MDRiders.com

I write this in response to the reaction of fellow riders while riding in the VA, MD, DC region over the last few weeks. Many expressed surprise at my choice to start wearing a full race leather suite on all my rides. I wouldn’t say its been met with a negative reaction, truth is there has been more curiosity than skepticism. I think this is as good an opportunity as any to express some of the reasons and experiences that have influenced my decision to be a much safer street rider.

On a recent trip to California I was amazed by how many people actually wear a full suit for any ride even if was 1 or 2 miles away. You could find sport, touring, cruiser and hypermotard riders wearing their full-designated gear. This reminded me of my experiences while living in Europe, where everyone riding anything from a 50cc to 1800cc would have every inch of their body protected from any chance of suffering even a minor incident. Not only did everyone do this as part of maintaining personal safety but it was also the law. Unfortunately the law here barely covers the wearing of helmets.

I know arguments have been made among most of my fellow riders here that riding in California is completely different, with the West Coast being more demanding due to its dangerous mountainous terrain. This argument in my view is certainly true but flawed with regard to the argument that its less dangerous to ride on the East Coast.

As a recent example a very good friend who lived in Maryland but moved to the West Coast only 2 years ago had a rude awaking. After a bit of pressure from the riding community in the Bay area of San Francisco he started wearing a full race suit on the street. It took barely a month for him to find out how this decision affected his life. It all started in the very typical 30 mph traffic we all experience daily, where a driver who was switching lanes without carefully looking around hit him.  This simple mistake not only made his bike go flying and flipping several times, but thanks to his full gear he escaped severe road rush on both his arms and legs and the possibility of a few broken toes prevented thankfully by his race boots, which were severely damaged. His back protector had several severe impacts, and who knows what the implications could have been if he didn’t have one on. This was only at 30 mph, surprised, so was I! We all know that most of our riding is usually around an average of 65 mph if not more. It is surprising looking at the statistics how most of the time wearing gear comes into play not only when there is a speed factor in play but in intersections, parking lots, during heavy traffic, at stop lights or stop signs.

I know the cost of purchasing the right gear can usually be an issue with many of us deciding to buy. I have had more questions about the cost of my race suite than how taxpayers wonder how this economy is going to bounce back! I will not lie to you and say it’s cheap getting the proper gear. The truth is that it did take me a long while to get my full suite for around $1000 (full race suite, race boots, race gloves and race helmet) this can be done for a lot less if you are not so picky or more if you really want to Bling, Bling! It’s is not a good thing to only dwell on the cost and forget about the safety issues, this simply leads to us taking fate into our own hands.

The truth, and this is my very strong belief is that, its better to be prepared for what might happen in the next 1 or 2, than to prepare 1 or 2 hours after an incident happens. It is obvious the many factors that are against us when we ride and even with a good combination of skill, comfort, good equipment and excellent safety, we still have several other factors against us. One thing we can do to help increase safety is to limit all those factors by having the proper gear. Like a friend once said about riding with full gear “I would rather sweat than bleed”!!! Happy riding in the 2009 season and enjoy the privilege you have to be rider!

I am sorry to hear about your friend. It always sucks to go down. There are two sayings I always like to say "Learn from the mistakes of others, you cannot make them all yourself" and "I love the skin I am in"

I offer my support in choosing gear all the time. I don't have a full race suit but I wear my leather set all the time. I applaud anyone who does.

Being California bred and having moved to MD (a reverse of your friend but I am afraid he got the better deal, sorry no offence but those bay area mountains are ones I miss.) I am used to some heat. I am still familar with a lot of the motorcycle groups from the are (BARF and SBR).

Thank you for posting and sharing your experience!

BlueTyke; thanks for your response. I actually got to meet and ride with a few members of BARF while out in San Francisco. I had the privilege of also hanging out at the famous Alice Restaurant!

I am glad you agree with my push to try and get people to wear the proper gear while riding. I know it may seem like I may be trying to change the culture and mentality but its all for good and the right reasons. Thanks again and see you out on there!

it is no bad change! A lot of the riders I know wear gear all the time.

Alice's is great! I good spot to meet up. 4 corners and STP ahh those were the days! I am going back for a visit soon and my friend said I could borrow his bike . Now just getting my gear there hehe.