The Evolution of Motorcycle fashion

A walk through the history of motorcycle style, from Tweed Suits to Track Suits
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[@JuFo2707]

One thing that's fairly new that I really like is the "stealth" gear, that looks like normal clothing. The main reason I wear a leather jacket and kevlar jeans is because they look and feel "normal" enough that I can also just wear them at work without having to bring extra clothes or stash some in the office.

[@saitama5012]

Right. Unlike those moto gp wannabee's and pirates.😅 That he also called something that is not a poser. Where in that community as he mentioned is a lot.of posers. Then bring the pun to retro style enthusiast.😅

[@mephistovonfaust]

Exactly! I don't want to go to the bathroom and change clothes every time I arrive at my office job.

[@solsol1624]

Good call!

[@MH5tube]

I understand the idea behind "the era of cosplay," but it's nice that there's so much good gear out there that you can project whatever image you want without necessarily compromising on safety

[@cids1599]

I think bikers can wear whatever they want, whenever they want while riding whatever Style or brand motorcycle. I think once this author of The evolution of motorcycle fashion started bumping his gums about people's personal tastes and clothing/fashion, I think I lost a lot of respect and figure it all he was was a punk bumping his gums. In other words he's just entitled bully that I wish one day would walk up to the people he was making fun of and let them know how he feels. When he wakes up he'll think again and maybe he'll be a little bit nicer the people who have different tastes and styles without having to insult them. This video started out really good and I was kind of impressed but once you started bumping his gums, making fun of a specific biker, I lost complete respect for the guy.

[@cobleymj]

@@cids1599 sounds like he hit a nerve

[@ethanrhanielle2474]

​@@cids1599 lol r u butthurt my boy?

[@JoseOrtiz-sc6pj]

​@@cobleymj Tru dat Nice video essay as usual from bart I guess he hit more than a nerve on this offended snowflake

[@brothscout864]

@@cids1599cry some more little baby Wah wah wah

[@michaelhayward7572]

You forgot the modern genre of ADV rider. Dressed for round the globe travelling, but most often found outside your nearest Starbucks, with matching GS Beemer, Africa Twin et al.

[@JuFo2707]

Of course also with all of the add-ons and offroad tires, despite the poor bike never having touched anything but asphalt in its lifetime.

[@michaelhayward7572]

@@JuFo2707 i forgot to add the 2 grand in all the correct brand name safety clothing too. Generally immaculate.....

[@mynameisjonas1997]

AKA the youtube motorcyclist

[@MelindaColden]

as someone who would love to dip her toes into ADV riding but lacks the money for those expensive af africa twin bikes this makes me so frustrated

[@michaelhayward7572]

@@MelindaColden adv riding is any bike you ride. Dont get sucked into the must have genres. 20-30 years ago people rode round the globe on anything and everything, inc old Brit bikes, 250-400-650 3rd and 4th hand dual sports bikes.

[@bytesandbikes]

We call the pirate style riders "Hell's Accountants", after the only people who can afford a Harley.

[@Condorito380]

One day the dentists and the chiropractors will die off, and maybe at that point I can finally ride a Harley without being one of That Guy.

[@dougburgan1]

As a motorcyclist and fashion designer I’m obsessed with this topic I wish your whole Channel was about this!

[@mephistovonfaust]

Then go design more kevlar jeans that fit us bigger guys. It's horribly hard to find jeans that fit when you need anything bigger than XL.

[@nickcalnephone]

@dougburgan1 that's an interesting combination of things. Where can we see your work?

[@javilorenzana]

Yet you don't think this dweeb ran his mouth when talking about the "types of riders"?

[@tankacebo9128]

I was almost offended by being placed in the 'poser' category. almost. yes, I have retro gear to match my bike. only difference is, my 1968 triumph Bonneville was cheaper than a 2020 model when I bought it, and my 1972 Honda CB750 is cheaper still than a 2022 Honda CBR600. I'm poor, and on a budget. I bought an old bike because I can fix it with a brick and a few twigs- by myself, compared to a modern bike.

[@theronstrong8765]

No need to feel any bit offended if you’re enjoying yourself. I think you and I both would look silly on our CB’s dressed up in particularly modern looking gear. Plus we’re having fun and dig the gear we chose, right? That’s all that matters

[@gorkzop]

@@theronstrong8765 exactly, when driving my customized cb400 I ride in more vintage gear-since it's a Sunday machine. On my Yamaha XT I wear a modern 2 piece all-weather with reflection stripes suit I travel all through Europe with that machine through all kind of weather. And fits the bike well

[@daltondrummer]

The posers are the ones "posing" to ride a retro bike when it really is new bike that looks old (liquid cooled, traction control, etc). We bought old bikes and actually fix them; we don't have any modern goodies... hence they are posing to be like us, because we are the real deal.

