Ducati Monster Forum

Just curious...... ;)

I know that most of us frown on squid-like practices (me included) like riding around in Gym Shorts and a Tank-Top, and I would rather sweat my ass off in my black textile jacket + riding pants than risk crashing w/no gear on (which, according to Murphy's Law is precisely when it would happen!!  :( )

   BUT, as I get more and more comfortable on my bike, I have found myself tempted to run small errands on it in just a long-sleeve T and jeans when it's hot....I haven't given in to this temptation yet and don't plan on it, but I always see these idiots riding around on their GSXR's looking like they're on their way to Gym class, and wonder why they don't gear up....

   Sooo, that's the question.....Be Honest!!  Do you ever occasionally say "Screw it, it's 5 miles round-trip, no traffic....Just a helmet will do...."  ?? Am I alone when I get these urges??   :-\

**EDIT** -My apologies if this is more of a "Gear" section poll...please move if deemed necessary....

I'm not proud to say I've done it but I've ridden a few times in a tshirt and jeans with my boots.  Although that was before I really had any gear.  Now that I have an actual motorcycle jacket I wear that everytime. 

Even when I lived in Phoenix, I was in leathers year-round.

i bought proper hot-weather gear for a reason.

This is a great and very important question. 

When I lived (and rode) in San Francisco full gear every single time, no question.

I now live in St. Louis MO and will be riding in 100+ degree temps (and HUGE humidity) this summer.  I have spent a lot of time researching hot weather equipment and will probably buy a Teknic Supervent jacket (in silver...what's the point of the black mesh jacket?)...but I know when it is 95 degrees anything is hot.  I know I will be temped and am not sure what I will do????

I don't want to not ride cause it's too hot, I don't want to leave my gear at home and I don't want to pass out from heat stroke [puke] ....not sure what I'll do

Quote from: derby on May 13, 2008, 08:16:26 AM
i bought proper hot-weather gear for a reason.

Oh absolutely....I don't own any as of now...Just my black Ducati Textile jacket w/pads + removable liner....But even without the liner it doesn't breathe at ALL....I still wear it though, no matter how hot it gets....

i don't have full leathers. but the gear i have will ALL be on for EVERY ride. 90% of accidents happen within 2 miles of home  [thumbsup]
Also, someone forgot the obligatory "bewbies!" option on the poll  ;D

I'm not quite that strict... but I am very good at never wearing shorts, and always wearing a jacket.

Boots and gloves I'm a little more lax with.

I would-a voted for "bewbies" :o

I go from my Tourmaster gear that'll sweat me to death to my perf leather, but still wear it all ~

JM

ive done it im not proud. probably still will do it, 2 mile round trip commute 30mph speed limit minimal traffic stupid yes. helmet always, shorts never, always at least tennis shoes,

Every time.

Those summer mesh jackets are worth the money. They don't look like they would help much... but I have seen a man go down at speed in one... and he and his gear survived.

Boots, kevlar lined jeans, gloves, helmet, and a jacket... for me and any guests... always.

living in the San fernando valley I learned that of the temp gets above the upper 90's, it's better to wear a non vented jacket. It's also way better to wear a jacket instead of a tee or long sleve tee. The hot air blast will wear you out a lot faster than the heat from the leather insulation.

On those really hot days in the valley I wore my non-vented jacket. On the just plain hot days (~90) I wore a vented jacket.

I can't say I wear gear every time, but I've gone gearless on short errands a couple times in the past. I don't plan on doing it again, but I'm sure it will happen again. I just don't make a habbit out of it.

Quote from: raulduke on May 13, 2008, 08:49:13 AM
I would-a voted for "bewbies" :o

Fixed it!!!   [thumbsup]

I have to say I envy my (stupid) friends when we go on rides in the summer and they wear helmets and t shirts and jeans.
It's 95 out and I have on my full gear. I have had road rash before and it ain't fun, sweating is worth it.
M

Luckily my First Gear stuff has removable liners and lots of zippered slots to let air through so when it's really hot I can still wear the jacket and pants and not die from heat stroke.  That being said, I must confess that if I'm just blipping around doing some errands I've been known to forego the pants and just wear jeans.  But I'm always sporting the jacket, gloves, helmet and boots, no matter what.

