Motorcycling 101: ATGATT

July 29, 6:39 PMDC Motorcycle Travel ExaminerMark Poesch

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ATGATT is a motorcycling acronym that stands for "All The Gear All The Time," referring to the practice of religiously wearing a full helmet, motorcycle jacket, pants, gloves and boots when riding.

The philosophy and practice of ATGATT is most often touted by sport-bike riders, sometimes as a battle-cry against "irresponsible" cruiser riders and squids.

While it is generally recognized that ATGATT is a  minimum, but not sufficient criteria for safe sport-bike riding, there are some who have found that ATGATT inspires a sense of invulnerability that actually makes sport-bike riders more dangerous than if they were to ride without protection.

Fiat Yamaha Team's Spanish MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo slides on the track after falling from his machine near Goddards during the MotoGP Grand Prix at the British Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Donington Circuit, in Donington, England, Sunday July 26, 2009. (AP Photo/Tom Hevezi)

For more information:
- Rock The Gear & ATGATT
- My journey from tennis shoes and sunglasses to ATGATT
- Helmet law: Trading liberty for security
- Motorcycle debates: helmets, riding gear, mufflers, lane splitting and stunting