Riding A Motorcycle with a Kilt

[Don Patrick]

I've asked a couple of times on other threads and was lost in the shuffle. The idea ocurred to me - put the question in my own thread.

Other than carefully, how do you go about riding a motorcycle in a kilt? What special tips can anyone offer? Are there any special accessories to help in the matter?

[McMurdo]

Other than carefully, how do you go about riding a motorcycle in a kilt?

You Don't

What special tips can anyone offer?

Don't do it, all the gear all the time.

Are there any special accessories to help in the matter?

I hate to say it but Jeans come to mind, I have seen what a skin graph looks like from a bike accident, I have buried too many friends for Canada's right to drive like crap.

I say this as a guy with over 20years of riding experience, I have been all over the eastern seaboard on my motorcycle, and I will admit when I am in Ohio I have been known to ride without a helmet, however I have always worn pants, jeans or leather pants and sometimes chaps over my jeans.

[MacWage]

A good thread on the issue at hand:
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=26017

[Don Patrick]

You Don't

Don't do it, all the gear all the time.

I hate to say it but Jeans come to mind, I have seen what a skin graph looks like from a bike accident, I have buried too many friends for Canada's right to drive like crap.

I say this as a guy with over 20years of riding experience, I have been all over the eastern seaboard on my motorcycle, and I will admit when I am in Ohio I have been known to ride without a helmet, however I have always worn pants, jeans or leather pants and sometimes chaps over my jeans.

You got me on the safety issue. I was focusing on the other issues. I'm one of the lucky ones, though. I live less than five minutes from work, never get over 35 miles an hour. Probably still fast enough to do some damage though. Even then I do wear a leather or special jacket and full face helmet (the best money can buy). ...but normally I wear dress pants which do not offer much lower extremity protection - jeans would not be acceptable at the job. I guess I figure if I'm willing to take the dress pants chance - it is a short step away from the tartan.

When I travel to Fort Hood (100 miles one way) about once a week, I will chap up all over, and wear all of the protection I can.

[McMurdo]

I live less than five minutes from work, never get over 35 miles an hour.

I was rear ended by an old man in a car one day going to work I was on my motorcycle, I lived about 10 minutes away from work, he just did not stop fast enough, no damage to the bike I didn't even drop it, however it shook me up. The first time I dropped my bike I was 18 and I was two yep count 'em two doors away from home.

Probably still fast enough to do some damage though. Even then I do wear a leather or special jacket and full face helmet (the best money can buy). ...but normally I wear dress pants which do not offer much lower extremity protection - jeans would not be acceptable at the job.

When I worked at a place that did not allow jeans and I rode my bike in I had some clothes there, or would bring some clothes with me to change into once I got to work.

I guess I figure if I'm willing to take the dress pants chance - it is a short step away from the tartan.

Dress pants are not much better than bare legs, you are right it is a short step, however it's a step I am not willing to take.

When I travel to Fort Hood (100 miles one way) about once a week, I will chap up all over, and wear all of the protection I can.

Now that is a good idea.

Sorry if I sound a bit much but I have seen too many things out on a motorcycle, lets face it, the only protection you have out there is what you are wearing.

[Archangel]

Google "Hurt Report", the only real study ever done on motorcycle safety. And done by motorcyclists.
Google will lead you to an update interview,which was an eye opener for me.

Anyway, point is stats are you will have an accident, within fifty miles of home. If it is a collision, it will be by somebody who does not know any motorcyclists.

And you probably will not use your front brake.

I raced for many years, and crashed for no real reason at all. I've had handlebars break off after the first double jump, chains fall off, weird stuff.

All power to the RAT group on SportKilt's website, but I'm covering up.

(PS I had a McGregor tartan tape band on my helmet and the Lion Rampant on my jersey.)

[GlassMan]

Having worked as an EMT, I'd say only motorcycle with lots of leather on. There's a reason many of those bikers out there wear leather chaps over the jeans. Personally, the only way I'd ever ride a motorcycle is in a full suit of plate mail armor.

[Mr. MacDougall]

As a nurse with ED experience, I'm going to echo the "all the gear, all the time," advice. As a motorcycle rider, I'm also going to add that there are two kinds of riders -- those who've been down, and those who are going down. I joined the flying w club a few years ago, and ruined a helmet and about $300 worth of leather -- but I didn't have to have a skin graft, and I didn't get road rash on my face.

[Uilleam Sexton]

As a nurse with ED experience, I'm going to echo the "all the gear, all the time," advice. As a motorcycle rider, I'm also going to add that there are two kinds of riders -- those who've been down, and those who are going down. I joined the flying w club a few years ago, and ruined a helmet and about $300 worth of leather -- but I didn't have to have a skin graft, and I didn't get road rash on my face.

One more echo from the crowd. I have to say, ruining a helmet and $300 worth of leather is one of the best results from an accident. Thats why the helmet and leather are there. The farther you get into the southeast the more you see people riding in t-shirts, flip-flops, bare-chested, bathing suits, etc....and of course no helmets. And it seems there is in inverse relationship between safety equipment and riding experience/common sense. The less leather/jacket/helmet whatever the worse they ride. Weaving in and out on the highway, popping wheelies, whatever.

I could go on. Like above poster said, two types. Eventually they will go down, and hopefully it will be when they're protected.

[morrison]

It never ceases to get into my craw, the preaching styles that emerge when the conversation is about what someone else oughta do for protective riding gear when motorcycling.
Try this beloved.
I ALWAYS ride with your(my) full attention on your(my) safety.
I NEVER ride beyond my skill level. - with gear on I practice quick maneuvering in a safe place.
Look for every opportunity to save your life, because every other vehicle on the road with you is intent on taking it.
With or without protective riding gear, a broken neck or back will likely cause your death. Loss of limbs and other puncturing wounds that could wreck your life can happen in any collision.
Here's the Coupe d gras. Drinking and driving don't mix. If you have one small drink your judgement is already impaired. A second drink and you've given common sense the boot. Third drinks don't count since by now you're a bloody puddle on the pavement.