What does the well dressed commando rider wear

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I live in South Florida, where it is usually 90F (33C) and 90% humidity. I normally wear a Triumph 'Rochester' jacket when riding the Norton. I took the 'Triumph' script off and sewed a large 'Norton' patch on the back, a small 'Commando' patch on the front (covering the Triumph stitched logo), a '59' patch on the left shoulder, and a 14th air force patch on the right shoulder (the old man flew in China during WWII)

The Rochester is a great jacket - armored, nice cool mesh, comfy fit.

I got the patches here:

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When the weather is colder (January and February), I wear a retro-style Fieldshear jacket Bike Bandit had on close-out for about $130.

Rest of the gear is gauntlet-style gloves (either Frank Thomas 'Roo skin or Triumph perforated), Cortech Kevlar jeans, Red Wing boots, and a Marushin 'Shivan' full-face helmet.
 
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I'm quite appreciative of all the protective gear available today. I started biking in 1959. Wasn't much available back then. Jean jacket and engineer boots was about it. I see the Harley crowd has not progressed much since 1959. Of course, neither have their motorcycles. Even though we Norton riders have antiquated bikes, I'd like to think we've evolved somewhat.
 
I wear jeans and a t-shirt 90% of the time. 5% of the time I wear long sleeves and/or a light jacket if it's cool, 4% of the time I wear a sturdy insulated riding jacket and long john pants under the jeans if it's cold, and 1% of the time I wear race leathers on the track.

Light gloves all the time, heavy gloves in the cold, armored gloves on the track.

Tennis shoes, boat shoes & light boots equally 33% of the time, racing boots 1%.

Full-face Snell approved helmet 98% of the time, vintage style 3/4 helmet 1% of the time, no helmet to the auto parts joint or convenience store, both "this side" of the first cross-road with any significant traffic flow.

Clear shield on all my helmets, prescription glasses at all times.

I am NOT fashion conscious, PC or ATGATT adherent.
 
If I'm going to go ride hard, full leathers. A Stars two piece. Sidi boots, Held gloves, Suomy full face. Back protector...The full deal. That's usually on my Motard or my RC51
I have another older set of two piece leathers that are a more "Vintage" appearing set. But I still wear Sidi's, Held gloves, back protector and Suomy full face. I've been rearended at intersections and on the road by Yayhoos and like to be somewhat prepared. Temps aren't really an issue for me. I rarely ride in traffic and I can get cooled off by getting moving again.
 
I seem to remember that many of us are on the north side of 50.
I don't know about you guys but I sure don't bounce like I used to.
I get sore rolling around on the garage floor.
I normally wear a leather jacket, jeans, workboots, gloves and a full face helmet.
I plan to get some armoured gear this year. There is some really good technology out there and my bones are too btittle and my skin too soft to not take advantage of it. I ride in NJ.
 
As can be seen, this stylish couple care about safety and looks,

What does the well dressed commando rider wear
 
I'm thinking of my safety as much as reasonable and I put a lot of thought into helping the other guy in the Hummer see me.

Fieldshear jacket in that lime green/yellow color. Armour in shoulders and elbows with padding in back.
White 3/4 helmet with face shield for glasses. Around here the police have white helmets. Gotta think the guys in cars look careful when they see one.
Medium weight cycle gloves.
Work boots.
Jeans.

So far so good.

Bob
 
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.
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.
Click to expand...


Hmm trainers are a no no for me (IMHO)wear a pair of engineers boots in winter and heaevy duty cats in summer, used to have a pair of Ashmans boots complete with metal plate on right boot for kicking bike over...and set to an angle for sitting on the bike..a pain to walk in though :-)
 
Leather Jacket with armour for cold dry days, textile jacket with armour wet days, leather trousers for cold dry days, textile trousers with armour wet days. Hot days leather Jacket no armour and jeans, but plan to get some better leg protection. All with Fishermans leather boots with steel toecaps, light or heavy leather gloves and a Shubert C2 helmet.
 
I recently bought a pair of textile armored pants. Never wore anything but jeans before. After wearing the textiles, I feel naked riding with jeans.

I used to look at riders who were all suited up and considered they were only profiling. Not anymore. I think it's the unprotected rider who is profiling. If you don't want to wear the gear, have real good medical insurance.
 
A friend of mine had a car pull out in front of him and he was traveling about 45mph at the time. He suffered a broken pelvis but his leathers saved all his skin. Form the look of his leather jacket and full face helmet he made the wise move by dressing in total protection. Most people who wear very little while riding have never felt true asphalt rash. It sure hurts! Dress for the crash not the ride. Be safe guys and girls.
 
A friend and I set out on a fast ride one day in Wasilla, AK back around 1985 (yes, Ms Palin's Wasilla - at the time she was a kid doing AK beauty contests). Anyway, he was on a Honda CBX and I was on a V45 Sabre with sport fairing (we were thinking of swapping the bikes, my Sabre plus a few bucks for his CBX). We were both all leathered/full face helmeted, gloved, etc.

At around 80 MPH on a curve he hit a wet patch and the bike went down. He slid for what seemed like 1/4 mile and the bike ended up off in the weeds. After a few minutes for "mental recovery" he was fine, we dug the bike out of the trees, it started right up and off we went for the rest of the ride. His only injuries were bruises. They were some dramatic looking bruises, but they were just bruises. You can't argue against good clothing. However, I have to admit I would only wear leathers on the track or if I wasn't planning to "appear in public" at all.

I didn't swap for that CBX though I often still wish I had... :)
 
ordered a wax cotton jacket with built in padding and ce protection! Never been a fan of leather.
 
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