Ya Really Ought To Wear Some PPE.

[greyboyfan]

When I ride, I Always wear a jacket AND chaps. Mesh jacket in heat, Leather in moderate, and a really warm "Victory" fabric coat my wife got me a while back that wind does Not go thru. All have body armor. AND a helmet for cryin' out loud!

The whole idea is to provide at least some protection in case of an un-scheduled dismount.

You may not be planning any, but these things tend to happen without anybody telling you.

I see guys everyday, now that it's hot, wearing tank top sleevless shirts, no gloves, sport bike riders in shorts and flip flops. JEEEZE!

WHAT ARE THEY THINKIN" ...Oh! ofcorse they're not.

OK! If your foot is broke off half way up your shin, then no leather jacket would have helped, ...however,

I know,..I've seen some really tragic, life threatening, and permanant bodily damage, done to unsuspecting dumbasses who thought they were invincable, and, like seatbelts, some would have been as severe even with PPE, but, if you can jump up off the gravel strune pavement, slap the dust off your butt and stand your bike up by yourself, and you've still got all your skin, ..well,

Let's hear it. Whats your excuse?

[CB750F]

Guilty as charged with the no jacket but always a helmet and sturdy shoes. I'm gonna have to pick me up a leather jacket now anyhow. With the new bike I'm also gonna take the MSF course.

[Uesque]

Always a jacket, always a helmet, always boots, always long pants(OK, that could be better), always gloves, although I need to upgrade to armor after getting hit with a rock and needing 7 stitches to my knuckle and cracking the tendon.

We all talk about protection in a fall, what about preventing it? A majority of car vs MC wrecks are because the car didn't see the bike. Who wears fluorescent orange or yellow when they ride? In High School, I rode in my blaze orange hunting sweatshirt. I fell twice at 16, but no skin damage despite that. Now I wear brown leather, but at night I still have a reflective vest I wear.

[greyboyfan]

My mesh jacket is BRIGHT yellow. Firstgear brand. I like it that way. very visible.

Plus, I installed headlight modulators on both my wife's bike and mine. That really does get you seen!
Sure, folks may seeya and think, look at that goofball ridin' around with his headlight messing up. Even had 'em stop me to tell me, as if I didn't know. BUT,..They saw me!

Seen heads jerk around towards me and stand on their breaks, like they thought they were about to pull out in front of a moving ambulance or cop.:eek:

[CB750F]

Who wears fluorescent orange or yellow when they ride?

Welp, my bike I have now is bright yellow so that's gonna help.

[Tha_Rooster]

Carhart. I hit a car at 45mph, flew 20ish feet, slid another 6 or so and only ripped my pocket on my Carhart pants. Got me some new ones from the insurance too.

[Conleyevans]

what other gear were you wearing, cause if you did that in a tank top and flip flops you ought to be out fighting crime. :-)

[Jay S.]

I'm a big fan of gear too. Gloves, boots, bright Joe Rocket jacket (and I don't even ride a sport bike), jeans (have never really thought about better pants until now) and helmet. However, I have both full and half-face helmets, I really prefer the half face, especially because I can hear better and feel like my field of vision is better. My wife always wants me to wear the full-face but I just cannot seem to get there. Otherwise...I'm a big fan of PPE. My oldest brother was in an accident a few years ago with no helmet on...thankfully he was only going about 20, but the head injuries kept him in the hospital for a month. I learned from his accident.

[Badlands-4-2]

I always wear my gear from helmet to boots whenever I ride. I did get caught in the, any color you like as long as it is black, mentality though. I really need to work on my visibility. Thinking of getting a new helmet in one of those crazy, non black colors. Also thinking of getting some reflective stickers for the helmet I have. The perfect solution would be black stickers that were reflective.

[mtk1210]

I'm going to get some riding pants this week to go with the icon leg armor.

[kitty kat]

I never go out in anything less than full bike gear, even in the middle of summer I have leather jacket & trousers on with bike boots and gloves. Of course over here we have no option but to wear a helmet, so I wear a full face.

[Archangel]

I only have gloves helmet and jacket with ce armor.
I hope to get some riding pants very soon and a friend said he had some practically new chaps that would fit me that he would give me if I wanted them so of course I said yes.

[grappler]

greyboyfan are you a firefighter/medic? I'v only ever heard the fire guys call their gear PPE.

