I am a big fan of all the Discovery Channel Shows like American Chopper, Motorcycle Mania, and Biker Build Off.  I like what these shows do to promote the motorcycle community, but I am perplexed at the mentality of these chopper builders to shed protective gear any time they can.  You hardly see any of the riders in these show wearing much more than a skull cap helmet.  It's funny, because in last night's show, one of the guys had some road rash and arm sling from a recent crash, but yet the next scene was everyone riding with no gear. (Florida)  Is there just a separate mentality in the chopper world about safety? :dunno:

You know where the term "chopper" comes from, right? Maybe they extend it to the riders.  :dunno:

I absolutely agree---gear is a MUST.  I don't think I'd ever risk it without any gear....I'd rather sweat my ass off then loose my ass! :lol:
Always ride safely and be aware of your surroundings...or at least that's my mentality.  It's better to be safe then sorry.

Their mentality is... "Ye cant ride it eneeewhere but shoooore look purty.... " Its got a hundrt theeeerty threeee cube thuuuuug motor in it.... so ye know eeeets faaaaaast.... yeeeee haw" and "ye know them those Aaaaape hangers make it eeeeeeasy to ride, and the suuuuuuicide cluuuutch... ye kin ride it.... even eeef ye missing a hand... its taaaaaht eeeeesy" and "Gear.... yea eeets got 4-5 of em"
Cool.
Srinath.

Well I'm probably biased in my opinion (for that matter, who isn't really?), but IMO the whole chopper/HD scene (note how i refer to it as a "scene") is all about style as opposed to smart riding (ie: substance). You see some Hollywood bigshot draped over his brand new custom bike every week in the magazines, but are they serious riders...? Fashion and fad goes a long way in the popularity of choppers these days.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to push a custom chopper some day, but believe me when i say i'll be sheathed in my 'stich Roadcrafter when I do so.  

no kidding there is a no gear mentality.....biker/harley guys dont think it looks good

Actually i saw one guy, Chica ( japanese) wearing proper gear on monday night's or sunday night's biker build off. Full Vanson leathers and helmet.  On his very nicely done chopper he looked like a bad MF'er.
HOWEVER:
Choppers are but a growing small piece of the motorcycle world and Discovery channel seems to think there is no motorcycle world but choppers. hey I could build one too just gimme the parts. They spend almost no time during "bike week" on real motorcycles. The same warmed over BSas last time.  How 'bout a streetfighters show or racing program. Nope just F'in choppers out the ass.

I hear you on the protective gear, but as far as the focus on the chopper culture, it's fine with me.  I think the shows are fun to watch and the bikes are very, very impressive expressions of mehanical skill.  I especially liked the original Jesse James special; watching him pound out those tanks and fenders with just a hammer and press was amazing.  There aren't too many true craftsmen left in any professions these days.

Not sure there would be much of a market for a show about some guys re-jetting their GS.  As far as racing, I'm pretty sure the Speed Channel does a lot of motorcycle racing stuff.

I too have been following Discovery Channel's "Bike Week" in hopes of seeing something other than a raked out chopper. I think Discovery knows a good thing when they see it, and until they start losing ratings its gonna stay that way.

They did have a show on women racing on Monday. It wasn't very technical, more just about women crossing into what was once a male-dominated sport. I don't think it would be too difficult to fill an hour show with wind-tunnel testing, engine mods, etc. from say Kenny Roberts Proton K-5 (if he didn't crash it) but go figure .

Saw an article on the importance of riding with proper gear on and the author commented:

I was in Pensacola FL. sitting at a traffic light when another biker pulled up along side of me (wearing the customary shorts and a T-shirt) and commented, "You look hot in all that riding gear." I responded, "Thanks, but I'm straight." No, I didn't actually say that but I wished I had........

I'm hooked, I watch all of the motorcycle shows and can see why discovery is pimping the chopper culture, but damn not even a disclaimer for proper riding gear? It gets damn hot and muggy in the Panhandle of Fl and I find my self longing to ride in a T-shirt and shorts until I think about all the fun descriptions of rash, dismemberment and so on. Besides I think that a cool sport bike setup is just that-cool! To me you look even more bad ass with a joe rocket setup than a bandanna and cutoff shorts. I can apreciate the art and skill in custom choppers, but the pure beauty of a ducati or gsxers or cbrr's do it for me over some raked out non-leaning show bike. What I would like to imitate is the cool mexican ride that Mr Terrible Tattoo and Kid Rock went on during the latest j.james special. Also I feel so bad that poor Mr. terrible tatto is so besiged by his adoring fans, It must suck to charge thirty dollars a pop for a two dollar over head silk screened t-shirt. How to look cool? Iron Cross Baby!!!

Quote from: DanaI was in Pensacola FL. sitting at a traffic light when another biker pulled up along side of me (wearing the customary shorts and a T-shirt) and commented, "You look hot in all that riding gear." I responded, "Thanks, but I'm straight." No, I didn't actually say that but I wished I had........

That is too damn funny... :lol:

I would really like to see a special on the streetfighter scene, but I don't think that scene has really gotten a foothold here in the US.  Maybe we can get them do a show about Leveller and his buddies! :mrgreen:

Quote from: Eightmarky.(Florida)  Is there just a separate mentality in the chopper world about safety? :dunno:

Ask youself how many people on this site smoke?  For as long as I have been able to read the label on a pack of smokes it has warned of danger but people still smoke.  I am not a smoker.

How many on this site might of had a few beers and got on their bike or in their car and told themself  that they could handle it and they would be safe an went ahead and drove home?

How many on this site brag about going 90 to 100MPH or more on their bikes? Is that safe on public roads?  

How about unprotected sex in belief that it will be safe since you would never hook up with someone with an STD?  How do you know?  

How many on this site ride bicycles and do so without a helmet?

Can you say using a cell phone and driving a car or eating the fast food while driving which we all have most likely done but do so in the belief that we are a safe driver and we know what we are doing.

We all do stupid things thinking we will be alright and that is the case with no prootective gear and motorcycles.

We live in a right-to-die world and some feel that they will be safe and have nothing to worry about.

I personally wear protective gear when I ride. Now is it going to really save my life in a accident??  I hope it will make a differece but I also hope I win the lottery? I still waste a buck a week on the lottery and I still wear my gear!