What do you wear when you ride your Spyder?

[czdaryle]

It all depends on what you want. You have choices... protective gear or the possibility of significant injuries. Folks who have never had an accident generally don't (and can't) understand the consequences and preaching doesn't work.

Riding a two or three-wheeler is NOT the same as riding in a car. Everybody else on the road is bigger, out-weighs you by at least 2000-3000 pounds, and are not concerned (or so it seems) with your survival. You have little to no protection other than (1) what you choose to wear and (2) the inventory of your own riding/crash avoidance skills acquired over a long period of time.

I can tell you that broken bones and road rash (which can, itself, be a significant injury) is not fun and, in my case, I want to avoid or minimize them if at all possible while still having a hobby that I enjoy.

With that said, in the summer I wear an armored, mesh jacket along with a flip-face helmet, motorcycle mesh gloves, Bohn UnderArmor, and sometimes, Kevlar jeans. BTW, I have found the mesh jacket as cool, if not cooler, than just a tee-shirt.

The below pic from 1987 represents more than $120,000 in 1987 medical expenses, 62 days in the hospital, three surgeries to save the leg, almost losing an executive-level job, seven years of recovery and untold years of pain (even today, 22 years later). Pssst... the accident was not my fault!

You have choices. I always tell folks to dress for the crash, not the ride. I'm not trying to scare you off from riding but I am trying to educate you to the extent I can... so that you can be prepared.

Think you did :yikes:

 

[Jeff in Dallas]

Depends on the weather and my mood.

I'll jump on the Spyder with whatever I'm wearing at the time. If that's shorts, tennis shoes and a t-shirt, that's what I wear. If that's business casual, that's what I wear.

I always wear at least a 1/2 helmet and often a 3/4 or full.

I know it's a good idea to dress for the crash... and I would always advise that. I just don't always follow that, but that's my choice.

 

[dltang]

I prefer to ryde nekid! :roflblack: :clap: :2thumbs: :yes: :firstplace:

Be careful, I don't think he is kidding!!!:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[Tom in NM]

ATGAATT : All The Gear ALMOST All The Time

Jarret, like BJT above, if I am going to the store ( country, a mile, all streets posted at 30 mph or less ) the only safety gear I wear are goggles. My rule is, if I can bicycle there and I won't be going faster than that, I wear what I would on my bicycle. That is my rationalization.

Lots of great advice from others on the forum. I do live here in New Mexico and the other day the Spyder's temp read 117 ( and the bank sign read 118 ), so it does get hot. I do the gloves, one of 3 textile jackets, Police Tactical high lace up boots with mesh venting, and a full face helmet. Generally, the heat is not an issue, except when stopped - and even then, it is OK.

I also have two leather jackets, one all leather, the other leather and mesh - both have armor ( so do the textiles ). I also have some ICON Tarmac boots that I like - just make sure you can walk in whatever boot you decide on - you won't be on the bike all the time.

As others have mentioned, your most likely need for protection will come from debris (head, hands, and legs). Think of somebody throwing a rock about the size of an egg or a foot long 2X4 at you - at the bare minimum, dress for that. Also, being a former Texan, I know how big your bugs get in Summer - dress for that - and make sure that they don't have a way of getting inside your clothes or helmet. ( it also helps to carry some shield cleaner and microfiber cloth with you have a run in with the Love Bugs )

Personally, I do not have very much confidence in a lot of the gear I wear and see others wearing - in a typical motorcycle accident they are not going to save you, but they will give you an edge. ( and I include helmets in that too ) As I said, I do wear the gear, but I am not at all overconfident about it.

Good riding habits, being attentive all the time, and practicing avoidance are worth your life. ATGATT just gives you an edge. That is my opinion.

Tom

 

[ataDude]

Think you did :yikes:

:lecturef_smilie: Well, I didn't mention that my marriage went down the tubes, too.

 

[ArmyJoe]

I'm in the Army Reserve, so I have no say in the matter. Department of Defense Instruction D6055.04 (DoD Traffic Safety Program) requires that all individuals wear the following PPE while riding motorcycles:

(a) Helmets
1. For personnel riding motorcycles and ATVs in the United States, helmets shall be certified to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Standard 22-05, British Standard 6658, or Snell Standard M2005 (References (v), (w), (x), and .
2. For personnel riding motorcycles and ATVs outside the United States, helmets must meet the host nation standards. In those instances where the host nation has no standard, helmets must, at a minimum, meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standard.
4. All helmets shall be properly fastened under the chin.

