Spring has sprung... Scooter clothing

[turbohobbit]

Evening all,

So I've passed my CBT, bought myself a PCX - which I love - and I'm now using it for my daily commute from Surrey into Central London (a mixture of B roads, A roads, the A3, and London filter-traffic). At the moment I'm wearing an armoured jacket which I'm happy with, and armoured overtrousers. They're Spidis and to be honest I'm not sure they're actually designed to be overtrews, but I've taken the padded/thermal inner out and they go over my work trousers ok... More or less.

To be honest, though, I'm finding them a bit cumbersome and hot and I suspect in the summer it's only going to get worse. I was just wondering if I really do need armoured overtrousers on a scooter commuting, or whether this is a bit overkill?

[Waldorf]

Can of worms open!

I always wear at least Kevlar jeans - Hood or Draggin'.
My Draggin' jeans are quite baggy so can be worn over other trousers at a pinch.

[halfabusa]

yes you do need protection for even riding a 50cc scooter, unless you're a fan of skin grafts or broken bones, or worse. It does get worse in the summer but being safe is better than being sweaty.

Take it from someone who had the fall before.

[Bluebottle]

Definately not overkill, A Vauxhall in the knees can dramatically change your life and 30mph is plenty fast enough to damage you.

Hood K9 jeans have fitted armour and lots of kevlar, bearable unless it is really hot and stuck in traffic. I have a mesh suit for abroad/extreme heat (from Hien Gericke) but only use it when the heat itself becomes dangerous.

I take any safety advantage I can get, airbag, armour, training and getting seen. Doesn't guarantee anything but it improves the odds a lot.

[Dave Weller]

I feel sure that if cars were fitted with a spike on the steering wheel instead of airbags, drivers would drive more carefully, but that's not happening yet, so defend yourself, or ride very carefully on summer days, wear something to protect the skin, gloves important, as you will always put your hand out, and ankle protection.
I do ride around with little protection, corner speed is reduced and awareness is increased, but for longer journeys you have to suffer the heat, remember inside a crash helmet, temperatures can rise so high, you can boil your brain, fortunately I don't have one. Take great care on hot days.

[Zed]

do need armoured overtrousers on a scooter commuting, or whether this is a bit overkill?

Can of worms open!

What can of worms

Do you need protective clothing on a motorcycle? Can a scooter go the same (legal) speed as a motorcycle? Do you ever feel unlucky?
If you answered yes, then protective clothing isnt overkill.

Saying that i see a lot of people commuting in London in suits (or skirts and high heels), and never going over 30mph. Ditto bicyclists get up to near that speed. Personally i wouldnt be happy with that, but that's their choice, and they're adults. Each to his own.

I've used Draggin Jeans, ok protectively and cool, but i wouldnt mind something more substantial.

[Waldorf]

What can of worms

If you haven't experienced any arguments about ATGATT you must have been leading a very sheltered life.

[MrGrumpy]

To be honest, though, I'm finding them a bit cumbersome and hot and I suspect in the summer it's only going to get worse. I was just wondering if I really do need armoured overtrousers on a scooter commuting, or whether this is a bit overkill?

Hmmm try having an accident, and then answer your own question! Hopefully, you won't have to, but its like an insurance policy. You may never need it, but its damned useful when you do (Shister Insurance companies excepted!) . Protection is always a good idea - accidents can seriously damage your health. I wear textile overtrousers for winter commuting, but in the spring and summer switch to Kevlar lined jeans ie Draggin Jeans or Hood Jeans. Both those have smarter versions that are wearable in the office. Btw there are lots of cheap Kevlar lined jeans around with very little Kevlar except round your arse, which seems like a gamble to me. Hood and Draggin are good quality stuff. The Draggin Jeans smart jean is actually quite cool in the summer, the Hood one good for Spring & Autumn.

[Zed]

If you haven't experienced any arguments about ATGATT you must have been leading a very sheltered life.

Well most bikers smell funny, so i've not associated with them much until now. As for shelter, whats wrong with my house:

[turbohobbit]

Thanks guys. To be honest you all pretty much reinforced what I already knew but I wanted to hear the experienced view. I just can't get over the number of folks out there commuting in suits / skirts and heals. I mean, seriously, what's going through their minds?

Ok, well it sounds like the Spidis stay although I'd definately going to look into Draggins as an alternative. They're comfy enough for a day in the office too? They don't look too armoured?