One summer I did a lot of local no jacket riding.  After a while I realised the sand blasting at higway speed was no fun and I was just as hot as if I was wearing a perf'd jacket.

I have an airflow mesh jacket that is like air conditioning.  I also have a perforated leather jacket.  Im in San Antonio, Tx and its been just over 90 degrees out on the weekends already.  If Im out in the twisties with no traffic Ill definetly take the leather one.  If I'm commuting I'll still take the leather one and just wish I took the mesh one.  I like the mesh jacket but just don't feel secure in it.  Oh and bewbies all the way. 

I pretty much always wear my gear all the time.  I have good gear for hot temps and it just feels better.

The only exceptions are if I need to do a short errand on local roads (no highways, etc) I will sometimes wear jeans an a non-full faced helmet. Its amazing how naked you feel without the full face helmet and how it calms down your riding.

Full gear EVERY time. If it's a short run to do a quick errand and I don't want to gear up, I drive my car.

All the gear here as well, I've learned my lesson.

Quote from: Johnster on May 13, 2008, 07:38:43 AMDo you ever occasionally say "Screw it, it's 5 miles round-trip, no traffic....Just a helmet will do...."  ??

If it's 5 miles round-trip I take my bicycle (with helmet of course). [cheeky]

Full gear- ALWAYS

Vanson perf leather + Knox riccochet back protector, Oxtar boots, full gauntlet glove, and Helmet (Suomy).

Gone down once before (low side) wearing t- shirt and jeans.... learned the hard way to gear up

just to clarify on my previous post, Full gear for me when running errands = helmet, jacket, gloves, pants.

Any spirted riding or long freeway rides gets the pants & proper riding boots too.

The only place I wont gear up is taking my bike from the road in front of my house to the driveway behind my house.  Its about 50 yards total riding.

The lake is a quarter mile from my house and when I ride my bike down to my friend's boat I am geared up - jacket, helment, gloves, jeans, workboots

technical and longer rides this year shall include 2 piece leather and perhaps frey daytona boots.

Not a fun story here -- skip if you are squeemish.  

Living in Yuma, AZ many years ago a co-worker decided to go for a ride at 3pm in shorts/t-shirt but was wearing a helmet.  He was clipped on the bike and went flying.  Knocked out but not a scratch otherwise.  Problem was he was unconscious for fifteen minutes while laying on hot pavement before medics arrived.  Nobody at the accident scene moved him due to fear of neck injury.   It was 121 degrees outside -- the pavement was MUCH hotter than that. (nobody realized that at the time)  Sorry to say -- but he literally melted into the pavement.  Third degree burns.  Muscle tissue beneath was also destroyed due to the heat itself cooking him.  He was in surgeries for almost three years.  Still disabled 10 years later and in a wheelchair for rest of his life.  

You need incentive to wear protective gear while riding when it's hot outside now?

I'd only ride sans jacket if short distances in town and at slow speed or around my shop.  And usually with someone else riding along.  If riding alone -- always with gear on -- especially if its hot outside and the pavement is scorching.

i'll wear riding pants, jacket, helmet, gloves, & boots almost every ride.
when it's blazin' hot, i sometimes ride without the pants  :-\

Full gear, 99.9% of the time. Sometimes I will forgo the riding pants for jeans, but always always always wear my boots, jacket, gloves, helmet. No exceptions. Think of it this way- the hotter it is outside, the hotter the pavement will be when your skin is sliding across it. I don't know about you but I can't imagine the scalding hot cheese grater feeling is a good one...

And don't forget to stay hydrated!!

