Posted by Sheila on April 11, 2009, 11:12 pm
I went on a ride with my SO today, He on his VTX1300 and me on my
Vulcan900LT.
It was beautiful day for a ride with lots of other riders out enjoying
the spring weather.
We crossed over the river on the ferry with several other bikes, most
of which were
Harleys, nice looking bikes, but I noticed that not one of the Harley
riders was wearing
a helmet, and neither were their lady friend riders. While all of the
other riders had at least
a half helmet on. Then later in the afternoon we stopped for a bite to
eat and lots of Harley
riders there too, all helmet less.....I never seemed to notice this
before .
Is this a new thing with Harley riders??
Sheila
Posted by Jujitsu Lizard on April 12, 2009, 12:48 am
> I went on a ride with my SO today, He on his VTX1300 and me on my
> Vulcan900LT.
> It was beautiful day for a ride with lots of other riders out enjoying
> the spring weather.
> We crossed over the river on the ferry with several other bikes, most
> of which were
> Harleys, nice looking bikes, but I noticed that not one of the Harley
> riders was wearing
> a helmet, and neither were their lady friend riders. While all of the
> other riders had at least
> a half helmet on. Then later in the afternoon we stopped for a bite to
> eat and lots of Harley
> riders there too, all helmet less.....I never seemed to notice this
> before .
> Is this a new thing with Harley riders??
The specific behavior may be new, but the mode of behavior is not.
Lots of Harley riders here in Marshall, Michigan. It is essentially a
costume party. You won't see anyone on a Harley with a full-face. It has
to be a half-helmet, and it must be black. A black leather jacket is also
required. Stylish sunglasses are required.
Myself, I'm Honda trash. I might put on a hooded sweatshirt and it hangs
out in back from under my HD jacket. My HD jacket is synthetic and
reflectorized. Not stylish, but visible, especially at night.
I often get quizzed as to why I have a Honda motorcycle and a HD jacket. My
truthful answer is that at the time I learned to ride I realized I needed
protection, and the stuff at the HD dealership seemed to be of good quality.
I've also been known to go riding in dress trousers and a white shirt.
My silver full-face and a black cruiser probably don't go well together.
On Friday, I took the cake. I had sold a rear wheel stand to a guy in
Kalamazoo. I wanted to take the bike out there. So, I used cable ties and
attached it to the motorcycle securely. I had 12 inches of metal hanging
off of both sides of the bike. Motorists were confused, because they
couldn't figure out if it was a test bike of some kind of if this was some
new kind of crash equipment. When I delivered the stand to the guy, he was
quite surprised that I had found a way to get it on the motorcycle. It was
third-world engineering.
Here is a photo:
http://blog.dtashley.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/motorcycle_w_rw_stand.jpg
Not suitable for a Harley.
It is a costume party out there.
The Lizard.
Posted by Stephen Cowell on April 12, 2009, 1:48 am
...
> I often get quizzed as to why I have a Honda motorcycle and a HD jacket.
> My truthful answer is that at the time I learned to ride I realized I
> needed protection, and the stuff at the HD dealership seemed to be of good
> quality.
Guess who's been making riding gear the longest...
> My silver full-face and a black cruiser probably don't go well together.
Well, I've got a silver FXDI and a black Shoei X11...
and the Harley silver nylon jacket. It's a great jacket.
> On Friday, I took the cake. I had sold a rear wheel stand to a guy in
> Kalamazoo. I wanted to take the bike out there. So, I used cable ties
> and attached it to the motorcycle securely. I had 12 inches of metal
> hanging off of both sides of the bike. Motorists were confused, because
> they couldn't figure out if it was a test bike of some kind of if this was
> some new kind of crash equipment. When I delivered the stand to the guy,
> he was quite surprised that I had found a way to get it on the motorcycle.
> It was third-world engineering.
> Here is a photo:
> http://blog.dtashley.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/motorcycle_w_rw_stand.jpg
Kudos... you got'er done. I keep a rubber tie-down
wrapped around my sissy bar for just such occasions.
> Not suitable for a Harley.
Oh, I wouldn't say that... there's a few of us rat bikers out there
on H-D.
> It is a costume party out there.
Agreed... but the shorts, t-shirt, and flip-flop squids
are usually on something besides an H-D. I hate
riding without a helmet, unless I know I'm going to
go slow, and not far. You won't find spark-plug
or swing-arm covers on my bike.
__
Steve
.
Posted by Jujitsu Lizard on April 12, 2009, 2:23 am
> Agreed... but the shorts, t-shirt, and flip-flop squids
> are usually on something besides an H-D. I hate
> riding without a helmet, unless I know I'm going to
> go slow, and not far. You won't find spark-plug
> or swing-arm covers on my bike.
I rode _once_ without a helmet. I had washed a motorcycle in Florida and
took it essentially around the block to dry it off. And it was a motorcycle
I was very familiar with.
I was on I-4 (Florida) one day and somebody wearing only sunglasses, shorts,
T-shirt, and athletic shoes went whizzing by me.
Modern motorcycles are very stable. If someone asked me if I would take a
motorcycle up to 100 MPH wearing only shorts, I would do it. Once. But to
make a habit of it ... not my style.
I'm with you, dude. I just don't ride without a helmet.
The Lizard.
Posted by Outback Jon on April 12, 2009, 9:28 am
Stephen Cowell wrote:
>> http://blog.dtashley.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/motorcycle_w_rw_stand.jpg
>
> Kudos... you got'er done. I keep a rubber tie-down
> wrapped around my sissy bar for just such occasions.
Nicely done. I've ridden with my 5 1/2 foot long bamboo walking stick
strapped across the back seat of my bike, sticking out on both sides
well over the saddlebags. Hey, I was going hiking and it was too nice
of a day to take the car where I was headed.
>> It is a costume party out there.
>
> Agreed... but the shorts, t-shirt, and flip-flop squids
> are usually on something besides an H-D.
Isn't it especially cute when they're also wearing a full face helmet?
> I hate
> riding without a helmet, unless I know I'm going to
> go slow, and not far.
I don't ride without a helmet often, but sometimes, when I'm in an area
where it is legal, and it is hot out, I will. I enjoy it, but I can't
hear my MP3 player as well... :)
--
"Outback" Jon - KC2BNE
outback_jon@ver.no.sp.am.izon.net
http://folding.stanford.edu - got folding? Team 32
2006 ZG1000A Concours "Blueline" COG# 7385 CDA# 0157
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> Vulcan900LT.
> It was beautiful day for a ride with lots of other riders out enjoying
> the spring weather.
> We crossed over the river on the ferry with several other bikes, most
> of which were
> Harleys, nice looking bikes, but I noticed that not one of the Harley
> riders was wearing
> a helmet, and neither were their lady friend riders. While all of the
> other riders had at least
> a half helmet on. Then later in the afternoon we stopped for a bite to
> eat and lots of Harley
> riders there too, all helmet less.....I never seemed to notice this
> before .
> Is this a new thing with Harley riders??