[@pgbpro20]

After all the work, the downtime, and the parts - newer FI used bikes (

[@theronstrong8765]

@@pgbpro20 I agree with old meaning low safety in terms of cars, but bikes no way. they're borderline death machines as it is, the only major safety differences are ABS and i suppose drum vs disk brakes, but i've never had any issues with my drum brakes unless they suddenly just stop working one day

[@jt4105]

I see the trend is starting to change. We have alot of manufacturers now making motorcycle gears that look more like casual wear.

[@RafaelHEscobar]

Yes. I'm an advocate of wearing gear that looks more like casual wear. Knox and REV'IT! are doing an amazing job.

[@PEZ1514]

I wear kevlar pants out when its very cold lol. Great insulation

Yeah I love that style

[@d.Cog420]

Great research and interesting to see the old styles and influences. Pilot gear was also influential as they were suited up for cold and crashing: helmets, aviator goggles, leather jackets, also the noise, sense of danger and male heroics that crossed over. Another modern category could be the skin grafters that ride in shorts and t-shirts.

[@drakeb6168]

i feel this. Sadly think I would fit more into the "poser" section but I actually ride a "vintage" honda and have modern gear that reflects myself but isnt an eyesore while on the bike, with the exception of my boots. Thought I was going to be purchasing a sport bike but then had a deal fall into my lap for what is now considered a "sport cruiser" 82 cb650sc nighthawk. Love the bike to bits. Just wear what you like folks. Be safe on the road and keep shiny side up.

[@kappa5809]

Why hasn't this channel blown up yet? Truly amazing video.

[@azfa_ra]

If you love motorcycle and fashion, i highly recommend checking out 'Distinguished Gentleman Ride', it's a motorcycle event where you dress with suit or classic/old/retro bike gear and ride classic/retro styled motorcycle. Also congrats on the 10k subs!

[@dougburgan1]

Never heard of this!

[@cokecruzb]

It’s the “poser” dream!! I’m a proud participant every year.

[@redmille1000]

It also raises funds for research into prostate cancer, men’s mental health and suicide prevention programmes.

[@derp195]

🤮 Do they wear fedoras under their helmets?

[@MH5tube]

@@derp195 probably, for all of the money it might raise it IS extremely cringe

[@cpuuk]

I'm neither of the 3 types mentioned ;-) As someone who has been riding almost 40 years the tech milestones I've seen in clothing is water-proof materials and armour. Me, I still ride in leather boots, jeans (armoured), leather jacket & gloves (armoured)... and a helmet, that still fogs up my glasses, but still the sort of thing I rode in 40 years ago LOL

[@jamesmcgrath1952]

Yeah, i'm 70 and been riding since I was about 13. That pretty much describes me. I just love to ride.

[@breathestrongcycling3672]

Your critique at the end was bang on. The pirates the power rangers and the poseurs is exactly what I see when I'm out riding my bicycle dressed like Lance Armstrong ...😉😆✌️...and yes I am an ex power ranger....

[@daveco1270]

I like the vintage motorcycle fashion, especially the early flat track racer sweater/jerseys with Harley Davidson or Indian stitched across the front. I'm not a Harley guy but I keep seeing Todd Snyder's Harley Davidson line of clothing pop up in my facebook ads. There's a couple pieces that seem interesting. They definitely have a vintage vibe. He's selling white HD shop cover-alls that are kinda cool. They're 400 bucks and not something I'd ever wear... but I dig the graphics on the back.

[@gorkzop]

I really just like to wear that vintage style on a daily (non motorcycle) basis. Also with the high cuffed jeans. I like it vintage. But it isn't to weird that everyone is pointing at you on the streets

[@neilmackinnon3371]

Helmets are compulsory in the UK and have been since the 1970's, long after Lawrence. You have forgotten a category which is certainly evident in the UK and so I assume it must be elsewhere... the ADV rider, complete with Klim, Rukka or other equally expensive complete jacket and pants suit. Boots that have many... many buckles up the side, but are not MX boots, kevlar covered gloves for full protection in that almost inevitable offroad tumble, and of course an Arai Tour X5, Klim, Shoei or similar helmet. These riders are often seen on the latest (spotlessly clean) incarnation of the BMW GS model, with KTM's and Ducati's also an option, but a compulsory fixture is the most expensive day running lights you can find, preferably two pairs, and of course a cavernous pair of aluminium panniers. I must add that as someone who started riding in the mid 1970's, I love the modern all weather gear, but I do think the clothing manufacturers are taking equal advantage of the current ADV boom that the bike manufacturers are.

