Riding Naked!

[robmorg]

Has anyone came off a sypder without being hit or running off the road? If that happens, road rash is not really the main concern. I think protective layers for road rash are more for 2 wheels where you could lay the bike down and skid down the asphalt. Jacket and pants are not going to do much for an impact. Only if you have a true back protector (not the foam in most jackets) is probably the only thing that might help, besides a helmet of course. Now with all that said, it will help some, just not much. Better to be safe than sorry. I almost always wear jeans and a jacket. Mostly to keep me from getting a sunburn. I always wear a helmet.

I think that makes a lot of sense! :thumbup: I also agree with what Dave just said about the risk factor. (And why he doesn't wear shorts on a Spyder :sour: )

 

[Bob Denman]

If you "bounce" on the road at ANY speed, while not geared-up; you'll have road rash... :shocked:
Pavement has a funny way of chewing through layers of cotton as if it wasn't even there. :yikes:
So slide, bounce or whatever; the choice will be yours! :thumbup:

 

[StealthSpyder]

Pretty wide array of perspectives on this thread! Good discussion so far and it is interesting to see just how many people wear so much clothes when they take the spyder out!

So id like to weigh in on this and feel I'm in thr minority here. My wife and I had this argument when I first bought my spyder that I always had to have jeans or long pants of some kind on. I did this for about three weeks Til summer really sat in and I realized there was no way, maybe it's cause I'm young. (23) or maybe it's cause I've akready been close to death a few times in my life but at the end of the day I want to be comfortable so most of the time, unless I'm on the way to work I ride shorts and a tee shirt with a full face helmet. Over protection All the time is kinda over kill to me. I'd prefer just to be comfortable as I ride on my baby lol

I'm with you brotha. I wear shorts, teeshirt, sneakers, and helmet when I ryde. Maybe it's because I live in FL and it's hot everyday. Maybe it's because I'm also young (31). Maybe it's because I have never owned a 2 wheeler. Maybe it's because I have ridden quads for a decade and have never worn protective gear...always just gear to combat the temperature and weather. Maybe it is because of the fundamental reason that I bought the Spyder...stability. I feel very safe and very comfortable on the Spyder. When I take it to work (3 miles thru 35mph zones), I don't even wear my helmet.

I would never want to be the the recipient of the "I told you so" award, so I will always ryde to the safest and smartest of my abilities. If I catch a bad beat, so be it. But you are unlikely to find me on my spyder with pants, jeans, long sleeves, jackets, Kevlar, armor, boots, leather, mesh suits, gloves, or any other kind of gear unless it is specifically to combat colder temps in winter down here in FL or if it's going to rain.

I guess I am taboo! :yikes:

 

[Bob Denman]

Nahhh... You're good! :thumbup:

 

[Tango]

Guy on the Gold Wing board just posted he had gone down. Half helmet, no gloves, t-shirt, sneakers. :yikes: He had tremendous road rash. His hand had ground down to the bone. Helmet had deep gash. Bad internal bruising. I also saw a pic of someone that had been wearing flip flops when he went down. His foot looked like chopped meat. Bones exposed. Being a retired LEO I have seen many bike injuries. Including two decapitated heads. No helmets. So yes, proper gear will work to your advantage. If you wear it! :thumbup: Tom :trike:

 

[sddinnh]

In the end, it comes down to how you evaluate the risk of riding the Spyder. I do think it's somewhat less than riding a 2 wheel motorcycle so wear whatever it takes to make YOU feel comfortable and safe. No one else is going to loose any skin except you if you crash, so we really have no say in how you dress. The only ones who do are the state (for mandatory items) and you.

 

[NetJunkie]

Love it. When gear comes up it's "up to your level of comfort and safety". When we talk about spirited riding in the RS/GS forum the RT owners feel the need to come in and preach on every thread. :banghead:

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: We shouldn't be telling how to write the check; that only YOU might have to cash... :thumbup:

 

[purplepig]

gloves

Guy on the Gold Wing board just posted he had gone down. Half helmet, no gloves, t-shirt, sneakers. :yikes: He had tremendous road rash. His hand had ground down to the bone. Helmet had deep gash. Bad internal bruising. I also saw a pic of someone that had been wearing flip flops when he went down. His foot looked like chopped meat. Bones exposed. Being a retired LEO I have seen many bike injuries. Including two decapitated heads. No helmets. So yes, proper gear will work to your advantage. If you wear it! :thumbup: Tom :trike:

This brings up a good point. I think most people will put their arms and hands out in the unlikely event of a crash or fall. There may be those that trained as a stunt man or woman and know how to fall correctly, but for most I think it is going to be hands first. When I talk to new motorcyclists I really stress helmet and gloves. The rest is important but without these two its gonna really hurt.

