clothes to wear

[dabalso]

Probably will get chewed for this but I really need to know.
When I rode on two wheels, I always had a helmet, and thicker clothing for protection.
Now I ride a trike and feel SOOO much safer. Still wear the helmet but the other protective clothing - no. I am NOT an aggressive rider - in fact I ride like the proverbial old man. BUT I love the ride.

My question: Is my trike really safer than two wheels? I can't lay it down. I guess I could fall off. I could get t-boned. I do know that the protective stuff is so hot that I try to pass out in 95-100 degree weather.

Has anyone any ideas for me?

Many thanks

 

[Nana]

I suspect you will get a WIDE variety of replies!
I definitely do believe trikes are safer and are obviously more stable than 2-wheelers, but any rider is obviously vulnerable. I really didn't change my "clothing" when I added the trike kit. I still wear jeans -- never shorts, I always wear light weight gloves or fingerless gloves to protect my hands, and usually boots although I often am in sneakers when just riding around town. I do wear short sleeves when it is hot though--with lots of sunscreen

 

[Cycleguy]

I do know that the protective stuff is so hot that I try to pass out in 95-100 degree weather.

Has anyone any ideas for me?

Many thanks

There's TONS of good hot weather gear available now. Among other things I have this:

Firstgear Premium Mesh-Tex Motorcycle Jacket

It's actually cooler than a short sleeved shirt, because it blocks the Sun.

There are gloves, pants, etc. These are neat, because they can be set to direct cool air on you in summer, and warm radiator air on you in winter:

http://www.bakerbuilt.com/bbairwings/h18awl.html

Bottom line - in this day and age there are a lot of products designed for hot weather. The trike may well be safer, but the difference between it and a car is that there is nothing keeping you from hitting the pavement in an accident. The old saying applies:

"You don't dress to ride, you dress to fall off."

Practice saying to others: "I'd rather sweat than bleed."

 

[Konrad]

There are the ATGATT people and then there are the rest of us. Unfortunately "the rest of us" includes the immature imbeciles who ride crotch rockets like bent-olver jockeys while wearing muscle T's, speedos and flip-flops.

Those are the too extremes and most of us don't belong at either end of that spectrum. I don't disagree with the ATGATT folks (how can you?) but I don't ride motorcycles in the heat in order to be uncomfortably covered/protected by layers of armored jackets, superthick jeans and heavy leather boots up to my knees. I admit to being a hedonist (rather than the belt and suspenders type) who likes his comfort when riding. In the heat I wear a helmet (which insulates my brain), golf shirt, sunscreen, light-weight pants and 6" leather ankle boots.

And YES, I do believe the trike is much safer but I still have enough sense to ride carefully even if I don't dress the way my dermatologist and the ATGATT folks want me to. In short, most of us will dress for comfort rather than good sense.

 

[hitime]

When I was riding on 2 wheels, I was an ATGATT. When I went down I had on my modular helmet (which saved my face when I face-planted), Joe Rocket mesh jacket, pants and gloves (which got torn to shreds as I rolled on the shoulder of the road) and heavy work boots. I am convinced that the gear I was wearing either saved my life, or at least saved me from grave bodily harm. I don't ride on 2 wheels anymore.

Now, I ride like lots of the people around here do. I generally wear jeans, boots (although sometimes I am in sneakers), a t-shirt with lots of sunscreen, and fingerless gloves. In colder weather, I add layers as necessary. I have a choice between a lined jacket, leather jacket and chaps, or Gerbings heated jacket and pants, with warm-n-safe heated gloves and socks. I can ride most any day of the year unless there is snow or ice on the road. I do wear more gear (and the modular helmet) when I plan on being on the super slab. Higher speed calls for more protection.

I am a firm believer in riding for the crash on 2 wheels. I don't think that the gear you wear would make much difference if you got t-boned or otherwise hit by another vehicle. Helmet is the exception. I wear a half helmet quite a bit more now than I used to , but the modular goes on when I am riding any longer distance, or on the interstate.

 

[dabalso]

Want to say thanks to each of you for your thoughts. Guess I will get a little more protection for the trip to Wingding.... Will be on I-40 for about half the trip. BUT I will miss my fingerless gloves and low quarter shoes. Always wear long pants so I don't blind anyone with the glare off my legs. Have a cooling vest and will now look for a mesh jacket..........

Many Thanks.

