Street bike riders

race
Posts
3480
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
CA US
Edited Date/Time 10/4/2022 7:54am
Been riding in ripped jeans, sweat shirts and high tops long enough. Looking for some options for a little more protection.

Living in So Cal so HEAT is a factor. Also, on the style side, I'm mainly on vintage bikes now ( '67 Honda S90, '68 Triumph 650, '74 RD350) but I do wear a modern full-face helmet.

What gear are you guys riding in?
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sumdood
Posts
8632
Joined
3/11/2013
Location
San Clemente, CA US
Fantasy
9/21/2022 6:37pm
Suspenders [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2022/09/21/569682/s1200_1232315146203.jpg[/img]
Suspenders
"Then came Swanson"
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KennyT
Posts
4370
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Vista, CA US
Fantasy
9/21/2022 6:53pm
I’m bad! Most of the time I’m in jeans/t-shirt. If it’s winter it’s jeans/flannel. I do wear street style riding boots/work boots for foot protection

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1
9/21/2022 7:10pm
Big advocate for ATGATT. I will not leave my garage without full leathers. Yes, I take a lot of abuse for it. No, I don't care. You do not want to learn the hard way. There's some pretty good vented textiles out there, better than nothing. Cooling base layers help a bunch too.
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2

The Shop

Titan1
Posts
9406
Joined
2/3/2010
Location
Lehi, UT US
9/21/2022 7:42pm
When I rode, it was full leathers for me…Triumph Speed Triple…
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race
Posts
3480
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
CA US
9/21/2022 9:20pm
All The Gear All The Time is fine but that leaves a lot of leeway for what gear one is wearing.

I still see the crotch rocket crew wearing full leathers but that would look a little silly on the S90. And in So Cal those guys totally BAKE in the summer.

There's gotta be more street riders on here. What are you using for

Boots

Pants

Jacket
Timo
Posts
1402
Joined
1/9/2021
Location
Wichita, KS US
9/21/2022 9:27pm
Steel toe work boots, cargo pants, vented textile jacket with elbow, shoulder, back, and chest pads. Leather gloves and a full face helmet. I rode 300 miles in 100 degrees and was only hot when I stopped.
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McG194
Posts
4111
Joined
9/7/2017
Location
Palm Coast, FL US
9/22/2022 6:39am
ATGATT people are weirdos.

You are choosing the most dangerous form of transportation top commute on but magically think that because you are wearing leathers you are somehow safe.

I sometimes wear full gear but sometimes I don't. I tell people that I have a full face street helmet, a full face ADV helmet, a modular helmet, a 3/4 helmet, a half helmet and a ballcap turned backwards and I wear all of them depending on mood, conditions and what I'm doing.

Sorry, if I'm riding along the ocean or riding in the keys I'm damn sure not going to lock myself in a cocoon.
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7
9/22/2022 7:45am
Astars vented boots and gloves with carbon fiber protection along with a Joe Rocket vented summer jacket with armor. Works great in the Georgia summers up to around 95 degrees.
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race
Posts
3480
Joined
8/26/2006
Location
CA US
9/22/2022 11:01am
McG194 wrote:
ATGATT people are weirdos. You are choosing the most dangerous form of transportation top commute on but magically think that because you are wearing leathers you...
ATGATT people are weirdos.

You are choosing the most dangerous form of transportation top commute on but magically think that because you are wearing leathers you are somehow safe.

I sometimes wear full gear but sometimes I don't. I tell people that I have a full face street helmet, a full face ADV helmet, a modular helmet, a 3/4 helmet, a half helmet and a ballcap turned backwards and I wear all of them depending on mood, conditions and what I'm doing.

Sorry, if I'm riding along the ocean or riding in the keys I'm damn sure not going to lock myself in a cocoon.
haha I can relate. Just yesterday I took a ride in jeans and t-shirt thinking how nice it was. I would never ride with less than my full face lid though.

