Motorcycle Gear - How Much Do You or Don't You Wear?

As I travel the roads of Iowa I see many motorcycles on the road and their riders adorn a wide range of attire. The thing that really puzzles me is the helmet, shorts, and sandals/flip flops look.

I'm all for being an individual on your motorcycle and having your own look. The part that puzzles me is when a person values their noggin but doesn't value their skin, legs, or feet. I've actually tried to shift with sandals on and I don't see how you can do it without messing up your toes.

Honestly, I don't wear full gear. I wear a 1/2 helmet, protective eye wear, gloves, jeans, short or long sleeve shirt, depending on the season, and boots. In cooler weather I may wear my leather coat or a lighter weight jacket.


So what do you wear? Are you the helmet, shorts, and sandals/flip flops rider, are you in between like me, or do you wear full gear? Maybe you don't wear a helmet at all but you wear all the other stuff or not. I'd love your feedback on this topic.

Ride on and be safe!
IHG

A little IHG Trivia

I'd like to thank Rick Slark for posting this on his site.http://keeptherubbersidedown.net/ It's fun getting to know the other bloggers a little and it's fun to share it with the rest of the world too.

Favorite brand of bike? Harley Davidson (Indian Motorcycles come in a close 2nd)

Favorite color of bike? Black

Do you always wear a helmet? Years past, no. This season, yes. I saw a motor scooter/car accident and it really made me think. I do believe that it should be the rider's choice. I'm against helmet laws.

Most miles ridden in a day? 476 miles Since I ride on the back I just go with the flow!

Do you belong to a riding club? Not currently Dan and I are pretty much Lone Wolves.

How many bikes do you currently own? 1

Do you wave at passing bikers? Yes...I seriously do the biker wave to everyone on two wheels...even bicycles. :)~ I find it rude when people don't wave back. I try to make myself believe they didn't see us. Yeah Right!

How many brand t-shirts do you own? 5 I'm not really into HD clothing. Two of the ones that I have were free.

Do people think you are obsessed with motorcycles? Yes, people think I'm motorcycle nuts. I have a HD bathroom and my desk at work has pictures of the bike and my biker friends. I even have 3 little mini HD motorcycles sitting on my shelf. I'm obsessed!

What is your favorite type of riding? I love long distance trips. I'm not really into just riding around town. Dan gets too annoyed when he has to stop at numerous stop lights. Plus I love seeing our great country.

Do you have any riding superstitions? Yes I do. I always have to have my guardian angel medal with me. I also have a HD poker chip that I put in my bag. And before each trip I ask our guardian angels to watch over us on our journey.

Labor Day Weekend

Wow...Can you believe that Summer '07 is drawing to a close? The years just fly by once you cross over from the age of 25. I'll be 39 this year and I'm thinking, where did it all go? I know...I'm still young...I hear it all the time but it's just wacky how you think you have so much time ahead of you to accomplish things you want to in life.

Thanks Dan for taking me to all of the bike nights this summer. I always feel safe when I'm riding two up with you. Had good times this summer with Dan, Kristen, Brent, Big Don, Jack and made new friends with Vance and Kris. I know...the season hasn't ended yet...thank god! Hopefully as in years past we have until November.

This weekend Dan and I took a trip up to Northeast Iowa on the Zippy Pickle and stayed with Greg and LaRue, my folks. I had to kid Dan because I only required the use of one saddlebag for all my stuff. He had a saddlebag and a knapsack. HA HA HA! The trip up there was really nice. We rolled in about 8:30ish and you could tell Greg and LaRue were very happy we had all the gear on. Especially the helmets. Iowa does not have a helmet law so it's the rider's choice. On Saturday we were up early so we could ride in and hang for a while at Silver Eagle HD. My Dad wigged a little because we didn't have the ole helmets on. I guess it is a little selfish of me for not considering his feelings about it since he is my father but it is my choice and most of the time I go without. The ride into Waterloo was so nice...it was cool, crisp, refreshing. There wasn't anything going on at Silver Eagle but the staff, as always, was friendly. Talked for a long time with one of the sales guys Ken and I got to go back and look at the new '08 Fat Bob that they just got in. It was pretty sweet!

My mom wanted to go out to the new casino in Waterloo so once we got back to their place we headed in on 4 wheels to the Isle. It was a really nice casino. It made me feel like I was in Vegas. I didn't win big, but I never do. I just don't get why I don't have the luck. Once we were done there we went for dinner at Texas Roadhouse in Cedar Falls. YUM! Funny thing...I wanted a Margarita and without thinking I said to my Dad...I'm going to get a Margarita, I'll give you the money for it. I looked at him and was like...OMG I can't believe I just assumed you are paying for dinner. Wow...I felt like a heel. Well he did pay for dinner...thanks Dad.

Sunday we got up and took off for Waverly around 9. Stopped by the Kielman's to check out their new house. Totally beautiful. Took off for home around noon. Stopped in Hampton for a burger at McD's. Dan got to talking to this older gentleman who was so excited to tell him he rode motorcycles too. He said he had to give it up last year when he turned 76. His wife told him that it was just time and he agreed. You could tell it made him sad. He also told us he was a prisoner of war in Korea. I thanked him and he was so modest and told me I didn't have to thank him. I wanted to hug him...he was such a cute old guy and you could tell it made his day that we were listening to him. I love the stories you hear from our elders. I could sit and listen to them for hours. They lived extraordinary lives and we need to take it in before they are gone.

We made it home to Johnston about 3:30 pm. What a great weekend and it was made even greater because we rode the Zippy Pickle and were outside feeling all the elements and clearing our heads from all the mumbo jumbo that goes in and out of it all week long!

Adios Summer...Welcome Fall and more good times ahead!