 

[tatco]

I too had the clothing issue. I usually ride in a Scorpion EXO Mesh with whatever liner the weather dictates. I just returned from a trip from Denver, CO to Pheonix, AZ. It was hot. I rode in weather around Pheonix as high as 119 degrees. I bought a long sleeve motocross shirt as the EXO was a bit warm. Levis, sneakers, light gloves, and a helmet rounded out the outfit. I never felt the need for a cold pack, but it was hot. I rode this way all the way back to CO and changed back to the EXO on the second day when the weather turned cooler in the morning. 51 degrees.

 

[TRIKERBOB69]

Want to say thanks to each of you for your thoughts. Guess I will get a little more protection for the trip to Wingding.... Will be on I-40 for about half the trip. BUT I will miss my fingerless gloves and low quarter shoes. Always wear long pants so I don't blind anyone with the glare off my legs. Have a cooling vest and will now look for a mesh jacket..........

Many Thanks.

Try wearing UNDER ARMOUR HEATGEAR LS shirt and leggings under you're riding pants and jacket, keeps you cool as can be the stuff really works, was 105 here the other day, rode with my full first gear suit and under armour felt great on a short 100 mile run, it was a tune up for a trip to grand canyon in august:Flag:

 

[Saltywheels]

Dabalso: about 10 years ago nbr 1 son & I were out riding the twisties on our sport bikes on a really hot April day in Los Angeles. At the gas stop I toyed with the idea of shucking my leather jacket. My kid had more brains ( & brawn) than his father & talked me into keeping it on. 10 minutes later I went down on gravel in a left hand sweeper. Too many broken bones to list...BUT NOT ONE scratch. Both the EMT & the attending surgeon were amazed & gratified.Thank you Kid, years on the track should have already taught me that. Now Wifey & I ride just the way we rode on 2-w...for the crash!! Stick with the gear!!

 

[skibridg]

I ride a Goldwing 1800 CSC trike. I have 2 sets of clothing. I reside in Maine. State does not require helmets for drivers licensed over one year. Heavy Jacket padded for fall early winter and spring. NEVER Ride with out a full face helmet even though I have a windshield. Had the experience of having a bird hit the side of the helmet as it flew out of the tree line. I always wear leather boots for foot and ankle protection year round. Never ride in anything other than jeans. As the weather warms I remove the extra liner from the jacket but leave the padding in. As the weather further warms I switch to a mesh padded and lined jacket and when we reach extreme heat the liner comes out but the padding remains in the mesh jacket. You never know when something stone gravel is going to fly into you. How about the thrown cigarette? I do realize that I am still vulnerable with the protection but I am doing the best to protect myself and not cause pain and suffering to my family and grandson. Also I do belive I am setting an example for others. Ride safe!!!! Enjoy life

 

[dirtdobber]

I'm lazy. I wear boots, jeans, T-shirt, half helmet with flip down sun shield. I do wear leather during the winter though. I know I should do better. I am on and off the bike a lot each day. That is no excuse I know.
I do have a lot of vented and none vented jackets including a couple of mesh jackets. I do prefer leather over padded but that's me.

If ya can handle the covering by all means protect yourself.

 

[jim peacock]

I all ways wear my helmet,would not pull out of the garage with out it on,as for as the rest the weather determens what I wear,no shorts,do not even own a pair,as for as foot wear,I have a pair of boots I bought at target ten years ago for 45 dollars they look al ot like hiking boots,have thick soft rubber cleted souls,when it comes to shirts any time it gets above 74 degrees I wear a short sleve shirt but always keep a long sleve shirt and a summer jacket in the trunk.

 

[Yellow Trike]

Since I do not have a ton a plastic and metal around me with air bags and seat belts, I use as much safety gear as possible. I also wear as much as possible to keep the sun off of my old skin!

My gear includes (in summer) deerskin gloves, a mesh jacket with wick-away t-shirt , mesh pants with shorts or jeans under, and for foot wear - if it isn't too hot, motorcycle boots. If it is too hot I wear over-the-ankle athletic shoes.

In winter - Gerbing G-3 or deerskin gloves, a Ballistic jacket with as many layers under as needed (including Gerbing jacket liner if really cold), jeans with leather chaps or ballistic pants OR if it is really cold Gerbing over pants and motorcycle boots with Gerbing socks.

Always wear a full face helmet.

 

[Hawk05]

Some times I dress like a hells angel, somtimes I dress like a rodeo clown. It all depends.

 

[fred-houston]

Live life on the edge, RIDE NAKED. epper: No other feeling like it..




heheheh : Just Kidding, couldn't resist