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Does Wearing a One-Piece on the Road Make You Look Like a Goober?

liferider said:
You should really give Teiz suits a look as well, about the same price as a 'Stitch, but more features for the $ - armor, superfabric joint pads. I don't work for them, I'm just an entirely satisfied customer ;)
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Teiz is a good suit. It's heavy as hell but good quality and features and I was to go textile it would be this suit over a stitch.
 
Bravnik said:
Teiz is a good suit. It's heavy as hell but good quality and features and I was to go textile it would be this suit over a stitch.
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Wee bit too expensive. I'm trying to afford both a suit and a GoPro this summer, dunno if I can pull that off with a $700 suit. It's also kinda fugly :laughing

Bravnik said:
Now I'm really confused. If you're not tracking then why must you have knee sliders?
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I am planning on doing a trackday soon enough but I do 99% of my riding on the roads. Just some cheeky humor :)
 
A goober is one who wears teh vest or back brace with shorts and sandles
and has a neon green mo-hock on da hemet (hemet spelt correctly)

I have Tekics Chicane two piece (Zipper Uppers) and I have a Alpine Star Textile

Da females still give me da looks and I looks em back knowing what they dont

Under da cool stuff is teh 55 year old bald guy :rofl
 
JMardy said:
When I commute, I wear a yellow Aerostich with an even brighter yellow SaferMoto high vis vest. I'm sure I look like a complete 'tard but fuckit, you saw me, didn't you. :laughing

One piece leathers are a bit of a commitment, you are going for a ride and nothing else. Stopping at restaurant in 1 piece leathers - it's hard not to be a little self-conscious. If you have a zip together jacket, you can at least remove the jacket and blend in.

So I'd recommend a good two piece set of leathers, or a 'stich.
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Not at all- I do it every weekend. You just peel out of the top half. All the people I ride street with regularly are all wearing 1-pc suits, with the exception of one guy. We all just peel out of the top half of the suit, and don't think twice about it.
Frankly, my 1-pc leathers are my favorite "outfit"! :laughing

Junkie said:
The difference in protection between 360 (or 270) zip jacket/pants and a 1 piece of the same quality is pretty much 0.
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Actually, any time you have a connector (such as a zipper), there's an increased possibility of failure under stress as opposed to a solid piece. So while the odds are admittedly low, to me, a one piece is slightly better protection. YMMV.

103 Moto said:
Would you use it for commuting and everyday riding too, or just trips and recreational or stuff on the weekends?

I'm one of those ATGATT people... I regularly use a two piece full zip textile setup, with boots, gloves, and the spine protector too. If you do it, I think you will certainly look a little weird, or at least unusual, and you just need to accept it. I probably look a little strange and I almost never see people in full gear (90% of riders I see have a helmet at most, maybe a jacket or gloves sometimes), but I do it anyway. So anyway, yes, I think you'll look unusual, maybe weird to some people. It just depends how much you mind that, I guess.

Speaking of this subject though, since I ride my bike almost always and want to maybe look a little more normal when I'm just doing errands or certain social things, I've been considering finally selling an extra helmet and jacket I have and getting some more casual-looking leather gear that could be more passable as street clothing too. You might want to consider getting something like that if you get the one-piece too, so you have the option to look more casual sometimes.
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Where are you riding? The only time I see hords of under-geared riders are when I'm in the Central Valley/Sacramento area... for every 20 t-shirt n jeans rider, I'll see maybe 1 rider in full gear out there... but here in the Bay Area, it's mostly full gear, or jacket, gloves, boots with jeans.

Bondage said:
Specifically for like day-long rides. I ride for hours at a time. To me, it doesn't seem appropriate to wear my Bilt jacket and urban camo BDU pants. That's more commuting type stuff to me because they're comfy but not exactly great in the protection department. I DO however always wear my Stryker chest/back armor because I'll be damned before I'm stuck in a wheelchair unable to get it up :teeth
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You can pick up knee/shin guards for less than $20. Get them, use them. I've seen more actual knee caps than any woman I know not in the medical profession... did you know they're white and shiny? I'd add that every single one of those knee caps was covered in blood and sticking out through a bloody hole in a pair of jeans... with no knee/shin guards in sight... jes' sayin'...
 
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Gixxergirl1000 said:
Actually, any time you have a connector (such as a zipper), there's an increased possibility of failure under stress as opposed to a solid piece. So while the odds are admittedly low, to me, a one piece is slightly better protection. YMMV.
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Not planning on lowsiding at 90+ mph so I'm pretty sure the zippers can hold the stress, but I dunno... I'll have to think about it.

