Quote Originally Posted by Lao Jia Hou View Post
My two cents in the great debate ...

Helmets are a must, definitely, absolutely, always ... comfortable fit, high visibility and not restrictive of hearing. I always shudder when I see parents carrying their children on scooters with no helmets.

Foot and ankle protection is also important, I think, because they frequently come into contact with the ground.

Protective clothing is interesting, however. I'm a strong advocate of leather, simply because it does its job well - protecting that vital skin. But if I have to arrive at my destination drenched in sweat (and not too pleasant smelling), it defeats the purpose of getting enjoyment out of my bike. These past days it has been an oven in Beijing - wrapping myself in leather just ain't going to happen. I just make sure my t-shirt is a bright color.

Textiles are possibly ok, but I'm an old dog that doesn't easily learn new tricks. If I take a spill (knock on wood - 40 years of riding and not one of my bikes has even fallen off the side stand), I couldn't care less what my clothes look like AFTER any spill ... I just want my Ivory Soap soft skin to retain its natural lustrous beauty.

I saw somewhere online that you can now buy an Air Bag suit. Apparently, you attach it to the bike via a cord somehow and if you leave the bike (presumably from a fall) the suit inflates. Now, I am quite sure this suit would be very UNcomfortable to begin with ... and I am damn sure that at some point when I stop for gas, I would forget to deactivate the suit and I'd transform into the Michelin Man before the gas jockey's eyes.

Motorcycling is inherently dangerous - it is one of the enjoyments this otherwise ultra-conservative banker/professor/suit gets out of life. Shorts & t-shirt for me on these baking days.

OK, maybe that was three cents.
40 years riding and you haven't come off once you must be extremely lucky.