11-13-2015, 11:31 PM
Probably.. not probably, definitely.. the cheapest motorcycle gear you can buy these days far, far exceeds the safety of the motorcycle gear we had available when I started riding. My first helmet was an open face Buco helmet, my first jacket an army pea coat. I wore gardening leather gloves, jeans and work boots. Wool army sweater and wool scarf if it was cold. That was 1965. You could buy a leather jacket and gloves and boots but only at a Harley shop and they were expensive. About 1973 I could get a real Brooks or Bates leather jacket, real motorcycle boots and Olympia leather gloves (all unarmored of course). I think about 1977 or so I added Brooks leather pants and a Bell full face helmet. None of it armored, warm, or waterproof. I got my first armored gear about 10 years ago, and the armor padding felt so wierd I took it out of the jacket and just wore it without armor. Now I wear the armored gear most of the time, like 90 % of the time (except for gloves).. Still don't like the feel of armored gloves. Most of it is warm, waterproof (or at least water resistant) comfortable, attractive and protective. Riding gear has come a loooooong way in the last 50 years.