Posted on Jan 3, 2016
What is the benefit to wearing motorcycle safety gear (ATGATT, All the gear, all the time)?
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EDIT: When I posted this just a few days ago, it was with my sons crash fresh in mind...As life has a way of being...... My life decided to add some more anecdotal evidence to the pile... See my post crash yesterday additions to the discussion.
DO you ride? Does your sister? brother? Mother?
Have you decided wearing the best helmet, jacket, riding pants, gloves and motorcycle specific gloves cost too much, is too hot, too restrictive?
Ok,, as long as it is an informed, adult, educated decision that's great...
Just keep in mind, you do not control the crash, nor how much skill you need to get home tonight.
I ride, have for 40 plus years, 38 on the street. I teach others to ride,,about 800 a year.
I teach advanced riding as well.
Im not that safety nanny rider you might think of when you read that.. BUT I choose to ride in all the gear all the time.
As does my wife and sons..
Mid Dec, my younger son crashed, as are most motorcycle crashes his too was foreseeable, avoidable and preventable..
His crash was mid 60 mph, and he ended up in a guard rail feet first.
His gear, saved him from extensive injury..
Even with a quality full face helmet, motorcycle specific, armored leather gloves, motorcycle specific leather and armored boots, jacket and pants.. He had significant road rash and bruising.
His Boots likely save him from a traumatic amputation.
So if your still on the fence or have already choose to not ride with the best gear you can afford, please reconsider.
DO you ride? Does your sister? brother? Mother?
Have you decided wearing the best helmet, jacket, riding pants, gloves and motorcycle specific gloves cost too much, is too hot, too restrictive?
Ok,, as long as it is an informed, adult, educated decision that's great...
Just keep in mind, you do not control the crash, nor how much skill you need to get home tonight.
I ride, have for 40 plus years, 38 on the street. I teach others to ride,,about 800 a year.
I teach advanced riding as well.
Im not that safety nanny rider you might think of when you read that.. BUT I choose to ride in all the gear all the time.
As does my wife and sons..
Mid Dec, my younger son crashed, as are most motorcycle crashes his too was foreseeable, avoidable and preventable..
His crash was mid 60 mph, and he ended up in a guard rail feet first.
His gear, saved him from extensive injury..
Even with a quality full face helmet, motorcycle specific, armored leather gloves, motorcycle specific leather and armored boots, jacket and pants.. He had significant road rash and bruising.
His Boots likely save him from a traumatic amputation.
So if your still on the fence or have already choose to not ride with the best gear you can afford, please reconsider.
Motorcycles
Safety
Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider Coach
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 25
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Agreed, my wreck was at 55 mph and I was wearing good gloves, a half helmet, good leather boots, etc. The gloves were destroyed and I had some road rash on one hand, no surface though, if it got through the gloves it went deep but healed fast. Boots protected my feet and helmet protected my head, although I had some road rash on my face. Even the quality hand I was wearing helped. Same as the gloves, where the road went though, my knee, it went through deep but only went through in one place. I ride with less than a lot of MSF guys recommend but I made the decision to be comfortable and accept that risk. The guys I see with no shirts, no gloves, shorts, and sandals drive me crazy. But hey, it's their body and they can destroy it however they want.
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SGM Erik Marquez
My question is never whether or not they have the right to do so or pointer finger and say in the wrong for doing it my question is always the same do they understand the additional risk do they understand the benefits and the comfort that can be had with quality equipment
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SGM Erik Marquez
And ask yourself not wearing a helmet even if it's an informed choice is it really just a choice for you?
Crushing without a helmet means there's a 67% chance somebody you leave behind will get to spoonfeed you and change your diaper three times a day for the rest of your life that's the choice you're making for yourself but them as well
Crushing without a helmet means there's a 67% chance somebody you leave behind will get to spoonfeed you and change your diaper three times a day for the rest of your life that's the choice you're making for yourself but them as well
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Capt Seid Waddell
SGM Erik Marquez, the Orthopaedic Residents in our lab call them donorcycles for a reason. I never rode without full protection and was fortunate enough not to have a serious accident, although I have blown a rear tire at 70 mph and was able to keep my forked end down until I stopped.
I was lucky that there was no oncoming traffic or I would have been toast; I had the choice of direction control or remaining upright and could not have avoided oncoming traffic without tumbling and losing all control.
I was lucky that there was no oncoming traffic or I would have been toast; I had the choice of direction control or remaining upright and could not have avoided oncoming traffic without tumbling and losing all control.
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That's some great advice SGM Erik Marquez. My father had an accident, with me as the passenger, when I was about 10 years old. He was new to the bike and ended up losing control and hitting several cars at a an intersection. It was only by wearing a jacket (there was no real protective clothing at that time), and helmet that we both survived with only some fairly serious injuries. I would never ride without max protection. After all, you can be the safest rider on the planet, but nobody knows about the driver at the next intersection.
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I'm definitely glad I wear all my gear. I've heard too many horror stories. I love real leather (boots/jackets), and it's much more durable in these instances compared to the faux leather. Continue to encourage servicemembers to invest in their safety and well-being, and hopefully it will save a life one day. Thanks for sharing SGM.
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SGM Erik Marquez
SGT Kristin Wiley
While I agree a proper leather motorcycle jacket is durable two points
Other meterial motorcycle jackets are VERY durable, and have more advantages for comfort making it more likely the rider will not leave the jacket at home.
2: a non motorcycle leather jacket is not better in most cases than almost any motorcycle specific jacket.
Cut, fit, durable seams, protective armor, flaps, fasteners in zippers that are designed for dress items not protective body armor
While I agree a proper leather motorcycle jacket is durable two points
Other meterial motorcycle jackets are VERY durable, and have more advantages for comfort making it more likely the rider will not leave the jacket at home.
2: a non motorcycle leather jacket is not better in most cases than almost any motorcycle specific jacket.
Cut, fit, durable seams, protective armor, flaps, fasteners in zippers that are designed for dress items not protective body armor
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