Everyone's always talking ATGATT

[Knifemaker]

If your concern is not looking like you just got off a bike, you might have a problem there. Trying to make an alternative fashion statement would be difficult here.

I'd suggest Kevlar jeans, Sketchers boots, and any jacket that conforms to your "non biker" concept.

You are what you is. (Thanks FZ)

Football players look like football players. Ski bums look like skiers. You ride a motorcycle? Kinda hard not to look like you don't and address the whole protection thing.

 

[TripperMike]

Scales and Averages

Those are two things I ponder when I contemplate motorcycling and whether going ATGATT is worth it.

Scales: on a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being something as simple as slipping on ice after dismounting from your bike (someone on this forum has a story about that) to a 10 that can represent an accident so severe that no amount of gear would help. The way I see it, by wearing the gear, my chances of being taken out moves me much closer to a 10. Honestly I would hate to leave my wife and sons with the embarrassment that I died because of some stupid little accident that even basic gear would have spared me my fate. It's called a senseless death.

Averages: the more I ride, I figure the greater the odds that something unfavorable will happen....again. A cheap pair of Firstgear pants, and a cheap Icon jacket & helmet saved my bacon down in the Ozarks one year. And I keep that now useless gear as a reminder to myself and to my sons.

<lots of deleted dribble>

 

[Big Sky]

If you want to save money, get properly outfitted for a few hundred dollars, with time, patience and persistence (patience is the key) it can be done in the used market, primarily CL and forums like this one. I'd say you'll pay 30-50¢ on the dollar. For example, I just bought an XL Kilimanjaro jacket with liner (Tourmaster, I think) for $95. They retail at about $289. (My 10-year-old Joe Rocket, bought used for $100, is still completely functional but looks like hell.) I think the Kilimanjaro would be considered almost "high-end" among the textiles. Fits perfectly. Yes, it is four years old but honestly I cannot see where it has ever been worn, not even a few bug stains. My Alpine Stars leather/armored riding pants I bought used - about 30¢ on the dollar. Still in great shape 10 years later. I've pretty much worn out the Alpine Stars boots I bought five-six years back for close to $200. Found the exact same thing in the right size on CL for $75, again no sign they'd actually been worn. Helmet is a different matter. I buy those new - Arai - $400, but as someone else mentioned, tests show some of the "economy" brands perform as well as the "premium" makes. My minimum for riding gear is Kevlar-lined Draggin Jeans, now about $110. My wife and I both have these (and have used them a lot over 10 years)...and crashed in them on gravel at about 20-25 mph. They did not let us down, not even a mark on them. I would not want to do a 70 mph asphalt slide in these, though. My gloves I've bought new. So: leather riding pants or Draggin' Jeans, good armored textile jacket, boots, gloves, helmet - about $725. Go with a $200 helmet - $525. Cheap considering the benefits. And we don't look like spacemen.

 

[101stpathfinder]

Wow! This post could open up MANY debates. I have to say I ride with and without full gear… sorry.

So you could argue… helmet with headset… hmmm Reduces hearing and peripheral vision (?) or get ATGATT and ride

like your hair was on fire … safer than geared down and riding like a "Grampa" (?) Full face helmet- hangman's noose in

high speed collision (?) In Florida, humidity can fog any visor, so I suppose having a helmet on with impaired vision is better than

other options(?) Ride your ride and wear the gear that is best for the situation for you. We can all have "*****" opinions about those who

wear or don't wear the same gear we wear, I think the cage that rear-ended the bike is the *****. You have to ride like you are invisible

down here in Florida. High-viz (?) Cages will always have an excuse for "Not seeing" a rider.

Then we could discuss the crotch rocket riders who piss off and promote road rage by weaving in and out of traffic, cutting off cars

with no lane respect at all. Then the cages don't respect our full lane……………………………

Just don't feel ATGATT Nazi attitude is needed. ***** or not, getting rear ended sucks! I have hospital stays for many reasons- they all

suck. Used to ride aggressive, but lost my edge with memory of past events. Perhaps thats why I ride like a "Grampa" - that and the fact

that I am a Grampa.

I have had crashes where I was very pleased I was wearing gear, then on the other hand I have avoided an accident

because I was not wearing a helmet. So to each his own - ATGATT or naked, its all a risk. Consider this however: There are those that think MC

riding is dangerous and that those that ride are idiots. I would hate that they be allowed to dictate laws concerning riding.

