Harley Guy giving me a hard time BECAUSE I wear my gear!

[jbretthorton]

I just had a conversation with a Old school, die hard Harley rider, co-worker that he initiated by saying "You are crazy as hell wearing all that gear"....

"How do you stand it in this heat?"

He was really bashing me for wearing some new over-pants today....

He was in a serious accident about a year ago, no gear, his fault, broken back, TONS of road rash...

I ask how do you not wear any gear? His answer "because if I get in a wreck, I do not want to be a vegetable. I want to die..."

Can't argue with this man... .lol

 

[Eric L]

Thats like the Gloucester fisherman who never learn to swim. I am not so worried about the dying as I am having all the skin scraped off of me.

 

[Twigg]

The problem is that they don't die. They require weeks, months or years of very expensive medical attention and rehab that we all have to pay for.

Even if they do die, someone has to pay for the foodstamps and other welfare their wives and kids need.

I don't begrudge any of this, provided folk have acknowledged the risks and taken basic precautions to mitigate the pain to the rest of us.

 

[RiderCoach Lar]

Gonna go out on a limb here and assume that facts and statistics are something a guy like this doesn't comprehend, so just tell him that you don't always either become a vegetable or die in a motorcycle crash. Sometimes you just break your back...which you have heard is kind of uncomfortable ....and get road rash...which you've heard is VERY uncomfortable... and have to live with the after effects for the rest of your life and that's not something your interested in. But of course if HE enjoys it, that's ok by you.

....and walk away

 

[bluesdog]

Heat rash vs Road rash. Hmm, let me think that one over...

 

[ionbeam]

You can't fill a vessel that has the lid on, there is nothing you are going to say that will make a difference.

His personal code of ethics sees life as an on/off switch, even though his life experiences shows there are shades of gray. At least he didn't tell you to learn to ride so you don't have to wear all that safety gear, BTDT.

Don't argue with idiots because they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.

Crashing with gear is rough, crashing without gear is worse, what's your choice?

 

[Spud]

I had a friend who rides an HD once ribbing me about all the gear, saying he never wears a helmet. I told him "if my bike was as slow as yours i probably wouldn't wear gear either..."

 

[Redfish Hunter]

The first thing you have to realize is: You cannot fix stupid.

"Losing" an argument with someone that dumb should really be boosting your self esteem. I know I always feel smarter around dumb people.

Regarding the "Hot Gear" argument, I always think of those old Clint Eastwood movies where he is wearing that poncho in the desert heat. I wonder if these modern cowboys on their iron ponies understand why he was dressed like that.

As others have said, when this type of fool arrives at the hospital somebody has to pay for that. If he dies, somebody has to pay for that. If it is a charity hospital, our taxes pay it. If he has insurance, our premiums go up to cover that loss. In the end we pay for his stupidity. I don't like that.

None of that logic will work on an ***** though. So you have to result to meanness. Like this:

"I know your Harley cannot go fast enough to do any damage if it wrecks but my Yamaha will. Anything that makes less than 80 HP is considered a scooter so protective gear is not required."

Let him chew on that.

 

[Queensland Ken]

Just think of them as Organ Donors, providing a community service.

 

[Old Guy]

Try this next time.

Him: "You are crazy as hell wearing all that gear. How do you stand it in this heat?"

You: "Well, I think you're crazy as hell for not wearing gear."

He'll say something to indicate that he doesn't care what you think.

To which you respond, "Then you have a pretty good understanding of what I think of your opinions."

I've tried this on a couple of folks at work, and it just leaves them sort of standing there

 

[LagerHead]

Ya can't argue with a brick wall. Just tell them to enjoy the view of your taillights. When they say, "Huh?" because they're deaf from their stupid "loud pipes save lives" crap, just say, "Exactly."

aaaaaaaaasphinctersayswhat?

 

[jbretthorton]

I agree with all of this.

This guy rides 90+ mph everywhere he rides... REALLY

He also tells me he NEVER uses his front brakes, Harleys don't use them...

I know, I know... He blows my mind as well, lol

 

[ts3doug]

a fella stopped a buddy and me one day as we got off our bikes and asked the "gear" question ( it was ~95 and crazy humid). we pointed out that or gear had mesh panels that allowed decent airflow, while still maintaining a decent level of crash protection.

his answer?

" wow, i'd like to have something like that, but i don't think Harley makes anything like it"

our answer?

 

[jbretthorton]

I love the 80 hp scooter comment. I am going to use that one tomorrow on him

 

[Pterodactyl]

I want to die..."

Wish him the best.

I love the 80 hp scooter comment. I am going to use that one tomorrow on him

80 HP? What an optimist!!

 

[RichDoyle]

a fella stopped a buddy and me one day as we got off our bikes and asked the "gear" question ( it was ~95 and crazy humid). we pointed out that or gear had mesh panels that allowed decent airflow, while still maintaining a decent level of crash protection.
his answer?

" wow, i'd like to have something like that, but i don't think Harley makes anything like it"

our answer?

Seems to me I recall a time when Camel cigarettes were marketing a specialty package with Harley badging.

 

[SwollenRaccoon]

The old saying, in a similar safety vein.....

"If you think you don't need a helmet, you're probably right".

 

[garyahouse]

A couple thoughts on fools:

• A fool demands much, but he is a greater fool that gives it.
• the fool asks a question to which he seeks no answers.
• the fool's reasoning is to a wise man as a donut-hole is to the donut.
• since the fool believes that correction is foolish, it indeed IS.

Funny how the world never runs out of them. And if my colleagues and I fail to help them see the error of their ways, one day they just might grow up and (help us) buy a Harley. One day years ago, I was wondering at what point in life a man becomes a fool. Then I came across Proverbs 22:15: "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." I guess I learned that mom and dad play a huge part in preventing the spread of fools. And maybe to whatever degree they fail to do so, we get to deal with them later in life.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[Silver Ranger]

I look at this as it's his call. Many people think I am nuts and take to much risk by riding.

We all decide how much risk we want to take. I use the best gear I can afford to buy to minimize my risk. I don't stop at a bar and I don't drink and ride. Numbers show that you are 40 percent more likely to die in an accident if you don't use a helmet. And over 40 percent of all deaths the driver was legally drunk.

Now riding a HD is about the life style as much as the ride. The bad boy look. What you save on gear you spend on HD logo clothing. In Wisconsin when your out for a ride and pass a bar you see multiple HDs out front. And almost no one on a HD will put on a helmet. These riders decide how much risk to take based on how they value there life just as I do.

I just think it's funny how society looks at risk. If I drive my car without a seatbelt I can get a ticket. Yet I can ride down the highway at 55 mph with only sun glasses and shorts and not be violating the law.