[aaronrkelly]

I usually wear whatever my street clothes are for the day....rather thats pants, shorts, shirt, polo etc. I also dont wear a helmet.

My reason.....thats how I want to ride - comfortably and I dont want to get off my bike at my destination looking like a Power Ranger. I do carry a helmet in the trunk of my Goldwing for when I cross state lines and Im required by law to wear one.

[Jay S.]

greyboyfan are you a firefighter/medic? I'v only ever heard the fire guys call their gear PPE.

I thought almost the same thing. I actually read the thread because he used the term PPE. We us it in the Air Force too.

JS

[grappler]

I thought almost the same thing. I actually read the thread because he used the term PPE. We us it in the Air Force too.

JS

Yeah thats why I glanced in here haha. I'm working as an EMT right now then planning to go to medic school and hopefully get picked up by fire somewhere.

*end of thread hijack*

[guineapig]

no excuses needed...

ATGATT here. Boots, Pants with armor, jacket with armor, helmet,
gloves. Every time.

No excuse or reason can unbreak bones, prevent road rash,
or save your butt.

[Ramazith]

When I worked offshore and now at the water plant, we call protective gear PPE. Personal Protective Equipment.

I wear my helmet, gloves, long pants and boots all the time. I usually skip the chaps and armored jacket on short town trips. If I'm on the highway though, the armored jacket is always on. Wearing chaps all the time or all the time on the highway sure wouldn't hurt.

[Slim Johnson]

i wear gear.
at the minimum: textile jacket, jeans, leather boots, helmet, and gloves.
at most: textile jacket, thor body armour, textile pants, motorcycle shin guards, motorcycle specific boots, helmet, and gloves. both jacket, and pants have ce armour fitted.

or there may be some mix of listed items...

funny thing. when i was in my teens to about 30 years old; i never more than casual attire, and gloves & sunglasses. i was also single back then; as well as young dumb and full of WHAT!?
i look at ppe as i would a handgun: its better to have one and not need it, than to need one and not have it.:)

[Jay S.]

No excuse or reason can unbreak bones, prevent road rash,
or save your butt.

That is a great way to look at it. Nice quote! It reminds me of Wild Hogs (don't act like I'm the only one who has seen it) where one of them says that maybe he does not want anything between him and the road, referring to a a helmet. Then his friend replies "You will if your head bounces off it!"

If you regret wearing PPE, it's probably too late.

[HarveyCreek]

:D
I think everyone is overlooking the best benefit to the protective gear, it hides a lot of appearance flaws! The full faced helmet hides the balding graying head, the gloves hide the dirt under the finger nails, the armored jackets makes you look like you have nice broad shoulders, and the the pants and boots make your legs look longer and more muscular!

[Slim Johnson]

:D
I think everyone is overlooking the best benefit to the protective gear, it hides a lot of appearance flaws! The full faced helmet hides the balding graying head, the gloves hide the dirt under the finger nails, the armored jackets makes you look like you have nice broad shoulders, and the the pants and boots make your legs look longer and more muscular!

are you kidding!?
i am as sexy as lee majors! :D

[hsartteacher]

Ummm Slim??? Lee Majors was sexy, like back in the 1970s. I don't think that's a good analogy if you are trying to convince us.

I like what Harvey said; it hides the messy helmet hair, the laugh lines in your face, the figure flaws... it even can hide you gender!!

[iamjustifyd]

are you kidding!?
i am as sexy as lee majors! :D


How about Ray Liotta?

[Slim Johnson]

interesting point ladies...

maybe that is why my wife asks me to turn off the lights when we fool around. that is, after she has caught her breath from all the laughter!!:rolleyes:

and i was thinking of the fall guy lee majors...(still not sexy!)

ray is hot too, but he is a little scary. havent you seen bee movie?

[iamjustifyd]

Saw Bee movie, don't remember too much of it tho. What's scary is you saying Ray Liotta is hot :eek: :D

[HarveyCreek]

... it even can hide you gender!!

There's a young lady I've seen occasionally while she's out riding on her red Breva 1200 Sport Moto Guzzi with matching red racing leathers. She's not hiding anything! But I don't think she's trying. My friends tell me I must be getting old as I recognized the make and model of the bike.

[Archangel]

Nice....... to bad she don't ride around here.

