| Author | Message | ||
     Tatsu |
For the 3rd group on track days.. you need either full leathers or leathers that can zip to a jacket. Now that's a pretty big expense. Do guys ride on the street with your leathers or are they only used on track day. I can see it now.. Who does this guy think he is..riding on street with full leathers. I don't know. I wear a back protector, leather jacket, race boots and jeans right now. I'm just thinking the leather pants may be a bit much on the street. Opinions welcomed. | ||
| Huskysm450r |
I wear full leathers/back protector whenever I ride and I don't give a sh@t what other's might think. Actually its pretty common to see riders in full gear here in the SF Bay Area where I live. Its my skin and I would feel pretty dumb if I went out without my gear and got hurt. | ||
| Ronlv |
you mean i shouldnt have been doing 120 in my shorts, t-shirt and no helmet no wonder my eyes were watering so bad i was just blow drying her after her bath normaly i wear leather jacket, jeans and helmet i have been down on the track and the leathers saved my hide, only a few burns, but my gloves tore open resulting in a ground down finger | ||
| Ingemar |
Full leathers except in the rain. I got a winter suit with protection etc. You should see some guys that went down on the street with regular jeans. I think you will want to wear full leathers. | ||
| Glitch |
This was before I had a good camera. The pants were black and in worse condition, but the camera couldn't show the damage. Full leathers on the street ain't a bad idea at all.   | ||
| Jlnance |
Actually its pretty common to see riders in full gear here in the SF Bay Area LOL - Leather in general is popular in the SF Bay Area.  | ||
| Donutclub |
IMHO, full gear is required every time you ride. I either wear leathers (not my racing leathers), a textile suit (tour master), or a combination of leathers pants and a textile jacket. In all cases, I have full protective gear every time I ride. I get some funny looks when It's above 80 degrees and I'm all suited up, but I've been down in my racing leathers and I know what a simple low speed crash (say 40mph) can do. | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise) |
I have worn my full leathers on the street while in Daytona just to break them in some, but dont really think I would wear the pants for around town riding. I had 2 crashes back in the early 90's & both times I was wearing jeans. 1 was a lowside at 45mph & although my left arm got pretty rashed up the jeans held up just fine from sliding down the street. | ||
| Taxman |
a few companies have kevlar reinforced jeans now. i think i'll be getting some of them. a full leather suit in my area would seem a little out of place. i have a nice jacket, boots, gloves, helmet. the jeans will look a little calmer and still help out some. | ||
| Scitz |
American Sport Bike has the Draggin Jeans with Kevlar knees and butt. I bought a pair after talking to a guy who said he had a friend go down at 90mph and said the denim wore through but not the Kevlar. They also have padded inserts you can add. Good for the street. I've just been keeping an eye on eBay. There are also places that can clean and repair leathers for a reasonable price. If you looking for something for just track days I would just find something used. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
full leather racing suits and two piece leather touring suits are so commonly worn on the streets here no one pays attention. Had it been a little warmer they day I laid it down I would have had my two piece leathers on, or my Razor 2 piece suit which ever fit the weather conditions better. | ||
| Spatten1 |
In PA basket ball shoes, shorts, and wife beaters are the most common riding gear. The gold chain hanging out of the shirt is also nearly mandatory. I wear a 2 piece Aerostitch and everyone seems to think I'm retarded or from space. I believe that an Aerostitch type suit is legal for track days, and they are awesome on the street. Mine has 2,343 pockets, great venting, and has been crash tested fairly recently. I also wear an additional back protector, because it would suck to be paralyzed. | ||
| New12r |
I wear my 1 piece as often as possible, I prepare for the unexpected, not the ride. | ||
| Eurotwins |
All leather all the time....John | ||
| Jarhead |
I wear full leather when it is cool enough. Down here it just gets too darn hot to wear all the time. | ||
| Race_pirate |