[@alexbaltac3336]

As and ADV rider, you're right about posers in this category too, you'll mainly see them around town riding any expensive ADV bike with street tires. Altough I understand the appeal of looking like the other guys with the cool jackets and vests and jeans and sunglasses, I don't know why the fuck would someone choose to look like me with 36 pockets, 15 colors and 18 reflective bands. I don't have Klim or Arai or Shoei as each piece of kit from them is more expensive than my 1990 XTZ 750, but I'm pretty sure they get equally hot and are equally cumbersome as my Alpinestars, TCX and Scorpion equimpent. ADV equipment is suited for wear and tear and the elements, but it's inconvenient and ugly as fuck. Whenever you get off the bike and go into the gas station or some store, people look at you like an alien or some guy that just came off a construction site. As for the ladies, you're not getting any while wearing this. :))

[@dukie1616]

Your editing and story telling is really good, always fun to watch.

[@ericalger5003]

Leather is the best material for riding. It's Hell Bent for Leather NOT Hell Bent for Textile Motorcycle Riding Apparel.

[@AlexOnABoat]

You definitely missed out the Adventure Pyjama wearing ADV riders. You might say form follows function in their case, but only if the function is "using up all the different bits of material they had lying around the factory". How else do you explain all the different coloured pockets, shoulder flashes etc? Likewise the helmets, does anyone need something that looks like the bastard child of an MX lid and the astronaut helmet from a low budget 1982 BBC TV sci-fi show. Any minute now I expect Arai to produce a helmet with ice-blue LEDs around the opening to illuminate the craggy faced rider inside. Call me a cynic all you want, and a poser too, I have a beard, I can take it.

[@AlexOnABoat]

@@michaelmurdock4607 for a long time I thought about aramid reinforced detachable beards but I think the potential market may have peaked.

[@zugmeister314]

"...a helmet with ice-blue LEDs around the opening to illuminate the craggy faced rider inside..." I might buy that. If the urge takes me, I might MAKE that! Never thought of it on a bike helmet but every space movie going back 25 years has done that or you'd never see the face of the actor in the suit.

[@alexbaltac3336]

As an ADV rider I completely agree with you. It takes a lot of effort to not look like a fucking traffic sign while still getting some getting some good protection from the elements and wear and tear. Everything seems to have at least 15 colors on it, 40 reflective patches and the helmets need to be fluorescent. When you get off the bike to pay for gas they either thing you came from a space ship or at the very least that you're coming straight from a construction site. And if you can find some equipment in a single color, it has to be black, because everyone knows you'd like to be wearing a black jacket while riding at 20-30 km/h on a trail under the summer sun.

[@ridenm7748]

No man. We adv riders might buy a helmet with a 2nd brake light on the back. The power rangers and pirates like lights to look cool. You can buy adv gear with as little as 3 colors as long as you don't mind hiviz and reflective tape/piping.

[@SkateEverythingProject]

We're all poser's to some extent or another. I definitely rock a hipsterish style but it's no different than any other of the 2 groups that you mentioned. I do get that the retro riders are not typically the best riders though and they might be in it just to look cool but again it's all the same if you're not out there because you love to ride...

[@saitama5012]

No. Retro riders are the best riders they're just want to look cool yet humble in my opinion. Their riding style is not boastful like in the moto gp riders poser group. Who dress ip like a power ranger and drive like the street is a race track for them. 🤡 Because their fashion and sports bike get into their head so much.😅 Also to pirates. They think of themselves like they're in the gang but definitely not. I think the 2 mentioned riders are the posers.😅 Retro style riders are justifiable most of them are cool and law abiding riders and retro style or classic fashion is still very relevant after so many years. How is that retro riiders are posers?🤡😅

[@AaaaandAction]

You’re forgetting about the riders who just ride bikes because they enjoy them and don’t want to be in a pirate gang, BSB grid or hipster cafe group. I just love riding, the bikes are art and you’re not compelled to identify with any particular genre. Works for me after 50+ years riding so I think I’m entitled to comment.

[@SkateEverythingProject]

@@AaaaandAction So say we all!

[@5stardave]

Motorcycle riders of any sort (that aren't actually in a gang or in a race) are the epitome of cos-players.

[@robbyclark6915]

Hey man, dressing the part is half the fun! Not to mention, it gives me a great excuse to buy and wear expensive leather jackets and boots 😎

[@ant_jemima_8574]

Happy to see you doing content you're passionate about! Still miss you on RL though. Hope you're doing well man!

[@carlhebert4951]

I cosplay at comic conventions so of course I cosplay when I ride. I am a total poser and yes I have a beard 🤣🤣 Great video !!

[@bartmotorcycle]

😂😂 same I'm a poser

[@pgbpro20]

The damage from every survivable motorcycle accident my friends have gotten into would have been greatly mitigated by the power ranger look + airbag vest. Safety is sexy.

[@hithro5466]

Sounds like you should get a minivan

[@pgbpro20]

@@hithro5466 I Drive a Prius and a CBR600 F4i so that pretty much checks out.

[@Sfekke]

So yesterday I was wearing the top half of a two piece leather racing suit, jeans, shorty racing boots, leather racing gloves a Shoei with the visor removed & some sunglasses Not sure what style that falls under, it was comfy & lovely as hell though

[@zugmeister314]

I've found my helmet is actually quietist with the visor off! OTOH on a long trip your eyes dry out and that's no fun on the highway.

