Protective Gear Poll

JohnnyCrash

Dont know if this has been done here before.If it has'nt,thought it would be a good idea to see what protection people on here afford themselves.

CJhaughey

I use ATGATT.
All The Gear All The Time.
Seen too much skin and bone lost on others to want to see it on me.

seanybiker

Helmet,jacket,gloves and boots

Helmet jacket pants and boots.

cantdecide

Helmet,jacket,gloves and boots

I would have been a helmet, jacket, gloves guy all along. Having had a very serious crash very recently, I'm switching over to ATGATT. I still have my owwies.

Cuddlesworth

Know two people who will always regret not wearing full gear, not going to make that mistake myself.

Bones and muscle can heal, skin doesn't grow back.

LookBehindYou

Full gear plus Back protector.

defiant12

Should you not include something relating to the frequency with which gear is worn?
I'm an ATGATT man for long spins but not always on my short commute...

JohnnyCrash

defiant12 wrote: »

Should you not include something relating to the frequency with which gear is worn?
I'm an ATGATT man for long spins but not always on my short commute...

I think you've just answered your own question there.ATGATT means ALL THE GEAR ALL THE TIME!!!
The whole point to this poll was to maybe get people to review how they protect(or dont) themselves.Personally, i have a reasonably short journey to work,short as in it probably takes me as long to get suited and booted as it does to complete the journey,but none the less,I dont compromise my safety by omitting some of my gear. You could just as easily have an accident going down the road to the local shop as on a long journey.

JohnnyCrash

cantdecide wrote: »

I would have been a helmet, jacket, gloves guy all along. Having had a very serious crash very recently, I'm switching over to ATGATT. I still have my owwies.

Begs the question,Would you have had as many "owwies" if you had to be fully kitted out? Sorry to hear about your accident btw,hope all is going well.:)

JohnnyCrash

seanybiker wrote: »

Helmet jacket pants and boots.

No gloves??? Jesus,you must have hands of steel:D:D:D Only joking,but how come all the gear except gloves?

cantdecide

Helmet,jacket,gloves and boots

Every inch of the gear I had on, I put to good use. If I wasn't wearing the gear I would have been pushing up daisies without a doubt.

If I'd had proper pants, I wouldn't have a scab the size of a saucer on my knee. If I'd worn my boots, I wouldn't have another bad scab on either ankle :rolleyes:

Keith186

Helmet,jacket,pants and gloves

Wear helmet gloves jacket and boots all the time.

Pants vary between Lidl's finest and supposedly waterproof pants with no protection.

I can't take the lidl pants off over the boots so don't like wearing them too often. If the weather is bad I'd always wear full gear.

My boots are just waterproof hiking boots and wouldn't give full protection like dedicated biking boots.

KamiKazi

Shark lid, two piece leathers, MotoX boots and gloves.

Will probably sub out the leather pants for armoured spins for shorter spins during the summer.

cantdecide

Helmet,jacket,gloves and boots

KamiKazi wrote: »

...Shark lid...

And where was my Shark lid? At home on the shelf with ANOTHER broken visor. I was wearing a sub €100 Nitro helmet when I crashed.

MrPudding

I tend to wear textile armoured trousers most of the time and kevlar jeans in hotter weather. On top I wear an airflow jacket and put a fleece over it if it is cold or a goretex jacket if it is wet. Proper gloves and boots all the time.

MrP

scorn

JohnnyCrash wrote: »

No gloves??? Jesus,you must have hands of steel:D:D:D Only joking,but how come all the gear except gloves?

Yeah - doesn't make sense as if you were to drop, I'd say the hands would be one of the first things to hit the tarmac... natural reaction.

Tigger

poll lacks options
mostly
i wear knox back + kidney protector
ce elbow armour
ce shoulder armour
ce knee armour
sidi road boots and gloves
decent gloves

although i wear boartd shorts a hoodie runners and a lid if i'm just going to the shops in the summer

CJhaughey

I had this discussion with a new biker just last week.
He rode in with full gear, Helmet,jacket, pants, boots and gloves, needed to take a short spin up the road and started to walk out the door wearing a t-shirt jeans and crocs with his helmet on!
I told him that ATGATT means just that and at the very least he should wear boots and a jacket. He did put a jacket on in fairness and some boots, took him around 30 seconds extra.
I am not sure why people have these brain farts and decide to ride in flipflops or a t-shirt.
Maybe they haven't seen what happens when skin meets tarmac at speed or your leg gets stuck under a bikes exhaust.
You don't have to be speeding for bad things to happen, I like my Sidi Flexforce boots for this reason, hard to find more protective boots IMO.