 

[infrared]

If you want to save money, get properly outfitted for a few hundred dollars, with time, patience and persistence it can be done in the used market, I just bought an XL Kilimanjaro jacket with liner for $95. They retail at about $289.My Alpine Stars leather/armored riding pants I bought used. Alpine Stars boots $200. Kevlar-lined Draggin Jeans, now about $110. - about $725. My wife and I both have these And we don't look like spacemen.

Big Sky,

YEA! One guy here does not try to talk me into doing exactly what I said I want to do, and even answers a specific question with something more than generalities. I do appreciate that. I probably won't be buying used gear, unless maybe an NFL linebacker somewhere wants to quit riding.

I just recently bought a new helmet, but I still think I'd need more than US$500.00 for the rest of the gear and to me, that's a serious chunk of cash. I'm in the market here, and I do have patience, if not a lot of money.

Anyway, I'm snowed in here for the Winter, and I have until Spring to get some decent gear going. Looks like the Kilimanjaro jackets are all getting closed out, so nothing in my size, but if anybody has a good alternative jacket, that would be helpful here.

Cheers,

Infrared

 

[ionbeam]

Wow! This post could open up MANY debates...Just don't feel ATGATT Nazi attitude is needed...I would hate that they be allowed to dictate laws concerning riding.

^^^^ If you find yourself in an emergency situation, just "lay it down" and you will be fine. Remember that loud pipes saves lives. Wearing helmets reduces hearing and visibility, they are dangerous, leave it at home and you won't crash.

Glad we no longer have the minus button anymore, Tony would hurt his fingers.

 

[101stpathfinder]

Wow! This post could open up MANY debates...Just don't feel ATGATT Nazi attitude is needed...I would hate that they be allowed to dictate laws concerning riding.

^^^^ If you find yourself in an emergency situation, just "lay it down" and you will be fine. Remember that loud pipes saves lives. Wearing helmets reduces hearing and visibility, they are dangerous, leave it at home and you won't crash.

Glad we no longer have the minus button anymore, Tony would hurt his fingers.

Really? This is how I came across to you? Taking quotes out of context can really kill the content and meaning.

I guess I should keep my opinion to myself next time.

 

[steveoreno]

I don't ride without at least a full face Shoei, mesh jacket with body armor, kevlar jeans, riding gloves and boots. When we are "going" somewhere we wear our armored pants as well. I guess I would rather smell bad than feel bad.

 

[BobCo]

If you want to save money, get properly outfitted for a few hundred dollars, with time, patience and persistence it can be done in the used market, I just bought an XL Kilimanjaro jacket with liner for $95. They retail at about $289.My Alpine Stars leather/armored riding pants I bought used. Alpine Stars boots $200. Kevlar-lined Draggin Jeans, now about $110. - about $725. My wife and I both have these And we don't look like spacemen.

Big Sky,

YEA! One guy here does not try to talk me into doing exactly what I said I want to do, and even answers a specific question with something more than generalities. I do appreciate that. I probably won't be buying used gear, unless maybe an NFL linebacker somewhere wants to quit riding.

I just recently bought a new helmet, but I still think I'd need more than US$500.00 for the rest of the gear and to me, that's a serious chunk of cash. I'm in the market here, and I do have patience, if not a lot of money.

Anyway, I'm snowed in here for the Winter, and I have until Spring to get some decent gear going. Looks like the Kilimanjaro jackets are all getting closed out, so nothing in my size, but if anybody has a good alternative jacket, that would be helpful here.

Cheers,

Infrared

This site has some 4XL Jackets for sale. https://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/combos/26389/olympia-viper-jacket-and-matching-pants I'm not recommending, you need to research and do your own homework.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Big Sky,

YEA! One guy here does not try to talk me into doing exactly what I said I want to do, and even answers a specific question with something more than generalities. I do appreciate that. I probably won't be buying used gear, I'm in the market here, and I do have patience, if not a lot of money.

but if anybody has a good alternative jacket, that would be helpful here.

Cheers,

Infrared

This site has some 4XL Jackets for sale. https://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/combos/26389/olympia-viper-jacket-and-matching-pants I'm not recommending, you need to research and do your own homework.

No, no BobCo. You are completely wrong. We need to only give the answers that Mr. Infrared wants to hear and we need to find new gear at used gear prices for him.

As I (now) understand it, Infrared wants:

1. To ride a motorcycle but not look like he is riding a motorcycle. Why he is embarrassed about riding I do not know.

2. The forum to tell him specifically the brand name, and part designations for all of the gear that he wants, but not for any gear that he won't like. That is, not any motorcycle gear that looks like motorcycle gear. Just providing brand names (as I did earlier) is not acceptable.