[@Ellisian]

power ranger cosplayer right here, you can't take my agv & cat ears away from me! 😝🤙 really interesting topic! I'd love to see a longer, deeper dive on this someday- there's a lot of history to cover across all the disciplines & even nation-specific subcultures, and it'd be super interesting to see where things might b going next- though I honestly have no idea where that might be. thx for the vid❤️❤️

[@ninji5226]

The power ranger line hit me hard cause that's what my mom called me once. My dad grew up in the 60's and 70's and was associated with some shady biker groups (and so was my mom to some extent) so me being a sport bike rider geared up like I was going into interstellar battle was funny to her. To be fair there are a lot more casual but functional options today than just a few years ago so your not forced into one category or another. All my gear now is subtle, with a little sport bike flair, so I'm protected on the bike but don't look silly off it. BTW for such great vids you have the most unassuming channel name, subbed.

[@frogandspanner]

5:26 Notice the motorcycle combination with an "L" (learner) plate. In those days in UK one could ride a motorcycle up to 250cc on a provisional (learner) licence, or an unlimited engine size combination (motorcycle with sidecar). It was necessary to have a test after three years, and if one failed continue with a provisional licence. I spent my provisional days on a Lambretta SX200 (I still have the engine), and after passing my test moved on to a Norton 650SS (I still have the whole bike!). I have a set of leathers (jeans + lancer jacket) made to measure by Crowtree Leathers. (that was in 1997 years ago. Unfortunately I no longer measure the same, so they do not fit them). Crowtree Leathers was a bespoke motorcycle leathers constructor (to use Alec's term) run by husband and wife Alec and Linda Baumber in Louth, Lincolnshire, UK. Linda did the measuring and fitting, and Alec did the leather cutting and construction. The period from measurement to fitting was a few months, but considering that the price was cheaper than branded off-the-peg leathers it was well worth it. When I went for my fitting I was told how to put the kit on by Linda, and the jeans required a special way to get them over my underpants. After checking Linda pulled the jeans down, but owing to their tightness my underpants came down too. "Oh! That usually happens!" proclaimed Linda. 6:52 Where is that? Driving on the correct side of the road, police bikes look like British police, but the bikers look rather colonial. Australia? SithIfricuh?

[@wieczor666pl]

Leather jackets was imported straight from the early aviation, with goggles, leather caps and gloves.

[@harshthakar9795]

Brat.....you're the PUREST motorcyclist I've ever seen...!!

[@bobkowalski7655]

5:31 The second motorcycle from the left is quite a rare example of exported Jawa 250 "Pérák" which was a motorcycle illegaly developed in secret by Jawa during WW2.

[@rickg.5171]

Years ago we selected clothing that protected the rider. A leather jacket and a good helmet, and NO ONE wore shorts.

[@jala6707]

Another great video! I would change the title in "The History of Motorcycle Gear", or ""The History of Motorcycle Dressing Fashion", as I somehow initially assumed it was a video about different motorcycle designs (Italian scooters, off-road bikes, cruisers, etc etc).

[@danebrewer10]

You use a few clips of rockers in the UK there, a fair bit of the early fashion I think was from the fact that in post war Britain, with rationing still in force, things wer expensive, so leather flying jackets, tall bots, sea bot socks officers caps all from army surplus, became the defacto uniform for anyone worth their salt

[@martindavies8326]

I was a motorcycle Rocker in 1968, and I’m still a Rocker now 2024 on a 69 Triumph ✊🇬🇧

[@Hainero2001]

The 90's were awesome!

[@kneedown1980]

That was great! I 100% fall into the poser category having moved on from the power rangers! But.....my kit is always a balance between looking cool and safety and safety always comes first and here in the UK you don't have to spend a fortune for good kit that fits whatever style you are after. And yes I have a beard!

[@Janika-xj2bv]

Open face helmet + goggles + scarf. Leather jacket + jeans. Very cool.

[@philhawley1219]

I love your comment about emulating the past on a retro electric start bike. I still wear old black leather, I still kick start my bikes with a pair of boots I bought in 1985 and I will never succumb to modern fashions. After more than 40 years on two wheels it is too late to change. Thank goodness you never really brushed up on the subject of electric bikes, what the hell would these people wear?

[@luhar420]

The only "fashionable" motorcycle clothing I have is my helmet because it's got a cool design. Most of my stuff is just armoured and made to match me bike :)

[@gladteer873]

You are not an adventure rider until you've fallen asleep on your bike and woken up in your bed

[@hodaka1000]

A hospital bed ?

[@synqelectric6163]

They are not posers but fashion models. You forgot to mention the category that dresses like the military. Complete with army boots, tactical gloves and a military green KLR or some other combat-looking motorcycle or an ADV.