Wossack

all, plus back protector

dont feel right without it

JohnnyCrash

Tigger wrote: »

poll lacks options
mostly
i wear knox back + kidney protector
ce elbow armour
ce shoulder armour
ce knee armour
sidi road boots and gloves
decent gloves

although i wear boartd shorts a hoodie runners and a lid if i'm just going to the shops in the summer

Poll lacks options??? Do tell !! I thought it was straightforward,no?
PS My jacket has back,elbow and shoulder armour,my pants has knee and hip armour.I took these as givens when I put up this PROTECTIVE GEAR Poll:D
PPS I see you didnt vote

KTRIC

Just invested in a full Goretex leather suit, other than that its boots, gloves and helmet all the time.

cantdecide

Helmet,jacket,gloves and boots

Years ago, I saw an oulfella on a Honda 50 with a long black coat and a construction hard hat. I often chuckled about him whenever the issue of bike gear cropped up.

By sheer co-inckydink, I just saw him again in Bishopstown an hour ago with the same coat and lid !!

AgileMyth

Helmet,jacket and boots

Usually just gloves, helmet and jacket. I know I should be wearing bike trousers and boots but its annoying wearing/lugging them around college for eight hours a day.
Wish they'd put some decent sized lockers in the place.

JohnnyCrash

AgileMyth wrote: »

Usually just gloves, helmet and jacket. I know I should be wearing bike trousers and boots but its annoying wearing/lugging them around college for eight hours a day.
Wish they'd put some decent sized lockers in the place.

Wouldnt it be better being annoyed than facing into skin grafts:(

AgileMyth

Helmet,jacket and boots

Knew that'd be the first reply. No, obviously not, I consider it a calculated risk!

Edit: That was meant as a joke btw:D

Cuddlesworth

JohnnyCrash wrote: »

Wouldnt it be better being annoyed than facing into skin grafts:(

I always felt that people who don't wear full gear don't realise the ease in which you can lose enough skin to get a graft and the sheer horror of grafted skin. Doesn't matter if its a 1400cc sports bike or a 50cc moped.

To put things in perspective, my friend was hit at around 30kph. Hit on the left hand side, shattered his left hip and leg and then sent him flying. He landed again on the left side and slid about thirty feet. Lost muscle in his calf and foot to the skid, lost most of the skin along his shin and ankle. He has to moisturise the skin grafted on daily to stop it tightening. He checks it constantly as he has to make sure it doesn't break open. With no nerve endings he can't tell if it does break and it can happen so easily because the grafted skin isn't the correct toughness for use in that area.

He will never run again and has trouble walking. This is due to the muscle loss of the skid and the grafts. Not the breaking of the bones. Has had five visits to the hospital in as many years because of complications or infections. The insurance payout doesn't justify the complete loss of quality of life.

I would never bother even "popping" out to the shops without full gear as the effort involved in putting it on is minimal.

Sids Not

When i started riding ..:rolleyes:..a lot of guys (self included) just wore a helmet, gloves and a wax cotton (Barber or Belstaff) jacket , sometimes boots, unless you were going to Mc Gonagals for a bop when you'd wear your Doc's.....:)..a leather jacket was a luxury until affordable ones came along..usually Toner...
Back then it was all about protecting yourself from the elements..
When did it all change.........maybe we were REAL bikers back then.............:D

seanybiker

Helmet,jacket,gloves and boots

JohnnyCrash wrote: »

No gloves??? Jesus,you must have hands of steel:D:D:D Only joking,but how come all the gear except gloves?

Just don't like them at all. Can be cold in the winter alright but I don't mind that.

Cuddlesworth

seanybiker wrote: »

Just don't like them at all. Can be cold in the winter alright but I don't mind that.

You must have some set of balls on you. I can't even pick up ice without crying.

HellsAngel

Helmet,jacket,pants,gloves and boots

Interesting. I'm the only so far who voted lid, jacket, gloves, pants but no boots.

BTW, jacket and pants are leather, no Gore Tex. Why ? Firstly I think it looks cooler And it's been proven leather is safer. As for boots, just wear a cheap steel toe capped boot, the kind buliders use, does the business for me anyway.

One important thing about the pants that I have found time and time again, is that they have good knee protectors. Would have wrecked my knees more than a few times without them.

JohnnyCrash

seanybiker wrote: »

Just don't like them at all. Can be cold in the winter alright but I don't mind that.

