Anyone else notice a change in Harley Attire???

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......................As an experienced rider I can assure you that fear of injury has nothing to do with my choice to wear gear, no more so than my choice to wear a seatbelt when I'm in a car.

If I was afraid of being hurt I wouldn't ride.

You're baiting and trolling trying to get in to an argument over the definitions of words.

If you do not know what fear, risk, rational, mitigation, etc. mean, then go to a dictionary website and look them up. If you still do not understand what I've already said than there is nothing that I can help you with.

This approach to the english language reminds me of Alice in Wonderland:
'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone,' it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less.'

I'm sorry I tried to get clarification on your thoughts

 

[Traq]

What possible injuries could one sustain in a full face helmet that would not occur in a half helmet?

Maybe theres some sort of cutoff where in a half helmet you don't "sustain injuries", you just simply die. :|

This link talks about the most common argument against full face helmets.

 

[Archimedes]

That's just it, their weekend RUB's who have probably seen one too many of their own go down and seeing what happens if you don't wear gear. The old diehards of yesteryear are a dying breed.

My guess is that most of em didn't get the 'R' in RUBs by being stupid...

It's simple. More intelligent self-aware people ride Harley's than did 10-20 years ago. Hence more protective gear.

And yes, you could say the diehards of yesteryear are a dying breed.

 

[mnb]

1)Circular argument so this is pointless.

2)If you're leaning over like one does on a many sport bikes, it's more challenging to look around than if you are sitting up or reclined. It has little to do with the helmet.

3)How much movement do you need to sit and move some handle bars? Besides, mobility is not that constricted even with armor. Speed may be constricted though. I don't' know about you, but when I put my riding gear on, either my 1 piece, or my other riding items, running hurdles doesn't cross my mind.

That is all, carry on.

1) benefits and drawbacks to each type.

2) Neither of my bikes have an extreme crouch. My field tests confirm a wider range of peripheral vision with a half helmet vs. a full face. It's really noticable when merging on to a freeway when you have to really crank your head around to see. You NEED that peripheral then.

3) You don't need a great amount of movement ON the bike. But most people get off the bike once in a while. Maybe talk a walk, do lunch, whatever. And gear without armor folds up into the saddle bags. My armored textile jackets suck up a whole bag, so I can't bring the mesh in case it gets warm or the waterproof if it rains. I have to pick one. On day rides, not so big a problem. On the long trips I like to take, definitely a problem.

Don't get me wrong, I clearly see the value in greater protection. I wore a helmet before California HAD the helmet law. But there are tradeoffs. And sometimes a little less protection suits the task better. It involves a potentially greater risk, but that's a call each rider needs to make for themselves.

 

[sarcastik]

"our" gear?

First of all, you're not a sportbike rider. Fakeass gixxer graphics don't make your GS500F a sportbike, it's still a standard with a fairing.

Secondly, I don't care how fast you get to 60 (your bike does it in 6.5, btw, much slower than, say, a V-Rod of Screamin' Eagle Dyna), if you get hit by a cager, you want to have some gear. The fact that cruiser apparel-makers have been skimping on gear leads cruiser rides to try out sport-touring and even sportbike gear. Don't worry, as soon as the industry notices the trend, they'll start doing their jobs.

For the sake of adding some creditability to this thread let me point out for the second time that I DO NOT ride a GS500. I've been riding roughly 10 months and the first 4 Were on the Suzuki then I sold it and bought an 06 Kawasaki 636 because I prefer undertail exhaust to that played out side mounted shit. Isn't that what barf reccommends for noobs? Get off my back!

All that from an R bike rider. All that torque and gonna help you when my Kawasaki totally discraces you off the line and you're side bags only create more wind resistance...think about it

 

[Valgar]

"Judging by that sticker in your window, you own a harley. Why aren't you riding it?"

 

[Ant]

Could care less what people wear when they ride.

On the other hand........

 

[954Rider]

This is sad. You folks really don't know squat about folks that ride Harleys and yet they're a huge cross section of motorcyclists.

A simple leather jacket and chaps actually do a great job of protection as does a decent (non-beanie) half-helmet. Sure, armor and a full face helps, but it's not like you're guaranteed burger if you don't wear it. There is concern with full faces causing head injuries that a half helmet wouldn't and a wider field of vision with a half helmet (I've tested this personally).

Umm, please do tell what the hell kind of injuries a full faced helmet can cause that a half helmet wouldn't? I don't know about ya'll but I would hate getting a still alive buzzing bee get in my mouth and work its way down my throat. Or how about a rock the size and weight of a marble fly up from the car in front of you and BREAK one of your teeth?

 

[Lights_Guy3]

Since people were arguing about being afraid:

"If we take the generally accepted definition of
bravery as a quality which knows no fear, I have
never seen a brave man. All men are frightened.
The more intelligent they are, the more they are
frightened."
-George S. Patton

 

[bpw]

All that from an R bike rider. All that torque and gonna help you when my Kawasaki totally discraces you off the line and you're side bags only create more wind resistance...think about it[/QUOTE]


Umm..you do realize there is more to motorcycle riding than horspower and acceleration numbers. I definetly wont be disgraced when your kawi beats me off the line. I only have 35 hp and dont expect anything different. Just as I doubt you will be disgraced when when I make a turn into the woods and you cant even follow me. Different bikes, different purpose.

