Motorcycle riders, the gear you wear; STYLE OR FUNCTION?

Question

I've been riding for over 20 years and I still think that many 4 wheelers' lack knowledge.

I'm lovin' the answers and by the way, littleredm is my wife.

Answer 1

My husband wears me on the back of his bike... makes him look good. Otherwise he wears functional stuff. Style and function all in one baby!

Answer 2

depends if your riding for transportation & your own enjoyment or are playing a part or "profiling" as we used to call posing. I learned to ride on gravel roads with a foot clutch & hand shift. I've never needed any special gear other than boots, I quit worrying about fashion in the 70s when I went to put my foot down at a stop & the kick start lever went inside my bell bottoms. fortunately the girl on the back had long legs & caught the bike so we didnt go into the 4 foot ditch on the right. ever since its been straight leg levis & t shirts in the summer,leather jacket & shotgun chaps when its cold. if you are planing to do a lot of wheelies on the interstate full leathers or an army surplus sheepskin bomber suit might be appropriate, otherwise just whatever you have on should be fine. T shirt & jeans are ok for parking lot wheelies & burnouts,although some thick leather gloves might be recommended if you've had a few beers(scabby hands interfere with your social life) whatever, ride on.

Answer 3

I wear what I like, which is what works.
I never cared about style, probably 'cause I grew up with stuff that was out of style. When cords were in style, I had jeans. And when jeans were in, I had cords. I agree with cagers don't know much. I never cared, so I never put as much thought into it as Rifleman. But I have found some things to be true. I have had people scared of my skinny little butt due to the way I dress. You don't expect a nice guy under that. A short time ago I had occasion to appear in court (not criminal, divorce). The comment on the sidewalk by the courthouse:"Good morning, Counselor". Amazing what a difference a good suit and tie make. I still prefer my regular clothes. I'll deal with the prejudice.

Answer 4

Most cagers ain't got a clue. Heck, some can't even buy a vowel! I prefer to think of style as "form". And form follows function. Since I ride a hog, I wear what I grew up believing was hog clothing. A leather jacket, a black half shell, fingerless gloves, (Except when the weather gets cold. Then I have a set of gauntlets that I use.) long denim pants, and M/C boots. (Size 13. It's a hoot!)

The jacket has a HOG patch on the back. It's great protective coloration in the city. I hardly ever get tailgated anymore. As you said, most cagers don't have a clue. They see a patch and I'm instantly "dangerous". The mirror finish wrap around eyewear probably helps too. They can't see my eyes. (Nice pic on my Yahoo 360 site of the bike and my gear.)

Now, as for function, I know they make better stuff than leather now. It just don't look right. I had a three quarter lid when I started riding twenty years ago, but now my hearing is a bit bad. The half shell ain't the best thing, but better than nothing and I can hear better. (You would be suprised at what you can hear in traffic over the blatting of a TC-88 fed by an S&S super carb and blowing out an SE II set of pipes.)

The proof I get is this. I work in a HUD building where most of the people are not 100% "with it", if you get my meaning. After I had been there a while, not only my new co-workers, but the residents were a bit confused. The confusion stemmed from the way I dress. I dress this way on purpose. It looks like I am a nasty person when you just view me in my gear. (Which again, since it will protect me if I go nipple surfing, that is good. If it keeps people that may make me nipple surf away from me, even better!)

To get to the point, people have told me that I don't seem to act the way I dress. Well, I dress to ride the bike to and from work, and other places. (I don't own a car. No need for one in Florida. But you do need a reliable bike if you ride it every day. That's why I chose H-D.) And how I act when I ride is 180 degrees different from how I act when I work. I have to be nice to the residents, and their mistakes generally won't kill me. In traffic, It's a different story. I don't know these drivers, they don't know me.

If I can put the fear of God into a cager by the way I dress, and get some extra clearance because of it, I can live with that. My style is dress to excess in the nasty looking department, while keeping the function of the leather as far as keeping me safe just in case someone don't get the hint. It may be uncomfortable on some days down here, but I think the intimidation factor is well worth it. Sweat washes off, road rash is forever.

Just for giggles, I live in Sarasota, FL. I ride through city traffic every day. A few close calls that caused the one finger peace sign to get unloaded, but no accidents. And you should see the look on the careless cagers face when a bellowing hog pulls up to the car window at the next stop light, with a black clad, 6 foot plus, leather and black half shell (Not to mention the fingerless gloves in nice weather!) wearing dude starts to give them a piece of what is left of his mind! I'm sure they look for bikes after that. At least for a little while.

I like dressing this way, the style (form) fits me to a "T". (I was born in Brooklyn, NY. Took punk 101 in grade school.) And the fact that it is leather makes me feel better about my level of protection is just icing on the cake. I'm old, and I'm old fashioned. No jap flaps, shorts, and a T-shirt on the bike for me. I can see that as a style for Jap bikes, but I don't believe there is any function there.

Stick a fork in me, I'm done. Ride safe. Ciao!

Answer 5

Now a days a little of both form and function is key. I wear a jacket that any person can buy, but then customize it with patches, also the helmet is exotic from Italy so I've never seen anyone with the same one locally. Safety is more important than style, but just having the gear is cool just by it self. Hell riding is cool, so by default your cool. Every girl either wants to ride on a bike or has riden on a bike. Even if they don't even know it.

Answer 6

Like the first person, I try to incorporate both into my safety gear. When I was shopping around, I tried to get good gear and avoid better looking but cheaper or less known gear.
I have 2 sets of gear that I use, my casual gear (the one I use for short commuting) and my leather gear (for higher speeds).

If I'm going to work, or know that I'll be going under 40 mph then I'll take my casual gear (top & bottom) which is made of high quality textile, its more practical and more comfortable.
If i plan on going on the highway or speeds higher than 40mph ill take my leathers.
*Regardless of the trip safety gear is always a must. (Protective clothing, Helmet, Boots, Gloves, etc)

Answer 7

I've been riding for 7 years, and I shop for style and function. I shop for quality safety gear but it has to look good off the bike too...brands I like are: Olympia, Icon, Firstgear, Teknic, Draggin Jeans, and Aerostich. I wear leather in the fall and winter and move towards light textile gear in the summer. All of it has armor (not that foam crap either). Full face helmet for commuting, open face or half helmet for pleasure riding.

Answer 8

The answer is both I ride with a Joe Rocket jacket with the body armour and I have one of those Icon bright yellow safety vests on over that. Heck I think I look cool and that is all that matters too me better to be a live nerd than a dead duck.

Answer 9

Both! I was able to find matching gear that goes well with my bike and it is all rated well for significant protection. And even though my state ( South Dakota - home of the Sturgis Bike Rally) doesn't require helmuts I can't imagine riding at speeds without one. Too many LARGE bugs around here.

Answer 10

nowadays there is so much available that you don't have to search hard to find function and style in the same gear. I wear all Joe Rocket, and i am pushed by function first. safety is a part but also ventilation. my has zip off sections so that it is a summer and winter jacket...its a mesh jacket with pieces that go over it.

Answer 11

The riding gear I choose, has to protect me and be comfortable.
I always wear, a good helmet, full finger gloves, and sturdy boots. All black.
I have 2 or 3 leather coats to wear (depending on the weather) all black. Oops, one has a purple stripe on it.
Chaps and vests, all black. As far as the vests, I have one plain black and the other one, is black with patches and pins on it.
So, my answer is function first, with style in mind.