Is this Elitist?

ah come on reg....you said that I could sit on it WITH the ignition on so I could make the real VROOM VROOM nioses.....:vtr2:

I agree maybe it came across to heavy handed about gear. Just tell you friend that no one rides your bike unless they are in full gear, simple, direct and to the point. there are only a few that I would give the privilege of riding mine... and they ride VFR's already...

 

Gawd what a bunch of snobs.........

 

Forgive my ignorance, but by Squids do you mean lunatics? In that case, no, you are entitled to ride wth whomever you chose. As regards full kit, it can get expensive but theres no excuse for not wearing a helmet, closed shoes and gloves.

 

IMO, BZ needs to sing three choruses of Koom Bi Ya, and say five " Can't we all just get alongs" , to be absolved of his trangressions.

Gear Fab

 

I think the simplest approach to who rides your bike or not is this "If you have to ask the answer is no"

 

I just want to thank everyone who's responded & voted in this thread - and I mean everyone. Like I said I wanted to have a much broader view than just my own two eyes.

To clear up a few points:

First - some additional information as I was vague on purpose. I wanted to concentrate on my e-mail to a person - my brother - who indicated that he was riding now. He has a family and can be responsible, but he's also the relative who would go quarry jumping & cow tipping. To the best of my knowledge he's never taken a safety course and given our history together I would have expected him to ask for any suggestions on bikes, gear (we're both 6' 5" w/ large feet & long arms/legs) before dropping cash on anything. But again I wanted to concentrate on my e-mail to him & my position of riding with Squids...which brings up the next point.

To me Squids are road lunatics. They took Biker Boyz as a training film and believe that Torque shows proper riding techniques. Shorts & tank tops have a magic force field...blah blah blah. I don't ride with these folks. I don't feel that a person *needs* to have full leathers to be responsible (I can't find a set of pants by the way - I'm a 32 waist w/ a 38 inseam) nor does having full gear make one a responsible rider. Blowing by a rider at 90+ MPH - while in his/her same lane - is Squid-like behavior IMHO. I prefer to ride with someone who's in full gear which (to me) means covered head to toe in at least denim - assuming that's the best you have. Some things I think everyone can/should have including a helmet, gloves, over the ankle footwear, jeans & jacket. I *don't* think everyone *must* wear Alpinestars. However if you're Michael Schumaker & you can afford Alpinestars - don't roll in a pair of Toughskins from JC Penny. Personal opinion.

The friend in question was actually my sister. Again I wanted to be vague to focus on the position/attitude/perspective that I presented in my e-mail & my position on riding with Squids (as defined in the previous paragraph). I've referred to her as my best friend but she is not a rider. I wanted the views of other riders - hence my post.

Thanks! Please keep any and all comments coming!


Revengel

 

Sorry, but the vague awards have been given out in perpetuity to Cundalini and Crustyrider. Better luck next time.. Squid are sometimes mistaken for cuttlefish. Another oddity is that the term is both singular and plural. This is true even in Italy where squid are calamari. They use to be squid here too but when folks found out they were good for more than fishbait they started calling them calamari so they could raise the prices. Kind of a squidly conspiracy theory. Squid or squids are what USMC members call members of the USN. Not a clue if the Italians even have Marines but I know the calamari are still very popular there.

So is your sister 6'5" too? She would no doubt intimidate some of the stumpy dudes on this forum or cause a few to pop for shoe lifts. Had those short dudes eaten thier squid like thier moms told them, they would have been taller IMO.

Sounds like you, your bro and maybe even your sis are gonna need some custom togs. For leathers, try Bates or Langlitz. Some of these outfits that crank out bike stuff today were cranking out things like Hello Kitty blowup dolls the week before.

 

Wow that's good stuff. Are really aggressive riders Humbold Squid? Oh and my sister is only 5'101/2"...but the rest is true! Thanks for pointing me towards possible places to get MC pants. Got a feeling I may have to save up for some Bates pants though...still it's better than denim (and way better than nothing!)

 

Elitist - no. The first three questions are all reasonable things you would want to know before he rode. But c'mon, if he's coming to visit you you can ask him where he got his gear when you see him. Maybe he thought you were being elitist because he has Frank Thomas instead of Dainese or Sidi. I mean really, why should that matter to you? Or if he got his bike used off Craigslist instead of new? The way the questions are couched it sounds like the right answers to all are required before you let him ride.

"You don't know where to rent bikes in your area? Loser, you can't ride my bike!"
Not so much elitist as a bit impertinent, imho.

 

Fair enough. Just for further explination:

He's in the Reno/Tahoe area. If he doesn't own a bike I suspect he rents one. I've asked him if there are places near him to rent so that I can rent a ride when I visit him; the nearest place I've found was in Carson City NV. On gear - he may have found a place where they stock (or I can order) gear for tall, slender riders. 32/38 pants, size 15 shoe...these things come up in my life. I wouldn't take "you don't know where to rent a bike" as "well you can't ride mine/with me/etc." but if they say "I got my training by watching Biker Boyz" I'm staying away from them on the road. Welcome in my house? Certainly! I own both that & Torque!

Still I do see your point. Thank you!

 

Any luck or interest in the Kevlar lined denim or some of the newer fabric togs with installed armour? The custom stuff is pricy but of great quality. I fit into most off the rack stuff and have both good leather and an Aerostitch. As far as the custom stuff, my boots are custom.

Never seen one of those Humbolt's up close and personal except as steaks. They sportfish them in Chile and I hear when ya land one they come after you. Somehow wrestling a 50lb pissed off squid can't be all that much fun. It's also a good thing that only a few of them are a big as a big shark. I think if there were more we would have far fewer sharks and surfers.

 

You know you get a fucking ticket for not wearing a seat belt but you dont get a ticket for wearing shorts, t-shirts, flip flops, etc. while riding a bike. I gear up b/c it's common sense, but I will admit to not wearing a helmet when going 1 mile down the road to the gas station.

Is any of what has been said from the beginning of this thread elitist? Who cares? Your bike, your ass ain't going to change anything.

 

I think you fail to read between many of my posts both past and present brother.

BZ

 

Thank you Father Sarducchi (old SNL), I am working on my card tricks for sainthood.

I will go and sin no more.

BZ

 

You get Kudos for the Father Sarducci reference!

 

Another great character by Jay Novello was Lazlo Toth. He did a book called "Letters from Lazlo." A little dated because of some of the letters to some of the "recipients" to wit: Richard Nixon and Ferdinand Marcos. I think those guys were famous race riders in the late 60's. Fab Gear!

 

Seeing Nixon and Marcos as racers?

Man thats one of the weirdest images my imagination has conjured up...thanks BB.

BZ

 

I applaud you for your response, and I think that expecting (reasonably) full gear isn't elitist - but it makes you elite. No need to be a dick about it (not suggesting your were!), but there's no need to be bad about enforcing safety on your motorcycle.

A similar themed side-note......I still refuse to drive my car until all of the passengers are buckled up. Beyond the safety reasons, in my jurisdiction, the driver can (and do) get a ticket for unbuckled passengers.

 

I'm actually going to swing by a local bike shop to see what the options are for Kevlar jeans. I'd like to get a set with hip & knee armor but the issue is my measurements.

The interesting thing is Humbots are normally rather peaceful, but they get down right nasty when they're fished. Part of what makes them nasty isn't just their beak - they have serrated suckers on each arm that dig into flesh (normally thier prey).

 

+ 1

*Everyone* has to be buckled or else we're sitting in park playing mad libs all day.

And thank you. As I've stated I wanted to have the views & opinions of people who are not in my noggin. Hopefully that will provide the proper perspective.