromised. I used to wear a swanndri over whatever shirt I was wearing and jeans. At one stage I had an old army trench coat that I used to wear on an old Kawasaki that I had. Both barely kept me warm and I often reverted to the old cardboard or newspaper stuffed up me jumper to keep the wind chill out (no good in the rain). Still have the evidence of a fairly nice embroidery job that was done on various points of my anatomy after touching chipseal through 3 or 4 layers of denim and wool that offered no resistance at all.. Thank god things have changed and our gear also protects us. I feel naked without it now..

[dawnrazor]

Just because you think your safer doesn't mean you are.

There is alot to be said for not having a safety net.

[Big Dave]

Just because you think your safer doesn't mean you are.

There is alot to be said for not having a safety net.

Yuh - why I generally prefer an open face and ride a naked bike.
95kph feels fast.

[Al]

I wear my leathers, even though the temp here in "rural" Darwin is 32º, someone asked me why I don't ride like the majority of bikers in the Territory (jeans, sneakers, T shirt) and my answer was that my heat threshold is a lot higher than my pain threshold!
Person wasn't too impressed with the answer...

Take care out there

Al

[gijoe1313]

So what do bikers here do when they want to pop out to the dairy? Armour up or do the dirty and just doss down in flip-flops and old sweat gear? At my stage, I prefer to ride in the full kit being a noob and all!

[cowboyz]

if I am going up the dairy then I will wear whatever I am wearing and throw my touring jacket over top. I am not concerned at all at falling off. More concerned about being cold.

[HenryDorsetCase]

comeon Ixion. Getting your head anywhere near your gonads is an art. You know you would if you could.

seen "Shortbus" ?

its a movie on at the film festival.

[cowboyz]

no. why do you ask?

[cowboyz]

ok. just watched a trailer for shortbus online and I am still none the wiser.

[John Banks]

While I don't wear the full leggings and boots to go down to the store, I always ride with jacket and gloves.

I can live without feet, but there's no way I can live without my hands.

[dawnrazor]

ALWAYS - The best helemt I can buy/afford NO EXCUSES, its my head and if it don't work then whats the point of having the rest working at all.

ALMOST ALWAYS - Jacket, for the back protector and other armour, but mainly for its weather defeating properties.

NEARLY ALWAYS - Boots, 'cus smashed ankles happen all to easily and take along time to heal.

PRACTICALLY ALWAYS - Jeans, at least when I'm commuting, 'cus changing is a pain and knowing I'm vunerable keeps me more alert.

NEVER WITHOUT - Class A Gloves, again NO EXCUSES for shit gloves, your hands are the first to suffer and are fragile bloody things.

As for just hopping on the bike on a beautiful day with only a lid, a T-Shirt, shorts and runners - yeah do it, its incredible how much more aware of the road, your bike and everything around you you'll be, just don't make a habit of it - skin graffs from your arse cheeks onto your arms is not a great look.