Essential Riding Wear

[hairyteeth]

This is my first road bike, and I really don't know what I need. What I'm asking for is a feel of what you wear or make sure you have if your...
1 Going to town for a jug of milk.
2 Going for a Sunday ride, 20 - 200 miles.
3 A trip to a destination 1k or more multiple days.
I know everyone has different locations, environments and comfort levels, but some ideas of where to start would be very helpful.
Thanks Hairy

[Oss]

dont take the Valk to buy milk, I have a wife who does that  (Oss ducks and hides from the
ladies)

seriously I have an interstate

If I am wearing the full face  shoei the half helmet is in the trunk on any trip that will be more than the day

Will pack extra set of gloves, rain/wind liner fleece for my mesh jacket and extra socks in the saddlebag

Will wear earplugs and bring a few bottles of water

Usually wearing my dragginjeans and sometimes the knee armor sometimes not

FrogToggs bibb pants in the bag as well

Dont forget the bottle of scotch just in case the destination is a dry county

[DirtyDan]

essential motorcycle equipment

RAIN GEAR RAIN GEAR RAIN GEAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NEVER leave home without it.................. EVER

thats first

after that you NEED to bring EVERYTHING that you NEED

try a few overniters or 3 day weekends you will start to see what you need

bring money and get it on the road if you have to

dan

[fudgie]

I think this is all up to you what you wear, we should only offer advice of products you are interested in. Dont take helmet advise from me! 

We are helmetless 99% of the time. My headwear choice is a beanie or a 'golf' type visor. Keeps the sun out of my eyes. We do carry novelty helmets on trips for in the rain or if we devert to a helmet State. I wear leather vest in the summer and leather coat in cooler temps. Bandannas or tubes for my face in cool weather. Leather fingerless and leather thinsulated gloves. Chaps to. Rain gear is always in the bag. A side arm or 2 is essential for us. 

[Gryphon Rider]

Wear everything you would want to be wearing if you fell off the tailgate of a pickup truck travelling at your maximum riding speed, then add or pack whatever you would need to ride in the worst weather you might have to ride in during that trip.  Whenever I travel on public roads I wear an approved helmet, a sturdy motorcycle jacket, chaps, over-the-ankle leather boots, and armoured full-fingered motorcycle gloves with wrist straps to keep them on in a crash.  I will substitute armoured motorcycle pants or Kevlar-lined jeans for chaps when I can afford them.

[alph]

i usually bring my credit card.  that's about it.  rain gear only if it's going to be over 100 trip and there's a 50% or better chance of rain.  my rule is if it's not raining when i leave, i don't care if it is on my way home.

[GreenLantern57]

This is my first road bike, and I really don't know what I need. What I'm asking for is a feel of what you wear or make sure you have if your...
1 Going to town for a jug of milk.
2 Going for a Sunday ride, 20 - 200 miles.
3 A trip to a destination 1k or more multiple days.
I know everyone has different locations, environments and comfort levels, but some ideas of where to start would be very helpful.
Thanks Hairy

Mine and my remarks only -
1> Depends on helmet state or not. And how far the store is. Me, I am close enough I ride in what I am wearing around the house.  Jacket if cold.
2> 20-? miles with no major highways. Same as 1>.  Long enough ride, probably helmet, leather jacket, maybe chaps. Full gloves.  
3> Take what gear you might need for the weather you COULD see, not what they are forcasting. You can add layers for cold. For that long a run, helmet.
+> Keep your rain gear handy. If you get a good set, you can alway put it on as a wind break for cold weather. Ride with a good pair of boots. Sneakers and low cut shoes will not keep your foot attached or protect your ankles in a slide or worse.
Some will tell you all the gear all the time (AGATT), some will berate me for saying I ride some without a helmet, but I have plenty of insurance and it is my choice.

[larswlvs]

Rain gear!... Maybe some day I'll actually get it on before I get wet.

[BF]

This is my first road bike, and I really don't know what I need. What I'm asking for is a feel of what you wear or make sure you have if your...
1 Going to town for a jug of milk.
2 Going for a Sunday ride, 20 - 200 miles.
3 A trip to a destination 1k or more multiple days.
I know everyone has different locations, environments and comfort levels, but some ideas of where to start would be very helpful.
Thanks Hairy

My riding gear consists of a couple half helmets, a full face helmet (doesn't get used a whole lot), wrap-around shades (safety glasses), armored full finger gloves, lined gloves, fingerless gloves, mesh jacket, liner for mesh jacket, and a heavy leather jacket (doesn't get much use either) and a pair of boots that I can't stand to wear (sorry, I can't wear boots, but yeah, I know....like some folks with their helmets, it's my choice...but I do wear a pair of boots only when riding to work, but that's only because I have to).  