(b) Eye Protection. Eye protection designed to meet or exceed American National Standards Institute Standard Z87.1-2003 (Reference (z)) for impact and shatter resistance includes goggles, wraparound glasses, or a full-face shield (properly attached to a helmet). A windshield or fairing does not constitute eye protection.

(c) Foot Protection. Foot protection includes sturdy over-the-ankle footwear that affords protection for the feet and ankles (durable leather or ballistic-type cloth athletic shoes that cover the ankles may be worn).

(d) Protective Clothing. Protective clothing includes long-sleeved shirt or jacket, long trousers, and full-fingered gloves or mittens made from leather or other abrasion-resistant material. Motorcycle jackets and pants constructed of abrasion-resistant materials such as leather, Kevlar®, or Cordura® and containing impact-absorbing padding are strongly encouraged. Riders are encouraged to select PPE that incorporates fluorescent colors and retroreflective material.

Local commanders can make the requirements more restrictive. A common change is to require a brightly-colored and reflective jacket or over-vest.

 

[vtrider]

It all depends on what you want. You have choices... protective gear or the possibility of significant injuries. Folks who have never had an accident generally don't (and can't) understand the consequences and preaching doesn't work.

Riding a two or three-wheeler is NOT the same as riding in a car. Everybody else on the road is bigger, out-weighs you by at least 2000-3000 pounds, and are not concerned (or so it seems) with your survival. You have little to no protection other than (1) what you choose to wear and (2) the inventory of your own riding/crash avoidance skills acquired over a long period of time.

I can tell you that broken bones and road rash (which can, itself, be a significant injury) is not fun and, in my case, I want to avoid or minimize them if at all possible while still having a hobby that I enjoy.

With that said, in the summer I wear an armored, mesh jacket along with a flip-face helmet, motorcycle mesh gloves, Bohn UnderArmor, and sometimes, Kevlar jeans. BTW, I have found the mesh jacket as cool, if not cooler, than just a tee-shirt.

The below pic from 1987 represents more than $120,000 in 1987 medical expenses, 62 days in the hospital, three surgeries to save the leg, almost losing an executive-level job, seven years of recovery and untold years of pain (even today, 22 years later). Pssst... the accident was not my fault!

You have choices. I always tell folks to dress for the crash, not the ride. I'm not trying to scare you off from riding but I am trying to educate you to the extent I can... so that you can be prepared.

:agree:

Well said! I've had a motorcycle crash from a car driver crossing in front of me at an intersection. What saved me from serious injury, was the protective gear I was wearing. I count myself very lucky. Unlike what you experienced, I just had a badly spranged thumb and some minor bruises on my knees. My bike was totaled. Like you said, it's hard to preach to individuals that never had this sort of experience.
I dress for protection, armored vented textile jacket, air flow all season mesh riding pants, full face helmet and leather air flow riding gloves. When the climate gets cold outside, I add the insulated liners to my jacket and riding pants, as well as using my heated jacket liner and heated gloves which keep me warm.

 

[Biker]

All I can say to these people that want to ride nekid !..........is obviously you have never hit the asphalt at 50 or 60 miles an hour. It hurts like hell !!! Laying in a hospital bed in the Intensive Care Unit is no fun at all. I'm not crazy about being in pain. Been there, done that. It makes my skin crawl when I see a young fellow riding with shorts, a strap T-shirt and sandals with..............a fullface helmut? What is up with that? Please people, take my word for it. Be prepared to go "down" at any time. Dress for Sucess..........in staying alive I mean. I've been hit by every bug, bird and stone known to man. It's like being shot by a 22 caliber. :gaah:

 

[BLACK WIDOW]

Heat Stroke

I thought I would never ride without gear but temps over 109 on the way home from LA and the heat in LA was just too much for me. I rode in a T shirt and jeans. As soon as we are back in the 80s I'll gear back up. I believe in safety but heat stroke is a nasty ailment also.

:agree:

 

[Stuart49]

ATGATT - 100% of the time.

 

[3wheeldemon]

Working well for me in Texas summer:

Jacket: Firstgear mesh: really fresh at any speed

Helmet: Arai Vector full face: incredible 6 vent system fresh at 10+ mph

Pants: Not motorcycle specific but the 5.11 line of police tactical pants from LA Police Gear www.LAPoliceGear.com are very light and tough with bunch of pockets and optional kneepads

Boots: the Axo Striker boots are very easy to put on and off, even if you are lazy

 

[dragonheart]

I love my Joe Rocket mesh jacket and was very comfortable riding out to California and back in temps of 115 degrees. Underneath I wear moisture wicking shirts that really help in hot temps.

