body armour and protection

i wanted to know your thoughts on armour and protection. (especially from the more experienced)

i pretty much always ride in a leather jacket and proper race boots and gloves and a back brace. on a big ride full leathers. i only ride in shorts and a t-shirt to the shops but i know how stupid that really is and know i will come undone. all my riding gear has carbon fibre goodies to protect all the easily broken bits like ankles and knuckles. we seem to always be discussing what bike is best but how about the stuff that will save our life hope fully

I wear my leather jacket, jeans, trekking boots, leather gloves, and helmet almost every time I ride. Sometimes if it's hot and I don't want to ride hard I just throw on my mesh-tex jacket, but the rest of the gear is the same. I know it's not the same as leather, but it's better than nothing.

I want race leathers so I would be a bit more willing to push myself on my bike knowing I'm more protected "in case".

I've lost 86% of the skin on my back, broke both legs, my right arm, and almost lost my left hand, got run over by a semi, and been hit by 3 cars (not at the same time.) All of which happened when I WASN'T doing anything wrong -guess that'll teach me! The point is, ALWAYS dress like you're going to go down, because you never know when some idiot isn't going to stop...or notice you...or get a DD. It saved my life.

im sorry to hear that. i hope you are ok. you are right about it being someone else that can stuff you up. ive only been in one accident but kept my balance (guy ran a red, i was two up and braked hard enough to shatter a brake disc, bent the front end back)

i always try to do the right thing but i realise when i don't i need to be on the look out for anything.

Yeah although ive never been down it didnt take a crash to make me realize to dress proper ALL THE TIME...

Full 1 piece suit full GP armor
Knox Back Protector
Astars SMX Plus Boots
Teknic Gloves
Arai Helmet (of course)

Besides ive seen too many of my good friends get seriousley hurt. Since day 1 ive worn this and always will.

... this is what I wear in AZ:

Arai Astro Aurora Blue (have to ride with shield up alot of times, otherwise way to hot and stuffy)
2 Arai Signet Replicas (riding with a passenger)
Sidi Strada Evo ventelated boots (only for the track)
Alpinestars Stunt jacket (gets really hot)
Teknic Supervent jacket (mesh, good air flow)
Joe Rocket Atomic pants (gets hot in them, thinking of finding a good mesh pants)
Alpinestars SP2 gloves (only for the track, hot and sweaty)
Icon Tarmac gloves (usual riding, VERY good value)

Anyway, my gear has put a big dent in my budget, but I know it will be money well spent when I go down again.

posted this before

when i bought my first bike they threw in free helmet , jacket and gloves but were very cheap. i spent extra on shoei X9 but just replaced with xr1000, dainese jacket and gloves. still have jacket but now have matching pants. updated to spidi carbotech gloves and dainese gp boots.
all leathers now 8yrs old and look it, but no damage. also use a dainese back brace but it came in contact with a bar heater and melted some of it.
i never regret buying the good stuff. it can be uncomfortable but so is gravel rash i expect
a mate of mine got the cheap stuff and it tore at the stiches before it was a year old

appreciate the replies too guys