I was next to this dude on a Harley at a stoplight the other morning while I waited for the light to change. I was looking over at him, typical Harley guy, middleaged with no helmet, no gloves, no jacket, short sleeve shirt and a pair of linemans boots and I'm thinking to myself, "Does this guy really think he looks cool"? To me all of these helmetless Harley guys look like idiots, sorry but that's the way I feel. This sport is dangerous enough without being stupid. I'd love to sees these clowns get serious and start dressing up in full leather suits, gloves, real motorcycle boots and a full coverage helmet, make it all black if that's what turns 'em on but at least get protected. In this hot weather I see battalions of these people with the big Harley momma on back in flip flops and shorts, no helmet. Makes me shudder.

it's survival of the fittest if you ask me. I encourage idiots to wear less. Just means one less idiot someday. But then again I've seen naive morons on mopeds with their business suits on in city traffic thinking what a mess they'd ,make outa a perfectly good suit. Not that I'd ever give a damn about a suit or wear one for that matter.lol

But don't underestimate the temptation for a cruiser guy to wear little. I have been there done that and yes, it is liberating to just jump on a bike and roll. Unfotunately, I'm afraid you're right, they are only doing it for appearances and not for real freedom. I'm gonna be one that stands out of the HD crowd next year myself. But that doesn't mean I can't do my share to intimidate at the same time.

That was one thing about my the gear I wore on my big ZX. It was unique and very tuff looking. I don't see why that can't happen on a cruiser while being properly protected. Not to mention, if some douche wants to start a fight about it, who do you think is gonna be able to take more damage in a fight?

It puzzles me that the cliche used to be that a harley rider would be well protected from the neck down but a squid would be protected from the neck up. Leather jacket, chaps, boots and a bare head on one and flipflops, wifebeater and full-faced Arai on the other.

Somehow the cruiser population has lost its taste for leather even. This I do not understand. Anyone care to explain this movement, or was it always a myth?

My personal take is that I wear full gear because it is stupid not to, and because I love to ride. If I have a mishap I want to be able to ride again, the sooner the better. I don't care too much how strangers protect themselves.

* Last updated by: tooncinator on 9/1/2011 @ 10:35 AM *

Pirate look is in with the H-D crowd, y'know the do-rag thing, peer pressure is the key, I wear full gear on my cruiser, every time. Doesn't matter if I'm just running down to Starbucks for a cappucino, it's full coverage helmet, leather jacket with armor, Sidi boots, gauntlet gloves, the works or I don't start the bike. It's been 107 F here in Dallas for as long as I can remember but I live with the minor discomfort. I know what it's like, I've been down hard, the helmet saved my life as I took a full head impact against a curb and the rest of the gear saved my skin. You read about and hear stories all the time about the Harley crowd going down and having a life changing experience, wear the gear if any of you guys are out there and listening....oh yea and ditch the half shell brain bucket and get a real helmet, those things look dorky anyway.... IMHO.

It puzzles me that the cliche used to be that a harley rider would be well protected from the neck down but a squid would be protected from the neck up. Leather jacket, chaps, boots and a bare head on one and flipflops, wifebeater and full-faced Arai on the other.

No you have that right, Harley guys wear the leather vest or jacket but no helmet or at most the do-rag which is only good for EMT to mop up the brains. Why bother? A lot of the sport bikers around here are wearing little to no protection, at most a light fabric jacket and tennis shoes, no gloves with an $800 Arai. I've seen a significant number of sport bike riders lately with no helmet....scary. I've even thought about buying a one-piece suit for my sport riding, you can't ever have too much protection IMHO.

Well I've did the no helmet thing twice when I was in Myrtle Beach for bike week. Felt a little awkward at first but, once you got used to it felt awesome but believe me didnt go over 45mph. I wanted the experience, thank God I made it back safe. Will I be doing it again oh no. Start to think of everybody who depends on you wife ,kids. IMO just not worth the risk. And yes Kruz I have a one piece Alpinestars suit for sport riding on my R6 something about that bike just makes you want to dive into corners jeans won't cut it. Skinned my knee once and that's all it took. used to think all that safety gear was for pansies. Well guess I'm a pansy now. God Bless

In this weather, I would proly not wear a helmet for every single ordinary commute ride. I would noy have a jacket on either. NOt all the time. Unfortunately (or perhaps FORTUNATELY) my bike is still OOC.

To answer the question precisely, No/ I don't think Harley riders look cool period. Gera or no gear. I'm just not a cruiser guy.

Somehow the cruiser population has lost its taste for leather even. This I do not understand. Anyone care to explain this movement, or was it always a myth?

In my opinion, when it started to get popular for doctors and lawyers and anyone with money to waste to buy a Harley to show off to their buddies that is when they lost their sense of protective gear. Sportbikes are only a recent invention. Circa mid eighties. Cruisers and their riders have been around for about a century and they have evolved over that time. Doctors and Lawyers don't want to look like some guy from the hells angels. They will buy some cheap shit just because they see others doing it but they really don't like the thought of being associated with ruff necks. They are just escaping their mundane lives for a week end or two.

I blame them for the recent flood of cruiser fatalities as well.

that and they think because their bike doesn't go fast they don't have to wear it...

