What's with the lack of gear?

[ynot slow]

[QUOTE=beyond;1266919]Dumb arses.

I've said it heaps as well. Run as fast as you can on a standard chip road and throw yourself up in the air coming down on your knees and elbows and hands.

Tried it a couple of times but usually pissed to the hilt,did it one time after step daughters wedding,ran ok across the road it was the kerb which stuffed me,woke up with bandage on hand and wondering why my elbow was saw,opened bandage and went shite,it the reason for hurting lol.
Stuffed if I'd ride with jandals and shorts,maybe to the dairy in summer but thats only 250mts and then probably not,maybe up the road and back if changing oil and checking levels.

[0arbreaka]

I was not saying that things should be banned, What I was trying to say was that because of some peoples stupidity of not wearing any gear it costs us the tax payers.

[swbarnett]

I was not saying that things should be banned, What I was trying to say was that because of some peoples stupidity of not wearing any gear it costs us the tax payers.

I agree that there is a cost to the taxpayer. As a taxpayer I choose to see the cost as the inate cost of a free society where the state is not running every aspect of my life (or anyone else's). I too would be pleased if everybody wore the proper gear all the time. However, I respect their right to make their own decisions. The fact that I pay to pay for the repairs is my decision, not that of the rider without gear. You can say "I'll not pay for that because you were a dumb ass!" and that's your right. What is not your right is to tell them that they must live by your particular set of beliefs, in some circles this is called "bible bashing".

To address the specific issue of who picks up the tab for injuries of any sort: In NZ it's the taxpayer because we have a no fault public medical system. In Switzerland they had a private system with compulsory medical insurance. This way the taxpayer does not foot the bill (and by all accounts they've got damn good hospitals).

[scracha]

Leave them be. Means more cheap motorcycles and accessories when they get spat off and never breathe/walk/get on a bike again.

[Oakie]

Oh, but it is our taxes which pay for the months in which they spend in hospital getting skin grafts or other forms of surgery.

Next time you get your annual rego form, check out how much of the $224 it is ACC levy. It's a huge part. We may pay once as taxpayers but we also pay again as motorcyclists and that is why it our business when riders don't wear the proper gear.

[davereid]

Its about 1/5th the actual cost to ACC of motorcycle accidents. Go to the ACC website and make a submission on ACC vehicle levies. Then they will send you a summary of accident costs. The real motorcycle ACC fee should be about $1500.

Start playing the "safest transport" game and we will lose. You will drive home in an eco friendly, ABS, airbag equipped Volvo at 50 kh/hr.

[onearmedbandit]

I wear 'all-the-gear-all-the-time' with the exception of maybe wearing jeans in town instead of my leather pants, but still believe in the right for people to choose for themselves.

[swbarnett]

Next time you get your annual rego form, check out how much of the $224 it is ACC levy. It's a huge part. We may pay once as taxpayers but we also pay again as motorcyclists and that is why it our business when riders don't wear the proper gear.

Consider this:

The risk of a motorcyclist WITHOUT gear costing the taxpayer $x is greater than one with gear so you feel justified in telling them how to live their life (what gear to wear).

Similarly:

The risk of a motorcyclist WITH gear (presumably you) costing the taxpayer $x is greater than a car driver so they feel justified in telling you how to live your life (how to get from A to B).

Are you happy about car drivers telling us that we shouldn't ride at all because it's dangerous and will cost them money? So what gives you the right to tell another motorcyclist what to wear (no matter how stupid we think it is)? Put yourself in their shoes.

[EJK]

was he riding a Scorpio?

[Defiant]

I find it a bit annoying when i see the rider wearing all the right gear then on the back pillion seat you see a female in a tank top and shorts or so........whats up with that....are they not bothered that if they come off they are protected, but there pillion isnt??? or are they not thinking???.....maybe the chick on the back isnt thinking and forgets its a motorbike not a fashion runway?? (just my 2 cents worth.....)

[homer]

if it wasnt getting taxes dont you think they actually would ban everything

[Oakie]

Are you happy about car drivers telling us that we shouldn't ride at all because it's dangerous and will cost them money? So what gives you the right to tell another motorcyclist what to wear (no matter how stupid we think it is)? Put yourself in their shoes.

True, but part of riding is that we accept we are much more vulnerable than car drivers and we mitigate that danger by wearing appropriate gear in the same way that car drivers are supposed to mitigate their danger by wearing a seatbelt. I wouldn't tell another motorcyclist what to wear unless they asked ... but I do have the right to go "tut tut" to myself when I see someone wantonly exposing their body to additional and unneccesary harm.

[Dave_G]

[QUOTE=swbarnett;1267056]However, I respect their right to make their own decisions

I guess this means then that you also respect the right of the next car driver who changes lanes and knocks you off to walk away as well. After all thats his decision, and he's free to make that decision Right???? Spare me the the individual freedom crap, thats only an argument when no one else is affected by an individuals actions. Fact is the dick heads who dress like this, ride and have accidents are affecting the rest of us. They are affecting your insurance, your ACC levies, your taxes, and the availability of medical treatment for those who actually deserve it, and you never know, that might be your one day.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Exactly, who are they going to hurt when they come off? Themselves. The pain is theirs so the decision is also theirs. Respect their right to that decision. Stop trying to run everyone else's life for them. Next thing you'll be telling me I can't ride a motorcycle at all because of how dangerous it is (or climb a mountain, bungee jump, skydive, ...)

That would be fine. Except when they come off they expect ME to pay for expensive stuff like Ambulances, A & E's, trauma units and skin grafts. Why the hell should I if they are too stupid to do the right thing in the first place.

Lots and lots of people bleat on about "personal freedom" and all that shit, but concomitant to that is "personal responsibility": the obverse of the coin if you will.

Sure, be a tool, dont wear a helmet, eye protection. In fact you can pull a wheelie at 150 kph wearing only a divers mask and a pink G string, and your ballet slippers. Just dont expect me to pick up the pieces if it all goes to shit.

People thing "Oh the gummint will sort it out" or "the gummint will pay": the problem is that the gummint has no money except what they coerce from you and me. Look up "coerce": then look up the penalties in the various tax acts and tell me it isnt coercive. Reduce every question of public expenditure to one of "would I pay for that with my own money" because in fact that is what you are doing:

So: trauma units for sensible people: or unfortunate victims: of course.

more money for better roads: absolutely.

more money and better enforcement for driver training? about bloody time.

hospital care for the terminally stupid? not on my dime.

[HenryDorsetCase]

True, but part of riding is that we accept we are much more vulnerable than car drivers and we mitigate that danger by wearing appropriate gear in the same way that car drivers are supposed to mitigate their danger by wearing a seatbelt. I wouldn't tell another motorcyclist what to wear unless they asked ... but I do have the right to go "tut tut" to myself when I see someone wantonly exposing their body to additional and unneccesary harm.

car drivers are required by law to wear seatbelts.

riders are required by law to wear helmets. Given the reasonably foreseeable nature of injury if riding while wearing only a helmet, and your implied acceptance of that, why would you have a problem with a legislated requirement to wear appropriate gear at all times?