Protective Clothing

I've always worn a helmet, even in '62 on my little Honda (OK, not ALWAYS!) But over the years I worked my way up to protective gear, although not the top stuff. A Joe Rocket or Brosh jacket, full face helmet. But I find I am comfortable not dressing for the occasion with the sidecar rig. Open face helmet and whatever I have on at the time. I'll admit I was going to ask this question myself.
Vince

Boy, did you guys goof! Now, they're gonna tell ya!!! (Ha,ha) I made the same mistake! 😮 😉

Not Not Not
Dehydration is your #1 Culprit. Sun, Heat & Wind.
Lots'a Lots'a Water or Cover up Mates.
also
When d Chair decides to Fly over you, best be Covered up Mates.

I have a tendency to dress for the weather more so than leaning toward body armor. I miss the days when a helmet was an option here. In the winter I used to wear just a custom leather Old School helmet similar to the racers helmets of the 20s and 30s, with rabbit fur lining over the ears. Warm, comfortable and a little wind noise protection. Also a little abrasion resistance. I still wear it under my beanie in cold weather.
I will not wear a full face helmet. I find them cumbersome, vision and hearing limiting, heavy, bulky and ugly (my opinion).
My only painful street accident in 59 years of riding (T-bone with a left turning '78 Chrysler) caused foot and leg injuries, an abrasion on the Hells Angel beanie I was wearing at that time, a skinned up back and a small lump on my head. I still have the helmet in my saddlebag but the lump is gone.
As for protective clothing, I outgrew my Langlitz Jacket and sold it on e-bay. Outgrew my full leather jeans three times. Got tired of the wet crotch associated with Chaps. Tried a Hein Gerieke Jacket with the pads. Too bulky, I felt like a kid sent out to play in a snowsuit.
Now I wear a relatively lightweight Wilson leather jacket with removable liner (Wore it 100+ miles in a blizzard in the Sierra Nevada last year on Hallowe'en day). That jacket, rainpants, and an Outback duster are all I take now for weather protection. (Wish I'd had the duster on Hallowe'en).
All the body armor in the world won't protect you from massive trauma if impact occurs. It might even slow down your reaction time to avoid it.
This is my personal opinion. No argument from me if you have another view.

Hi Wiskers,

You know that for the longest time, I thought that thing was some sort of medieval torture device!!!(ha,ha):o - - Connie

After I hit "submit", I thought I might have goofed. After many years on two wheeled discussion groups, I know they mostly favor very protective gear. Like I said, on my two wheelers, I would cover myself well, mostly anticipating sliding down the highway (never did). But when I started riding the Suzook/Sidecar a couple months ago, it seems things may have changed. More emphasis on collision, running in the ditch, less on abrasion. As I have no sidecarists around to talk to, I wondered how that group handles safety gear. In the past couple months I have taken several 200-300 mile trips. Each time I had boots, gloves, Joe Rocket ballistic nylon with armor, and a full-face helmet. But I must admit today I went to the bank, post office, to work and back with an open face helmet. And with what I wore for work today. No Aerostitch, no Sidi boots. Somehow the more laid back pace of the rig just seems to be less threatening, am I right? Also, when my wife takes me for a ride in her little white two-seat convertible, we wouldn't dream of protective clothing, let alone a helmet. And I'm sure that the convertible is closer to the sidecar rig than my four door station wagon, safety-wise.
I am looking forward to a rally where I can see how you guys really do it.
Vince

Yep, that's just what I thought, too. Wait and see what the "real" sidehackers do. Well, I've only made it to one rally, but I'm pretty sure that the situation with sidehackers is much like what you'd find with any group of riders. Some are head to toe safety gear and others, well, they're not so safety conscious. I never ride two wheels without a helmet, but I have to admit that I have done a bit of sidehacking in the Daytona Beach area without one. But, lately I've become more concerned with junk flying off the back of tractor trailers than anything else. I spend far more time riding on interstates than I care to and I've come reeeal close to getting bashed by things that big rig drivers failed to secure. I'm not sure that protective gear is all that protective at 70 to 80 mph when something like a 4x6 comes flying at you! Well, like I've said before, I think people in cars should have to wear helmets. Just think how many fewer deaths and injuries there would be in auto accidents!;)

I work on a military base and the new base commander wants all the bikers to disappear. So he's enforcing every rule he can find and I've gone from a half helmet, goggles, sailing gloves, and boots, to a full face, denim jacket, boots, full gloves, and reflective vest. In August in Alabama. Now I have to carry a change of clothes because of sweat.

I do tend to dress up less now that I'm on the rig, and also ride slower. But the latter might change with more milage.

I got one of those convertible helmets. Its nice in the rain or fog, but when I'm riding with someone, its a bother because I have to open the front for them to hear what I'm saying.

Red, times have not changed that much. Back in the 60's through the 80's on many Navy bases stateside it was the same thing. The "cage riders" could drive on just about naked, but if you had a bike (I did) you had to have on all the gear in the world to get on base. If some base comanders could have forced safty balts and air bags they would have. One base had us take a riding test to get permision to get on base with a bike.

As for protective clothing for myself. I normally wear a stich jacket, open face helment, bicycle gloves with padded gell palms and light weight (mesh top) hikeing boots. I keep rain paints in the sidecar, extra gloves, goggles and a towel in the saddle bags. I ride just about everywhere i can and this will see me through most weather conditins. In winter, I add fleece, a face shield, winter gloves and boots. Of course thats me and there are other options.

You can still fall off!

Everyone should wear protective clothing that is suited for they type of ride they are going to take. That's one of the great advantages of having the sidecar you can pack alot of different gear if the weather changes!
I have several types of helmets, jackets, pants, boots, rain gear etc. etc..
Suiting up also depends on were you are riding.
Paved roads vs offroad etc etc,
If I am going for a short ride I would not suit up the same way as I would for an all day adventure.
I can't stand seeing riders/drivers(2 or 3 wheelers) out in shorts, no shirts, and flip flops/deck shoes with no socks.
The proctective clothing today is very functional and comfortable. The clothing line is endless and there is something for everyone out there!
I think everyone has to dress for comfort and protection but most of all you have to feel that the clothing/helmet is not hindering your ability to
drive at your best.
I never heard of anyone falling off a hack, but if your in an accident and knocked off the rig I doubt you are going to be safe with the protective wear out there( from the impact of the accident).
Best thing to do is drive within your skill level, dress sensibly and hope for the best.

I would rather dress for a crash, and have a nice enjoyable ride; than dress for a nice enjoyable ride and have a crash.Tub

I have to agree with Tub. Last June my daughter ran her rig through a six foot tall chain link fence. We found her lieing flat on the bike with her head against the tour box and the chain link holding her down. Only the visor on her helmet and the padding in her Joe Rocket Jacket kept the fence from tearing her up. It's been thirty years since my last real accident. I sometimes feel the investment in riding wear gets exsessive and unnecessary. Two weeks ago a minivan turned left as I was passing her and pushed my Valkyrie down through the ditch, through an electrified fence and up against a farmer's hay wagon. When I hit the hay wagon I was thrown forward against the windshield and nailed my shins with the cylinder heads of the bike. The padding helped immensely. In both cases we were able to walk away without a cut and with only very minor bruises. I'll continue to wear my protective gear.

What brand of "Crash helmet" is that one you have on, Tub? That has always been one of my favorite brands for on summer road riding.