Anytime I'm going for a 'ride' -- i.e. on some twisty roads or something -- I wear the whole shebang; helmet, jacket, armored pants, gloves, and motorcycle boots. Same goes for if I plan on getting on the highway. For just around town, I'll still wear helmet, jacket and gloves, but I'll wear regular jeans or some Alpinestars motorcycle jeans (with kneepads and a nylon liner) that I have, and might wear combat boots instead of motorcycle boots.

I don't mind getting a little hot if it means I get to keep most of my skin if I go down.