And I pretty much adopt the attitude that someone has a contract out on me so I try to be hyper-aware of any / all vehicles around me.
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McG194
Posts
4111
Joined
9/7/2017
Location
Palm Coast, FL US
9/22/2022 12:16pm Edited Date/Time 9/22/2022 12:21pm
McG194 wrote:
ATGATT people are weirdos. You are choosing the most dangerous form of transportation top commute on but magically think that because you are wearing leathers you...
ATGATT people are weirdos.

You are choosing the most dangerous form of transportation top commute on but magically think that because you are wearing leathers you are somehow safe.

I sometimes wear full gear but sometimes I don't. I tell people that I have a full face street helmet, a full face ADV helmet, a modular helmet, a 3/4 helmet, a half helmet and a ballcap turned backwards and I wear all of them depending on mood, conditions and what I'm doing.

Sorry, if I'm riding along the ocean or riding in the keys I'm damn sure not going to lock myself in a cocoon.
race wrote:
haha I can relate. Just yesterday I took a ride in jeans and t-shirt thinking how nice it was. I would never ride with less than...
haha I can relate. Just yesterday I took a ride in jeans and t-shirt thinking how nice it was. I would never ride with less than my full face lid though.

And I pretty much adopt the attitude that someone has a contract out on me so I try to be hyper-aware of any / all vehicles around me.
It's just a personal thing with me. I have had discussions with people who swore up and down that a full face helmet would break their neck so they refused to wear them. My response was always "You are an idiot. If you are going to make the choice to ride with less gear or without a helmet you damn well better understand that you are putting yourself in substantially more danger."

I'm all for people making the choice to ride with as much or as little gear as they like, just be informed. All the gear in the world isn't going to magically make you not get injured just like having less gear increases your odds of getting injured more.

My next controversial opinion is: It's always the riders fault if he crashes or gets in a wreck.


To not totally hijack the thread, I have a Joe Rocket mesh jacket and pants. I would rarely wear the pants but if you are moving they will keep you much cooler than bare skin.
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colintrax
Posts
4695
Joined
8/25/2015
Location
Taylorsville, GA US
9/22/2022 12:26pm
I've tried the jeans and t shirt but IMO that's hotter than good vented gear. The leather knees keep the exhaust heat off me. The long sleeves and collar keep the sun off me.
My worst bit of gear for the heat is the helmet, it doesn't flow enough air at all. But I can Crack the visor open.
Boots also suck but that's cause I'm cheap and wear my steel toed work boots.
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skeef
Posts
1436
Joined
7/18/2018
Location
AZ US
Fantasy
9/22/2022 2:33pm
Depends on what I'm riding. For my RSV4 it was full leathers with riding boots. My dyna I went work boots, good jeans or dickies, and t shirt or flannel.

Always a helmet. It drives me crazy seeing people ride with no helmet here.
9/22/2022 8:49pm
Leather walking/dress shoes, jeans, IXS vented jacket with armor in the summer, thick leather jacket in the cooler months. Icon full gauntlet gloves, Arai Signet-X helmet. I generally use my Ninja for the 4 mile commute to work, and not pleasure rides on the weekend.
For some reason the Ninja really doesn't shift well when I'm wearing my Red Wing boots. Oddest thing, really.
SEEMEFIRST
Posts
13516
Joined
8/21/2006
Location
Arlington, TX US
9/22/2022 8:56pm
Leather walking/dress shoes, jeans, IXS vented jacket with armor in the summer, thick leather jacket in the cooler months. Icon full gauntlet gloves, Arai Signet-X helmet...
Leather walking/dress shoes, jeans, IXS vented jacket with armor in the summer, thick leather jacket in the cooler months. Icon full gauntlet gloves, Arai Signet-X helmet. I generally use my Ninja for the 4 mile commute to work, and not pleasure rides on the weekend.
For some reason the Ninja really doesn't shift well when I'm wearing my Red Wing boots. Oddest thing, really.
That is weird.
A taller toe box seems like it would shift easier.
Maybe it's too much pressure?
I don't know, that's strange.
9/22/2022 9:27pm
Titan1 wrote:
When I rode, it was full leathers for me…Triumph Speed Triple…
I miss my speed triple so much.