 

[cptjam]

My 2 cents

ATGATT!
Remember, You don't get to pick the day you crash!
Being a little uncomfortable or sweating beats a lifetime of scarring or worse!
As an MSF instructor, we do train in boots, long pants, long sleeves, gloves and a helmet; we also do not go faster than 18 mph! There are no cars on our range, and no hazards.

Please be safe out there!

 

[MouthPiece]

Pretty wide array of perspectives on this thread! Good discussion so far and it is interesting to see just how many people wear so much clothes when they take the spyder out!





I'm with you brotha. I wear shorts, teeshirt, sneakers, and helmet when I ryde. Maybe it's because I live in FL and it's hot everyday. Maybe it's because I'm also young (31). Maybe it's because I have never owned a 2 wheeler. Maybe it's because I have ridden quads for a decade and have never worn protective gear...always just gear to combat the temperature and weather. Maybe it is because of the fundamental reason that I bought the Spyder...stability. I feel very safe and very comfortable on the Spyder. When I take it to work (3 miles thru 35mph zones), I don't even wear my helmet.

I would never want to be the the recipient of the "I told you so" award, so I will always ryde to the safest and smartest of my abilities. If I catch a bad beat, so be it. But you are unlikely to find me on my spyder with pants, jeans, long sleeves, jackets, Kevlar, armor, boots, leather, mesh suits, gloves, or any other kind of gear unless it is specifically to combat colder temps in winter down here in FL or if it's going to rain.

I guess I am taboo! :yikes:

No you aren't. I'm right there with ya.

​Chris

 

[hulksdaddy]

Pretty wide array of perspectives on this thread! Good discussion so far and it is interesting to see just how many people wear so much clothes when they take the spyder out!





I'm with you brotha. I wear shorts, teeshirt, sneakers, and helmet when I ryde. Maybe it's because I live in FL and it's hot everyday. Maybe it's because I'm also young (31). Maybe it's because I have never owned a 2 wheeler. Maybe it's because I have ridden quads for a decade and have never worn protective gear...always just gear to combat the temperature and weather. Maybe it is because of the fundamental reason that I bought the Spyder...stability. I feel very safe and very comfortable on the Spyder. When I take it to work (3 miles thru 35mph zones), I don't even wear my helmet.

I would never want to be the the recipient of the "I told you so" award, so I will always ryde to the safest and smartest of my abilities. If I catch a bad beat, so be it. But you are unlikely to find me on my spyder with pants, jeans, long sleeves, jackets, Kevlar, armor, boots, leather, mesh suits, gloves, or any other kind of gear unless it is specifically to combat colder temps in winter down here in FL or if it's going to rain.

I guess I am taboo! :yikes:

No you aren't. I'm right there with ya.

​Chris

I'm there as well, and I ain't that young(46).

However, I'm not a speed demon on it, and I am hyper-aware of my surroundings, in my car, and especially the Spyder.

I know I'm taking a risk, but I'm comfortable with it. To each his own. :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

I'm there as well, and I ain't that young(46).

Yes you are!! :clap:

 

[hulksdaddy]

Yes you are!! :clap:

:cheers:

 

[Bazeel]

I admit, in the summer months I only tote Boots, pants (usually ones I deployed in, since I like the style), t-shirt, leather vest, and helm. When the temp gets above 95 (and road temp way higher) I find it very difficult to be pursuaded to put on more, unless traveling on the expressway. My spyder is my only mode of transportation (aside from the wife's car, which I refuse to drive due to some anxiety issues stemming from my deployments and cars), so I take my risks at what I deem to be acceptable levels.

If I roll the dice and it comes up poorly, I have no one to blame but myself, and I knew the dangers of the mission before I accepted them.

Ride on!

HDRC (Harley Dog Ridin' Crew)

 

[Oldmanzues]

I am a "all the gear guy, expect maybe"Armor" pants on the Spyder, but long pants. Have been for years. To each his or her own, but I remember a saying from a long time ago.
If the first time time you need safety gear and you do not have it, you may never need anything again.
Just mysmall bit to add to this
Oldmanzues

 

[asp125]

Ride naked? Not me.. didn't like it.. kept sticking to the vinyl saddle on hot days. I prefer pants.

 

[wa3wheels]

Riding Naked

We all ride our own horse as a old cowboy once said !!!

 

[NZSpyderRyder]

Naked sort of guy

I ride a lot in shorts and a t shirt, always wear a helmet tho.
Just don't feel vulnerable on the spyder and the roads in New Zealand can be very quiet.

 

[OJ UK]

Agreed! New Zealand roads are fantastic and a motorcyclist's dream!
And they are quiet in the extreme.....occasionally out in the country you may see another vehicle.
It can, though, lead to a false sense of security, come around a bend fast and this is what you might come across:

Still better to land on them than the tarmac!