Atgatt

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I was out yesterday (easily the hottest day of the summer). I was wearing (textile jacket, gloves, full boots and jeans). I'd say I was geared up. It was so HOT! I really didn't enjoy the ride as much as I usually do. I just remember riding as fast as I could at the tail end of my ride to get home ASAP! At one point I was stopped at a red light. As usual, sensors weren't activated so I was there for 10 minutes and
was roasting in the heat. Yesterday was one day that I envied the squids.
 
turbodish said:
NHTSA has a paper out called Bodily Injury Locations in Fatally Injured Motorcycle Riders. You can find it at http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810856.pdf .

It does separate stats out by helmeted and unhelmeted riders. Among helmeted riders, the most prominent single cause of death noted is head injuries. Also up on the list are thorax, neck, and abdomen. In Ontario the head is usually covered by a helmet. The other areas of the body noted are those that contain the body's critical organ and nerve clusters. None are areas that would be among the first to be "skinned" in a bad crash.

Among cause of crash fatality, in the US over half of fatalities are due to crashing into a fixed object, and not sliding down the road to a slow skinning stop. That figure sounds reasonable for Ontario, where in 2008 about 48% of motorcycle fatalities were single-vehicle crashes.

Again, going back to the stats I posted earlier in this thread, the groups most likely to be fully-geared up in the US, sport and supersport bike riders, also have the highest fatality rates. If they're geared up, they're not going to be road-rashed to the same degree as a gearless rider. So, you answer the question - what is killing them?
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I wear work boots when working on a construction site. They aren't going to save my life though.

I wear gloves and safety glasses when working with power tools or heavy equipment but getting sliced hands or blinded isn't going to kill me.

I wear hearing protection when shooting but going deaf won't kill me.

I wear knee pads when roofing but sore knees aren't going to kill me.

Get my point?
 
Griffin said:
I wear work boots when working on a construction site. They aren't going to save my life though.

I wear gloves and safety glasses when working with power tools or heavy equipment but getting sliced hands or blinded isn't going to kill me.

I wear hearing protection when shooting but going deaf won't kill me.

I wear knee pads when roofing but sore knees aren't going to kill me.

Get my point?
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And if you don't one day, who other than yourself will you endanger? Even with respect to yourself, will you suddenly fall victim to all the possible ills that such gear provides a measure of protection against?
 
turbodish said:
You've made a valid choice based on your comfort levels. Would you impose your choice on others, and if so, why?
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No I wouldn't impose them on anyone, unless it's my own child...and then frankly, he has no say in the matter. No gear=no ride but then that's my prerogative as well as my responsibility as his mother.

The question was asked if ATGATT people went ATGATT in this heat. Then people brought in the argument that bike types, age, skill level, etc. tended to dictate the choice to go ATGATT. My statement was to indicate that in my case, it's a moot point. For me, the type of bike, the age I am or was and my varying skill levels over the years has had no impact. I always wore gear and will continue to and it's always been for the same reasons. I've seen what slides can do to a person... Gear may not prevent fatality in an accident situation but why not protect yourself from being flayed alive in the case of a non-fatal accident?
 
but why not protect yourself from being flayed alive in the case of a non-fatal accident?
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You could say the same thing
why not drive a cage and avoid the issue/risk entirely.

Casual riding in hot gear is not my, or many other's idea of enjoyment......that's why.

My mesh is fine on all but the hottest days so indeed why not and I do.

Enclosed in a full face is not my idea of enjoyment. So I don't except under certain circumstances ( generally cold tho heavy bugs are a factor. )

What I find most interesting is ATGATT people admitting they felt nervous without gear.....the gear should never matter to your riding skills or caution. That admission tells me they are using the gear as a confidence crutch.

Perhaps a bit more venturing out without it might actually improve their cautionary riding instead of providing unwarranted complacency.
 
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MacDoc said:
You could say the same thing
why not drive a cage and avoid the issue/risk entirely.

Casual riding in hot gear is not my, or many other's idea of enjoyment......that's why.

