Breaking Daniel
Sergeant
It's odd to me how the gear question incites such a level of "contention"
To clarify, because I think that contention even applies to the sentence above. I don't mean just the situation where an argument ensues with the sides of "I'm smart, you're stupid" or "I don't care about you, well I don't care about you either" or "You're placing a burden on me, no I'm not the burden is already there" but the fact that the subject automatically becomes adversarial.
I wear full gear all the time. I do it because I feel most comfortable doing that. If I see someone else in less than full gear or no gear, I don't lecture them, and in my mind I don't think them less intelligent or worse. As an MSF instructor for several years it was my job to point out the risks of riding and offer the best course of action to mitigate those risks, and of course, one of the primary methods was/is full quality gear. It didn't mean that if someone talked about riding around in shorts and flops in class that I would blast them and call their judgement in question. If they showed up to the range portion in that garb though I would send them home only for the reason that the safety policies require minimum protection while riding during instruction.
My initial reaction at seeing inadequate safety gear or no gear is "empathy" I literally "feel" for what the rider will go thru by skipping over what is essentially a very simple step compared to what they will have to endure in a crash.
Because it doesn't seem fashionable on a motorcycle website, or in the riding community in general to express empathy until after the fact. I often keep those expressions to myself. Its easier to just call someone stupid, and tow the "tough" line.
I've been busted up pretty badly in a crash, and in full gear including a rigid back protector. So when I see someone on the freeway with no gear, I cringe, literally and say prayers for that person that they will never have to feel 1/4 of what I did, ever, in any situation.
So, as far as the gear "question" is concerned, it is actually less a question than it is a gamble, and people gamble all the time, so if you feel comfortable blasting people for gambling all the time, then you probably feel ok about lecturing people about gear as well.
I'd wager (no pun about gambling intended) that less than a small fraction of 1 percent of people who ride are "convinced" to wear full gear by simply the advice of others. Full gear riders are are those that had that in mind from the beginning, or were scared in some way into it by their own accidents or near misses, and let's face it, scary stories on forums rarely scare riders into full gear, especially younger ones.
I think a more appropriate course is to lead by example, and offer advice when requested or when required (MSF)
My Mom used to say, "If you want to make money, shutup and watch someone who has a lot of it, and do what they do" A rider learns best when they are motivated. Insults and chastising remarks do nothing for motivation other than to inspire someone to return the favor.
People however have a much better chance of responding to empathy and concern not couched in condescension. That rider that I see in flops, no shirt and shorts may very well be a much better rider, skill wise than I am. My only consideration is that I want them to stay that way for a really long time.
+1. Thanks for the well thought out response.
I can't believe how this issue ignites such a passion to take sides in the debate. I've even received insults to my perceived parenting style over this. It makes me consider not ever posting anything in the future. I know the internet is full of people just wanting to post knee-jerk responses without any intellect whatsoever, but I didn't know it was this bad.
(From bicycle crashes)
I swear I'm on the same list you are.