[@russiasniper97]

Helmet-free riding is one of the most rebellious things today, especially here in Europe. Yes, it is more dangerous and yes, it is illegal - but in my opinion the true nature of a motorcyclist has an affiliation to irrational risk and outlaw behavior. Bikes aren't for people who are normal in their heads. I think the japanese bōsōzoku-movement was really close to what it means to be a true biker, not the todays posers, but the original movement from ~1970 - 2000. For shure many people wouldn't agree with me and that's okay. 😊 "Die but make this world brighter"

[@michelveit8238]

I love motorcycle fashion. In my free time, I almost exclusively wear leather jackets, because they look cool, and if you get a high quality one, it can last you for life. However on my bike, I almost exclusively wear my 4 season textile suit, goretex touring boots, and a Schuberth modular helmet, none of which looks cool. I ride a GS btw, if that wasn’t obvious enough.

[@sauravshete6088]

You should also include adventure riding/ off road influence more. All the inspiration from functional gear used in motocross and Dakar rallies has influenced the current swarm of adv riding enthusiasts who use their gear for touring and dirt riding. Fun fact, adv gear and hiking gear have so many parallels and esp with the recent gorpcore movement, the lines have become less and less blurry (apart from the obvious necessity of integrating armour inside riding gear).

[@Apis4]

The term 1% has nothing at all to do with biker fashion. The origins stem from the... 1948? Hollister riots, when at the annual motorcycle club meet, the original 1%'er 'Gang', the infamous Booze Fighters, showed up and, as their name suggested, began a drunken brawl which turned in to a riot (in actuality this was the first time anything even close to such an event happened by their hand, much of the boozing and fighting that took place, was embellished, and usually when rarely did occur, enough for them to get a reputation, happened among themselves). In response to this, the media went beano, and sensationalised articles crying out the dangers of 'Outlaw' motorcycle culture showed up in news papers in the US from coast to coast. It was bad enough that president of the association of clubs which organised the Hollister event, released a statement declaring that the whole thing was entirely atypical for motorcycle clubs, which had been part of American culture for decades (the first US club was chartered in.... 1906... if I recall correctly), and indeed, 99% bikers and clubs they constituted, were good, decent, righteous people, and it was just the 1% that gave the rest a bad name. Of course this then lead to the clubs which even as early as that era DID consider themselves both 'Outlaw' and 'Gangs' and were engaged in criminal activity, to adopt the 1% moniker, and it slowly spread to such gangs across the US and later the world. Also, it is KIND OF correct to say that in the early days Motorcycles were a rich toy.... but that did not last very long at all. In fact, cars remained so MUCH longer than motorcycles. In the very early days, of say a company like Hilderbrand & Wolfmuller, the first company to mass produce a motorcycle, in the 1890s, they were, but by early 1900s, a veritable plethora of motorcycle manufacturers had sprung up, and prices had gone down. Pursuant to this, motorbikes showed up everywhere. Before WWI, in fact, even in the Western world, rich and developed nations, the motorcycle was the DOMINANT form of motorised transport. For two reasons mainly... ONE, the roads were still 19th century, for the most part.... and that was just in the larger population centres.... outside those, they could be like 16th century forest tracks.... and motorcycles handled this MUCH better than cars, because they were so much lighter, and more, that gave them much better power to weight ratios, considering how anemic early auto engines were..... and TWO....because there were suddenly so many people making them, they became FAR FAR more accessible to FAR more people than Cars of the era ever were. Cars were FAR more, proportionally, accounting for inflation, expensive back then than today, but motorcycles could be had for money not much more than bikes today. Thus, much like in the developing world of today, two wheelers where WAY more common a sight than cars. Obviously, WWI saw a massive need for production, which thereafter it awoke would be applied to post war manufacturing, greatly increasing car production globally, and those aforementioned horrid roads, had caused headaches for any country which had to use theirs to muster and march troops, and especially for the European countries which saw battles on their soil, as they hindered the essential fast deployment of armies. So after that war, in the inter-war period, those roads got a massive overhaul, almost all Western nations began to really work on their roads, main ones at least. It was only then, by around the 1920s, thanks both increased production, and improvements in tooling and technique, combined with an overhaul of infrastructure, did we begin to the car emerge as the dominant form of private motorised transport, displacing the motorcycle.

[@samuelschurch720]

Despite most riders fitting into the categories of Pirate, Power ranger, or Poser, I'd be interested to see a list of non-typical rider styles of the current era

[@cokecruzb]

Dirt bike and adventure riding are the two popular types that are not looking to the past, and it is because function /protection/comfort are very key. I’m a proud “poser” in my Triumph Bonneville from time to time (however I do wear a full face retro-looking helmet…), but every weekend I dress myself completely in ugly plastic to ride my enduro bike!

