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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: mes_423 on October 04, 2003, 10:38:27 PM

Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: mes_423 on October 04, 2003, 10:38:27 PM
i go a to a community college in a high end part of town were its more important to look cool that stay safe. well you know the type of school, were everyone is wearing $200 dollars worth of clothes. but anyway out of all the riders i have seen leaving and entering school only 2 of them wore gear (protective jackets, ect.)  :o they come pulling up in a brand new honda cbr600 f4, wearing a helmet, skate shoes, t-shirt and shorts, while im sitting there in full gear. there probable like dork, but at least i know if i go down im not going to look like a fresh peeled plum.  know i know im not the coolest looking kid out there but i feel better at times knowing that im a lot safe then the other guy next to me. weel thats all just blowin off some steam.

ride smart, people
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: Casimir on October 04, 2003, 10:46:13 PM
That's alright, they probably didn't notice the gear because you ride such a weak bike. :mrgreen:

I really don't get the shorts thing, hot exhaust pipes look identical to cold pipes. Yes, I know from personal experience.

Gear good. Skin good. Asphalt BAAAD!
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: yamahonkawazuki on October 04, 2003, 10:50:42 PM
thats alright mes_423, i like yourself, would rather look "uncool" than be stuck picking gravels out of my hind end, or other parts of my body :o also id rather look uncool, so i can visit those cool kind when they end up in the hospital rashed and probably a vegetable and tell them how cool they look! :P
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: pantablo on October 04, 2003, 10:52:37 PM
the best one is when they ask you if you're hot in your leathers in august. "Yes I am". But its much cooler in these leathers than in a hospital room with burned skin.
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: Blueknyt on October 05, 2003, 12:42:08 AM
yeah, sweating leather beats bleeding skingrafts, i wear a leather biker jacket, jeans, i have 12" hightop steel toe work boots (work requires) and an OLD beioffe that i cant get face sheilds for anymore, I have some old blue and white Fox MX gloves but dont wear them often. i probly should.
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: Cal Price on October 05, 2003, 01:08:09 AM
They won't look too cool in traction, If you have ever seen anyone slide 50 feet along the tarmac in shorts and a tee-shirt you will never consider doing it yourself. Stay safe.
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: ashman on October 05, 2003, 01:57:27 AM
Not to sound superfical but i think leather jackets look cool as hell. I love my jacket, i think it looks damn good. Had this chick flirtin w/ me at work tonight when i changed from work slacks to my jeans nd jacket. ehh, i dunno- works for me!
-ash
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: Cal Price on October 05, 2003, 02:11:43 AM
Nothin wrong with that Ash.
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: spaz on October 05, 2003, 04:25:27 AM
here in holland it's totally NOT cool not wearing gear
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: Cal Price on October 05, 2003, 06:23:36 AM
So that's another thing the Dutch have got right, If you want to know what the others are have a wander around Amsterdam......nice tulips.
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: JohnNS on October 05, 2003, 06:43:02 AM
I'm with Ashman on this one. I think alot of gear looks really cool..plus it's as close as I'll ever get to suiting up to fly my F16   :lol:

John
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: V8Pinto on October 05, 2003, 06:59:56 AM
If you were riding along in all your gear on a hot summer day and passed another biker in shorts and topsiders.......would you wave?  I would........but I would be thinking "there goes an organ donor".

WE think you're cool in all your gear.

Friends don't let friends ride naked.  Errr. wait.....  I guess it would depend... ;)
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: dmp221 on October 05, 2003, 02:15:41 PM
Hey, Mes...in riding, like in life..don't worry about the other guy...ride your own ride, your way. :thumb:
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: dgyver on October 05, 2003, 04:55:25 PM
Check this out if anyone is still having to think if they should wearing gear or not:


http://www.cmyoung.com/bikewreck.html


This should convince even the "coolest" idoits to wear gear.

