How much protection?

I know to one extent or another this has been addressed on this forum however the question has come up time and again, how much protection while riding is adequate? I am not asking about helmet usage; leave that discussion for another time. I know it’s a personal choice which we all need to make based on our values and perceived risk. However it can be easy to over or under address the issue of personal protection with regard to actual risk. That being said, for myself I use what I guess is usual equipment which consists of textile jackets and pants with shoulder, elbow, knee and back pads/armor. However, I would like to ask other Maxi-scooter riders how much protection do you use when riding and why? Is a textile jacket with internal armor adequate? Is leather better? And what about the more advanced armor worn under a jacket; is that warranted for non-sport street riding?

Hard to say what's right or best because it depends on the person. I wear kevlar reinforced jeans on longer rides on my Goldwing, in warm weather I wear a mesh jacket with armor, in cooler weather a traditional style horse hide jacket. On longer rides I wear Danner Striker boots, they look like combat boots with laces and a side zip. I prefer that type boot because there's less chance of it coming off in an accident. I almost always wear gloves. All that aside on short errands with my Silverwing I tend to dress a lot lighter. For running an errand nearby it just isn't worth it to me to change clothes to heavy riding gear. I justify that to myself because these type errands are short trips at low speeds. Not particularly safe but that's the risk I'm willing to take. Going down at highway speed is a whole nother deal, on those kind of rides I wear the gear described above.

I have collection of jackets----You need two types of protect #1 from the weather and wet #2 abrasion---leather is better than fabric.

Often I wear more than one jacket, underneath feather jacket and outside one that keeps me dry and blocks wind.

Nice to have jacket combination where at least one can be taken off and rolled up compactly. I do have yellow mesh jacket---good over small temp range and rain?

Pants--Aerostich Darien---easy to get into, maybe not most comfortable. Have had various leather pants over years, great if not too hot or wet. Would like to try new pair of StoneLake bibs.

No luck with electric inners.

Lanlitz Leathers made to measure can be comfortable but costly--I think near $1000-----wore 2 jackets out since 1966---ebay will bring most of money back from somebody who wants to look like he rides a lot.

Boots---best have been Aerostich Combat, again trashed after 5-6 years, ebay brought most of investment back. Would like to try a pair of their Combat Lites. Day to Day, I prefer Red Wing Irish Setter (US made) as their soles offer grip wet/dry/spilled gas and they are lace up, can be re-soled. I also have pair of Wolverine Waterproof pull on. Pull ons offer hazard of you being knocked out of boots in crash. Wet rubber pull overboots, Aerostich being good source.

My stuff, comfortable/warm/keeps me dry. Easy to be seen.

Gloves=no answer, on trip I carry several pair, like deerskin for summer, HD makes nice rain gloves. Think electric grips might work well for overall hand comfort----should buy on next new bike.


All this said: BOTTOM LINE: You wack something or hit solid object at any kind of speed, you are probably dead-----At least good riding outfit keeps all the pieces on one place.


John Grinsel Forgot Aerostich one piece suit, great for going to work over nice clothes, comfortable, hot when hot, have worn out 3-4 since the 80's, good for 100-150,000 miles---on trip to North Cap in Norway, never took off---feather jacket underneath, Barbour Oiled cotton over top, as I was dealing with cold/a little snow/rain----and camping slept in it, too. Stayed warm but dirty.

My bare minimum for summer is a textile jacket with venting and armor in the back, shoulders, elbows, gloves with kevlar knuckles and palm sliders(your first instinct when your coming off a bike is to put your hands down, i watched a guy once come close to grinding his hands off ). I have a pair of alpinestar street shoes that i can wear all day. The other end is either the dainese, or moto gp set of full leathers, alpinestars boots, and gloves when doing track days.
Its goes without saying that i always, always, always wear a full face helmet, no matter what.

Unless its really hot out, then i go for flip flops, board shorts and a pair of way sweet shades! jK!

