| Author | Message | ||
     Bob_thompson |
ATGATT definitely works for me and I should be in the cruiser group at my age but love my 1125R and mixing it up some. No cruiser for me but yes on the gear, staying healthy and fit. Lead by example and dismiss the unbelievers for whatever their reason. Below: Me, ATGATT & my sons nice SV1000 and we DO mix it up in these Utah canyons.  | ||
| Aesquire |
I have no problem with promoting safety gear. I have a philosophical problem with making it mandatory, as I believe in evolution. Experience in actual accident response shows that even the silly half helmet can save your life. ATGATT is ideal, but does NOT relieve the rider of responsibility for his actions. Nor and this is MOST important, relieve the rider of knowing that even in colorful gear, you are invisible to many people. I know, I often wear yellow & black gear. Cops see me. Soccer mom does NOT. ( unless her kids ride dirt bikes, then she does ) Also be very careful if you hear the "tease the reporters tour" is coming. Serious danger here. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0611/56186.ht ml ( Palin's crew is messing with the reporters by not playing any of the traditional press games. No notice of what's next, no planned bathroom stops, not "on the bus" at all. Somebody's going to get killed. And it will probably be a "Princess Di" kind of accident. ) | ||
| 2008xb12scg |
I've had people ask me "aren't you hot in that?" I take it as a legit question that deserves a legit answer. I usually answer not as hot as you would think, lots of vents and stuff, and if some dumb @$$ hits me I'd rather have the gear. They usually shake thier head in agreement. | ||
| Brumbear |
I was walking out of a hospital with my family after a wreck I was in full gear and THANK GOD no injuries.And a guy was standing outside the ER trying to light a smoke. The man was a human purple nerple he was oozing from everywhere nasty. I asked him what the hell happened to you. He says a squirrel ran out in front of me and I crashed. I smirk abit (shouldn't laugh at the fella). I says I guess you weren't wearing any gear Nah he says aint it to hot I smile and say whatever I am going to the macaroni grill you can hang out and think about it. I say this not to belittle the guy but perhaps the industry as well as US can make it clear that ATGATT really has more positive than negative effects. The guy plain and simple didn't think a 30mph crash would bang him up as much as it did. I say this: will gear help @100 mph probably not that much will it help @ 30 HELL YES and being that riders do 30 a hell of alot more than 100+ it stands to reason. | ||
| Slaughter |
Trust me, gear WILL HELP at 100+ mph! (unless you are impacting a fixed object) | ||
| Brumbear |
I understand but I hope the point is taken there. | ||
| 04buell |
Gear will help at 75 also! I am walking, living proof! | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
My response is usually "Because I take riding seriously... shouldn't you?" If someone throws in the "I've been riding like this for XX years...", I respond with "XX of years, hmm... and you still don't take it seriously?" And if they truly deserve a zinger- "I find what a rider wears to be directly proportional to their riding ability- the less you wear, the less you know about riding. Is this your first day?..." | ||
| Whatever |
I had a four square inch patch of skin ground off in a bicycling accident in college. That thing was a royal pain in the ass to clean and dress, and I was on a camping trip for two weeks after I did it. It healed nicely, but you really do not understand all that your skin does for you until you loose it. It breathes, it sweats, it stretches, it is waterproof and it will repair itself if you get a sunburn or a cut. It is the largest organ in the body and probably the most taken for granted. I could not imagine having a large amount of it sheared off as that would be excruciating. I liked this video enough to post on Facebook, probably been posted here but I will put it up again just in case. http://vimeo.com/22897515 (Message edited by Whatever on June 05, 2011) | ||
| Paint_shaker |
Most times I wear ATGATT, sometimes I don't. Bottom line is I know motorcycle riding is a risk. Depending on the mood I am in and the amount of stupidity I suspect, I have a multitude of responses should someone want to question me about the gear I am wearing. If someone were to follow me and attempt to continue in conversation after I am done conversing with them, I would "thank" them for their concern and and "inform" them I must be on my way... I should note, 99% of the time I am cordial, but sometimes the stupidity is just too much... (Message edited by Paint shaker on June 05, 2011) | ||