I just moved to Austin. I have to admit I had to try the no hel met thing just for giggles. It wasn't fun or cool at all. Made it out of my neighborhood but turned around when I got to the highway. U can't breathe from ur noise when u accelerate hard, ur eyes are watery if u don't wear shades. Imagine being stuck behind a semi carrying sand on the highway it's gotta suck! It's above 100 degrees here too and I can't wear my gp pro leather jacket or my mesh pass 10 am so until I can buy something real light with good protection I'm limiting my rides to the neighborhood and no highways without full gear (helmet, gloves, boots, and jacket) . Can't wait for mid september so I can do some sport touring in my spidi leather suit. I don't care how crazy people think I am but I'm planning to ride all day in it, go to coffee shop, restaurants, run errands etc.

Decades ago riding a motorcycle was only for tough guys/ thugs. My opinion is that when the doctors decided to emulate the Brandos and Mc Queens "real" riders felt a need fo separate themselves from the crowd.... riding a motorcycle wasn't dangerous anymore so removed helmets and gloves. I know stupid! That being said I ve seen sport bikes riders pulling wheelie wearing sandals, their gf wearing mini skirts and tank tops... stupidity doesn't discriminate

* Last updated by: dragking on 9/1/2011 @ 7:02 PM *

ur eyes are watery if u don't wear shades.

They make so many helmets nowadays, I actually think it's cool to wear 1, u can match u bike, make a statement etc. In Iowa and Kansas city everybody urges u to take your helmet off, for a city that condone this dangerous lifestyle, Austin is pretty cool cause I ve actually seen more people wearing helmets.

* Last updated by: dragking on 9/1/2011 @ 7:19 PM *

From an Ozzy Point of View IMO their Just DickHeads

* Last updated by: bean07 on 9/1/2011 @ 7:28 PM *

Helmets are not mandatory here but eye protection is. At least glasses.

* Last updated by: dragking on 9/1/2011 @ 7:32 PM *

I read a statistic somewhere, 18 mph is all it takes to kill you, a lot of the fatals happen around 35 with no helmet. I know they're hot and you get helmet hair but it's a small price to pay really.
Bean, I take it helmetless is frowned upon in Oz?

you get helmet hair

no problem here.

Im not allowed in this conversation but I am now riding with a jacket and helmet and working on getting more gear but im still 2/3 squid.

Geez Coot...yer in.WTF?As for 18MPH...I personally know a guy that went out to his garage,sat on his newly purchased bike,started to back it up and his foot slipped.Natch,the bike fell over...ya...guess where his head landed(no helmet).Hit the friggin concrete....had to open his skull to let the hematoma go down.You guessed it....bro was and is damaged for life...he's definitely not totally with us.Shame too...he was an honor student in College.All that had to end.
I rode twice without a helmet...but ONLY for a short ways.One in a parking lot right across my street,and one on the highway out here for about a 1/16th of a mile.Was so uncomfortable feeling exposed like that...came right back and got fully suited.I've had some terrific hits from gravel and BIG AZZ BUGS in my face...if I hadn't been wearin a lid with visor,I'd definitely been hurtin.Maybe worse.Cool?What's cool about this.....

I was surfin some sites last week...came across some girl talkin about helmets and....get this...how DANGEROUS they are...that they cause more injuries than help keep yer brain together.She was actually pushin this idea.AMAZING!Her and several others(guys).Sheesh.Ya...whatever.Kinda doubt THIS guy's(sorry for him)is ever gonna ride again....or say...'I love you' to his kids.

I honestly believe that the majority of helmetless riders have such a feeling of control,that they actually think that when they hit the pavement,they're going to somehow miraculously keep their head from slammin the ground.You know"I'll get scraped up,ya...but I'll keep my melon from hittin.It'll never be THAT big of a crash,and if it is...it won't matter anyway,I'll be dead".Ya...maybe.

* Last updated by: blue07 on 9/2/2011 @ 12:14 AM *

On our TV in OZZ all the time

* Last updated by: bean07 on 9/2/2011 @ 12:36 AM *

And this every day too !Sadly this one dont Faze me at all,IMO I reckon it's what adds to the thrill of RIDING Full Stop ! sorta like the TT

Sorry off topic but this one was next!

* Last updated by: bean07 on 9/2/2011 @ 12:43 AM *

Geez Bean....I hate to say 'good vids' ya,but that's the reality alright.This reminds me to keep my head straight and ride more thoughtfully.Thanks man.Those guys slidin into those benches and stuff...man,you KNOW they were hurtin big time.I watched 'about' where their heads were hitting.They'd all be dead most likely?

Yeh mate I,ve never been really safety concious most my life mate when I was young on dirt bikes I had no fear about coming off mate!@ 19 yrs old on my XT500 I tore my Cartilege out of my Left Knee Flipping it while doing a Mono ! plus when I laid my CBX750 down ripping a 2" hole in my L/H knee @ 22yrs old doing 155 kmph still no fear ! hell @ 47 yrs old I got to 292kmph On my CBR1100xx still no fear, now this last 14.5 months off ! i,ve made my ZX1400 heaps quicker than Stock & 50 rwhp more than my CBR1100xx & what can I say @ 49 in less than two weeks Still NO FEAR of Death! IMO im not Stupid I just dont care about hurting myself mate i,ve always said I will meet my maker from riding a bike! since my third big accident in 32 years of riding im resuming riding with Kevela Jeans to add with a Helmet !jacket and gloves! no matter what other Gear is available it still would not of prevented a Impact like on those Youtube clips at any speed as ya know mate this was impacted at about 15-20 MPH !

* Last updated by: bean07 on 9/2/2011 @ 2:23 AM *