Which is Dumber?

pcbikedude · Post by **pcbikedude** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:46 pm

I'm kind of torn to which is the dumbest of the two:
1. The no shirts, shorts, and flip-flops or no gear except for helmet or
2. The guys riding sports bikes decked out in matching "Power Ranger" outfits.

Roose Hurro · Post by **Roose Hurro** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:54 pm

Number One is dumber... at least the "Power Rangers" are wearing all the gear, all the time.

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voodoosix · Post by **voodoosix** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:55 pm

at least the power ranger look offers protection!

seriously though, i always remove my flip flops before riding and tuck them in my shorts. nothing suks worse than getting gravel in your Tevas after taking a bumblebee to the nipple

pcbikedude · Post by **pcbikedude** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:59 pm

With our Power Ranger friends, I keep thinking that some salesperson is going home with a fat commission check because he sold this guy everything in the store except for the soda machine. He would have sold him that too (because it had a cool sticker on it) but the machine belong to someone else.

kuruku · Post by **kuruku** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:04 pm

I think I'd rather look like a Power Ranger than be as dead as the show is...

BadBrains · Post by **BadBrains** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:11 pm

My favorite breed is the Crotch Rocket Rider doing 80 with their helmet on the back of their bike.

I say that with all sincerity, because I was the best man at his wedding.

He said he'd "put his balls aside" so I could get a scooter.

xtetra · Post by **xtetra** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 1:38 am

A dealer tried to sell me a leather power rangers outfit once. He said "You'll notice that's what all pro-riders wear." to which I replied "You'll notice all the pro riders also have sponsors." He got the point and showed me a moderately priced fabric armored jacket.

Post by **illnoise** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:15 am

This is illnoise, your rational, impartial moderator with absolutely no opinion on this subject. : )

We had a complaint that this post and the follow-ups may be offensive to people who ride barefoot and/or in race leathers. Which is a valid complaint.

We'll let this thread stand as is for now, but please respect others' riding attire decisions, we all have different opinions about this and it's a touchy subject. I think a bit of humor was intended, but at least one member took it the wrong way, so tread lightly on this subject.

Roose Hurro · Post by **Roose Hurro** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:51 am

And this is Roose Hurro...

... when my time comes, I will choose to wear the gear necessary to keep my hide mine, and not the road's. Far as I'm concerned, everybody is free to choose their own level of acceptable risk, even if they choose to ride in nothing but their birthday suits....

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nissanman · Post by **nissanman** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:14 pm

Do Power Rangers have birthday suits? If they were in their birtday suits how'd you tell the were Power Rangers

Queen · Post by **Queen** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:03 pm

Personally I like riding naked, it saves on clothes washing and helps me get that nice no-line tan.

iinigma7 · Post by **iinigma7** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:08 pm

I think it's foolish to ride unprotected. And honestly, if I was riding a crotch rocket on a day-trip to the mountains with my friends I'd probably "go go power ranger" as it were. Granted I wouldn't ride to work that way, but if I was out for a trip specifically to ride at high speeds I'd wear the best gear for it.

NathanielSalzman · Post by **NathanielSalzman** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:16 pm

My wife and I were out with EP_scoot on a ride last sunday afternoon. The weather was absolutely gorgeous! On our loop back we came along side two teenage girls 2-up on a Zuma, sans helmets, both in tshirts, shorts, and flip flops. At least they had sunglasses on! Ha ha! All this on a very busy 4-lane city street with traffic entering and exiting just everywhere. We couldn't help but laugh. One of the girls yelled out "I love your scooter!" to my wife on her pink Buddy (she always gets all the attention).

My first thought was "wow that is super unsafe" but I also had to check myself. There was something awesome about their pure exuberance and as my wife said later on, "there's something to be said for having the wind in your hair."

What I realized was that safety on two wheels is a personal choice. My wife and i were wearing armored jackets, armored gloves, boots, denim, and full face helmets. That's how we ride. I realized that how other people ride is their business. Yeah, if they wreck they're going to get hurt big time. But that's their choice. Chances are those two girls will grow up and grow wiser and be just fine and think back on those times in high school when they went galavanting on that scooter through uptown. Good for them.

