The Case for “ATG-ATT”

By Steve Smith

RIDE-CT readers may be familiar with the acronym “ATG-ATT,” which stands for “All the gear, all the time.” Myself and fellow Motorcycle Safety Foundation rider coaches extol the virtues of using proper riding gear as it is essential to safe riding. Wearing the right clothing can make the sport enjoyable and more comfortable, too. Like the MSF says, always wear a DOT-compliant helmet and eye protection as well as over-the-ankle boots, gloves, riding jacket and pants.

The MSF recently came out with a new and entertaining safety video highlighting the importance of motorcycle riders and their passengers wearing personal protective gear. The short video called “Fool’s Gear, Cool Gear” is based on the MSF’s iconic safety poster of the same name:

When it comes to gear I am an ATG-ATT kind of guy and have been for a while. It saved my bacon and my hide when I had an unexpected run-in with black ice. It’s much easier and less painful to wash away sweat than it is to deal with road rash, broken bones and other injuries.

When it comes to helmets, my preference is a full face Snell approved helmet as it protects the most, including the face and chin area. Some safety studies show that the face, chin and jaw are statistically more at risk to injury in a crash as is shown on this web page:

I recall a student in a beginner class who told us the DOT approved half helmet he was using was just for the class. If involved in a crash his claim was that he would hold his head up to prevent injury. During the day he locked up a front brake at low speed and fell to the side. When the students gathered to discuss the exercise a group was around him looking at the gash marks on the side his helmet. When asked about the helmet and holding his head up, he said, “I may have to rethink the helmet thing.”