I'll preface this story by stating that my occupation is an auditor with a professional services company in a skyscraper downtown.

The weather is warming up, and I ride to work.  I arrive to work last week helmet in hand, motorcycle jacket on, and head to my desk.  I can't help but notice the sound of the proverbial needle scraping across the record and my coworkers stopping in their tracks to stare at me. 

I begin by saying "Good morning!"
To which "Mary" says "You sure don't look like a biker!"
I replied "Mary, what does a biker look like?"
<long uncomfortable pause>
I then say "Yes, I ride a motorcycle.  I respect the bike and the road and never ride without the proper gear."
<long uncomfortable pause again>
"Well, have a good day!"  and I head to my desk.

What does a biker look like?

OK Toogoofy - here, you got some explaining to do ... 
Cool.
Buddha.

I assume that's not what you look like rolling in?

You know, I've been thinking about this...

I think that it is far more "socially unacceptable" to ride ATGATT than to look like the proverbial "pirate".  I get a lot of looks because of my overpants and armored jacket.  It's not because the jacket is all bug-splattered, they aren't close enough to see that;  I've seen the look on the girl's face at the check-out counter who is close enough to see!  It takes me a few extra minutes to suit up and get on the road, and coworkers ask if it's really worth it to ride.

The "biker" look has become so popular that those guys look normal!  Wonder how the 1%er's like that?

Quote from: The Buddha on April 04, 2012, 07:11:54 PM
OK Toogoofy - here, you got some explaining to do ... 
Cool.
Buddha.

Whoa? Wait? What?

Quote from: Toogoofy317 on April 04, 2012, 09:29:53 PM

Quote from: The Buddha on April 04, 2012, 07:11:54 PM
OK Toogoofy - here, you got some explaining to do ... 
Cool.
Buddha.

Whoa? Wait? What?

I wonder if Google Translate has a Buddha translator yet.

Quote from: holyfighter117 on April 04, 2012, 10:03:53 PM

Well that one's not fair. That's what KTM folks look like.

That's just nasty! 

Quote from: jestercinti on April 04, 2012, 06:52:01 PM
I'll preface this story by stating that my occupation is an auditor with a professional services company in a skyscraper downtown.

The weather is warming up, and I ride to work.  I arrive to work last week helmet in hand, motorcycle jacket on, and head to my desk.  I can't help but notice the sound of the proverbial needle scraping across the record and my coworkers stopping in their tracks to stare at me. 

I begin by saying "Good morning!"
To which "Mary" says "You sure don't look like a biker!"
I replied "Mary, what does a biker look like?"
<long uncomfortable pause>
I then say "Yes, I ride a motorcycle.  I respect the bike and the road and never ride without the proper gear."
<long uncomfortable pause again>
"Well, have a good day!"  and I head to my desk.

What does a biker look like?

Mary - TooGoofy - why you have to say something like that huh.
Cool.
Buddha.

HaHaHa this reminds me.
I actually had the opposite happen to me at work for YEARS!

90% of the time im in all black clothing.
black leather boots until recently (need a new pair)
black leather trench coat that almost goes to my ankles at 6ft2! (been wearing them for 11 years now, Love them not for a stupid style!!!)
and I used to always wear black skull pattern bandannas. (mostly just a plain black baseball cap now)

when it was warm, 3 to 4 out of 5 days a week I would get asked by the clients or off shift coworkers...
Wheres your bike at? hahaha

I would laugh and stick my open hand out....
Got the money? hahaha

I guess thats the stupid main stream style?

Dunno, i've ALWAYS dressed that way.

(edit)
I guess something like this?

haha my Bday photo back in Dec.

I've had people mostly Indians ask me when they see me in full gear with the helmet and these old metallic icon gloves - in winter usually "you ride a bike". I usually say, Naaaaa, I just like walking on the streets with all this cool armor  on - knocking my gloves onto my elbow or shoulder armor.
Cool.
Buddha.

One hot day last year I was checking out at register in a store (I was in full gear) and the clerk said "you must be dying in that!" I replied: "I hope not!"

She gave me the strangest look! Some people just don't understand...

Oh.... and I've learned to take my helmet and sunglasses off BEFORE I enter a bank!!!

related, yet unrelated....


One of my favorite things about full gear is that you never know who someone is under it all. In other words, riding past someone in full gear, you dont have anything to go on. You dont know color, gender (sometimes), age, weight (sometimes) look, profession....nothing. They are just a fellow rider, and i think thats kind of beautiful in its own way.

You have an immediate connection with someone. You dont associate due to any "standard" sociological norms, but due to an equal love of a machine.

Most people associate motorcyclists as looking like the scruffy bearded tattoo-covered Harley dude. 

One of the reasons for this is most of us don't attract attention to ourselves with open pipes and ear shattering exhaust noise, or have biker chicks on the back that are as big as the bike, bearded and rough on the edges.

I love wearing all my gear. I work for a school district so it's fun to see reactions across the board. Grade school kids- OMG YOUR MOTORCYCLE IS SOOOOOOO COOOOOL! YOU ARE AWESOME!. Middle school kids- Most think its badass, some of the girls think its cute. High school kids- (half) OMG motorcycles are scary you are going to die! (other half) Thats so cool!. Teachers and other staff- Just kind of look at me funny. My boss (Harley guy) Lets leave early and ride! Anyone that gives me a puzzled look as to why I am armored up- I tell them I plan on getting in a barfight.

Quote from: ninjeff on April 06, 2012, 09:21:32 AM
related, yet unrelated....


One of my favorite things about full gear is that you never know who someone is under it all. In other words, riding past someone in full gear, you dont have anything to go on. You dont know color, gender (sometimes), age, weight (sometimes) look, profession....nothing. They are just a fellow rider, and i think thats kind of beautiful in its own way.

You have an immediate connection with someone. You dont associate due to any "standard" sociological norms, but due to an equal love of a machine.

Best post in this thread 

Quote from: Twisted on April 06, 2012, 03:44:49 PM

Quote from: ninjeff on April 06, 2012, 09:21:32 AM
related, yet unrelated....


One of my favorite things about full gear is that you never know who someone is under it all. In other words, riding past someone in full gear, you dont have anything to go on. You dont know color, gender (sometimes), age, weight (sometimes) look, profession....nothing. They are just a fellow rider, and i think thats kind of beautiful in its own way.

You have an immediate connection with someone. You dont associate due to any "standard" sociological norms, but due to an equal love of a machine.

Best post in this thread 

I 2nd it 

Quote from: Twisted on April 06, 2012, 03:44:49 PM

Quote from: ninjeff on April 06, 2012, 09:21:32 AM
related, yet unrelated....


One of my favorite things about full gear is that you never know who someone is under it all. In other words, riding past someone in full gear, you dont have anything to go on. You dont know color, gender (sometimes), age, weight (sometimes) look, profession....nothing. They are just a fellow rider, and i think thats kind of beautiful in its own way.

You have an immediate connection with someone. You dont associate due to any "standard" sociological norms, but due to an equal love of a machine.

Best post in this thread 

AGREED, love hte mystery of it.