Gixxergirl1000 said:
Where are you riding? The only time I see hords of under-geared riders are when I'm in the Central Valley/Sacramento area... for every 20 t-shirt n jeans rider, I'll see maybe 1 rider in full gear out there... but here in the Bay Area, it's mostly full gear, or jacket, gloves, boots with jeans.
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People in Da Bay have more sense, not to mention money :rolleyes

Gixxergirl1000 said:
You can pick up knee/shin guards for less than $20. Get them, use them. I've seen more actual knee caps than any woman I know not in the medical profession... did you know they're white and shiny? I'd add that every single one of those knee caps was covered in blood and sticking out through a bloody hole in a pair of jeans... with no knee/shin guards in sight... jes' sayin'...
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:wtf Kay, I'm gonna go buy some like, today. The kind that strap around your leg. Knowing We All Ride, they will only have like $80 ones. Know some good cheap brands?
 
imma goober :banana
 
Obscura said:
Why do you give a rats ass about the opinions of others while you ride? Let alone those that see you when you arrive to your given destination?

Wear what's comfortable and within your budget.

A two piece would be easier to get out of, especially if you're trying to slip into a shitter to take a dump.
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x2... 2 piece is much easier when you have to take a emergency dump!:laughing
 
Bondage said:
... Is there potential for looking like a dork? :|
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Of course there is. Everyone who wears or does something not understood by others runs this risk and is almost certain to be described as such.

If leathers are a fashion statement for you, maybe you shouldn't.

If they're safety gear, then wear them.

If you're really asking, "How much additional weird attention will it get me?" Not much more than doing whatever you do in a two piece. You're still wearing big heavy gear that few others are so you're going to stand out, Power Ranger or not.

On the up-side, all of those who do ride and think of leathers as safety gear will approve while they tease you about being a Power Ranger.

Advice? Eventually, wind up having a couple of two-piece suits and then a one-piece to add to the collection. If you're like a lot of us you'll spend a lot of your time on the bike using it for transportation and won't want to deal with the additional attention and such that a one-piece requires: two pieces are more versatile. Pull out the one-piece when you're going for a ride to Gizdich or Skaggs and you know the rest of your social group will be likewise dressed... and too, you can take it to the track. :party
 
Obscura said:
Why do you give a rats ass about the opinions of others while you ride? Let alone those that see you when you arrive to your given destination? ...
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? 'Cause lots of people will treat you weird if you do things they don't expect. Sometimes it's not worth the hassle. Not everyone cultivates that. Not everyone cultivates that all of the time. BTW, ever do a Mecha-Barbie?
 
Today I rode my bike to work for the first time in almost 8 months (I've been recovering from a back injury). I have a one-piece Aerostich suit (high-vis yellow) that I've had for years, and I recently picked up a used one-piece Alpinestars leather suit from a fellow BARFie. It has pristine sliders on the knees, and I don't have any immediate plans of going to the track.

I opted for the A* suit today because it would provide protection and it would be comfortable. I had a great ride to work, and I'm really looking forward to the ride back home this afternoon. I even parked in the parking structure at work, because I like the way it resonates/amplifies the sound of the two-brothers exhaust on the bike without my having to rev it up.

All of this adds up to what is paramount: safety, and putting a smile on my face. As far as what other people think, I don't tend to worry about that when it comes to stuff like this.

Follow your heart, and stay safe. :thumbup
 
Bondage said:
... :wtf Kay, I'm gonna go buy some like, today. The kind that strap around your leg. Knowing We All Ride, they will only have like $80 ones. Know some good cheap brands?
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BTW (and sorry if I seem pedantic, I just wanna be clear):

1) if you're doing a trackday some of the providers will allow you to wear a "good quality" two-piece in C group. Check with them.

2) The $20 / $30 knee / shin guards that are fugly will make a world of difference if worn. Heck, I've got a set I'd give you if I could get to them. (locked away in storage right now.) I'd assumed you had two-piece textiles at least right now.

3) The padding / armor in textiles is OK and will protect moderately well most of the time, but most of the time the're not going to last more than one moderate mishap. The leather *is* better but I *do* understand the cash issue too.

4) One-pieces are almost always going to be stronger / safer / better -- the attaching zipper won't break (there isn't one), the jacket can't scooch or roll up exposing you to rash, the pants won't slide up or down exposing your calf or butt, etc...

5) ... *but* don't think that the zippers / parts / padding / leather can't fail if you're not railing through the mountains at triple digits. They're leather suits not magic suits.

