I rode with a tshirt and shorts last night...

[ZX-12R]

you're insinuating that everyone that worries about gear is being too cautious because the chance of crashing is so small.

No... What I'm insinuating is that the typical ATGATT nazi is too busy pushing their agenda on people to realize that not everyone shares their opinion. I don't fault the ATGATT crowd for wanting to be safe but head to toe armor filters out some of the riding experience and it's nice to take it all in from time to time.

That's not the likelihood MOST riders will crash. and because you have not now doesn't mean you won't.

I did state that I have crashed. I was also wearing full leathers at the time and walked away with no rash but a few separated ribs which didn't present themselves until a couple of days later. Most of my friends have crashed (including one that died), both of my parents have, a number in my extended family have, and even random people i've ridden with have crashed. I'm acutely aware that it can and does happen.

If you agree then why don't you only gear up 5% of the time or even 1% of the time.

This one is simple. The majority of my riding puts me in an environment that dictates better protection so I wear suitable gear the majority of the time. Every so often though, there are times when the environmental factors cooporate and I can get by with reduced or no gear. This doesn't happen very often so it's exceedingly rare and it's a risk I'm willing to take.

[nhbubba]

I'm with Bill on this one: Sunny day. Quiet back road. Nearly zero traffic. Unlimited visibility. Riding at 4-5 tenths.

Sometimes the reward is worth the risk. Sometimes the risk is too much.

[gtutunjian]

I don't fault the ATGATT crowd for wanting to be safe but head to toe armor filters out some of the riding experience and it's nice to take it all in from time to time.

I didn't know what ATGATT was (when I wrote that I wear all my gear all the time...) but this reply above was very helpful (at least to me, the newbie.) I already know I'll ride with less gear in certain circumstances when I've got more experience.

[Doc]

I was careful in how I chose my words to not imply that you can ride around everywhere unprotected and be perfectly fine. Clearly traveling at 160mph is not an occasion for shorts and a T-shirt. Just as there are times where the risk/reward ratio dictates full leather, there are plenty of occasions where you can make do without it. Odds are most of your travels will fall somewhere in the middle.

Being the resident "Gear Nazi" I have to say I completely agree with this. BUT (and you knew that was coming) There are some folks who are incapable of making appropriate risk assessments. These are the ones I worry about. They think they are a better rider than they are, they think they will just be going down to the store, they think it won't happen to them. I "preach" because I hope they will change. Granted my preaching does not always come across the right way but

My father is a perfect example (oddly enough he started me down the "gear path") He has crashed because he has run out of talent or made a poor risk assessment a number of times.

Gear reduces risk. Experience reduces risk. Training reduces risk.

If you want to ride in Shorts and Flip flops reduce your risk by riding cautiously, having training and experience.

[nhbubba]

I appreciate the gear nazi approach too. Reading and being around that has gotten me to up my gear game too. And I am grateful for it.

Peer pressure is a helluva thing.

Just the other night I was visiting with a friend from Germany who I only see every few years. I followed them back to a friends house after dinner. He commented to me: "Helmet, jacket, gloves, fancy boots, riding reasonably... what the hell happened to the lunatic I used to know?!" He didn't even notice the pants.

[NeverlosT]

the only reason that I ride with most/all of my gear on most of the time is that I am catagorically incapable of riding the tuono without being an idiot. I know this, I accept this, and so I am too hot most of the time.

If im just running down the street I will ride in anything, but still have my lid. It is funny, I dont know what it is but I am very uncomfortable riding without my helmet. Is it that much of a safety blanket for me? i guess so. It'd be like going downhilling without my helmet, I just feel naked. and im a pasty white male, so me feeling naked isn't good for anyone.

[Alilyoyo1]

I can't stand the feeling of not wearing a helmet and gloves....and i dont like flip flops but they're all from my comfort. I feel like I pay too much attention to whats exposed if I don't have them on.

I have ridden the dragon in helmet, gloves, sneakers, jeans and a t-shirt but only on the first trip....i don't like "Dragon Slayer" speeds lmao

[Guitarboarder28]

to everyone who thinks its worth the risk read this whole thread.. should change your minds

http://www.zx-10r.net/forum/showthre...highlight=rash

[Sheppo]

to everyone who thinks its worth the risk read this whole thread.. should change your minds

http://www.zx-10r.net/forum/showthre...highlight=rash

or not...

[McBiggity]

What I learned from that link is to wear full gear while watching stunt bikes. Was that the point?

[Guitarboarder28]

What I learned from that link is to wear full gear while watching stunt bikes. Was that the point?

I said the full thread.. meaning the other pages lol only the first page is about that

[jwm2k3]

Who wants to bet both Doc and NHbubba wear their helmets inside the house and their hi viz on tue couch watching tv?