My mesh is fine on all but the hottest days so indeed why not and I do.

Enclosed in a full face is not my idea of enjoyment. So I don't except under certain circumstances ( generally cold tho heavy bugs are a factor. )

What I find most interesting is ATGATT people admitting they felt nervous without gear.....the gear should never matter to your riding skills or caution. That admission tells me they are using the gear as a confidence crutch.

Perhaps a bit more venturing out without it might actually improve their cautionary riding instead of providing unwarranted complacency.
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Wait...you answering Turbo's question to me? Or commenting on my statement back to him? The question was do ATGATT people remain ATGATT in this heat (Car vs. bike was never the topic). Then Turbo asked if I'd impose my standards on others and if yes, why. I answered no.

People can wear whatever they want (with the exception of my child, as I pointed out). Do I feel uncomfortable without full gear (as in the few times I've worn jeans)? Yes, I do. It has nothing to do with my level of riding skill though. It has far more to do with the fact when I first started riding I personally saw what road rash can do and my Mom (who is a nurse) made sure I knew all about the consequences of not wearing gear from the time I was 11 or 12. Full gear or not, my riding doesn't change, it's the niggling thought in the back of my head that does. The little voice that says, "If something bad happens today, this is gonna be 10 times worse 'cause you were stupid and wore jeans....and they're gonna shreeeeeeeeed....." and well, that voice goes away when I wear my gear ;)
 
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MacDoc said:
You could say the same thing
why not drive a cage and avoid the issue/risk entirely.

Casual riding in hot gear is not my, or many other's idea of enjoyment......that's why.

My mesh is fine on all but the hottest days so indeed why not and I do.

Enclosed in a full face is not my idea of enjoyment. So I don't except under certain circumstances ( generally cold tho heavy bugs are a factor. )

What I find most interesting is ATGATT people admitting they felt nervous without gear.....the gear should never matter to your riding skills or caution. That admission tells me they are using the gear as a confidence crutch.

Perhaps a bit more venturing out without it might actually improve their cautionary riding instead of providing unwarranted complacency.
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Oh Touche', This^^^^^^^^^^^ x1000-Ty
 
I think he just made my point but fails to understand it.
The little cautionary voice should never go away with or without gear.
 
Was out in full gear (black everything, leather jackets, gloves, helmet, bike) yesterday and got some VERY interesting looks from the cagers sitting in shorts in their A/C controlled vans on the 401W heading back from CSCS @ Mosport yesterday. Had a few riders comment to us at 7/11 how crazy we were, but as long as you weren't street riding (going faster than 70) the ventilation was good and wasn't bothersome. It's either this or -40 in winter, I'd much rather deal with this but getting stuck in traffic from a rear-end near Oshawa was suckage :(
 
I was out again today for around 2 hours, and again in full gear. I'm gonna go with Nyx on this one. I used to teach first aid, and have seen a fair bit of road rash. It's just not worth the risk. And i'm in a full textile jacket, no mesh yet.
 
@ OP,

i was out today, had the day off work ran a 250km loop. ATGATT. boots, leather pants, back protector, jacket, gloves, and lid. although i did wear my mesh jacket instead of my leather...
 
MacDoc said:
You could say the same thing
why not drive a cage and avoid the issue/risk entirely.

Casual riding in hot gear is not my, or many other's idea of enjoyment......that's why.

My mesh is fine on all but the hottest days so indeed why not and I do.

Enclosed in a full face is not my idea of enjoyment. So I don't except under certain circumstances ( generally cold tho heavy bugs are a factor. )

What I find most interesting is ATGATT people admitting they felt nervous without gear.....the gear should never matter to your riding skills or caution. That admission tells me they are using the gear as a confidence crutch.

Perhaps a bit more venturing out without it might actually improve their cautionary riding instead of providing unwarranted complacency.
Click to expand...

lol,

when people say they feel uncomfortable, i dont think they mean they are less capable riders. rather, i think it merely means that in the event of something happening they feel they would be more likely to sustain more severe injuries.


in my mind it makes perfect sense. you can be the absolute best rider in the world... but it doesnt have to be your mistake that costs you your life.
 