[@hlaw2830]

“99% of the motorcycling public are law-abiding; there are 1% who are not.” - AMA This quote is what created the 1%er, and the '90s were awesome.

[@ernestmathews4674]

Started in '57, and on my BMW with Dnepr sidecar it's still helmet, jeans, boots, leather jacket for ordinary, but traveling it's my Aerostich. We get to travel comfy these days.

[@shep68]

After a serious accident a few years back I mashed up styles which probly confuses those wanting to judge me. I wear Bilt armor jacket (or an armored flannel) and pull over pants with a patched denim vest and riding sneakers because they are comfy. All this on a full dresser HD touring machine. I’m a retro power poser pirate I guess. 😂

[@mynameisjonas1997]

After a NDE hitting my head, Ill pass on any piece of safety equipment other than a helmet. Lucky i'm still able to count and read, let alone made a full recovery. Doctors said it was a miracle. Not going to chance it twice.

[@anton.j.]

Posers are cool. ) I like events like the Distinguished gentleman's ride or bicycle Tweed run or some pre-war veteran motorcycles run with authentic clothes.

[@greggibbs3639]

I ride a 1996 Triumph Adventurer, and I'm not posing. Some do. Gear is mostly practical, but I have chaps, a vest, a helmet or two, boots, heavy gloves, goggles, based on conditions or where I'm riding. So the 4th category, which you mentioned has no 'style' is the practicals. Yet it is a style.

[@SKIWOK]

Last time I rode I was in my sweatpants, Chacos, and white tee shirt.

[@10_arshnoorsinghkairon33]

i bought a re standard 350 this year with kickstart and air-cooled and halogen lights all over the place I wish it had carburetor but instead it has a fi system which from my point of view sucks on a bike that u bought to look classic ....anyways nothing sound better than an engine completing it's 70mm strokes slowly and the cbx1050

[@dustang5.O]

FYI - The 90s was the best time to grow up IMO. Those of us who grew up in the 90s in the U.S. were for the most part prosperous and the economy was great. You didn’t have the craziness in politics like it is now with all of these woke agendas, though politics still weren’t great. But most of all we were able to be kids before technology took over the world and we were able to grow up with technology, giving us a edge in understanding how it all works and being the first ones to create with it and make a living off of it later on. The 90s were truly the best of years though and really when I feel like America started going down the wrong path after the decade ended. Unfortunately, the economy, employment, unemployment, wage gaps, wealth inequality, wage stagnation, interest rates, loneliness epidemics, opiate crisis, not filling the replacement birth rate, lowest household savings ever, home ownership rates, student loan debts, housing bubble, tech bubble, COVID lockdowns and quarantine, etc etc etc were all in store for us 90s kids as soon as we turned 18 for college then at 22/23 as soon as we entered the workforce and were supposed to start making a life. And lucky for us, that list of shit will get longer and longer until we are allowed to finally take our last breath. Boomers really f’ed us millennials.

[@Recycledhooligan]

As a full time rider, I have high vis. Rain gear,leather chaps,a3/4 open face helmet,pull on work boots,a Joe rocket red mesh jacket for summer,& a $100 Amazon armored leather jacket,& several pairs of gloves all leather,one pair armored all made by Odin mfg,my helmet has a pull down visor & I wear sunglasses & night riding yellow tinted glasses.pants are usually jeans or a pair of heavy canvas pants.also covered with tattoos & a big grey beard.not sure which category I fall into.but we’re all one stereotype or another.ride on

[@highplainshollarhomestead3188]

I wear what I want, and ride what I want. But I'm much closer in style to the 40s. I ride with cowboy boots, jeans, and a t-shirt. I do wear a full face helmet.

[@greenguitarfish]

I’m currently living in Japan. I ride a W650 ( basically a Triumph Bonneville clone) It’s old school kick start ( and electric) with a carburetor. I have a classic style think leather jacket, ( think “The Wild Ones” ) mine is brown leather. The only brown one in the whole store. I wasn’t trying to look like a thug, but I always loved that style. After many years, I only just ordered riding boots. I always just wore sneakers. On most days I throw on a regular jacket and I have an ugly old white helmet. But it is nice to get decked out for long rides.

[@mcross320]

You omitted huge area, sport touring. I haven't worn leather since 60'& 70's. Except boots and gloves. Now have 6 m/c jacket all textile, armored, some with air.vents, 6 pairs of boots most waterproof, 7 helmets 5 full face and 2 open for over 85*. 5 armored pants, some with vents and some with kevlar. One full one piece suit ,waterproof, amored. Gloves 5 pair leather, one electric heated, 3 leather/textile mix. Plus 2 heated vests, heated jacket, heated pant liners, heated socks.

[@steamhelsing9440]

as a guy with chin beard i can say agree that the chin beard is key

[@Lexx1976]

I sometimes grab my saber and my parrot, hop onto my bike and board a truck or two on the country road. I am a pirate

[@ethansalony4624]

Yo S10s rip tire!! HELL YEAH!!!

