Wearing a Kilt while riding a motorcycle, What do I do?

[CDNSushi]

Well, this is what confuses me. For all those people who talk about the lack of protection for when you ride kilted, how is that any different from the thousands of people who ride bicycles in shorts every day? Why don't they wear head-to-toe covering? Coming from someone who has crashed many a bike, road rash from a bicycle accident or a motorbike accident pretty much sucks either way.



Here's a family (found using GIS) where everyone's wearing shorts.

Now, I know what you're going to say. And before you do, I realize that a motorbike goes faster than a bicycle... So then if speed's an issue, then how about this guy? Racers get up to some pretty solid speeds too... Especially on hills.

[csbdr]

yeah, I'd say speed is the difference, as you noted. That happy family has nothing to worry about. That bike racer will get road rash if he goes down, no doubt, but he's still not doing the kind of speed which you attain on a motorbike. That kind of road rash very well may land you in a burn unit for treatment. We're talking apples and oranges CDNSushi.

In case there haven't been enough dissenting opinions, I'll add mine. don't do it. Risk doesn't outweigh the benefits in my opinion. And yes, I ride, and it's ATGATT for me thanks (All The Gear, All The Time!)

[Cynthia]

Speaking as someone who has gone down on a 10 speed bike (gear chain came off bike and locked the front wheel up and I wasn't wearing a helmet), I can only imagine what a much heavier machine with hot pipes would do as well as the higher speeds and force of impact on the ground. 10 speed damage was NOT fun (what little I remember of it since I blacked out a few times). I had road rash from my left forehead, down my face, down my neck, on my collar bone and shoulder, and on my hands and wrists, one wrist took the impact weird and I had to have chiropractic treatment to get it working smoothly again. I don't know how long I skidded on my face/head -- I pretty much instantly hit like that and slid for a while. I was going slightly down hill and trying to speed up to catch up with someone -- no idea how fast. I no longer ride a bicycle without a helmet due to that scare -- I was very lucky I didn't mess myself up worse.

If I rode a motorcycle (I have considered it off and on over the years), I would definitely be wearing full safety equipment all over as csbdr said.

I think most people aren't replying with helpful replies because they simply won't do it and don't want to encourage it. Plus, there is the issue of how to keep clothing down and keep modesty, not to mention safety hazards of anything hanging, flapping, getting in the way or distracting the rider. I definitely would not recommend regimental, you might find yourself getting into more trouble than just road rash if you get my drift.

[svc40bt]

yeah, I'd say speed is the difference, as you noted. That happy family has nothing to worry about. That bike racer will get road rash if he goes down, no doubt, but he's still not doing the kind of speed which you attain on a motorbike. That kind of road rash very well may land you in a burn unit for treatment. We're talking apples and oranges CDNSushi.

In case there haven't been enough dissenting opinions, I'll add mine. don't do it. Risk doesn't outweigh the benefits in my opinion. And yes, I ride, and it's ATGATT for me thanks (All The Gear, All The Time!)

I personally have exceeded 50 mph on a road bicycle on a downhill section of a race. Could have gone faster, but 50 mph on 3/4" wide tires was fast enough for me. Professionals may exceed 70 mph. Not a happy thought with bare skin or 1/32" of lycra.

[Tony Miles]

I personally have exceeded 50 mph on a road bicycle on a downhill section of a race. Could have gone faster, but 50 mph on 3/4" wide tires was fast enough for me. Professionals may exceed 70 mph. Not a happy thought with bare skin or 1/32" of lycra.

A friend of mine died last summer on a bicycle - he had a helmet on but the internal head trauma was too much - he wasn't going anywhere near that fast - he left behind 2 sons

[berserkbishop]

Ok, I know this issue has been beat to the ground, but as with many of our other motorcyclists members, I think that it is a poor idea to ride in a kilt. I know bicycles can get up to breakneck speeds down hills, but those are very specialised circumstances and they are not constant. A motorcycle is almost ALWAYS ridden at speeds over 30 mph if you are trying to get somewhere. Protective gear works. Period. I went down at 40 and got rashed on my knees where I was wearing jeans only, my upper body was in a riding jacket with pads and I took no damage. I slid for about 100 ft. Do that with a bare rear, or just with undergarments and you will regret it. Period.

To the original poster. If you are dead set on doing this, and you have never been in an accident, I would wait until you have had an accident. Then you will know if it is really worth the risk.

This is what i used to ride in before I realized that jeans are useless in an accident. Leathers or better denim are necessary. I wear my jacket ALL YEAR ROUND.



Take care

Bishop

[svc40bt]

I personally have exceeded 50 mph on a road bicycle on a downhill section of a race. Could have gone faster, but 50 mph on 3/4" wide tires was fast enough for me. Professionals may exceed 70 mph. Not a happy thought with bare skin or 1/32" of lycra.

A friend of mine died last summer on a bicycle - he had a helmet on but the internal head trauma was too much - he wasn't going anywhere near that fast - he left behind 2 sons

I am sorry to hear this. Unfortunately it is not as uncommon as one would hope.

For the record, I was not advocating such behavior, just pointing out that bicycles can attain highway speeds under the right conditions. I would also add that my personal experience was over 20 years ago.

Now, when I ride (not nearly often enough) I ride a mountain bike and rarely exceed 20 mph. I have friends that still ride road bikes, and for someone in reasonable condition, it is not uncommon to average 20-25 mph over a 20-30 mile ride. Pros regularly average over 30 mph in time trials.

[Kagetora0511]

THNX to all ya's for the word

As an update, I fully intend to ride around in my kilt, but not always.

I am The 'Only' guy in Boca Raton, Florida who works at a pub in a kilt. I currently have a Jeep Grand Cherokee that is KILLING me in gas and I now have the fundage for a bike.

Goin for a cruiser, not sportbike, crotch-rockets just aren't my style yet.

I have gotten some great advice in my PM from plenty of dudes givin me the in's and out's of how to do it and I can't wait.

Heck riding kilted in the 'season' down here, especially close to October Fest and St. Pati's day should be a riot and it's suburbs and city around here so anything above 60 mph is gonna land me a nice $200 fine from the Popo's.

Thnx again lads, I'll be sure to post pics of all the scrapes and injuries I get for braggin rights.

Cheers