"Casual" Rider - yes or no?

[gerjets]

I was at the beginning of a 5 hour ride last weekend on my 2010 Heritage Softail Classic and hit a stop light where I pulled up next to a guy and his wife (vs. a dude and his ol' lady) riding a HD Touring bike. I took a quick glance and noticed the guy wearing cargo shorts and flip flops and his passenger wife wearing similar attire.

What caught my attention was the dude wearing cargo shorts and flip flops. Yes, FLIP FLOPS - not tennis shoes, sandals, etc. They were like shower flip flops. His bike must have been over 800 lbs. My first thought was WTF???

I've been riding for many years so I'm kind of set in my ways. As an example, I ALWAYS wear jeans and boots over my ankles. I recognize that I'm an old dude so I'm wondering - am I just old and need to accept new trends OR was that dude a complete friggin' idiot?

I'll use your input as my guide.

[HYPERR]

LOL I can't imagine riding a bike in flip flops. I have only seen one person ever riding a bike in flip flops....and it was a BMW R1150GS.

[jstark47]

You don't need to accept any "trends". But you also don't need to pass judgement on anyone else's riding choices. I ride with helmet / boots / gloves / jacket / overpants 95% of the time, the other 5% I have everything except the overpants. I live in NJ, but my 2nd job is in Bristol, PA, right across the river. Bristol's got to be the capital of the "no gear riding society of America"!! No helmet law in PA for starts, but they don't wear any other gear either. Except sunglasses. Always gotta have their shades on.

It used to bother me. Now? Not so much....... I make my choices, they make theirs. I'll live with the consequences of my choices (including the choice to ride in the first place), they can live with the consequences of theirs.

[agraebner]

I agree with jstark47 with one exception. I believe that this type of rider may be bringing a bad light to the sport and along with MY only helmet law concern, people should sign a waiver saying that the rest of us dont have to pay for there reconstruction or care later. If you old enough to make choices then you should accept the outcome of them.

[gerjets]

Hyperr...I was thinking about my toes when I first noticed the flip flops. Ouch!

Jstark47...agreed, I don't pass judgement on anyone - getting better at that with my age...I also ride in PA a lot...I ride with dudes from MD (helmet law state) who stop at the PA border and take their helmets off...I'm ok with whatever they want to do..I do my own thing...I need to visit Bristol for grins...like you, I don't judge.

Agraebner...my insurance states that if I choose to NOT wear a helmet in a state that doesn't require one, that they don't pay. I obviously wear a helmet everywhere (DOT approved 1/2 shell). It just doesn't matter that much to me...to each his own, I guess

[mogster]

I don't see a problem with making a judgement on such irresponsible behaviour.......twine.

[madjak30]

Here in Sylvan Lake, I see "squid behavior" all the time...the best one was flip flops, shorts, tank top & helmet on a crotch rocket...but the kicker was the guys 5 or 6yo son was on the back dressed the same...if you want to be a moron, fill your boots but protect your kids...dumb a$$!!

When it is 30C out (hot here) I get a lot of laughing and pointing because of my gear, but I just laugh and shake my head at the "squids" and their "protective gear"...the laughing used to bother me ("pee" me off really), but now I know that it is just people that don't understand the risks involved with riding...I choose safety over style (why the hell else would I wear a jacket that says "ROCKET" all over it??)

I guess I am judgemental, but hey it's their choice...I just choose to laugh at them!!

Later.

[VI Shadow]

I recognize that I'm an old dude so I'm wondering - am I just old and need to accept new trends OR was that dude a complete friggin' idiot?

I vote idiot. As for judging others. I agree to a point but as a Canadian where my tax dollars pay for the medical for idiots like this when they do something stupid, I think I have the right to judge

[HYPERR]

Hyperr...I was thinking about my toes when I first noticed the flip flops. Ouch!

That's what I mean as a HD Big Twin nor the BMW Oilhead have anything remotely close to a butter smooth tranny!

[QuietMonkey]

People in the Okanagan dress like this all the time. Ignorance is bliss (but sometimes not for as long as one would hope). It's 30C+ outside for most of the summer usually and I still wear the basics: helmet (full coverage), boots, gloves, (vented leather with armour) jacket, jeans. I often am on the highway though or taking a short in town trip. With all the mountain ranges it is sometimes +30C for an hour and then +10C for an hour.

I bicycle more often than not while in town rather than moto, cuz i like to stay in shape and enjoy more sun. If i think a nice vented cordura-nylon jacket with some armour is probably the way to go any place that is this hot or hotter consistently. Similar pants would be good, or something along the lines of an Aerostitch suit so you can where shorts underneath and enjoy the sun when off the bike.

Two recent stories come to mind: one guy broke his leg when the bike slipped away from him a little at a stop, and it eased over onto his leg and slowwwwly snapped it (heavy harley i think). A boot may not always save your leg in this case, but it probably beats a bare leg). Then another guy i met has road rash on his back, legs and arm... he says the pain, etc has lasted so long, all summer, and he's still redressing his arm everyday weeks after a crash (that wasnt his fault either). He did say he will never ride with proper clothing again.

ya live ya learn. or not.