ATTGATT vs Casual 'Freedom'

[solo1]

I was sitting here thinking about what I wear when riding and my general attitude towards risk taking.

Today, it's hot!  I was going to take a ride anyway and  started to think about the drill.

Lessee,  Put on Diamond Gusset kevlar reinforced jeans.  Put on long socks.  Put on my old Corbin boots.  Grab the First Gear mesh jacket with deerskin semi gauntlet gloves. Put on Nolan full face modular helmet. Remove bifocal glasses, put on Serengeti bronze tint wrap around photochromic sunglasses (really great!).   Ready to roll.

Nope, not today!   However, my mindset was determined years ago. I started with no jacket, no helmet, no protective eyewear except my prescription glasses. and a simple pair of pants, maybe surplus army boots.

I got tired of having my arms feel 'crawly' from the wind moving the hairs,  I got tired of my eyes drying out, i got tired of boots that didn't do the job, I got tired of no gloves and my hands getting hit by every bug on the road, the same for my chest and head.   The pants were ok but that changed too.

The changes that I made were not necessarily done for safety but comfort.................and then i realized that i felt more protected by doing ATTGATT.    That's where I am today.

However, when I get fuel at the nearby Kroger store, I ride over there dressed for street only.  I hafta admit that it does feel GOOD to not have any encumbrances and I'm totally exposed to the wind!   The ride only goes through the parking lot no streets.  Yep, there are big idiots in parking lots too.

Thinking a little further, I note that I have protected the Vstrom a little better too.  Engine guards (actually Tupperwear guards),  and a steel skid plate that protects the oil filter and cooler and, as an added benefit,  I now have decent highway pegs that work!

Getting back to ATTGATT, I believe that my affinity for yellow helps visibility, along with the twin headlights on the Strom and the height of the bike, but i don't count on that.  I have never followed the crowd, I don't wear black, except the jeans, I don't wear dorags, I don't wear leather anymore. The color yellow doesn't conform to most  ideas about motorcyclists (well, maybe BMW riders) but I don't give a rat's patootie.

My full season jacket, A BMG, is also yellow.  It had the option of a back pad and that might be a good idea based on Willow's experience in his accident.  He mentioned that it worked.

I note that I see many HD's with the triangle of lights and that, I believe, works very well for visibility.  

Enough ramblings.  Ride safe either with ATTGATT or without, it's your choice.

Here's a pic of my Strom and Attgatt.  Sorry, the Strom doesn't lend itself to chroming and never gets a second look from anyone.

[Chillerman]

I'm a big proponent of wear whatever you want to wear  . I choose to wear a reflective silver mesh jacket, full face helmet, mesh gloves and Red Wing motorcycle boots with regular levis. I feel comfortable even when it's 95 degrees with the mesh as long as I am in the wind! It really feels cooler than riding in a t-shirt or long sleeve cotton shirt.

[six2go #152]

Wayne:
This morning I put on all the stuff you mentioned except for just regular jeans. Went to Micky Dee's for an oatmeal breakfast, then out for about 120 miles on my V-Strom. It was a nice morning to be out.

[Gear Jammer]

I agree to a point.  But I'd like to invite you both to the Gulf Coast dressed ATTGATT, and get a second point of view      
I did notice as I wrote this (1300hrsCDT), the temp here is 90F , and in Golden,CO it's 61F .  

[solo1]

I didn't say that it was comfortable!  I don't ride in 95+ degree, high humidity weather.  Indiana does get its share of that.  In fact, as I type this it's 92 degrees here but with low 28% humidity.  The low humidity is very unusual for Indiana.

Being retired I have the luxury of picking my days.  

[Chillerman]

I agree to a point.  But I'd like to invite you both to the Gulf Coast dressed ATTGATT, and get a second point of view      
I did notice as I wrote this (1300hrsCDT), the temp here is 90F , and in Golden,CO it's 61F .  

But it was 95 here yesterday! 

[Clark]

sittin here on the couch w laptop on lap. glanced out at dining room.. 3 jackets on dining room chair backs ready ro go.. a cortech mesh, a cortech carbolex, and an icon leather.. ALLL are yellow and black..and a firstgear advetnure jacket in the closet for fall riding..yellar 2.. I must say wearin any of those on my yellow and black strom HAS TO LOOK SEXY.. jus sayin

[solo1]

Yeah Tom, I sure would like a yellow Vstrom but I think that color was only available in 2003, Right?

My 2006 only came in the color that you see, I think.  Grey does go well with yellow too.

[mrprez]

Yep, 2003.  This is the one I traded for my Valkyrie.

[solo1]

I understand that they had problems with pre 2005 V's, 3 to 4,000 rpm dead spots and clutch basket problems which were solved in 2005-6.