I have to admit that sometimes I'm lax about safety in my riding attire. If it's cool to cold, I wear Joe Rocket armoured textile, both jacket and pants (very safe). If it's warm, I wear a leather unarmored jacket with blue jeans (not as safe). If it's hot, a jean jacket (not very safe). I will NEVER wear shorts or sandals. For footwear it's usually Icon boots, very rarely sneakers. Oh, and I ALWAYS wear armoured gloves, no matter what the temp. The helmet is a "no-brainer". It's the law here and even if it weren't, I would still always wear one.

I wear jeans, a riding jacket (with 1 for cold weather and 1 for warm weather), some type of boots, gloves and a helmet. I came from Illinois, which didn't have a helmet law but I have to wear one out here in Calfiornia. If I moved back to Illinois I would probably continue to wear a helmet now that I'm used to it. But I don't want this thread to go off the O.P. of "knuclehead". By nature I'm just not a super "safe" rider since I've always rode on the edge since very young. So far it has worked out.

It's funny. I own the good stuff (motoport) pants and jacket. I don't always wear it. I tend to put everything on when I'm planning to do some highway riding. I always wear a helmet and gloves. I should make All the Gear all the Time my new year's resolution.

Although, I have only ridden since October, 2009 as a passenger. Then as a solo since Sept. 2010. I wear all the gear all the time. Bob has always done this and I will too. I just purchased some FirstGear HT pants and Olympia textile ATS jacket at a sweet price. I believe in being safe , you just never know what's around the corner. Why tear yourself up? I still have a great time gear and all. Enjoy the ride and be safe.

A lot of my riding EVERY DAY is from my house to the coffee shop about 3 miles one way. If it is really really cold, I take the car. My gear consists of armored jacket, pants, gloves, full face helmet and high top boots. It is just so much trouble to put the gear on, ride 6 minutes, take gear off, put gear back on, ride six minutes and then take the gear off again.

If the weather is not real cold, I wear the jacket without the pants. For trips of longer distances, I wear all the gear EVERYTIME. I just don't want to do the ambulance thing again. Here in Arkansas we don't have the mandatory helmet law now. I am like you Jeff, I use mine just because I want to. I know it feels really cool to not have one on, but at my age, accidents happen.

I would simply add that how much protection depends on how much you value your skin. Literally!

I am of the 'all the gear all the time' brigade. Best I can afford.

The make, style and material is down to your personal choice.

What you do have to be aware of, is even the best clothing will not stop breaks, nor accidents from happening. In fact the fact you are encased in protective clothing has proved to cause a degree of over confidence which could lead to accidents.

I was always taught; ride like the world is trying to kill you and keep a safety bubble around you and your clothing should last for years.

I'm an ATGATT rider for the reasons already clearly set out by others.

I do have textile winter and summer jackets (and trousers) and a leather one but tend, like JG, to do the 'layers' thing as far as keeping cool/warm/dry goes - I had on six layers when I rode to church last week with the temperature just below freezing.

My textile jackets are Hein Gericke ones so, one hopes, are abraision resistant to a reasonable degree.
I also have a pair of Draggin' Jeans and just bought a pair of Hood Jeans (arrived this morning).

Motorcycle boots, too - I have H-G Manx boots which cover my ankles.

Well there's plenty of posts about textile and leather gear whether it be vented or otherwise. No one has mentioned spinal protection whether it be a reinforced back pad that goes into a zipped pocket inside the back of a jacket, or the full length armoured back protectors like Knox that have adjustable braces (suspenders), and a broad elastic kidney support belt, which you put on before donning your jacket. I didn't wear back protection in my early biking days but I have done for many years and now it's just another piece of kit.

Hearing protection is also very important, I've worn earplugs for many years, anyone who says they don't need to because their helmet offers enough hearing protection is talking as we say in the UK... bollocks!
I can't be the only one already suffering from tinnitus, my hearing was damaged years ago probably as far back as the 70's. That ringing in your ears after a long ride will usually wear off after a period of hours or days, until one day it stays there permanently, so if you don't and it's your choice of course, at least try out some ear plugs.

