Full leathers...

[cgos4r]

Is it a Ducatisti thing? Most Duc riders I see wear full leathers when riding. I have a full leather suit, another leather jacket, textile jacket, and perforated jacket. I usually don't wear the suit unless I'm on a track or going on an advanced ride. In town, I usually just wear one of the jackets and some cargo pants and riding boots. Is it some sort of Duc thing to always wear leather pants even when riding around town? Seriously, 8 out of 10 Duc riders I've seen tooling around have full leathers on.

[TiNi]

Is it a Ducatisti thing? Most Duc riders I see wear full leathers when riding. I have a full leather suit, another leather jacket, textile jacket, and perforated jacket. I usually don't wear the suit unless I'm on a track or going on an advanced ride. In town, I usually just wear one of the jackets and some cargo pants and riding boots. Is it some sort of Duc thing to always wear leather pants even when riding around town? Seriously, 8 out of 10 Duc riders I've seen tooling around have full leathers on.

i wear riding pants because i have seen pictures of peeps that have gone down wearing jeans,
not because i ride a ducati 

road rash aint pretty....

[ArguZ]

I got mesh gear for the summer and I don't even push the bike without my jacket and high boots on.
Pants just take time but I mean...the legs is what your bike will fall on...grinding flesh on asphalt smells bad.
Yes...leather or Mesh or Cordura 500 if you like your skin...always...
if you are on the ubersquids who ride without helmet, don't bother.

[metallimonster]

I agree with Ducatini.  I had a very slow speed low side and my jeans didn't last a second.  Since then I wear the leathers almost all of the time.  I think that the perception of Ducati riders wearing their leathers stems from the fact that most of us are experienced riders that have either experienced road rash or seen it first hand.

[cgos4r]

I agree with Ducatini.  I had a very slow speed low side and my jeans didn't last a second.  Since then I wear the leathers almost all of the time.  I think that the perception of Ducati riders wearing their leathers stems from the fact that most of us are experienced riders that have either experienced road rash or seen it first hand.

I've been riding motorcycles for 25 years, and know all too well about the injuries associated with crashing; but really, wearing leather pants in the summer just to go to the cafe? C'mon. Again, I'm not talking about a dedicated, fast ride through the twisties, I'm talking about a cruise to the cafe or through town. Road rash or passing out in the summer time from heat exhaustion, hmmmm, I think I'll take the risk unless I'm on a full-on ride. 

[Popeye the Sailor]

I've been riding motorcycles for 25 years, and know all too well about the injuries associated with crashing; but really, wearing leather pants in the summer just to go to the cafe? C'mon. Again, I'm not talking about a dedicated, fast ride through the twisties, I'm talking about a cruise to the cafe or through town. Road rash or passing out in the summer time from heat exhaustion, hmmmm, I think I'll take the risk unless I'm on a full-on ride. 

I wear full gear every time.


Do a quick search on who here has crashed in the last four months. Plenty enough have been in the city, on a short jaunt. It's a terrific place to get hit by a car.


If the ride is that short and inconsequential, I would take the car.

[Randimus Maximus]

I agree with what's been said above.

I even sold my Joe Rocket mesh jacket earlier this year - partly because I had three jackets, mostly because I didn't feel comfortable/safe in it.

I will occasionally wear jeans (with boots, jacket, gloves, lid), if I'm headed out on a short ride, however.

[kopfjäger]

Is it a Ducatisti thing?

I think for the most part, yes. I know alot of BMW owners who are just as (smart) as Ducati owners, but I rarely see them in leather, short ride or not. I remember way back when I was a youngster, the only riders I ever saw (noticed) in leathers were on a Ducati.   

[psycledelic]

+1 on the Joe Rocket mesh jacket.  It sure was nice in the summer because it vents like crazy.  It provided elbow, shoulder and back pads, but I just couldn't see the material holding up to any type of slide.  If the material fails, the pads aren't gonna stay where they are supposed to.  My Spidi seems solid, but a hell of a lot hotter.  
Helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots are a must for me, but I am slack on the pants.  Usually jeans or cargos.  
For the most part, my friends are the same.  If we plan a ride (most of them are on sportbikes) and one or two show up in full leathers, I know that me and my little S2R800 are in for a very rough, ass puckering, day.  
It might be stereotyping a little, but I tend to judge people in full leathers by the look of their equipment.  If their leathers are worn, knee sliders are worn, bike isn't glistening, and tires have wear to the edge, wear whatever you want because you need it.  It's the guys with the shiny bikes, complete matching leather suit, matching helmet, and chicken strips that are bigger then mine that I tend to snicker at.  I am just waiting on Karma to find me.  

[sert duc]

wearing leather pants in the summer just to go to the cafe? C'mon. Again, I'm not talking about a dedicated, fast ride through the twisties, I'm talking about a cruise to the cafe or through town.

How do you know what that persons ride entails? I ride Angeles Crest Highway every weekend. In doing so, I have to ride through Pasadena in full leathers. To a casual observer, it looks like I'm suited up in the middle of town for no reason, but unbenounced to them, I will be in the twisties in 15 minutes. And occasionally I will stop by a cafe for a quick cup of coffee in the morning.

If your not following the rider from their house all day long, don't assume they are just putting around town. Seeing as we ride Ducati's a lot of people would be going from their homes to the canyons. They are, after all, sport bikes.

And mind you own business while your at it - this kind of stigma that is attached to wearing gear is the reason why a lot of people don't wear it.  

[sert duc]

It's the guys with the shiny bikes, complete matching leather suit, matching helmet, and chicken strips that are bigger then mine that I tend to snicker at.  I am just waiting on Karma to find me.  

I've got chicken strips and still wear full leathers - what does that have to do with anything? If I go around a corner in the canyons and hit a patch of gravel, it doesn't matter if I've got those strips or if my tires look like I just ran the TT, I'm still going down.

Accidents don't discreminate! Wheter your riding fast or slow, or wheter your an expert or beginner, if you go down you will benefit by wearing leather - simple as that.

[ArguZ]

I went to the track to get rid of the chicken strip...seems there is still 1cm unused rubber left and right.
I did that in my touring pants and the full face leather fetish guys were just looking dazzled.
Two weeks i scored some Dainese Firefly pants for 23 Bucks on ebay...looking brand new.
Never ever without em.

[derby]

I think for the most part, yes. I know alot of BMW owners who are just as (smart) as Ducati owners, but I rarely see them in leather, short ride or not.

that's cause the bmw guys wear aerostitch.

[Statler]

commuted for many years in Florida allways in leather pants and jacket and never found it to be a huge problem.   Long before I had a Duc.

Your post sounds like you aren't asking why lots of Duc riders wear so much gear as it is stating you think they're silly for doing so.    You've been riding long enough to know arguments on each side.     I know this site can be pretty preachy when it comes to gear, but it does surprise me to hear experienced riders giving anyone a hard time for being overdressed for any ride.

Now if you don't show up at rhodeside some evening riding in shorts I will be greatly disappointed.  

[Nitewaif]

Leather pants literally saved my ass once.  Now for me, it's ATGATT.