Riding naked

[dropstharockalot]

During college (when I was 11ft tall and bulletproof), I'd ride my old Magna with only a helmet - regardless of where I was going.  I'd be on the highway going 85mph in cargo shorts, a t-shirt, Asics sneakers, no gloves, and an old Fulmer.  If it was cold, I'd wear pants and a jacket.  Never from a protection standpoint, just comfort.

During this timeframe, I never went down - sheer dumb luck.  I also experimented with riding helmetless exactly once... I located a half-mile stretch of country road with no intersections or driveways, put my helmet on my sissy bar, and rode down the road just to try it out.  I'll admit it was enticing - if you can get past the noise, you feel like you're flying.  You have all your peripheral vision, nothing weighs your neck down... it's pleasant. I really understand the appeal.

Then I turned around, headed back to my starting point on the same half-mile stretch, and took a Junebug off my forehead at 35mph.  AGATT since then. 

I've had a couple low-speed get-offs that could have resulted in some really unpleasant road rash, but gloves and jackets took the hits instead.  One particular low-side bounced my melon off the pavement pretty solidly, and my Scorpion EXO-400 ate it right up.  Having survived probably 8 BMX and skateboard related concussions as a kid, I'm certain the lid saved me from another one.  And all these happened on short hops around town or quick errands.

Gear up.

[greenohawk69]

Sometimes just gloves...especially during the summer. 

[Howley]

At 30mph, they won't look like hands anymore.

I beg to differ. 60km/h skateboard stack. Had to brake with my hand.

Still looks like a hand.

[jc.cyberdemon]

  ......  

[Punx Clever]

If you look real closely, that hand is screaming, "make the beast with two backs YOU, YOU MOTHER make the beast with two backsING ASSHOLE! GIVE ME SOME GLOVES!!!"
 

But, to the original question:
My old man always made me wear a helmet, pants, long sleeves, leather gloves and boots when I was riding dirtbikes.  Saved my hide and head too many times to count.

When I went out and bought a bike against his desires, he bought a helmet, gloves, a two piece suit, and a pair of boots for my birthday.  Those items have saved my hide and head twice.

I will always, at a minimum, wear a helmet, gloves, and a riding jacket.  I would be wearing boots all the time as well, but I left the make the beast with two backsers back home this christmas... need new ones anyways, I've walked the heels off of em.

[matt922]

I beg to differ. 60km/h skateboard stack. Had to brake with my hand.

Still looks like a hand.

you got lucky man, i took a fall running on some asphalt and my hand ended up about the same

[kopfjäger]

I beg to differ. 60km/h skateboard stack. Had to brake with my hand.

Still looks like a hand.

It looks like a hand, but I bet you didn't use it to jerk off for awhile. 

[Punx Clever]

Hopefully he's a lefty

[RVA Duc]

I love gear, in the summer i might not wear the pants as much but its so worth having it all on.

Wife taking a pic of me all geared up a few weeks ago

[jacksoff]

i do that alot. JUst remember not to go to fast.

[junior varsity]

i do that alot. JUst remember not to go to fast.

doesn't help if its another driver that causes your 'off'.

[akmnstr]

After moving to Texas I experience truly hot weather riding for the first time in years.  The heat last for about 6 months.  So I got mess gear.  Wearing it on the bike feels like riding in fishnet nightie.  Makes me feel too sexy. 


Sitting for a light with my mesh gear on is hot.  I sweat, but upon taking off that sweat quickly evaporates in the wind giving me a cool rush.  What a sexy feeling

I'm too sexy for the road. Too sexy for my bike.  Too sexy. 

Now, can you say that about riding in shorts and sneakers?


Boots are a problem.  Got a pair of breathable boots too but they still feel hot.  I'll live with it. 

[akmnstr]

Oh yeah, and if that's not sexy enough, try riding el-natural under your mesh gear.  I'm just too damn sexy.

[junior varsity]

Sitting for a light with my mesh gear on is hot.  I sweat, but upon taking off that sweat quickly evaporates in the wind giving me a cool rush. 

Agreed - very similar to west TN riding, but the humidity is higher, while the temperature is lower. One thing I learned on the way to learning other things was that riding with a mesh jacket is actually cooler than riding without a jacket on at all: Without the jacket, your skin sits in the sun roasting even more, while the mesh jacket acts like a bit of shade - and while your "shade" warms up as it soaks up the suns rays, it is quickly cooled back down with the rush of air flowing in once you begin moving.

[Monster Dave]

I love gear, in the summer i might not wear the pants as much but its so worth having it all on.

Wife taking a pic of me all geared up a few weeks ago

  Nice!