Just street siding, not the track: Knee Sliders or NO Sliders?

[JohnnyDucati]

Alright guys and gals, here is a loaded question for you.

Hot or cold, I wear leather Daines track trousers (the kind that zip into the jacket).  They have the velcro pads that take the pucks.  I have been riding without the pucks, but lately I have been thinking of putting them back on.  There are situations that come up during rides where I think I could use them.

What do you think?  Asinine?  Shucks, go ahead?  Dangerous?  Am I going to fast if I use pucks?  No place for them on the street?

So, feel free to voice your opinion and provide feedback/opinions/jabs/humor/insults.  I'm looking forward to the discussion this will bring.

Respectfully,

John

[mstevens]

Personally, I don't have the skill level to need them or even to use them.

After reading about the Quebec sportbike ban, I do wonder if wearing pucks on the street is just asking to be identified as a public menace.

[ducpainter]

I never wear mine on the street.

[SaltLick]

if the pants come with pucks, mine as well leave them on. unless theres an actual reason to take them off like they interfere with something.

Its the one day that you will be leaning far over cause you took a corner too hot and your about to scrape your leg off youll wish youd left them on.  I dont know ive seen people actually use them on the street, i guess if your good at it why not

If your taking off your pucks just so that people wont think your a poser, doesnt that make you a poser cause you worry too much about what people think?  (this aint directed at johnny, but i guess at anyone including myself)  just an observation.  more beer i say more beer.

i just bought a pair today with pucks, my skills aint even close to be able to drag my knees on the ground.......yet, but i plan on it someday so im leaving them on.
The more i ride bikes the more i could give a flying F^*K what another rider thinks of my gear or my bike. Everyone thinks thier gear and bike is the best, if not they wouldnt be riding it or wearing it. harley riders think they are it, Gixers think they are it, and of course us ducati riders think we got it going on. If your wearing leather pants without pucks, youll get the evil eye from the puck wearing crowd, if you wear pants without pucks, well what a pussy you are. 

[EvilSteve]

I have a 2 piece Dainese suit that I used to leave the pucks off. I put them on because they were too new... I'll probably take them off again.

I have a one piece Vanson that I wear in summer (it's perforated). I always leave the pucks on.

I have a two piece Revit mesh/winter suit (just bought it) no pucks, no need.

If you think you're going to get your knee down, emergency or fun, put them on. If there's no chance of that then just leave them off. Having said that, I lowsided my previous bike and took some of the wear on my left puck so it served a purpose.

[ROBsS4R]

IMO if your riding hard enough on the street that you are using the pucks then you should take it to the track 

[johnster]

Personally, I don't feel like getting my knee down is a "requirement" when cornering hard....Sure it's fun, and can prove useful to sort of gauge how far over you are, but not necessary for most street riding...

It looks cool and feels good, but I can usually hang off + corner just as well while keeping my inside leg closer to the tank.....It can be tough, though, because once you've done it, your instict is to do it all the time!! 

[scott_araujo]

Wear them if you want, they may save some wear on your gear in a crash.  If you feel you need them for riding on the street you're most certainly exceeding anything that could be called safe.  See "The Pace" above.  Besides, it's already hard enough to talk your way out of a ticket riding a Ducati in a full track suit

Scott

[Grio]

IMO if your riding hard enough on the street that you are using the pucks then you should take it to the track 

+1
Wear the pucks if you want, but if you're dragging knee on the street, you may not be leaving enough leeway to deal with streetside variables.  Just attracts too much "ticket me now!" type of attention for my taste.

[ScottRNelson]

When I bought my Alpinestars leathers I specifically looked for some with no sliders.  I know that I will never be touching a knee down unless I'm crashing, and there is knee armor inside to protect me from that case.

[somegirl]

I have pucks on my leathers because the only pair of pants that would fit me had them.  I've never come close to touching a knee down, and am not trying to do so.  However, they worked great once when I dropped my bike in a parking lot.

[EvilSteve]

I would hazard a guess that if you asked the average person in the street to point out differences between someone on a bike with full leather and someone on a bike with full leather and pucks you'd get very few people that'd have any different reaction. Not wearing pucks because of the supposed image that it creates is as much of a fallacy as loud pipes saving lives IMO. If you're in full leather, you already look like you're a racer to most people. The little pieces of plastic (or Ti if you're lucky!) on your knees aren't going to markedly effect the image you're projecting to the general public.

[SaltLick]

if you dont own anything other than a sport bike (any type of cruiser) you probably dont know what they are either.  And cops dont know what they are.

[ScottRNelson]

I would hazard a guess that if you asked the average person in the street to point out differences between someone on a bike with full leather and someone on a bike with full leather and pucks you'd get very few people that'd have any different reaction. Not wearing pucks because of the supposed image that it creates is as much of a fallacy as loud pipes saving lives IMO. If you're in full leather, you already look like you're a racer to most people. The little pieces of plastic (or Ti if you're lucky!) on your knees aren't going to markedly effect the image you're projecting to the general public.

I have to strongly disagree with you.

I don't believe that I come across as a racer to most people when I'm fully geared up for a ride:

[triangleforge]

And i'd have to respectfully disagree with you, Scott.

I was switching the pucks between a one piece & a pair of leather pants, and decided to leave them off the pants for street riding in just the tiniest tinge of vanity -- since I know a tiny fraction of motorcycle riders will look at them all shiny and new and think "poseur." Don't think it makes a bit of difference to the average observer, including law enforcement folks. Unless, of course, they happen to be into riding themselves.

I bet the average person takes a look at you stretched over the tank of a hot yellow, fully-faired bike that looks fast standing still, a full black leather suit with obscure logos on it & purpose built boots and thinks "motorcycle racer." No pucks? Hardcase bags on the bike? I'd wager only fellow aficionados spot those details. Just like the same person sees a Harley rider with a leather vest & pony tail and thinks "outlaw," not "graying tax attorney."

Personally, i think HOW you ride is more important to the cops out there than what you ride or what you wear.