As for the power ranger outfits, to each their own. It's no different than the cruiser crowd decked out in black leather and chrome studded chaps with tassels and their little brain bucket helmets. Both are about a degree of safety, but mostly about exuding whatever bravado drew them to that kind of riding in the first place. I can attest to the draw of being seen on two wheels. If I'm honest with myself, that's why I bought my first Vespa. That's why I hated to sell it - because it was such a fabulous style item. But along the way I realized that what I really loved was the ride, and that's how the Blur got into my garage. So I can't really fault anybody for looking the part of whatever they ride. If I rode a yellow crotch rocket, I'd totally want the jump suit to match - go all Kill Bill on it. Besides, when you show up to a scooter event, how much Corazzo is there on everybody? How many 3/4 helmets? How many "mod" guys on Vespas or Stellas trying to step out of Quadrophenia? To each their own, but doggin' the sport bike guys is "the pot calling the kettle black" to a great extent.

golfinguy · Post by **golfinguy** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:18 pm

Queen wrote:Personally I like riding naked, it saves on clothes washing and helps me get that nice no-line tan.

But only with one of crystal's fuzzy seat covers. Vinyl is sticky.

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:04 pm

#1

#2 may look sillier, but they are indeed safer.

EP_scoot · Post by **EP_scoot** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:35 pm

#1,

I tried to stick to the ATGATT mantra. But if someone else doesn't, it really does not bother me. It is not my body that would get hurt should they go down. I might feel sad just thinking what could happen to them, but I understand it is a personal choice.

BadBrains · Post by **BadBrains** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 3:58 pm

I agree that it's a matter of choice and personal risk assessment. The only time that someone else's gear decision matters to me is when it's a loved one.

My GF thinks wearing more than a helmet on a scooter is over the top, and I predict an epic fight in the future when I refuse to let her ride on it without full gear.

Does anybody know of an elegant way to approach this situation? Maybe I should make her watch one of those "Red Concrete" safety videos.

Post by **jmazza** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:17 pm

I wear a helmet, but not where you'd think.

To each his/her own.

EP_scoot · Post by **EP_scoot** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:23 pm

Badbrains,
be careful about showing graphic videos depicting the consequences of not wearing gear. Videos like that or websites such as www.ridetodie.com might freak her out to the point she will never ride with you. Maybe take some selected pictures and show her that.

I would suggest you start by bringing her to a shop and try some gear on and let her start picturing herself on it. Girls love to shop. Let her knoe you just don't want her to get hurt, heck you already have the gear for yourself.

BadBrains · Post by **BadBrains** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 4:42 pm

EP_scoot wrote:Badbrains,
be careful about showing graphic videos depicting the consequences of not wearing gear. Videos like that or websites such as www.ridetodie.com might freak her out to the point she will never ride with you. Maybe take some selected pictures and show her that.

I would suggest you start by bringing her to a shop and try some gear on and let her start picturing herself on it. Girls love to shop. Let her knoe you just don't want her to get hurt, heck you already have the gear for yourself.

That's a really good idea! Lord knows she loves to shop. How about this: I'll buy all her scooter gear for her if she promises to wear it all the time. That seems pretty fair right? It's going to be instantly worth it should I ever see her go down. It would go like this:

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:04 pm

What I realized was that safety on two wheels is a personal choice.

Of course, this assumes that everyone on two wheels is making an informed decision. If the 2 girls in question took the MSF class and understand the risks involved with riding, then sure, it's easy to decide to take more risk and ride with the wind in your hair. And I'm all for leaving those decisions in the hands of the rider.

However, I personally think it's far more likely that the average flip flop, shorts wearing rider has given no thought whatsoever to the potential consequences of even a minor mishap. "Scooters are cute and slow, how could I possibly kill myself?"