Wont argue with that,but as another poster put it,if you go to the bother of protecting everything else,why not the two things that you are most likely to instinctively put out to break your fall if you should have one.Just strange is all.I'd rather to not like the feel of gloves on my hands than to not having skin on my hands to feel them:eek:

HellsAngel

Helmet,jacket,pants,gloves and boots

On the very few days we get warm enough in Ireland, I like riding the bike out to say, Howth or Dun Laoighre just with a lid and t shirt and jeans !!!! I love to throw an eye at the poor ba$tard's stuck in their cages saying to themselves - I wish I was that guy.

Ok I know if I came off I would be getting skin grafts on my arms for months, but I cann't resist !!! Besides, most of the way I'm still in Dublin and so going 30mph. :cool:

I remember once riding through the Wicklow gap and seeing a guy coming the other way on a Cruiser bare chested just with a pair of shorts and WW2 German army type lid on him !!!!

JohnnyCrash

[Ok I know if I came off I would be getting skin grafts on my arms for months, but I cann't resist !!! Besides, most of the way I'm still in Dublin and so going 30mph. :cool:]
74% of motorcycle accidents occur in built up areas-RSA

Flyin Irishman

Helmet,jacket and boots

I always wear a helmet, jacket, and gloves. Sometimes I wear the boots too, and I tend to only wear the pants for long spins.

I know I should wear ATGATT, and I commend anyone who does, but I just cant in to the habit of gearing up fully, and being stuck in the gear all day, for a short trip. Plus my boots started to squeak and its really annoying! Any tips for that??


EDIT: Good idea for a thread btw

Dorsanty

Once the boots begin to squeak I tend to use Silicone, or Teflon, or WD40 in order of preference.

Depends where the squeak is of course but in all my past boots it's been at the ankle support torsion system.

seanybiker

Helmet,jacket,gloves and boots

JohnnyCrash wrote: »

Wont argue with that,but as another poster put it,if you go to the bother of protecting everything else,why not the two things that you are most likely to instinctively put out to break your fall if you should have one.Just strange is all.I'd rather to not like the feel of gloves on my hands than to not having skin on my hands to feel them:eek:

Don't even know what part of me slapped off the ground when I did crash. I just kept on losing gloves so in the end didn't bother. I know its gonna hurt like a muthal ****a getting a sleeve off but sure tis only meself that will feel it.

Cuddlesworth

HellsAngel wrote: »

Interesting. I'm the only so far who voted lid, jacket, gloves, pants but no boots.

The boots protect the ankles and the tendons at the back of the leg. If they go you will never walk again.

Reg'stoy

Commute across the M50 on a Yamaha Majesty and I would never consider getting on it without been covered head to toe. Bloke in work laughed at me the first time he saw me in the gear "it's only a fu**ing scooter" he said "the road is still as hard" was my reply.

Took lessons when I first got the scooter and the guy wouldn't even entertain me untill I had gotten full gear.

As some one said earlier on, 1000cc or 50cc the ground isn't choosey. I still can't fathom how someone would knowingly put on an open face helmet.

Pigeon Reaper

Reg'stoy wrote: »

I still can't fathom how someone would knowingly put on an open face helmet.

Maybe they're ugly and anything would be an improvement.

I've seen a few spills with people using gear and without. If people want/don't want to use gear thats fine by me, I'll treat them the same either way. Anyhow if we were sensible we probably wouldn't be on a bike in the first place.

CJhaughey

Cuddlesworth wrote: »

The boots protect the ankles and the tendons at the back of the leg. If they go you will never walk again.

or perhaps more importantly shift and brake.;)
Steel toecaps aren't really much better than a pair of leather hiking boots.
Proper boots have armour and padding, you don't have to look like a racetrack refugee but I would rather have a little armour than none.

JohnnyCrash

Taking a slide down the tarmac at 50 km/hr has been likened to jumping off a 2 storey building onto a cheese grater.

seanybiker

Helmet,jacket,gloves and boots

JohnnyCrash wrote: »

Taking a slide down the tarmac at 50 km/hr has been likened to jumping off a 2 storey building onto a cheese grater.

Sounds about right. I was lucky I had me boots on. Some gash in the toe guard. :0

unclebill98

I've and two falls in my time. I got told by my bro get the right gear after my first lesson with him. He took me on the road and I stupidly went out with no proper gear on. It rained and I got soaked. After that it was head to foot without the proper gear. It cost more than the bike!