Quote from: DuCaTiNi on May 13, 2008, 11:22:51 AM
when it's blazin' hot, i sometimes ride without the pants  :-\

wow, riding with no pants? bold, very bold indeed.  [cheeky]

I always wear a jacket, gloves and boots, but I don't have pants yet. I never wear anything like slacks or cloth pants, it's always jeans. They held up pretty well in a 50mph gravel crash last year, didn't even tear. I just got a bit of road rash when my jacket rode up.

I was looking for pants to go over my jeans till I got in the family way  [laugh]

I didn't vote, don't know which option best describes.

My gear is more based on the type of riding I'll be doing and falls into 2 categories.  Aggressive and casual.

Aggressive: Full leathers, protective boots, gloves, additional back protector, full face.

Casual: Leather jacket, gloves, full face.

Regardless of weather this is how I ride. unless it's raining, then rain gear too  :P

I don't really use my bike for errands, commuting to work, etc.   I only ride when I'm planning on just riding so that I can focus 100% on the ride.   I'm weird that way.   That being said, I wear the gear 100% of the time.   

I wear all my gear all the time no matter what. The only difference in the summer I have a mesh jacket but I still wear everything.
I had a spill when I was younger and there was no helmet law here in CA and EVERYONE rode around with no helmets or even jackets, scratched my face up and both of my hands and forearms were beaten up pretty bad I can recall going way over 100 miles an hour with no helmet or jacket on a CB900F (yea thats old.
I even wear a friggin bright orange safety vest now just so the cars see me better and have a headlight modulator.
When you go down it f@ccin sucks be prepared no matter how hot it is.

(i am gonna make sure my wife reads this I should get big points [thumbsup])

just watch a squid do some asphalt ballet.  you'll know which box to check from there on out.
My dad taught me from the age of 8 to always ride in full gear and I've been glad he did on several occassions.

My wife biffed it in the driveway on her ninja 250... gloves and jacket got scuffed... cracked the helmet.... she was very happy to have been wearing the helmet. She was just going back and forth down the driveway to get used to shifting.  I can't see risking it for any reason.

Temperature isnt the issue for me (maybe it's a minor factor), distance is. I don't bother changing my shoes for riding boots just to go 10 blocks, and I don't bother changing into my racing leathers if I'm not going on an actual "ride," (defined as a time I ride for the fun of riding alone, usually faster than normal street riding). There is a whole spectrum of gear-wearing I use, ranging from just a helmet, regular shoes, leather jacket, and jeans ("just a few blocks, max 25mph"), to every inch of my body covered with italian and german safety equipment ("let's go practice wheelies!").

Motorcycling is supposed to be fun, and spending 20 minutes dressing up for a 2 minute trip isn't fun. I should just leave the bike at home for short trips you say? Well, I didn't buy a motorcycle to only use it twice a month, so I'll just go ahead and risk it.

Last time I fell was on one of those short trips with minimal gear. I remember bruising my knee (just jeans) and thinking I would have bruised my shoulder too if not for my riding jacket, which took the brunt of it. Would it have been the end of the world if I had bruised my shoulder too? Do I wish I had put on my leather pants to save my knee from bruising? Meh... Not really. Falling off a motorcycle at 20 is about like falling off a bicycle at 20. Worse case scenario for me is braking my ankle or something, and that's very unlikely. For me, that risk is a pretty small price to pay to make riding around town realistically feasable by not michelin-man-ing up.

So I have to be honest, huh?  [cheeky]

I've been known to ride around town in jeans, boots, and a t-shirt.  (And a helmet of course).  I've also got an open face helmet that I've dusted off a few times on a really hot day for a ride around town.  I know its not right but riding a road bicycle full out in spandex isn't safe either and you don't see them in full armour.  

It's the humidity that's a killer here.  Town riding in full gear is uncomfortable enough to make me park the bike and take the car.   If you are above 40 mph and you have your vents open, everything is good though.