[Clark]

yes Wayne.. 03 it was.. Mrprez.. did you get yer strom about 4 months ago?? if so i think thats the one I tried to talk my brother into buyin.. since we are Talkin bout stroms.. I just sold my staintune cans for $850.00 and got a used set of 2 bros. for $350.00... I liked the sound and the looks of the tunes but there was no hp. gain.. the 2bros sound awesome and the power commander goes on next week..the combination is sposed to be an 8hp gain.  if it wont pull the front wheel in second gear its off for a dyno tune.. oh yeah.. and i went up 2 teeth on the rear sprocket and down 1 on the countershaft sprocket.. dunno my fuel mileage and DONT CARE.. SURE IS FUN in the mountains.. I can walk away from my ridin buds.. HEEEHEEEEE

[mrprez]

Clark, I bought that one last September up in Greensboro NC.

[six2go #152]

I agree to a point.  But I'd like to invite you both to the Gulf Coast dressed ATTGATT, and get a second point of view      
I did notice as I wrote this (1300hrsCDT), the temp here is 90F , and in Golden,CO it's 61F .  

But it was only 70 some degrees when I was out today. If I lived in your area, I probably wouldn't even own a motorcycle.

[Clark]

Clark, I bought that one last September up in Greensboro NC.

on a 1-10  what ya think of it?

[six2go #152]

"Being retired I have the luxury of picking my days."

DITTO! Ain't it great?  

[mrprez]

Clark, I bought that one last September up in Greensboro NC.

on a 1-10  what ya think of it?

I'd get another in a heartbeat but newer than an '04.

[fudgie]

I cant ride in all that. Last time I was 'caught' in Sturgis traffic at 1pm and 105 deg I could not see cause the sweat was pouring into my eyes from my 3/4. To me thats not safe.  I do wear my vest but thats it. I like to work on my tan.  I will wear long sleaves on travels due to the sun.
I did have a 'change of thought' from a mc wreck we had a few days ago. His leather held up perfect but was helmetless. A helmet would have definitly prevented his 'visable' injuries. 

[Clark]

I cant ride in all that. Last time I was 'caught' in Sturgis traffic at 1pm and 105 deg I could not see cause the sweat was pouring into my eyes from my 3/4. To me thats not safe.  I do wear my vest but thats it. I like to work on my tan.  I will wear long sleaves on travels due to the sun.
I did have a 'change of thought' from a mc wreck we had a few days ago. His leather held up perfect but was helmetless. A helmet would have definitly prevented his 'visable' injuries. 

I find that either confusing or some would say just plain STEW PID.. why someone would wear leather but not a helmet... skin can heal.. brain cells dont.. must be DESPERATE to appear COOOOOL

[signart]

 Since I have been visiting this forum, I have seen and enjoyed so many beautiful photos of members Valkyries. Also read many posts mentioning this V-strom. No offense, but if all I had to ride is that butt ugly Suzuki, I'd just get a Prius. Please don't post any more pics, just as bad a those wal-mart shopper people been seein on here.

[Clark]

Since I have been visiting this forum, I have seen and enjoyed so many beautiful photos of members Valkyries. Also read many posts mentioning this V-strom. No offense, but if all I had to ride is that butt ugly Suzuki, I'd just get a Prius. Please don't post any more pics, just as bad a those wal-mart shopper people been seein on here.

2 words... guess what they are??

[X Ring]

Since I have been visiting this forum, I have seen and enjoyed so many beautiful photos of members Valkyries. Also read many posts mentioning this V-strom. No offense, but if all I had to ride is that butt ugly Suzuki, I'd just get a Prius. Please don't post any more pics, just as bad a those wal-mart shopper people been seein on here.

I've always said V Stroms were Suzuki's attempt to out ugly BMW's GSs.

Marty

[Clark]

Since I have been visiting this forum, I have seen and enjoyed so many beautiful photos of members Valkyries. Also read many posts mentioning this V-strom. No offense, but if all I had to ride is that butt ugly Suzuki, I'd just get a Prius. Please don't post any more pics, just as bad a those wal-mart shopper people been seein on here.

I've always said V Stroms were Suzuki's attempt to out ugly BMW's GSs.

Marty

U2

[Robert]

While I understand the importance of safety it was 100 on my bike mounted thermometer today and 110 last week. In the shop last week it also was a 100 so it just wasn't on the bike. That coupled with the sun beating down on you my usual attire is a Honda baseball hat a dress shirt preferably white, boots jeans and sun glasses. I did a infrared on the pavement and the blacktop was about 130 and the interior of the cars that I have been getting in have been about 120. Of course the humidity has hovered around 90 to 100 percent with occasional rain showers. I do wear long sleeve shirts because the sun burns whatever is out in it and have toyed with the idea of getting a summer jacket but I cant seem to get the motivation to actually spend the money to find out if I can live with a full outfit. I ride every day and am off and on the bike for short trips most of the time. I can say that walk in someone else's shoes and see what you would do, I am always open to better suggestions from experienced riders.

