atgatt against the grain?

[crick]

A lot of motorcyclists out these past few weeks.

Takin' the cage during morning commutes on days i work late, stuck in rushhour traffic, i see a lot of bikers zip by me.

A lot of them were pretty much squiddly. An occasianal biker with a leather jacket, but still - sneakers with ankle high socks and laces a flappin' - most just had a sweater or hoodie on.

rarely saw a fully geared biker out there.

r atgatt in the minority?

 

[JO EBRMC]

It's summer.

Unsolicited biker test: when greeting anyone getting off of a bike, kick them in the shins. Hard.

 

[Sidewalk]

You can buy leather gear cheap down here. Supply vs demand; enough supply, no demand!

 

[Flying Pig]

Lessons tend to stick better when learned the hard way :|

 

[Caddywumpus]

I wear a hoodie over my jacket. I have kevlar lined jeans.

 

[Thatboyranin]

When I am going from my house to work (2 miles) the minimum I wear in gear are jeans, icon boots/van high tops, icon back protector, hoodie, gauntlet gloves & helmet.

Anything past that jeans, icon boots only, hoodie, textile jacket, gauntlet gloves & helmet.

I don't understand why anyone can go with anything less. I watch guys fly around with just a t-shirt on. It just makes me cringe.

 

[ScottRNelson]

Most of the motorcycle commuters that I see when I'm commuting between Pleasanton and Santa Clara have full gear on. Apparently those who regularly go longer distances know the importance of proper gear.

 

[CaptCrash]

Wearing gear often is often the delicate balance between fashion and function.

Lots of riders worry about how they look so...Fashion wins a lot.

 

[Nonsequitur]

Wearing gear often is often the delicate balance between fashion and function.

Lots of riders worry about how they look so...Fashion wins a lot.

That's how I get away with my Icon vest over the hoodie, bermuda shorts, and low top Vans!

 

[Karbon]

A lot of motorcyclists out these past few weeks.

Takin' the cage during morning commutes on days i work late, stuck in rushhour traffic, i see a lot of bikers zip by me.

A lot of them were pretty much squiddly. An occasianal biker with a leather jacket, but still - sneakers with ankle high socks and laces a flappin' - most just had a sweater or hoodie on.

rarely saw a fully geared biker out there.

r atgatt in the minority?

Relative to to bay area, absolutely. the contrast is even more stark After crossing 3 states during late spring.

 

[JPK]

When I am going from my house to work (2 miles) the minimum I wear in gear are jeans, icon boots/van high tops, icon back protector, hoodie, gauntlet gloves & helmet.

Anything past that jeans, icon boots only, hoodie, textile jacket, gauntlet gloves & helmet.

I don't understand why anyone can go with anything less. I watch guys fly around with just a t-shirt on. It just makes me cringe.

Funny, I have the same reaction when I see people riding in jeans. Not sure why the skin on one's lower half is less important than the skin on the upper half.

 

[Rob]

Squid season.

 

[Junkie]

It's summer.

Unsolicited biker test: when greeting anyone getting off of a bike, kick them in the shins. Hard.

I've yet to see leathers that have real shin protection. With my 1 piece on, and tucked into my boots, there's certainly a hole as far as impact protection goes.

 

[orbframe]

i'm so tired of people saying squid = no gear... "squid" is a bit more than that...

that being said, it's also "which bike do I buy" season, as well as "i wear all my gear and you don't and you're stupid" season...

 

[Archimedes]

Contrary to what most BARFers want to believe, a lot of people ride motos with little to no gear and never get hurt in any way. In fact, the vast majority of those squidly riders you see don't get hurt. I'm MTGMTT myself these days, but I rode for years like that without any incidents, including going helmet less for years. I still squid around town from time to time and it reminds me why a lot of people don't wear much gear. I feel much more connected to the bike than I do when I'm draped in leather and stiff boots. That said, I rarely do it because the risks outweigh the benefits. But I'm an old guy with responsibilities, not a young guy who still feels indestructable.

 

[JPK]

(snip) as "i wear all my gear and you don't and you're stupid" season...

Not sure if that was directed at me or not. I was simply pointing out the irony of someone who admittedly rides in jeans all the time cringing when they see people riding in t-shirts.

I'm sure that riding around in jeans and a t-shirt would feel far more comfortable than riding around in full leathers. However, I've had a skin graft before (not from a moto accident), and I have no desire to repeat that experience. As Flying Pig said (more or less), unfortunately some people need to learn lessons the hard way.

 

[Stormdragon]

that being said, it's also "which bike do I buy" season, as well as "i wear all my gear and you don't and you're stupid" season...

Soon to be followed, as always, by: 'Which oil should I use' and 'Why are tires so expensive' seasons. Then the rain comes.

 

[Rob]

i'm so tired of people saying squid = no gear... "squid" is a bit more than that...

Yes... I can imagine you would be tired of that.

 

[bigpoppa]

I'm MTGMTT myself these days... That said, I rarely do it because the risks outweigh the benefits. But I'm an old guy with responsibilities, not a young guy who still feels indestructable.

I'm pretty much the same. While I've definitely ridden jacket+jeans for most of my riding time, over the past year, I've shifted to wearing a 2-piece nearly all the time (leather for cold weather and textile for warmer weather + rain).

I have to admit, the few times in the past few months I've gone out without the full 2-piece on, I feel naked somehow. Of course come July/August out here, I may find myself back to the Jacket + Jeans routine...we'll see.

 

[louemc]

Of course ATGATT goes against the grain.

The grain is comprised of not too bright, and take the easy way, and lowest cost way, and comfortably oblivious way.

The grain doesn't mean squat (until it's Your grain getting sanded off on the Road)...The only thing that is important is..is the individual able to think for themselves.