More to the point, how can you avoid a serious concussion if you slip and fall while stopped at an intersection?

nissanman · Post by **nissanman** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:20 pm

I can't help but think "Doowutchyalike"... great little ditty. I know there's at least one other board member that knows what I'm taliking about

NathanielSalzman · Post by **NathanielSalzman** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:22 pm

Badbrains,

I can't speak to your relational dynamic but I do know that my wife will not stand to be "told" to do anything. Anything. She grew up around motorcycles in rural Iowa and they pretty much never wore any gear, so the idea of wearing even a 3/4 helmet was pretty out there. I can't even begin to claim that I talked her into it or anything like that. What I did do is simply share my own discoveries and conclusions about safety. There's something compelling about example, and what I had to let go of was the idea that I could make up her mind for her. She's brilliant, so all I could really do was decide for myself what I was going to wear, then express to her the why of what I was choosing to do along with my heartfelt desire that she be safe and sound if something ever went wrong. But ultimately she had to make up her own damn mind. Thankfully, she rides fully geared up - armored jacket, full-face modular helmet, lace-up heavy leather boots, and armored gloves. But it's not because I somehow talked her into it.

EP_scoot's idea about taking her shopping is a really good one. I'd add to that to let the people at the gear shop make the recommendations. Hearing someone other than you reiterate the importance of safety gear may be a much greater influence. Ultimately, have faith in her good judgement. She's with you isn't she? Wait...is that good judgement?

BadBrains · Post by **BadBrains** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:42 pm

NathanielSalzman wrote: I can't speak to your relational dynamic but I do know that my wife will not stand to be "told" to do anything. Anything.

Word! And what's funny, is I've never really questioned her judgement until you mentioned that she IS dating me after all. Great, now I'm just going to be suspicious all the time!

I'm having the same kind of experience you mentioned, because she used to ride Crotch Rockets with her friend and was quite the speed demon, but would only wear a helmet. I think the fact that I'm now starting to ride on two-wheels has made her think about safety more as she's worried I'll lose all my skin.

She's currently in school for massage therapy and the other day had a class on massaging amputees. Almost every other client that came in that day had lost part of one of their legs due to motorcycle accidents and she said that definitely straightened her out a bit.

I think I just scared myself... losing a leg in a motorcycle accident? Doesn't sound like there's much gear that can prevent that, only safe driving (and even then you're never full-proof).

madtolive · Post by **madtolive** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:00 pm

I'll buy all her scooter gear for her if she promises to wear it all the time.

you mind having a lil chat with my man? i think he could benefit from your advice. but me more.

anyway, i just ordered my jacket and helmet (quite the exciting experience), so maybe he can get me the prima pipe.

BadBrains · Post by **BadBrains** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:07 pm

Hah, it would be more effective if I got my GF's dad to have a chat with your man. He's the one who planted the idea in the first place. Not subtly either...

StL_Stadtroller · Post by **StL_Stadtroller** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:09 pm

no, what's stupid are the guys on superbikes, with the $400 Arai helmet, $1,200 full-race leather Vanson suit with armour and knee pucks and everything, $300 Alpinestar armoured boots...

and NO GLOVES!

Addendum: anyone offended by this thread because they ride in wife-beaters and flip-flops NEEDS a good offending.

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:23 pm

I ride with helmet and gloves, but I am looking into a riding jacket, not super fancy, but a cheap and good quality one.

Post by **illnoise** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:53 pm

nissanman wrote:I can't help but think "Doowutchyalike"... great little ditty. I know there's at least one other board member that knows what I'm taliking about 8)

Heh. Grab 'im in the biiiiscuits!

Bb.

nissanman · Post by **nissanman** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:56 pm

Go where ya like kid... I'll begin your fade for you. Bringin the 'noise again huh? This is what makes scooter people so dang great

NathanielSalzman · Post by **NathanielSalzman** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 7:04 pm

Of course, this assumes that everyone on two wheels is making an informed decision. If the 2 girls in question took the MSF class and understand the risks involved with riding, then sure, it's easy to decide to take more risk and ride with the wind in your hair.

You don't need to take the MSF class to know that riding flip flops is dangerous even just on a bicycle or skateboard. That's common sense (which yes, is less and less common all the time). I don't think information is what those girls lack. What I was speaking more to was this idea that we who are safety minded in how we ride need to do the thinking for people who don't share our point of view. We tend to take a pretty elitist tone over anyone not as "enlightened" as us.

captaintg · Post by **captaintg** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:00 pm

StL_Stadtroller wrote:no, what's stupid are the guys on superbikes, with the $400 Arai helmet, $1,200 full-race leather Vanson suit with armour and knee pucks and everything, $300 Alpinestar armoured boots...

and NO GLOVES!

