What riding gear do you wear?

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I was going to continue this line of conversation in the “ Just Ride “ thread , but I didn’t want to clog up that thread and I thought there might be some useful ideas from some of you guys, so here goes,
I’m interested in what you guys wear ( or don’t ) in the way of protective riding gear, both summer and winter.
I’m particularly interested to hear if you guys wear specific riding pants. Also I’m interested if your gear is armored or not and if any of you have upgraded your armor. I’ll kick it off.

I wear a ,
HJC modular helmet with an inner sun visor, year round.
Joe Rocket 6.0 mesh jacket ( armored ) for summer
Tourmaster Jett Insulated and armored jacket for winter
Regular Jeans, year round
Tourmaster tall boots ( fully armored )for winter on cold days
Joe Rocket ventilated short boots ( fully armored) , summer and winter

About the riding pants, I tried a pair of armored mesh overpants, but they were too hot to wear over jeans and too bulky to easily move in. I got rid of them, but have since thought that maybe instead of jeans if I would’ve worn something thinner , maybe even shorts, and just treated the mesh pants as jeans?
I do worry a little about not having something abrasion resistant and no padding on my hips and especially knees. What do you guys do?

Regarding upgraded armor, the armor that comes in most jackets is really basic foam stuff. Better than nothing for sure, but there are some real quality aftermarket armor out there, especially back protectors.
Have any of you upgraded?
C1B9A1BC-1C4B-494D-9B99-787A82050250.jpeg
There’s even an argument to wear something like this, under an abrasive resistant jacket shell.
EA082543-4808-4582-A292-CF983FDFE606.jpeg
So...... what do you wear for protective gear?
 
Something you didn't seem to mention is gloves? I always wear gloves, deerskin regular short gloves in warm weather, gauntlets of some sort in colder weather. You can often find deerskin work gloves more reasonably priced than motorcycle specific gloves.
 
5twins said:
Something you didn't seem to mention is gloves? I always wear gloves, deerskin regular short gloves in warm weather, gauntlets of some sort in colder weather. You can often find deerskin work gloves more reasonably priced than motorcycle specific gloves.
Click to expand...

Yup! I forgot the gloves. I bought most of my gear when I was still working and commuting in dense city rush hour traffic. I was really shooting for maximum protection over comfort. I popped for a pair of Scorpion Exo short cuff gloves that here in Phoenix can be worn year round. They’re more of a sport bike glove.
2D0314A7-32DB-44FD-A628-A5F0DA09D925.jpeg
In the winter on cold days, I wear a pair of generic leather insulated gauntlets.
 
Helmet: AGV Corsa- want to get an adv helmet for summer. The AGV is hot.
Jacket: summer alpinestars perforated leather. Winter firstgear tpg rainier.
Pants: summer jeans, winter firstgear kilamanjaro
Gloves: summer just short teknic gloves I've had forever. Winter firstgear waterproof insulated gauntlet.
Boots: summer my steeltoe work boots, winter or long trip alpinestar adventure boots.

If I could get a pair I'd get some kangaroo skin gloves for summer. 1/3rd the thickness of leather with the same abrasion resistance. The alpinstar jacket isn't bad unless you get caught at the never ending redlight in 90+ weather.
 
ATGATT..Thats All the gear all the time...
Shoei RF1200 FF helmet

Olympia Airglide 2 Summer mesh jacket in HiViz Lime /Yellow

Pants are now just regular blue jeans until i can find new riding pants... i have Olympia Ranger2 riding pants 4 seasons..Not mesh..Water resistant and with liner pants waterproof...I still have them but my waist shrunk from 36" to 31" and they just do not fit me anymore..Even with a belt...

My 3 season Olympia AST 3/4 length jacket has not been replaced..it had mesh panels but was otherwise air and watertight...It was cut off of me by EMS folks at my last MC wreck...

