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[Willie D]

I have a friend who is a trauma surgeon.  They refer to patients that go down on bikes without protective wear as "pizzas".  I think you get the picture.  In Florida we are not required to wear anything but eye protection.  I wear a DOT approved low profile half helmet, glasses with shatterproof lens, boots over the ankle always, long pants (with chaps if cold), and a weather appropriate jacket.  That said, it IS a personal choice.  Kris Kristofferson said it best; "Freedom is just another word for nothin' left to lose". I guess this includes your skin, if you so choose.

OWL893

  well said 

We here in the Great Lake State of Michigan, recently had the "Manditory" helmet law reversed, I choose to wear mine, but it is nice to have the "Choice"

[05Train]

I ride with gloves and boots, always.  Since the wreck, I've been vigilant about riding in armored pants and an armored jacket.  I rarely use the half helmet anymore, and I won't go lidless again.

That said, there's a marked difference in airflow between the GS/A and the Ultra.  My Arai that worked so well in the heat on the Beemer gets far less air on the Ultra.  Same with the mesh gear or vented gear.  Not sure what I'm going to do when it gets really hot.  I'll either gear up or I won't.  My choice though.

[TinSpinner]

I always wear my helmet when I ride drunk.   

Good idea! I rode with some folks last Saturday on a poker run. Of course every stop was at a bar so by the third stop they were getting sloppy. I don't drink when I'm riding and always wear protective gear, sort of out of place with that bunch. I had a mesh jacket on and full face helmet with gloves and boots. They wore only the minimum required skull buckets, one guy wore sandals and his BSR had on heels, all of them were sunburned and drunk when it was over.  At stop #4 one of the guys drops his bike with his wife on it in the parking lot, to get over his shame he had another beer and a double shot at stop #5. Not my kind of riding fun. the best part of that day was the 30 miles home that I rode solo then the cold one on the deck after the bike was put away.

[Midnight Rider]

Good idea! I rode with some folks last Saturday on a poker run. Of course every stop was at a bar so by the third stop they were getting sloppy. I don't drink when I'm riding and always wear protective gear, sort of out of place with that bunch. I had a mesh jacket on and full face helmet with gloves and boots. They wore only the minimum required skull buckets, one guy wore sandals and his BSR had on heels, all of them were sunburned and drunk when it was over.  At stop #4 one of the guys drops his bike with his wife on it in the parking lot, to get over his shame he had another beer and a double shot at stop #5. Not my kind of riding fun. the best part of that day was the 30 miles home that I rode solo then the cold one on the deck after the bike was put away.

Smart man...that's one reason I never have participated in local rides like that.  They always tend to go bar hopping, regardless.  I love my beer as well as the next guy, but alcohol and motorcycles don't mix very well.

[dlaws01]

Good idea! I rode with some folks last Saturday on a poker run. Of course every stop was at a bar so by the third stop they were getting sloppy. I don't drink when I'm riding and always wear protective gear, sort of out of place with that bunch. I had a mesh jacket on and full face helmet with gloves and boots. They wore only the minimum required skull buckets, one guy wore sandals and his BSR had on heels, all of them were sunburned and drunk when it was over.  At stop #4 one of the guys drops his bike with his wife on it in the parking lot, to get over his shame he had another beer and a double shot at stop #5. Not my kind of riding fun. the best part of that day was the 30 miles home that I rode solo then the cold one on the deck after the bike was put away.

I agree with you whole heartedly, my comment about riding drunk was just an attempt at poor humor.  I made one of those rides you have described. Just once. I don't fault anyone for having a drink but there is always a time and place for it. Not every 30 minutes with two or three beers downed and back on the road.  As you stated in your comment, I was out of place with that bunch too.  That's probably why I always ride alone or with one or two others that have their heads screwed on straight.

[ltank]

I am a Diabetic. I don't heal well. I ride with Leather chaps,boots,gloves,jacket,reflective vest and DragonKevlar Jeans and helmet always. Real pain in the but leather is cheaper than skin. I love to Ride e even with my medical condition. I had bike since I was 9. Been riding 50 years. Had numerous other bikes and 5 Harley's
Ltank

[North Georgia Hawg]

I must admit, when I was down at Panama City Beach this last week, we took off our helmets when we hit the FL state line and never put them back on until we hit the Alabama stateline coming home. It was so nice riding with just a doo rag... no helmet buffeting even at 80 MPH. Stupid, I know... but man was it FUN! No gloves, either.