Heh, just kiddin guys...Im glad I started this thread. Im also glad that riding in shorts kinda freaked me out...feeling all exposed.

[Garandman]

I think a lot of the choice has to do with picking the right gear.

Yesterday I expected thunderstorms all day and wore a solid one piece suit. Came out to sunny, very humid 80's. Decided not to wear the suit, got on the highway, and my shirt started beating me to death, which sucked about as much as being inside the one piece.

By contrast, the Vanson Vent Max I have is just about as close to no jacket as you can get, doesn't flap in the breeze and I don't sunburned. They apparently don't hold up to well in a high speed crash, but I never use all the power. Bought a Vent Max 3 on closeout for $75.

[Alilyoyo1]

If this didn't change minds...

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...9QEwAw&dur=839
I think alot of his issues were impact/breaks....

to everyone who thinks its worth the risk read this whole thread.. should change your minds

http://www.zx-10r.net/forum/showthre...highlight=rash

[RandyO]

When I was in my early-mid twenties I did the squid thing. The typical T-shirt/tank top but always wore pants. Found NESR and realized what I was doing was stupid. Once in a blue moon I'll wear a tshirt to go around the corner for gas and honestly I dont like it. I feel naked and road debris/bugs sting! Don't know how I used to do it.

squid thing?

sorry that you think NESR is about being a safety nazi

[Garandman]

squid thing?

sorry that you think NESR is about being a safety nazi

I've been to Dachau: throwing around the "Nazi "trivializes the meaning of a word that represents people who were evil incarnate. Not cool.

[KawiSmurf]

I've been to Dachau: throwing around the "Nazi "trivializes the meaning of a word that represents people who were evil incarnate. Not cool.

Wow. You know what's not cool? Using a concentration camp as a crutch to make your point.

I've been to Dachau as well. But I've also been around the internet long enough to know that the word "nazi" has evolved (perhaps devolved?) into a meme applicable to any strict attitude over minute details.

For example, you're being an etymology nazi. No soup for you.

[Garandman]

Wow. You know what's not cool? Using a concentration camp as a crutch to make your point.

I've been to Dachau as well. But I've also been around the internet long enough to know that the word "nazi" has evolved (perhaps devolved?) into a meme applicable to any strict attitude over minute details.

For example, you're being an etymology nazi. No soup for you.

Fair commentary.

I guess "Soup Nazi" - a character created by a Jewish comedian - sufficiently trivialized the meaning once and for all.

[RandyO]

I've been to Dachau: throwing around the "Nazi "trivializes the meaning of a word that represents people who were evil incarnate. Not cool.

We're not ALL gear Nazi's

Being the resident "Gear Nazi" I have

I appreciate the gear nazi approach too. Reading a

there was nothing trivial about my selection of words

[nhbubba]

Raise your hand if you are offended.

Bummer, not nearly as many hands in the air as I had hoped.

[jwm2k3]

Raise your hand if you are offended.

Bummer, not nearly as many hands in the air as I had hoped.

Im not old enough to remember the effects of nazis

I am offended by a bunch of other stuff though. Crash threads...chicken strips....Ducati dry clutch...those things offend me.

The last few posts were good banter between you two. Bravo.

[Father Ribs]

Fair commentary.

I guess "Soup Nazi" - a character created by a Jewish comedian - sufficiently trivialized the meaning once and for all.

Hey, the guy DID have a makeout session during Schindler's List...

[aldend123]

Raise your hand if you are offended.

Bummer, not nearly as many hands in the air as I had hoped.

I am! These people are being political correctness nazi's. Very offended.

I just got back from a weekend in Maine, and as someone else mentioned, plenty of Harley's living it free. And after all the sunburns I saw, I wonder if you can also preach about gear from a functional stand-point. The majority of the reasons I hear are all about safety, but that's all based on an odds game and risk assessment. Which we all know some people are bad at. If you want to preach, try selling them on reasons they care about, like that lobster-red skin, dust up the nose, easier time supporting the bike with solid boots, shorts turning in to parachutes etc.

[Kenn157]

Well today I did it... Was hoping nobody would recognize me... Wrong! Was dropping off the Thruxton today for service. Riding up RT1 in shorts, sneakers and tee. I did have gloves and helmet on... Who I pass going south on RT1 Obsolete!!! He was in boots, pants, jacket, gloves and helmet... I wave at him then I realize that's Alex! I'm like shit I hope he didn't know who I was... Hahaha he knew... Busted!
First time i ever squided out...

[obsolete]

I was gonna Tshirt it today but I thought better of it since I was gonna beat on the loaner Diavel. I always knew you where a squid :-P