What is the benefit to wearing motorcycle safety gear (ATGATT, All the gear, all the time)?

2016-01-03T11:35:00-05:00

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.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jan 3 at 2016 11:41 AM

2016-01-03T11:41:46-05:00

I do admit that I will sometimes ride without a helmet (I live in Arizona so no lid law here), but more often than not I wear all my PPE. Maybe not the most expensive gear, but for my style of riding I believe it will reduce serious injury should I ever go down.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2016 11:43 AM

2016-01-03T11:43:26-05:00

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.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 3 at 2016 12:21 PM

2016-01-03T12:21:02-05:00

I remember in my motorcycle class to use IPDE. Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute when potential threats are involved.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2016 12:21 PM

2016-01-03T12:21:31-05:00

Your son was very fortunate, SGM Erik Marquez.
It only takes one time to change a life forever.

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Jan 3 at 2016 12:24 PM

2016-01-03T12:24:00-05:00

Helmet and full leathers. most of the time.. Boots are a must. Too many distractions today in cages. People do not pay attention. So yes, protect oneself. I would also add drive/ride defensive and offensive..You never know when mili seconds counts... Ride safe..share the road.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Jan 3 at 2016 12:27 PM

2016-01-03T12:27:33-05:00

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.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jan 3 at 2016 1:38 PM

2016-01-03T13:38:55-05:00

Glad your son's ok SGM. I'm slowly getting into wearing all my gear. I don't have riding boots so I wear Tims. But I will say my Jacket get's HOT and it's perforated too. His gloves look JUST like mine, so I made a good choice in them. They protected his hands.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 3 at 2016 2:21 PM

2016-01-03T14:21:53-05:00

I am not on the fence. I have never been in a major wreck myself bust as a volunteer firefighter for the last 17 years i have seen a lot, I would rather not ride on a hot day than not have on a full face helmet and full leathers.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 3 at 2016 2:37 PM

2016-01-03T14:37:06-05:00

Moved pics to original post

Response by SGT Kristin Wiley made Jan 3 at 2016 3:27 PM

2016-01-03T15:27:41-05:00

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.

Response by CPO Andy Carrillo, MS made Jan 3 at 2016 7:49 PM

2016-01-03T19:49:11-05:00

SGM Erik Marquez, thanks for a great post. My masters degree in rehabilitation counseling with a concentration in traumatic brain injury confirms what you say: one's decisions will always involve others who are left behind to deal with the aftermath. The following video clip is about Jeff, a motorcyclist whose back slammed into the front windshield post when the driver turned left into Jeff's path: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Htcz__tMNtA

Jeff Adkins SDSU ARP 607 Boatlift Project

Jeff Adkins experienced a T-3 complete spinal cord injury (SCI) in January, 2013 when the driver of a car made an illegal left turn in front of his motorcycl...

Response by MSgt Donald W. Tipton made Jan 3 at 2016 7:56 PM

2016-01-03T19:56:23-05:00

Definitely a fan of good gear! My wife and I avoided a head on collision this year and our injuries could have been much worse without the right gear.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jan 3 at 2016 9:52 PM

2016-01-03T21:52:24-05:00

Only time I drove a Motorized Two Wheeler was my Moped in Hawaii and Damn got a few good war stories out of it. Good Reminder. Coming in Nimitz Gate Pearl just started to Drizzle, Morning Rush Hour just cleared the Guard Gate at the Traffic Cops is directing me to turn even though I'm still half a block away. Figuring he was about to signal the cross traffic, I goosed it (Which isn't fast but enough), Leaned into the Turn and dropped it, I slid underneath the Traffic Cop (It was interesting watching him jump over me) He stopped traffic in all directions after I bounced off the curb and ended back in the middle of the street. Japanese American Traffic Cop "Jew Alright, Jew Alright" My Response " No the Jew is not Alright but I'll pick up my bike and move on Officer" Had me an Awesome Tiger Stripe (Road Rash) the entire left side of my body that was in contact with the Street but I would be damn if I was going into the Dispensary right there on the Corner since I was drinking buddies with Half of the Corpsman in there. Thankfully Doc Tulip had a Mini Clinic/Emergency Rm in his Barracks Rm and he patched me up later that night and there is no record of it happening.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 4 at 2016 11:21 AM

2016-01-04T11:21:31-05:00

Unfortunately I do not have a bike at the moment.

I have had two accidents. Both on the same bike. The first left me with a broken toe (pictured), with no damage to the bike. The second was when I "stopped suddenly" (at a red light) on Ft Belvoir, and was rear ended by a full size car. Luckily she swerved and "only" ripped the rear quarter panel off my bike (pictured). She missed my leg by, but did send the panel flying across the intersection, and knock me down. I was in full gear both times (Bright Yellow). I don't want to know what that foot would have looked like if I didn't have good boots on, or if the lady hadn't seen me at all.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 4 at 2016 1:57 PM

2016-01-04T13:57:14-05:00

In my case I know my limitations and refuse to buy a motorcycle and gun. I just don't trust myself unfortunately.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Jan 4 at 2016 2:31 PM

2016-01-04T14:31:08-05:00

Absolutely I wear all my gear all the time. I also teach the MSF courses and stress a $20 helmet for a $20 head etc etc. The only thing that I don't ride with in the summer sometimes is a long sleeve shirt. The only thing that will protect me there is a leather jacket and I haven't found one yet that doesn't burn me up in the summer...I am a big fellow and sweat even at 70 MPH. If I wear a long sleeve shirt just to say I am wearing along sleeve shirt, then all that does is leave more for the doctors to pick out of my arms. However, sweat and all, most of the time I wear one just for protection from the sun if for nothing else.I do believe in the right glasses, helmet, full finger gloves, long pants and OVER the ankle leather boots...not converse. I have seen too may riders lose toes to bad shoes...however, they were conscious for the pain because the helmet saved their cranium. These folks that ride without it well...that is them for it. I am glad the military now makes ALL personnel wear their gear when on an installation...retirees/active duty/contractors/civilians.

