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Riding without leathers-bad idea
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 8:08 am
by Tonyunn
Due to the recent hot weather and nearly passing out on my drive while trying to find my house keys I decided on Monday morning to ride into work in my jeans and trainers.
I have not ridden without leather trousers since I got them in 2002 and after ten minutes on the road I thought that instead of being cool it was one of the daftest things I have done.
I felt naked and scared to be honest, I was aware that I had no protection whatsoever and because of this the bike felt awful and I rode it badly.
Weird the things you think are a good idea at the time.
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 9:03 am
by DavShill
yes I agree Tonyunn it's an odd feeling and doesn't feel good at all to me. The strange thing is, I do a lot of cycling too and regularly hit speeds of 30 to35mph, dressed in nothing but bloody lycra shorts and t-shirt and fingerless gloves - there are points on our regular ride where cars cannot pass us without setting of the speed cameras...............and it feels perfectly safe. The mind works in strange ways.
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 9:26 am
by snapdragon
I've been wearing Hood or Giali jeans for years, and a mesh jacket in the current weather, couldn't concentrate wearing solid leathers in this heat
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 11:18 am
by Samray
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 4:49 pm
by blinkey501
I saw a guy last week riding a gsx1400 with a pisspot helmet t shirt trainers and shorts last week

Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 5:29 pm
by flatlander
If it was mid winter I'd say he was from Sheffield
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 8:07 pm
by fatboy
Makes me cringe seeing people ride in stupid clothing
When I was at school my mates old man would show us his ground down ankle,flat enough to balance a coin on when he rested his foot on the coffee table
Riding in his best suit and smart shoes when helmets were'nt compulsary
Scares me to think of all the times I rode lidless thinking it was cool
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 8:32 pm
by Samray
A rider suffering heat exhaustion/dehydration is probably as much at risk as a badly dressed one imho.
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 8:50 pm
by BikerGran
In France one year when it was very hot (when I was on 2 wheels) a friend and I rode round to the petrol station - less than a mile - in shorts and T shirts - never again! It felt terrible!
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 9:38 pm
by Gio
Having tried wearing even armoured jeans to ride in and feeling unprotected, I don't care how hot it is its full leathers for me or if wet a proper set of waterproofs.
Can always stop for a drink of water or fruit juice.
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 9:42 pm
by Samray
Gio wrote:Having tried wearing even armoured jeans to ride in and feeling unprotected, I don't care how hot it is its full leathers for me or if wet a proper set of waterproofs.
Can always stop for a drink of water or fruit juice.
I can remember giving you a right bollocking about a young pillion with no protective gear.

Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 10:19 pm
by D-Rider
Well guess I'm about to stick my head in the pillory ....
When "out and about" I wear leathers or textile clobber. However that's just completely impractical for work, so commuting is usually textile jacket, helmet
& gloves with work trousers (suit stylee) and work shoes.
Short urban trips at the weekend are similar but jeans and bike boots replace the work trousers and shoes.
Will never ride without gloves - they are truly the most important piece of kit.
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 10:26 pm
by Kwackerz
I ride naked. Only when i'm pissed though.
Just kidding. Leathers 99% of the time, Jeans the rest. Never ever without gloves.
Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 10:33 pm
by D-Rider
Now over to our high-speed test reporter Rollie Free for his opinion .....

Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 10:35 pm
by Samray