Full gear all the time?

[McFatty1000]

[QUOTE=Berries;1130396294]In over twenty years as a weekday commuter and several long distance trips each year I have never owned 'all the gear' let alone worn it. I disagree with you that it is a no brainer, but each to their own.

Yeah thats your call, I can't say I've ever done atgatt truely myself as I've only just picked up some boots, something I would include as all the normal gear - what do you deem as all the gear anyway? And do the gear bits have to be the 'proper items' to be considered atgatt? Ie, leather gloves that weren't from a motorbike shop etc

The main reason I asked was I was a little curious on what NZ riders viewed as the done thing - I've found myself doing a number of my commuter trips lately with jeans rather than my riding pants due to the convenience; jacket, gloves, helmet and now boots are becoming routine now at least, as I add more items to my gear list at least.

[Owl]

Only things compulsory for me are gloves, helmet and decent footwear.

However I'm usually NOT commuting, so therefore I have ATG on.

[Fast Eddie]

I don't even drive a car without helmet, neckbrace and fireproof suit.

incase something happens at 100kph and I go off the road roll over and catch fire.. could happen!

all the gear ALL THE TIME!! hahaha

[george formby]

I fired myself through just about every hedge in Northumberland when I was a yoof, only one reason I'm still riding, good gear.

[sootie]

I fired myself through just about every hedge in Northumberland when I was a yoof, only one reason I'm still riding, good gear.

I think you should consider a good lightning rod too George - just to be safe! :

[Lozza2442]

I fired myself through just about every hedge in Northumberland when I was a yoof, only one reason I'm still riding, good gear.

Not sure if you're aware, but the hedges aren't for driving on :P Would make traffic better if you could drive on the top of them though! haha

[oneofsix]

Not sure if you're aware, but the hedges aren't for driving on :P Would make traffic better if you could drive on the top of them though! haha

Richard Pearse pioneered the use of hedges as landing strips in NZ, just not for motorbikes even if his plane was largely made from bicycle parts.

[george formby]

Not sure if you're aware, but the hedges aren't for driving on :P Would make traffic better if you could drive on the top of them though! haha

It's the ones with a stone wall in the middle that you can ride on. Bloody Romans!

[p.dath]

Who out there wears their full gear every time they get on the bike? Proper rides are different and no brainers but things like running down to the shops? And yes, I'm aware that its your own body on the line so the decision is yours at the end of the day..

With the exception of my back protector, every time.

I only use the back protector if I know I am going on 100Km/h roads.

[SPman]

In NZ, I used to step into my leathers, even to go down to the shops - it became second nature and I barely noticed it.
Then - moved to WA - in winter - continued to do so..it saved my skin (literally) once with an altercation with a skippy...until the temps started climbing into the high 30's, low 40's!
Suddenly Draggins and a perforated textile jacket became attractive options.....
Now, when I take the RG down to town, it's my 70's leather jacket and jeans again......

[HenryDorsetCase]

I ride in jeans a bit. Draggin usually. and I wear engineer boots which might come off in a crash if wearing jeans. thats for sifting about the town or coming to work.

always a leather jacket, fullface helmet and gloves.

open road its leather pants and Sidi boots etc.

of course it is a comfort vs protection tradeoff.

[Jerry74]

always wear full gear, I like skin on my body.

[The Lone Rider]

Jeans, singlet, skull cap, and work boots all year round rain or shine.

Anything more is for pussys.

I'd wear shorts if I had nicer legs.

[tail_end_charlie]

I've had two offs in the last six months while wearing the same gear: full face helmet, motorcycle jacket (w/o armor), gloves, jeans, and Gearne racing boots. Once was <50kph and the second time was <30kph. Both times I walked away with no serious injuries (sprained ankle bruised knee & shoulder, minor road rash through the jeans) and I've learned a few things from it:

-Need more practice/training on low speed handling and wet weather riding.
-Need pants and jacket with good armor, even for dwadling off to work as a commuter. That 1 meter fall from the normal riding position onto asphalt hurts the same weither you are going 30 kph or 120 kph. Its what it takes to stop you from those speeds that makes the difference.

Did I think I was wearing good gear at the time, yes. Do I think so now, not so much. And if you look up accident rates, I think you will find it surprising just how many wrecks/crashes happen within 5 km of home. So just nipping out to buy milk from the dairy down the road is just as or even more dangerous then going for a weekend ride around the cape. At least in the latter you are fully into the "I'm on my motorcycle and I need to ride like everyone cager is out to kill me." whereas the former you are more likely to not be 100% motorcycle mode.

Summary: I wasn't ATGATT before, but I am now.

[Hawkeye]

Saturday morning, I was at my bike gearing up, back protector/knee sliders attached/elbow armour back in/radar detector on and at the ready, iPod set and plugs in/dark visor changed to clear..
Anne asked '' where ya going''?
''To get some milk......why''?

I'm the same Maha, gear up even to go for milk. However, the nearest dairy to me from Welly is Featherston