Having confessed my occasional squidly tendencies my usual gear for a ride on a warm day consists of Kevlar Draggin' Jeans with knee armor, a vented textile jacket (Joe Rocket Phoenix, Tourmaster Flex, plus a few others in the closet), Alpinestar Ridge boots, full face helmet and gloves.  I'm still looking for a decent pair of vented overpants and want to try the new Coretech GX Air jacket as well.  Haven't found any armored pants that fit properly yet.  (I have the upper body of a 6 foot person and the legs of a circus sideshow midget  [cheeky])

I also have a bright yellow Draggin' Jeans kevlar t-shirt.  [roll]  It's got double layer kevlar in the sleeves but zero impact protection.   I suppose it's better than nothing but probably not by much. :-\  It flows a lot of air so sometimes I wear it under my textile jacket for an extra layer of protection.

If it is a long ride, full leathers, but if it is short rides, blue jeans, boots, kneepads, jacket, gloves and helmet.

I marked for full gear, but sometimes, just sometimes I'll skip out on just the jacket... its just so big!

I have to say that I'm usually in the same boat as Alex.  The temperature is not that big of a deal for me, but if I'm riding a few blocks to do a quick test of a new mod, or to hop to the corner store it's usually gloves and a helmet.  But to actually *go* anywhere from my place I have to hit up I-75, and it's full gear all the time.

One more thing I want to add because I think it's important: The key to wearing more gear isn't being gung-ho for safety all the time or guilting yourself by looking at gory pictures or horror stories of people who crashed, it's owning gear you don't mind using. The pain-in-the-ass factor is all-important. Most of my riding gear was chosen because it looks good off the bike too, so I don't mind bringing it along. The one exception is my leather racing pants (skin-tight black leather with knee pucks sticking off...), which I consequently pretty much never wear. People should think realistically about how often they would want to wear things in the real world when they are buying them, because all the ideals for "safety first" can go out the window fast when a cute girl asks you to take her for a ride.

Good thread. I got rid of most my non-suit gear so that the choice would either be no gear, or full gear (Olympia Stealth - commuting, Alpinestars leathers - spirited riding). Consequently I go full gear pretty much all the time.

I'm in Atlanta, and soon it will be too hot to do the short little jaunts anyway.

yes, i've been down before and it's not fun...

BUT - I ride with sidi boots, jeans, t-shirt and gloves. No helmet anymore. Here in Florida it's pretty common. I actually ride slower cause of the wind factor in my face, i hear better and have much better vision. Yeah, i know it's stupid and dangerous, but f#ck it. It's a much better open air feeling. If i die, I die...      [evil]

Full gear all the time, except when going for lunch at work... helmet, jeans, Polo shirt, casual shoes.

They say that most accidents occur within a 5mi radius of your home.  With that said, i've been tempted on many occasion to just get out there to run some errands, but my conscious always tells me to gear up "just in case".  I don't get fully suited or anything, but i'm at least sporting a jacket, jeans, gloves, helmet, and boots.  Even when it's hot outside.  Now when I'm riding the twisties, then it's time for perforated leathers.

Quote from: MaxPower on May 13, 2008, 03:04:22 PM
Full gear all the time, except when going for lunch at work... helmet, jeans, Polo shirt, casual shoes.

Yeah.....  'Because we all know accidents never happen at lunchtime.   ;D

(just sayin'..I'm guilty as charged too [evil] )

Quote from: Jnaids07 on May 13, 2008, 11:29:21 AM
wow, riding with no pants? bold, very bold indeed.  [cheeky]

riding pants silly  :P

Quote from: MotoCreations on May 13, 2008, 11:11:58 AM
Not a fun story here -- skip if you are squeemish.  

Living in Yuma, AZ many years ago a co-worker decided to go for a ride at 3pm in shorts/t-shirt but was wearing a helmet.  He was clipped on the bike and went flying.  Knocked out but not a scratch otherwise.  Problem was he was unconscious for fifteen minutes while laying on hot pavement before medics arrived.  Nobody at the accident scene moved him due to fear of neck injury.   It was 121 degrees outside -- the pavement was MUCH hotter than that. (nobody realized that at the time)  Sorry to say -- but he literally melted into the pavement.  Third degree burns.  Muscle tissue beneath was also destroyed due to the heat itself cooking him.  He was in surgeries for almost three years.  Still disabled 10 years later and in a wheelchair for rest of his life.  

