Dress for the slide, not the ride.
A motto among motorcycle riders, meaning one should always wear protective clothing and gear (in case one gets in an accident) rather than clothes that are comfortable or attractive. Everyone wants to don their bandanas, sunglasses, and slick leather jackets when they hop on their new motorcycles. But you should always remember, dress for the slide, not the ride. A: "I don't want to wear padded clothes and big, doofy helmet!" B: "Dress for the slide, not the ride. You'll look a lot stupider with half your face missing, I guarantee you that." Yeah, motorcycles aren't called "donorcycles" for nothing. Dress for the slide, not the ride, and thank me later.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.