So you've ridden your whole life, but never became skilled enough that you felt you could ride safely while using the proper protective equipment?
Wearing the proper gear not only protects you if you crash, but also allows you to properly handle your motorcycle. You can't handle a bike properly with flip flops and shorts, I don't care what you think. Ever see any professional motorcycle racing where the riders don't wear protective gear appropriate for the riding conditions and style? The fastest, most talented motorcycle riders on the planet (MotoGP) take to the track in full leathers, boots, gloves, helmet, hell even leathers with airbags in them. They ride a lot faster than you do, have a heck of a lot more skills, and I bet not a single one would even dream of doing that without all their gear.
If you don't know how to use your senses when your wearing the proper gear, you don't really know how to use them without it either. It's no different than say, being a firefighter. Yes, all that gear is heavy. Yes, all of that gear changes how you perceive your environment. But you can't do the job to the same level without the gear. So you practice, and you train until you're more skilled with your gear on than you are with it off. Same for riding a motorcycle.
