Am I a Poser??

[Power-Tripp]

A little story about half helmets:
I have a friend that used to wear half-helmets (and I gave him HELL for it regularly), he and his wife both did. A few years ago they loaded up on his bike and pulled out of the driveway a bit spirited and she was not holding on tight when they rolled over the little dip at the edge of the street. My friend's wife fell off the back and landed directly on the back of her skull. Sadly, his wife died from the injuries.

Gear is not meant for perfect rides, it is meant to save you when rides become imperfect - usually due to others. A full helmet, jacket, gloves and boots are a minimum. I will not ride with ANYONE who doesn't take their life seriously, because they sure won't take mine seriously.

 

[CanberraR3]

My sense of security while riding is seeing 360 degrees around

You an owl or something? I feel safest when I'm looking where I'm going.

 

[Sir Digby Chicken Caesar]

Gear

Gear is not meant for perfect rides, it is meant to save you when rides become imperfect - usually due to others. A full helmet, jacket, gloves and boots are a minimum. I will not ride with ANYONE who doesn't take their life seriously, because they sure won't take mine seriously.

PT - I know this will sound snarky, but it's not meant to.

Wouldn't you just skip motorcycling entirely if you take your life so seriously? C'mon, we all know that we've increased risk by getting on two wheels and facing the idiots in traffic. If safety was my main concern, a very large SUV would be more appropriate.
Look, I'm not discounting the value of gear. At some point, though, don't you have to make some compromises so that you still enjoy riding?

 

[CanberraR3]

Hey, wear what you like and justify it to yourself how ever you want. I couldn't care less. But you are seriously deluded if you think that wearing a little safety gear in some way diminishes the fun of riding. Give us a break.

 

[Power-Tripp]

Not snarky at all.
I have done a LOT of crazy-stupid things during my life. I don't consider riding or racing for 40 years as crazy. I simply take riding seriously. I have wrecked numerous times on track and street, and I have been hit TWICE sitting at stoplights.

I simply don't want to be crippled, maimed, or dead simply because I was stupid and didn't wear gear. I do not ride with others that don't take riding seriously.

I have gear for commuting and putting about, and full race gear for tracks and serious trips to the local twisties dragging knees.

I don't care if others feel differently, that is their own choice. But don't expect me to ride with SQUIDS. I choose to avoid them instead.

EDIT: For the last 20 years, I have never made a dime selling gear. I sell it at my cost to get others to gear up.

 

[skinnyVinny]

Riding, like life- is simply managing risk.You assume a comfort level and ride that way.I was once a poser when I owned my Hardly- saw the Roadster and it changed my fun level and riding style. Gear up or not- your choice- the experienced folks here that have crashed probably have the best advice, but your life after you crash will be dictated by how well you are prepared for it- should it ever happen

 

[Watcher]

If you use a windshield
If you listen to music while riding(a bike)
If you have them f**kin tassles hanging from your handlebars
If you do not fully protect your nokin
YOU ARE A POSER

If you wash your bike every 100 miles your a POSER

Now come on Scott you now darn well you just called me out whats up with that I know darn well I' not a poser I still think the helmet thing depends where you live states that do not have the laws to wear it it's does not seam to be done as much but you get by state that do and you see it more or if the state next to it does you see it more when I was young and dumb I did not mind the wind beating me in the face with all the bugs and on log trips did not mind having tunes but now why not if your on a 500 or more mile ride you should ride it nice and easy and enjoy it or not that is why they have a touring and a roadster i'd guess

 

[RocketandRollit]

If you use a windshield
If you listen to music while riding(a bike)
If you have them f**kin tassles hanging from your handlebars
If you do not fully protect your nokin
YOU ARE A POSER

I enjoy my windshield and occasionally my music while riding.
You enjoy wearing a skirt.
To each his own.

If you wash your bike every 100 miles your a POSER

+1

 

[TURBO200R4]

hi
i live in arizona so it gets pretty hot. what i do is put three holes about 3/8" on the inside of my boots so i can turn them out when my feet gets hot. it works very well and didn't bother me in the winter(40 degrees). i think that anything above 3 mph when you hit the pavement your hands will hit the road first then fold back and your chin will be next. i read in a newspaper that one out of three bike accidents the rider lands on his chin. that was enough for me.
i seen a rider hit a large palm tree with his head he was not as tough as he thought. he had blood coming out his ears i just had to walk away. probably 45 years ago and i can still remember it. it was his choice but its my memories.
also at night i let my r3 fall over with my wife on the back. she is short and i was amazed at how hard the back of her head hit the ground. she hurt her ankle but didn't know she had hit her head till i showed her her helmet.
your choices affect a lot of people please choice wisely.
herman

 

[Tripps]

If you have them f**kin tassles hanging from your handlebars

YOU ARE A POSER

Now that is one that is pure truth!

My buddy 'Sasquatch" is a pretty big boy, and looks just like you would expect someone with that nic name to look. We were sitting around our club one night, and I said that I thought tassles on the handlebars and fringe on saddlebags looked kinda gay. His wife laughed so hard I thought we were going to have to perform CPR on her, I guess I never noticed, he has tassles and fringe on his Harley.