I know I need to get a good set of rain gear.....but as yet, it's not a big priority for me.  

1 - For around town......If it's warm, good sunscreen, usually wear just a pair of jeans (never shorts), t-shirt, tennis shoes, shades, half helmet and armored gloves (sometimes fingerless).  If it's cool, I'll add a jacket, if chilly, I'll add the liner, if it's cold, all take the leather jacket.  If it's in the 30's, I'll take the truck.  

2 - Same as above.

3 - Haven't done one of those yet, but I'd assume that it'd be everything as above but with the addition of some good rain gear.  

[RP#62]

You just can't have too much protective gear.
-RP

[Jess from VA]

Sorry for the thread drift, but I just gotta know............. how did you get your handle?  

I like Gryphon's advice best, I don't always follow it, but I should.

Don't take passengers until you you ride like a pro on your new bike.

You will find that textile jackets; variously waterproof, warm liners, vents, and mesh are much more versatile, comfortable and light weight than leather in most all conditions.  Pick what suits most of your needs.

Get some raingear (2-piece) and never take it off the bike.

Also, what ever gear you get, there's no reason to pay full price for almost anything.  If you regularly shop closeouts from MotorcycleSuperstore, KneeDraggers, DennisKirk, Leatherup, BikeBandit, etc you can save a bunch of money on good gear.

My favorite gear store is here (good product reviews, good sizing info, and very friendly on sizing returns):  http://www.motorcyclegear.com/

 

[wiseguy]

I always wear;
Leather Chaps
Leather Jacket
Leather gloves
Leather western boots (ostrich)
Full face helmet

You never know when you will go down! Always be prepared for it.

[..]

Wear everything you would want to be wearing if you fell off the tailgate of a pickup truck travelling at your maximum riding speed, then add or pack whatever you would need to ride in the worst weather you might have to ride in during that trip.  Whenever I travel on public roads I wear an approved helmet, a sturdy motorcycle jacket, chaps, over-the-ankle leather boots, and armoured full-fingered motorcycle gloves with wrist straps to keep them on in a crash.  I will substitute armoured motorcycle pants or Kevlar-lined jeans for chaps when I can afford them.

+1

[tonyfan70]

You just can't have too much protective gear.
-RP

Looks alright except for them ugly feet.

[Rams]

The advice given above is very good.  Can't add much to it because everyone varies in what they want/need but, I wholeheartedly agree with never leaving home without the (1) HELMET and (2) RAINGEAR.    Everything else depends on where you're going, the length of the trip and how you want to live during that trip.

Riding across the painted desert many years ago, I experienced a blowout on the rear tire of my bike, heavily loaded and traveling way faster than I should have been. I was eventually able to slow and not kill myself.  Although I had some drinks on board, I did not have sufficient supplies for that adventure.  You live and learn, I travel frequently but always consider what I'm doing, where I'm going and what I might need if things go wrong.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Any ride, short or long I have rain gear and spare glasses. A wet microfiber cloth in a ziplock bag and a dry microfiber to clean my windshield and/or helmet visor and/or glasses.

Also always carry a bank card, cell phone and some cash so I can gas up even if the card network is down. If there is any chance it will turn into a long trip then a long sleeved shirt or leather jacket depending on the weather, gloves and clear glasses for riding at night.

For long multiday rides I carry plenty of tools which luckily I seldom need. A tire plug and inflation kit. Two or more pair of gloves so when one pair gets uncomfortable or wet I can change. Sheepskins for my seat, a motorcycle specific GPS and maps. I also do a little research on the laws of anywhere I may wind up since I nearly always pack a sidearm.

Myself, I no longer wear dark glasses, amber only for me now. I was in an accident in 2008 caused by not seeing some road debris, probably because of riding into shade while wearing dark glasses.

[Chiefy]

This is my first road bike, and I really don't know what I need. What I'm asking for is a feel of what you wear or make sure you have if your...
1 Going to town for a jug of milk.
2 Going for a Sunday ride, 20 - 200 miles.
3 A trip to a destination 1k or more multiple days.
I know everyone has different locations, environments and comfort levels, but some ideas of where to start would be very helpful.
Thanks Hairy

I live in Fl.  Haven't done anything like a 1k trip, so I'll pass on commenting there.

1 and 2.  I won't get on the bike without my harness boots (rubber sole), heavy jeans, full face helmet, and full fingered leather gloves.  I've had too many pebbles and big bugs hit my shins and fingers.  Only time I rode in sneakers my lace tangled in the shifter, and my foot also almost slipped out from under me when I stopped at a light.  Helmet is just my personal choice.  If it's cold out, I wear my leather bomber jacket.   If it's cool, I wear my leather vest instead.  Else I wear a light long sleeved tee shirt.  The Sun and the heat in Florida burns me to a crisp and/or dehydrates me quick.  At 30+ mph the long sleeves don't matter.  And it can be so god-awful hot, the short sleeves don't help when stopped at a light.