Nyx13 said:
Wait...you answering Turbo's question to me? Or commenting on my statement back to him? The question was do ATGATT people remain ATGATT in this heat (Car vs. bike was never the topic). Then Turbo asked if I'd impose my standards on others and if yes, why. I answered no.

People can wear whatever they want (with the exception of my child, as I pointed out). Do I feel uncomfortable without full gear (as in the few times I've worn jeans)? Yes, I do. It has nothing to do with my level of riding skill though. It has far more to do with the fact when I first started riding I personally saw what road rash can do and my Mom (who is a nurse) made sure I knew all about the consequences of not wearing gear from the time I was 11 or 12. Full gear or not, my riding doesn't change, it's the niggling thought in the back of my head that does. The little voice that says, "If something bad happens today, this is gonna be 10 times worse 'cause you were stupid and wore jeans....and they're gonna shreeeeeeeeed....." and well, that voice goes away when I wear my gear ;)
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With you on this one, I fully get what you're saying.
I trailer the street bike to the MX track with me so when I set up camp I have a vehicle to go out with on Saturday night. Forgot my street gloves so I wore my dirt gloves, and in my mind I knew that if I fell my hands would be toast.

I wear my gear no matter what temp it is. The only thing I change up is my jacket from my leather to my textile in the heat.

People really can't complain about this heat. I was racing motocross Saturday and Sunday. Full gear in a very high energy sport and I was fine. Sure, I was sweating but that's nothing a bit of water and Gaterade doesn't fix up.

I've seen some real heat before and I'm still waiting for our heat wave of the summer.

Maybe people are just afraid to get a bit sweaty and have their hair a little messed up?
 
To the OP:

ATGATT stands for "All The Gear All The Time" - correct?

So, using that definition - riding even one block without full gear gets you booted from the club.

I never hop on the bike, even a short trip, without full gear. No exceptions. I support all of you (with gear, or without) and wish you safe and happy riding.
 
I guess I can't say I'm ATGATT because there are times when I will wear my jeans and not my riding pants but I always wear jacket, boots, gloves and FF helmet (visor up at slow speeds). It's really not that bad. Sure I get hot and sweaty riding slow but so what? If i have to go meet a client which i do for work sometimes then I will dress decent and take my car but, riding without a jacket for me is not an option, I like my skin where it is. I know it's not going to prevent me from broken bones or life threatening injuries but I also don't really want the time off from riding while I recover from skin graft on my arms from the skin on my ***.
To me it's a personal choice but of course like Nyx13 says that will be a totally different story when my son starts riding, no choice for him!! It's all about risk management and what your comfortable living with so that you can enjoy your ride. Everyone's is different. I make my choice and let others make theirs. If it affected the safety of others then it would be a different story but it isn't. Besides, my wife thinks I look hot in my motorcycle jacket!!!
 
i always ride with full gear BUT on Saturday it was way too hot so I rode with out the jacket to night market @ markham civic centre. But I still strongly believe jackets should be wore at all times ;)
 
I admit, I stripped down the gear today. I took the chin curtain out of my helmet to allow my face to catch a nice breeze. Otherwise, black textile jacket, full face helmet, kevlar jeans, black leather gloves, big black leather boots.

You think this is hot? Try putting on a CBRN suit for two hours. That's hot. I'm willing to suffer through a little discomfort for personal safety.
 
Generally I wear full gear all the time I go for a ride, I have on occasion worn jeans instead of riding pants..... And like Nyx have that 'voice' in my head saying 'if something goes wrong, I told you soo....'
On hot days like yesterday, I will wear full 'mesh' gear (pants and jacket) except have on full leather gauntlet gloves and always full face helmet (my fave one rockin' a pink Mohawk! :D ) and 'race' boots.
I have on long full day rides worn my perforated one pieces leathers, looking into getting leather pants to go with my leather jacket.

Everyone, to each your own though.
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