My pants are vented and have armor padding - again, very comfortable even in high temps.

Waterproof hiking boots provide me the protection I need and are good in all weather. Perfect for that cross country trip where we could jump off the bikes and hike wherever, and my feet would be comfortable.

Not having to worry so much about not being protected in the best way I can makes the ride much more enjoyable to me. I want to live to ride another day.

 

[stpd0021]

This how we ride in Michigan

Here's how my wifey rides !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Some Guy]

Here's how my wifey rides !!!!!!!!!!!

Don't you think the Spyder attracts too much attention already!!! :roflblack::roflblack: :roflblack:

 

[Donk45]

I always wear a full face helmet and gloves. In the morning or evening (rush hour) when im going to work I always wear my mesh jacket with armour as well.

I went to the beach this past weekend and had a backpack packed with stuff and my really light mesh Rev it jacket and I was dying from the heat. I had to ride in a t shirt most of the way.

I know it's not a good idea but i choose to ride in a t shirt sometimes...feels so good. I know I can get hit at anytime, but it's also not likey to slip out from under me like a 2 wheeler.

 

[jnt]

+1 on ATGATT. For HOT days, Joe Rocket mesh gear. Ok, not as good as our 'Stich, but still good. Oh, and an 'EvapoDana' - soak it, put it around your neck and ride.hyea:

 

[Jeffsm69]

Well, as someone with first hand knowledge, both as an EMT and sliding on my back for at least 75 ft., Wear your gear all the time.
1. Full Face Helmet (I wear an Icon Airframe or Suomy or Arai)
2. Armored Jacket, not just the shoulders and elbows, make sure it has the back armor (I wear Joe Rocket Atomic 3,0) BTW this is the type of jacket I slid for 75 ft. with)
3. I do own Joe Rocket Riding pants with armor in the hips and knees, only worn during cold weather.
4. Leather boots (I personally like 8" Rockies or Hitech)
5. Leather Gloves with knuckle and finger protection (I use Joe Rocket Atomic 2.0 Gloves)

Without any of the above mentioned gear, I would be dead after being hit by a tractor trailer that crossed the centerline.

 

[shunkmanitu]

What I Wear

What I Wear

¾ Red helmet with flip shield.
Jeans
Sleeveless T-shirt
BVDs
Over-The-Calf-Socks
Bison or Elk Mocs
Old Denim Sleeveless Jacket
Stockman’s belt with sewn in knife pouch
Padded gloves for LONG rides
Smith & Wesson M&P9c
IWB DeSantis Holster

NOTE: Jeans and shirt are often black though I have a variety of colored shirts. Jacket/vest of some kind is a requirement to cover side arm. Sometimes black leather vest or jacket replaces the denim. Padded gloves for longer rides and of course, cold weather adds layers. Just put a new belt loop on my 25 year old Biker’s wallet so will replace my lump of a tri-fold with it. I think the EPA has an environmental injunction against me after I wore shorts in public. Leaving the dialysis site on my left bicep open to the sun and air as much as possible seems to keep it healthy.

Off the bike a blue ball cap, either VietNam Vet or Native Pride, replaces the helmet. The hats are adorned with EARNED pins and am working on “Patching” the recently replaced denim vest, the old one had a liner and was too hot in the summer. Will wear AIM (American Indian Movement), Brothers Of The Third Wheel, Spyder Lovers, various Veteran and VietNam Service, and a Patriot Guard Rider patches on the “new” vest. It is a twenty year old jacket with the sleeves cut off recently.

 

[PBMax]

First off, I'm new to the forum sooo - hi

I personnally wear a full face helmet, riding gloves, mesh jacket, jeans and hiking boots covering my ankles when riding mostly highway.

I believe, however, that there is a fine line between preventing injuries do to a fall or blunt force trauma vs possible heat stroke or heat exhaustion do to overheating.

It has been in the high 90s multiple times this summer here ( WA State ) and if I am on a ride involving multiple stop lights or stop and go traffic I will elect to forgo the jacket. I also carry a bottle of water or G2 in the trunk to keep hydrated.

I have been a firefighter/paramedic for the last 20 years and have (along with some other members here ) have seen the results of both lack of protection and heat related illnesses. So, in my opinion, it's a juggling act between the two. If you are well aclimated to your environment then wear full protection but remember that overheating can also be life threatening.

 

[BumbleBee]

welcome

Heat is an issue at times but I believe in protection. I am in the mids of buying all my protection. For right now I wear a full face helmet, reflecter vest, padded gloves, hiking boots, and jeans. Get your protection!!!