Well, my intent is not to push this issue, and I won't. Like I mentioned before, I do a completely different kind of driving here in Japan, where my scooter (see pg. 2 of the thread) won't exceed speeds of 60km/h at best and most of the time is spent puttering around local, city streets, dodging heavy traffic. You'd probably have to experience it to know what I'm talking about -- it's nothing like back in Canada or the U.S.

The last time I T-boned someone who ran a red light, bystanders were pulling the scooter from atop of me and I definitely had road rash and bruises. Had I been wearing a kilt I would have had a few more, but not so much. Probably would've damaged the kilt though. During the summer I wear only a t-shirt, shorts. As far as protective clothing goes, it's minimal: skullcap-style helmet and protective eyewear (you don't want a bumblebee hitting your eye even if you're going 40km/h) -- those I won't leave the house without. Heck, even getting a large insect like a cicada smack you in the forehead hurts bad enough... Anyway, I digress.

If I were riding a bike like what Raphael is sitting on, I would probably be wearing head to toe armour too. Especially considering how fast those things can go and how quickly they can accelerate to get there.