Leather, nakedness and commuting

[redthunder]

In work this morning (Dublin) I saw a fella commuting on a Ducati Monster, lovely bike but it wasn't the bike that drew my attention. The guy was wearing a suit, shirt tie jacket the works, shoes a helmet and .... a satchel. A brown leather man bag. Now he did have a nice Shoei helmet on but unless his suit was made of kevlar any accident and he is in trouble.


A year or two ago here in Dublin some of the lads in work dealt with an accident where an 80+ year old man driving a toyota hiace sized van knocked down a biker who got caught up in part of the van and dragged by it for 4-500 metres, the old fogey hadn't a clue he even hit a bike never mind was dragging the driver along the tarmac at 40km/h+.


My point is regardless of how you drive, you have every chance of being taken out of it by someone else and speed may not be a factor at all (above).


I've only been riding since May 2012 and in all that time have been an ATGATT person all the way. Until this week, the weather has been so hot I've dropped the bottoms I have for jeans which are cooler but once it cools down again the gear will be going back on.

[VNA - BMW Wank]

In this weather if you are wearing loads of gear, well the heat and dehydration might make you more likely to have an accident.

At the same time you can get knocked down by some lunatic just crossing the street, but we don't walk aboot in full PPE all day every day.

There's loads of folks who don their fancy leathers, PPE etc and it make em feel safe, so they ride faster, take more risks.

[Dead Eye]

The only thing I've been known to change is my trousers which at the minimum are normal jeans but the rest of the time I have my kevlar jeans with armour. I wear full protective clothing for everything else

So far, I haven't had to deal with the temperatures getting too high. I don't have to commute and very rarely ride around towns or cities where the traffic slows down - this means I can keep a bit of speed and stay relatively cool even on the hottest days.

[Hedgetrimmer]

I do actually always wear a proper jacket with armour (textile) and gloves even in this heat nowadays, but have worn jeans etc throughout most of my riding career. I don't have proper bike boots at the moment (temporarily), but even the Nikes I'm wearing give a modicum of ankle protection. Of course once we're back to wet weather (default setting!) this'll have to change.

[Loz]

I dont get this jeans thing, when my kids were young they reguarly took out the knees of their jeans just from tripping over!! why do you not value your legs as much as the rest of you? ....old woman attitude maybe    just dont get the logic

[Dave48]

You can be the best safest rider in the world when suddenly it all goes "t**s up"-loose gravel, diesel ,blind innatentive phone obsessed cager,private hire driver who has just finished a 15hr shift going home like a zombie on auto-pilot. Ah you say but my observational skills are so good I would have spotted all these potential hazards& more. Well all these things have happened to me and believe me you don't want to be using your skin like a pan scourer on the tarmac or trying to lift a bike off your leg while the header pipe is intent on giving you deep burns to thecalf/inner thigh or whatever. Forget all this "fashion" shit- it really is about self-preservation and while no jacket or trousers will prevent severe crush injuries you can avoid all the pain & tears resulting from having your skin flayed off by the road surface. Buy the best you can afford from helmet to boots-its easier to repair/replace a bike than undergo skin grafts & reconstructive surgery. Cagers think they are safe behind their glass and dashboard-have you ever experienced a 25-30mph impact in a car-say hitting a tree or lamp post/-even with a seat belt/air bags its a bit like falling face down from a 30 foot building-
Does it matter what the cyclists wear-its their choice-their body-you don't even have to undergo any training to cycle on the roads-Im not prejudiced against cyclists I have been on for most of my life-seem to remember doing a ROSPA cycling proficiency course in 1959. Lost the badge but still got the certificate!-its good to be certified!!

[Hedgetrimmer]

Why jeans? Firstly because I find textile armoured trousers to be far too warm in the summer. Secondly, because most of my riding is done to visit places of interest, where I don't want the bother of having to change when I get there, and don't currently have a top box to stuff it all in. Thirdly, when I started riding, there wasn't all this protective gear available anyway, everyone wore jeans and I guess that's stuck with some of us. In my 30 odd years of riding, I've come off the bike, now let's see, 6 times I think, and as far as legs are concerned, only had minor gravel rash on a knee once (whilst in jeans). I have also worked in parts/clothing depts. in bike shops for about ten years and always recommended to customers that they get fully kitted, after that it's their choice. If you decide to do one thing or another, I'm not going to criticise you for it, that's your choice, and I don't want to take that away from you.

[Loz]

Why jeans? Firstly because I find textile armoured trousers to be far too warm in the summer. Secondly, because most of my riding is done to visit places of interest, where I don't want the bother of having to change when I get there, and don't currently have a top box to stuff it all in. Thirdly, when I started riding, there wasn't all this protective gear available anyway, everyone wore jeans and I guess that's stuck with some of us. In my 30 odd years of riding, I've come off the bike, now let's see, 6 times I think, and as far as legs are concerned, only had minor gravel rash on a knee once (whilst in jeans). I have also worked in parts/clothing depts. in bike shops for about ten years and always recommended to customers that they get fully kitted, after that it's their choice. If you decide to do one thing or another, I'm not going to criticise you for it, that's your choice, and I don't want to take that away from you.

