Am I a Poser??

I was reading a thread in one of the forums about ape-hangers and HD riders - there's a lot of animus towards "posers", and I can't make out whether I fit that category or not.

I'll bullet point my personal situation, and I ask for your honest feedback.

1. Just started riding last summer - always felt that motorcycling was "instant fun", and after a trip to Italy and seeing thousands of people on scooters, I simply told the wife this was going to happen (for years she threatened to leave if I got a bike).

2. From the get-go I knew I didn't want a HD, or to look/dress like the typical "biker". I have found that there are quite a few sub-cultures in motorcycling, and I fit in with exactly none of them.

3. When researching motorcycles, I fell in love with the Bonneville. I just see Steve McQueen coolness written all over it... it's just beautiful, so I bought one. Loved the way it rode, as well.

4. Stepped up to the R3 a month ago, due to the wife wanting to come with on trips. I like the bike... but now I feel less McQueen and more like a hybrid of Peter Fonda and Buzz Aldrin.

5. I wear hi-top sneakers when I ride; they're comfortable, seem to work well, and I just haven't found a situation yet where boots would have "saved the day". I also wear a half-helmet as full-facers give me claustrophobia (go ahead, I know it's not as safe... bring it on). Still looking for the perfect helmet (function + looks), would like a 3/4 but every one I've tried makes me look like Marvin the Martian.

OK - so I DO care how I look, but the most important thing... the draw of it, was to feel the wind in my face and the adrenalin rush it brings.

Bring on the commentary

I came to riding late in life, too. Whatever makes YOU happy is what matters. Sneakers not good on a bike, though, don't ask me how I know.

You are not only a poser, you are a chicken also

I thought i was a biker until STB told me that i was the twin brother of Marvin the martian!!
I hope she don 't have the picture to prove it

Wearing boots (or a proper helmet for that matter) AFTER you need them is sort of missing the point. Plenty of posers not able to ride any more - or show their face in public (or to their kids). No skin off my nose though.

Boots?

CanberraR3 said:

Wearing boots (or a proper helmet for that matter) AFTER you need them is sort of missing the point.

Click to expand...

OK - so why the boots?? My sneakers are hi-tops and all leather, is there secret information I'm missing?... or do they protect from rabid dogs chasing me while riding?

The fact that you choose to be yourself and not pattern yourself after a group of people, (basically pretending to be something you are not) pretty much means you are NOT a poser, however do yourself a favor and lose the high tops and get yourself some boots, you'll thank yourself later.

More Boots

RKTNMYPKT said:

do yourself a favor and lose the high tops and get yourself some boots, you'll thank yourself later.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback, but please -someone- give me the whys and wherefores of boots... I understand you think I should, I just need to understand WHY I should.

Digby:
Take this handy self assessment:
Do-rag?
Leather vest?
Chain connecting wallet to jeans?
Tatts?
Chrome shades?
Pack of smokes?
Black t (HD, of course)?
Five day beard?

Minimum passing score is 6/8. Otherwise, poser.

We trudge on.

Protection to feet, ankles, and shins if the worst happens. That is all, not for style, but for function and comfort. An over the ankle boot may keep you from getting a fracture/dislocation of the ankle that would require months of recovery and rehab following your surgery. Hell, even if you drop you bike on your leg, the boots may help prevent injury.

Need Motorcycle Riding Boots? Here's Info to Select the Best Boots for You


bob

I went for a quick ride on a hot day, didn't bother to grab gloves or boots, after all it was just a short ride. Went down on my Sprint, my sneaker got stuck under the footpeg when the bike slid down the road. I stood up and walked away, but with no skin on my palms, 2 toes ground to the bone. With gear, I wouldn't have had a mark on me. Toes took 9 months for the wound to even close, painful enough when healing to keep me awake at night for days at a time. BTW, my helmet never touched the ground, not a mark on it.