i wanna ride with shorts

[bikeguy]

As far as safety is concerned, we all know that ATTGATT is the safest way to go. But safety is a personal decision that each of us makes and, thankfully, the government hasn't totally eliminated our freedom of choice as yet.

I don't believe, however, that shorts are the coolest thing to ride in. Sitting under a shade tree in the back yard, shorts are cool. But straddling a 100 horsepower engine while sitting on a seat covered with man-made fabric and having hot air from a radiator on one side and an oil cooler on the other all the while with my legs exposed to the sun - well, I'd rather have long pants on . Spyderpop's heat shield, the fan can, pipe wraps, all of that will help a little but that engine generates heat and it has to go somewhere. There's no way to totally avoid it anymore than you can totally avoid the sun, so my solution is to wear long pants and boots.

Cotton

 

[SteveMac]

Gotta disagree on this one, old buddy. Most quality mesh gear is as abrasion resistant and well armored as solid textile gear. None of them gives the protection of leathers, but for normal riding, or even a typical fall, they work well. I had the same misgivings about the mesh when I first considered it. Something you can see through just can't protect you. In those days that was true for some brands with very large mesh, but it doesn't apply to most brands anymore. The biggest drawback to mesh, IMO, is the possibility of snagging in a fall, but even that won't rip open most good brands of mesh gear nowadays.

I understand what you are saying Scotty, no denying the good stuff works. But I still contend it isn't the UTMOST protection one can wear.

Mesh may be good, but wouldn't you agree that a fully armored textile or leather, fireproof suit would offer "more" protection?

Sorry, this whole ATGATT stuff always sticks in my craw, because I see folks make concessions to the "utmost safety" to a level where THEY are comfortable with it and then they can say, " Well,,,, yeah, but it is still safer than xxxx".

Honestly, who gets to decide when a concession to the utmost safety is still OK and still ATGATT? I guess we all have to have that "one thing" that just bugs the heck out of us. This one thing is mine. pps:

To me ATGATT is an easy acronym to use and I get it, I really do. But to me, ATGATT is the absolute epitomy of protection you can wear and you must wear it at all times. Anything less isn't ATGATT,,, (to me). Now saying to someone that they would be safer to gear up, or that mesh would be safer than shorts, makes absolute sense and I agree with that. But it bugs me when I see an ATGATT proponent in jeans and a non-armored mesh jacket or "worse" a t-shirt.

OK. I am done. LOL. :roflblack:
Sorry for the rant. I still feel the love brother. See you in Durango! :thumbup:

 

[spyder3]

stevemac

"I guess we all have to have that "one thing" that just bugs the heck out of us. This one thing is mine. pps:"

WEll, i'm glad we know this now!!!:lecturef_smilie:


ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGAT
ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT

 

[Bill Las Vegas]

That road, just off the side of your spyder, is a belt sander. Your skin is not that tough. ATGATT!!

 

[Sny]

I just want to point out that I never said ATGATT as I can't imagine riding like that all the time.

In an attempt to get this back on topic; what I said was, mesh pants are a lot like wearing shorts and they deflect enough of the heat that it doesn't bother me. The protective value of mesh pants is minimal at best but that's not why I wear them. I take all the armor and padding out of them. They're substantially cooler than jeans in any weather. I've gone all day in 97F+ and high humidity with mesh pants on and I'm tellin' ya, my legs were nice and cool.

And I have a fan can

Ride how you like. Just realize that there are alternatives to shorts and a t-shirt that really aren't any less comfortable and just might be MORE comfortable.

Mesh pants: Commando. Mesh Kontour seat. Beat that for comfortable. :shocked:

 

[Dragonrider]

I've had a hornet fly up the leg of a pair of Jeans - heck of a lot harder getting it out of those, than shorts!! Just ask the folks I mooned on hwy 101 that morning!!! I see no issues with shorts, assuming you arn't "Larry the Cable Guy"- heck, some folks even wear a full face helmet on a Spyder...

After having them for a few weeks, I think a set of Seal Floorboards will do what you want & keep most of the heat away.

 

[SteveMac]

"I guess we all have to have that "one thing" that just bugs the heck out of us. This one thing is mine. pps:"

WEll, i'm glad we know this now!!!:lecturef_smilie:


ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGAT
ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT ATGATT

:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

Heck, I thought everyone knew my position on this by now, and that :cus: waggy finger :lecturef_smilie: is exactly what I feel like when I see someone use the ATGATT hammer.


I gotta admit that all the ATGATTs are funny though!

 

[DMENTR]

ATGATT ??

Ok, I know I can't be the only one, but I'll ask....What is ATGATT ???

 

[zrc]

2 words...

Banana Hammock.

Dont worry, its made of kevlar.

But yea, the heat thing, just wrap your legs in those 2 dollars for 20 koolaid popcicles.

BAM, low cost and tasty solution.

 

[SteveMac]

Ok, I know I can't be the only one, but I'll ask....What is ATGATT ???

I'll let others fill you in on "All The Gear All The Time


I'm just gonna sit here and.....



:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[bone crusher]

I have a Hit-Air jacket (best thing to have on a bike IMHO)...I do ride in shorts when it's 95 and HHH...

The bottom line is that nothing beats proper gear all the time, but you're not going to drop a Spyder and slide across the highway (30-40% of all motorcycle crashes are biker only) and I would bet that you're a lot more visible on a Spyder as well, thus preventing crashes.