[@tejass9177]

I really love vintage bikes or bikes that look old School. I am not a rider by any means but I just love the feel of riding a motorcycle. I have basic protection like a good helmate, gloves and a jacket. But no extra stuff as my bike won't go that fast and I don't want to go too fast either...

[@ostwestfalischehochmoorlei4705]

Proud poser. With a retro bike and retro oufit you can often make old people smile and ask. But the funniest comment i get was "forever young".... in germany an english comment. But yes, it was my first licens in my youth, and i feel younger on my bike.

[@benmasten5924]

I've also often heard that for people in motorcycle organizations and clubs that the skull represents the fact that we are all the same underneath.

[@matthewcochran3325]

Bart, where do I fit in? I currently ride a '73 Honda CB to match the Honda my dad rides (he is 71 so we downsized to lighter bikes) and wear the best textile Icon jacket I could afford, Duluth fire hose jeans, and the leather harness boots I had before I started riding. I am a mix up of styles!

[@Recycledhooligan]

I hated that Duluth quit making the original heavy canvas firehose pants.& only make the Duluthflex thinner firehose pants. I have old pairs of the originals that are wearing out finally.

[@matthewcochran3325]

@@Recycledhooligan agreed. I have one of the "new and improved" pair.

[@jaybalagulan6825]

Awesome content bro! Just got subscribed

[@randomfurrygirl548]

I suppose im one of the odd one outs. I dont have a street legal bike yet, but I always perferred a more dirt bike style, so of course im saving up for a dual sport. Ive always peferred the more adventure riding asthetic, so lots of gear and such, but much more rugged than a power ranger lol

[@ridenm7748]

Adv gear is power ranger gear with more pockets.

[@randomfurrygirl548]

@@ridenm7748 know what, thats fair lol

[@JoaoSantos-gc7ed]

Thank you, very nice social reading, in the past everything was in few, now, we live in the era of plenty and have to emulate the past in order to have something... A brave new world.

[@axebikelife3097]

you forgot one group the supermoto riders who where hoodies and sometimes shorts and sometimes not

[@kafkastrial8650]

After WW2 in England all sorts of EX WD .gear was worn, very cheap to buy and excellent quality !

[@Cwb_rider]

I'm the poser, and I'm proud of it. I'm here to be in the style of my bike and I'm totally fine with it, I drive in the safe way and I really don't care about anything else, I just like to ride and look good doing it, for me and not for the others

[@ohn1234567]

Really interesting video idea

[@Galopo]

Im going for the modded equestrian look

[@ilikelampshades6]

Posers for the win. Wax cotton Barbour jacket and jeans ontop of a bonnie is quintesssential cool

[@ou7shined972]

My style is ... biker. I only wear bike gear... what I wear around the house or the garage or the pub is what I wear on a bike. My jacket preference would be waxed/textile because I gave up leather decades ago. I still wear leather trousers because they are great for all year round in freezing Scotland... but especially good in winter. Couple of points - I think in the UK at least, WW2 aircrew influenced what bikers in the 40s and 50s wore. Back in the day, your cut was more often than not denim. It's fairly recently that everyone has to wear a fancy leather one with chains and everything... even when you're not going to the blue oyster bar hahaha

[@bgjr2304]

The Totenkopf (scull & bones) was also adopted by Nazis, and after the war these outlaw biker clubs adopted both Swastika's, Iron Crosses and Totenkopf's on their gear & bikes.

[@solsol1624]

Interesting topic. Think a lot of the clips including the English guy talking near the start was from a BBC documentary, The Ton Up Boys or something like that. The ton is 100mph in case it's not know outside the British Isles

[@hmfernandes1]

Here's the proof most people look at others as a reflection of themselves.

[@RVRCloset]

Good and interesting video as always.👍

[@chrismoody1342]

A pirate; that perfectly explains my suburban neighbor and his Harley. Its ridiculous that he’s all of a sudden is wearing a patched up vest, chaps, high boots, fingerless gloves and a half helmet and of course a bandana and chain wallet. I haven’t gone full on crazy with a full one piece leather or even a two piece. I basically wear an armored fabric short jacket, rider jeans, regular type work boot, gloves and full face helmet. I’m not stylish at all. When I ride dirt bikes I wore the typical jersey and pant and course motocross boots, gloves, full face helmet with a vented visor and goggles. It all depends on what you are riding and doing as to what is needed. Wet weather, warmth, armor for rocks and falls, leather for the slide. But your right wear wear a damn helmet.

[@samanthamacguire7881]

and then there's the commuter wearing the work uniforrm, budget full face helmit, and gloves

[@seflyingfaultier5806]

Couldn't help but chuckle when you talked about not being able to grow a beard, as Bart means beard in german.

