Bit ott but worth it if I get knocked off and don't get broken ribs or collar bone I don't even feel it when riding Some of the idiots driving round in trainers/flip flops in summer a vest with no gloves - they are destined to be nothing more than pigeon paste
This is the right knee of my Halvarssons Outlast over trousers after I was knocked off on the M40 a couple of years back My knee would have been shattered without them, I didn't even get a bruised knee
Good post DC. Good fitting quality gear is worth every penny and in my opinion can save serious injury.
I can tell you all that gravel rash is not nice. Back in the 80's i came off my Jota wearing double denim Clarkson style. It was the style back then. Gravel went under the skin on my forearms and knees. Then the doctors used to use the back of a knife to scrape the bits out. May have changed now. Still, have the scares today.
I watched a mate doing Mono's on his 350cc Suzuki motox, he was wearing shorts !! He fell off at approximately 70 kph, it was in camp , 1Base wksps in Brisbane. The Medic and Doctor used a brand new floor scrubber to get the dirt off/out from his right shoulder blade, no pain killer used either, although I could have used some !! I helped hold my mate Peter down. I'VE worn good quality tested riding gear ever since !?!?! This was mid 1982 !
Last summer really brought out the bell ends, bad ass Harley riders in cutoffs and t shirts and twats riding knackered old Gixers in shorts. Even in 30 degree heat I still wore Kevlar jeans and a leather jacket with a back protector, I do sometimes wear an open face helmet if just nipping into town but I always wear proper gear.
When it gets TOO hot I sometimes wear a mankini and flop flips to ride my bike I know I know not the most sensible thing to do having all the local women folk chasing me down the road and what would happen if I fell off and they caught up It doesn’t bare thinking about
My armoured jacket, Alpinestars gloves and armoured trousers after the demise of my T100 - 70mph on the A36. Nothing broken but lots of bruising - I never ride without hip armour after that. Still lost most of the skin off my left forearm - they let you clean it yourself with sterile wipes to start, then when you wimp out, Nursie comes with a bowl of iodine and a pan scrubber! Not much has changed!
I’ve read the insurance companies are not paying out for certain injuries if appropriate safety gear isn’t being worn.
I can legally ride my trike without a helmet but I wouldn't dream of it, I always wear the full protective gear as you would on a sports bike, you can ride as safe as possible but still get sent sprawling down the road by some idiot with 4 or more wheels.
The worst I have seen a few years back in summer, a guy on Holloway rd London riding a fireblade wearing a lid and a just a white boxer shorts. No matter how hot it gets.... I always wear the full gear. For short town rides.... Short Gloves Short TCX boots Hood Kevlar Jeans Leather Jacket Shark Vancore For spirited riding out in the countryside.... Full leathers, full face lid, full on gloves and boots. Always wear full gear, Enjoy your ride and ride with confidence and stay safe
Yep always wear appropriate kit when I ride, to scared of the possible pain caused following a fall without it. I'm amazed at the stupitity of some people.
Great post. Apart from being sensible and wearing proper clothing for riding I have also heard recently of a car driver's defence lawyer arguing for lesser costs to be awarded to an injured biker because if he'd been wearing proper boots as opposed to the trainers he was wearing, his injuries would have been much less and therefore he had contributed to his injuries in this area ..... a sign of things to come and I have to say, if it keeps everyone safe and our premiums sensible I'm all for it.