Response by MSgt Rosemary Connolly made Jan 4 at 2016 10:09 PM

2016-01-04T22:09:05-05:00

I wear my gear

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 5 at 2016 10:50 PM

2016-01-05T22:50:41-05:00

Just two weeks ago, my 22-year-old daughter was involved in a bike accident... though she was in her sedan. A Harley came blasting the wrong way out of a one-way street - blowing the red light that he couldn't see - and hit the front tire of my kid's Chevy Cavalier. Bike folded, biker bounced off her hood and across the street, daughter's beautiful (and paid off) car was totaled.

Biker had no license, no insurance, no gear of ANY sort (shorts, t-shirt, and tennis-shoes), and is now in the hospital, still in intensive care. My daughter was left with no transportation and is terrified to drive for fear that someone/something will be blasting out of blind corners to hit her.

Yeah, wear your gear. PLEASE! It can save your life and protect the well-being of others!

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 7 at 2016 5:49 PM

2016-01-07T17:49:05-05:00

In case your still on the fence
...
More later as the morphine wears off and I can get pics of the rest of gear and bike

I was able to walk away today with only 4 broken ribs and some road rash on one knee thanks to wearing all the gear all the time
This was today on a quick trip to my classroom, "should not have needed" all that gear
But as I have said, you do not control the crash or how much skill you NEED, only what you have.

My helmet took a hit, the heal of left riding boot is ground down as is the toe of right boot.

The CE armor pad in the right jacket shoulder is split and abraded

Gear yet again allows me to walk away

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2016 12:59 AM

2016-01-11T00:59:16-05:00

I recently had a incident a couple weeks ago. Where a driver was right on my rear at 65mph. Looked parallel to my shoulder and saw his headlights inches from my turn signal. I threw my hand up trying to get him to back off, then I sped up. He was still there about the same distance so I turned my blinker on to merge. Right before I crossed the line I experienced was either he hit me or a serious speed wobble. Lost control of the bike, going into the lane next to me. Regained control of the bike a corner came up and couldn't make the turn. Ended up hitting the curb, locking up the rear, and somehow managed to stay on the bike. I quickly pulled over took a deep breath, then Praised Jesus that I'm alive! lol.

But because of that I will be buying more gear.

Response by PO2 Jeffery Marcussen Sr made Jan 25 at 2016 12:23 AM

2016-01-25T00:23:36-05:00

i was about 20 went to get some parts in the little fishing town i was stationed at. speed limit was 25 miles an hour. i thought what the heck it i a short trip low speed in a lightly trafficked area. so i just had on my service dungarees and a dungaree jacket and work boots ofc steel toed and leather and my full face helmet. instead of going around a manhole cover i went over it well needless to say as i went over the manhole cover and my rear tire hit it it spun and laid me and the bike down. i got dragged along with the bike until it decided to stop on it's on. my boots survived along with my foot and ankle. but everything on my right side got ripped to shreds except where my belt was. i had a really bad case of road rash. the doc spent over 2 hours pulling pieces of asphalt out of me along with some rocks. thank god i had that full face helmet on or my head would have probably at minimum had road rash too or worse my head stove in which the doctor told me was more likely seeing what was done to it. after that i made sure to put on all my gear no matter how short how low the speed or how light the traffic. i spent two painful weeks on light duty and bad nights trying to sleep with everything hurting. i never have nor i ever will go out lightly dressed again on my bike. and i always use a full face helmet. i did have my gloves on thank god no telling what my hands would have looked like. and when they first came out with armored gear i bought me some. nice thing about armored gear is it is not as heavy as the old thick leather gear i wore so it is more comfortable and safer. and nothing will ever replace a good quality full face helmet for safety. always anticipate what screw up another vehicle might make to endanger your safety. better to anticipate beforehand and be ready for it then to figure it out too late. be safe be smart and come back alive.

Response by PO1 Tony Holland made Sep 9 at 2016 8:07 AM

2016-09-09T08:07:16-04:00

When my Navy dad received orders to Japan he made a trip over and met his sponsor. One of the stops on the sponsor's route was the "hamburger" ward at the USAF Hospital on Tachikawa AFB. Needless to say, my brother and I were precluded from getting mopeds which many of the Air Force dependents rode.

Response by PO2 Pete Haga made Oct 13 at 2016 4:57 PM

2016-10-13T16:57:07-04:00

I taught my son and I also practice to dress for the slide not the ride! just a good creed to live by.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2022 12:21 PM

2022-08-26T12:21:05-04:00

This is a very good Message you are putting out. We have a saying here " You dress for the Slide not the Ride" we routinely put on 5-600 miles a weekend. So even though it might seem warm there are ways of comfort.