Total Motorcycle Community Forums

cb360 wrote:

Can't we just respect other riders' rights to go their own way and do their own thing

Amen - I feel the same way. But this a motorcycle site and I'm a strong advocate for wearing gear and I won't be silent about that. I just chimed in here because I didn't see anything inflammatory in that particular post.

That post, taken in the context of the title of this thread, is inflammatory at best, especially since you safety folks seem to hide behind the strength of your numbers and rely on it to be undebatable. Why is it I get trounced upon for expressing my honest opinion of a certain bike or brand, yet when I defend my right to dress as I choose I get the whole, "Hey, Buddy, calm down" routine? I mean, I don't go around pokin' fun at any of you for choosing to gear up, it's not my business nor my concern what you wear. But you sure go outta your way to make other riders' apparel your proverbial cross, and I don't understand that mentality. Half the people on this forum don't like me anyway, so why do so many of them care if I go down in jeans and a t-shirt?

Squids, hooligans, stunta boyz, and what have you...

Joe Mc wrote:Leave it to Zootech to turn an otherwise positive thread into a negative one. And then try to nitpick and debate people on every little point.

Some people just don't seem to be happy unless they are arguing with someone about something senseless.

I'm comfortable wearing my jacket, boots, gloves, and full face.

You can ride around naked for all I care.

Yep, sounds like the title to a nice, positive thread to me. People out doing things differently than you do being judged right away and called names like "squid" and what have you.

Now, I personally don't ride wheelies at 80mph in 45mph traffic, but jeez, guys, throw the first stone why don't ya! Can't you see, there's probably some forum of soccer moms talking about how stupid some people can be, choosing to ride on vehicles like motorcycles which are inherently unsafe by design. What would your response be to them, calling you stupid "squids" or whatever slang name they come up with because you find joy in something they don't understand? If you want to keep touting how positive and friendly this forum is (and it is, especially compared to where else I've been) then keep in mind not everyone rides as conservative as you, and that's not automatically a bad thing.

Jeez...and I thought liberals were open minded...

ZooTech wrote:

cb360 wrote:

Can't we just respect other riders' rights to go their own way and do their own thing

Amen - I feel the same way. But this a motorcycle site and I'm a strong advocate for wearing gear and I won't be silent about that. I just chimed in here because I didn't see anything inflammatory in that particular post.

That post, taken in the context of the title of this thread, is inflammatory at best, especially since you safety folks seem to hide behind the strength of your numbers and rely on it to be undebatable. Why is it I get trounced upon for expressing my honest opinion of a certain bike or brand, yet when I defend my right to dress as I choose I get the whole, "Hey, Buddy, calm down" routine? I mean, I don't go around pokin' fun at any of you for choosing to gear up, it's not my business nor my concern what you wear. But you sure go outta your way to make other riders' apparel your proverbial cross, and I don't understand that mentality. Half the people on this forum don't like me anyway, so why do so many of them care if I go down in jeans and a t-shirt?

You and I have had a few exchanges here and there but I certainly don't dislike you. And I sincerely hope you don't go down in jeans and a t-shirt or any other way. In fact, the only negative thing I would say to you, and I mean this in the spirit of constructive criticism, is that at times you have a shorter fuse than most and occasionally see a personal slight where none was intended. Take that however you will or not at all - it's not meant as an insult. You know a lot about bikes, certainly more than me, and I think you add a lot to the forums.

cb360 wrote: You and I have had a few exchanges here and there but I certainly don't dislike you. And I sincerely hope you don't go down in jeans and a t-shirt or any other way. In fact, the only negative thing I would say to you, and I mean this in the spirit of constructive criticism, is that at times you have a shorter fuse than most and occasionally see a personal slight where none was intended. Take that however you will or not at all - it's not meant as an insult. You know a lot about bikes, certainly more than me, and I think you add a lot to the forums.

Well, CB, I sincerely appreciate that. And no, I don't harbor any hard feelings towards you or anyone else here. But I bounce around on this forum quite frequently, and run into countless references about this helmetless rider, and that helmetless squid, and it's disheartening...because I am that helmetless "squid" just out trying to enjoy myself and relieve some of the stress built up from raising three little kids by my damn self. I have an IQ of 140, my dad was an accident investigator for the Columbus Police Department for 10 years, and I know what happens to the human body when it contacts asphalt at speed (I've seen the photos), so I am not ignorant of the potential repercussions of my actions. Nevertheless, I enjoy the wind in my hair and on my face, and really love the tan I get riding around all day in the sunshine wearing only a muscle-tee. Is it part of the cruiser image/culture? Maybe...just a little. But I sincerely find it much more relaxing sans gear and would like to be shown a little bit of respect for my individual decisions as I am expected to show the same for yours.

