ATGATT All the gear.....

[Vivo]

My daily attire: full-face helmet, sneakers, cargo shorts, jersey... under the seat is my rain gear...

[ScooterWolf]

I'm playing catch up on past post, and thought this one was important.

When commuting or traveling at night I wear a full face modular helmet with a LED light in the pack, Armored riding jacket with a vertical reflective tstrip on the front and back, and depending on the weather (meaning not really in the summer) tough gloves, and over the ankle boots. Pants are jeans or cargo shorts.

When I passed my safety class my instructor who was a ATGATT rider and wore a full banna yellow riding suit, said he didn't care what people said about how he looked. Words couldn't hurt him. The road could.

Since getting my Downtown I'm considering a long-distance ride from Philadelphia to Ottawa Canada in September of 2016 to attend a week long conference and film festival. For that I'm thinking of getting some kevlar jeans and actual riding gloves.

There are ways of looking cool on a scooter. I've always liked the Corazzo style riding jackets.

https://www.corazzo.net

[de dee]

Philli to Ottawa,   what is that 600 miles, wear liners in Sept. it gets cool here,  mornings and evenings   wellcome to my town   , de dee

[ScooterWolf]

Not sure on the miles (yet) but it's about an 8-10 hour drive. I've done it for the past 15 or more years, but in a 12-15 passenger van driving college students, or in a car. A two wheel vehicle would be a first. My wife is from NE PA and I've lived in Syracuse so i really know the route and area.

Any good free parking spots in Ottawa? Not sure if the B&B I'm staying at will give me a parking deal or not.

-Wolf

[de dee]

what is the address of your bed & breakfast,

[ScooterWolf]

It's the Swiss Hotel. 89 Daly Ave. Otttawa. Real nice place.

-Wolf

[ad_astra]

This summer I have a mesh jacket with padding, leather gloves (already tested on my spill last month.. did great) boots, full face helmet. In winter, ill get something warmer for the jacket, probably break out the old leather jacket. The Agility is the loud orange color. Jacket is off-white, and helmet is red.

I commute to work most days of the week on the scooter now, so ATGATT is not an option for me when it comes to trousers. That is not going to happen.

I agree in principle with ATGATT, but ultimately it does not always work in situations where the scooter is going to be more then a plaything or grocery getter. Looking at the images of thousands of people in Taiwan scooter commuting, you don't see them completely leathered up.

[AMAC1680]

This summer I have a mesh jacket with padding, leather gloves (already tested on my spill last month.. did great) boots, full face helmet. In winter, ill get something warmer for the jacket, probably break out the old leather jacket. The Agility is the loud orange color. Jacket is off-white, and helmet is red.

I commute to work most days of the week on the scooter now, so ATGATT is not an option for me when it comes to trousers. That is not going to happen.

I agree in principle with ATGATT, but ultimately it does not always work in situations where the scooter is going to be more then a plaything or grocery getter. Looking at the images of thousands of people in Taiwan scooter commuting, you don't see them completely leathered up.

For all intents and purposes I use my scoots as my daily ride in the Florida heat.
It takes only a little time to put the gear on and take it off. The hardest part is accumulating a ton of different "weight" gear for the weather.

AMAC

[2wheelfun]

I wish there was a Tshirt made of some tough material like Kevlar or[?] that had elbow armor, shoulder armor, back protection and say 3/4 length sleeves. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if it fit in my size. It's too damn hot to be wearing a coat when it's in the 90s. You might look like a lineman wearing it but wouldn't bother me at all.

[Stig / Major Tom]

I wish there was a Tshirt made of some tough material like Kevlar or[?] that had elbow armor, shoulder armor, back protection and say 3/4 length sleeves. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if it fit in my size. It's too damn hot to be wearing a coat when it's in the 90s. You might look like a lineman wearing it but wouldn't bother me at all.

First Gear texmesh works for me....rode in it the other day ...heat index of 104....punched small air holes in the backs of light colored Icon leather gloves, removed the chin curtain and rear neck curtain from my Nolan helmet. Take streets with less stop lights - even if it increases  your trip a little.
Or get a 50cc and hug the curbs.
Stig

[zombie]

Or get a 50cc and hug the curbs.
Stig

White line riding.

[ScooterWolf]

There are armored vest that are designed for the warmer months and climates.

http://www.cyclegear.com/motorcycle/Armor-Vest

This one is only a $100, add tax (if applicable) and shipping,

http://www.cyclegear.com/SPEED-AND-STRENGTH-Live-By-The-Sword-Armored-Motorcycle-Vest

I say it comes down to the ride. I wear my armored jacket, or heavy leather jacket in cold weather, boots and gloves when I commute to work, at night, or if I'll be traveling on any road where the speed is 40 mph or higher. In the summer I wear a crappy t-shirt under my riding jacket, and my dress shirt is in my computer bag to change in when I get to work.

I have a parka, but I do my best to avoid riding on rainy days, or if the temperature is below freezing. Doesn't mean I haven't been caught in a shower, but I don't plan having rain gear on my bike. I need the space for other things. If the weather's bad I take a trains, or our car.

-Wolf

[zombie]

The biggest worry for me is body joints, and hips.

Wrists and elbows are tied for most damage, fingers second, and hips a very close third. Knees, and ankles take up a solid fourth place.
I've broken my collar bone but no jacket on earth would have stopped that.

What I'm getting at is I can not see the value in a complete armored jacket. Same for pants that protect your thighs, and shins.

If I were completely naked, and had to choose what to protect, it would be the parts I have listed, and hurt over, and over again. Track days... sure. Race weekends where speeds will be insane... sure.
Riding to the store for rolling papers, and porn mags... not so much
 Riding armor reminds me of my daughter. She came home one day with a hickey on her neck. Putting on my best "daddy" face I asked where she got that?
"I was running up the stairs, and Jen tripped me from behind". Now I've fallen up, down, over, and across stairs but NEVER ONCE landed neck first.

not to sound ignorant or falsely brave but knee pads, wrist pads, gloves, elbow, and hip pads are all I feel you need. Those, and a good pair of boots.
If riding sucks that day? You're ready for hockey or kung fu.

[ScooterWolf]

Great suggestions Zombie. Perfect gear for hot weather too. I'd throw in a helmet for good measure. I'm looking at some Kevlar jeans with armor add ons for the hips and knees. May get them next year for a long trip I'm planing.

-Wolf

[AMAC1680]

Head and spinal cord first.
Everything else is fixable/replaceable.

AMAC