I had 2 pair of Olympia Airglide2 mesh Summer pants..1 pair i was wearing during my 1st wreck and all my injuries were in the mesh area where there was not armor...so I no longer will wear mesh pants at all..
All gear is armored......but not upgraded...
I wear a pair of Joe Rocket Cowhide and Goatskin leather gloves size 2XL..
Underclothing is Wickers America shorts or LD Comfort riding shorts..Socks are knee high Addias Soccer style wicking cotton socks..keep your lower legs insulated from the road and engine heat..
Oh how could i forget..Boots,,,, Sidi Aria waterproof boots 10" with side zips and velcro closure..I can stand in water up to 10" and my feet will never get wet...
EDIT...my undershirts are just cotton tees unless its winter time then its a cotton thermal underlayer and maybe the liner jacket too...I cannot wear wicking material shirts polypropylene and other synthetics just make me sweat more...and dry too fast cotton keeps me plenty comfortable...
 
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G-Max modular helmet, AlpineStar armored mesh jacket in warm weather, traditional (non-armored) leather jacket in cool weather. The leather is a motorcycle-specific jacket and double layered at shoulders and elbows. High top "logger" work boots. Held armored gloves. Heavy jeans.

I used to wear armored (hips and knees) overpants, but they shrank...
 
I'm still wearing my 15 yr old Fieldsheer mesh jacket most of the time and my Brosh pants in the summer. Long rides I use a Quietride helmet for music and navigation and short rides I use my Shoei qwest. Plus boots and gloves always.
 
JACKETS: I have several jackets due to the wide range of climate up here:
  • a light First Gear mesh jacket for hot days (no armor so I feel a bit naked in this one)
  • a Thor lined mesh for so-so days (armored)
  • a Fieldshear lined fabric jacket for cold days (armored)
  • a Tourmaster winter riding suit for the really stupid days when only nitwits like me ride their motorcycles (no armor - but I am usually alone on the road when it is this cold so I feel as though the risk is managed)
BOOTS: day-to-day, I usually ride in a fairly heavy pair of Blundstone ankle boots, but on long rides I use a pair of Bates police riding boots - or a pair of First Gear riding boots, which are getting a bit tired these days.

PANTS: I have a pair of official OPP police riding pants (without the stripe of course - there is A LOT of sensitivity about impersonating police up here after that sh!thead massacred 22 people (!) in Nova Scotia while dressed as a Mountie a few weeks back).
I also have a pair of Brosh Kevlar(tm) pants which I haven't tried yet.

GLOVES: I have a carpal tunnel injury from too much computer time and so I always ride with Shock-Tek leather gloves which have special pads to protect the carpal region of the palms of my hands. If you have that sort of hand issue - I'd recommend them: they are inexpensive, but well made in the USA and comfortable. https://www.shocktek.com/

HELMET: I have an HJC CL-Max2 modular helmet with a faceshield plus I nearly always wear sunglasses during the day. I also have a CARDO PackTalk Bold communicator which I really like for music, podcasts and blabbing with my buddies during rides.

UNMENTIONABLES: I am not normally a princess about clothing, but I have malaria and so temperature control is often a problem for me. I have found that Icebreaker garments made of Merino wool are good. They are a bit spendy but they are durable and are never too cool or too hot. Best of all, they do not have big bulky seams which dig into my "equipment" and cause chaffing on my nether-regions.

I always ride ATGATT - and soon, I will be incorporating a Helite Turtle-II airbag vest as well.
 
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Regarding frilly unmentionables - before I bought the Corbin seat for the FJ, I tried a pair of spandex bike shorts with strategically placed padding. They actually helped quite a bit. Haven't bothered with them since I got the Corbin butt (see what I did there?) for a long trip I might.
 
Shoei Neotec helmet, Aerostitch Darian Jacket and Darian pants.
Great setup for long distance trips,no need for a rain suit.
Been using the same jacket and pants for 6 years with 3 trips to Alaska from Oklahoma.
On one trip we had at least some rain for 21 days of the trip and never got wet.
Only issue is they are stiff but you get used to it and they do soften up.
 
