Riding gear

SHUMBA

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Help me out here...Is full riding gear or riding attire mandatory in the U.K. and Europe?
In Canada, all that is required is a D.O.T. approved helmet, nothing else. I do know that some areas (states) in th U.S. don't even require a helmet, Florida, Michigan and maybe Alabama.
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Boris

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Full riding gear is not compulsory in the UK or the EU.

Crash helmets are compulsory for motorcycles across the UK and the EU.

CE approved gloves are compulsory in France for both rider and pillion. (Personally I'd not give a second though about the CE approval, I just always wear gloves)
 

SHUMBA

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Full riding gear is not compulsory in the UK or the EU.

Crash helmets are compulsory for motorcycles across the UK and the EU.

CE approved gloves are compulsory in France for both rider and pillion. (Personally I'd not give a second though about the CE approval, I just always wear gloves)
Hmmmm. I'm rather surprised that gear, other than a helmet and as you stated approved gloves in France is not a requirement.
Well, we are all big boys and girls so it is left to one's discretion. The vast majority of Canadian riders don't wear gear, usually just a helmet (mandatory) and a jacket.
True, gear will not save you in every situation, however particularly in low speed crashes or "get-offs" one stands a much better chance of survival.
All provinces in Canada have universal health care. If you have a mishap you will be transported to a hospital and they will treat you. If you are from outside of Ontario, they may do a follow up and request payment. How aggressive they would be I don't know. Best to have some insurance coverage if you plan to travel outside of your home state or province.
As for myself, I wear my gear 100% of the time, approved boots, armoured pants, armoured jackets and a snell approved full face helmet.
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Sierra1

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Texas has a weird helmet law: Under 21, helmets are mandatory. Over 21, they are mandatory, unless you have $10k of health insurance coverage. Once upon a time, there was a sticker, that you could put on your license plate, that indicated that you had met the requirements to ride without a helmet. Without the sticker, and your helmet, you could get stopped. The sticker didn't last too long before they repealed it. And they can NOT stop you just for not having a helmet. I hate to admit it, but I am guilty of riding with less than complete safety gear. Always a helmet, most of the time gloves, and sometimes a jacket. At least I will be able to have an open casket. :oops:
 

robson

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In Europe all you need to wear is helmet.
Personally never heard of anybody being checked for helmet of certification.
You can as well wear WW2 metal war helmet.
 

tallpaul

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This is shamelessly copied from the UK highway code:

"...Motorcycle helmets: the law

You must wear a safety helmet that meets British safety standards when riding a motorcycle or moped on the road.
Safety helmet standards

All helmets worn on UK roads must meet one of the following:

British Standard BS 6658:1985 and carry the BSI Kitemark
UNECE Regulation 22.05
a European Economic Area member standard offering at least the same safety and protection as BS 6658:1985, and carry a mark equivalent to the BSI Kitemark

SHARP - the helmet safety scheme

The Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme (SHARP) shows you approved helmets and how much protection they offer.
Visors and goggles

If you ride with a visor or goggles they must either:

meet a British Standard and display a BSI Kitemark
meet a European standard offering at least the same safety and protection as the British Standard and carry a mark equivalent to the BSI Kitemark (UNECE Regulation 22.05)

Protective motorcycle clothing

There’s no law about wearing other protective clothing, but specialised motorcycle gear is highly recommended - it could save your life..."
 

SHUMBA

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Personally, I wear full bike gear whenever I ride.
Yup, me too. I shudder at the sight of a rider clad only in a T-shirt, shorts and sandals. Needless to say, the potential for injury is very high. Something as small as a foot injury can ruin an entire riding season. Just my two cents worth.
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U.P.rider

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I am guilty of wearing non armored pants at times, but always wear Shoei Qwest helmet, full CE armored Joe Rocket Sonic jacket, armored gloves, and riding boots(Alpinestars or Forma Cape Horns). I am looking for a more ADV type of jacket and pants, looking at a Motoport mostly b/c I can get them in a 46 waist and a better fitting jacket, again needing 50-52 chest. (6' 275 lbs. working back towards 220 from 310)
 

SHUMBA

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and me everywhere.
me in germany last july over 40 degrees the whole 2 weeks
Agree, when the temperatures reach into the high 30's C. wearing full gear becomes arduous. I ride in Canada and I have three riding jackets. A spring/fall hi-viz fabric and lined waterproof (Oxford Montreal 2.0) jacket and matching waterproof trousers, for summer, an Icon perforated leather jacket and armoured riding Jean's, for those really hot summer days, I have a mesh, jacket, with level D armour with a huge back pad and a frontal chest pad. "Five" brand gloves are great, Oxford riding boots, and a pair of TSC perforated boots for summer rides. For additional safety and visibility to motorists I wear a hi-viz construction worker vest over my summer jackets because they are black. Extra LED lights on the bike as well.
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thughes317

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I am guilty of wearing non armored pants at times, but always wear Shoei Qwest helmet, full CE armored Joe Rocket Sonic jacket, armored gloves, and riding boots(Alpinestars or Forma Cape Horns). I am looking for a more ADV type of jacket and pants, looking at a Motoport mostly b/c I can get them in a 46 waist and a better fitting jacket, again needing 50-52 chest. (6' 275 lbs. working back towards 220 from 310)
Let's talk: https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/klim-latitude-xxl-black.25524/
 

Bigbore4

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OK, I will stir the pot a bit. I generally ride with full gear. I live in a state with no helmet law (18 and older) and I generally wear a helmet. Yes I will hop on the bike to warm it up for an oil change and not pull the helmet on.

I live in a rural area with very low traffic volumes. When I am out on a ride, after I set up camp or score a room I will hop on the bike in shorts and a T shirt to go find dinner.

It is all about managed risk. If you are going to be out riding, putting down a few hundred miles, of course you gear up. If you are going to grab dinner or a trip to the bodega, do whatever you feel comfortable with.

I know I will get afoul of the ATTGATT crowd, but the reality is do what makes sense. Would I ride through downtown Minneapolis in shorts and a T shirt? Of course not. Would I hop on the bike after a long day in the saddle in T short and shorts to go get dinner in Thermopolis WY? Yes I would.
 

bigbob

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Would I ride through downtown Minneapolis in shorts and a T shirt? Of course not. Would I hop on the bike after a long day in the saddle in T short and shorts to go get dinner in Thermopolis WY? Yes I would.
Me too!
 

Grumpy

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Once the air temperature hits 30c+ you stop losing heat by going fast. The advice I got was shut all suit vents, pour water in the jacket around the neck and soak your base layer/t-shirt.
 

robson

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OK, I will stir the pot a bit. I generally ride with full gear. I live in a state with no helmet law (18 and older) and I generally wear a helmet. Yes I will hop on the bike to warm it up for an oil change and not pull the helmet on.

I live in a rural area with very low traffic volumes. When I am out on a ride, after I set up camp or score a room I will hop on the bike in shorts and a T shirt to go find dinner.

It is all about managed risk. If you are going to be out riding, putting down a few hundred miles, of course you gear up. If you are going to grab dinner or a trip to the bodega, do whatever you feel comfortable with.
you can equally get killed on a long trip as on short hop, not uncommon are cases of fatal accidents on a driveway when rider hit his head with no helmet on a curb. All depends how much you value your head. For me helmet and boots are a must regardless how short ride is.
 
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