Scooter Answers

When you begin thinking about which means of two-wheeled transport is right for your interests and circumstances, there’s a principle of safety to learn. No matter whether you ride a modest little scooter in residential areas, or a big road-burner on the interstate, there’s an acronym you must learn, and a principle you must follow.

ATGATT. Say it aloud, and learn the meaning: All The Gear, All The Time. “Gear,” in this context, means the personal safety equipment you use when you’re up on two wheels. When you venture out into the world of motorized transportation without an automobile wrapped around you, you need some armor to protect you from the assaults made on your person by the road, by other vehicle operators, by animals, by the weather. Oh, you can ride without using gear, and get away with it sometimes. But other times, you stand to lose some skin, or worse. “Stuff happens,” as the saying goes. And, they really ARE out to kill you.

All The Gear:

Helmet. Protect your head by using a name-brand helmet that fits you and remains comfortable for an extended period. (You won’t wear it if it chafes, or irritates some pressure point on your head, neck, or face). Make sure you get one that’s listed by the Snell Memorial Foundation, so that it meets a recognized safety standard. The best are full-coverage types that protect face and jaw, as well. Estimated cost: $150-$300.

Gloves. Only full-grain leather will do. Elk hide is one of the toughest, and will resist abrasion well, if the worst happens. Fabric, even the toughest nylon, has no place here. Again, they should fit perfectly, and remain comfortable for extended periods of use. Estimated cost: $40-$60.

Jacket. The best choice is, again, full-grain leather. NOT a decorative garment to be “seen” in, but a riding jacket with appropriate closures to fit closely at the neck, wrists, and front, to seal out the wind, and to stay on you in the event of a mishap. Estimated cost: $150-$300.

Heavy nylon mesh jackets with armor and padding inserts are to be had, as well. While not offering the protection of full-grain cowhide, they offer a compromise you may wish to make in the heat of summer. They do let air circulate to cool your body while you’re in motion. I’ve read reports of these protecting adequately in on-road mishaps, and I wear one myself when it’s hot. Just be aware that it IS a calculated risk. Estimated cost: $150-$200.

Boots. Riding boots are not the same as walking boots. They’re usually heavier, and fasten differently. And they must extend upward from the ankle, to give support and protection. Some have armor protection. All have closures that are likely to remain secure if you get into trouble. Note: Velcro, and dedicated-purpose closures and snaps are good; exposed laces are bad. These are not primarily for just walking around in, but should be comfortable enough to do that. Estmated cost:$150-$300.

Pants. This is an area where most riders find a compromise between cost, safety, and comfort. The best choice is, again, leather, but the cost keeps most people away. On shorter rides, I usually wear denim jeans. That’s really no protection for sliding on asphalt, but it’s a risk I take, knowing I could lose.

For longer trips, I use nylon mesh pants with armor inserts at the knees and hips. They allow for some cooling in the summer, and they do provide a degree of protection against “road rash.”

The all-out best for this purpose would be a one-piece leather riding suit. That’s also the all-out most expensive choice. They’re usually used by professional racers, and the rare sportbike rider on the highway.
Estimated cost: Full leathers $700-$1000. Leather pants $300-$500. Nylon mesh with armor $120-$200.

All The Time

The worst injury I ever suffered on a bike happened a block from my house, on a two-block trip to the grocery store. “It’s only two blocks” turned into two MONTHS of bandaging and picking sand and dirt from a skinless forearm. I was wearing a cotton shirt. I can’t emphasize it enough: The time you let down your guard, the time you get careless, IS the time when you’ll get bitten.

Other riders not wearing much in the way of gear (I call them “Hamburger on the Hoof”) see me in a parking lot or at a stoplight, and ask “Don’t you get HOT in all that stuff?” They get really quiet when I answer, “I’ve been hot, and I’ve been hamburger. And one is better than the other.”

ATGATT. And keep the rubber side down.