i knew the title would get cha looking. actually i was wondering would you ride if you had to wear everything that i have to wear when you ride. to get on base or ride around town i have to wear over the ankle boots, long jean type pants, long sleeve shirt, gloves with leather palms, DOT approved helmet, with shatterproof faceshield or goggles (my windscreen doesn't count), and a reflective vest green or orange with 2- 2inch strips vertical or horizontal. now i have to wear this to get on, around, and off base. i'm supposed to wear it ALL the time. and they say that if i have a wreck that they might not pay my hospital bills or my life insurance if i don't have on my P.P.E. (Personal Protective Equipment.) so my question is would you guys even bother riding, if you had to wear this crap ALL the time? i told my SgtMaj that i'd wear anything just to ride, i don't care if it'san eskimo suit. he can't stop me from riding.

just wondering,

wanna

 

Yeah, if I had to. I always wear my helmet and I've got a lot of time on sportbikes wearing full gear, so I'm used to it. And I live in the hottest South Texas.

 

i can't stand it. the stupid vest always bunches up around your neck, oh suck a pain. can't get your id out of your pocket with gloves on, such a pain.

later,

wanna

 

I own it all(including the eskimo suit)and I wear it when I have to. Been a long time since active duty so don't go on base. Can't imagine not having some of the gear like over the ankle boots, leathers to keep your body fluids in(if it comes to that). No gloves makes me feel naked! In short YES.

Arvid

 

I understand. I forgot you had to wear that flourescent sash or whatever. And I never really got used to gloves myself. Can you wear fingerless gloves if they have good palms?

 

I always wear boots and jeans when I ride, and a helmet is mandatory here in VA. Didn't used to wear gloves, but I found out it's a lot more comfy on my hands when I do. As far as the vest goes tho... I understand about the safety factor and all, but to me it just looks too much like those guys you see walking on the shoulders pickin up trash. But yeah, in answer to your question, I'd wear what I had to in order to ride. Bottom line... one does what one has to to ride sometimes. Even if that means getting off base housing, if thats even an option for you.

 

no fingerless gloves. and sleeves in the summertime. and a little bit of meaning was missed in my post i think. i meant would you ride if you HAD to wear all that crap to ride? like you couldn't ride if you didn't wear everything. i don't mind wearing the boots, helmet, but the freaking glow worm vest and DOT helmet and SLEEVES in the summer? and the sleeves can be a long sleeve t-shirt. man i beat that things gonna last. anyway, if you couldn't ride unless wearing all this no matter where you're going would you do it?

later,

wanna

 

Can you get an ID pouch/holder you can wear around you neck for gates and on base?

 

I would drive my car instead if i had to ride like that, especially the reflective thingy. I know, I know, be seen and be safe, but I'm sorry, the reflective gear just looks too dorky. I'd drive my car!

 

A few facts about military health and legal topics with regards to motorbikes. I was a safety guy for 20 years, so here goes, off-base riding: the military cannot require you to wear anything more than what the city or state requres (helmets, face shields etc, i know of no state or city that requires certain clothing such as reflective vests, chaps) On base: it's a federal "district" so they can require you to wear whatever they want, clown shoes included. The grey area, your boss cannot legally force you to wear anything offbase that the state or city doesn't require, however, do you want to **** off your boss? No, wear the stuff on base, get off-base, then take-off anything not required, try not to be blatent like right outside the gate. Put it back on out of site of the gate before re-entry. If your off-base and your boss catches you, and he makes a stink, go the the JAG and tell them your being harrassed for legally driving your legal motorvehicle.

The military has a duty to provide medical care no matter what, it's just who pays for it. Riding a bike is not line of duty, however, neither is driving a car, so if your in an accident, they must provide care, and they pay for it unless you: didn't have the city state required safety equipment on, were drunk, were reckless, etc.

Driving a bike is not a crime, many a General who tried to push their beliefs on the troops have been handed a loss when confronted with THE LAW.

Ride smart, and I'm retired so I am so glad I don't have to put up with that ****.