 

[Karbon]

sorry mang, but how bout a pair of boobs to wash this beat-to-death topic of gear/harley riders asspackery?


















ohhh look at them boobies, fresh son!

 

[ntula]

how many harleys highside.. . they are lower to the ground and have a much greater rake.. you are safer on a harley than you are on a bicycle. and as far as your helmet graph, it displays all impacts, not the just the initial one. people do not stick their chin out, but a full face helmet causes you to have your chin area further out so it will get some abrasion that may have never occured. bicyclists wear half helmets as well. fact is, harley riders generally ride at or under the speed limit. they are cruising. if you have ever riden one, you will understand, if you have not, then you should stfu and have no say in this and should go wash your bike again for your weekly big ride to starbucks.


sorry, i am just not in a very good mood today!

 

[DiScoTeknix]

What's wrong with Harley riders wearing Alpinestars? Jason Pullen rides Harleys and he's sponsored by Alpinestars. This reminds me of the 'if you rollerblade and wear skateboarding brands then you are a poser" argument from middle school.

For the sake of adding some creditability to this thread let me point out for the second time that I DO NOT ride a GS500. I've been riding roughly 10 months and the first 4 Were on the Suzuki then I sold it and bought an 06 Kawasaki 636 because I prefer undertail exhaust to that played out side mounted shit. Isn't that what barf reccommends for noobs? Get off my back!

All that from an R bike rider. All that torque and gonna help you when my Kawasaki totally discraces you off the line and you're side bags only create more wind resistance...think about it

Your rep is dropping and your squid level rising.

 

[ntula]

Could care less what people wear when they ride.

On the other hand........

that pipe is hot, muzzy ti's are so sexy.

 

[ScorpionKing]

If you are uncomfortable elaborating your "point", you could just SAY that and take ownership....name calling seems a little adolescent.

I will restate my question;

What do you think is the proper role for "fear" to play in motorcycling ?


I personally fear suffering large consequences for small mistakes I may/will make, so I dress accordingly. It turns out, I make mistakes all of the time.


Is that enough to apprease your concerns of being questioned ?

Me, I'm not afraid to get on and ride a motorcycle and unless situations arise, I have no sense of fear when I'm riding. However I do have fear of crashing so I ride to stay alive. I ride within my limits and I'm aware of my surroundings. I'm also aware of the risks of riding a motorcycle and accept them.

I'm confused, so am I on your side or Traq?

I think you guys are saying the same thing. Both of you are "mitigating" your "fear" of falling by wearing proper gear

 

[Karbon]

I dont know about you guys, but barring my helmet, i dont feel "safer" with all my gear on. I dont think there is much leather can do in cases where extreme blunt trauma force is applied. Your body is gonna snap, and maybe your torso and limbs will look a little more tidy when medics cut your gear off, after a wreck. Granted good amount of gear will help mitigate road rash, but i see that as more a convenience than it is a grand virtue.

 

[HellFyre]

The new gear hides the beer bellies better.

 

[sarcastik]

All that from an R bike rider. All that torque and gonna help you when my Kawasaki totally discraces you off the line and you're side bags only create more wind resistance...think about it

Umm..you do realize there is more to motorcycle riding than horspower and acceleration numbers. I definetly wont be disgraced when your kawi beats me off the line. I only have 35 hp and dont expect anything different. Just as I doubt you will be disgraced when when I make a turn into the woods and you cant even follow me. Different bikes, different purpose.[/QUOTE]

To that I respond as any sport rider would...."why the hell would we be riding in the woods?"

 

[mnb]

1) Umm, please do tell what the hell kind of injuries a full faced helmet can cause that a half helmet wouldn't?

2) I don't know about ya'll but I would hate getting a still alive buzzing bee get in my mouth and work its way down my throat. Or how about a rock the size and weight of a marble fly up from the car in front of you and BREAK one of your teeth?

Neck injuries. There is no conclusive data that it can cause them, but some data suggests it might. Personally, the peripheral is a fairly important item for me. What you can't see might hit you. I do, however, wear a full face when riding my beemer.

Hint to avoid obstacles: Use a windscreen.

To that I respond as any sport rider would...."why the hell would we be riding in the woods?"

They say speed causes narrow vision. Could it also cause narrow mindedness?

II dont think there is much leather can do in cases where extreme blunt trauma force is applied. Your body is gonna snap, and maybe your torso and limbs will look a little more tidy when medics cut your gear off, after a wreck. Granted good amount of gear will help mitigate road rash, but i see that as more a convenience than it is a grand virtue.

+1. Gear is good, but it only goes so far.

 

[Archimedes]

Granted good amount of gear will help mitigate road rash, but i see that as more a convenience than it is a grand virtue.

Spoken by someone who I'm guessing has never had asphalt scrubbed out of an open wound.