Addendum: anyone offended by this thread because they ride in wife-beaters and flip-flops NEEDS a good offending.

Ummm... In your avatar you're not wearing a full face shield. So it's ok to scrape your face, but not your hand? Maybe that's not you in the avatar?

Valgal20 · Post by **Valgal20** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:03 pm

Hay, maybe the flipflop dude has overactive bladder syndrome, it is far easier to take of one's shorts than a body suit- I know Id wet myself if I was wearing one of those full body contraptions- Just a thought

ladyofthelake · Post by **ladyofthelake** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:04 pm

With ER experience......the first group is by far more intelligently challanged!!

gt1000 · Post by **gt1000** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:13 am

You don't need to take the MSF class to know that riding flip flops is dangerous even just on a bicycle or skateboard. That's common sense (which yes, is less and less common all the time). I don't think information is what those girls lack. What I was speaking more to was this idea that we who are safety minded in how we ride need to do the thinking for people who don't share our point of view. We tend to take a pretty elitist tone over anyone not as "enlightened" as us.

Bear in mind that I was agreeing with your original post that I quoted. Really, I was just using flip flops, the MSF class and "those 2 girls" as examples of inconsistent behavior. Whether the issue is common sense, ignorance or just plain stupidity doesn't matter to me. My point is simply that, on average, I'm guessing most people who don't gear up don't fully comprehend the consequences of their decision. The MSF class is simply one way to ensure that riders do understand the consequences.

Personally, I have no intention of doing other people's thinking for them when I can barely handle thinking for myself. In a perfect world, I'd like to think that the decisions we all make are fully reasoned. In the world I actually observe, this does not seem to be the case.

Elm Creek Smith · Post by **Elm Creek Smith** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:47 am

Having done my share, and maybe your's too, of rolling down the middle of the median without my motorcycle or even my Budd while it slid to a stop on the pavement, I'm AGATT. One slide down the shoulder of the interstate ruined a perfectly good set of Golden Bear of California leathers (top quality, expensive back in the olden days).

I'm not into "Power Ranger" garish, but better that than flip-flops, shorts, no shirt, etc.

ECS

insky · Post by **insky** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 5:28 am

How cool would riding gear made to actually look like the Power Rangers be? I'm talking about the old style Power Ranger suits. Then you could get a helmet that looks like the Power Ranger's helmets. That would be the coolest thing ever...this coming from someone who used to dress up in his Red Ranger costume everytime the Power Rangers came on TV.

Christy · Post by **Christy** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 2:23 pm

BadBrains wrote:I agree that it's a matter of choice and personal risk assessment. The only time that someone else's gear decision matters to me is when it's a loved one.

My GF thinks wearing more than a helmet on a scooter is over the top, and I predict an epic fight in the future when I refuse to let her ride on it without full gear.

Does anybody know of an elegant way to approach this situation? Maybe I should make her watch one of those "Red Concrete" safety videos.

you two should take the MSF class together. my hubs and I did and we had a blast. the class was amazing and thorough and it'll help her be a better passenger even if she never wants to be the driver.

Post by **polianarchy** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:23 pm

insky wrote:How cool would riding gear made to actually look like the Power Rangers be? I'm talking about the old style Power Ranger suits. Then you could get a helmet that looks like the Power Ranger's helmets. That would be the coolest thing ever...this coming from someone who used to dress up in his Red Ranger costume everytime the Power Rangers came on TV.

Are you kidding?! That would be AWESOME. I'm not a Power Rangers fan, but I <3 helmets. I tried to make my 3/4 face helmet look as much like an astronaut's as possible.

I need a bigger Man...Or Astro-Man? sticker to really pull off that look. And don't even get me started about diving helmets from the 1800s....

In conclusion, helmets are rad, and dressing up in some sort of costume every day and calling it "safety gear" is EVEN MORE RAD.