[@joshuawalker301]

I wear motorcycle gear that mimic common clothes but has armor on them, there is a huge variety of motorcycle jeans, that are abrasive resistant and have knee armor inserts, plenty of sneakers and boots that have ankle armor and steel toes that are pretty indiscernible from regular ones and gloves with that exact same concept too, same goes for some jackets I've even seen ones that look like zip up hoodies that are fully armored. So you don't necessarily have to look like a wierdo, like a power ranger, a high visibility old man, a copy cat Harley biker or a daft hipster. Today you can look like your everyday dude while having a great degree of protection. I choose that and a full faced non modular helmet, I've already been in accidents and i never had a scratch on thanks to that, all the people I know who had motorcycle accidents had to have surgery either on their knees, foot, leg or hands, not to mention the skin grafts. So yeah, better have the gear and be safe than sorry. And you don't have to look like a goof ball while doing it these days. You can still choose to look like one if you want tho', non judgement. But there is way to many option on the market these days.

[@blaketundra3216]

Icon mips helmet, dainese super speed textile w/backplate, icon pants and Walmart boots.. Am I a power ranger? lol

[@richardgonzalez7567]

WOW, What shame you didnt mention STREET HAWK of the 80s in this video.....cheers mr.....

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

So if you ride a retro styled, electric bike, what do you wear? A storm trooper set of armour? I think boots and gloves are more important than a helmet. I want to be aware of who is trying to hit me.

[@pinkbubblebath]

I thought that the 1% label came from a reaction to Harley Davidson saying that 99% of motorcycle riders were law abiding citizens.

[@harleyguzz4301]

I think you will find it wasn't HD that said that.

[@pinkbubblebath]

@@harleyguzz4301 just read it was the AMA that said it. Thanks for the heads up.

[@GatorsFan2138]

I come from a family of those real o.g bikers with a not so pretty past. So I have grown up around Harley’s my whole life. However as any young boy born in the 90’s, I liked racing and going fast so I’ve been stuck in sort of all three of those categories. Vintage/ retro racer on a modified road racer or flat track sportster.

[@RussellBeattie]

Triumph riders don't have beards!! I feel attacked. 🤣

[@tempestandacomputer6951]

Missed the ADV and dual sport rider.

[@english.ricardo]

Cool video Bart. As always highly educational and instructive.

[@MaaZeus]

Dunno what category I belong to since I wear a modulat helmet, black '50s Brando style leather jacket (with an D3O armored aramid shirt underneath, cleverly hidden under the jacket), motorcycling jeans and worker style motorcycle boots AND I drive a Suzuki Marauder metric cruiser. 😅

[@seebarry4068]

And gloves. Hands get shaved to the broken bone if you don’t wear some decent hand protection. You’ll potentially never ride again because you fell off at thirty mph. Sucks eh?

[@derp195]

Moral of the video? No matter what you ride or what you wear, you're a biker gang poser, a cosplayer poser, or a retro poser.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Doctor who treated Lawrence of Arabia when he had his motorcycle accident and was dying of his head injuries dedicated his life to making helmets that would protect Riders from catastrophic head injuries that were fatal he developed the original safety helmet in England and soon after they passed a law making them mandatory in the 70s I knocked a helmet off my Honda and when it hit the ground it broke into two halves like they say if you have a $10 head you get a $10 helmet but of course it's been 50 years since you could get a helmet for $10 but $10 was 5 times the minimum wage back then that was a lot of money when it took a dollar to fill up your bike got nobody remembers those days huh

[@AlexOnABoat]

Oh "The Doctor who..." sorry I got confused there for a moment and thought "now that's an episode I've not seen."

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

@@AlexOnABoat there was an episode of Doctor Who with the Third Doctor and he was riding around on a real honest to God Triumph motorcycle Kickstart only right hand shift. And they still had British looking Land Rovers in the old days now they all look like Toyota's.

[@AlexOnABoat]

@@frankmarkovcijr5459 I know it, you can find pictures of Jon Pertwee complete with Cape. Not forgetting Matt Smith's Doctor riding his anti-grav scrambler up the side of the Shard.

[@adestimare5985]

FUN FACT: The Jolly Roger is a theater stage play invention, there never was a skull flag that actual pirates flew. The mostly flew flags from trading countries to fake out. Makes more sense. Think a good example for people with ill intent who used the skull as a symbol would be the nazis. Obviously very fucking bad guys lol. Great video btw! :*

[@Cavedweller_]

I really like what you say in this video. I think it raises the question: Is there really a motorcycle look for today that isn’t something based on a past look or trying to be something it isn’t?

[@zugmeister314]

Well, I usually wear kevlar reinforced jeans, red wing work boots, a half helmet, full fingered gloves and either a Scorpion hoodie or a form fitting leather jacket. I ride an adv (Africa Twin). For me it's daily wear clothes upgraded to something that might / should protect me if I go over. Is not really having a style still a style?