In the summer here, I've seen folks ride wings barefoot.  I don't know what they do at lights.  You can literally burn your feet on asphalt in the summer here.

[Willow]

I wear a Joe Rocket armored jacket and a helmet about anytime I ride, short or long.

I own two jackets, a mesh Phoenix for the warm weather, and a comet for cooler weather.  I generally wear boots.  I will at least wear jeans to cover my legs, and if going somewhere that jeans are not appropriate, I'll cover my legs in leather chaps.

I have more helmets than I have heads.

In 2008 I collided with a Ford at forty miles per hour.  I subsequently hit the pavement at whatever speed results from that initial impact.  I'm walking today because of the spine pad in my Phoenix jacket.  I'm still thinking (sort of) today because the back of my helmet rather than my head struck the pavement on my landing.

The right side bags of my bikes carry all the stuff I keep with me just because.  That stuff includes rain gear, tools, various gloves and glasses, a fleece pullover and maybe a spare U-joint.

I normally ride between 25 and 40 thousand miles per year.   

[BF]

In the summer here, I've seen folks ride wings barefoot.  I don't know what they do at lights.  You can literally burn your feet on asphalt in the summer here.

My feet are screwed.....to the point that I haven't found a boot that I can wear....at least not for more than a couple minutes or so, so I wear tennis shoes mostly.  But what I don't get is the flip flops and shorts with no helmet and no gloves.    I see it all the time here (mostly v-twin riders).  I know it gets god-awful hot, but I'll park the bike for alot of the summer because of the heat.  The older I get, the less I seem to be able to tolerate the heat so much anymore.  

[olddog1946]

I have two mesh jackets, one for hot one for cold, and two set of mesh pants for the same temps. I always wear a full face helmet, though I have been considering a 3/4 for the BMW so I can use the tunes, intercom system etc. I also wear motorcycle boots..leather gloves when cooler and mesh for over 80..I've run the light weight mesh at over 100 degrees and find it cooler that running without. I do have a cooling vest for really hot days, and heated gear for really cold days.

I personally would not ride without protective gear, skin doesn't take kindly to any road surface I know of...and I like mine where it currently is.

[czuch]

Full face helmet allways. No reason to frighten the kiddies.
Good advise about falling outta the truck too.
 I have important info taped to the inside of my saddlebag, bloodtypes and emergency phone numbers. There is also a $50 hidden on the bike, just in case. Stop by a Fedex office and get a move order envelope. It sticks to the inside-o-the bag and holds regristration and insurance card.

[sugerbear]

if you enjoy this



don't wear a jacket.   :'(

hurt like hell when they washed the tar and gravel out of the rash.

[hairyteeth]

Sorry for the thread drift, but I just gotta know............. how did you get your handle?   

I like Gryphon's advice best, I don't always follow it, but I should.

Don't take passengers until you you ride like a pro on your new bike.

You will find that textile jackets; variously waterproof, warm liners, vents, and mesh are much more versatile, comfortable and light weight than leather in most all conditions.  Pick what suits most of your needs.

Get some raingear (2-piece) and never take it off the bike.

Also, what ever gear you get, there's no reason to pay full price for almost anything.  If you regularly shop closeouts from MotorcycleSuperstore, KneeDraggers, DennisKirk, Leatherup, BikeBandit, etc you can save a bunch of money on good gear.

My favorite gear store is here (good product reviews, good sizing info, and very friendly on sizing returns):  http://www.motorcyclegear.com/

I'd like to thank everyone for your input and tips, I'll need all the help I can get.
I had no idea there were so many places to buy gear from.
My handle came from a dare my kids made me years ago while they were playing an on-line RPG game.
I wanted to log-in but had to come up with an original name for my character, the bet was on and Hairyteeth was born, was accepted on the first try, lol!
Oss; you don't understand, I told my wife this would be great to get those last minute things from the store, and she loved that idea. Besides I knew she'd never fall for the Valkyrie lawn mowing attachment trick, or the amazing Valkyrie garden tiller!
Gryphon Rider; if I'm coming out of the pick-up @ speed I want one of these suits on...technabob.com/blog/2011/.../safety-sphere-motorcycle-airbag-jacket/Cached
Hairy

[Psychotic Bovine]