Joe Mc wrote:Leave it to Zootech to turn an otherwise positive thread into a negative one. And then try to nitpick and debate people on every little point.

I apologize for pissing in your pudding, but believe me when I say I have bit my tongue more often than not about this topic. As long as it keeps being brought up, I will feel as though I am being looked down upon. The great State of Ohio has deemed it perfectly legal to ride sans helmet, and that's all any of you really need to know. The choice to wear one or not after that is in no way a reflection of a rider's intelligence.

I completely understand. Hey, I'm the guy on the 32 year-old beginner's bike... and it's a UJM to boot so I see wisecracks of a different sort all the time. If people make cracks about little bikes or Japanese bikes I just turn the other cheek. I personally like the bike so everyone else can... do whatever it is they do while they don't like my bike. I wish everyone wore good helmets and leather but understand that many, maybe even most, do not. I'm not here to convince the experienced of anything. In the meantime, put a lid on and fer chrissakes lose that muscle shirt! Just kidding.

Actually, I almost picked up a bike exactly like yours when I first got interested in riding...but the dang thing was already sold when I got there! I think your bike is tres chic when done up cafe' racer style.

And, I understand the concern about gear...and believe me, I hear it all the frickin' time from my dad, mom, and coworkers...as does my helmetless best friend from his folks. But that happens with just about every life choice. There's always somebody waiting to tell you your way is wrong and theirs is right. Personally, as a conservative, I am pretty open-minded about personal freedoms, but take a stand when the topic shifts to activities that effect others. Riding without a helmet in no way effects others, unless you want to bring up the whole insurance premium argument, but the same can be made for countless other habits. So, as long as it's not hurting anyone but the person doing it, I'm all for that freedom. Now, if you want to come down on a rider that pops wheelies on the freeway...well...I'm with ya there, cuz that is putting little kids in minivans at risk if you make a mistake, so I feel that is a topic worth bringing up, if only for the sake of curbing the behavior.

With that in mind, I advocate wearing a seatbelt while driving a car...but do not believe it should be a law. Again, some would argue that the government should not legislate morality (abortion, etc.), but I believe the government should not legislate personal safety. I will be ticketed $100.00 for driving sans seatbelt, yet no law enforcement officers had a problem with me spelunking in the caves at Red Rock near Las Vegas, or repelling off a 200' cliff in the Valley of Fire, nor do they ticket people for bungie jumping or skydiving, yet these are far more risky activities that riding in a car without a seatbelt...so why draw that line when the activity does not endanger anyone else? I do, however, believe anyone under 18-years of age should be wearing a seatbelt, and they can enforce that all they want. But don't go ticketing people who are legally old enough to fight in Iraq.

Just my

It is beyond bizarre that there's nationwide seatbelt laws but not nationwide helmet laws. I'll never figure that one out. Seems like it would be all seatbelts and all helmets or no seatbelts and no helmets.

cb360 wrote:It is beyond bizarre that there's nationwide seatbelt laws but not nationwide helmet laws. I'll never figure that one out. Seems like it would be all seatbelts and all helmets or no seatbelts and no helmets.

That's irony for ya...could never figure that one out myself. But I still say the seatbelt thing is just a revenue generator, and it's only a matter of time before Ohio decides to cash in on the helmetless bikers, too.

ZooTech wrote: Half the people on this forum don't like me anyway, so why do so many of them care if I go down in jeans and a t-shirt?

Please count me in the half that DOES like you. I venture a guess that my half is bigger than the other half, too. BTW, I took a helmetless ride to the end of the street tonight to check out my new seat I'm building, and we have a helmet law . Still here. Big boys, fast toys, accountability for our choices, It's all good.

ronboskz650sr wrote: Please count me in the half that DOES like you.

Thanks, Ron, I appreciate that!

ronboskz650sr wrote:BTW, I took a helmetless ride to the end of the street tonight to check out my new seat I'm building, and we have a helmet law

Liberating, nes pas?

ronboskz650sr wrote: accountability for our choices

Amen, Brother!