I wear a helmet because my wife insists. That has something to do with not wearing one when she got a phone call from a stranger who found me in a ditch telling her the ambulance was on the way... But she doesn't insist on any other safety equipment. I don't know why that is.

I wear a leather jacket, boots, and jeans usually. Although when it gets hot I leave the jacket at home. It's all about YOUR acceptable level of risk. In my case my wife's acceptable level of risk for me...

We're all willing to take a certain amount of chances that something bad will happen no matter what we do. I'd rather risk a kilted motorcycle ride where my own caution, skill and abilities usually have some effect over the outcome rather than chances some take every day.

My $.02...worth almost what you paid for it. I'll get some pics when I get around to riding kilted. I'll probably even wear my helmet!!