Broshe Kevlar riding pants with knee armor. Sliders All season armored jacket with back and elbow armor. Lots of pockets and zippered thermal and rain liners. Army surplus jungle boots resoled with a flatter tread. I don't recall what the gloves are. Built Solar Modular helmet. I have a pair of Slider's riding pants but the waist tore easily. They didn't last past a year. The Broshe are way better gear. I've had them 2 or 3 years now and they are still like new.
 
Sparkyduc said:
Shoei Neotec helmet, Aerostitch Darian Jacket and Darian pants.
Great setup for long distance trips,no need for a rain suit.
Been using the same jacket and pants for 6 years with 3 trips to Alaska from Oklahoma.
On one trip we had at least some rain for 21 days of the trip and never got wet.
Only issue is they are stiff but you get used to it and they do soften up.
Click to expand...

That is the exact setup I use, and I agree on every thing Sparkyduc has mentioned. On my last trip through Minnesota I stopped at Aerostitch and got fitted. So on my longer trip that is my go to. The pants fit great so I just wear Cool R underwear I get from Cycle Gear. I can go for weeks at a time with just a pair of jeans packed and a few t shirts, and no rain gear. I wear Lowa work boots that I waterproof for rain. Not much room for stuff on the FJR. If I'm just out for a short ride I do wear my TourMaster mesh jacket and some mesh pants. And of course gloves
 
I wear seasonable PPE on the bike. I know my opinion and my style will catch me some grief, (it has on this topic on other forums, but you did ask...)

Winter: Full gear, Joe Rocket Jacket, heated liner, full face helmet, heated leather gauntlets, snow pants over my regular pants, ankle high hiking boots

Hot months: Half helmet (unless I am riding with someone I can Bluetooth link with to talk), leather vest over a t-shirt or sometimes a long sleeve shirt, jeans, ankle high hiking boots and summer weight motorcycle gloves (Joe Rocket).

I will not belittle anyone for AGATT. I have done it myself in the past. As a matter of fact, both of my street crashed were in the month of August (two years apart) and both times I was full gear(VMAX totaled 2009, FZ1 totaled 2011). And I will wear full gear still when I know my risk on a ride is going up. Maybe more definition here is prudent: 1. If I am going to test ride a few bikes when a demo truck is in town with a group of riders I have no knowledge of who they are also riding unfamiliar bikes, I rank this as a higher risk evolution (this was me on my way to a Suzuki demo ride when I hit the fawn on the FZ1 on a wooded curve). 2. If I am knowingly going to be riding hard on twisties in the mountains with other risk averse folks, I rank this as a high risk evolution (this was me on the VMAX). My normal daily commute in suburban DC traffic is no higher risk than any other city and has become my norm for many decades; acceptable risk for me.

I have been called some interesting names for not being ATGATT. I get it, I still sleep at night despite the name calling. And accept that I am not getting younger and healing take more time. I ride to commute as no bad day at work can out mach the therapy of the bike. Some days the work is so stressful it take two blocks before I have forgot about it. I enjoy the wind and guard against other traffic as best as I can so I can stay in the wind. There are days that the only thing that matters is this...
 
Boog said:
I know my opinion and my style will catch me some grief,
Click to expand...

Not here my friend, we are all free to do as we wish. I only posted this because I was curious to see what kind of gear others were using. The first half of my life my riding gear was made up entirely of one open face helmet. And sometimes I didn’t even wear that.
Rock on brother! ;)
 
Downeaster said:
Regarding frilly unmentionables - before I bought the Corbin seat for the FJ, I tried a pair of spandex bike shorts with strategically placed padding. They actually helped quite a bit. Haven't bothered with them since I got the Corbin butt (see what I did there?) for a long trip I might.
Click to expand...
Yep, for longer trips I wear bike shorts underneath.
When I lived in Hermosa Beach, CA in the '80's it was often just shorts, sneaks and sunglasses. :bike: Young and dumb...
 