[Clark]

REAL MEN ride Vstroms...when the goin gets tough.. the tough get goin.. you stick to your boulevards and freeways.. we will eat those for breakfast and crap em out on the dirt roads in the MOUNTAINS

[six2go #152]

Since I have been visiting this forum, I have seen and enjoyed so many beautiful photos of members Valkyries. Also read many posts mentioning this V-strom. No offense, but if all I had to ride is that butt ugly Suzuki, I'd just get a Prius. Please don't post any more pics, just as bad a those wal-mart shopper people been seein on here.

Great to see that you are here to make friends, butt hole. 

[six2go #152]

While I understand the importance of safety it was 100 on my bike mounted thermometer today and 110 last week. In the shop last week it also was a 100 so it just wasn't on the bike. That coupled with the sun beating down on you my usual attire is a Honda baseball hat a dress shirt preferably white, boots jeans and sun glasses. I did a infrared on the pavement and the blacktop was about 130 and the interior of the cars that I have been getting in have been about 120. Of course the humidity has hovered around 90 to 100 percent with occasional rain showers. I do wear long sleeve shirts because the sun burns whatever is out in it and have toyed with the idea of getting a summer jacket but I cant seem to get the motivation to actually spend the money to find out if I can live with a full outfit. I ride every day and am off and on the bike for short trips most of the time. I can say that walk in someone else's shoes and see what you would do, I am always open to better suggestions from experienced riders.

My suggestion would be to drive a cage with AC.

[Thulsa Doom]

Vstroms and Weestroms are damn fine bikes. Good touring and adventure bikes. Just not pretty and chromed. 

[Clark]

Vstroms and Weestroms are damn fine bikes. Good touring and adventure bikes. Just not pretty and chromed. 

well said.. was considering that for a lic. plate..  nokrome

[..]

Since I have been visiting this forum, I have seen and enjoyed so many beautiful photos of members Valkyries. Also read many posts mentioning this V-strom. No offense, but if all I had to ride is that butt ugly Suzuki, I'd just get a Prius. Please don't post any more pics, just as bad a those wal-mart shopper people been seein on here.

Please share a photo of yourself and your bike.

Looking forward to them.

Thanks

[X Ring]

I agree to a point.  But I'd like to invite you both to the Gulf Coast dressed ATTGATT, and get a second point of view      
I did notice as I wrote this (1300hrsCDT), the temp here is 90F , and in Golden,CO it's 61F .  

I live along the Gulf Coast and in the summer I wear a Joe Rocket Phoenix mesh jacket, Gel Cruiser mesh gloves and a flip face helmet.  It's not that bad.  The gear actually gives you a protective layer against the ground and the sun by keeping it off your skin.

Marty

[X Ring]

Since I have been visiting this forum, I have seen and enjoyed so many beautiful photos of members Valkyries. Also read many posts mentioning this V-strom. No offense, but if all I had to ride is that butt ugly Suzuki, I'd just get a Prius. Please don't post any more pics, just as bad a those wal-mart shopper people been seein on here.

I've always said V Stroms were Suzuki's attempt to out ugly BMW's GSs.

Marty

U2

Is that the best you can really do?

Marty

[Chattanooga Mark]

About 10 years ago I was living in Upper Michigan. It was a very hot 90+ Summer day. I was wearing my Corbin boots, gloves, full face Arai, jacket etc. My niece looked at me and asked if it were too hot for all that gear. I said, 'you never know when you might need it'. About 20 minutes later I was road surfing after severly totaling a perfectly good motorcycle trying to relocate a stopped pick up truck. All the gear did exactly what it was supposed to and all I ended up with was some road rash on my knees from my jeans wearing through.

Yup, all the gear all the time for me,

Mark

[alph]

Since I have been visiting this forum, I have seen and enjoyed so many beautiful photos of members Valkyries. Also read many posts mentioning this V-strom. No offense, but if all I had to ride is that butt ugly Suzuki, I'd just get a Prius. Please don't post any more pics, just as bad a those wal-mart shopper people been seein on here.

wow, no offense hey?  well, what do you ride?  hope it's a pretty little thing that a girly fella like you can handle, oh, no offense there fella, enjoy your prius if that's what you want, i wouldn't care. 

wayne, i enjoyed your post.  i know what you mean when you say you can't stand that crawly feeling on your arm hair!!  when it gets real hot and sticky out, it's hard to justify wearing all that gear!! 

al.

