ATGATT or MTGMTT

Do you REALLY use "All The Gear All The Time"?

Are you really armored up from head to toe every single time you get on the motorcycle for a ride? What is your acceptable level of risk? Do you ever just hop on the bike with jeans, T-shirt and sneakers for a test ride around the block or ride to the store?

[TrespassingThrough]

Great topic and responses! I think that the amount of gear we wear or deem appropriate is directly proportional to the amount of time since our last accident. I'm confident that the post-accident me would promptly kick the irresponsible me's butt EVERY time I skimp on gear. The hospital stay, rehabilitation, permanent bodily damage, time away from riding cost WAY more than the gear. While the gear won't completely keep these things at bay, it certainly and drastically cuts the affects of ea.

[RC]

Glad to hear that your gear saved your life. You never hear that not using gear kept anyone from getting injured. I just have to shake my head when I see people (especially couples) riding in shorts, t-shirt and sneakers (or flip-flops).
As I mention in the vid, I wear most of the gear all the time. I really need some good riding pants with knee and hip protection. I do wear a quality helmet, kevlar pants (no knee/hip pads though), gloves, and boots.
Ride safe!

[frankyfong]

Excellent topic RC. No fancy pants or boots for me. Just the gear from the waist up.

[gaijin]

@RC62 Great timing on this topic for me personally. I was vloggin today about being responsible for your actions when riding. It should be up before the end of the week. I am not very aggressive on the road. I save it for the track. But a lot of others are, in a car, boat, bike, whatever. I worry more about getting hit than hitting someone else, but, you never know what will happen in life. Gear or no gear. I wouldn't feel dumb if I wrecked. Everyone wrecks or they wouldn't sell sliders. ;)

[brotherblonde]

Hey RC. Good video.
I must admit to being an ATGATT guy.
Even to go 400metres up the road for fuel, I'll stick everything on. My Dad's a Doctor & my Wife is a Nurse & they have spent too much time cleaning bitumen from abrasions. :)

[suburbanryder]

In Illinois it's called NOG NOT
None Of the Gear None Of the Time

Sunglasses and jeans and ready to go. Sandals for extra cool factor.

I think 90% of the riders skip some gear at sometime during the riding season.

[maikeli]

Riding itself is a risk, but it is a calculated risk. As long as you know what the risk is in whatever level of gearage you adhere to, the final decision and possible consequnces are yours to deal with. I wear unpadded traditional leather jacket and leather vest most of the time. I wear jeans and Doc Martens boots. I also wear a half-helmet a lot, and I wear leather motogloves. Most imp. safety gear is under the helmet, so keep your wits about you - no matter what!
Stay safe out there!

[MadStu]

I normally wear protective trousers and jacket. always have a helmet (the law) don't always wear gloves around town, even in winter and when it's raining.

I'm happy to go out around the block in trainers and t-shirt.

In the height of summer, on my K1100 LT I do only usually wear bike boots, normal jeans and a shirt. If it's good enough for CHIPS, it's good enough for me! ;)

[onejillion]

I'm waiting until I reach my goal before I get the pants. (Hmmm, wondering if Florida is pants optional as well as helmets). And I ride with over the ankle hiking boots. But I always wear the helmet, jacket and gloves. I figure I'm going to be hot during the summer with or without the jacket anyhow. Great subject BTW!!

[theSMYRNAcowboy]

I think the extent of ATGATT can be measured by your pocketbook. I try to get as much protection as I can afford but the MOST important piece is what's inside your helmet. Is a personal choice as far as I'm concerned. My brother asked me once why I wear all that gear. My answer was simple. I would rather be seen sweating in the heat, go home and take a shower, than be in a cool Hospital getting skin graphs for a couple of weeks.

But that's just me talking.

[diablobrian]

I've been ATGATT since I hit the road. It saved my life in a crash that would have been fatal (ended up having a paralyzed leg even with all of the gear). My friends used to call me the "Gear Nazi" because I used to always be on them to wear theirs too. I don't have to any more, Every time I get off the bike and hobble around with my cane they get all of the reminder they need.

[kneil]

I wear a protective jacket now. all the time helmet and gloves it depends on what your doing ride at your own risk we dont have a helmet law but I think you should protect your knoggin seen to many people who are never the same after their head is busted open.

[dvtion]

love my helmet and boots and padded jacket and leather gloves.
but i just slid out on a wet road with my bicycle. now have stitches in my head, scratches on my knee, road rash on my hands..
it's not just motorcycles which create accident conditions.. had i been wearing all my motorcycle gear i would have fallen over, gone "that was dumb of me" and continued on my way..
being so casual because it was just a bicycle gave me a visit to the hospital.

[GhostCBR]

I'm almost "MTGMTT". I wear full face helmet, jacket, gloves. I've tried different boots, but can't seem to find something that fits or that I can feel when I shift. BUT, I haven't tried "motorcycle" boots/shoes. I always wear jeans, but have not invested in riding jeans yet. Things I should do though... Waist up, I'm good. Waist down, needs improvement. Story of my life!

[BoopSnoot]

Yes, except I usually only wear regular jeans with no armor.

But I have my kevlar g-string underneath, so I'm good.

[FromTheMosh]

Yeah im a MTGMTT lol. I gotta admit i do the gearless test rides like atlas around the street after i wash the bike to dry out the breaks. And i have been know to duck down the local shops in only half gear.

[cdwolf]

I'm guilty! I wear a half helmet during the summer, will prolly use my 3/4 when vlogging. Never wear flip-flops, sandals or shorts. I do wear good gloves, now & then fingerless. Sturdy boots, and armored denim jacket if I'm gonna be on the interstate. Cant say it makes much sense, but hey...it's me.

[britex]

I am like you in that I wear most of the gear most of the time.

[bench]

The one time I didn't grab my jacket, I crashed and scrapped up my elbow. Now I do MTGATT

[RC]

Yeah it seems like the one time you don't put on the gear is when something happens. :D