Helmet - Nolan N104 EVO
Jacket - Olympia Ranger
Over pants - Olympia (cold weather)
Jeans - Regular denim using Bohn armor underneath (warm weather) or,
Cortech Kevlar lined jeans with armor
Boots - Sidi Gortex boots, tall (long trips and cold weather) or
Tourmaster Hipora axle length boots (summer and short trips)
Gloves - Tourmaster Intake air (summer) or Klim Summer gloves (summer) Klim Goretex gloves (rainy weather)
Tourmaster electric gauntlet gloves (winter/cold weather)
Skivvies - LD Comfort shorts/t-shirt
Socks - Lightwight wool (summer), heavy wool (winter)
Raingear - Olympia Sentinel
Also, I use a Bead Rider seat cover over my Russell Day Long seat to keep from getting monkey butt on extended travel

I ride year round with no upper limit on temps and a lower limit of 15 degrees.

Mike
 
0626161126_zpsq15fymd4.jpg

http://www.xs650.com/threads/did-not-make-it-home-in-one-piece.46473/

That was my post from four years ago. How do you dress for a head-on collision with a truck?
I was wearing half helmet, leather jacket, gloves (not nose pickers), kevlar lined pants, steel toe boots.
I had a period of unconsciousness, no lost skin, no broken bones. Armor would have been nice. I wouldn't have been so banged up.

Changes since then? I've been wearing more than a half helmet. Most of my jackets have some armor in them.

The biggest change I've made is to stop outrunning my brakes. I still like hauling ass through a corner, but I have to see through it. The same goes for seeing over the rise in the road. I don't know how many chances I'm going to get.

I wear these riding jeans.
 
Boog said:
I wear seasonable PPE on the bike. I know my opinion and my style will catch me some grief, (it has on this topic on other forums, but you did ask...)

Winter: Full gear, Joe Rocket Jacket, heated liner, full face helmet, heated leather gauntlets, snow pants over my regular pants, ankle high hiking boots

Hot months: Half helmet (unless I am riding with someone I can Bluetooth link with to talk), leather vest over a t-shirt or sometimes a long sleeve shirt, jeans, ankle high hiking boots and summer weight motorcycle gloves (Joe Rocket).

I will not belittle anyone for AGATT. I have done it myself in the past. As a matter of fact, both of my street crashed were in the month of August (two years apart) and both times I was full gear(VMAX totaled 2009, FZ1 totaled 2011). And I will wear full gear still when I know my risk on a ride is going up. Maybe more definition here is prudent: 1. If I am going to test ride a few bikes when a demo truck is in town with a group of riders I have no knowledge of who they are also riding unfamiliar bikes, I rank this as a higher risk evolution (this was me on my way to a Suzuki demo ride when I hit the fawn on the FZ1 on a wooded curve). 2. If I am knowingly going to be riding hard on twisties in the mountains with other risk averse folks, I rank this as a high risk evolution (this was me on the VMAX). My normal daily commute in suburban DC traffic is no higher risk than any other city and has become my norm for many decades; acceptable risk for me.

I have been called some interesting names for not being ATGATT. I get it, I still sleep at night despite the name calling. And accept that I am not getting younger and healing take more time. I ride to commute as no bad day at work can out mach the therapy of the bike. Some days the work is so stressful it take two blocks before I have forgot about it. I enjoy the wind and guard against other traffic as best as I can so I can stay in the wind. There are days that the only thing that matters is this...
Click to expand...
None of that here..we're all big boys... Your decisions are yours as are the consequences...Before i owned my 1st ST1100 in 2007 I rode with a leather jacket .half helmet no gloves..blue jeans and some kind of work boots...And sometimes no jacket at all...carry on sir...
 
I can tell you from my 2 accidents..i still got hurt and I had a concussion even when wearing a full face helmet..There are no guarantees the wearing ATGATT will save your life..I have seen a few examples where even the proper gear did not save the rider...So to me ATGATT means that I might still be injured but hopefully the gear prevents me from serious injuries...Mitigation of your risks..you all decide what is acceptable or not...
 

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