3. To get this mystery gear cheap.

4. No advice that he does not agree with.

Everyone that responded to this thread seriously, sincerely tried to provide helpful answers. The fact that some of the best and brightest we have (Alan and Tony, I mean you two) are in disagreement here tells you how strongly we all feel about this subject. We all try to help one another in the best ways we know how.

Sometimes... Well, sometimes folks are hard to help.

 

[BobCo]

I don't get not wanting to look like you ride a motorcycle (especially one as cool as a black FJR). I wear a one piece, not only do I want to look like I ride a motorcycle - I want to look like an astronaut Super Hero.

 

[infrared]

This site has some 4XL Jackets for sale. I'm not recommending, you need to research and do your own homework.

No, no BobCo. You are completely wrong. We need to only give the answers that Mr. Infrared wants to hear and we need to find new gear at used gear prices for him.

As I (now) understand it, Infrared wants:

1. To ride a motorcycle but not look like he is riding a motorcycle. Why he is embarrassed about riding I do not know.

2. The forum to tell him specifically the brand name, and part designations for all of the gear that he wants, but not for any gear that he won't like. That is, not any motorcycle gear that looks like motorcycle gear. Just providing brand names (as I did earlier) is not acceptable.

3. To get this mystery gear cheap.

4. No advice that he does not agree with.

Everyone that responded to this thread seriously, sincerely tried to provide helpful answers. The fact that some of the best and brightest we have (Alan and Tony, I mean you two) are in disagreement here tells you how strongly we all feel about this subject. We all try to help one another in the best ways we know how. Sometimes... Well, sometimes folks are hard to help.

Redfish Hunter,

My apologies.

+ Nothing embarrassing to me about riding, but I prefer not to be rubbing it into everybody's face. Also, I do not want anybody thinking that I'm the guy they need to race, out on the road. It's my "quiet guy" nature.

+ Yes, specific recommendations are welcome, especially when most riders here will know more than I do about good gear, or who is lying just to sell me junk.

+ Okay, price does count, but I'm a reasonable guy. I'd gladly spend the least to get the best gear, but I would rather not spend the most, for a rotten pack of lies.

+ Advice to ride with gear is simply preaching to the choir, for me. I got hit on the freeway once; my stuff was not armor, but it was enough (just barely, that time) to walk away from a wrecked bike.

None of my posts say that I oppose ATGATT, and in fact I endorse that option. Sorry if my wallet is kinda thin lately. I really do not want the money I spend (in good faith) on gear to be wasted on inferior stuff. I see all the advertising claims, and it's hard to know what claims are important, what is decoration, and what is useless. That is why I asked for help. Advice like "wear Kevlar" is so general that it does not really help. My main source of information (such as, Where should armor be located? What armor is sufficient, or more?) so far comes from ads that provide this information only accidentally, if at all. Is what they sell good enough? It's not realistic to suggest that I should do my own crash tests. I was hoping that people here would know, and give advice based on the real world, not ads.

But, it's all good. I can take my best shot, in the dark, and just hope for the best. If my questions have offended anybody, I apologize. If you see similar posts from me on other bike forums, please just disregard them.

Cheers,

Infrared

 

[steve_g]

Infared,

I don't have personal experience with Bohn, but know guys who like it.

https://www.bohnarmor.com/

 

[infrared]

Infared,
I don't have personal experience with Bohn, but know guys who like it.

https://www.bohnarmor.com/

Steve_g,

Wow, that stuff looks pretty serious. Thank you.

Cheers,

Infrared

 

[Redfish Hunter]

It is all good. Please know that we are all, and I do mean ALL of us trying to help every single person that reads this thread. I will not preach to you (well maybe a little!) but I will try to help.

I specifically wear the Tourmaster Transition 3 jacket almost all of the time. It is a 3/4 length textile jacket that I have worn in pretty much everything but snow. It cost me less than $200. I like it because it is a "mature" looking (not racerboy) jacket that goes with the FJR. It leaks rain sometimes and sometimes it does not. I have yet to figure it out. I only slid a very short distance in it at very slow speed and it did get scuffed on the sleeve. The elbow armor is what actually broke my rib(s). I wore it tonight for my ride to work. I like it well enough that I bought Dad one for his 69th birthday.