GEAR IS GOOD!
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: JeffD on October 05, 2003, 05:17:00 PM
Yeah if you think riding in gear is hot imagine how hot it will be sliding down the road?  What most textiles are designed to withstand up to 700 degrees F hmm...   I think I'll wear my gear.
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: mes_423 on October 05, 2003, 05:18:01 PM
that was pretty sick, they say shock treatment is only way some people will learn. but some people learn by there mistakes. i hope most riders out there are those who learn by there mistakes. i really wish my dad would wear a helmet. he is to cool, hes a harley rider!!! i dont care who you are or what you ride. you look like a dumbass not wearing a helmet.
stay safe out there everyone :cheers:
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: conradvr on October 05, 2003, 06:23:01 PM
Here in Aus it is only w'nkers and d'ckh'ads that don't wear gear even in hot and sunny Queensland - its not summer yet and we have already seen 34C days.

On the mountains you don't see anybody without good riding gear, only around the suburbs do you see the occasional un-protected rider and its normally on a Cruiser style bike (I think I know why they have to wear open face helmets now, can't get a closed face helmet on due to certain appendages)

Besides - girls flirt with guys in leather bike jackets, and to have the latest and best gear is seen as cool - gotta look like those racers in the GP.

Cheers
Conrad
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: werase643 on October 05, 2003, 06:34:42 PM
I was in the local emergency room about two years ago......
two guys were in seperate drag racing incidents....
one on a bike and the other had his GF in the passenger side....NO SEATBELT....
the GF was airlifted to CHAPEL HILL.....
I was the BIKER.....racer
FULL LEATHERS
BOOTS
GLOVES
FULLFACE HELMET
AND BACK PROTECTOR

everybody expected me to be AFU....
they were the one screamin!!!!!
when the nurses used a wire brush to debride the gravel from the wounds....
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: Cris on October 05, 2003, 06:40:25 PM
Ouch!  :o
I ride nowhere without being fully geared up. I rather like my epidermis...intact.
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: Flash on October 06, 2003, 12:21:11 AM
Good for you :thumb:

Personally, I think you can wear gear and look cool too. I live in Texas and I still manage to wear protective gear all the time (even in hot weather).

Those DUDES are either stupid, careless, or don't want to look "uncool". Well, let me tell you any teenager with a brand new CBR600 f4 in shorts generally cares about one thing: looking cool. Myself, I ride my motorcycle everyday because I enjoy it and the freedom it gives me. I'm doing this for myself. I'm not trying to win some popularity contest. :nana:
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: Moose on October 06, 2003, 05:05:54 AM
I have had my fair share of accidents in life, one MC and 4 in cars.  One I am glad just to be alive.  And if you believe it or not it was in one of the car accidents.  Flipped a car on the Bayou bridge in Louisiana and slid 300 feet upside down.  That was only going 65, still have scars(from road rash) and will for the rest of my life.  Just glad that I did make it out ;) .  I know that while I am working on getting my bike up and running, before I ever just take it out driving I will always have on full gear(still have to purchase it) :mrgreen: . And the story that was linked to really gives a good description of what can really happen(Read it this morning before work).  So ride safe everyone and buckle up (or for our cases suit up). :thumb:
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: scratch on October 06, 2003, 08:23:50 AM
There are those that have crashed and those who have yet to crash. I fit both categories.
There's a difference between a guy on a bike and a motorcyclist. (stolen from: There's a difference between a fisherman and guy just taking up space on the bank. Or, there's a difference between a pro and an ameture, the pro gets paid.)
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: snapper on October 06, 2003, 08:33:31 AM
Now a days there are soooo many options for gear.  Hot and cold riding gear, etc.  Some are "kewler" than others...but thats all based on taste!

Wearing gear is smart, I think smart is sexy.

:mrgreen:
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: Cris on October 06, 2003, 08:59:53 AM
Me too!  :mrgreen:
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: asung on October 06, 2003, 09:07:20 AM
Do you guys wear riding pants too?  I wear everything all the time, except riding pants.  I usually just wear jeans because they are more comfortable and convinient.  Any comments on that?
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: Cris on October 06, 2003, 09:10:50 AM
Don't have any...:oops: yet.
However, I don't ride as often as most and it's on the list!  :thumb:
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: Casimir on October 06, 2003, 09:27:22 AM
I've got some of the JR Phoenix pants. If I go out "riding" (>30 minutes) I wear them. If I'm riding to work or just running to the store or something I wear jeans. I know better, but they are designed for protection when in a riding position and are long when just walking around. They were actually nice for the hot weather because I can wear them over shorts and get a bit of air on my legs.
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: Lerxst on October 06, 2003, 10:05:09 AM
When I go into bars with the armored jacket carrying the helmet, I immediately get the ladies' attention (in a good way).

