New respect for riding gear
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 892
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
New respect for riding gear
I started out riding dirt/trail bikes as a kid. I eventually got a "big" bike, a Honda 305 (ha ha) to ride on the streets. Growing up in a very small town in the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan, I never really had to deal with traffic. Fast forward 20 years-living in a crowded urban area of Florida. Due to constant threat posed by elderly drivers, and young ones on cell phones, I've always worn a helmet, jeans, boots, gloves, and leather in cooler weather. In 7 years of riding, never had an accident...until this year.
To make a long story short, I went down hard doing around 30-35 mph. It was one of those unavoidable situations where another person did something out of my control. The bike fell to the right instantly when I braked as there was aparently oil on the road. I wound up on my back with my 700+ lb Harley pinning my right ankle to the ground. I whacked the back of my head, but did not lose consciousness. My above the ankle boots saved my leg. I was badly bruised, sprained my left thumb, and had major road rash on my right forearm-even though I had a thick long sleeve sweat shirt on. My bike had cosmetic damage, but nothing else. So all in all, I was lucky.
The whole thing served as a kind of slap in the face for me. I think I was feeling pretty cocky about my riding skills and overall invinceability up to this point. I am now more humble.
I just can't help wondering when I see riders with no helmets, wearing shorts, T-shirts, and sandals if they have ever eaten asphalt like I have. I figure they must really not have a clue of how harsh it is to hit the pavement-even going fairly slow like I was.
I'm not preaching to anyone. I know that above a certain speed no amount of gear will save me. Just wanted to share first hand experience of my own rude awakening. Wearing gear is a pain, but much less pain, I imagine, than hitting the road nearly naked...
To make a long story short, I went down hard doing around 30-35 mph. It was one of those unavoidable situations where another person did something out of my control. The bike fell to the right instantly when I braked as there was aparently oil on the road. I wound up on my back with my 700+ lb Harley pinning my right ankle to the ground. I whacked the back of my head, but did not lose consciousness. My above the ankle boots saved my leg. I was badly bruised, sprained my left thumb, and had major road rash on my right forearm-even though I had a thick long sleeve sweat shirt on. My bike had cosmetic damage, but nothing else. So all in all, I was lucky.
The whole thing served as a kind of slap in the face for me. I think I was feeling pretty cocky about my riding skills and overall invinceability up to this point. I am now more humble.
I just can't help wondering when I see riders with no helmets, wearing shorts, T-shirts, and sandals if they have ever eaten asphalt like I have. I figure they must really not have a clue of how harsh it is to hit the pavement-even going fairly slow like I was.
I'm not preaching to anyone. I know that above a certain speed no amount of gear will save me. Just wanted to share first hand experience of my own rude awakening. Wearing gear is a pain, but much less pain, I imagine, than hitting the road nearly naked...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
I was at Gettysburg Sunday and I got a few goofy looks from the guys with t-shirts and no helmet with me and a jacket and full face helmet on. Rather be safe than dead.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 5
From: Hudson Valley, NY
Riding a motorcycle has a lot to do with machismo whether people acknowledge that or not. Riding in shorts, flip flops, no helmet is a way especially for younger guys to show their toughness. Not much different from riding a bull, jumping out of a plane etc...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,918
Likes: 3,715
From: Hill Country, TX
A buddy of mine high sided his Yamaha R6 on the track at about 90 mph in full racing leathers/armor and a quality FF helmet. He walked away from the crash pretty sore with a couple of broken ribs, but no other damage. I asked him if he had any road rash, and he told me absolutely none. The side and front quarter of his helmet was scraped pretty bad, so I imagine he wouldn't have had much of a face left if he had been wearing a 1/2 or 3/4 helmet.
I can't even imagine what would have happened to him without any protective gear. Probably would have been a closed casket ceremony, or months in a hospital with lots of orthopedic and reconstructive plastic surgery.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
I really don't give a crap what someone wears to ride. Your *** and your decision. Around here we have older riders riding in shorts. I don't think it is machismo. I think it is a combination of the heat and new riders. They can now afford Harley's and it is cool to own one. OP, your right. I think they have never seen what happens to ankles and feet. I only know of one rider who has rode forever, who always rode in shorts. He is the only rider I ever respected who rode in shorts. It is judgmental but if you ride in shorts and flip flops. I do not take you serious. I figure you are a dumb *** and eventually the learning curve will catch up.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 16
From: Norfolk, VA
So, you guys ride in full race leathers then? No? Why not? It is obviously the safest way to ride. We all know why and that is we all make a choice between safety and comfort. Just because you draw your line in a different place then others does not mean you are right and certainly does not mean you are any more intelligent then folks that weigh comfort a little higher on the scale then you do. I have yet to see anyone riding a Harley in full race leathers on the street and I rarely see anyone riding a sport bike on the street in them.
