Let's be honest, who truly rides ATGATT?

[justanotherg20]

If I'm wearing jeans I'm also wearing knee/shin guards and boots.

Five minutes of gearing up vs. gravel tattoos isn't a contest.

+1

Decided I wanted to have knee protection at all times but didn't always want to put on the overpants, so picked up a set of dirt knee guards for around town.

Full disclaimer: they strap below the knee, not above so I don't know how well they'll hold in place so I'm looking for a replacement.

 

[mrmarklin]

I just rode to my Chiropractor. Wore T-shirt and jeans. No boots. It’s less than two mile each way.

Was I wrong????

 

[Enchanter]

It seems interesting the folks gearing up based on what they plan to do, and where the plan to go, when most accidents for experienced riders are due to someone else (left turners, notably), over which they have no control and show up 1 block away just as much as they do on a mountain road.

I've never seen data that supports the premise that experienced riders crash primarily due to someone else making a mistake.

Most motorcycle accidents happen in curves (damn near 50%), crashes with other vehicles are around 25%. Interesting to note that when there is a collision with another vehicle, the motorcycle is the striking vehicle over 90% of the time.

 

[Slow Goat]

All means All

Me too - helmet, gloves, ALL leather pants & jacket and boots.

This...I can’t work so I’m in shorts from April to November.
Have to put pants on to ride (because skin grafts suck!)
so I might as well put the leather ones on.

 

[berth]

Most motorcycle accidents happen in curves (damn near 50%), crashes with other vehicles are around 25%. Interesting to note that when there is a collision with another vehicle, the motorcycle is the striking vehicle over 90% of the time.

Save for the occasional dirty curve, the bulk of those single vehicle accidents in corners are folks who should arguably be at the track anyway, particularly if they're experienced riders. "Too fast for conditions."

As for the 90%, as I understand it, many of the vehicles that they are striking are cars that turn in front of them vs just something parked. (Cue the required ABS thread...)

 

[Enchanter]

Save for the occasional dirty curve, the bulk of those single vehicle accidents in corners are folks who should arguably be at the track anyway, particularly if they're experienced riders. "Too fast for conditions."

As for the 90%, as I understand it, many of the vehicles that they are striking are cars that turn in front of them vs just something parked. (Cue the required ABS thread...)

I agree that it is too fast for conditions, but I still don't think it's an age / experience thing.

My comment about the "striking vehicle" prompted DataDan to contact me via PM. It appears that my source may not be reliable. I trust Dan.

Sorry for that.

I'll leave my post intact for continuity of the discussion.

 

[NoneMoreBlack]

When I was starting out riding I managed to have a couple very lucky and minor crashes, as in under 20MPH with no impact to any objects or vehicles.

Regardless, the amount of damage I was able to do to my body was pretty staggering. I did not break any bones, but the bruising and rash were very difficult to live with for a significant stretch of time. In one case I had a passenger who broke an elbow, incurring over $100K in medical bills and missing work for several months.

Furthermore, I work on my feet and with my hands. Even another minor crash could significantly impact my ability to work. So I do, in fact, ATGATT, with zero exceptions. I also don't waste time on the internet criticizing those who don't.

Any time I am tempted to skimp, I find it very effective to ask myself "how goddam stupid are you going to feel if THIS is the ride you crash on while all that expensive gear is hanging in the closet?"

I agree that it is too fast for conditions, but I still don't think it's an age / experience thing.

My comment about the "striking vehicle" prompted DataDan to contact me via PM. It appears that my source may not be reliable. I trust Dan.

I would say that your point stands regardless. Arguing over whether riders are at fault 40% of the time or 60% is immaterial; the purpose of the discussion is to remind riders that they are often the architects of their own crash and examine their behavior accordingly.