Fair enough, believe me i am not critising, i too passed back in 1975 and wouldnt have ever considered any sort of safety gear and saw many a nasty injury including a good friend that came off wearing a skirt riding pillion and lost alot more than just skin    but it still didnt change my attitude, but then again the choices werent there either, certainly not the gear we have on offer now.But i have changed and i suppose my self preservason has changed too, so i am not critising just wondered what the thought process was as it seemed some valued one part of their body more than another and yes you are right its a personal choice as it should be 

[Dead Eye]

The reason for jeans is that out of all the standard items of clothing for your legs, they offer the most protection - its not great protection, but its a bit better. Jog bottoms, suit trousers, shorts and many other forms will completely disintegrate and a lot of artificial materials will melt to your skin under high temperatures. A decent pair of jeans (not the £5 crap) will drag a bit, albeit not particularly far and despite offering no real protection against crushing / burning at least they won't melt on to you :P

At the end of the day though, they are still a last resort and offer pretty poor protection compared to proper attire

[Lawrence]

The reason for jeans is that out of all the standard items of clothing for your legs, they offer the most protection - its not great protection, but its a bit better.

http://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=231812
 
Trying to find a copy of the original article...

[Slaninar]

I respect the help and extra protection gear offers, but for IN TOWN riding I prefer the cool head and slow careful driving that shorts and cycling helmet provide. When I'm hot and sweating on a motorcycle, I tend to be more nervous and ride faster.

Of course that at same speed, fall with full leathers will be less dangerous. However, riding at 35 C, I'm more likely to get into trouble when too hot.


The topic "Leather, NAKEDNESS" was so promising...     




http://strategywiki.org/wiki/Fallout_2/Armor

[Dead Eye]

The reason for jeans is that out of all the standard items of clothing for your legs, they offer the most protection - its not great protection, but its a bit better.

http://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=231812
 
Trying to find a copy of the original article...

Oh I know they aren't great, just saying that they are better than jogging trousers or shorts :P

[simonm]

The reason for jeans is that out of all the standard items of clothing for your legs, they offer the most protection - its not great protection, but its a bit better.

http://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=231812
 
Trying to find a copy of the original article...

Oh I know they aren't great, just saying that they are better than jogging trousers or shorts :P

So to use the analogy of putting a Magnum against a belt sander rather than a Mr whippy.   

[Hedgetrimmer]

Let's get this straight - unless you wear proper motorcycle Kevlar and armour jeans, jeans give you no protection worth mentioning, end of...

[Slaninar]

Let's get this straight - unless you wear proper motorcycle Kevlar and armour jeans, jeans give you no protection worth mentioning, end of...

Better than just skin. Not much, but at low speeds, if pavement is not too abrasive - it does make noticeable difference.

[budgiemurray]

Having been off the bike and bounced down the road a couple of times i wouldnt dream of going out without the right gear..
Never lost any skin due to good gear but have torn a collar bone and heavilly sprained both ankles and wrists..
Even in this heat im still kitted up but took out the iners and opened all the vents.. Its fine once your moving

Budgie

[VNA - BMW Wank]

Let's get this straight - unless you wear proper motorcycle Kevlar and armour jeans, jeans give you no protection worth mentioning, end of...

Funny they seem to protect my legs from flies and stuff.  Hurts over the ton without em.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Ok, point VNA, I mean in the event of an accident.

[Stooby2]

I work in central London and ride an XJ900 in (better commuter than the Fazer)

I have one of these Spada Air Pro jackets after seeing it in Ride magazine as a "best buy" ...

http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/76321?r=GS&gclid=COWfi5uJrLgCFfHKtAodKUEA4w

And it is the mutt's nuts in hot weather. Superb air flow through it, but it's fully armoured as well. Comes with a waterproof cover (last resort really as it's a bit "boil in the bag") and a detachable thermal liner. It's got a full and short zip around the waist.

A pair of Hood jeans, which having looked at numerous types, seem to be the best quality by far, with hip and knee armour.

Some paddock boots that cover my ankles with padded protection
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tuzo-Waterproof-Leather-Textile-Paddock-Motorcycle-Scooter-Boots-Black-/270937336132?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Boots&var=&hash=item3f151fa944

And lastly, a pair of Hein Gericke short mesh gloves  -  I ride in without sweating my nuts off, but I feel I'm adequately protected should the worst happen

[Hedgetrimmer]

I had one of those Spada Airflow jackets a while back. Unfortunately, I bought it in a year when we had very little decent weather. I think it got worn maybe twice! Had to get rid of all my gear a couple of years back when I lost my job and had to move - I'm slowly replacing it all, but lack of funds and all that. But the jacket was definitely good.

[cfoley]

I went down to the bike shop the other day and by coincidence they had that Spada airflow jacket. I tried it on and liked it a lot. I'm going back tomorrow and if I still like it as much,  I'll pick it up.

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

[Hedgetrimmer]

I think they're a good choice. Unfortunately, nowhere around me does Spada, but I might go for the Ixon Alloy Mesh - distributed by Oxford Products no less, so I feel another hefty discount coming on...
However, be warned - as soon as I buy mine, it'll start pissing down!

[cfoley]

I'm sure you could order one online from somewhere.

[Bornagain again]

just a note.  In an American drag test many textiles performed only slightly better than budget jeans.  In Australian tests only 10% of the textile jackets performed to an adequate standard.
 
With the leather gear tested they outperformed all by at least double, but the most expensive suit burst LOL
 
But even having read this I will wear what I damn well like, when I like, and rely on my riding ability and common sense not to have to use my gear.
If I want to ride in speedos in a snowstorm what the crap has it got to do with anyone cept me.

[Hedgetrimmer]

But even having read this I will wear what I damn well like, when I like, and rely on my riding ability and common sense not to have to use my gear.
If I want to ride in speedos in a snowstorm what the crap has it got to do with anyone cept me.

Yep, freedom of choice. Just so long as I don't have to look at you in speedos...