[solo1]

Since I have been visiting this forum, I have seen and enjoyed so many beautiful photos of members Valkyries. Also read many posts mentioning this V-strom. No offense, but if all I had to ride is that butt ugly Suzuki, I'd just get a Prius. Please don't post any more pics, just as bad a those wal-mart shopper people been seein on here.  QUOTE


I don't know why you posted that and said 'no offense'  like that's going to excuse your insult!  Wql Mart indeed!  It sounds like I am being referred to as 'trailer trash' 

As many know, I have always said that that the Valkyrie is one of the best looking bikes ever made.  I also have said that the Vstrom is one of the ugliest.  It is sort of like comparing a jeep against a Ford Mustang, except this 'jeep' has far more performance in the getup and go department. HOWEVER, with no smiley posted at the end of your reply, I did take offense! (Both of you).

Evidently, you have forgotten, if you ever learned, that it's not what you ride, it's that you ride.
The Vstrom has the honor of letting me ride when the Valk became too heavy for me.   I won't use language as strong as Tom did but maybe you might want to reevaluate your attitude.

oh yeah, one other thing.  I will post as many pics as I want as I've always done on this forum.  Why don't you post one of you and your Valk?

[mrprez]

I don't know why you posted that and said 'no offense'  like that's going to excuse your insult!  Wql Mart indeed!  It sounds like I am being referred to as 'trailer trash' 

As many know, I have always said that that the Valkyrie is one of the best looking bikes ever made.  I also have said that the Vstrom is one of the ugliest.  It is sort of like comparing a jeep against a Ford Mustang, except this 'jeep' has far more performance in the getup and go department. HOWEVER, with no smiley posted at the end of your reply, I did take offense! (Both of you).

Evidently, you have forgotten, if you ever learned, that it's not what you ride, it's that you ride.
The Vstrom has the honor of letting me ride when the Valk became too heavy for me.   I won't use language as strong as Tom did but maybe you might want to reevaluate your attitude.

oh yeah, one other thing.  I will post as many pics as I want as I've always done on this forum.  Why don't you post one of you and your Valk?

Well said.  The V-Strom is butt ugly, but a better liter bike that can ride past the "Pavement Ends" sign won't be found.  Mine had been all the way to Prudhoe Bay - 2 up!

[alph]

Wayne, why did you get rid of your side car?  That set up with the valk was drop dead gorgeous!! 

[solo1]

Alph, You're right, I really liked the looks of the rig.  However, two problems for me got in the way.  I missed banking in the curves and the handlebar shake on bumps was very hard on my wrists.  A dampener would've helped some but It just wasn't for me.  I sold the sidecar to Mike in CA and he mounted it on his Valk and about now it's on its way or in Alaska.  Mike loves the rig and the dragon is still on the sidecar..

Here is a pic of the rig again.  It IS nicer looking than the Strom.

[signart]

Did I strike a sore spot? Did I say you were a buthole for riding a Suzy? I will work on being more sensitive. I did a lighthearted comment on the unhandsomeness (being pc from here out) of the photos so proudly displayed on the Valkyrie forum. You might compare that to posting Scion pics on the Corvette forum. They might get downright rude. But thats what keeps this forum going, I'm sure, freedom to express opinion on about any subject. Members can post pictures of unbeautiful people and machines and proclaim superiority over a Valkyrie, if it makes you feel good. I still mean no offense to anyone personally, just can't make myself want to love to look at something just made to get from point A to B with no regard to attractiveness. I am sorry your feelings were hurt.

[solo1]

No, my feelings weren't hurt to use your phrase. your opinion didn't mean that much to me.  Maybe a use of a smiley could've put it more in perspective.

Your entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to mine.  By the way, where's a pic of your bike, i'm with Britman in asking you.

[alph]

Did I strike a sore spot? Did I say you were a buthole for riding a Suzy? I will work on being more sensitive. I did a lighthearted comment on the unhandsomeness (being pc from here out) of the photos so proudly displayed on the Valkyrie forum. You might compare that to posting Scion pics on the Corvette forum. They might get downright rude. But thats what keeps this forum going, I'm sure, freedom to express opinion on about any subject. Members can post pictures of unbeautiful people and machines and proclaim superiority over a Valkyrie, if it makes you feel good. I still mean no offense to anyone personally, just can't make myself want to love to look at something just made to get from point A to B with no regard to attractiveness. I am sorry your feelings were hurt.

you didn't tick off Solo, you ticked off the guys like me that hold him as a father figure.  a guy that we look up to. a guy that I'D LOVE TO be like.  maybe i'm old school, but i've seen my brothers take after people with a knife because they said something insaulting infront of my mother.  that's what i'm talking about.  Solo's a member of my "Cycle" family, and  i'll stand up to what ever he cares to ride, and you don't make fun of a person's ride. 

actually, the more i see that V-Storm, the more i like it!!    although, you can't put chrome on it, YOU CAN PUT ON LED's !!!   

i'm done with this subject.  gotta get out and ride (my daughters scooter.)