Was out today driving around in my car and saw three bikers wearing what I can only describe as Beach Wear, Shorts and T shirts !

This one guy was on some Chopper thing (hideous Jap remake) and was weaving in and out of the traffic on the A6 in Stockport at about 50/60.

I get the idea that if you fall of a bike in leathers, they can still go through, so if you come off at 60 in shorts, doesent bear thinking about really, or am I wrong, does anybody on here ride in shorts, see a fair few in jeans as well.

Seen one guy wear flipflops on a 1200 tourer???

Mate once in hospital for gravel burns......and the treatment "scrubbing brush & soapy water"; mate said that hurt more than the accident....

I used to ride a BMW R1100RS, following a horrendous "off" (see CBR thread) I now ride a Gilera Runner 180 to get my confidence back up/NCD back down. It's a lovely little machine, very quick with a Scorpion s/s race-pipe, does 90 on the clock but probably a realistic 80.

Thing is I've been biking for over 25 years and if I'm going further than Tescos I'll wear my leathers but you should hear the stick I get.

My argument is that the tarmac's just as hard falling off my Runner at 60 as it is falling off my Beemer (RIP), but they don't seem to understand.

I've also noticed that car-drivers seem to take exception to me passing them in town, busting their asses to overtake me in the worst places, so I've got a new plate made saying "If you've got a small dick...please pass".

When I was young and stupid I used to ride around when it was really hot without a jacket on. These days, I've seen what tarmac can do to you and 20-30mph so coming off at any kind of speed doesn't bear thinking about. IIRC, it takes something like 2-3 seconds at 70mph to grind your skin down to the bone :eek::eek::eek::eek:

I don't go *anywhere* on the bike these days without the full kit on!!!!!

Matt :)

P.S. I'm glad I didn't learn the hard way!!!!!!!

I've seen the gravel rash suffered by mates over the years and it ain't nice. Worst was a mate who was riding without gloves. He lost two fingers and ground through to the wristbone when he dropped it at 40mph. Ouch.

Denim takes 2 seconds of contact with tarmac at 40mph to go through to skin and that's better than anything except leather and the man made abrasion resistant materials. Some people just don't seem to care....