Why do Harley riders wear vests and Johnny Rebs?

**HornetBoy** · 23rd March 2008, 19:54

Originally Posted by Dooly

Dont have a vest, but do own a genuine WW2 SS helmet.
Might give it a go on my Speed Triple eh?

Does seem weird tho.....Jerry hat on a pom bike.......oh well.....

wow! genuine really ? that would be a sight to see ...
Yea may aswell ,would be bloody chilly tho , because of course then you would have to wear the fingerless gloves

**tri boy** · 23rd March 2008, 19:55

The vest was/is a good choice in warm climates to reduce wind blast effect at lower speeds on unfaired bikes, and Rebs are a practical boot for many situations. But it has become a bit of wank factor lately.
eg: dude turns up to the Blues Fest on a stinking hot Easter weekend wearing a "Dri z Bone" full rain coat and all accessories. WTF.(yeah, he was a "born again Harley rider)
I've owned mine for 20 odd years, (actually, it's a Thomas Cook. Better in MHO), and wear only when it's pissing down, or cold as. Triumph rally was a good example.

**Headbanger** · 23rd March 2008, 19:59

Originally Posted by HornetBoy

Well be it German helmet or half face they are both the same thing in reality .

In which case, I don't share your reality, A German helmet and a modern stylised open face helmet are not the same thing.

**Dooly** · 23rd March 2008, 20:02

Originally Posted by HornetBoy

wow! genuine really ? that would be a sight to see ...

Actually, think I'll pass, those real ones are bloody heavy, can't imagine riding with a legit one for any distance. And the straps leave a lot to be desired.
Mind you its still warm, I'll wear my SS officer's cap......damn, the wind will blow it off.
Back to the black crash helmet as usual I think.........

**Headbanger** · 23rd March 2008, 20:02

Originally Posted by Bonez

Go and have a gander just for the hell of it. Lots of variaty now days and bargains to be had.

At a HD dealership?

Hell no, They make me ill with the crap they sell.

Bike specific items I buy from the local Yamaha dealership, They don't have the tosser factor that saturates the HD outlets. Just a rack of clothes....

**Bonez** · 23rd March 2008, 20:04

Originally Posted by Headbanger

In which case, I don't share your reality, A German helmet and a modern stylised open face helmet are not the same thing.

They're not modern. Japs and yanks have been wearing them for years. Remember CHIPS?

**HornetBoy** · 23rd March 2008, 20:04

Originally Posted by Headbanger

In which case, I don't share your reality, A German helmet and a modern stylised open face helmet are not the same thing.

...agreed with you ,in the fact that modern half face helmets are far from a german helmet ,but i was not referring to modern helmets , i was comparing to half face helmets that people may predominantly see worn by harley riders. this is why i said german style helmets in the first place.

**Headbanger** · 23rd March 2008, 20:06

Originally Posted by Bonez

They're not modern. Japs and yanks have been wearing them for years. Remember CHIPS?

The pictured helmet was definitely a modern style, even if the cut isn't. Certainly more modern then 1942.

And yes I remember chips, Perfect hair, Must have been the helmets.....

**pc220** · 23rd March 2008, 20:08

Originally Posted by Headbanger

At a HD dealership?

Hell no, They make me ill with the crap they sell.

Bike specific items I buy from the local Yamaha dealership, They don't have the tosser factor that saturates the HD outlets. Just a rack of clothes....

+1 , besides the floor gets a bit slippery at the HD dealers

**The Lone Rider** · 23rd March 2008, 20:19

Originally Posted by Big Dave

If i have to explain you wouldn't understand.

Hahaha, another classic one davy.

So many things are like that eh!

**1200custom** · 23rd March 2008, 20:26

Originally Posted by Headbanger

The pictured helmet was definitely a modern style, even if the cut isn't. Certainly more modern then 1942.

And yes I remember chips, Perfect hair, Must have been the helmets.....

what happaned to your warehouse shoes you use to ride

**Japtwin** · 23rd March 2008, 20:29

What do naked bike riders wear??

**Headbanger** · 23rd March 2008, 20:30

Originally Posted by 1200custom

what happened to your warehouse shoes you use to ride

Left them in Wellington.

Actually, I got tired of people (not you) telling me all about the culture identities and behaviours of Harley riders.

I thought fuck it, I've been riding the damn things for 20 years and now some ones trying to tell me how things "really are" out there ......."on the road"

**The Lone Rider** · 23rd March 2008, 20:30

I's wear the following:

Un-branded leather jacket
Soon to get a leather vest for all the damn patches and things I be getting
jeans of whatever is clean from the wash
old pair of british combat boots
un-branded leather full finger gloves (rarely wear gloves).
Cheap pair of warehouse pvc pants
Dry As A Bone rain jacket

Other fellows I ride with have johnny rebs, harley jackets, dragon jeans, textile jackets of different sorts, plus similar stuff to what I have, and one guy has fingerless gloves.