so, i think i might be a squid.......

[maronz]

I rode around on monday up here in Minnesota. Heat index was 110. The armor jacket got really hot but better to play it safe than sorry. Gloves, jacket, and helmet was miserable. Came back drenched in sweat after an hour riding.

Still need to get pants and boots for riding.

 

[BRatigan]

Just remember my brothers of torque, you and I are the softest things out there, cover up!

BR

 

[IYAOYAS]

.......am i a squid? (i think i already know the answer to this)

Na... squids drive big grey things on the water and deliver Marines to combat....

 

[captain chaos]

1. i always wear a helmet.....always (part of the agreement with the wife for purchasing the buell)
2. my usual riding attire consists of shorts, tshirt, tennis shoes (summer) or jeans and non-armored jacket (winter)
3. i have done 1 wheelie (totally on accident) and 1 burn-out (bad idea).....and will never do either again
4. i love taking backroads and riding fast, but in control, and never ride aggressively if other cars are around or through blind curves
5. i never street race and never go more than 10 over the limit in town

.......am i a squid? (i think i already know the answer to this)

Not a squid, just an underdressed rider. Bravo on wearing a helmet though (I'm assuming it's not legally required in your state). A helmet is easily the most important piece of gear to wear but is by no means the only piece.

Shorts on a bike are a BAD idea. Every time I see a guy riding a bike in shorts I shake my head and think "what an idiot". Now, you may very well be an intelligent person and I'm not calling you an idiot, but you are presenting yourself that way by riding in squid attire.

At the VERY least you should be wearing long pants, leather shoes or boots that cover the ankle and lace all the way up, an amored jacket (textile or leather-textile is great for hot weather), a helmet and gloves that have some kind of wrist closure to prevent them from coming off. This is what I ride in every day regardless of the conditions and I still feel like I should be wearing more. It was 97deg yesterday w/ 70+% humidity and it might crack 100 today. Heat index has been in the 110-115deg range for a week and a 1/2 now. Riding in an "acceptable" amount of gear in high heat can be done, it won't kill you. Not wearing it, however, might. Remember, no matter how "careful" you ride, there is some cager, critter or unforseen circumstance out there that just might be ready to put the hurt on you.

 

[oh9bolt]

I would rather sweat than bleed

 

[28003]

i appreciate all the comments and advice. i guess i will bike the bullet and get that harley jacket (since its the only one that fits)

Every time I see a guy riding a bike in shorts I shake my head and think "what an idiot". Now, you may very well be an intelligent person and I'm not calling you an idiot, but you are presenting yourself that way by riding in squid attire.

i totally agree with you. i'm in school pursuing my PhD.....so yes, i am an idiot. if i had any brains or sense at all, i would've gotten out of school long ago

 

[SilveradoTX]

I ride with a helmet, jacket, gloves, pants and boots... and if it's for more than 30 minutes I usually have a couple bottles of water in my backpack to hydrate when I stop.

This was from about 15 mph, hit the chin and slid on the shield. Would not have turned out so well if I wasn't wearing it.

 

[Buellysses]

All I can add to what has already been said is that it's usually people that haven't crashed that don't wear their gear.

I crashed once without. Bike wheelie'd and dumped me off the back, I slid for probably no more then 5 - 10 feet. I was wearing Jeans, a Polo Shirt, boots, and a helmet. I still have scars on my forearms, elbows, palms, knees, and side.

I have also low-sided at 55mph going around an on-ramp, wearing full gear. (25mph recommended speed. Gotta get rid of the chicken strips somehow) I hit a sand patch at the top and went for a nice slider. All that cost me was a new set of riding gear. Well, new riding gear, some minor bike parts, and some new pride.

I'll bet you can guess which one would be my preference.

To answer your question though: No, I wouldn't particularly call you a Squid. Urban Dictionary has a few pretty amusing definitions, none of which seem to apply to you.

 

[RuiP]

I saw something on the way home that boggled my mind.

A guy riding his bike on the freeway with a thick ass leather jacket (it was bout 90 degrees yesterday) with a just pair of sunglasses on. WTF are you wearing a jacket for if your melon is exposed. SMH

I've gone down on the freeway with just t-short, shorts and helmet. Helmet did its job well. My skin didn't hold up so well. Scarred for life now.

 

[MotoPhreke]

Not so sure about a full on squid, maybe just a bit naive.
I had a low speed slide out 8 weeks ago, had all my gear on gloves, leather jacket, pants, helmet.
When I picked myself up the knee on my pants were chewed, the resin over two knuckles were worn through completely, and the side of helmet was pretty scraped up..
I did break my shoulder but kept all my skin.. I don't think I'll ever take the chance of riding without full gear again, things can happen too quickly out there and it doesn't even have to be your fault..

Just got back on the bike last weekend, man it sure feels great to get out there again..

 

[Kid1620]

I say to each their own. Me personally I wear tennis shoes jeans gloves and a helmet. But I like riding without a helmet too and I know if and when I go down it's going to hurt but shit happens. Ride how ever you want to ride it's your life who cares what other people think. Have fun

 

[buelljek]

Squid here!!!! > always wear flip flops, cut offs, shorts, but always helmet. Sorry I I'm not comfortable I wont ride. That's my opinion, you wear what u want and I'll do the same

 

[SilveradoTX]

Just got back on the bike last weekend, man it sure feels great to get out there again..

Same here. [up]

 

[mrlogix]

Na... squids drive big grey things on the water and deliver Marines to combat....

is that what they were? I thought I just got on the wrong cruise ship!

 

[beull4me19]

Hey now former squid here. But i was king squid. Search and Rescue swimmer. Also, Air Ambulance. SO if your ass falls we f***in Haul. I would rather be shooting my 50 cal in my chopper than be on the ground with no where to go. Just sayin.

I ride with boots,pants,shirt (sometimes Jersey's if its above 95F)gloves and helmet. Minimum. But on the other hand my father and brother wear boots, jacket, gloves, kevlar pants, and helmet everywhere no matter how hot. Wear what you want. Its your life.

 

[mrlogix]

no offense intended beull4me19. just a little inter-service fun.

let's not forget that a major problem is the other drivers. I was travelling about 40 mph when a Master Chief pulled right out in front of me at an intersection. T-boned him and went over the hood about 15 yards. The helmet and riding gear saved my life and my skin. He swears 'I never saw you'. We not only have to watch what we are doing, but what evryone else is doing also. 'Busier than a one armed paper hanger you know'.

 

[oh9bolt]

^ Is the reason to always wear gear in my eyes. Click my name there is a pic of me in the hospital after my accident wearing a jacket, jeans, gloves, and sidi boots no road rash but I shattered my collar bone, 2 broken bones in my back, 3 ribs, which resulted in a collapsed lung. If I wasn't wearing gear I would be rashed from head to toe. No thank you to no gear, but do what you want its your skin.

 

[zaxrex]

This thread has prompted me to keep my armor/leathers on even in this 102 degree heat...

 

[burzac]

i agree with zaxrex. Hearing all these stories makes me definitely want to wear all my gear all the time and invest in more gear.

 

[squidbuellie]

well to answer your question yes..but no. it sounds like you have a little sense, so your not throwing caution to the wind. just keep in mind there are two kinds of riders. the one that went down and theirs the ones who will.
also remember the most valuable thing on a bike is the soft gooie thing on top.
with all that being said get yourself some light gear. don't go all alpinestar $2300 full power ranger suit with $600 boots, $250 gloves and a $650 arai helmet that would be strait over the top over kill.
oh one more thing you can put the squid in the the gear but you can't take the squid out of the person.