• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

Commuting with extra protective gear?

E

Exile

Not really a doctor
Joined
Aug 30, 2008
Location
Sunnyvale
Moto(s)
2007 Ninja 500R
A question for the freeway commuters: Do you folks wear any extra protective gear when you know that you'll be dealing with rush hour traffic? I assume that we all ride with a MI-5 issue 9mm and pack of Trojan-ENZ, but I'm curious if people add a back, chest, or whatever protector to their regular gear when they know they'll be facing nasty traffic.

If you do ride with extra gear in this situation, what kind of gear is it and would you recommend it?
 
ATGATT - commuting, twisties, whatever.

Custom leather jacket and pants from Johnson's Leather with t-pro armor and back protector, Daytona boots, Racer gloves, Shoei helmet.

The only thing you could say I "add" for my commute is I make sure to wear my yellow reflective vest for better visibility. I used to just wear a pretty standard construction worker's vest, but a couple months ago a friend got me one of these which I like:

http://www.olympiamotosports.com/nova/nova.htm

I also have a Halo reflective band on my helmet. Very visible in low light situations, and it often catches peoples' attention when I'm changing lanes due to my head-checks before changing lanes.
 
I tend to wear less gear when I'm commuting than when I'm actually going for a ride because I know I'll have to walk around w/ all my gear once I get wherever I'm going.
 
ATGATT

I have two sets of gear, track and street. The only difference is a comfort factor. But I still wear a full face (well, flip-up), back protector, riding boots, and full body coverage with armor, no matter where I am riding.

I don't ride in just jeans, or ride without my back protector, or riding boots, etc just because I think there is a smaller threat.
 
Exile said:
A question for the freeway commuters: Do you folks wear any extra protective gear when you know that you'll be dealing with rush hour traffic? I assume that we all ride with a MI-5 issue 9mm and pack of Trojan-ENZ, but I'm curious if people add a back, chest, or whatever protector to their regular gear when they know they'll be facing nasty traffic.

If you do ride with extra gear in this situation, what kind of gear is it and would you recommend it?
Click to expand...

I commute in an Olympia Stealth one piece cordura/mesh suit. The back protector is built in.
 
toshiro said:
I tend to wear less gear when I'm commuting than when I'm actually going for a ride because I know I'll have to walk around w/ all my gear once I get wherever I'm going.
Click to expand...

Same.

But I'm an oddball and wear a CE B-2 back protector every time I ride. I'd say about 90% of riders skimp on this piece of gear.
 
I didn't, but if I had been smart, I would have. A back protector and a chest protector are good investments. Buy as much as you can afford and wear it. I just piled everything in my office once I got there.

Steve
 
My commute gear is a Fieldsheer Highland suit with Backprotector and CE armour + Dainese D-Dry Boots + Lee Parks Deerskin Gloves + Arai XD helmet.

I wear dress clothes underneath (which really surprises my coworkers when they know I ride, but am dressed nicer than most other folks at the office) and I keep my dress shoes at work so I can just wear my boots in and home again.
 
I wear everything

that I have, no matter what. I am scared of riding. But I love it. So I just make sure that Im covered as much as possible. Traffic, no traffic, twisties, commute, cruise, whatever. People even make fun of me for how much I put on just to go to the store. But guess what?:twofinger those people!!! haha
 
i commute 880. it's a battleground - so i prepare for war. full leathers. helimots - with extra everything. part of me feels over dressed. but the other part of me doesn't give a shit how it looks - we're talkin survival.
 
Less

My commute is at 5:30am and 2:30pm. traffic is not a problem on 680 and 101 at those times so I don't get all gussied up.
 
Word

littlebeast said:
i commute 880. it's a battleground - so i prepare for war. full leathers. helimots - with extra everything. part of me feels over dressed. but the other part of me doesn't give a shit how it looks - we're talkin survival.
Click to expand...

Yes......... Word. :laughing
 
Every morning for me:

Dainese Jacket
Dainese Pants that zip to jacket creating "one piece"
Sidi boots
T-Pro Back Protector
T-Pro Chest/Rib protector
Racer gloves

Keep some clothes at work.

At first it was a hassle, now I pop into work hit the bathroom (has lockers) change into my regular cloths. Take less than 5 min. I got strange looks at first but now nobody cares and they ask questions about gear.

:thumbup
 
Last edited:
Aerostich Roadcrafter, with low key riding boots gloves, helmet and a bottle of Ibuprofen.

All of it's on the nerdy side but I'm not looking at myself.. :nerd





Exile said:
A question for the freeway commuters: Do you folks wear any extra protective gear when you know that you'll be dealing with rush hour traffic? I assume that we all ride with a MI-5 issue 9mm and pack of Trojan-ENZ, but I'm curious if people add a back, chest, or whatever protector to their regular gear when they know they'll be facing nasty traffic.

If you do ride with extra gear in this situation, what kind of gear is it and would you recommend it?
Click to expand...
 
Leather Jacket, Sturdy jeans, 661 Knee and Shin Guards, Taichi WRX gloves, Puma Desmos and alpinestars back protector. I cross the bay bridge daily.

Im considering getting padded commute pants soon and a 1 piece rain suit.
 
Zachary said:
that I have, no matter what. I am scared of riding. But I love it. So I just make sure that Im covered as much as possible. Traffic, no traffic, twisties, commute, cruise, whatever. People even make fun of me for how much I put on just to go to the store. But guess what?:twofinger those people!!! haha
Click to expand...

yea ive been talking to other friends even riders in my area who knew of my small crash and I told them I was getting a 1 peice suit and they all just look at me like...:wtf :rolleyes

they go.."well are you going on the track or what?"

why do i have to be going to the track for it to be considered "OK" to wear a 1 peice. Im ready to be a power ranger damnit and i dont care what you think anymore :p


the only time i could see it sucking is walking around the mall or going to a movie
 
littlebeast said:
i commute 880. it's a battleground ...
Click to expand...

I hate commuting on that road. It frightens me, and I will often go far out of my way to avoid it.

Back on topic, I wear the same Olympia armored gear and A*'s boots all the time, commuting or otherwise. Lee Parks or First Gear gloves (depending on weather). HJC or Airoh helmet (also depending upon weather). My Olympia mesh gear is black, and when the weather cools I switch to a non-mesh Olympia jacket that's hi-viz yellow. In commuting I'll take any edge in visibility I can.
 
i figure commuting is prolly the most dangerous form of riding....so i wear my 2-piece helimots every morning...FF helmet, gloves, daytona boots....and of course....back protector (built into my suit)
 
I appreciate folks taking the time to post. I ride AGATT too; however, I don't own chest/back protector. I was considering buying one. Based upon the responses so far, it seems like it would be worthwhile to get one.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top