Am I a Poser??

[Pres10]

I always wear gloves, although lately (for hot weather) they've been the 1/2 finger kind. I'm sure I'm taking unnecessary risks, but heckfire... I could just wear a Kendo suit or drive a tank instead.

I always wear gloves, usually wear boots and sometimes wear a helmet.

You could wear a helmet, full leathers and wrap yourself in bubble wrap and trade your Rocket in for a scooter with a top speed of 50 mph. How much fun would that be?

If you aren't living on the edge, you aren't really living.

 

[Bob R]

wrap yourself in bubble wrap

I tried that, but everytime I stopped, little kids would come up and pop my protective gear, pretty soon I was just wearing plastic wrap.

bob

 

[mexican]

On a serious note, all the guys that suggest wearing boots are correct, i have seen accidents first hand where the sneakers are the first thing to separate from the rider, 2 years ago a well known member of this forum went down right in front of me, his shoe flew 10 feet high and ended up under a tree about 50 feet away, that caused the rider to end up with a broken ankle if i remember correctly, i'm sure he will chime in when he sees this thread

 

[Rocket65]

Poser

When I think of a poser it would be something like a rider on a Honda 750 V-twin dressed up like a pirate (What he thinks a Harley rider would wear)

 

[Maelstrom]

The very fact that you are riding a Rocket eliminates you from being a poser in my book. If I wanted to be like everybody else, I would have gotten a Harley, but like you, I don't want to look like they "typical biker" either. I was drawn to the Rocket for performance and the beauty of the bike. **** all Harley and V-twin snobs!
Now protective gear should be selected for 1-safety and 2-comfort, but it is also O.K. to have good looking equipment. However, looking good (in my opinion) should never override 1 and 2.
I look goofy in a helmet, wether it's a half shell, 3/4, or even full face but that does not stop me from wearing one. Which one I wear is usually determined by the length/geography of the ride and the weather.
I had never worn boots until I bought a pair hat had been clearanced. I have since found out how comfortable and practical they are for riding and now I wear them on all rides. You may not have found a situation yet where boots would benefit you, but that doesn't mean you won't find one sooner or later. I have found out first hand how much difference they make when you place your feet down on a slippery surface.
All things considered, riding should be fun. The level and style of protective gear you wear is your choice. Go your own way!

 

[R3R Torque]

Long time ago a member of the R&W (and good friend) told a very naive young me the best bike is the bug splattered dirty one that puts wind in your face, putting me in my place after I made fun of someone's ride.

Poser (motorcycle) ~ someone who spends more time washing their bike than riding it.

 

[RKTNMYPKT]

Poser (motorcycle) ~ someone who spends more time washing their bike than riding it.

Are we talking about having our wives polish our Rockets again?

 

[R3Tex]

Not sure about the poser thing, that's a question you will have to answer for yourself. I get up every morning and dress the same way...Redwing steel toed lace up boots, jeans and a T-shirt...most days I add gloves, a helmet and a mesh jacket if I'm riding (more gear depending on the weather), otherwise I just jump in the truck and haul a$$. There a lot of bikes on the road around Houston and I've seen a fair number of them go down (not to mention my own incidents over the years). I watched my wife hold a guys head together on the side of the freeway (she's a nurse) because his HD do-rag wasn't nearly impact resistant enough to keep him from smashing his grape upon losing control of his shiny new machine. I don't ride in full body armor even though I probably should, but I would die of heat stroke well before I reached my destination unless I restricted my riding days to full on winter (not gonna happen). In the end the risk is up to you to evaluate and bear the consequences of...if you don't want to wear protective gear...don't, but there is no logical argument that anyone can put forth that justifies riding without it, and as with any choice logic usually has very little to do with it.

 

[R3R Torque]

Are we talking about having our wives polish our Rockets again?

Uh no. Some things I keep to myself.
Later - wife & I are going for a Rocket ride.

 

[Watcher]

On a serious note, all the guys that suggest wearing boots are correct, i have seen accidents first hand where the sneakers are the first thing to separate from the rider, 2 years ago a well known member of this forum went down right in front of me, his shoe flew 10 feet high and ended up under a tree about 50 feet away, that caused the rider to end up with a broken ankle if i remember correctly, i'm sure he will chime in when he sees this thread

Yep take would be me and most of the time I have boots on I did have my gloves on witch saved my hands I know I had to buy new ones they were done for I might ride with out a helmet but boots and gloves are a must had I had the boots on I do not think I would have crushed my ankle and broke it in 3 places and limp and have been told I will limp the rest of my life just my 2 cents I do wear the helmet more now but the damage is done not that I was right to begin with