I always wear my Nolan modular helmet.
My bike has saddlebags so I always have my rain gear and tire patch kit.  A good canteen holding a quart or more of water is very nice to have on long trips, too.  I use a military "arctic" canteen because it holds 1 quart and keeps the water cool in the summer (and it never has leaked).
Riding boots, anything over the ankle is good.  NO LACES!! EVER!!!!!  zip up, or slip on, but NO LACES.  EVER!
My jacket is either a ballistic nylon jacket with a ton of pockets (can never have too many pockets!), or in hot weather is a mesh jacket that flows air really well.  I have a leather 3/4 length jacket, too, but hardly use it since my ballistic does the job as well or better, and is water resistant.
No "trail" jackets like the cowboys wear that are long and split down the back.  Get one wrapped up in that rear axle and it negates all of the other riding gear!  you are gonna get hurt!
Gloves, mesh ballistic for summer, dear skin for all around riding, waterproof gauntlets for cold or wet weather.
A scarf, or wind triangle for really cold weather.  Make sure the scarf is tucked in! 
Overboots for rain, not necessary if your boots are already waterproof.  Wet and cold feet can really hamper a ride.
For short trips, a jacket appropriate for the temperature, gloves, and a helmet.  To me, glvoes and helmet are the most important.  If you fall down, first instinct is to put your hands out.  I read a story about someone who slid on his hands for a while during an accident, and when he got up, he could see through his hands.  That mental image haunts me to this day....
I also have a sweatshirt packed away on those days when the coat isn't enough.
That's my usual apparel, hope it helps!

[BradValk48237]

I agree with what everyone has said here...

I always wear at least helmet, boots, jeans.... do tend to just have a longslelve shirt in the summer... but trending towards getting a mesh jacket........ Only time I went down I was lucky to have my leather on..... but I sweat like a pig and the leather in the summer tends to ruin some of the fun......

I never leave home without all gear that I might need... Have an I/S and the left Saddle bag is dedicated for all my stuff that never leaves the bike... Leather jacket ( with room to pack it there at any time even if Im wearing it), Decent rain gear- spend the money- you won't regret it when you have to use it!, rubber boot covers, tools, repair items, 12v pump, FLASHLIGHT (4 D Cell Maglight- double as protection) and extra parts(I do want to get a spare u-joint), screws, Wireties, wire, tape, FUSES, headlight bulb, oil, small container of coolant..... extra gloves, balaklava, and other assorted sundries.... energy bars and water.....

To sum up... I always have the same stuff on the bike, because you never know where you might end up on one of those "Short" rides..... One time I went out for a short ride and ended up 200 miles away with no jacket, rain gear, etc....... It was a great day and I didn't want to stop......and then it got real cold at 11 PM at night on the way back home!

SO just keep what you want on the bike at all times if you have the space and you never have to worry....... then the only thing holding you back from that perfect spur of the moment ride is cash and time...

Brad

(Geez, I gotta get out on the bike and stop wasting time writing on this site!!!!!!)

[bigguy]

I've been thinking about getting away from all the black leather. Too hot for it most of the year here in Texas. And, there's the whole "biker" image thing that I wouldn't mind distancing my self from. But darn it, the black leather is cheap compared to mesh or Kevlar. I'm just too much of a tightwad to go and blow some dough on gear when I've got a closet full of serviceable stuff.

[Chiefy]

I've been thinking about getting away from all the black leather. Too hot for it most of the year here in Texas. And, there's the whole "biker" image thing that I wouldn't mind distancing my self from. But darn it, the black leather is cheap compared to mesh or Kevlar. I'm just too much of a tightwad to go and blow some dough on gear when I've got a closet full of serviceable stuff.

Sell the black leather on ebay, and wear brown leather.  I wear brown leather.  Makes folks wonder if I'm making a statement, or if I'm too dumb to know I'm supposed to be wearing black.  Guess if I ever buy a Harley, I'll have to wear a stuffed Parrot on my shoulder.  Arrrrrrrrr

[Skinhead]

A side arm or 2 is essential for us. 

I guess so!  Kit looks like she going to rob a train!

[fudgie]

A side arm or 2 is essential for us. 

I guess so!  Kit looks like she going to rob a train!

Yea she hates that pic!

[Clark]

RULE #1...DONT LISTEN TO FUDGIE.. jus sayin

[Oss]

Remember back at an Inzane in Johnson City  Mike from Carolina trike was wearing the
draggin shirt made of kevlar, He said it was what he wore all summer

This is the link

http://www.dragginjeans.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=ACCESSORY_1

Pricey if you ask me but if you dont want to wear a jacket at least it protects you from road rash

[Jess from VA]

draggin shirt made of kevlar

Wonder if it comes in any colors other than urine yellow.   

[Oss]

like the story of why the french officer's pants only come in one color.......brown?  


wrong thread ?  

used to have charcoal also but couldnt find that one.

Was wearin dragginjeans when I went down in 2003 and the stuff saved me totally from road rash and the knee armor saved my knees. The jean fabric ripped but the kevlar held. Still wear em sometimes

Felt like you did about the shirt so never got it