I just got my new textile armor padded pants size 30 :cool:
They don't hide any thing! good thing I don't have any thing bulging from my trunk.:D
I do feel kinda self conscious unlike women who like for all the bulges in all the right spots to do just that I don't like the way my undies show through the material or the front bulges.

At least I do have a good shape to ware tight pants. unlike some people
like....
I went to a beach one time in Florida and saw a women in a 2 pc swim suit it looked like she had no bottoms on and her top was way to small for her enormous tits because of this her top and belly covered up where her bottom should have been she looked almost nude. but scarry in every and I do mean every way.:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
It should have been a crime for her to put on a swim suit.
I was blind for 3 days and still to this day have night mares about it. :eek:
sorry but it is the truth how ever painful it is.

[Slim Johnson]

Saw Bee movie, don't remember too much of it tho. What's scary is you saying Ray Liotta is hot :eek: :D

eesh... did i say that out loud?:o

i always find it amusing when i am at a red light, and there is a female in the car next to me checking me out while i am in full gear! i have to wonder what it is that is so sexy? and then i realize it is the whole bad boy on a fast bike thing... i just get a kick knowing that she has no idea who is under the helmet.:rolleyes:

[HarveyCreek]

i always find it amusing when i am at a red light, and there is a female in the car next to me checking me out while i am in full gear! i have to wonder what it is that is so sexy? and then i realize it is the whole bad boy on a fast bike thing... i just get a kick knowing that she has no idea who is under the helmet.:rolleyes:

Its for this reason I mentioned the great cover up ability of full gear. It does wonders for the ego, even though you know that you'd not get a second look if you were just in street clothes. It works both ways. Occasionally one of my wife's friends joins my buddies and I on a ride. With her black leathers and the braid of blonde hair coming out of the back of her helmet, I notice almost ever male driver/passenger is trying to get a better look at her.

[Slim Johnson]

yeah... there is nothing hotter than a chick on a bike!
...well maybe 2 chicks on a bike! :D
same thing goes for cars too. in my old subaru, i almost never turned a head, but in my acura... well, lets just say its an eye catcher.(unfortunately the cops notice it too.)

[mtk1210]

I have no flaws, hence the see-through PPE. It's all prototype.

[murphyshuman]

Triumph leather jacket, have a textile one for the real hot months, Shift leather pants (armor in everything) Full face helmet and boots....every ride all the time!

[Chuck A]

Guilty as charged when i just got out of the military and bought my bike all i owned besides the bike was a SHOEI, helmet thats all, but now i am planning on getting the works, maybe its the old age and experience telling me to get everything, stay safe

[crash9777]

Just ride, what ever you are comfortable with , as long as you ride,. Don't judge others.

[SHTF Rat]

I broke the rules I swore to myself that I'd always follow. :rolleyes:

When I first got my bike, I hopped on it and rode it. No helmet, gloves or jacket. I did this about 4 or 5 times, just going around the block several times around my neighborhood as "practice".

The full face helmets that were given to me with the bike were my excuse for no helmet.. One had face shield, but was all scratched up and helmet looked kind of ratty and beat up.. It was a large and I didn't like how it felt on my head.. I wouldn't be able to see out of it anyway.. The other was a medium, but was missing the face shield.. I didn't like how it felt. I don't like small closed spaces and these helmets made me feel this way.. I just don't like them.

Anyway, after the initial riding around, I wanted to go around town, so decided to buy a helmet that wasn't full face and comfortable as well as correctly fitted.

Then I watched all those road rash videos and said to myself, ATGATT.. So, every ride since then I had helmet, gloves, goggles, boots, leather jacket.. until yesterday :eek:

I live on the beach.. Yesterday was over 80 degrees and the beach was PACKED to the gills.. Traffic was bumper to bumper and crawling.. I sweated my behind off so badly since I was barely moving in traffic.. By the time I got home, I needed a cold shower.

Later that day, I wanted to go for a ride again, and knowing how I felt earlier, I went with no jacket, helmet or gloves.

Today I went to a group ride event and it was over 80 again.. I again omitted helmet, jacket and gloves.

I'm now sort of disappointed with my decision as I see it as taking a risk, but at the same time, I really enjoyed the ride without the gear.. Felt great on such a nice day, but I certainly would've regretted that decision if anything had happened.

