What is it with some bikers?
Discussion
black-k1 said:
chilli said:
David,
No probs, all taken on board...and I agree with a lot you say. However, I can't change my opinion that it's a stupid thing to do.. I know, I know, I take other risks but not this one.....I just wouldn't do it though, and tut everytime I see someone in casual gear!
No probs, all taken on board...and I agree with a lot you say. However, I can't change my opinion that it's a stupid thing to do.. I know, I know, I take other risks but not this one.....I just wouldn't do it though, and tut everytime I see someone in casual gear!
Nick – entry for your ‘to do’ list. Try riding through slow moving traffic in a Mediterranean town in August. - Your opinion of always riding with full protective clothing might well change. (And it’ll be part of a great holiday!
)Been there! Last year, riding through Spain, late May. Sitting at traffic lights, in a small "town". temp was mid thirties. Bike temp was 110 IIRC, and the sweat was running down my back! Must admit, a tee-shirt would have been nice...But NO, NEVER!!!!!
black-k1 said:
There is a saying that goes something like ‘Be careful what you wish for as it might come true’! With the ‘Nanny State’ as it is at the moment it is only one small step from where we are now to compulsion on full leathers, boots gloves etc. From there it is only one small step to banning bikes completely ‘for our own good’! If others want to ride in shorts and tee shirts, that is their choice.
Exactly, let them ride dressed how they like. If I'm washing the bike I may dry off the brakes in whatever my current attire is (could be shorts, t-shirt and no helmet).
When I started riding, in Italy, in the '70s very few people wore leathers, not many wore helmets, standard riding gear was jeans, t-shirt, thin windproof jacket, trainers and shades - not saying that's good but to each their own. I personally don't agree with compulsory helmets (leathers or seatbelts in cars etc) and if I rode in a city in the hot weather (eg Italy etc) would not want to wear full leathers, which are not very comfortable in 40 degree + temps.
That said I currently only ride a fast bike and want to, at least try, to ride it 'properly' with the risks that brings so wear full leathers, boots, gloves, back protector & helmet etc.
Bike Cops in many countries; Italy, France, USA etc ride in thin trousers & short sleeved shirts etc - everyone should try it it's very liberating
However I have crashed in full gear and I have crashed without and know how I would rather crash, but I would defend anyone's right to wear what they like.
I used to often ride wearing only jeans and a t-shirt while my brother always wore his one piece leathers or Dainese jacket. Unfortunately unless he was wearing armour he wouldn't have survived his accident because he landed on his chest.
I've stopped riding motorbikes since because my family would have worried all the time...but I still ride a mountain bike without a helmey because getting hit by a car will probably kill me anyway.
Sorry to be abrupt but i've had a few accidents, one resulting in a fractured shoulder bone because somebody cut me up on my mountain bike.At no point did my head go near the ground but that's not to say I will never wear one. Just at the moment I like the freedom of no helmet.
You bikers are a lucky bunch of people. Not all motorists realise because they never tried it.
I've stopped riding motorbikes since because my family would have worried all the time...but I still ride a mountain bike without a helmey because getting hit by a car will probably kill me anyway.
Sorry to be abrupt but i've had a few accidents, one resulting in a fractured shoulder bone because somebody cut me up on my mountain bike.At no point did my head go near the ground but that's not to say I will never wear one. Just at the moment I like the freedom of no helmet.
You bikers are a lucky bunch of people. Not all motorists realise because they never tried it.
I agree it does feel odd not wearing full gear these days and whenever I get tempted not to I think of family and I soon put it on.
However, we all know a major part of biking is the freedom and I would never want to lose the option of riding in jeans and a light jacket in the summer, especially on an old clunker when I am just pottering along. I always wear gloves without exception though...
However, we all know a major part of biking is the freedom and I would never want to lose the option of riding in jeans and a light jacket in the summer, especially on an old clunker when I am just pottering along. I always wear gloves without exception though...
I rode round the world prodominently in jeans, light bmw jacket and open faced helmet and would do just the same again.
I think you have to balance a range of risks, as soon as it get seriously hot (its not now) then the risk of wearing jeans is more than outweighed by the risk of dehydration. At some points it was 40+ degrees and it was just too hot to wear full gear, even a helmet was bloody awful. In this kind of weather normal gear for me is dragging combats, proper boots (altbergs) but then a light leather jacket - thick but non armoured and whatever helmet I feel like.
