Rider Safety: Why Do Some Riders Not Care?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,862
Likes: 7,981
From: poway
So another 105 degree heat advisory day here in sunny Florida. I pull up next to a guy on an Ultra. I glance over at him and saw that he was wearing:
rubber shower flip flops
shorts
tank top
no gloves
no helmet
I know it's hot out but it never ceases to amaze me how little some riders care about their own safety.
rubber shower flip flops
shorts
tank top
no gloves
no helmet
I know it's hot out but it never ceases to amaze me how little some riders care about their own safety.
Yeah, You are right. I'd wear boots and a glasses..
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,090
Likes: 243
From: Maine
I've been riding for 35 years and never been in a serious crash. Will it happen? Quite possibly - that's 35 years that I would have been stuck in a sweaty, foggy helmet instead of enjoying the breeze though. I don't judge people who wear ATGATT - I just figure they aren't very confident riders.
Yea yea, I know... It's the other person you've got to worry about, its not if, it's when... Yadda yadda. Thirty Five years.
Yea yea, I know... It's the other person you've got to worry about, its not if, it's when... Yadda yadda. Thirty Five years.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 13
Likes: 22
From: Spokane, Wa
More people...
What is it that makes you feel you can judge them? Are you the safety police? Just unhappy with your own decision making? Perhaps you're told that you have to wear certain clothing / gear before your S.O. will let you go for a ride?
Live and let live, my friend. It's not just song lyrics, it's a great piece of advice.
Live and let live, my friend. It's not just song lyrics, it's a great piece of advice.
More people need to adopt this line of thought.
Cheers!
Road Master
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 846
Likes: 696
From: Near Memphis
What is it that makes you feel you can judge them? Are you the safety police? Just unhappy with your own decision making? Perhaps you're told that you have to wear certain clothing / gear before your S.O. will let you go for a ride?
Live and let live, my friend. It's not just song lyrics, it's a great piece of advice.
Live and let live, my friend. It's not just song lyrics, it's a great piece of advice.
Moving past my own snarky response, I am lax with gear below the waist preferring jeans and sturdy shoes, but no matter what the temperature is, I will ALWAYS wear a ful face lid, Klim jackets (mesh for summer and non-mesh for winter). The mesh jacket keeps the sun off me and feels cooler to me than riding without one.
In my opinion, there are two classes of riders that go without gear: ones who have carefully and realistically weighed the risk and accept it (I have no issue with their informed choice, but I do pray a little for them that they never have to pay the consequences), and the ones who think they are somehow immune to the risk of a some random idiot that just HAS to send that text message NOW. These future organ donors I have no sympathy for (though I still hope nothing ever happens to them).
I am a highly skilled and conservative rider, know that I could get into and accident every single time I go out. I choose to wear gear.
Road Master
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 846
Likes: 696
From: Near Memphis
He can wear a full face, mesh jacket, jeans, good shoes, and mesh leather gloves. I live in West Tennessee and the heat index was 107F a week ago and that's what I wore on a six hour ride. In temperatures like that, bare skin in the breeze is NOT your friend.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 1,070
From: SE SC
Motorcycle=freedom………
personally, I know if I don’t wear a lid, gloves, and boots on just ONE day……I’ll f#ckin have a wreck…..am I tempted to wear shorts and a tee? Every time in the summer. I choose not to……others do.
If you don’t understand, read the first sentence.
personally, I know if I don’t wear a lid, gloves, and boots on just ONE day……I’ll f#ckin have a wreck…..am I tempted to wear shorts and a tee? Every time in the summer. I choose not to……others do.
If you don’t understand, read the first sentence.
Road Master
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 846
Likes: 696
From: Near Memphis
I've been riding for 35 years and never been in a serious crash. Will it happen? Quite possibly - that's 35 years that I would have been stuck in a sweaty, foggy helmet instead of enjoying the breeze though. I don't judge people who wear ATGATT - I just figure they aren't very confident riders.
Yea yea, I know... It's the other person you've got to worry about, its not if, it's when... Yadda yadda. Thirty Five years.
Yea yea, I know... It's the other person you've got to worry about, its not if, it's when... Yadda yadda. Thirty Five years.
Point is, this "I'm immune because I've never had an incident in x-decades of riding" is EXACTLY the kind the wrong message. Ride your ride, but denial is a very poor basis for a decision.
Yes, I'm overly touchy about this topic.