Oh ya, the gear has saved my skin too... litterally.  I came down hard on my right side.  My armored jacket likely saved me from a broken shoulder.

I wear jeans.  But when I save up some cash, I'll be getting proper pants for the day-long rides.
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: snapper on October 06, 2003, 10:06:32 AM
I have pants...leather AlpineStar BatW pants.  They were a bit warm in the summer, but for the most part I wear them.
I do sometimes just wear jeans... though never the thin ones, only the thick sturdy type.

Right now I wear as much as I can handle... it was 29 when I left this am.  Damn it was cold!
Title: jeans
Post by: Jeff P on October 06, 2003, 03:19:31 PM
If you like to ride in regular jeans but are at all concerned about the lack of protection (as you should be, they'll disintegrate just a few feet after you hit the road) look into Draggin Jeans (www.dragginjeans.com).  They're regular denim jeans with kevlar reinforcement in the seat and knees.  Not nearly as much protection as a pair of armored riding pants, but a pretty good compromise.  They look and wear like regular jeans so you can wear 'em around all day.  And if you go down they're gonna give your knees and ass a much better shot at keeping the skin on.

jeff
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: Turkina on October 06, 2003, 04:06:38 PM
My JR Phoenix pants are doing pretty well.  The knee/shin armor makes holding the tank between your knees pretty comfortable :)  Anyways, I just put them over my jeans and the nearly full length side zippers make it easy to get them on/off.  Very comfortable too.  Right now they are getting a little chilly when riding, but I can always swap to my Ballistic pants.

Little kids bounce.  I am not a little kid  :lol:
Title: Re: jeans
Post by: conradvr on October 06, 2003, 05:20:49 PM
Quote from: Jeff PIf you like to ride in regular jeans but are at all concerned about the lack of protection (as you should be, they'll disintegrate just a few feet after you hit the road) look into Draggin Jeans (www.dragginjeans.com).  They're regular denim jeans with kevlar reinforcement in the seat and knees.  Not nearly as much protection as a pair of armored riding pants, but a pretty good compromise.  They look and wear like regular jeans so you can wear 'em around all day.  And if you go down they're gonna give your knees and ass a much better shot at keeping the skin on.

jeff

I also use the Draggin jeans, they also come in other styles nowdays like Cargo pants with heaps of pockets.  Pretty handy when you ride to a meeting as the look just like normal jeans (a bit hotter tha jeans due to the kevlar lining).  A mate of mine came off wearing his and whilst the denim lasted oh! about 2m on the tar the kevlar prevented some nasty road rash.  Some truck had dropped gravel on the road mid corner and you couldn't see it until you where on it due to shadows etc!

Cheers,
Conrad
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: pantablo on October 06, 2003, 11:57:19 PM
Quote from: asungI usually just wear jeans because they are more comfortable and convinient.  Any comments on that?

I usually just wear jeans when I'm putting around town but when I head for the canyons [or longer rides in general] I wear my Alpinestars Bat leather pants too. I like the full waist zipper connection to my A-Stars jacket. I feel naked in the canyons without my leather pants; I just can't ride nearly as hard.
Title: its not cool to be safe
Post by: TheGoodGuy on October 07, 2003, 09:13:35 AM
at sac.state most riders are in t-shirts and shorts.. now that the weather has gotten a bit cooler, they are pulling out fleece jackets. Only a few that i have seen that has a riding jacket. I ofcourse ride with a jacket, i have gotten so used to i dont think i can ride without one.

it sorta sucks when ppl judge your riding skills by you wearing a jacket, but frankly my riding skills have nothign to do with wearing a jacket but rather be warm, comfy and protected.