I do understand the all the gear all the time argument - I used to make it all the time, but I'm not so bothered now. That said I hate sports bikes and all the sunday riding so I would class my type of riding as slightly lower risk than some people on here!
I think you have to balance a range of risks, as soon as it get seriously hot (its not now) then the risk of wearing jeans is more than outweighed by the risk of dehydration. At some points it was 40+ degrees and it was just too hot to wear full gear, even a helmet was bloody awful. In this kind of weather normal gear for me is dragging combats, proper boots (altbergs) but then a light leather jacket - thick but non armoured and whatever helmet I feel like.
I do understand the all the gear all the time argument - I used to make it all the time, but I'm not so bothered now. That said I hate sports bikes and all the sunday riding so I would class my type of riding as slightly lower risk than some people on here!
When younger i rode an enfield round south west india in swim shorts, sandals, and protective bandana. I came off 4 times and i'm lucky to only have some large scars to show for it. Nowadays i won't even nip to the shops without full kit and back protector. The thought of permanent injury for the sake of extra comfort or convenience is not worth it IMHO.
However,i do take the point about riding in seriously hot climes. I'm heading back to india later this year and not sure what to do. I'm thinking body armour, draggin jeans and an open face.
However,i do take the point about riding in seriously hot climes. I'm heading back to india later this year and not sure what to do. I'm thinking body armour, draggin jeans and an open face.
doc3 said:
However,i do take the point about riding in seriously hot climes. I'm heading back to india later this year and not sure what to do. I'm thinking body armour, draggin jeans and an open face.
That is about the limit you will be able to wear. Draggin jeans are Ok, but the thicker bits I find irritate in hot weather, open face definetly. The hottest bit I found was crossing the desert in southern Iran / Pakistan and my brain nearly boiled... I wouldn't bother with body armour, speeds slow down significantly out of Europe, although the risks rise. From my experience accidents (I didnt have any...) were either going to be very low speed in towns, traffic density being outragous in most cities. Or high speed, most likely a car doing a blind overtake (which happend just about every day east of Turkey) in which case no amount of body armour woukld save me. Hence, I made the choice to choose not to dehydrate. This summer I'm going to Tunisia and the sahara and am planning to wear alburg desert boots - altberg make the best boots!!! probably draggin jeans and my old school leather jacket. I wear dearskin leather gloves as they at least wick sweat and have no arnour to rub, sweaty hands and rubbing armour = pain! And then an open face, davida as they have leather lining which ages and dries well!
What route are you going? Its an awesome trip...
I've been out for a spin (on a closed road of course) without my helmet just to see what it was like. In some ways it was liberating, but it was much more scary than liberating.
It did bring home the risk compensation effect to me very strongly though. Wrapped up inside all my safety gear, it can feel more like a safety capsule than a bit of foam, plastic and leather.
If I'm having self restraint problems, I cast my mind back to that ride without my lid, and suddenly I find I'm taking it easy.
It did bring home the risk compensation effect to me very strongly though. Wrapped up inside all my safety gear, it can feel more like a safety capsule than a bit of foam, plastic and leather.
If I'm having self restraint problems, I cast my mind back to that ride without my lid, and suddenly I find I'm taking it easy.
Spent a month in Antibes (South of France) in 89 and used to ride around with just shorts and sunglasses, no way would I do that now. That was my personal choice at the time but as I'm not young and daft anymore..........
Got my first pair of leathers for the road in 92 and would not feel safe anymore without them.
Have a good scar on my knee caused by getting my knee down with jeans on. Mick00 who I go out on the bike with every weekend still wears jeans and trainers (late 40s) as he doesn't feel comfortable with them. (pictures on "best pic of your bike"
So boys & girls do as you please but if anything happens well you could always say in theory that should/shouldn't happened.
Safe riding everyone.
John.
doc3 said:
The thought of permanent injury for the sake of extra comfort or convenience is not worth it IMHO
No offence, but if you think it's that dangerous why ride a bike. No amount of armour - plastic bits on yer knees and elbows will make a t*ss if you hit something/ or something hits you.
