Riding without leathers-bad idea

Message

Tonyunn · #1 Post by **Tonyunn** » Wed May 30, 2012 8:08 am

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.

DavShill · #2 Post by **DavShill** » Wed May 30, 2012 9:03 am

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.

snapdragon · #3 Post by **snapdragon** » Wed May 30, 2012 9:26 am

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

Samray · #4 Post by **Samray** » Wed May 30, 2012 11:18 am

Another vote for Hood jeans. Smart and comfortable enough to wear all day every day anywhere, and they do the biz in an off.
http://blog.hoodjeans.co.uk/post/201668 ... ss-stories
http://silodrome.com/kyrano-motorcycle-jeans/
https://www.facebook.com/HoodJeans

blinkey501 · #5 Post by **blinkey501** » Wed May 30, 2012 4:49 pm

I saw a guy last week riding a gsx1400 with a pisspot helmet t shirt trainers and shorts last week

flatlander · #6 Post by **flatlander** » Wed May 30, 2012 5:29 pm

If it was mid winter I'd say he was from Sheffield

fatboy · #7 Post by **fatboy** » Wed May 30, 2012 8:07 pm

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

Samray · #8 Post by **Samray** » Wed May 30, 2012 8:32 pm

A rider suffering heat exhaustion/dehydration is probably as much at risk as a badly dressed one imho.

BikerGran · #9 Post by **BikerGran** » Wed May 30, 2012 8:50 pm

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!

Gio · #10 Post by **Gio** » Wed May 30, 2012 9:38 pm

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.

Samray · #11 Post by **Samray** » Wed May 30, 2012 9:42 pm

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.

D-Rider · #12 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed May 30, 2012 10:19 pm

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.

#13 Post by **Kwackerz** » Wed May 30, 2012 10:26 pm

I ride naked. Only when i'm pissed though.

Just kidding. Leathers 99% of the time, Jeans the rest. Never ever without gloves.

D-Rider · #14 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed May 30, 2012 10:33 pm

Now over to our high-speed test reporter Rollie Free for his opinion .....

Samray · #15 Post by **Samray** » Wed May 30, 2012 10:35 pm

and to BC for his opinion ...

http://s272.photobucket.com/albums/jj194/SamrayUK/Clip/