Drove to Chgo from NC a few years ago. On the interstate from Indiana to Chgo, driving rain, 2 lane roads, tractor trailers back to back...there was a guy riding, soaked, tank top, jeans, 80+, and no lid!

He was riding hard too!

It all depends on where I am goin but always wear jeans,boots and skid lid,long trips I wear the leather and gloves around town on hot day t-shirt works for me and no I have never been down but know there is always a chance someday,ride everday I can

ALWAYS the jeans,skidlid,steel toed boots. Other stuff is optional according to the weather. Guys, I have been down on concrete at well over 100mph and it is a feeling you never forget !!!!!!!!

I have only been riding for a few years, and when I started I wore jeans, boots, leather jacket, helmet, and gloves. After spending time on the forums, I learned that jeans will do very little for you if you go down.

This is my belief when it comes to riding. I do not plan to crash, if I did I would not ride. I ride defensively, just as I drive a car. I personally can not ride with the theory I am going down and prepared to do so. If I am riding in full leathers and a full face helmet sweating my butt off in the summer, I am not comfortable, and more likely to make a mistake. So, I wear whatever will keep most protected and comfortable. If I am going anywhere outside of my little town, I go put on my boots, jeans, and helmet at a minimum. This again is for my comfort as I don't like wearing shorts with all the heat the motor puts off. I burnt my leg once, and don't plan to do it again. And I read about someone getting a bee up his shorts, no thanks. I normally wear a helmet. I made a promise to my wife, and I guess there is a slight chance it would do some good if I fall on my head. But, I am on my 3rd half helmet, because they loosen up after wearing them and then start to lift. Or my head is shrinking.

These are my thoughts, developed by me, based on what I feel is best for me.

I always wear jeans and my cowboy boots. Now on the top side I have ridden with just a tank top but only to the store and back, if it not to hot I will wear a mesh type textile armored jacket. I always wear a lid, sometimes full sometimes half, I think the full is a lot cooler (temp wise) than the half though. I don't know why they don't put some vents in the half lids, the top of my head just sweats like a $2 hooker on payday.

Been down twice in 30+ years of riding all kinds of bikes. Will never forget the old nurse picking gravel outta my backside and giving me a lecture on how I,m going to die if I keep riding. IMO slow to low speed, gear helps alot. Have lost to many brothers in high speed wrecks even though they were in full gear .Best bet ride carefull and get right with your maker, we as riders need all the help we can get. Just my .02 worth

I am still laughing after reading these responses, believe me when I say, 'No one ever plans on going down', if you ride, it is NOT a matter of "If I go down" it is "When I go down" plain and simple! If you ride....you will go down, maybe not today, maybe not even this year, but eventually you will go down. As for the protection? Hey we are all adults and allegedly capable of making good decisions, so to each his/her own.

First off you'd remember me wearing shorts and a tanktop. It'd be forever etched into your memory. Not pretty. Second, crashed before and now ride with that experience in the fore front every time I get on. Not gonna preach to the choir about ridin attire. Like politics we all got our thing. More concerned about that you ride and the reasons behind it. We'll go from there.

GP

regardless of your gear choice to put on your body one of the greatest protectors we have is to ride defensively and respectful of the others on the road. I have my eyes moving all the time assessing the conditions around me and what my options are for escape routes if needed. I know this sounds like it takes the enjoyment out of riding but after you have done it for a few years it becomes second nature when you throw your leg over the saddle.

That being said I have been down twice, once at 18 when a woman backed out in front of me and I slid my 650 Suzuki up under the back of her car and she never even saw me and drove off. That opened my eyes to how vulnerable I am on a bike. The second time about 5 yrs ago on the Gold Wing with my wife on the back. I take full responsibility for that one, bad turn on a wet road. Neither of us were hurt but my bike took about 2K in repairs.

whatever your choice, ride aware of your environment.

i only wear shorts if i riding to work other than that its pants boots and leather coat/vest. i get a head shake from alot of riders that see me in shorts but im wearing a leather vest, stupid look i know but i cant wear pants at work when its hot out or i would die from the heat. im looking for those jeans that have the zip off lower leg parts so they turn into shorts, but i can only find them in kaki style pants