First fall the trousers saved my leg, had to get the trouser cut off. I argued not to but one attempt later it was time to cut them off.

Second fall resulted in nothing more than ripped tendons and a cracked thumb bone. The proper gloves save my hand.

Cold or hot weather you gotta have the gear to make yourself feel comfy without sacrificing safety. I'd hate to be sitting here thinking "what if" I had of had the right gear on, would I have suffered less.

goldie fish

Have lost too much skin to gravel rash, and hopped helmetted head off the ground too often to take the chance.

Does a small bottle of holy water under the seat count as protective clothing?

seanybiker

Helmet,jacket,gloves and boots

goldie fish wrote: »

Have lost too much skin to gravel rash, and hopped helmetted head off the ground too often to take the chance.

Does a small bottle of holy water under the seat count as protective clothing?

Have the holy water meself. Mother is some woman for it even though I'm not religious.

Pique

Steel toecapped boots are more likely to amputate your toes for you than protect ya, I reckon.

Jacket, Gloves, Lid, Trousers and Boots.
Lid and Jacket are top quality.
Rest is Aldi/Lidl but better than nowt. Will upgrade as funds allow.

Alkers

Helmet,jacket,pants,gloves and boots

Tigger - what seperate armour do you wear under the gear? I wear a dainese lid, armoured dainese leather jacket, and gloves all the time. Most of the time I go to college I wear my boots and armoured draggin jeans unless a very long day I switch out for runners. If it's raining I'll wear cheap nitro waterproof armoured trousers and normal jeans underneath. If going for decent spin I have leather trousers and a knox back, chest and kidney protector. Could probably do with better gloves soon anyway, mine getting less warm and we're only about fifty euro. Any recommendations?

Tigger

Simona1986 wrote: »

Tigger - what seperate armour do you wear under the gear? I wear a dainese lid, armoured dainese leather jacket, and gloves all the time. Most of the time I go to college I wear my boots and armoured draggin jeans unless a very long day I switch out for runners. If it's raining I'll wear cheap nitro waterproof armoured trousers and normal jeans underneath. If going for decent spin I have leather trousers and a knox back, chest and kidney protector. Could probably do with better gloves soon anyway, mine getting less warm and we're only about fifty euro. Any recommendations?

i love this

http://www.championmotouk.com/product-info-mc.php?Knox-Aegis-Race-Back-Protector-With-Coccyx-pid1027.html

comfy totally flexaible and very strong

you have the back chest and kidney armour already so thats good

gloves are a matter of taste i like these for all year


http://www.getgeared.co.uk/HELD_2842_GORE-TEX_Shakal_Motorcycle_Glove?sc=16&category=141

and these for fast summer riding

http://www.getgeared.co.uk/ALPINESTARS_SP1_Sports_Motorcycle_Gloves_All_Black_2?sc=16&category=147



propper ce armour has hard shell soft shell

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/350/34741/ITEM/Teknic-Knox-Air-V2-Elbow-Knee-Armor.aspx

swap it for your foam in jacket /pants


boots are very important you need armoured boots
its abrasions to yer ankles and damage to yer feet that can be a real pain

i wear sidis

http://www.bikebandit.com/sidi-on-road-gore-tex-boots-2008?WT.mc_id=1484958&CAWELAID=338443049

above all don't crash

Alkers

Helmet,jacket,pants,gloves and boots

Thanks for that, that's the back protector I have but with the added chest protection, think it was a good bit cheaper than that from knox direct. Have decent boots but on the longer days for college they are a pain to walk around in and I've no where to store them so they get left at home sometimes. There's proper padding in my jacket and I put knox armour into my draggin jeans, must get some for the leather trousers and I'll be fairly well set.

galwaytt

Great idea for a thread btw.

...I'm just back from a spin around the Alps on the bike, and last Sunday it was......26 deg C. I nearly died from heatstroke, what with all the (Irish spec !) gear....

Mind you, in the eve, in the mountains, the temps plummeted by about 12 deg and I was glad then !

I did notice, though, that none of the locals were out without ALL of their gear, and the vast majority of it was all leather...........

...in particular I noticed a lot of people wearing kidney belts.

Mind you, doesn't stop this happening.........(on the way back to hotel, Sunday eve..........dunno how serious it was, but the ambulance's weren't speeding, and had no lights/sirens on.......... :eek: )







I'm putting up separate thread later on the spin and bike btw......

jayok

I'm pretty much an AGATT type. Full face helmet and full high-vis jacket to boot.

However, I don't have a back protector - hmmm.... must look into getting one.