Talkback: Discuss: is this acceptable riding gear?

Szmolo

12/09/2012 at 11:22

I would say yes, my riding gear is pretty much the same. I don't like wearing leathers and then having to carry spare clothes with me; and I like the idea that I can go meet friends for a pint (of coke) at the pub without squeaking and looking like I just stepped off a BSB starting grid.

My gear is:
AGV S4 lid
Dianese Vintage Pele Jacket
Alpinestars 365 Goretex Gloves
Draggin' Jeans - Next Gen
TCX RS-2 Boots (in white so at a quick glance they look like trainers)

The only thing I'd change about your gear is the jeans, I'd at least wear some form of kevlar. Is there a reason why you don't?

As for the whole 'risk compensation' idea, I used to believe in this, however I am now of the opinion that idiots will ride like idiots whatever they are wearing.

ford ford

12/09/2012 at 12:33

BMW city jeans retrofitted with soft CE armour do the job for me... or HG fully armoured overtrousers with jeans if it rains. MY HG boots are easy enough to wear under jeans but I change at work into toe-'tectors. HG Gortex armoured jacket. Decent gloves.

Of the kit described I'd change the jeans & shoes for my 20 mile rural ride to work. Across London with your average speed I'd probably not bother.

mickea

12/09/2012 at 12:41

I think it depends on if you are ready or prepared for the inappropriate driving, texting, tweeting, drugged(probsbly), uninsured twat that "didnt see you"
Yes, I wood, good luck!

Julesb

12/09/2012 at 13:03

Sorry to sound contentious.

But surely what the individual rider wears is the the rider's personal choice?

Who is anyone else to dictate you should wear this or that, as long as your helmet meets the relevant regulations.

Otherwise the next step is the removal of personal choice by the authorities and you have to wear EU armoured jackets, trousers, gloves, boots etc etc.

Just ride what you feel happy & comfortable in.

Hon Da

12/09/2012 at 13:16

If it is acceptable to YOU, then it is acceptable. Who cares what anyone else thinks? What you wear doesn't affect anyone else. If you crash, will you cause someone else any extra damage regardless of what you are wearing? I would never ride in outfits that I see squids wearing, in shorts and a t-shirt, but that is their business not mine. Just as if you want to drive a car without a seat belt, it doesn't adversely affect me.

JimGixer6

12/09/2012 at 15:19

Disagree to an extent. You own better more protective gear. If you have a crash your going to cost society money. More money if your not well protected and need the NHS's help (hospital bed, physio etc). Even more if you cark it and the police etc. are required to investiage your death.

You should always wear every bit of protection you own.

thoppa

12/09/2012 at 15:38

Depends on how fast you ride ?

Oleksiy Yakovenko

12/09/2012 at 15:58

i have spare jeans and shoes at work. no need to carry them in rucksack. wearing full leathers always when riding. changing takes 2 minutes.

David Charles

12/09/2012 at 16:50

On a short trip a helmet, gloves and boots should be the only protective gear you need. Or perhaps also an armoured jacket as well. Come to think of it, armoured leather jeans would be a good idea, and also a back protector, just to be on the safe side. In fact if you're that worried about it, best take the car. Sorted.

Paul Masters

12/09/2012 at 18:09

For cooler climate, it is fine wearing all those gear. But in tropical climes, even with all the perforations on you gear, you'll be sweating like a pig even in short distances. You can cool yourself when you have a chance to go fast but that immediately ends when you stop or slow down. Then there is that sticky feeling you always get..

Drapes

12/09/2012 at 22:49

For a commute across london then yes, bar maybe the shoes, doesn't take much to break an ankle which can leave permanent disability, god forbid it be the left ankle. Any motorway or fast road then anything short of leathers is a bad idea.

pyndman

12/09/2012 at 23:32

Its fine, just dont come off, simple.

Its not really that good, and I do it often.

But if I know I'll be putting it in, I gear up. When I think Im not going to put it in, I do anyway. Im a disaster waiting to happen :) but at least I know it.

Kerry Moralee

13/09/2012 at 08:51

My bike tops out at 53mph. Yes, it's a 125 with those red 'L' shaped things on. But wherever I go I suit up in full protective textile gear - RST jacket/trousers, TCX boots, armoured gloves, the lot.

I made a promise to myself that if I started learning to ride I would give myself the best chance I can. The gear I own might not be the best, but the best I can afford, and God forbid should I bin the bike I would hope the gear I have will mean I come off better than if I was wearing jeans.

That's my choice though, that may not be the right choice for everyone. I've been sat at a petrol pump when a 'big biker' pulls in with jeans and a t-shirt, and I'm sure they look and me and have a little chuckle.

Szmolo

13/09/2012 at 10:31

Thoppa - So if a rider gets T-boned riding at 30mph, they will come off worse for not wearing something like full race leathers?

Some interesting comments here. Personally, I feel that riding should be dictated by other factors other than what someone is wearing. If a rider is pushing their own ability on the road, choosing to wear better gear is the wrong way of hedging the risk before you end up in one.

I always wear kevlar jeans, but I own leathers for track days. The leathers have better protective qualities, but if I get into the kind of accident where the jeans wear through/fail to protect me, then I'm pretty sure having full leathers would make little to no difference.

Graeme Sutherland

13/09/2012 at 12:09

The trouble with Ben's gear is that he's got the protection in the wrong place. If you look at the statistics, the lower down your body, the more likely it is to get injured. The exception to this is the head, but that's what helmets are for.

I'd suggest adding a pair of decent trousers. Kevlar jeans would be one option, but if you want to get very spendy then the Kushitani EX413 jeans, which are leather that looks like denim, would be my choice.

http://www.kushitani.com/kushitani-web/productslexjeans.htm

I'd probably go for something a bit more durable on the boot front too.

thoppa

13/09/2012 at 12:35

Szmolo - t-boned by what ? a cyclist ? a steamroller ? It's all about risk assessment, as Ben said. But he hasn't given us enough info to make that assessment.

These are always futile discussions where the nanny bikers try to scold the lunatics, who couldn't care less what the nanny thinks.

I'm with David. If you really worry about it, then why ride ?

anonv7

13/09/2012 at 17:17

After a low speed accident that left me with "only " a badly sprained ankle now I always wear proper bike boots. Three months of not being able to walk properly and five years later I still get some pain from it. Just saying.

Throttled

13/09/2012 at 18:23

I add armoured jeans to a very similar combination. So I would say, yes you are adequately protected, but I am better protected because I use biker jeans.

Pagik

13/09/2012 at 21:49

Essentially, as people have said above, if you know you are going out to have it, then suit up. If not, gloves, decent leather / textile jacket, good shoes / boots, and a decent pair of gloves and of course lid.

Whatever you feel comfortable and safe in, imo, is fine. I do get VERY irate at people I see on bikes in shorts and t-shirts over the summer though. But, that's their problem frankly. They'll realise why they shouldn't do it the moment they contact with the tarmac...

evil ken evil

13/09/2012 at 23:07

this subject always narks me

I dont judge others gear as what they wear is their business

Its none of your business what i want to wear

Each to their own

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