On topic, I would ride with a leather jacket, gloves, 6+ inch boots and a helmet. I stuck with jeans but I had a few pairs of 18 ounce Japanese denim jeans that I would wear, so it was pretty much like wearing canvas pants. I was commuting and had to compromise because full gear just wasn’t practical.

I sold my super duke to pay for school but I have a Honda monkey that I’ll take on the 1.5 mile commute to campus some days. On that I just wear a dirt helmet and normal clothes. ATGATT works for the weekend warrior and more established commuter, but it’s just not feasible for a lot of us.
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9/22/2022 10:12pm Edited Date/Time 9/22/2022 10:12pm
Minimum for me is boots. Kevler jeans , textile a starship jacket gloves and a full face helmet ,
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9/23/2022 8:19am
Kevlar jeans, SIDI boots, textile jacket for the summer, and leather for the tolerable temps. Textile isn't great, but way better than a t-shirt and skin.
9/27/2022 5:57pm Edited Date/Time 9/27/2022 5:58pm
I have ridden a few streeters, 82 GS 1100, 77 GS 750, Z1-900 and my main gear was a pair of boots, jeans, leather jacket gloves and the most important thing you can do for your carcass on that bike is put a brain bucket on your head, it's not if you crash, it's when you crash.Wink
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9/28/2022 8:28pm Edited Date/Time 10/2/2022 3:32am
Long pants, textile jacket, hard knuckle gloves, and full face. Lace up ankle high work shoes. I’ve often though a bought a set of street rider shorty boots, but won't wear them until mfgs stop putting shifter pads on the right side boot.
Titan1
Posts
9406
Joined
2/3/2010
Location
Lehi, UT US
9/28/2022 8:49pm
Titan1 wrote:
When I rode, it was full leathers for me…Triumph Speed Triple…
I miss my speed triple so much. On topic, I would ride with a leather jacket, gloves, 6+ inch boots and a helmet. I stuck with...
I miss my speed triple so much.

On topic, I would ride with a leather jacket, gloves, 6+ inch boots and a helmet. I stuck with jeans but I had a few pairs of 18 ounce Japanese denim jeans that I would wear, so it was pretty much like wearing canvas pants. I was commuting and had to compromise because full gear just wasn’t practical.

I sold my super duke to pay for school but I have a Honda monkey that I’ll take on the 1.5 mile commute to campus some days. On that I just wear a dirt helmet and normal clothes. ATGATT works for the weekend warrior and more established commuter, but it’s just not feasible for a lot of us.
I miss mine too…I loved that thing.

And I’m a weekend warrior. I didn’t commute on it, and very very seldom ever ran errands on it.
Falcon
Posts
12204
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
9/29/2022 9:03am
I have an old, cheap pair of Alpinestars boots, an AGV helmet, some gauntlet-style gloves and a textile jacket with the internal plastic padding. I never ride without all of it.
G-man
Posts
8921
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Mesa, AZ US
9/29/2022 10:35am
"on the style side, I'm mainly on vintage bikes now ( '67 Honda S90, '68 Triumph 650, '74 RD350) but I do wear a modern full-face helmet."

What I ride in would not suit you as far as style for that era of machine.

I wear textile pants with knee and hip pads and have a few jackets.
One vented if it's 90+ and two leather Daniese jackets 1 for Warm weather and one for cold weather also also wear boots all the time I have vented and non vented boots.