Here is Pop modeling the Tourmaster Transition 3 at Natural Tunnel State Park Virginia:


In this one, I am wearing the Tourmaster Transition 3 while Pop is modeling the Tourmaster Intake Air 2:



Pop off Hwy 145 next to the San Miguel River just SE of Norwood Colorado. Transition 3 and Tourmaster Intake Air Overpants.



My Firstgear (I cannot remember which model) I bought on clearance from RevZilla. It was not much over $100 and it fits much looser than the Tourmaster.



It is worth noting that in each photo, Pop is the only one fully ATGATT. He crashed that '07 late winter 2008 and it should have been totaled. His Tourmaster Intake Air Jacket, Tourmaster Overpants, and Nolan modular helmet were all destroyed. But he is alive and riding today.

I have other jackets, and I have multiple pairs of gloves and boots. I tend to gravitate toward Tourmaster because of the bang for my buck. However, there are other brands that cost more because they are worth more. If we, or I can help you further, just ask.

 

[lonerider]

I've found Olympia to be a good alternative to Firstgear; their AST series jacket and Ranger overpants are what I prefer for fall through spring, their Airglide jacket and overpants and their one piece mesh suit work well for me in hot weather. In my experience, their sizes run a bit smaller than Firstgear's; it's a good idea to go by their size chart. RevZilla https://www.revzilla.com/?gclid=CPGh5--ggroCFcyZ4Aodrk0A0Q and MotorcycleGear.com https://www.motorcyclegear.com/ usually have some closeout bargains if you're looking to buy new.

 

[erixun]

I will not preach to others about what THEY should do. We are all adults here. I do what I think is right, I want all of you to do the same. I confess that I do not always wear my riding overpants. I already know that jeans do not hold up. I am always aware that my decisions affect others besides myself. If I mess myself up, I compromise my ability to provide for my family. I can cause problems for my family, my friends, and the medical/law enforcement personnel that have to scrape my carcass off the asphalt.
Again, my choices do not have to be Anyone Else's choices.

I think this has been a good discussion, and I agree with the 'to each their own' attitude, whatever squeels my wheels may not squeel yours. That being said, for the discussion sake, the money part has been touched on, and the above statement says it pretty well no doubt. We do not live in a bubble, our actions and thoughts will affect someone, somewhere, somehow. We all have family, and if we go down, someone will eventually have to deal with our carcass, and make that long walk up to someones driveway to tell them that we are not coming home. The portion I want to add to this discussion is the insurance pay out. We all have to have some sort of insurance, some insurance somewhere will pay something to someone, that money comes from somewhere. Nothing is free. The insurance companies will not 'out of the goodness of their hearts' just pay out. That money comes from everyone else who pays insurance. Just like medical bills, they are high because someone got treated and did not pay their fare share for whatever reason. No judgement. Just a nod to the 'we are not alone' part of the conversation.

 

[HotRodZilla]

Infared, maybe I missed it somewhere, but what size are you looking for? I have two used Tourmaster Transition II jackets in 2XL that I'm probably going to give away, and I have a Cortech 3/4 length 2XL that is a few years old but has only ever been worn, maybe 3 time. $40 + shipping would get that jacket. It's super nice, I just never needed it.

 

[TripperMike]

BobCo said:I don't get not wanting to look like you ride a motorcycle (especially one as cool as a black FJR). I wear a one piece, not only do I want to look like I ride a motorcycle - I want to look like an astronaut Super Hero.

Funny story along this line: One Sunday on the way into Church, I had passed this car, that had a family in it, at a reasonable speed. So anyways as I had just finished taking off blue Joe Rocket jacket and with my blue Icon helmet sitting on the seat of my blue '05; the car I had passed pulls into the Church parking lot. The family gets out, and the mother walks over to me with a little guy in tow. She says to me "excuse me, but I've got to tell you this. When you passed us back there, my son got so excited and he shouted "there goes a blue power ranger!" "

I thought that was pretty cool. Of course nowadays I resemble more the yellow power ranger, wearing my yellow 'stich, on top of Old Yeller. And that's pretty cool too.

 

[TripperMike]

Infared, maybe I missed it somewhere, but what size are you looking for? I have two used Tourmaster Transition II jackets in 2XL that I'm probably going to give away, and I have a Cortech 3/4 length 2XL that is a few years old but has only ever been worn, maybe 3 time. $40 + shipping would get that jacket. It's super nice, I just never needed it.

No offense AJ, but I believe Infrared mention "NFL linebacker" as a comparison in size.....not an Offensive Lineman.