Perhaps I'm being stupid from going on a ride without helmet, jacket and gloves.. I just pray I never regret it. I feel confident in my riding as well as being alert to hazards, but it's the stuff I can't see that concerns me as far as riding without gear goes.. things like chain break/binding, tire blowouts or other mechanical failure that would cause one to go down. I always check my bike out before riding, but still..it concerns me.

I'll have to pick up a protective jacket designed for hot weather as soon as I can afford it, even though the right thing would be to go buy it now even though I'm in the middle of financial disaster. The helmet isn't really much of an issue in the heat.. well, wouldn't of been if they didn't put so much insulated padding in it, lol.. maybe I need to buy a different one.. but I liked riding without one regardless of how dumb it was...

Sorry for the ramble on... Just having an inner struggle with this issue

[Archangel]

I went on the run with the Son event this weekend 175 bikes and I was the only one wearing chaps and the only one with long sleave motercycle jacket .

most were wearing a leather vest and jeans or shorts a lot were unprotected only tee shirt, shorts, blue jeans no helmet at best gloves only.
I definitely stood out no doubt, as the newbie not that I mind better safe than sorry is my motto.
It was my first group ride so I for one was not taking chances

[PJL]

I was wearing neck-to-toe leather yesterday in the 90 degree heat. I will definitely be investing in a mesh jacket. I was originally going to go out in my jacket but in shorts and sneakers, but I got on my bike and couldn't do it. The leather pants really aren't that bad; it's the jacket at stop lights that kills ya.

[Slim Johnson]

i have this item called an impact rig. it was about 160.00$ or so, but when its hot, its perfect!

[PJL]

Pics? Link? Scupture? Fresco? Stone wall carving?

I ended up buying a Vanson mesh jacket at a closeout price.

[Slim Johnson]

http://www.thormx.com/product.jsp?path=1537,1542,1570,6717

this is a link to the thor site. with the very rig i own. there is a short sleeve version too, but it is missing the waistbelt. imo, that belt is worth its weight in gold.

alpinestars has one too. for about 200$

[Archangel]

I love my mesh jacket it is only partial mesh but it is great in 84 degs and in full sun as long as you are moving setting still is well just don't do it for long is all I can say.
I took off my jacket as soon as I stoped and I was dry as a bone even in the 84 deg weather but In less than 15 min of being stopped I am sweating like a pig.

[Archangel]

http://www.thormx.com/product.jsp?path=1537,1542,1570,6717

this is a link to the thor site. with the very rig i own. there is a short sleeve version too, but it is missing the waistbelt. imo, that belt is worth its weight in gold.

alpinestars has one too. for about 200$

It looks like some thing out of a mad max movie, glad it works well.
It looks like it would be very hot but then so does my jacket.:)

[Slim Johnson]

technically, its underarmor; but i just wear it as it is. in the summer months it is really cool given the thin fabric that the pads are sewn onto.

i tend to get some funny looks as i ride by some people. i think its fun!

[iTrek]

I bought the Icon Field Armor for legs.It seems sturdy and looks like it would absorb a lot of the damage in a fall.I was going to buy some Icon jeans but all they are is jeans with a layer of abrasion resistant material, no padding on the knee or anything.

Hopefully I won't have to test the field armor.

[Slim Johnson]

+1 on the leg gear!

i also have a pair of evs shinguards that i wear under my pants. you cant be too careful. ;)

[Archangel]

I just still can not believe out of all the riders last week end 150 + were riding mostly totally unprotected except for the gloves, some in shorts non the less. the rest only had on a small leather vest gloves and boots, jeans and shirt and some had on a helmet.
I was only one out of 175 people wearing real protection.

I had on CE armored jacket, Tee shirt, heavy jeans , leather chaps ,Steel toe Boots,Gloves,Full face helmet, I guess I could have worn my CE armored mesh pants in stead of the chaps but chose the chaps instead so my crotch and butt was not protected but still it was a far cry from everyone else.

[iTrek]

I have a confession, I wore shorts today while riding.:o

[Slim Johnson]

I just still can not believe out of all the riders last week end 150 + were riding mostly totally unprotected except for the gloves, some in shorts non the less. the rest only had on a small leather vest gloves and boots, jeans and shirt and some had on a helmet.
I was only one out of 175 people wearing real protection.