Ken

[Harvey13118]

Usually wear full leather and 3/4 helmet with face shield when traveling. Riding around White Mountains it depended on weather as to which helmet w/faceshield or without. Generally wore jacket as I do around home.

Did have a good chuckle up there. Raining pretty hard. I'm on ultra... helmet face shield rain gear, guy coming at me no helmet, no windshield little teeny goggles, bald head. He had to be getting pelted hard. I do not know how guys do it. I must be getting to be quite a Candy Butt in my years.

[Indenial]

I've started to always wear my leather coat and gloves (as well as boots and chaps).  But recently I got caught in torrential rain and hail.  What hurt the most was the hail bouncing off the road and then I'd ride into it and my shins took a beating. Now that really stings. Hate hail.  I don't have lowers, but would have loved them then.

[Rat Patrol]

Those of us that have had the "opportunity" to try out their gear are very conscious of the value of it. I met a deer one night, he wasn't wearing any gear and he paid the price for it. Even with gear I did my share of bleeding, but grateful that I had it on. Oh, and I was lucky I was on a Yamaha (dime a dozen) sportbike, not the Harley, so I did not have to endure the mental anguish of seeing my baby ruint.

[2k]

Good idea! I rode with some folks last Saturday on a poker run. Of course every stop was at a bar so by the third stop they were getting sloppy. I don't drink when I'm riding and always wear protective gear, sort of out of place with that bunch. I had a mesh jacket on and full face helmet with gloves and boots. They wore only the minimum required skull buckets, one guy wore sandals and his BSR had on heels, all of them were sunburned and drunk when it was over.  At stop #4 one of the guys drops his bike with his wife on it in the parking lot, to get over his shame he had another beer and a double shot at stop #5. Not my kind of riding fun. the best part of that day was the 30 miles home that I rode solo then the cold one on the deck after the bike was put away.

I have been known  to drink a beer and ride.....that's the key A beer. Had the same thing happen last year, at the 3rd stop my wife and I left early and made the last 2 stops alone. Still got the after ride comrodery and food.

[Midnight Rider]

I have been known  to drink a beer and ride.....that's the key A beer. Had the same thing happen last year, at the 3rd stop my wife and I left early and made the last 2 stops alone. Still got the after ride comrodery and food.

You hit the nail on the head...I think most of us can probably handle one or two beers every 3 hours or so when riding, but one or two at every stop, when the stops are 30-45 minutes apart starts getting to the point of impairment, IMO.  I'm not going to say I've never ridden my bike when I was under the influence of whatever, but I was much younger then and indestructible...

[do-dahman]

I like the young and indestructible comment earlier. When I was in high school, I remember riding my '74 Sportster home late one night higher than a kite and watched my speedometer float around in front of me. Even at that age I realized this was a really bad idea, and yes I am living proof we have a God! It's entertaining watching the beer flow in Sturgis every year. I'll have my share but walk around and watch the eye candy before riding back to camp. Love this forum! Where else would I confess my youth?!

[screem]

I live in South West Fl, 5 months out of the year its a cross between a swamp and a jungle down here with tropical heat, I wear a carbon fiber half helmet, Wayfarer sunglasses, long sleeve white tee shirts, Carhart duck canvas carpenter jeans and Rdewing 6" high steel toe boots.  In the cooler weather i wear my old Vanson Leather A-1 full grain leather, have it for over 25 years, and in winter i switch to Carhart !5oz work jeans.
   The most important piece of gear for me is foam ear plugs, after 40 plus years of riding my hearing isnt what it used to be, i have been wearing the foamy ear plugs for the last ten years, i wont even ride to the cornor store with out earplugs

[Akicita]

Some of us old farts still wear helmets and are staunch supporters of "boots-gloves-glasses" mentality.  Haven't lost a foot, eyeball, or finger yet, although I have given away a finger or two.  I guess some of us don't need to ride like the recent dorks in New York.  We ride High Dollar motorcycles and aren't posers and/or wannabes.  Some habitsd aren't all that bad to adopt.