| Mountainstorm |
The only time I crash is the one time I decide to forgoe the usual precautions of ATGATT. Like when I went to air up the tire in the Wife's Buell Blast on T-day and wiped out leaning over too far on an off camber curve...that pulley guard is slippery. doh. Or the time I decided to just wear jeans with my leather jacket and a deer runs out in front of me and down I go at 60 MPH. 3 years later I still have a deep bruise on thigh that I can feel under the muscle...a lump that has no sensation...weird. I was lucky to have that leather jacket...even though it had no CE padding and I suffered a rotator cuff injury at least I kept my skin. Any time I want to crash all I have to do is not wear the gear. It's like magic. | ||
| Fast1075 |
I have crashed at 100+ (at the dragstrip) and walked away with a minor abrasion where my glove wore thru and a couple of friction burns...Bates made really good leathers even back then. Yesterday I went for amy normal Sunday ride (around 350 miles or so)..twice during hydration stops I had people ask me how I could stand being in gear (Joe Rocket Mesh jacket and overpants) as hot as it was...My answer..."I can wash off sweat...I can't wash skin back on".. Yeah, it's a pain in the butt, but not too bad if you are moving, especially once you get out of the urban jungle of smoking hot pavement. I launder (or clean in the case of leather) my gear and helmet liners every week to keep the funk off... I stop for regular hydration breaks to keep the electrolytes in balance... | ||
| S21125r |
I have a nephew that is interested in getting a cycle. Said he has a 4K budget but was looking at bikes in the 4K range. I said ah.. wait a minute.. you have a 3K budget and the other 1K is going toward a quality jacket, pants, boots, gloves and helmet. Wondering if that is where a lot of new riders go astray? Over spend on the bike and can't rationalize the spend on items they believe they will never have to use. IMO, protective gear should be treated like consumables - budget for it and plan to "use" it like brake pads and tires. After my short trip to the ER last summer, one of my friends says "Better to be the cheese grater than the cheese." After looking at my jacket and helmet, have to agree. | ||
| Ulywife |
Wondering if that is where a lot of new riders go astray? That could be part of it. I think back to when Carlos got his first bike, we didn't know squat about "gear". We had boots, jean jacket and a helmet. Boy were were lucky that we didn't go down during our first season riding. Since then we've not only learned about gear, but seem to learn more with each purchase...what to spend money on and when to replace, etc. Like you, we always encourage those talking about buying a bike to remember that they need to incorporate gear into their budget. It's a learning curve unless you have folks willing to educate you about riding and all that it brings to the table. Even our little kids (7 and 10) have riding pants, jackets, gloves and helmets for riding the 50 in the yard. They think it's "cool". My oldest (now 16) has a fit when she sees riders without proper gear on, especially the young girls propped up on back of a sportbike. At least we've taught our children about the importance of gear while riding. I hope this is a lesson they will carry with them even if we're not around to enforce ATGATT. | ||
| Babired |
Brittnay Marrow Rock the gear is awesome. I posted that video on WRN. when I teach the beginners class I tell my students your wallets are going to shrink and your friends will grow in number! If I have a smart classroom to teach in I show them all of the internet stores. Bikes stuff like that. I'm in a bind right now, its a happy bind, I've lost a lot of weight and can't fit into any of my Olympia gear and I have no money to purchase new riding pants! I have to get suspenders and I'm swimming in my riding pants! So if anyone knows of a lady who wears size 18 in need of riding pants I have 3 pair! I am AGGATT too | ||
| Jb2 |