Christy · Post by **Christy** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:32 pm

polianarchy wrote:In conclusion, helmets are rad, and dressing up in some sort of costume every day and calling it "safety gear" is EVEN MORE RAD.

+1

JoshuaKane · Post by **JoshuaKane** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 3:40 pm

Like most others opinion, I feel this is one of personal choice. I live in Florida which is a helmet optional state. I would personally not ride without one, but again that is my choice. Keep in mind this is being said by a 30+ year old with two small children. I base most of my decisions on that. If I were 18, and as the saying goes 12 feet tall and bullet proof, I would most likely take a ride with no helmet or protective gear. At this point in my life I weigh what I have verses what I am willing to lose. I think most folks do that. Also, on the off occasion I have taken my kids on a ride around the block, they have on helmets as well, under 15 in our state it is required, and I like to lead by example.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:17 pm

He said he'd "put his balls aside" so I could get a scooter.

My standard reply: "Dude, I don't need to add anything artificial between my legs to be a man. I'm good."

Always laugh when you say it; it'll go over well that way!

Post by **jmazza** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 4:43 pm

pugbuddy wrote:
He said he'd "put his balls aside" so I could get a scooter.
My standard reply: "Dude, I don't need to add anything artificial between my legs to be a man. I'm good." Always laugh when you say it; it'll go over well that way!

My standard reply (and sorry ladies for this thread taking this turn) is:

"Dude, I'd get a (Harley/Goldwing/Sportbike) like yours but my (junk/equipment/frank and beans/cash and prizes) is too big."

Let them think about it for a while. By the time they get it and are mad you'll be three lights up.

motorhead · Post by **motorhead** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 4:04 pm

I'm all for the costume idea, if only I could figure out a way to replicate the helmet mega man used to wear it'd be on!

motorhead · Post by **motorhead** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 4:05 pm

I'm all for the costume idea, if only I could figure out a way to replicate the helmet mega man used to wear it'd be on!

Apiarist · Post by **Apiarist** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:42 am

you know if i read a thread where folks were saying people like me who wear ATGATT looked pathetic or geeky, i wouldn't be offended.
if i wore no gear at all and read this thread, i'd be comfortable with the decisions i made and not be offended.
im-not so-ho, nanny nanny boo boo on you if someone else's opinion brings you down. welcome to america where words can be freely shared.
now grow up and put on your big people underwear already.

Valgal20 · Post by **Valgal20** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 4:21 am

Apiarist wrote: welcome to america where words can be freely shared.
now grow up and put on your big people underwear already.

And if thats all you want to ride in, have at it!

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:03 pm

Valgal20 wrote:
Apiarist wrote: welcome to america where words can be freely shared.
now grow up and put on your big people underwear already.
And if thats all you want to ride in, have at it!

I don't know about Arizona, but I'm pretty sure that's still illegal...

Sure, you can do it, but get ready to pay a citation... DOH!

Apiarist · Post by **Apiarist** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:17 pm

the tricky part is figuring out where to put your fingers. i mean, we are talking some very large body-size underwear. not water proof though. which is kind of a drag

BadBrains · Post by **BadBrains** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:28 pm

jmazza wrote:
pugbuddy wrote:
He said he'd "put his balls aside" so I could get a scooter.
My standard reply: "Dude, I don't need to add anything artificial between my legs to be a man. I'm good." Always laugh when you say it; it'll go over well that way!
My standard reply (and sorry ladies for this thread taking this turn) is:

"Dude, I'd get a (Harley/Goldwing/Sportbike) like yours but my (junk/equipment/frank and beans/cash and prizes) is too big."

Let them think about it for a while. By the time they get it and are mad you'll be three lights up.

Hah, well this also came from the guy who totaled his new canary yellow ninja on the first day of ownership. Homeboy didn't have a motorcycle license and revved it so hard at a stop sign that he flipped up and off the bike. That said, he is one of the best human beings I have ever known who also likes to do accidental impromptu wheelies.

Modern Buddy

Which is Dumber?

Which is Dumber?

Degrees of Stupid...

"Streaking" Down The Road...

who is dumber??