Yeah and I had friend who died from falling down the stairs at this parents' house... but he was a 3-time AMA National Road Racing champion and wouldn't throw a leg over a bike w/o his gear on.

You can use your common sense to be the best equipped for the circumstances... or not. But don't tell me the odds for surviving while wearing the proper safety gear don't improve your odds.

PS - Me in 1990 racing the Amateur day at the Budds Creek AMA Pro Motocross National