I'm alive..... and so is the bike, actually!  By  one1 (Read 4,943 times)

I'd only promote my damage to my hands, as I did intend to wear gloves that day and I think it's very helpful to have them. Otherwise as stated above in the thread I think it's useless to buy something that is intended to give you freedom and wrap yourself up in a cocoon so I do not support the idea of jackets, pads, and whatever else and wouldn't be associated with the idea of scare tactics to lose that freedom. I think gloves are a great idea because the reason my arms got chewed is because I could feel my hands being peeled off and I made the decision to start rolling to get off my hands after about 25 feet of sliding on them.

Everyone should own a pair of gloves, but I am just as against the idea of wrapping up in pads, jackets, and even full face helmets as I am FOR the idea of gloves. These are freedom machines and living in fear is not freedom. There is nothing like wind whipping your t-shirt around and screaming past your ears and up your shorts as you enjoy the sunshine.

I'll tell you about danger..... my buddy had a heat stroke riding in his leathers in June last summer. He fell off his bike at 30 mph. He got too dizzy too fast to slow down any more than that.

YAWN.........

Yeah good point. I can find plenty of pics elsewhere. I definitely don't want to have pics on the page connected to a mentality if insanity. They don't come braver than me, but not wearing gear is just meaningless suicidal thinking. No freedom is lost with the right gear.

I also on my 50cc scoot, won't wear anything else but gloves and the mandatory goggles.
I tried riding without goggles, but once I hit 20+ MPH, I just start tearing like a baby, so no use to ride without goggles (not to mention, many times I got saved by the goggles because a bug, or leaf hit where my eye would be).

As far as protective gear, In FL it is indeed hot. If it where cold, like it has been in the past 2 months, I wear a leather jacket and jeans pants.
It offers protection, as well as offers much desired heat; so if it's cold weather, instead of wearing a sweater, might as well wear a padded jacket!
You won't really notice much difference between the two, except the padded jacket is warmer.

In hot weather I don't wear a jacket, and have to find another solution.

In the summer heat, I prefer the mesh armor vests. They basically replace a t-shirt, have wind flowing just like on a T-shirt, the only warm parts is the back and chest protection, but there are alternatives out there, without back protection.

There are also armor sleeves, sleeves that you put on with protection on the elbows and shoulders, often wore in cross/dirt bike racing.
They don't really limit the feeling of freedom like an armor vest.

I also wear motorcycle boots, eventhough I don't need them on a scooter. More do it for the looks than for the practicality of it all.
They're comfy too!
Though I ride my 50cc with sneakers a lot too!

My estimation:
80% of the falls you'll be able to land/slide/roll on the arms.
In 20% you'd be sliding on your back, and have no control over the position. In such cases a back protection would be prudent to have, but there's not much better out there, than an armored vest.

There's nothing really for the buttocks.
A lot of people slide on their bee-hinds over the asphalt when having an accident.
It's ok if the pants are strong, and the speed is low.
Sucks if the road is wet (looks like you pooped or peed your pants).
But you surely don't want to slide half bare butted over the asphalt, because you won't be able to sleep, sit, or as much as taking a dump without serious pain!

As far as a helmet goes, on a motorcycle I always wear it. On my 150cc I don't quite feel safe without it, but I've done a few trips without it.
On my 50cc I never wear it.
Same goes with a bicycle, there are states where wearing a bicycle helmet is law; but in all 20 years I've ridden a bicycle, I've never had a head injury.
Mostly feet, legs, arms hands (from the pedals or smacking on the ground with bare hands).

I believe in gloves and goggles! All else is extra, and generally I only start wearing it when I'm going faster than 35-40MPH.

I know wearing protective gear - talk is boring as crap, but it is important, and more than anything true advice!
Like 'quit smoking' advise; it's upto the individual to choose.

Have you really? Cause I've been free enough to come off a couple of times, but never had to spend time recovering from the most avoidable road rash. Unless of course pain is freedom, I'm sure you enjoy the freedom of slamming your pecker in a door.



After eight years in the forces, I've had plenty of fun, and lived without fear in some fairly fearful situations. So much so, that I don't see the point of needlessly risking my life for no reason other than proving how big my ego is.

Have fun being jet washed off the road.

Ian

My safety gear does not prevent me from riding across the state for empanadas for lunch, snorkleing to watch the sharks basking, taking a canoe out down a moving river, sailing, flying, fishing, hunting or getting involved in other fun activities. It does increase my chances of having the ability to continue enjoying my life in reasonably good physical condition for longer though.

As long as it does not mean other people suffer, I think no one has a problem.
I rather see someone riding defensively, without gear, than someone strapped with protection and armor riding like a nut...