Today I came across a rider down a twenty something kid. He lost the front end in a corner when he hit some sand. Looked like he hit face first from extensive deep scratches on 1/2 of his helmet face shield, bruised and minor bleeding from both elbows cause he didn't have a jacket on, skinned knees and probably some more road rash. But standing upright shaking badly. Big macho type guy. Gixxer was trashed with plastic spread all over the road, it slid into the curb and oil was coming out of the crankcase. Helped him stand it up and push it to a safer spot. It gave me the shakes also. Like I said wear your gear. Threw out my favorite mesh jacket the other day because my elbow and shoulder protection pads had started to come apart.
i can remember back in the late seventies me and a friend were touring spain back then in parts of spain you never had to wear a crash helmet went out for a ride no jacket or helmet absolutely fantastic. but nowadays would not even think about going out without a leather jacket how ever hot it was. i was about the same age as the bloke on the gixxer but when your younger you definitely see things different.
I must admit I have been guilty of bimbling around Tenerife in a t shirt and jeans (and a helmet). But do agree with you. Anybody can come off and being skinless is not appealing! Seeing the Americans ride without helmets really makes me cringe.
I think we've all been guilty of this when we were young. My mate and I hired a pair of Yammy crossers in Corfu in the 80's. We were both just wearing t-shirts and shorts, no helmets, riding on some roads that were just gravel. Great fun at the time thinking we were Vic Eastwood, but wouldn't even consider It now
As a yoof, one of my little gang of motorcycling buddies came off and had extensive gravel rash due to no gloves, jacket, etc. His description of having grit picked out of the back of his hands was enough for us all to learn that lesson! DS
I remember when I was a young tearaway on my bike and came off on a corner ,luckily I was wearing a leather jacket ,at the hospital the doctor came in to see me and said if I had not been wearing that leather jacket I would of most certainly had to have my arm taken off .He told me riding with out protection is like putting your hand in to a grinding wheel .From that day I always wear my leathers no matter how short the journey is .Best advice I have ever been given and I have never forgotten bit
Unfortunately about 80% cruiser bike riders around hear ride gearless, headgear of choice is a bandana. They keep shrinking the motorcycle market. A couple die here in town almost every week when the weather is good. I am guilty of riding once around our little traveled block when all hot and sweaty from yardwork.
Why is it that so many young, typically male, sport bike riders ride with a full face helmet (good for them) but in shorts, a tee shirt, and tennis shoes?? I think it might be related to prefrontal cortex development--or lack thereof.... I saw the horrifying results of skin scraping and head hitting pavement far too many times during my years as a bicycle racer so my choice to wear protective gear when I started riding motorcycles was an easy one.
Same thing where I am at as well. Hey, not that I am the "safety police" for anyone, but you can't fix stupid. I personally love gear and gravitate to a 70's reproduction retro look that was popular during that time - goes with my bike choice. I grew up on full face lids and is the only thing I know. When that june bug splatters on my visor or a rock flung from a car tire whacks off my lid at 70+mph, I just cannot understand how I would handle that in the eye or forehead at speed. A wuss? perhaps, "not a real biker"? perhaps - but if I do go down I will have given myself the best of odds - all I can control.
I hope this patient recovers and perhaps is a better rider for it. After three times on the tarmac, I have learned a lot. Jeans last three seconds at 50mph. I too have seen guys riding XHRST10000 rockets with a helmet, thongs, shorts and a wife beater t-shirt. I want to stop them and say, "you want to leave the skid-lid behind, because if you crash, you really don't want to survive." Have seen my share of carnage as an EMT, but sadly most of it can be blamed on the rider. Drunk, crazy, or just plain stupid, it gives the sport a bad name. Gear up.
Another strange observation is that most Harley riders in my area rarely are riding in early spring or late fall around 45-55F averages. 1-2 maybe, but routinely not many. One Harley owner I tried pairing with turned down riding saying it was to cold to ride. Summer , hell they are everywhere. Then it hit me.......they probably don't own any gear
I live one one of those helmet-less states... You see squids riding liter bikes in shorts and sandals also minus a helmet! These idiot do wheelies down the hwy at like 80! Then there are the Harley guys with their ladies on the back wearing tank tops, jeans, no gloves and no helmet! I guess these guys think there never going down!
I consider myself very lucky that the only 2 spills I’ve had have been at walking pace in the wet, before I passed my test. Both times I was at least wearing a damn good waterproof jacket and trousers plus the rest. I didn’t have leathers then. Nowadays I won’t go anywhere without fully kitting up, it just isn’t worth the risk in my eyes. I don’t even like the armoured denims, I bought a pair but I’ve out shrunk them now so I donated them to a charity shop!
Have a pair of fieldshear bike trousers which I hate, been looking at rhese https://www.dragginjeans.com/featured-categories/underwear/draggin-liners/ Kevlar undies that you can wear jeans over and let the jeans (trousers) take the wear and stains and just throw the jeans in the washer. And grab another pair of jeans each day.
I have been wearing ICON over-trousers for a few years now. I had zip together Dainese leather, but inconvenient to don and doff. I bought the ICON's a bit large, so it's simple to get in and out of. Not much of a fashion statement, but at my age, I could not care less. They are comfortable, give some weather protection, and have the armor in the right places.
I wonder, why, professional bicycle road racers don’t wear full protective gear? I thought it would be mandatory for safety reasons. Ken.
Weight... Every gram counts between winning and losing. And, they wouldn't look so trim in bulky gear. Safety Third!
Your comment raises a larger question. What is an appropriate level of “safety”, or better defined as “risk”? Highly subjective. Who has the authority to mandate such? In competition, the rules are set by the combatants initially. Organizing parties can institutionalize these rules, but the changes need support from the participants, or the sport will be abandoned. In government, citizens do not have the option to walk away, so difference of opinions is an important consideration, at least if Liberty is a concern. As I have stated previously, I use reasonable protective gear when riding, but I also realize that motorcycling is anything but a “safe” sport. Given this, and my concern for Liberty, I tenaciously defend the option to ride without any protective gear at all, and support all the idiots doing so. I reject the arguments centered on “cost to society” or medical support, since these programs (such as nationalized health care) have been foisted on me, contrary to my Liberty, and I pay for common programs like anybody else.
I agree, but, if you went motorcycle racing (Had a go in a chair once) you would have no input whatsoever whether you started the race or not. A scrutiniser would decide that issue after examining the bike and you. I think that’s how it works. Ken. PS. Another thing comes to mind. Most people when sailing wear a life jacket and I doubt boat racers would be allowed to race without one on in case they end up in the water....however, if you deliberately go in the water (Swimming) nobody make you wear a life jacket! Kb.
