Seems (as recent threads demonstrate) we are very polarised in the UK about having to be kitted up right all the time, yet almost every other country in he world (except maybe Switzerland ;-) ) doesn't seem too worried Are we over cautious? Have years of HSE messages and the PC brigade got a grip on our consciousness? Or do we all expect to crash....
Hurting yourself is no fun. It's all about risk vs reward. Some see the odds different to others, so dress accordingly. I kit-up if I am going to be parted from my bike every time. Whether it be my fault or someone elses. I've been in hospital then months of rehab due to a spill (in full kit). It really isn't nice. Some will ride all their lives wearing little and will never come off. I don't think it's a H&S issue, just one of personal choice.
But I wonder what drives the choice. Is it because we are becoming increasing risk averse (which has wider impacts than just kitting up for the bike) where our global brethren arent?
I don't go out planning to crash, nobody does but shit happens and if that shit happens to me i want to be sure i have done everything i can reasonably do to reduce any potential injury. that doesn't mean full leathers every time, this morning i was out in a pair of kevlar jeans and a lightweight mesh armoured jacket, adequate protective gear doesn't have to mean a 1 piece power ranger outfit.
Where's the evidence that other riders around the word are less risk adverse? If more/better protection is available, I reckon the majority take it, within budget, in this country and others. Would you wear a £30 Lidl helmet or buy a car without airbags? Some will have no choice 'cos that's all they can afford. I would love a D-Air suit but cannot afford one, so have to do with a good suit and a back protector. I see a few riding in shorts and t-shirts in the nice weather and wince. I don't mind too much, as it won't be me getting de-gloved.
Plenty on youtube lol Seems wherever I go, whether riding to Germany, or hols to warmer climes, more wear non-'proper' kit than full on proper kit. Thinking jeans, not bike boots, light jackets type stuff
Maybe it's just because us Ducati riders are more advanced in years compared to most bikers :wink:, but you Brits do seem to take it very seriously compared to what I see in NZ.
Age is a big factor, I reckon. But climate is also a big factor. Those bikers I meet who have ridden for years seem to be less concerned than the direct access mob, and of course if you're blessed with decent summers it's likely you'll not be in leathers all the time. I know I wouldn't be. But for the most part I think it's an image thing. I know a lot of bikers who have never owned leather or textile clobber (aside from the ubiquitous jacket) and would never dream of wasting their money on such apparel. They tend to be the hairy-arsed type of biker your mother warned you about. Adventure types tend to gravitate towards textile of course, in case they accidentally turn left and find themselves in the Gobi rather than Sainsburys car park. Commuters prefer the warm glow of a nylon hi-viz embellished with the logo of a company they last worked for 20 years ago. No, sportsbikers wear it all for the look above all else - which is why Dainese has such a high profile among owners of Italian brands. There are of course riders who genuinely wear leathers for protection. They ride CBF600s...
risk vs. reward. Risk of getting hurt vs. being cool for a bit. I had the 'pleasure' of coming off my bicycle twice last year. The first time, the wounds took two months to heal, the second time only six weeks. That was at maybe 25mph. It's just not worth it, certainly where I am.
The clue is in the title - World Ducati Meet...............................there's no hope..............
Not many at wdw wore leathers, mainly because you would have overheated and died like a dog in a hot car