I have been riding for a while and I have crashed more then once. I have lost friends riding. The risks are clear to me. Yet, I still do not always wear leathers and I still do not always wear a full face helmet. Sometimes I ride in a t-shirt.
I am glad you are OK, crashing sucks.
I have been riding for a while and I have crashed more then once. I have lost friends riding. The risks are clear to me. Yet, I still do not always wear leathers and I still do not always wear a full face helmet. Sometimes I ride in a t-shirt.
I am glad you are OK, crashing sucks.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
In the heat of summer I just can't wear my heavy leather and the first thing I'm concerned about is the "what if".
I'm an avid helmeted, safety boot wearing, long pants, always gloved cycle rider. Most of that may keep the road rash down and give me some comfort but the thing that will save my life more often is my conscious effort to watch out for the other guy, and be vigilant when at a stop, every intersection, or when I see a left turner ahead, along with a million other scenarios.
Guess it's a risk we take with our life and either live or die by too.
I'm an avid helmeted, safety boot wearing, long pants, always gloved cycle rider. Most of that may keep the road rash down and give me some comfort but the thing that will save my life more often is my conscious effort to watch out for the other guy, and be vigilant when at a stop, every intersection, or when I see a left turner ahead, along with a million other scenarios.
Guess it's a risk we take with our life and either live or die by too.
Last edited by JohnnyC; Sep 7, 2011 at 10:50 AM.
Trending Topics
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
No. I am not an atgatt safety freak. I ride in blue jeans, tee shirts, gloves, and boots. That is my normal wear. Sometime I wear leather when it is cold and a helmet if I want to. Once again I really don't care what you or anyone else wears. If we are friend or kin I will comment but only my kids get orders from me when necessary. If we aren't kin or friends, I will not miss you or anyone else when they are gone. Wear what you want. I wish no harm but really how much of a pause does it cause when someone you don't know gets hurt or dies.
So, you guys ride in full race leathers then? No? Why not? It is obviously the safest way to ride. We all know why and that is we all make a choice between safety and comfort. Just because you draw your line in a different place then others does not mean you are right and certainly does not mean you are any more intelligent then folks that weigh comfort a little higher on the scale then you do. I have yet to see anyone riding a Harley in full race leathers on the street and I rarely see anyone riding a sport bike on the street in them.
I have been riding for a while and I have crashed more then once. I have lost friends riding. The risks are clear to me. Yet, I still do not always wear leathers and I still do not always wear a full face helmet. Sometimes I ride in a t-shirt.
I am glad you are OK, crashing sucks.
I have been riding for a while and I have crashed more then once. I have lost friends riding. The risks are clear to me. Yet, I still do not always wear leathers and I still do not always wear a full face helmet. Sometimes I ride in a t-shirt.
I am glad you are OK, crashing sucks.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,808
Likes: 3
The idea that it is possible to have enough skill as a rider to avoid every accident forever is a fatal attitude, IMO.
I take the advanced rider course every other year because I KNOW that I'm not as good a rider as I start to think I am.
I take the advanced rider course every other year because I KNOW that I'm not as good a rider as I start to think I am.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,673
Likes: 16
From: Norfolk, VA
No. I am not an atgatt safety freak. I ride in blue jeans, tee shirts, gloves, and boots. That is my normal wear. Sometime I wear leather when it is cold and a helmet if I want to. Once again I really don't care what you or anyone else wears. If we are friend or kin I will comment but only my kids get orders from me when necessary. If we aren't kin or friends, I will not miss you or anyone else when they are gone. Wear what you want. I wish no harm but really how much of a pause does it cause when someone you don't know gets hurt or dies.
I am not sure why, but the ATGATT **** is getting to me lately. It is not all the gear all the time, it should be "all the gear I think I need to wear all the time" cause in reality, people are not wearing all the gear.