We all do it

[Wolf]

Yeah mate, me and you are definately worlds apart in our thinking...on many issues!

And the world would be sadly impoverished if that were not the case. What a bland existence we would have if everyone were the same - loads of identical bikes all ridden the same by people who look the same and movies and books with insipid "plots" where nothing exciting or "conflict-based" happened and conversations that die out because we all know what everyone's going to say or do next...

[Mooch]

I tend to "checkout" riders on the road rather than the carpark, which is probably why I hardly stop at the top of the Rima's much anymore (and I'm a bit shy /more of a listener type )
I'm more interested in the way people ride , IE are they relaxed and smooth , where they position the bike on the road , are they riding to conditions , do they have good lines , how do they approach following you, do they follow too close or do they sit nicely in your mirrors, is the speed appropriate for the traffic / conditions. Are they predictable or do they ride erratically, Is it someone you can follow and learn from without pushing yourself and stuff like that.
Some riders seem to get to the edge of there tire's some don't, I don't rate either rider as better or worse. First time I saw knee sliders on a road rider I had trouble containing my laughter , thought they were totally out of place. Now I have some myself so I'll understand if people laugh at me. (They come in handy, really saves the knees when oiling/adjusting the chain / checking tire pressures ,etc and might save my knees in an off) Never had to use them on the road and most of the fast road riders I know don't need to corner with their knee dragging.

I find talk of chicken strips funny as well , most of the time when I see a front tire blistered to the edge , I think track day or no reserve for error , but I don't think , wow what a fantastic rider , which I could be just like them.

So if you see an almost 40 something biker , Yellow Duc, leathers , mods , knee sliders , chicken strips , cut any BS on if I’m worthy of being a biker speed god and say gidday instead.

[Wolf]

So if you see an almost 40 something biker , Yellow Duc, leathers , mods , knee sliders , chicken strips , cut any BS on if I’m worthy of being a biker speed god and say gidday instead.

Dunno if I can afford the bus fare to London, dude.

[SlowHand]

pfft, chicken strips, I dont have any. On the spaceys I have full contact going in a straight line.

And Jo, now that I know NhuanH got the kung foo grip, where do I rate in the "assessment?"

[White trash]

Interesting, but no - I don't do any of that - actually, the things you rate as cred - I score as 'reasons to avoid' in a social ride.
Particularly the knee sliders. They only impress me at a race track.

Soooo........you don't wanna ride together anymore?

[madboy]

Everyone got their sense of humour back now?

I rolled up to a ride with the big boys yesterday, shiney virgin knee sliders, a good 35mm of chicken strip on the rear. Of course, I've never had the leathers on the track, and the tyre was brand new having only been ridden from the shop home in the rain...

But when trackday comes I'll lend the knee sliders and bike to WT/LB/[insert squid here] for a lap or two... that'll fix my ego. Then next week you'll all think I'm either a hero or a lunatic depending on what side of the fence you sit on. Except for VTWIN who already know's I'm a poser.

[Wolf]

Everyone got their sense of humour back now?

I rolled up to a ride with the big boys yesterday, shiney virgin knee sliders, a good 35mm of chicken strip on the rear. Of course, I've never had the leathers on the track, and the tyre was brand new having only been ridden from the shop home in the rain...

But when trackday comes I'll lend the knee sliders and bike to WT/LB/[insert squid here] for a lap or two... that'll fix my ego. Then next week you'll all think I'm either a hero or a lunatic depending on what side of the fence you sit on. Except for VTWIN who already know's I'm a poser.

Well, if madboy can display chicken strips from time to time, no assessment based on appearances will ever be accurate.

[froggyfrenchman]

im definatly guilty of this. but its a good way to learn alot bout the person before they even have the helmet off.

[pritch]

I cannot tell by looking at a person's armour if their smart new outfit is because they're a total newbie or because their old gear finally gave up the ghost after being abused for twenty years or some bugger nicked it

Agreed, and if someone has scruffy (well used) gear that may indicate that they know what they are doing. On the other hand if I could actually fit into my Belstaffs it wouldn't mean I know what I'm doing, it would just mean I'm getting old.

I saw a bike at the local dealer a week or two back, almost identical to mine so I checked it out. When I saw that the back tyre was worn right to the edge, well worn, I was sort of envious. Then I noticed that he had also worn his cases and his bar ends and the envy evaporated somewhat.

[Wolf]

Then I noticed that he had also worn his cases and his bar ends and the envy evaporated somewhat.

Worn bar ends? Woooo! Big balls, that guy. I don't like to brag but I must confess I've managed that a couple of times (even got a "worn" tacho once) but normally I'm too chicken to go beyond wearing my pegs.

[Big Dave]

Soooo........you don't wanna ride together anymore?

No that's not true - i never wanted to ride with you.

I don't give a rats if someone can get a knee down - so can I. Big fuckin' whooop.
What impresses me on a ride is someone who offers to buy lunch.

[Big Dave]

Worn bar ends? Woooo!

It means he fell off?

[Wolf]

It means he fell off?

That was the interpretation I put on it. Either that or wider bars than the bitchin'est off-roader - think in terms of a crucifix...

[Wolf]

No that's not true - i never wanted to ride with you.

I don't give a rats if someone can get a knee down - so can I. Big fuckin' whooop.
What impresses me on a ride is someone who offers to buy lunch.

Now, we're talkin'!

[Dafe]

Out on a ride you stop at a well known rider meeting/gathering point.
A bike appears you've never seen before, you all stop and watch as he/she pulls up.
Without knowing it we all go through a subconsious 'checking them out' process.

You watch them dismount and you check out the gear the're wearing.....is it textile or leather? (leather scores more points), do they have knee sliders? if so what sort of condition are they (scuffed ones score major points).
Your attention turns to the bike and with a quick scan you go over it looking for signs of what sort of rider they are. Is the bike standard or modded? What tyres are they running?
The most important of all that will determine what sort of rider they are over anything else is.........what state is the chicken strip on there front tyre like? The smaller the chicken, the better the rider.

Yeah yeah I know pointless crap. But if think about it, we all do it.

I'm Guilty!!!

I always look at other peoples bikes closely. I also check out their gear with a brief glance too.
I would call myself a motorcycling enthusiast, It's very natural for me to want to know what mods people have done to their bikes, they could add to possible ideas for my bike. I love seeing tidy-as mod jobs done to bikes, it just shows how some people obviously have a passion for their machines.
I'm always looking for something that somebody has done to their bike that makes me go Cool! I'm always looking for gear on riders that looks the Shiz too!
I'm a motorcycle enthusiast like many car enthusiasts. If I go to a bike meet, I'm checking out the other motorbikes for sure!
Infact, I'll often go for rides to check out the bike shops gear and drool at the bikes in stock too.