Triumphrat

Easy

I posting this here because I am most interested in what Bonneville and related twin riders think.

I have been away from riding for 20 plus years and will be soon picking up my new Bonnie. When I last rode, sport bikes were just coming into their own and only the most dedicated knee-dragging throttle jockeys I knew wore riding pants or kevlar jeans with knee pads. Most of us settled for a good pair of sturdy jeans. Since then, specialized leg gear seems to have become the norm.

I believe in ATGATT. I have a good jacket, helmet, gloves, eye protection and boots. I also have a pair of armored pants on order. But I am wondering if the mesh pants with hip and knee pads are overkill for the relaxed kind of riding I plan to do on the Bonneville.

I'd be interested to hear from other Hinkley twin riders about what they consider safe and necessary in the way of leg protection.

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Sometimes it takes a whole tank of fuel before you can think straight.

Calliway

Yes it does, for the purists, but I don't wear riding pants all the time. I do wear a jacket and gloves all the time and good denim despite having a set of beautiful Scorpion Riding pants.

Silverado57

I'm ATGATT, and that includes riding pants with knee & hip armor.

Before I got the pants, a close encounter between me and the asphalt was all the warning needed. I was lucky to have escaped with only a severely bruised hip, and not a broken hip.

Get the best gear you can afford and wear it all the time & every time. Ride safe.

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Kevin
Luceo Non Uro
NJ USA

bikingboit

I have first hand experience with ATGATT including my Draggin jeans that worked superbly while sliding down the road on my left hip/knee for about 20meters, one small tear at the knee, no gravel rash anywhere, used all the protective gear that day, armored jacket, gloves, jeans and helmet, all replaced and very thankfull I am.

Catenaccio

My wife was kind enough to finish off my ATGATT collection with a pair of Icon overpants and TourMaster boots. So, I'd better start wearing the entire jacket, gloves, boots, pants, helmet ensemble or I'll catch it worse than a crash.

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The weather will continue to change on and off for a long, long time.

doogin

Protect yourself the best you can and enjoy every ride. ATGATT a few years ago were boots, denim pants, helmet and a leather jacket if you could afford one. The newest safety technology is pricey and worth it if cost is no issue. I wouldn't let a lack of safety pants deter my rides.
We poor people like to ride and do so safely enough.

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Dance with the lady with the hole in her stocking
790 Bonnie Black

Catenaccio

It took me 4 years to acquire all the gear. I bought it (with my wife's help) when I had a few extra shillings. Unfortunately, it's a process not an event.

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The weather will continue to change on and off for a long, long time.

BigChiefWoody

Here's the thing about pants though. What if you're riding with the destination being the main goal? I ride my bike to work, the hardware store, the mall, everywhere. I don't want to be walking around wearing a pair of riding pants. What's a good alternative?

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"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds, and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."
-George Best

270*

Consider this: falling off a sports bike at 60mph hurts just as much as falling off a scooter at 60!!!

It's a difficult question to answer as everyone has different views on safety and safety gear. Personally, I wear it all: lid (mandatory), gloves, decent leather c/w armour, back protector, hip/thigh armour, kneepads and a decent pair of calf-high boots.

The hip/thigh armour I use is a pair of Knox Sports Shorts and, once on, I don't know they're there. It's just padding, rather than armour but may give you a few seconds more 'slide time' before it gets down to skin than jeans alone.

In my opinion: yes, it's worth it, regardless of what you ride.

270*

Take them off when you get there!!!