What does the well dressed commando rider wear

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Myford

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Having bought a Commando in the autumn, the first bike since my last commando back in the early 1980s, I'm wondering what riding gear to wear. I used to wear just a leather jacket & jeans or even a denim jacket in fine weather (plus helmet of course). I get the impression that this is no longer PC, a biking (jap) collegue at work looked at me with shock that I should consider anything less than a full set of armoured leathers.
I'm thinking a wax jacket & maybe kevlar jeans. What do you guys wear?
This is all assuming I get the blimmin thing back together in time for the nice weather!
Terry
 
I'm a bit of a retro boy myself...old leather jeans (no padding) and a flying jacket bought from Aviation Leathercraft about 25 years ago are the usual kit, but I'm in the process of getting a 2-piece set of leathers made (in a '70's stylee, of course) so I can wear the jacket down the pub (when I'm let out, that is...).

I'd like another open-face lid, but for now I'll stick with the Arai, as it's nice and quiet.
 
I could not even begin to imagine wearing full leathers on a summer day up here where the temperature can hit +33 Centigrade easily. That's just crazy talk.

I wear a jean jacket or a Vanson leather jacket dependant upon outside temperature as I heat up easily. I have a couple of Davida helmets and Ruby open face helmets, all with old retro bubble sheilds. Boots or high top Vans sneakers that have some meat around the ankle area.
 
The ventilated mesh jackets with armor in the elbows, etc. have really changed things for me, and made my summer riding so much better. Get tired of being hot, and I don't like just jeans and a tee shirt on the road. Around town on a shorter ride, well, maybe. I really wanted some kind of jacket, and after 40+ years of riding, finally found something I can live with in the heat. I remember riding about 700 miles to Sturgis one year in such miserable heat I was feeling like crap for the whole weekend. Always hot up there, but that trip was 105 through western Nebraska. Boy I wish those jackets would have been around back in the 70s. I'd like to try those Kevlar jeans, just need to get around to it.
 
" used to wear just a leather jacket & jeans or even a denim jacket in fine weather (plus helmet of course). I get the impression that this is no longer PC, " I don't agree...it's fine.

"The ventilated mesh jackets with armor in the elbows, etc."

Yep, although I wear a leather jacket sometimes, my armored/vented "Firstgear" jacket, a full face helmet (haven't worn any other kind since probably 1974), a pair of leather gloves and heavy "Motorcycle shoes" (not boots), and jeans is my normal outfit. only wore full leathers when racing years ago and wouldn't consider it for normal riding.

I guess it sort of depends on whether you are trying to be comfortable, go with max protection, or do some "styling thing." Knew a guy on Long Island who, when riding his Norton, looked like a racer out of 1965 - "puddin' basin helmet/black full leathers/boots. So I don't think it makes much difference from a PC point of view. Wear whatever you want to wear.
 
Leather jacket, jeans & usually trainers & full face hemet, Oh! & a scarf. Always have & always will.
I get grizzled at by some of the "hip" "bikers" for doing so, you know the sort.
If I have to spend yonks dressing up, then forget it. Couldn't walk around in all that clobber when I've got to my destination.
Makes me laugh on the Mediteranian Islands, they all wear tee shirts, shorts & quite often beach style flip flops.
 
Flo said:
Leather jacket, jeans & usually trainers & full face hemet, Oh! & a scarf. Always have & always will.
I get grizzled at by some of the "hip" "bikers" for doing so, you know the sort.
Click to expand...

Scarves are "in" over here. All the dreamy, vintage custom chopper guys are starting to wear them so they must be in fashion. Skinny, low waisted jeans, hi-top Vans denim vests over leather jackets or a flanel shirt, open faced helmets and a scarf. Oh, and a big beard.

Dig it.
 
A Barbour or Belstaff jacket with 3/4 Bell Magnum (or similar) helmet, jeans and black brogans above the ankle.

RS
 
daveparry said:
& usually trainers
-------------
You don't value your feet and ankles much then Flo?
Click to expand...

Yes, you are right. I do have proper motorcycle boots, but hate having to put them on, usually save them for longer rides.
I gave up open face helmets, they make my eyes water & end up strangling me at high speed.
I suppose I ought to look round for some lightweight bike boots sometime.
 
First of all. LOVE the UK lingo being thrown about. It's like learning a new language - the language of my Commando. Keep it up mates. As for gear, I wear a Schott leather cafe jacket and kevlar jeans. Plain black engineer boots and just plain tan leather gloves. I top it all off with a Fulmer red metal flake open face helmet and French goggles. Feel's like I'm in 1974 again (I was 10 then and my steed in those days was a Suzuki 50). Thinking about scoring some Schott leather pants (jeans style) for a long trip I have planned in May.
 
I suppose I ought to look round for some lightweight bike boots sometime.
Click to expand...

Yeah footwear has come a long way in terms of material and comfort, but nothing looks cooler than Dingo boots. Wore the hell out of them when I was a tyke, too.
 
Hey Coco, a WHOLE 33 degrees C. We'd be pulling our jackets on here. It was 47C here a couple of Sundays ago. Not nice.
 
Made me almost fall over laughing when you said flip flops, Here's a picture of me in 1978 just the way I use to ride around. No kidding we had no helmet law back then and don't ask why the gloves were on? I guess I must have thought I looked cool with them on, Because we never wore gloves that much. We did wear gloves and all the gear when we would head up the canyons though. And behind me is my 1969 Firebird, Had to get rid of that because between that and my bike I was up to 10 speeding tickets in short order. They ended up taking my license away for six months, That's when I learned to drive the speed limit, LOL LOL.
What does the well dressed commando rider wear
 
november 3rd 2009 a builder's van turn left across my path and i ended up underneath it, he drove over the top. without the proper gear with elbow, shoulder and back protector armour with leather trousers and proper boots, i'd be pretty fucked up. my shoei was wrecked but did the job, hein gericke tuareg was cut off me but did the job, alpinestar boots were a little scuffed and burnt a bit from his exhaust. i suffered 4 broken ribs (posterior 6,7,8,9), duodenal heamatoma, fluid around the liver and pulmonary contussions. extremely lucky. i'm recovering well and have been out a few times in the last 4-5 weeks. forget what you look like on the bike. use your head, without the proper gear in my crash i'd be para, quad or worse. let the harley riders "look cool". our bikes will do the talking for us.
 
When I look at pictures of us in the old days it really makes me wonder what we were thinking, Now I wear a helmet leather jacket and gloves if we are on the freeway, But if we are just down the coast or short trips around the house I still have been known to go without a jacket or gloves. But never with the flip flops, LOL LOL. After seeing so many friends get hurt or even a couple killed I went some time without riding, Now it's not a race at every stop light, I must be getting old.
 
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