Riding naked

[BoDiddley]

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

Take your boots to a shoe repair shop and have them punch a row of holes on one or both sides.  I punched six 1/4 inch holes in both sides of mine and it made a "Big" difference on hot days.  It makes them real breathable boots.  Of course they remain hot dry weather boots. 

[Privateer]

The majority of motorcycle accidents are at intersections and one finds the majority of intersections in town.  Amusing how the rationale to ditch gear occurs in the highest accident risk environment.

That's a good point, but I wonder how many people push their riding more out in the country than they do around town?  Again, you're right, but pointing out the thought process.

[junior varsity]

while they might push it, its further away from other traffic, concrete obstacles in the run-off, potholes, cell phones, teenagers, unsupervised children and elderly, etc, and they are concentrating on riding rather than the things they are out on an errand for.

[BoDiddley]

while they might push it, its further away from other traffic, concrete obstacles in the run-off, potholes, cell phones, teenagers, unsupervised children and elderly, etc, and they are concentrating on riding rather than the things they are out on an errand for.

One could also make the point that in town you are driving at a much higher awarness to things going on around you.   As much as riding an obsticle course compared to a cruise in the country.  Whether you are on an errand or not.

[KRJ]

   All I can say, drop a bike on asphalt or gravel, at any decent velocity and spend the next month or two as "The Sausage Creature", and if You have a brain You will wear gear. Been there, done that. Even jeans and a heavy shirt will not save Your Flesh, And yes even a "short run to the store" counts, Ask some People Who have been there!!!!     Some Scars arn't braggin rights, it's stupid no matter the comfort level...

[BoDiddley]

   All I can say, drop a bike on asphalt or gravel, at any decent velocity and spend the next month or two as "The Sausage Creature", and if You have a brain You will wear gear. Been there, done that. Even jeans and a heavy shirt will not save Your Flesh, And yes even a "short run to the store" counts, Ask some People Who have been there!!!!     Some Scars arn't braggin rights, it's stupid no matter the comfort level...

All the points above are well recognized. The words stupid, ignorant, brainless and
especially "sausage creature" are all good ones to remember.  I would like to throw in a
thought about risk management and the feeling of being invulnerable.  Allowing your
subconscious to push it a little to much because you are in armor.  Tactical officers have to
fight it all the time while wearing armor and it is a subject that gets major attention in all parts of life. It is in life, business, god and country.  If the risk is lowered that corner speed is pressed a little to far or your attention to your riding environment goes south.  Take the risk out of business and that is the reason we are in a crap load of trouble.   Subconscious is the main buzz word.  Risk assessment percentages are hard to figure even with super computers and anytime you throw in the word subconscious everything goes out the window.  I do not think Edwards and Hayden would push it at all if they were ridding naked.  All though Rossi might!

So whether you are armored up or you just through on your jacket..........Ride Naked!

[GLantern]

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.

Good dad