Cotton paddock jacket, jeans, TT Leathers gloves, DMs and a Bell Super Star helmet
…in 1986.
Young and invincible, or perhaps just stupid? We didn’t know any better. I took up smoking that year too!
In 2012...
I try and wear fully armoured two piece leathers (Richa) as much as I can when out on the road and use two-piece Alpinestars RP5 waterproofs to go over in the rain. When it’s hot or I’m doing trails of short journeys I’ll wear textiles, usually the HG desert TRG set up (but I do have an Akito Desert outfit too). I have a pair of Hood Kevlar lined combat trousers (with Knox knee and hip protection) to for times when a more casual look is required!
They are hand made in Norfolk and bloody good compared with other well-known brands of Kevlar jeans and trousers. Don’t wear any additional armour, but I always use gear with all available/optional armour fitted.
I have a pair of Held Enduro boots, a pair of Hebo Hebo TR3 boots and a pair of period old school buckle-up Frank Thomas boots for riding the BSA (good boots when FT were made in Britain and done me 25 years!) On the XTZ I use the Held almost all the time. Never use footwear not specifically designed for motorcycle use.
For gloves I use either heated Gerbing T5, or one of the two pairs of HG gloves I have, one summer one winter (can’t remember what model they are?)
As for helmets; Arai Tour X (old and knackered), Airoh Rock trials helmet (for trials and trails), Davida Jet (for the 1960s look – mind you it’s a bloody comfortable and well-made lid for all round use) and a HJC HQ-1 full face (long distance/road). I use Oakley and Halcyon (for BSA) googles as required. I’ve just bitten the bullet and bought a lovely white and black Shoei Hornet to replace the Arai (now I’ve found someone who can adapt the liner to fit my head without causing pressure points).
Lastly an often overlooked piece of safety equipment – good ear plugs. Wish I’d thought about using them 25 years ago!
What was that, pardon, sorry I didn’t quite catch that, you’ll have to speak up…