What's with the lack of gear?

[DUCATI*HARD]

maybe they cant afford any

[Dave-]

I don't care about compulsion, it's against common sense that irks me.

[James Deuce]

Common Sense?

The most Commonly Sensible people I know wear army greatcoats, gaiters, and cork helmets.

Neither speed nor accident has exploded them, despite the Governmental policy that speed shall kill, and the manufacturers propaganda that only leather, kevlar, and lorica styled armour shall provide the necessary protection to prevent all and any damage in the event of a bin m'lud.

Commenting on other people's riding attire is the same as standing on a step ladder and ranting over the fence at the neighbour about their messy back yard. You may not like what comes back over the fence.

Look ye first to thine own back yard.

[discotex]

What's with the large influx of squids off late?

I think it's the sunny weather. Seems to increase the number of scooters and they rarely wear any protective gear other than a helmet.

But get this...

On Friday I was walking down Ponsonby Rd to get lunch. Saw this scooter rider sitting at the lights with a funny looking flip face helmet. I'm standing waiting to cross thinking "fuck that's a really weird looking fliptop...!"

As he took off an got closer I saw why it looked so odd. Turns out the dumbarse had a full face helmet undone and pulled up so the chin guard was above his eyes!!!

[FruitLooPs]

Heh yeah I saw a fellow riding down Ilam road the other night with shorts sneakers and a tshirt on, just a helmet..

I'd cringed instinctivlely, hate to go for a skate wearing only that stuff. I've come off my pushbike at probably 25 or less and skinned myself up real well and thats enough to put me off..

Had an 18yr old lass living with me from wisconsin earlier this year, enjoyed going pillion but it was always an uphill struggle to get her to wear protective gear.

No gear, no ride - try telling that to a teenage chick who wants to go to the beach on a hot summers day.. rather be in a skirt and hatler top or something I dunno Still i'm not going to be the sucker that explains to her mother why shes skinned down to the bone tho ..

I don't know, some people just aren't that fussed with personal safety. She had also been in three car crashes back in the states with rolled vehicles etc, no seatbelts - wouldn't wear one here in NZ without me in the car to tell her to.. her parents don't wear em either etc . I'm thinking those big yank tanks won't save you forever..

[jim.cox]

Recently, on the way to uni (Mt Eden Rd / Symonds St / Queen St) I've see heaps of riders on 250s not wearing CRITICAL bits of kit like gloves. Everytime when I'm crossing Queen streets, I see bikers pulled up to the lights without jackets or gloves.

No Jacket? .... that's not on.
No Gloves? That's just stupid.

What's gonna happen to your hands when you come off? You will instinctually put them out to break your fall.

I never used to see stuff like this earlier (In winter - Anyone see a connection here?)

What's with the large influx of squids off late? One of these munters on a VTR or similar, without gloves / jacket tried to race me even.

Pull your heads in before something bad happens to you. I know it seems like it won't happen to you, but you WILL come off. Not a matter of if, but when and how hard. Some cager will not see you, or you'll hit a manhole cover in the wet. I personally used to believe It would 'never happen to me'. Next thing I knew I was sliding down the road with my bike falling down a 2m bank. I walked away from it with nothing more than a few bruises and a scratch on my elbow - all because I was wearing gear. See photos.

Sort your shit out kids, before you end up dead or worse.

Hey Breakaway

what's with Safety Nazi attitude?

Aint you heard of personal responsibility? = you get to choose

Me, I'd never ride without gloves, but that's MY choice

They'll learn (and the hard way is probably the only way they will for some)

[Usarka]

I was out a few weeks ago and a nutter came the other way smoking into a corner far too hot, onto my side of the road, almost had a head on.

It's ok though, he had all the gear on.

[breakaway]

They'll learn (and the hard way is probably the only way they will for some)

Exactly. Just trying to talk some sense into these guys before something bad happens. I'm not a "ALL GEAR ALL THE TIME" advocate myself, but I never ride without helmet / jacket, and NEVER EVER without gloves. I don't want to end up in a position where I can't even hold my dick when I need to take a piss.

I was out a few weeks ago and a nutter came the other way smoking into a corner far too hot, onto my side of the road, almost had a head on.

It's ok though, he had all the gear on.

Where was this?

[jrandom]

I used to take the position that those who rode without gear caused trouble and expense for the rest of us.

Then I highsided a few months ago and smashed my thumb up, wearing full gear. My (very high quality) surgery and treatment would have taken at least several grand out of the ACC kitty.

In the end, motorcycling itself is risky. We pay the premiums to insure the bikes and ourselves, and we should consider ourselves fortunate to live in a society that allows us to make our own choices to the extent that it does.

[imdying]

Aint you heard of personal responsibility? = you get to choose

If paying for cleaning you up after you shred your skin was your personal responsibility, then sure. You sign away your ACC rights, and then nobody will hassle you for riding around in your birthday suit if that's what suits you.

[Usarka]

Who do you really think costs this country more money?

1. The people who ride around sensibly without any safety gear

OR

2. The people who have all the gear and "push" their riding a little harder.
(hint: number 2)

I'm guessing all you safety nazis at one time or another have ALL done number 2.

[imdying]

Oh oh I know! You've obviosuly made some numbers up in your head though, so you might as well make up which one I was gonna choose too!

[Mikkel]

I used to take the position that those who rode without gear caused trouble and expense for the rest of us.

Then I highsided a few months ago and smashed my thumb up, wearing full gear. My (very high quality) surgery and treatment would have taken at least several grand out of the ACC kitty.

In the end, motorcycling itself is risky. We pay the premiums to insure the bikes and ourselves, and we should consider ourselves fortunate to live in a society that allows us to make our own choices to the extent that it does.

Spot on!

I'm still waiting for my leathers... Bloody annoying! Almost got myself hurt yesterday as well - would have been nasty wearing my non-abbrasive-resistant clothing. But what can you do? I've been waiting for 3 weeks now...

[imdying]

Where did you order them from? 3 weeks? For leathers? Let them keep them, plenty of shops selling leathers

[Usarka]

Oh oh I know! You've obviosuly made some numbers up in your head though, so you might as well make up which one I was gonna choose too!

Based on discussions with emergency staff at north shore hospital four years ago. Most riders they saw at the time were sports bike riders.

Got any contrary information to back up your sarcasm and hypocracy?