Don't rely on gear to keep you "safe". Learn to ride and look out for others. Gear is there in case you F up; my advice: don't F up!
Here in the US we have the MSF. They offer great programs and you don't even have to own a bike for the beginners course. Don't take the advanced course until you've practiced slow maneuvering a LOT.
Practice, practice, practice. They say it takes about 10,000 hours to become an expert at anything. I tend to agree.
Going on 30 years of riding and never a vehicle accident (bike, plane, boat, heavy equipment or otherwise).
Before riding in traffic, make sure you can operate your bike without thinking about it. Shifting, clutch, brakes, throttle, signals. This can then focus your attention to looking out for every other idiot on the road that can kill you.
Just when you feel like you're wanting to push the envelope of your bike, knock yourself down a few notches and don't. That's exactly where I see people (including the gear nazi's) get into trouble.
Stay off youtube. 99% of the idiots making videos are loudmouth punks who have no idea how to ride. Entertaining, yes. Useful: HECK NO. You know who I'm talking about.
ATGATT (gear nazi's) want to justify their existence and purchase of thousands of dollars of useless gear by having you join the bandwagon too. The MAJOR downside to gear in the summer months is heat exhaustion and dehydration. Whoever thinks: "hey, it's summer time, let's bundle up like it's 30 outside" needs their head examined.
If you're going to race, gear up and go to a track. Otherwise ride within your ability, and don't lay your bike over like you're racing on public roads. If you want thrills, stay off the public roads and go sky diving.
Me: I wear jeans, long sleeved t-shirt, boots, gloves and a helmet. If someone creams you, it's not like you're wearing an exo-skeleton and you'll just get broken bones, tired, dehydrated and hot. Most accidents are due to hot-dogging or exhausted / mentally capable riders.
If you dress to fall, you're going to fall. Don't fall.