You need incentive to wear protective gear while riding when it's hot outside now?

I'd only ride sans jacket if short distances in town and at slow speed or around my shop.  And usually with someone else riding along.  If riding alone -- always with gear on -- especially if its hot outside and the pavement is scorching.

Thats sad, & it makes me think. But it wont likely change what I wear. I did purchase a Tank bag last yr & have used that to carry my shorts & sandals so I can gear down or up when required.

I am one of the 4 that has so far said that they will go out with shorts & a T shirt (sandals too)So far I have been lucky. I rely on my superior riding skills & my Cat like reflexes [roll]  :) Crap,,,,I have been over 100 mph in this gear,(well over 100 mph) Just being honest.

When my uncle was a teenager, he was working on his bike. He needed to run it up and down the street real quick to see how it ran. So he started to jump on the bike, thought twice, threw his helmet on, took off, and was t-boned at the next corner.

Gear saves lives.

Quote from: NeenjaMastah on May 13, 2008, 05:19:37 PM
When my uncle was a teenager, he was working on his bike. He needed to run it up and down the street real quick to see how it ran. So he started to jump on the bike, thought twice, threw his helmet on, took off, and was t-boned at the next corner.

Gear saves lives.

thanks for the reality check neenja  [thumbsup]
i have never rode without my helmet :)

For the past 3 years I have ridden ATGATT.  One thing I noticed especially in the hot days is that I don't like being hot.  If it gets above 80 I am so uncomfortable I am no longer thinking about the ride.  The distraction itself I feel is just as unsafe as if I was wearing no gear.  So when it is hot out I will ride with at least Boots, Jeans, Gloves, Helmet.   I am going to try a mesh jacket this year but my perf leather jacket didn't seem to help much. 

I know it's not safe but neither is riding and I feel "safer" being able to concentrate on what I am doing instead of just how hot it is.  I know it's not the popular opinion and I wouldn't recommend anyone else to do it.  I have accepted the risk in order to enjoy riding in the summer. 

Certainly I've been *tempted* not to gear up when it's hot. That doesn't mean I've ever given in to such temptation. I have no more interest in being injured when it's hot out than when it's nice and cool.

All gear all the time.  I have so many things to choose from in the closet.  Cold weather, warm weather and hot weather gear.  So even though it's 110 out I still wear all gear. ;)

I just cant put so much gear on that I overheat.  I that may be more dangerous that riding like a squid.

I wear gear all of the time. I've gotten acclimated to the sauna that I live in.

Full gear all the time every time.  oops, I wear jeans mostly, but suit up in helmet, gloves, boots, and jacket 100% of the time.  I live in a college town and most of the young kids, like I did at their age, wear nothing but eye protection.  I guess I'm lucky that I have not had a spill in my earlier years and now that I have a wife and kids it would be, in my opinion, selfish to hit the road with out the gear.  I'm sure some of you are saying well then why ride?  My answer would be the reduced chance of injury in full gear is a reasonable level of risk.  Hell, we can't be too big of a wussy.

Perf'd leather year round. Occasionally I will wear jeans, but under that would be the field armor and my Oxtars. In the winter, I wear a liner and long johns underneath...

I think the replies here are interesting.  I wonder how the survey would look if taken by a bunch of Harley riders.  I tell my wife..."the Ducati is the safest bike out there"... because it is Ducati culture to wear protective rider gear.

It stays pretty warm year round here in Hawaii and I always wear full gear (except for one time when I took my buddies bike about 200m up the road from my house so he could hear his exhaust).  The only real concession I will make is weather to use the gauntlets of my more breathable city gloves.

I can live without the pants. But helmet jacket gloves no matter what. But I can live with jeans here and there.

