[Volt]

I have used Progressive and currently use Allstate. None are really any better than the others except as to price.

As to the gear it's all a trade off. What do you want vrs what pain you can deal with to wear it.

1. Gloves are just smart at any time. If your going to bother weearing them, make sure they are thick enough to make a difference or why put them on.

2. Helments - to each his own. I have a compressed c6/c7 disc in my neck. A heavy full face does not cut it for me except when I ride in the rain. So I ride with a 1/2 helment so as to keep the pressure and pain down. Each helment has it's up and down points, problem is you don't know which type will help you most when you go down.

3. Boots - I always ride with heavy leather over the ankle boots. I have lost count of the times I have saved a sprained ankle because the boot supported me on a grease or rock slip. Also kept me from dropping the bike many times. This is the safety gear I wear the most other than a helmet.

4. Jackets - Again depends on what you can bear in the heat and cold. For the cold I wear my Cortech jacket in the 20's with no issues. I wear tourmaster overpants as well in the lower temps. Chaps/leather jackets my look bikerish but suck for warmth. They block the wind and that's about it.

5, For eye protection I have a perscription motorcycle glasses that I wear.