Gloves, multiple types (I like the Shortys from Cycle Gear) depending on weather.
But usually here in AZ it gets so freaking hot I don't ride from the late part of May till September.
Darrin Willis
Posts
1105
Joined
11/16/2020
Location
Red Deer County, AB CA
9/30/2022 6:01am
When its hot i wear klim riding pants with just a pair of shorts underneath. Unzip all the vents. Cooler then jeans. I will on occasion wear just a t-shirt. But feel better with a light long sleeve.
Nighttrain
Posts
2768
Joined
12/5/2011
Location
Charleston, SC US
9/30/2022 8:32am
I was geared up to ride a ‘76 Honda CB550 a few miles inland yesterday to park it in a friend’s garage before Ian arrived. I spend much more time on a bicycle so 30-40 mph wind gusts felt more sketchy than it really was for the old street bike. Many times in nice weather I’m not wearing any riding gear if on the low speed roads around the beach, though.
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dbx33
Posts
247
Joined
8/13/2020
Location
FL US
10/1/2022 6:32am
textile jacket, gloves and brain bucket every time. only wear my one piece at the track. its not going to save you going 130 into a guard rail or hitting a tree on a back road. if your worried about rash it can heal, getting ripped in half or doing 300g's into a solid object it will only make the cleanup easier.... coming from a guy who's crashed hard and fast. comfort and safety have a balance range
charlie68
Posts
161
Joined
6/28/2019
Location
North Windham, CT US
10/2/2022 1:43pm
dbx33 wrote:
textile jacket, gloves and brain bucket every time. only wear my one piece at the track. its not going to save you going 130 into a...
textile jacket, gloves and brain bucket every time. only wear my one piece at the track. its not going to save you going 130 into a guard rail or hitting a tree on a back road. if your worried about rash it can heal, getting ripped in half or doing 300g's into a solid object it will only make the cleanup easier.... coming from a guy who's crashed hard and fast. comfort and safety have a balance range
i agree, to a point, dress for the crash ( IE track ) not for the ride.....
3 street crashes, none my fault, dressed for the crash, and all have worked out ok.
350,000 mile or more on the street........
Magoofan
Posts
10401
Joined
5/4/2021
Location
Shadow Glen (for those who remember), CA US
10/2/2022 1:49pm
Dress for the slide....

You never know when you're going to go down.

Road rash isn't pretty and it can be deadly.

FF helmet, Good boots, gloves, jacket and some form of slider jeans/riding pants.



PNWMXer
Posts
1716
Joined
1/13/2022
Location
Washington, WA US
10/4/2022 5:27am
Full leathers for a spirited trip to the twisties. Leather Astars jacket, gauntlet gloves, boots, my full face (Arai) helmet, and jeans for local putting around. I’ve been meaning to get a set of the riding jeans with the Kevlar, etc.

Riding without a helmet is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen/heard of, but to each their own.
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McG194
Posts
4111
Joined
9/7/2017
Location
Palm Coast, FL US
10/4/2022 7:06am
PNWMXer wrote:
Full leathers for a spirited trip to the twisties. Leather Astars jacket, gauntlet gloves, boots, my full face (Arai) helmet, and jeans for local putting around...
Full leathers for a spirited trip to the twisties. Leather Astars jacket, gauntlet gloves, boots, my full face (Arai) helmet, and jeans for local putting around. I’ve been meaning to get a set of the riding jeans with the Kevlar, etc.

Riding without a helmet is one of the dumbest things I’ve ever seen/heard of, but to each their own.
A lot of people say that riding a street bike is one of the dumbest things they've ever seen/heard of.

I'm very pro helmet because I've seen what they can do in the event of a crash. I've also personally tested motocross helmets, mtb helmets, hockey helmets and football helmets.

Even more than pro helmet I'm pro-acknowledging and accepting risk. I throw my leg over a street bike I understand I have a higher risk of dying than I would in the same journey in my truck. Once you acknowledge and accept that risk you are more likely to acknowledge and accept the risk of riding without a helmet. I ride with a helmet far more often than without but even if I'm on a trip wearing a full face helmet if I hit a national park that helmet is coming off and I'm going to bask in the glory of nature.
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