ATGATT is something I do my best to live by. Hot days may find me without a jacket but I fully understand the risks and responsibilities that go with riding. The three times I've went down on the road I was fully geared up. I live in a helmet free state and constantly get the heckling of friends who say "Hey you're in Indiana, you don't have to wear a helmet." I really don't need a sticker or patch to fend off their comments. I just tell them when I'm on my bike it is my ride. When they're on their bike it's their ride. Since we live in a free country it's none of their business what I wear nor what they wear(or don't) is any of my business. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I don't know that you're ever going to "school" anyone about wearing gear in a parking lot. When I started riding, it was helmet, gloves, boots, jacket - all the time. When it was really hot out, I'd skip the jacket, rationalizing that if it's too hot to think clearly, then I'm better off without it. As the years went by, I wore the jacket more and more on those really hot days. Eventually I had pants and one-peice suits, etc. Eventually I bought a mesh jacket and now I have no excuse not to at least have that on. My choice didn't come from someone lecturing me, or even witnessing a friend crash. I just wised up, realized the risk and changed my habits. The dude who's been riding for 40 years doesn't give give a flying f*** why you choose to wear gear on a 95 degree day, he just thinks your stupid. In return, you shouldn't give a flying f*** why he chooses not to. The fact that gear saves your life, skin, etc is not a mystery to the world. It's not kept secret, and you don't have to go out of your way to find this stuff out. If, after all that, you still choose to ride in shorts and a wife beater, well, then the planet is probably better off without you making other poor decisions. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
I am sorry but in this 102 degree weather I have been experiencing here in Louisiana there is no way I am going to put on my jacket...I wish I could follow you guys with the atgatt stuff but 102 and leather in traffic sounds like heat stroke to me. now if I am in the country pushing my limits then I will sweat it out still. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Soak a sweatshirt in water and put it on under your jacket. Problem solved. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
well what I have been using (I know it is not as good but better then nothing) is my army combat shirts with padded elbows. Since I am no longer in the army and I never got to use them while in I figured this was the perfect chance to get use out of them.   | ||
| Ulywife |
ATGATT doesn't have to mean leather gear. We have a variety of leather, textile, transition and mesh gear at home. Depends on type of ride (work or fun) and temps. Like others have said, gear is a personal choice. | ||
| Whatever |
My friend Victor was a big hearted guy who rode a big HOG. He survived three tours of duty in Vietnam to be killed by a 16 yo girl on a cell phone. First they removed 1/3 of his brain, then his family suffered ten weeks of him in a coma.. while he wasted away to nothing before he died. I never will forget the big purple Z on his shaved head. I hope he didn't suffer. I know his family still does. I sold my first bike and did not ride for a year after. When I bought the Buell I bought the gear. I am not perfect but I wear it almost always. His MC club friends don't. I do NOT ride with them any more. They have a case of the 'fatally cool'. I do not ride with idiots. | ||
| M2statz |
Copied my post from a different thread. "I've been taking Xrays and CTs for the last 17yrs, always in a trauma center. I have yet to see a motorcyclist treated for dehydration while wearing protective gear. Just yesterday we had a Yamaha verses deer at "low(35mph)speed" and the rider was in poor shape. No helmet, shorts, t-shirt and work boots. Will more than likely loose sight in right eye and will require all kinds of grafts on right arm and leg. I know why I wear ATGATT. " You want realility, come hang with me in the ER over a really nice holiday weekend. | ||
| Drkside79 |
I really wish i could say i wore ATGATT But i do not have riding pants yet. So i guess i am MOTGATT. They are on my list but after the lady got laid off and the kid was born i don't have a pot to piss in and barely have a window to throw it out. | ||
| Mikej |
