Another wee rant about scooters

[Grahameeboy]

went on a largish charity ride yesterday

several hundred bikes

and a vespa

some people have NO shame...........

Good on the Vespa......shame is good...

[Grahameeboy]

not being biased here.. but.. I think your taking this the wrong way.

The reason you were ok when you had your bin was that you were wearing gear. Postie has had a wicket accident and only has his leg BECAUSE HE WAS WEARING PROPER GEAR, I've had my off, only reason i walked away was once again and all together.. because i was wearing the right gear.

I think that we have the right to be high and mighty as we took advise from the people around us, wore correct gear and were safer during our accidents as a result. The other day at work i had a scooter rider come in wanting a half face helmet, i told him various horror stories etc and he still went with the helmet because.. and i quote

"all my friends wear them"

it worries me when i see scooter riders wearing bad gear, not from being all high and mighty as you suggest but i worry because it will hurt when they come off~!

Yeah I have seen Postie's leg, nice scar but better than no lower leg.....right behind you Cibby............

[MSTRS:Me]

Lets face it, half the reason people buy SUV's is for safety, theirs of course.

Thereby proving the rule that they have all of half a braincell, which is also the reason why most of them can't drive praps that's 'trading up' for scooter riders?

So lets not be all high and mighty and pass judgement on
others.

Oooooaaahh....and take away all our fun??

[Big Dave]

I produced the Vespa advert from their images.
She is legal and happy and fortunately lived through the photo shoot.

[Ixion]

..

it worries me when i see scooter riders wearing bad gear, not from being all high and mighty as you suggest but i worry because it will hurt when they come off~!

M'self, i find that not coming off works surprising well .

[Grahameeboy]

Thereby proving the rule that they have all of half a braincell, which is also the reason why most of them can't drive praps that's 'trading up' for scooter riders?

Oooooaaahh....and take away all our fun??

Wrong.......I drive one........now that is being judgemental you naughty boy you......

[MSTRS:Me]

I did say 'most' couldn't drive.........just to cover my arse.

[Postie]

Lets face it, half the reason people buy SUV's is for safety, theirs of course. maybe we should ban everything smaller than a SUV.

not being a smart arse, but SUV's and 4x4's are not that safe, they regually have low safty stars/points rating because they have a little tendency to roll over when they go round corners, or crumble like the french army when they take an inpact.

My point in this thread is one of concern, i personally don't like seeing people get hurt in motorcycle accidents, specially when they could have walked away rather then been taken in an ambulance if they were wearing better gear. I'm sure if the girl who was hit outside my office this morning could turn back the clock, she proably would have stayed in bed, but if she had no choice but to have an accident this morning, i wonder if she would have worn more protection or just worn the same as she was today.

[Grahameeboy]

I did say 'most' couldn't drive.........just to cover my arse.

but but..."all have half a brain".......anyway when was the last time you covered your arse you commando you....

[Grahameeboy]

not being a smart arse, but SUV's and 4x4's are not that safe, they regually have low safty stars/points rating because they have a little tendency to roll over when they go round corners, or crumble like the french army when they take an inpact.

My point in this thread is one of concern, i personally don't like seeing people get hurt in motorcycle accidents, specially when they could have walked away rather then been taken in an ambulance if they were wearing better gear. I'm sure if the girl who was hit outside my office this morning could turn back the clock, she proably would have stayed in bed, but if she had no choice but to have an accident this morning, i wonder if she would have worn more protection or just worn the same as she was today.

99% of us are with you Postie........not sure if my Mazda MPV is classed as an SUV but anyway, it got a safey rating of 4/5.............that is why I bought it with Natalie in mind.

[far queue]

I produced the Vespa advert from their images.
She is legal and happy and fortunately lived through the photo shoot.

Have a look at "Last Word" in the October '05 edition of Kiwi Rider where Ross is preaching about image and promoting the wearing of all the gear all the time.

Have a look at "Readers Rave" in the January '06 edition - the letter titled "All The Gear" where Ross is eating humble pie after 2 of your guys appeared in the mag wearing shit clothing. He's apologetic and basically says it won't happen again.

Whether it's you guys that are wearing the shit gear or your adds that are showing others wearing it, the mag is still portraying an image that it's OK to wear very little gear or shit quality gear.

I know it's each individuals choice to wear what they like and I'm pleased we all have this choice, but you guys are increasing the likelyhood that the uneducated will make poor gear choices.

[MSTRS:Me]

but but..."all have half a brain".......:

I rest my case. I wasn't suggesting that you were amongst the 'can't drives', however. You got a scooter too??

Thereby proving the rule that they have all of half a braincell, which is also the reason why most of them can't drive praps that's 'trading up' for scooter riders?

anyway when was the last time you covered your arse you commando you....

Whenever the company seems dodgy, my friend

[MisterD]

...and here come the safety nazis, and they're playing their joker.....

Compare the oft-derided LTNZ attitude of "it doesn't matter what you do, as long as you don't speed you're a good driver" with this "It doesn't matter how you ride as long as you've got your full face helmet and leather knickers on..."

I ride a scooter, I mostly wear a leather jacket but not if it's a hot day and I mostly wear a full face helmet 'cos it's actually cooler (temperature wise) than my Davida and I wear my fingerless mountain bike gloves. As Ixion said, I find not falling off works surprisingly well....and yes, I may get hit by a car, but leather protects you against abrasion, not 2 ton of steel hitting you.

[Grahameeboy]

I rest my case. I wasn't suggesting that you were amongst the 'can't drives', however. You got a scooter too??

Whenever the company seems dodgy, my friend

Bite me bite me............troller gotcha...he he

[The Wop]

There are two problems here. Firstly, the general public who buy scooters do not always get good advice (or are not always given all the information). The stereotypical cool, good looking Italian guy or gal (with little protective gear on) is what most scooterists think of and aspire towards. So when buying their gears, they buy what is legal and cool looking, not necessarily what is safe.

I commute daily on my *gasp* Vespa and upgraded from an open-face to a full-face in little time, now also wear a proper jacket and gloves. This was after attending a great safety course run by BRONZ, that taught me LOADS!

The second problem is that, surprise surprise, the majority of the scooter clan to not even know about Kiwi Biker, let alone the useful and informative forums that dot the place (like this one). Basically, you are preeching to the wrong folk.....

Adding to MrD's comments, I know someone who lost a leg on a motorcycle. He was wearing full protective gear at the time. Had he fallen over and slid on the tarmac, he would have been fine, thanks to his gear. He didn't, was hit by a car and hit the ground too hard, and no amount of Kevlar, long pants, boots or other gear could save that leg.....