Hi all,

I don't actually ride a Harley, but my husband does. I can't help worrying about him when he's on the bike. He has a special jacket that has padding at the back, and plastic to protect the rider's shoulders and elbows. Only thing is that he rarely wears it. His excuse is that it makes him hot, but even on cold days, he'll ride off wearing his denim jacket. I reckon he thinks he looks better in the denim jacket.

So, I was wondering if you guys wear protective clothing when you ride your bike. Should I nag my husband, or leave him alone? .

My apologies in advance if I offend anyone, but this may get the message through.

The picture below is of a young woman who fell off the back of a sports bike at  speed. The link is to a website that tells her story and is worth a read.

www.speedfreakinc.com/safety/extreme_roadrash_cause_effect_and_lesson_learned.html

 

Buy your guy a nice leather jacket. They look cool and are better than the synthetic ones. My leather jacket is 20 years old and I still wear it every time I go riding. It's saved my skin a few times (and I mean that literally).

Hi Branjie,
The wearing of protective gear whilst riding is to some degree a personal choice. I wear normal protective stuff like leather jacket, boots, gloves and helmet. At times during summer I will wear a leather vest over a long sleaved shirt. I am aware of the risk of serious gravel rash should I end up sliding down the road, I would be a lot more concerned with the welfare of the bike!
Riding a motor bike is risky at the best of times. Please don't nag him too much!!!!!!!!!!

Bob

I almost always wear Dragin' jeans which are kevlar lined. They are strong, look good and are comfortable. I always wear decent leather boots without laces, and a leather jacket unless it's stinking hot and I am on country roads. Then, somtimes I will wear a leather vest. I also prefer a full face helmet if I am riding in heavy traffic. All drivers can make mistakes. That's what accidents are. It aint worth it. Get him a leather jacket. I recommend Kevlar jeans too.

Cheers!   

Draggins also make denim jackets. If he looks cool in denim get him one as its kevalr lined.

He will still look as cool and you will feel a little happier.

cheers

Surly

Hi guys,

Thanks for your advice. I'm going to show hubby this thread. I'm also going to look into a leather jacket, and Kevlar/Dragin jeans and jackets.

Thanks again!

No wonder the poor girl got gravel rash........she was only wearing her underwear

I wear a 25yr old leather jacket if it is cold,a T shirt with a flanalette shirt and cut off denim jacket if it is just cool,T shit and vest if it is warm.But these are all my individual choices and I never try and tell people what they should wear,my wife wears her leather jacket most of the time.In the 34 years I have had a license I ride with what I conseder the appropriate gear for the occassion.Because I am a maniac on a sports bike I always wear 1 piece leather and boots and expensive full face helmet,now I am old and senile,I ride a lot slower,avoid traffic and enjoy the world a lot more as I ride past at a lot more sedate pace.

 

nobody

Good one nobody.

O.k this might sound silly, but I just wanted to make sure. When you guys say you wear a leather jacket, you mean one specifically for riding motorbikes don't you? I have looked at some motorbike style jackets at the shops, but they turn out to be paper thin, with no extra protection for the elbows, shoulders and back. It would be great if I could a buy a jacket that's going to last 25 yrs!

I'll only got the jacket and gloves if I'm riding any sort of distance at highway speed. If I'm just crusing around town, jeans, boots and a T-shirt. But like Nobody I take a relaxed stand on riding these days.

It's a risk but we all know the consequenses, good pic boof, shows it how it is.

Ya mad if you don't suit up.

-draggin jeans

-Icon jacket

-Rossi boots

-Alpine star gloves

-full face/open face helmet depending on weather conditions distance/speed

You don't look to cool with ya skin gone.

See picture below

Well said jap.

It is very much a personal issue...

I either wear a good pair of jeans of my Draggin Urban's... Dryrider or leather jacket and good boots... mostly use open face helmet and summer/winter gloves depending again on weather.

have been know to weal long sleeve t shirt on shorter trips if it is very hot... my riding style also changes

I have a leather Jacket but in the warm weather I went back to a t-shirt and long sleeve shirt.
But after reading the above story about the gravel rash chick on another forum, I went and bought myself a draggin jacket for when the weather is warm.
After a while I found I prefer it to my leather jacket even in cold weather so i just put a hoody underneath it and away I go.

I have no issue with anyone wearing anything they like, one of my best mates wears shorts and thongs, he's a grown up, it's his skin.

So for me it's jeans and runners at least, but usually boots, with my draggin jacket and maybe gloves depending on the temp.

Rocket good to hear you got the Draggin jacket. Sounds like they are the way to go for an all year round jacket.

Depends on where you live as to whether you could call it an all year round jacket.
In Perth, we get poofta winters, it hardly ever gets below about 3 degree's.
But I have had it out on some pretty cold nights with a long sleeve shirt and a hoody and didn't suffer too much.
I do also have some extra padding to help keep me warm too....ahem.

karlrockdrain that looks nasty, lucky it wasn't a lot worse. You're a real trooper turning up to the Christmas do after that.

Nasty.

I've not had bad grazes when I've come off becuase I've worn leather, boots & jeans since my mate came off years ago, and his description of how they had scrubbed the gravel out of his wounds was enough to make my mind up.

Last weekend another mate of mine on a Honda VTR wend down and broke his collarbone in 3 places, 3 ribs and punctured his lung.  He locked up the front brake heading into a corner (pretty typical way to come off aye) We think he didn't let go of the bike as it came down and it slammed him like a whip. He was wearing protective gear but it can only do so much.

Boots for sure and always jeans, but depending on the weather is what I wear on top, though I do like wearing my leather vest.

Ouch...Whilst bones can be pinned or plated together, until they can properly grow skin I will remain protected....all over!!!!!

I.m with you Robbo

Always have and always will ride in boots and jeans,the weather dictates what I wear on top.

 

nobody