Fell over once when I went to friends house, wore sneakers and laces got caught on the gear lever [bang]
Now I wear all my gear [thumbsup]

Quote from: big bear on May 14, 2008, 03:13:48 AM
Fell over once when I went to friends house, wore sneakers and laces got caught on the gear lever [bang]
Now I wear all my gear [thumbsup]

stinkin' laces  >:(

Quote from: spinned on May 13, 2008, 08:15:25 PM
I think the replies here are interesting.  I wonder how the survey would look if taken by a bunch of Harley riders.  I tell my wife..."the Ducati is the safest bike out there"... because it is Ducati culture to wear protective rider gear.

That's precisely whay I started this poll....It's always been very interesting to me how the bulk of Ducati enthusiasts (including myself) are VERY serious when it comes to safety and gearing up and taking the ride seriously....

It seems to be the LAST thing that's important to Harley guys or squid kids on their I4's  [roll] .....

Quote from: JoDuc on May 13, 2008, 02:39:14 PM
yes, i've been down before and it's not fun...

BUT - I ride with sidi boots, jeans, t-shirt and gloves. No helmet anymore. Here in Florida it's pretty common. I actually ride slower cause of the wind factor in my face, i hear better and have much better vision. Yeah, i know it's stupid and dangerous, but f#ck it. It's a much better open air feeling. If i die, I die...      [evil]

Yikes! I can maybe understand taking a calculated risk with the t-shirt (a big calculated risk), but no helmet? A broken bone and road rash are no biggy compared to brain damage. I think no helmet is too much of a risk no moatter how slow you're riding.

The chances of you dying in a low-speed helmet-free crash are slimmer than you think, but being a vegetable for the rest of your very miserable life would not be unlikely at all.

That culture of Florida comment is interesting... It's that way in Hawaii too, so that rules out the "Floridians are crazy" theory, and I think it makes a big difference to the perception of what's safe. Where I live, I feel honestly embarassed to ride without a jacket (no helmet would get you pulled over immediately) because people look down on you if you do. Hell, one time I rode in flip flops, and like 3 separate people on the sidewalk were giving me signs of shame by shaking their heads and pointing to their feet! I felt like a jackass after that.

I guess I'm lucky?

why aren't bewbies winning  :o what has this world come too?!?! For short hops i always wear my jacket, woorkboots, and jeans (hoping to buy some better form of pants for riding)

Helmet, boots, gloves,air jacket with padding...
I've got some Draggin Jeans, but they don't fit me very well.
If it's really hot, or a real short trip, I cage it  :-\

Quote from: Duc L'Smart on May 14, 2008, 05:27:38 PM
Helmet, boots, gloves,air jacket with padding...
I've got some Draggin Jeans, but they don't fit me very well.
If it's really hot, or a real short trip, I cage it  :-\

i've noticed the first piece of gear to be left behind is the pants....
interesting...

I'll occasionally go without leather pants, but boots, gloves, jacket every time.

Oh man

All the Squids out right now in Just shorts and flip flops  [bang]

While I am baking in all my gear and they look at me like I am the Tard  [bang]

Quote from: ROBsS4R on May 14, 2008, 06:08:44 PM
Oh man

All the Squids out right now in Just shorts and flip flops  [bang]

While I am baking in all my gear and they look at me like I am the Tard  [bang]

I get that too some guy today on some old Jap I4 smoking a cig with a half helmet on tshirt, jeans and sneakers on def gave me the "huh?" look.  Course then i preceded to smoke his ugly face he couldnt keep up for anything, poor riding and squids go hand in hand.  O and his tires seemed rather low on air [cheeky].  Wish i had a pic of this guy to show u all  [laugh]

I used to ride in a jacket, gloves, helmet and boots all the time when I had my Duc but I ride a CBR now. The manual clearly states that the bike won't run right unless I'm in flip-flops, cargo shorts, german novelty helmet, and gold chain...  ;D

Full gear all the time. Anything less just doesn't feel right.

Helmet summer gloves, boots, draggin jeans and leather jacket. In winter I change to winter gloves and wear thermals under it all. Thats all the gear I have.

Maybe should have been another option on the poll - if its bloody hot, take the car with aircon to the shop.  [thumbsup]