I had on CE armored jacket, Tee shirt, heavy jeans , leather chaps ,Steel toe Boots,Gloves,Full face helmet, I guess I could have worn my CE armored mesh pants in stead of the chaps but chose the chaps instead so my crotch and butt was not protected but still it was a far cry from everyone else.

its a sad reality that most bikers are un/underprotected. its that "it wont happen to me" mentality. sadly, some of us dont get a second chance to learn that lesson.

I have a confession, I wore shorts today while riding.:o

tsk. tsk... guess you havent taken a rock to the shin at speed yet.;)

[iTrek]

tsk. tsk... guess you havent taken a rock to the shin at speed yet.;)

It was nice to wear shorts at school though :p, I was gonna wear my leg guards but they kept sliding without jeans on.

[Trouthunter]

I took a hornet to the face at about 70 mph this weekend. Thank God for full face helmets. All I had to do was wipe it off the visor. That sucker would have HURT.

Agreed as to rocks to the shin. They sting pretty bad with jeans on. Bare-legged would suck.

[Archangel]

Ya and chaps don't help much with rocks either.
I need to put on the CE armored pants but they don't fit over any thing except for underwear and that means I have to bring a second pair of pants with me and find a place to change or just stick with the chaps, so chaps for now. Still beats nothing or shorts:eek:

I found out the hard way then my throttle stuck laying a bike down even at slow speeds can do a lot of damage with only jeans on.
I have a chip out of my right kneecap to prove it.:eek:
I just hope it eventually heals up it has been 4 months and I still can't hardly kneel down and put weight on my knee because it is very painful to do so.:(

[Slim Johnson]

my uncle (the engineer) told me that an impact at even 14mph can be deadly.

once i was nailed in the head by a piece of gravel about the size of a dime, while on the freeway. it hit me right under my sunglasses, leaving a small cut, and a huge bruise.
...of course being young and invincible, i didnt bother to get a helmet; or wear much more than a t-shirt, shorts, sandals, glasses, and gloves. i once was a squid... i admit it. but now its all different.

[Slim Johnson]

I took a hornet to the face at about 70 mph this weekend. Thank God for full face helmets. All I had to do was wipe it off the visor. That sucker would have HURT.

Agreed as to rocks to the shin. They sting pretty bad with jeans on. Bare-legged would suck.

so do you flinch when they fly at your face? i still do. :o
guess i rode too long without proper ppe.

[Kazakaz]

I am guilty of riding with just a helmet, t-shirt, and jeans. I have wised up, though. I just bought a Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 mesh jacket and Joe Rocket Summer Mojo gloves. The zipper just blew out in my Harley boots, so I need to see if I can find somewhere to get it fix, or buy some new boots.

Still trying to figure out what kind of pants to get. I want something that will fit over my jeans, yet is easy to take off where I end up.

[iamjustifyd]

http://www.sicklines.com/reviews/thor-impact-rig/

Maybe this is what he is talking about.

[iamjustifyd]

That outfit sounds pretty good. Don't know how I could wear it for a drive to work, store, church..etc.. without having to get undressed when I get there tho. And of course redressed after the armour is off :) But if you're just going for a ride it looks great!

[Slim Johnson]

I am guilty of riding with just a helmet, t-shirt, and jeans. I have wised up, though. I just bought a Joe Rocket Phoenix 5.0 mesh jacket and Joe Rocket Summer Mojo gloves. The zipper just blew out in my Harley boots, so I need to see if I can find somewhere to get it fix, or buy some new boots.

Still trying to figure out what kind of pants to get. I want something that will fit over my jeans, yet is easy to take off where I end up.

plus side to just the helmet is that you will feel everything that happens... :eek:

as far as pants, if you can try some on first, for fit, and comfort. i looked for pants that were padded, and waterproof as well. not too warm, and i bought a pair that had a removable liner too. that way i dont burn up in the summer months. as always... make sure that they are cool looking, and that they match your jacket.

[Kazakaz]

I might look into the Joe Rocket Phoenix pants to match the jacket. That way, I can wear shorts in the hot summer months, and just slip the pants on over when on the bike. The only real problem I see with this is trying to fit my size 13 boots in my saddlebags with the jacket and pants when I get to the beach.

[Trouthunter]

so do you flinch when they fly at your face? i still do. :o
guess i rode too long without proper ppe.

Yes - you only have that split second when the thing comes into view. There is no way you could ever move your face out of the way, but you have enough time to flinch.