I enjoyed a 150 mile ride around North Yorkshire on saturday with a bunch of mates , helmet,leather jacket, jeans and good pair of lace up boots n the only mistake was wearing padded gloves - unlined leather would have been a load more comfy.
keep enjoying it!.blueflash said:
doc3 said:
The thought of permanent injury for the sake of extra comfort or convenience is not worth it IMHO
No offence, but if you think it's that dangerous why ride a bike. No amount of armour - plastic bits on yer knees and elbows will make a t*ss if you hit something/ or something hits you.
I enjoyed a 150 mile ride around North Yorkshire on saturday with a bunch of mates , helmet,leather jacket, jeans and good pair of lace up boots n the only mistake was wearing padded gloves - unlined leather would have been a load more comfy.
keep enjoying it!.Not really as simple as "if you think it's dangerous". If you were worried about danger, you wouldn't get outta bed in the morning (although seeing your post at 02:05, I doubt you do anyway!) I guess it's just down to personal choice and managing risks. As David has said before, we are all taking risks and I agree on the point that it's imperative that we can make our own decisions, but I would never get on a bike without the full gear on....my choice.
However, I do wonder in years to come, if Ipotter around on something "comfy" whether I'll change my mind?
I confess to riding in anything from shorts to leathers, but I ride accordingly.
I really don't see why people have a problem with this and I'm somewhat bemused when fellow bikers feel a need to inform me on how badly scarred/paralysed/killed ,I will be if I don't get kitted out for every journey.
On the other hand watching these so called experts ride, maybe I do understand.
I really don't see why people have a problem with this and I'm somewhat bemused when fellow bikers feel a need to inform me on how badly scarred/paralysed/killed ,I will be if I don't get kitted out for every journey.
On the other hand watching these so called experts ride, maybe I do understand.
I know that one day last summer, I took the bike to the station before getting the train down to London Village.
It was a scorcher so I went about 2 miles on a quiet road through Delamere Forest in trainers, shorts and t-shirt, plus helmet and gloves (which I left in the panniers).
Whilst it felt wonderful in the heat, I have to say that it felt really wierd not wearing my usual bike stuff and so it was a one off and won't be repeated.
I certainly felt much more vulnerable. Cool but vulnerable.
It was a scorcher so I went about 2 miles on a quiet road through Delamere Forest in trainers, shorts and t-shirt, plus helmet and gloves (which I left in the panniers).
Whilst it felt wonderful in the heat, I have to say that it felt really wierd not wearing my usual bike stuff and so it was a one off and won't be repeated.
I certainly felt much more vulnerable. Cool but vulnerable.
Find it ironic that when learning to ride (read wobbly, unsure etc) I wore Jeans, walking boots, borrowed jackets, helmet, gloves.
Now I wear all the gear everytime I ride. BUT one thing I've always wondered - if it is OK for a cyclist to wear nothing more than a spray on lycra skin when they can and do hit 30+mph, why is a slow pootle about on a motorbike any more dangerous?
I'd love to ride (slowly) in jeans, trainers, shirt and just sun glasses (IN THE RIGHT CONDITIONS)
Just a thought.
Now I wear all the gear everytime I ride. BUT one thing I've always wondered - if it is OK for a cyclist to wear nothing more than a spray on lycra skin when they can and do hit 30+mph, why is a slow pootle about on a motorbike any more dangerous?
I'd love to ride (slowly) in jeans, trainers, shirt and just sun glasses (IN THE RIGHT CONDITIONS)
Just a thought.
Like someone else has posted, I also wear whatever the hell I like. If its a hot summers day and I fancy popping on the bike to Tesco, then its trainers, shorts and t-shirt with a lid and no gloves.
I have no problem in riding with jeans and trainers, with leather jacket/gloves lid.
For weekend hoons or commuting its leathers all the way.
The key is its your choice at the end of the day, and I ride accordingly.
If I'm pootling in shorts, you'd better believe the spidey sense is cranked up to 10 and I'm riding well within myself at all times. Weekend hooning at high rates of leptons is just another kind of risk.
I wouldn't preach to anyone about how they should ride or dress for riding.
I have no problem in riding with jeans and trainers, with leather jacket/gloves lid.
For weekend hoons or commuting its leathers all the way.
The key is its your choice at the end of the day, and I ride accordingly.
If I'm pootling in shorts, you'd better believe the spidey sense is cranked up to 10 and I'm riding well within myself at all times. Weekend hooning at high rates of leptons is just another kind of risk.
I wouldn't preach to anyone about how they should ride or dress for riding.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff