this what i like about this forum interesting and topical debate with views from a wide variety of people from different backgrounds and yes i am probably a dumbass and as stated i most definetly have the scars to prove it ............
i used to ride in my 20's locally in jeans and t-shirt just to look cool... (or so i thought) i rode around in arizona without a helmet, so wore a bandana just in case italy in shorts and t-shirt i'm still here now everyday i wear my leathers
As I well know you can ride as carefully as you want, it wont make the blindest bit of difference when someone pulls out in front of you. If I weren't wearing leather jeans, and armored textile jacket and decent boots gloves and lid I'd have been in an even worse state after my accident. The non yielding containing nature of the leather was pretty much all that stopped the lower fracture on my femur being a compound fracture. That was 1.5 miles from home on a 125cc commuter bike at about 50 mph.
I have seen a young lad of 10 who came off his push bike in hot weather His leg was a mess not only did he take his skin off it burnt on the hot Tarmac as it melted to his leg He was in agony Can you imagine your whole body sliding along the hot Tarmac at 60 plus I know I would rather have leather sliding down the road Anyway it's your own choice what you do as it never happens to you unfortunately there is a day it will be.
I was one who thought I would never come off my bike fig I thought I rode to slow and careful Obviously not as one written off SS and injuries proved otherwise.
I'm all for freedom of choice, but I wish the pillocks that crash whilst wearing t-shirts and shorts could be made to pay the bill for their rehabilitation.
Along with the smokers, heavy drinkers & clinically obese? Once they've had their pockets emptied I suppose we can make those that hurt themselves playing amateur sports of any description shell out for their treatment because they should have stayed in watching tv while they drink beer, smoke tabs and scoff junk food.
I find it quite interesting that there are people in this world who ride motorcycles and believe that they are totally immune from accidents. Who's more likely to have an accident ? Someone who has considered the risks and decided to wear something protective just in case (and probably rides accordingly), or someone who is arrogant enough to believe that their own skill, reactions and ability will save them from ever being run into by another vehicle, or ever running across a patch of diesel ? Fig, I understand your arguments, and I believe that you should be free to make your own decisions, but please don't stereotype me just because I disagree with your way of thinking.
Who is more likely to crash: someone who rides confidently, or someone who constantly worries about crashing? The way I see it is this. There's a time and a place for full power ranger kit, and enjoying a bimble ain't it. Sure there's a chance of an accident, but it isn't half as likely as some people seem to think. And even less likely if you learn to ride with confidence and try to improve your visual skills. I'll carry on riding in what I like if you don't mind, and I don't see why some people think it's their right to comment on other peoples' choices.
Both my nasty offs were when having a bimble........just trolling along enjoying the weather, not being lairy; jeans; lightweight bomber jacket; paddock boots...... Ping!.......Blood, gravel rash, pain, artery cut, tendons cut, lotsa stitches, plastered leg three months...... Leathers always now.
I'm a confident rider and my forward planning is shit hot ,eyes like a shithouse rat....can't hear bugger all though from years of bangs and dio ( my admin is just shit , according to pixie) but each to his own , personally I won't ride unless I'm togged up ..... Yup it's hot ...so what sweat is easier to replace than skin and blood ......a low speed drop will crack plastics and grind away an engine case and as I'm very much a part of that machine while its rolling with only approximate 2in of rubber in contact with the road I'm happy to sweat like an 70/80's tv star when the doorbell rings.......out of interest who has crash bungs/bars fitted yet rides with no kit ???? Just a thought ....muchos luuuuuuuuuurve booooooooom xx
I'm the opposite, all the crashes I've had have been while I'm 'making progress'. Split roughly down the middle between full leathers and casual riding gear (I cared even less when I was younger), the damage done each time was roughly the same - in fact I got more gravel rash wearing a leather jacket one time because the sleeve was too loose and it rolled up.
Aaaaaah I see yep I've had a nasty thigh bruise that came out meshed .......Ill fitting kit is just as bad ......( I like it tight )
