Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Please don't think I am stereotyping sportbikers in some way, especially due to the fact that I ride a sport bike, so don't assume that. I'd own a cruiser if I could, or a dual sport, or a touring machine even, that is if I could afford it. My point is, I've learned to accept all bikers regardless of their differences. Yes, I even wave to the BMW guys and the old ladies on scooters. But what's with these old ladies hitting 40 mph on their new vespa without a jacket, gloves, or helmet? Are they under the misconception that scooters are safer than motorcycles because they are narrower, quieter, more difficult to spot, and lack the roll on power to exit a harmful situation in a safe period of time? Sorry, maybe I should save this issue for another rant...

But what's with some of these sport biker dudes who choose not to wear a helmet on their head, except they do bring a helmet clipped behind them beneath their seat to the helmet lock? For what? Just in case?? Will a motorcycle god descend right before some inevitable mishap to warn him, and let him know he better put that shiny helmet of his where it truly belongs?

I don't care if you wear a helmet or not. I always wear one, and I think you're stupid not to. But I do not judge if you choose not to protect your most vital organ...because it's your right to decide, depending on the state you live in. But if you can afford to own a helmet, and you have time to carry it along and clip it beneath your seat, than why are you still so mentally challenged? And these wing-nuts always bring along the nicer helmets, the arais, the shoeis, the scorpions, etc. So if they did crash, and they were lucky enough to avoid a head injury, a coma, paralysis, or death, they would still have a trashed helmet that probably cost $300 to $600.

I just don't understand these people. Cruiser fellas simply leave their dome protection at home, assuming they bought any in the first place. But the sport bikers need their image to maintain, with a statement to be made, apparently.

Duh, the helmet is for when you pick up a chick.

i don't experience the helmet thing because it's the law here (sadly). the weird thing to me here is the sport bike crowd where's a full helmet but shorts, a wife beater and low-tops. doesn't make any since to me. the cruiser guys where jackets, jeans, boots, gloves, and itty-bitty "helmets". obviously these are generalizations. there are sport guys that i see in full leather. there are cruiser guys in shorts. we have the full gamete. but i usually see what i first described.

now about the scooters... i think the same thing. somehow people see motorcycles as dangerous but scooters are wise, money saving transportation. i don't get it.

matthew5656 wrote: But I do not judge if you choose not to protect your most vital organ...

Unhuh.

dean owens wrote:i don't experience the helmet thing because it's the law here (sadly). the weird thing to me here is the sport bike crowd where's a full helmet but shorts, a wife beater and low-tops. doesn't make any since to me. the cruiser guys where jackets, jeans, boots, gloves, and itty-bitty "helmets". obviously these are generalizations. there are sport guys that i see in full leather. there are cruiser guys in shorts. we have the full gamete. but i usually see what i first described.

now about the scooters... i think the same thing. somehow people see motorcycles as dangerous but scooters are wise, money saving transportation. i don't get it.

Speaking as a guy that has worn a full helmet and t-shirt, it's usually due to the heat and lack of other helmet options.

I ride with about 20-30 other sportbike heads around my way. The number one reason why they don't wear a helmet is because they want other people to see them on their bike. If they're wearing a helmet, people can't see their pretty little faces.

Kind of stupid but that's the truth around my way.

Me on the other hand, I wear a helmet everytime I get on my bike.

Most people tend to think the worst will never happen to them. The kids rolling around on sportbikes without gear...they're invincible, and gear just spoils their cool factor. I suspect they understand that sweat's a lot easier to wash off than road rash and blood, but since nothing will happen to them, gear is pointless.

Little old ladies on scooters...Keep in mind those of us of a certain age grew up seeing movies where people on Vespas rode around Europe in movies, and their skirts didn't even blow up in the breeze. There's that mental image of scooters being the safe alternative to motorcycles, and if it's safe, why would you need gear?

99 out of a 100 times that I see a sportbike, the rider is always wearing a helmet.

Everytime I see a H/D, no helmet.

everyone in canada that rides a motorcycle wears a helmet, i think it's the law nationwide

When i went to florida no one was wearing any gear, which i thought was crazy. Miami had people on vespas riding around with tanktops and flipflops
in the Keys theres a couple sports bikes the same way

Ivan M wrote:

dean owens wrote:i don't experience the helmet thing because it's the law here (sadly). the weird thing to me here is the sport bike crowd where's a full helmet but shorts, a wife beater and low-tops. doesn't make any since to me. the cruiser guys where jackets, jeans, boots, gloves, and itty-bitty "helmets". obviously these are generalizations. there are sport guys that i see in full leather. there are cruiser guys in shorts. we have the full gamete. but i usually see what i first described.

now about the scooters... i think the same thing. somehow people see motorcycles as dangerous but scooters are wise, money saving transportation. i don't get it.

Speaking as a guy that has worn a full helmet and t-shirt, it's usually due to the heat and lack of other helmet options.

speaking as someone who rides in the same heat i where a full helmet, mesh jacket, jeans, boots and gloves and seem to do fine. i have no problem with personal choice. but being that i'm riding in the same heat, i know you don't have to do just a t-shirt. you choose to wear a t-shirt.