As to patches and arm bands, ATGATT becomes "At Gatt" if it isn't defined. Is there a current thread on gear running here or elsewhere? I remember Henrik had one going several years ago. I need to get some pants or a suit, something commuter friendly and parking lot changeable. I probably should just go to Aerostich and get fitted, but really I'm just lacking pants. As far as gear worn indicating the level of a rider's ability, I've found no direct coorelation as I've seen a lot of fully kitted people on bikes who couldn't ride a Battletrax course at any speed. YMMV. Ratbuell (or whomever posted the stapled knee pic), You should have made those staples into a keychain somehow. (Note to self, find my riding boots this week) | ||
| Xb9er |
I wore a combat shirt for 10 months. Trust me, it isn't going to do a thing for you if you go down. Get a mesh jacket for warm weather riding. | ||
| 86129squids |
Hey Joe- give us a pic of your jacket zipper-pull- and the backstory... I love the back-and forth about whether to ATTGATT or not, but IMHO it's related to the back-and-forth about the Isle of Man TT- the logic of both arguments can be taken to extremes. I grew up riding bicycles without a helmet or any kind of gear- grew up riding motorcycles wearing helmets (as required by law, all my life, here in TN) but little else except in winter, when I got a jacket and stuff just to keep warm. I've come to realize that I'd rather ride in the dead of winter instead of the hellish heat of summer, simply because I can use the gear and thermal solutions to stay confortable when it's cold- but I can't ride naked when it's hot. I confess that sometimes I ride "skin to the wind" with T-shirt, no gloves, laughably my HD Kevlar reinforced jeans (my favorite jeans regardless of protection), and my fullface helmet. In the middle of summer, which has descended upon us too quickly AGAIN this year, it's refreshing to putt around the backroads thusly. This is when I'm on the old Shovel, when on the Buell I always ride with my jacket and at least my fave jeans- the Buell always tempts me towards hooliganism. We are all "sinners", ATTGATT or not- and as far as riding, biologically we are all just jellyfish on sticks. Great thread! | ||
| Noone1569 |
I'm a big proponent of MostOftheGearAllTheTime. I will never go out without at least: full face helmet, gloves, and boots. Usually, I ride in all of the above + jacket and occasionally overpants. I have some Buell adventure pants that I really need to start wearing. It was 99 degrees Saturday in Southern Indiana, and we put 250+ miles of curves with gear on. I purchase a mesh jacket just for this ride, that I'm sure I'll get tons of use out of. Oh and +1 for Alpinestars Racing Road socks . . .I wore these with my TCX gortex boots, and my feet were some of the coolest parts of my body the whole trip. http://www.alpinestars.com/store/productdetails.as px?productid=470308&cs=1 Gear is a personal choice. I have one rule, no helmet, no riding with me/my group. | ||
| Syonyk |
I am sorry but in this 102 degree weather I have been experiencing here in Louisiana there is no way I am going to put on my jacket...I wish I could follow you guys with the atgatt stuff but 102 and leather in traffic sounds like heat stroke to me. now if I am in the country pushing my limits then I will sweat it out still. Leather? Try mesh with one of those "evaporative cooling" shirts under it (though I'm not sure you'd get much evaporation down there...) I'm ATGATT (well... almost - I *did* bump start my gf's Blast without a helmet or jacket on...), and have a good selection of gear for different seasons. I ride from 0-100+ (current low is -2F), and I've certainly been hot, but never terribly uncomfortable. Mesh gear isn't as protective as leather, but it's a huge bit better than nothing. | ||
| Bob_thompson |
FWIW and with what I said in my post above; I wear full leathers in all temps. One thing I do when its 95-100 degrees is wear wicking/silk weight tee shirt and keep my jacket open to my chest and unzip my wrist zippers. I get good flow through and stay cool while riding. I also open all the vents on my full face helmet. I do try and avoid congested traffic and most of my riding is in the canyons so I have a distinct advantage. Sometimes I get "hot pants" but its no problem. For those days I get caught in traffic I carry a pint of Gatorade to hydrate. Never been heat exhausted at all but had to stop occasionally to re-hydrate when I got caught in traffic for more then an hour. Some heat problems are psychological in nature so keep a cool head and stay safe! |
