I ride in full gear all year round in Saudi Arabia so don't tell me you can't in the UK.
Yes, I am being self-righteous and I don't care if you find it tiresome, in the pleasantest way ofcourse.
I see riders over here in shorts "T" shirt and flip flops doing wheelies down the main road in heavy traffic.
I like Martyn's idea of sending a copy of that story to everyone he knows so that the uninitiated don't jump on a bike without the right gear on.
I wonder how many of the riders who don't wear any gear have actually fallen off a bike.
I have broken my wrist and both ankles and dislocated my thumb but I was riding in motocross on dirt and wearing all the gear, dirt is much softer than tarmac and you don't have as much to run into.
Being a cyclist myself I have also ridden at speed in lycra but it isn't practical to wear heavy protective clothing on a racing cycle and you are doing it for sport so you take a calculated risk.
Impact protection is a vital part of riding gear what ever you preference for leather or textile so don't skimp
Ian

I cant get that story at work but im sure its a grim reminder of not being prepared.

I try to ride and dress in a manner to suit the conditions. Yes I know you cant predict whats going to happen but the same can be said for walking down the street.

If youve ever ridden without a helmet you will now the great sense of freedom it brings, or you may feel completely at risk thats because we are all different.

A while ago in Spain before the enforced helmet laws I picked up a lovely senorita and I only had the one helmet so I let her wear it as she rode pillion I thought this only fair as she was putting her life in my hands. As I was sans helmet I rode accordingly, slowed down and took even greater care than usuall.

hi,

i always wear all the protective clothing including the reflective vest.

my question, i have a Frank Thomas summer jacket which i got from bmf p'boro. it is like a thick mosquitonet with some fabric on the elbows, ankels, sholders and has got all armors.

it really keeps you cool.. however, if you fall down will tear easly and cause may be skin-burn.

but if is really hot (>30 degree celcius) it is a good alternative for the thick black jacket.

__________________
ozhan u.
website under construction

Sorry, but I don't think this posting has any merit on this website. First, its like preaching to the choir. This story - and your post - has more relevance on general interest motorbike sites. And actually, it won't help those that never go to motorcycle sites in the first place - its about a young lady gets on the back of a crotch-rocket with some dude too stupid to think about what they are doing.

But the main reason - we're about traveling outside our countries. Who would even think of leaving the driveway headed for weeks or months without putting on suitable gear that would keep us warm, dry, AND protected?

Geez, so we all posting replies here are using 'all the gear, all the time'. So, the only ones ain't replying here are the ones ain't wearing their gear? or ain't stating the obvious.

BTW - I rode without my gear just yesterday - the gear was at the laundry getting the rare washing - 2 months of riding around Patagonia, Ruta 40, Carretera Austral, etc., and the suit was in need of some cleaning. Living on the road, living off the bike, can't necessarily leave the bike parked just because the costume is at the cleaners.

I did wear the helmet though

__________________
quastdog
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Really, what is your problem?

I would have thought that this post concerns ALL of us!

__________________
Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Hindu 1936,
I had a Burgman 650 before I got my V-Strom, great scooter and very quick, I planned to ride it home to the UK from Saudi then the local dealer got some V-Stroms.
I think you need to push the safety message whenever and wherever you can because some experienced riders also take chances and you can't calculate for a car knocking you off your bike.
This story might just prompt an experienced rider to give a new rider some needed advice.
Cheers
Ian

My problem?

I somewhat resent the implication that we're all stupid and need such reminders. This post title was "PLEASE wear the right gear, everyone should read this." Sorry, but most of us don't need to waste our time reading this tabloid fodder to know that we should be wearing our gear.

I think we forget what the purpose of the HU website is, and post too much non-relevant stuff here.

If the author had posted this same message to a dozen or more general purpose motorcycle sites in order to conduct his missionary work, then finally got around to posting it here, well, I might give him some slack. (well, not really - hate it when them evangelicals/mormons/Jehovah's witless are ringing my doorbell, but that's another story).

We're the wrong target audience - just look at the replies ("I always wear mine....even in the desert...blah, blah, blah). And yes, show me some pictures of the real riders on this site wearing t-shirts and shorts in the middle of some nasty piece of country.

Hell, I've got to wear all my gear - can't fit it on the bike any place unless I'm wearing it.

Instead of a piece about some girl getting blown off the back of some crotch-rocket going too fast, a more relevant posting would be about some overland traveler loosing skin in a fall in Morroco. Ain't seen none like that - probably for a good reason!

__________________
quastdog
Chiang Mai, Thailand

Quastdog,

If you feel that you're personally above spreading the safety message to inexperienced riders (those with less than 7 years riding experience) who also use this excellent forum then why don't you simply ignore this thread and go elsewhere. This thread was never aimed at "hard bitten" veteran rough road dogs like you with 7 years motorcycling experience anyway...

But what do I know, Iv'e only been riding for 30 years and I'm STILL learning ...

__________________
Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

[quote=quastdog;171308]My problem?

"I somewhat resent the implication that we're all stupid and need such reminders. This post title was "PLEASE wear the right gear, everyone should read this." Sorry, but most of us don't need to waste our time reading this tabloid fodder to know that we should be wearing our gear."

Mate, there was no "implication" nor demand to suck eggs over this post. As you say the vast majority of the people involved on the Hubb are a bit more "clued" than the average rider,
HOWEVER, not everyone here is experienced by decades of 2-wheelin'. To read a few posts around here it wouldn't be that hard to find someone who for whatver reason discovered the joys of a bike a bit later in life ( there's plenty of young'uns around too!) So it's quite topical to mention it here (IMO).
And no matter how long you've been riding, it's good sometimes to be reminded of the risk , and not become blasé or nonchalant with such things. Even if it makes you think twice just before you swing a leg over with just a helmet to "just shoot down to the shops". Or simply give a few of the guys and girls something to show some non-Hubber's/family/friends of the risks they are taking by not wearing PPE

So Chuck please don't take it as a demand nor an insult to your experience or freedom. Meerly a topical reminder

a wee point; at 843 views and some 3 pages in only a week......that would suggest it is in fact one of the most popular theads on here and a lot of the posts have been in praise of this........

And at any rate it's good to throw a bit of discussion out there. A few guys have made comments about hot weather etc and fair enough. As long as it's a calculated/educated risk (in town / slow traffic rather than the Autobarn going 90mph maybe!) Everyone has a choice what they wear but it's not a problem to be reminded of the risks once and a while.

__________________
'99 R1100GS - In a suitable shade of black

It's not that life is so short, It's just that we're dead for so long....
"The world is a book, those who do not travel read only one page." ~ Saint Augustin