And good on you for thinking about these things and asking the questions. :thumbup
 
mosquito said:
BTW (and sorry if I seem pedantic, I just wanna be clear):

1) if you're doing a trackday some of the providers will allow you to wear a "good quality" two-piece in C group. Check with them.
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Eh. I want them anyway for road riding. Starting to feel vulnerable out there, Connie didn't really help with the Red Asphalt-esque gory descriptions :laughing

mosquito said:
2) The $20 / $30 knee / shin guards that are fugly will make a world of difference if worn. Heck, I've got a set I'd give you if I could get to them. (locked away in storage right now.) I'd assumed you had two-piece textiles at least right now.
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I want to wear them underneath these pants:
$%28KGrHqZ,!gwE4b9,N4gYBOW-hJPckQ~~60_35.JPG


I wear those and my Bilt jacket (which did a really solid job protecting me when I highsided)

I'd take them off your hands but SF is a helluva distance for some ruddy kneepads.

mosquito said:
3) The padding / armor in textiles is OK and will protect moderately well most of the time, but most of the time the're not going to last more than one moderate mishap. The leather *is* better but I *do* understand the cash issue too.
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$500 should be enough, I think. That's about mid-range.

mosquito said:
4) One-pieces are almost always going to be stronger / safer / better -- the attaching zipper won't break (there isn't one), the jacket can't scooch or roll up exposing you to rash, the pants won't slide up or down exposing your calf or butt, etc...
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I'm starting to lean towards those because I get the feeling a 1-piece will fit like a second skin as well as offer better protection.

mosquito said:
5) ... *but* don't think that the zippers / parts / padding / leather can't fail if you're not railing through the mountains at triple digits. They're leather suits not magic suits.
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If I look like a Power Ranger maybe Zordon will protect me. :teeth

mosquito said:
And good on you for thinking about these things and asking the questions. :thumbup
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Thaaaaaaaaaanks :3 BARF is a valuable resource :thumbup
 
you shouldnt really care what people think - dont be too self concious about it. You're already different by riding a bike. Heck, in Vietnam, no one wears gear so if you got even textiles on, you look like a goober.

i guess i'm just used to seeing them so i dont really think twice about it.

I also wear a 'stitch to work now and then and it looks like a giant grey spacesuit, but dyaaaam is it so convenient to put on and take off.

HEY! those camo's shred up like crazy on the asphalt. I used to wear black bdu's and had a slower than 10mph off on it and it ripped a good sized hole in the knee.

Now it's full gear and kneepads.

These are expensive: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/dainese-knee-v-guard

but they go under everything, even skinny jeans, and are very comfortable and breaths well.

good luck finding a suit! don't skimp out either - you get what you pay for sometimes.
 
crick said:
you shouldnt really care what people think - dont be too self concious about it. You're already different by riding a bike. Heck, in Vietnam, no one wears gear so if you got even textiles on, you look like a goober.

i guess i'm just used to seeing them so i dont really think twice about it.

I also wear a 'stitch to work now and then and it looks like a giant grey spacesuit, but dyaaaam is it so convenient to put on and take off.

HEY! those camo's shred up like crazy on the asphalt. I used to wear black bdu's and had a slower than 10mph off on it and it ripped a good sized hole in the knee.

Now it's full gear and kneepads.

These are expensive: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/dainese-knee-v-guard

but they go under everything, even skinny jeans, and are very comfortable and breaths well.

good luck finding a suit! don't skimp out either - you get what you pay for sometimes.
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Hey, thanks. I've already had my eye on the Icon ones though, they're about the same price and they'll go with my armor :)

Dunno what brand of BDU you had but mine are the $50 milspec ones, not some burlap sacks turned into pants. I had a pretty epic crash and they got one tiny rip in the knee. Granted, I don't think they're meant for that kind of impact and could shred on the tarmac but I trust them to hold up at least as well as some jeans.
 
Bondage said:
Wee bit too expensive. I'm trying to afford both a suit and a GoPro this summer, dunno if I can pull that off with a $700 suit.
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Your priorities need some serious adjusting. A GoPro is a toy and a complete luxury. It is completely and totally unessesary for riding. Quality gear, on the other hand, will not only make you much more comfortable when you ride, but can save you untold misery and pain and healing time and money. And maybe even your life.

Put the GoPro purchase aside and put more money into the gear. Then up your budget. Extra hundred or two or five may seem like a lot now, but withint a short amount of time, it'll seem like a pitance.
 
The idea that a two piece is earlier to get on and off - as for toilet breaks isn't necessarily true. I have a two piece Syed and while I could probably get the pants/jacket zipper undone by myself while wearing it there is no way I could get it zipped again without help. Leaving it unzipped reduces protection.The result is that for me it might as well be a one piece. My next will be.
 
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