I think someone should be doing a study on the safety of the Spyder vs. a 2 wheeler and that will really tell you how important full gear is for a Spyder...

 

[Arr MiHardies]

There is a line between safety and comfort. The Spyder is already the safest motorcycle on the road. and I wouldn't mind wearing a mesh jacket.. If anyone made mesh jackets that weren't black or dark grey. Sorry, but seriously? This stuff is supposed to keep you cool,and they only choose the darkest, and hottest of colors? In the 120 degree summers we usually have here in Vegas, if you wear anything more than a tshirt and jeans in the shade, you are going to overheat, and even then, there is no guarantee. But if you don't wear something more, your skin will get burnt to a crisp by the sun, let alone the heat between your legs from a motorcycle. sorry, but in some environments, ATGATT can actually do more harm than good.

 

[ARtraveler]

No crap meant here.

I am a proponent of ATGATT and do it pretty much all the time. AK is not hot, so I have never run into issues where I felt compelled to ride as some do where it gets 100 degrees or more. I do have mesh jackets and gloves, as well as Kevlar lined jeans for riding. That is about as "naked as I go. I always wear a helmet. 50/50 between the full face Nolan and the N43 Nolan. I did ride for several years in Indiana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. I also had a bunch of hornets fly down my shirt one time while riding in Indiana--on a two wheeler. Not fun, but I lived to tell about it.

I never try to tell anyone else how to do their ride. I do get scared when I see someone whizzing by wearing shorts, flip-flops, tee shirt, and no helmet or gloves. I am always thinking "what if"?

Enjoy your ride--whatever you decide.

 

[Sny]

Honestly, it doesn't matter how often it happens. It only has to happen once and you'll probably adjust your gear choices.

I'm getting "If you can read this flip me over" painted on my rear fender.

 

[SteveMac]

I have a Hit-Air jacket (best thing to have on a bike IMHO)...I do ride in shorts when it's 95 and HHH...

The bottom line is that nothing beats proper gear all the time, but you're not going to drop a Spyder and slide across the highway (30-40% of all motorcycle crashes are biker only) and I would bet that you're a lot more visible on a Spyder as well, thus preventing crashes.

I think someone should be doing a study on the safety of the Spyder vs. a 2 wheeler and that will really tell you how important full gear is for a Spyder...

:shemademe_smilie:

 

[DMENTR]

Thanks Stevemac, but man I must really be confused everybody on SL keeps talking about motorcycle safety, but my dealer (and HD friends) told me I bought a roadster not a motorcycle! :roflblack:

 

[Luckyme]

The heat is bad for sure; a bee up the shorts or worse yet a spill on the road will make you wish you had mesh.
You decide :trike:

:agree:Been there, done that. Bee right up my shorts, thigh.......... (and beyond :shocked. Stung me more than once, and I unloaded myself from a BMW K1200LT faster than anyone that has stopped from 65 MPH and dismounted in history. Thank goodness for the anti-lock brakes, even back in 2000. My buddies got a great laugh at me dancing along side a 4 lane road in Virginia, once they knew I was "somewhat" OK that is.
Should have learned my lesson, however
I still like to sometimes ride in shorts, but this Spyder does not make that comfortable, due to the heat. So, for the Spyder rides, I've been wearing light jeans.
I've never cared to dress in protective gear in warm weather, although I know it would be better to do so. Always wear a helmet though.

 

[spyder3]

There have been at least 2 people on here(that i can remember) riding spyders that have slid along the pavement. One when a loose strap locked up his rear wheel and the other that hit an oil patch, then a dry patch and flipped him....i think both were wearing gear and prevented more serious injuries. So :cus: can happen even on a spyder. :gaah:

I never let me wife on the bike without wearing everything, she's too pretty to get messed up.:doorag: And I on a few occasions have worn jeans. But always wear gloves, jacket and helmet. I'm too ugly to get messed up even more. :yikes:

 

[spyder3]

There is a line between safety and comfort. The Spyder is already the safest motorcycle on the road. and I wouldn't mind wearing a mesh jacket.. If anyone made mesh jackets that weren't black or dark grey. Sorry, but seriously? This stuff is supposed to keep you cool,and they only choose the darkest, and hottest of colors? In the 120 degree summers we usually have here in Vegas, if you wear anything more than a tshirt and jeans in the shade, you are going to overheat, and even then, there is no guarantee. But if you don't wear something more, your skin will get burnt to a crisp by the sun, let alone the heat between your legs from a motorcycle. sorry, but in some environments, ATGATT can actually do more harm than good.

well, heres at least one: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/revit-tornado-jacket i wear the black, wife wears the lighter color....very good pass through air.IMO

 

[MarkLawson]

If you like riding in shorts, but find the right side too hot (don't we all?), I don't think mesh pants is your answer. The design of mesh pants is to allow the air to flow through them. It will, even if it is hot air. Blocking the heat either on the Spyder, as in SpyderPops type improvements, or blocking the air on your leg, as in pants, or a combination of the two, will likely be your best answer.

I tried the mesh pants and didn't find them any cooler than jeans and also found more heat on the right leg. I think the front of the Spyder blocks most airflow the a two-wheel rider might enjoy. Didn't work for me. I have some of the SpyderPops solutions in place & wear jeans.