Meldrew wrote:

Hearing protection is also very important, I've worn earplugs for many years, anyone who says they don't need to because their helmet offers enough hearing protection is talking as we say in the UK... bollocks!
I can't be the only one already suffering from tinnitus, my hearing was damaged years ago probably as far back as the 70's. That ringing in your ears after a long ride will usually wear off after a period of hours or days, until one day it stays there permanently, so if you don't and it's your choice of course, at least try out some ear plugs.

A very good point that a lot of people overlook.

As you say hearing is something we do forget about.

I use a pair I had made for me at the Motor Show in Birmingham, (UK). They make a mould by injecting some "stuff", (great word), into your ear. After a minute and it has set, they remove the mould and use that make a permanent pair of plugs from a rubbery material that then fit snugly into the ear. If you wish to pay more, then they will also add the necessary electronics to allow you to listen to your MP3 player or the like.

As Meldrew says, even the best helmets don't offer great sound dampening qualities.

I just use the orange coloured disposable foam plugs when out on the highway.
100 pairs cost $14, can't go wrong at that price.

I have to say that until last December in the snow, I had been lucky enough to have avoided an 'off' for over twenty years. I had a slide at fairly low speed, probably 10-15 MPH, but was lucky enough to be wearing textile suit with armour, quality gloves and helmet. Even so, I limped for about six weeks while my knee recovered even from the impact.

ATGATT!!

I laugh (and cringe) when I see these kids zooming around on their rice rockets in shorts, t-shirts and a helment

Like previously said, if you value your skin, protect it.

I wear my FieldSheer about nine months a year, and leather and denim the other three. I don't care if I'm sweating like a pig in July, my skin is covered.

Make it a rule. Murphy's Law will dictate that the time you try to 'cheat' (it's just a quick trip to the store), that's the time you'll be volunteering to get skin grafts.

Oh so true. ATGATT.

Cathy

My wife and I both ride- me on the Silverwing and her on the Reflex. We both wear armored jackets, heavy jeans, full helmets motorcycle boots and protective gloves each time. 1 week ago she went for a ride on her bicycle with just a regular bicycle helmet, shirt and jeans- a dog ran out and she went down hard on her face. No broken bones but lots of road rash on her face, hands, knees and elbows and a trip to the hospital. She is so mad she didn't atgatt- but swears it will never happen again!

In California we have to wear a helmet, so it is a helmet, armoured jacket, gloves, boots, and jeans with I ride. If it is really hot and I'm just going to the store I may not wear one but I have a mesh jacket for summer. I'm much more careful now that I'm older but in my younger days, in Illinois, I just wore jeans and glasses. Helmets aren't required in Illinois and I didn't use a helmet until I came out here to California.

If I were to move back to Illinois I would always wear a helmet though. I do feel safer with it and I am older. But when you're young you think nothing can hurt you.

Interesting comments to a recent joiner of the maxi scoot ranks, but 35 years riding "bikes". Too often, I suspect that riding a scooter lulls riders into a false sense of security as they are protected from the weather etc. Flipflops, shorts etc... I shudder when I see it!

I always wear bike boots or more recently combat boots, Hood jeans in warmer weather and good IXS textile trouser in wet/cold weather. Jacket is textile, good (I hope) armour with a back protector and a mesh jacket for supper wear, which doesnt have a spine protector . I do admit to liking really lightweight gloves all year round! They must be 10 years old and are kept supple by lashings of leather beeswax! They do need upgrading really!

I did purchase an air inflate body vest, but it was too heavy for summer wear, but I may consider one of the integrated jackets later in the year, if funds allow... Flip-up Shoei, though in really hot weather and the rip is a short one, the open face comes out

Leather is I suspect a touch warm for a scoot as there is a lack of airflow

In the winter and cold wet weather I wear insulated carhatt's( hillbilly's leather as I call them) and heavy leather coat good to about ten degrees and heavy winter gloves. In warmer weather armoured kelvar demin jacket light armoured gloves.
Looking for light colored mesh jacket in a 3 to 4x this year and wear a full face helmet all the time.