On chaps - mine have a liner in them that provides some additional warmth in the cold weather, but also gives you a bit of extra padding. Heavy bison leather+quilted liner+jeans and those danged rocks still hurt.

[rldguy]

I always helmet, jacket, gloves, boots and long pants. I wear heavy denim pants with some leather reinforcement and knee pads, but I want to upgrade the. I just don't have the $$ right now. I keep telling myself that pants are cheaper than skin grafts, but apparently I am hard to convince.

[Sed8Me]

They day I got my learners permit I stopped on the way home and bought a 'windsheer' jacket that has elbow pads, shoulder pads, kidney pads, and back pads... it has vents and reflective material, and is a white/black mix so that should help with visibility not to mention the lime green bike!

I do always where gloves, jacket and helmet... I need to look at getting decent shoes (not runners or loafers) and pants.. right now I pretty much just use regular jeans

[Cypher2301]

But wow....

Carhart. I hit a car at 45mph, flew 20ish feet, slid another 6 or so and only ripped my pocket on my Carhart pants. Got me some new ones from the insurance too.

[Cool The Kid]

You wear PPE all the time? Good for you.

People accept a certain level of risk just jumping on a motorcycle. You can't fall off or crash a motorcycle if you never ride it. Some people who ride accept MORE risk by not wearing gear. It is what it is.

It has been hot as hell in NYC lately... too hot for the train IMO, so I have been riding to work. When its over 90, I leave my jacket home. Its just too hot, and traffic doesn't move much faster than 40 MPH. I see people on Vespas in flip flops and half lids and I am wearing more gear than them. It is what it is.

I used to get all haughty about gear, but again, if you ride a motorcycle PERIOD, you are taking on needless risk. People can still get seriously hurt w/ATGATT, and even though most people crash, most people don't crash or go down every time they ride. Its a game of odds I guess

[chefonahonda]

I usually wear whatever my street clothes are for the day....rather thats pants, shorts, shirt, polo etc. I also dont wear a helmet.

My reason.....thats how I want to ride - comfortably and I dont want to get off my bike at my destination looking like a Power Ranger. I do carry a helmet in the trunk of my Goldwing for when I cross state lines and Im required by law to wear one.

Having read your earlier input I do not believe you. How are them new boots working out and how is your ankle healing?

[chefonahonda]

I found a bright yellow high vis jacket that is much cooler (in both ways) than my first jacket. I understand that riding is risk taking and sometimes I lessen the gear while being aware of the risk. Mostly though is ATGATT except for pants because of fit so I wear heavy duty Dickies or other brands. On days when I am going solo riding I will my Bohn Armor and while it ads to the heat factor it adds to the safety factor. Rode over to Ft Myers last week, 90% of riders where in beach clothing. No pictures though, in full gear I look like the Android Widget

[Klrlindy63]

Motorcycle jacket with built in armor, on long rides riding plants, if not them always quality jeans. I wear pro biker gloves, they have little scoops on the fingers that circulate air, very comfortable!
Full face helmet always.
The image of a friends head after he was hit by that left turning moron at every traffic light, His face was torn from his skull, he always wore a half shell. ( he made a full recovery, and the Harley he bought after the accident just turned 100k!)

I personally find it more appalling when I see one of those morons on a sport bike, wearing shorts and a tank top, and he has somebody's daughter holding on wearing as little, if you dont care about yourself that is one thing, but at least care enough to make sure you dont hurt her!

[Kiwi Steve]

I wear full gear whenever I'm out on the open road. Boots, armoured pants, armoured jacket, armoured gloves, full face helmet, and over my jacket I wear one of those industrial hi-vis vests in fluoro yellow.

Around town I leave off the armoured pants, but I always wear jeans. And I'm conciously thinking I'm not protected all the time.

However, I also feel that provention is better than cure, so awareness of my surroundings and proaction to situations is my first line of defense.

I figure that if it comes down to my skin versus the road, the road is always going to win no matter what speed I'm doing. Hopefully ATGATT would reduce the damage.

To make myself even more visible, I have thought I should get a lime green fringe and attaching it to the top of my helmet like a mohawk haircut.

[ralphlong]

Today I had to ride around the block to get gas. It was pretty hot, so I rode in just jeans and t-shirt and my full face.

I felt so naughty! Felt like every one was staring at me.

One thing I noticed: Gloves give me much better throttle control. I found it hard to modulate the throttle precisely with just bare hands.

Ralph