ORIGINAL: Silverman925

MT, It seems to be about 50/50 by numbers here. By age it seems that the younger the rider the less protected they are. I'm 34 and always the most protected on group rides. Most of the people on cruisers around here are underprotected, but they are not going mach 3 around hairpin turns, but in the even that they go down they are usually underdressed, but they look good!!! IMO I look like a power ranger, all pure Red and Black and Grey in color. Mirror shield. I draw more attention with all my gear on, I feel that it is positive attention, insted of people saying "look at thet fool riding naked on a rocket, they are saying, thats dangerous but he's thinking and prepared for consequences. After all....wasn't the primary job of our parents to teach us to make good judgements and understand consequences? Too often it is too late before riders truelly understand how important it is to be prepared, even if it is inconvenient.


If you ride as much as I do, it's not a question of if I go down, It's a question of when I go down. I'm planning my next encounter with the asphalt presently.

Like I said though, I concentrate more on IMPACT protection instead of worrying about how many slides my gear will stand up to before it needs replacing. I have no problem replacing inexpensive textile gear after every fall, it's worth it. Leather is more expensive, stands up to sliding on the road more times, but it wont protect from impact.

Anyway that is a debate that could go on forever, as it has in the past.

Finally answer....Half of the riders here are crazy ignorant, regardless of what kind of bike they are riding. A person could lose a nipple out there!