Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Sevulturus wrote:I hope you don't honestly mean that.

Yes, I do. They stand to harm only themselves if they go down, so what business is it of anyone else's? I see people using the "it's not hurting anyone" excuse around here all the time, yet it's not okay to use it in this case. Why is that (as if I don't already know)?

How about asking them if they've ever visited TMW? Just strike up a friendly conversation with them about riding, websites, etc. It's worth a try and, would probably be accepted quicker than a lecture. After that, leave them to people like me..... I always enjoy sticking huge needles in stupid people's veins.

Scoutmedic wrote:After that, leave them to people like me..... I always enjoy sticking huge needles in stupid people's veins.

Good, then I hope you don't mind when people like Dave Mathena and Doug Simpson try to stick a needle into the veins of the motorcycling community as a whole. You consider "improper gear" to be stupid and feel compelled to share your superior intellect with those guilty of wearing it - therefore - I hope you take the time to read Mr. Mathena's and Mr. Simpson's articles and dismantle your motorcycle at your earliest convenience.

What would you call someone that worked in a construction site without a hardhat. Or someone that arc welded without fire proof leathers?

I saw someone do the latter, he lit himself on fire. I'd call that pretty stupid. We know motorcycling is dangerous, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do anything to minimise the risks, or possible damage.

We'll always need welders, and we'll always (hopefully) have bikes. But the fact they are inherantly dangerous things to do is no reason not to be careful about doing it.

Guy down the street has a bike. He rides around the neighborhood, which is mostly okay. Today I hear him coming, then hear "VREEE!" (its a sportbike) as he launches down the street.

This is a neighborhood with lots of kids playing outside on the weekends.

I dont agree that we should just let them be. Squids (as so named) whether riding with improper gear or just operating their vehicles unsafely, can definately hurt someone.

I guess none of you were squids... Just went straight to Biker and skipped over the awkward begining stages...

Wish I could do that. But then I'm just an old fat guy wearing leathers on my Harley.

Uhhh, no, squid is a term applied to people who operate in a manner that is intentionally unsafe to themselves and others. Including but not limited to stunting in public, and excessive speeding.

Ok... My bad... I always thought it applied to newbies that were riding beyond their abilities... Showing off, etc...

Sorry. I retract my comment...

I wasn't planning on giving them a lecture since they are around 21 yrs old. Maybe they don't actually know the benefits of gear & someone needs to mention it to them.

Sevulturus wrote:What would you call someone that worked in a construction site without a hardhat. Or someone that arc welded without fire proof leathers?

An individual with different priorities. I can't exactly bring myself to think any different of them than I do of skydivers, bungie jumpers, stunt men, et al.

Sevulturus wrote:but that doesn't mean you shouldn't do anything to minimise the risks, or possible damage.

To others, yes. To themselves, who cares? It's not your place to say so.

CNF2002 wrote:Guy down the street has a bike. He rides around the neighborhood, which is mostly okay. Today I hear him coming, then hear "VREEE!" (its a sportbike) as he launches down the street.

This is a neighborhood with lots of kids playing outside on the weekends.

I dont agree that we should just let them be. Squids (as so named) whether riding with improper gear or just operating their vehicles unsafely, can definately hurt someone.

Putting kids in danger = BAD

Putting self in danger = SO WHAT?

This thread is about some "squids" not wearing gear. Let's not mix messages and include guys who race through residential streets, because that's different.

MrGompers wrote:I wasn't planning on giving them a lecture since they are around 21 yrs old. Maybe they don't actually know the benefits of gear & someone needs to mention it to them.

How noble of you. If they managed to make it to 21-years-old without figuring out that pavement makes for an efficient skin remover, I say let 'em die. That's just two fewer dummies in this world to screw things up for the rest of us. However, I suspect they know full well what they're doing, have weighed the pro's and con's, and have simply decided to live a little. Lighten up and worry about your own skin.