I ride with a Tecnic Jacket, jeans, boots, gloves and FF helmet 90% of the time on the street. I have a one piece Tecnic suit that all the upper body armor and back protector go into my Jacket. I have and will wear my full suit on the street occasionally(the other 10%) My only complaint with full leathers on the street is stopping to get something to eat, I cant wear jeans under my suit. As far as hot weather both my jacket and suit are fully vented/perforated. I can deal with a lil sweat, just drink more water, I cant deal with skin grafts. If you are serious about doing a track day, buy a one piece suit, YOU WILL WANT TO GO AGAIN!!! They should call them "Crack Days", if you get bit by racing around a track, money no longer becomes an issue. Buy the best protection you can afford, A stock bike with good tires is more then ready for a track day, no money needed there. | ||
| 1slowbuell |
full leather is a must on the street when your out enjoying the back roads. who cares if you look like a super hero. | ||
| Jaredkuper |
I see leathers all the time around the DFW area. Of course I see a lot more t-shirt and shorts, but I'll never be one of those guys. I wear an armored or padded jacket, helmet, gloves, jeans, and close toed shoes if I'm just running errands, but if I'm out for the purpose of riding around, I add boots and padded riding pants. If I had a full set of leathers I'd wear 'em whenever I wasn't riding to run errands. I too have been down in racing leathers, and I know I don't want to go down without 'em. | ||
| 99buellx1 |
Trust me leather is better than the alternative.  | ||
| Bomber |
I've gone down in jeans, and had a very different experince than Buells Rule did -- if I'm not in my leathers, I'm in my stich, 90% of the time like the man sez, dress for the crash, not for the ride | ||
| Medicbpm |
Yep I recently went down. Was in FF helmet,Cortech Jacket GX air, Buell gloves, Abrasion/Fire resistant jeans(no extra padding)and sneakers(oops) Went down in curve bout 80mph and walked away with bumps and bruises, burn to left elbow and right knee(both small) All I can say is my Dad taught me to dress for the crash and its saved me everytime. Its usually not the fall that gets ya it running into something. Be smart do "play" where there are ANY objects. | ||
| Medicbpm |
Sorry meant DONT play | ||
| Blake |
Byron (Medicbpm), Please try click little "  " edit icon on first post. Then try click little " " delete icon on 2nd post. Good, yes?  | ||
| Easyflier |
For the greatest versatility I don't think you can beat a set of 2-pc leathers. | ||
| Race_pirate |
One piece suit....  | ||
| Diablobrian |
I have been scarred for life Race Pirate | ||
| 99buellx1 |
 eeewww.......mangina! | ||
| Ortegakid |
That was the most disgusting thing i've ever seen! I have been wearing my full race leathers on the street since the bates and vanson era, always had people look at me funny, not any more!, the norm here in so cal on any sunday! And no more pics race pirate! | ||
| Tatsu |
Okay.. guess I'll be getting the bottoms then. | ||
| Truk |
All the guys I ride with use protective gear. Perhaps you can be the trend setter in your area. Heck you are already riding a one of a kind bike. Why hold back, go all the way. Besides if it catches on with your buddies, you have really done a good thing. I dress depending on the riding. Saturday blast I use my full leathers, boots, glove, etc... I use solid leathers in fall thru spring and perforated in summer. Can also mix and match. When it gets real cold or serious touring I use Gortec Textile jacket and pants. I also have some Draggin jeans I use when touring. Hop on the bike to go to the store, jeans and protective jacket, gloves and leather street boots that come above the ankles. I have been riding for a while, so I have been adding to my collection of protective gear for some time. Also. It is not just protection from a potential fall, but also protection from the elements (heat, cold, rain). Good gear can make all the difference. Without the right gear your are getting chills from the cold or dehydration from the wind and heat, etc... If you got a cheap head and body, buy cheap quality helmet and don't use gear. Of course the treatments to replace skin are a bit expensive, so if things go bad you can pay now or a lot more later (in money, pain and time). There are a lot of good quality equipment that you can get at reduces prices thru a lot of different sources. Check out the back of motorcycle mag for ads like Dennis Kirk. Call their 1-800 number and they will send you a catalog. Or go on the internet. I have used www.newenough.com. Check out their closeout sections.... Over the years I have gotten a lot of good deals. Just need to monitor their sight on a regular basis. |
