OK, Heres Some Thoughts On Safety

[greyboyfan]

When I ride, I Always wear a jacket AND chaps. Mesh jacket in heat, Leather in moderate, and a really warm "Victory" fabric coat my wife got me a while back that wind does Not go thru. All have body armor. AND a helmet for cryin' out loud!

The whole idea is to provide at least some protection in case of an un-scheduled dismount.

You may not be planning any, but these things tend to happen without anybody telling you.

I see guys everyday, now that it's hot, wearing tank top sleevless shirts, no gloves, sport bike riders in shorts and flip flops. JEEEZE!

WHAT ARE THEY THINKIN" ...Oh! ofcorse they're not.

OK! If your foot is broke off half way up your shin, then no leather jacket would have helped, ...however,

I know,..I've seen some really tragic, life threatening, and permanant bodily damage, done to unsuspecting dumbasses who thought they were invincable, and, like seatbelts, some would have been as severe even with PPE, but, if you can jump up off the gravel strune pavement, slap the dust off your butt and stand your bike up by yourself, and you've still got all your skin, ..well,

Let's hear it. Whats your excuse?

[a1c_joker]

There's an element of danger that we all like while riding bikes. But some of us listen to that feeling in the back of our heads and realize that helmets and gloves and pads were made and manufactured for a reason...to save lives and prevent injury. I think the answer your looking for is already in your post...they're not thinking. Some of them are, and don't care, they do think they're invincible. All any of us can do is try and teach others these morales and responsibilities of safety and caution. Even if helmets are required by law, there's still going to be hatless riders out there. I think it's the rebelious spirit. It's extremely difficult to break.

[greyboyfan]

Well, someone posted in another thread about how bike riders are inherently independant thinkers, or something, and it's true, that, as long as laws say we have the freedom to choose or not, ...oh! thats right, some states "require" helmets. Like mine, but anyway,...Yeah! As far as PPE goes, with the exception of helmets, we can ride almost neked if we want, and most do. Not me!

But, heres a morbid thought, What if the independant thinking, danger lovin' adventurist, individualists folks (I know a bunch of 'em, and there real nice folks)who ride in tank tops to show off their tattoo's, don't really care, ..that is, ..If they die in a grinding crash, across three lanes of intersection...So What. Hey! They're dead, right?
Yeah, Well,... what if ya don't die?
I'm a "What If Guy" What if you're gonna need that skin later on?

I'm sorry man, I'm not a morbid guy, Hey! I grin all the time. (;^)

[Uesque]

.If they die in a grinding crash, across three lanes of intersection...So What. Hey! They're dead, right?


But there is a greater cost than to just the person that dies. What about the emotional cost to their family, or to the EMS people that have to shovel them off the pavement, what about the monetary cost to the government agencies(EMS, public works) that have to clean up the mess, or to the rest of us that have to pay higher insurance bills to subsidize these morons?

OK, I'll put my soapbox away. Wear your damn helmet and gear. Please.

[deflem7]

Yeah, I just started riding for the first time in the last 6 months, and wore gloves gear and a helmet, the works. Then my boyfriend convinced me I didn't need to wear a jacket when It was warm, so I haven't been wearing one for the last couple weeks. Probably pretty stupid seeing as a monster truck switched lanes this morning on my way to work and tried to run me over. I was only going about 30 but I know that if contact had been made I would have been in serious road rash trouble if not worse. Sooo, I think I'm gonna wear the jacket. I like to live on the edge, but really... who looks/feels good in a bikini with a nice fresh bloody road rash going up and down your body. Not me...

LM

[greyboyfan]

Good for you! You! You made it past another life lesson and lived. We want you to live and learn more. Like, don't listen to that boyfriend of yours! (;^)

Seriously, If we live long enough ,we absorb skills and knowledge from "Near Missis" You don't actually have to personally experience every little thing in life. We Can learn from others mistakes. Cause, on motorcycles, sometimes you only get one chance. And YES, Seeing a bikini clad cutie at the beach with bad ol' road rash, or worse. well....Keep wearing your riding gear.
You know,.. Icon makes some sexy looking girls jackets.

[deflem7]

Yeah, I'm just getting to that phase in life where I can actually learn from others mistakes, instead of wanting to experience everything the "wrong way" first. Thanks for the advice on ICON, I am buying one of their jackets online when I get home. The jacket I have now is pretty cheap and bulky. So, I think I'm gonna invest in one that is more expensive and one that I can wear places without getting the stare down.

Thanks, for your help!!

[CB750F]

I bought myself this one. Vented with a zip out liner. Even on 90 degree days it's not hot until you stop. Pull the armor out you could probably wear it year round.

http://www.leatherup.com/product.asp?pf_id=CF%2D383%2DSH%2D2177

They have a good selection of ladies jackets also.

[deflem7]

Do you think this one would give me enough protection if I go down? I like the idea that you can remove the armor like the one you have.

thekneeslider.com/motorcycle-jacket/product.php?pid=F-53827&cat=[/url]

LM

[cecilbdml]

My only crash was sideswipe at 30mph...I could have been wearing the above-mentioned items and wouldn't have ended up any worse than I did. It DOES have more to do with mindset and training than armor and what-not.

And I am REALLY sick of the 'but more oft than not, people without helmets who crash on their bikes, end up vegetables on the public's dime.' As if CAGERS, who are in FAR MORE accidents, DON'T EVER end up the same way. That's nonsense, it's bulls--t, it's not supported by ANY facts or logic. Do everyone a favor and quit spewing that crap, unless you agree with the anti bikers, and think that all motorcycles should have at least THREE wheels to avoid falling over.:mad:

[BH121869]

It is bikeweek here in Daytona and it looks to me that way over 1/2 the bikers do not wear any gear at all when they get in a state where they do not have to. Most have a scarf on their head and nothing else.

[cecilbdml]

One thing for folks to consider, especially in hotter climates, is this:

IT'S NOT SAFE TO RIDE AROUND WHILE YOU'RE GETTING HEAT EXHAUSTION BECAUSE OF YOUR LEATHERS ALL AROUND. Aside from alcohol, heat exhaustion is the most insidious issue facing bikers. It robs you of your ability to think clearly and slows your reflexes down. It can, if left unchecked, KILL YOU. Ironic to think of someone fully protected against road rash by leathers, killed by the hotter environment they create.

Yes, riding with shorts and a t-shirt might mean less protection, but for many (including myself), it's the only option in hot climates. I get way too overheated way too easily and way too fast. By the time I know it's happening, it's already happened. Since staying home until winter isn't an option, the only other way to deal with it, is to wear shorts and light t-shirts.

I know there's a better case of seeing what my own hamburger looks like, but I also know that this is the only way to safely navigate when it's hot.

[louturks]

When I go up to PA, I am always surprised when I see people riding motorcycles without helmets. I know it's the law there that they don't have to wear one but still. Heck, I wear a helmet when I go riding on my bicycle.