Why are we the only ones that wear gear?

[Half Black Chalk]

After spending a weekend surrounded by thousands of Harleys at West World, I have discovered we are the only riders that wear gear. Even the cops were only wearing lids, I followed two for miles down the 101 this morning and they had no gloves, short sleeved shirt, normal pants and there boots, thats it.

So why is it that we are the ones reffered to as fucktards lol?

[Diablito]

Question I ask myself everyday as I pass people on the highway.

[AZIROC]

After spending a weekend surrounded by thousands of Harleys at West World, I have discovered we are the only riders that wear gear. Even the cops were only wearing lids, I followed two for miles down the 101 this morning and they had no gloves, short sleeved shirt, normal pants and there boots, thats it.

So why is it that we are the ones reffered to as fucktards lol?



most cops wear boots that go up to their damn knees plus they jackets/pants have extra padding in them. the 3/4 helmet i think is dumb.. but its their choice.

as far as us as the "fucktards"... well. do i need to post links from youtube about squids doing dumb shit?

[R6SNOB]

We're the smart ones.......shhhhhh don't tell no-body ;)

Nah but seriously I see that too people see me all geared out and they think I'm going to canyon or something.

[357Magnum]

hands down the dumbest thing i have seen yet was a few days ago. Some guy driving down the 17 on a sportbike(was going the other way so dont know what kind) wearing nothing but shorts and sandals. No helmet, no shirt, no gloves, no shoes. asshat

[schlizzag]

hands down the dumbest thing i have seen yet was a few days ago. Some guy driving down the 17 on a sportbike(was going the other way so dont know what kind) wearing nothing but shorts and sandals. No helmet, no shirt, no gloves, no shoes. asshat

i think i've seen the same guy! come on, man.. at least a helmet. i can understand the sandals (to a degree) if he's in socal rolling by the beach

and to agree w/AZIROC, squids who stunt between cars are the reason we're looked down on by some

whatever

[Johnny Cochran]

I've gone from having 2 cruisers to this sportbike and I have to say the negative rep that we have as zoomsplat riders is because of people doing stupid crap...[cheap plug] OBEY THE LAWS!! Driving between lanes or in the bicycle lane is ILLEGAL...[/cheap plug]

[Disdain]

I've gone from having 2 cruisers to this sportbike and I have to say the negative rep that we have as zoomsplat riders is because of people doing stupid crap...[cheap plug] OBEY THE LAWS!! Driving between lanes or in the bicycle lane is ILLEGAL...[/cheap plug]


NO WAY!!!! Driving between cars is Illegal???? and Im on a bike so why not the bike lane??????????:shocked


But in all seriousness.. pass on the shoulder should be legalized

[Johnny Cochran]

I think driving on the sidewalk should be legalized for bikes...but we all know that won't happen...those douches in legislation

[357Magnum]

lane splitting should be legal. if it is in California, where there are the most cars in the world, they can handle it here. Especially on that stretch of the 10 in between the carpool and fast lane.

[schlizzag]

lane splitting should be legal. if it is in California, where there are the most cars in the world, they can handle it here. Especially on that stretch of the 10 in between the carpool and fast lane.

YES! Couldn't agree more. That would keep me off the side streets and out of the bicycle lane. Haha.

AND one of the arguments that I fully support: if slow speed safe lane splitting were made legal, then cars would pay more attention to bikes and we wouldn't get run into nearly as often (I've seen research done on this regarding California rear-end/sideswipe statistics vs. similar places, but I'm too lazy to actually go find it).

[Cleopatra]

lane splitting should be legal. if it is in California, where there are the most cars in the world, they can handle it here. Especially on that stretch of the 10 in between the carpool and fast lane.

I fully agree with lane splitting, but not in AZ at this time. The drivers here are too stupid and can't handle it. They can't drive between the lines well enough. I see too many weeving vehicles......

[R6SNOB]

Well I'm guilty broke the law all this weekend....coming back from Cyclefest the 101 was a friggin parking lot!!!!
Hell yeah I split the lanes!!! but only under 30 MPH. Your right though people in AZ can handle lane spliters, so many cars tried moving over so we could not get through and 1 person got there mirror taken out by me and one asshole in a mecedes now has to get that dent out of his door thanks to my buddy J....
But seriously if your in a car, don't be fuckin jealous just cause we can do it and you can't and don't take the law into your own hands unless you can handle the reprocussions (sp) of my lawyers sueing your ass for swerving to hit me un-purpose!!!

[Birdman]

Well, as far as lane splitting, it is not legal in California. They simply do not have a law against it and therefore tolerate the behavior.

I think it would take time for cagers to learn but if you made it legal here, you would over time be able to do it with a moderate level of safety.

Regarding gear, I am not sure who "we" are? If you mean Sport Bike riders versus the typical HD rider then I think it comes down to the false belief that if you ride slower, you are less likely to crash. And, if you do crash you are less likely to be injured.

If you look at crash data and insurance claims you will see that "they" are dying and crashing quite a bit more.

Sport Bike riders are usually younger, a lot less articulate, and sometimes come off like punks. (Mostly, because a lot of them act like punks) So, they get the rap of the loudest of the bunch, when it is well know that most of them are pretty OK.

Don't think for a second that older people don't think riding without a helmet or gear is intelligent, it is just not a concern as it is seen as their choice. Versus someone riding by at a fast rate, popping wheelies and cutting in and out of traffic which is seen as endangering others.

Does that help?

[Half Black Chalk]

I have had NUMEROUS police bikes split lanes on me in Phx, I see nothing wrong with it if you do it in a safe manor...

i.e. one TWO wheels lol

You know if someone told me this I would say there full of shit but I swear over all things holy... I was on Shea heading west towards Scottsdale Rd and a bike cop split the lane and rode all the way to the front of the line, stopped, light turned green and he went, there was no emergency, no red and blues, nothing. He just did it because he could lol.

[Eviloliv3]

Well, as far as lane splitting, it is not legal in California. They simply do not have a law against it and therefore tolerate the behavior.
actually it is

back when motorcycles were aircooled there was a law stating that they could split lanes but only when under 30 mph and could only go 5mph faster than traffic. so they wouldnt overheat. its an old law so they just havent changed it. i dont want to look for it but i will if i have to

[flawless]

yeah lane splitting is definitely legal in california...not "just tolerated"

Gear will save your life. Thats all that needs to be said.

[357Magnum]

actually it is

back when motorcycles were aircooled there was a law stating that they could split lanes but only when under 30 mph and could only go 5mph faster than traffic. so they wouldnt overheat. its an old law so they just havent changed it. i dont want to look for it but i will if i have to

yeah lane splitting is definitely legal in california...not "just tolerated"

Gear will save your life. Thats all that needs to be said.

Well, as far as lane splitting, it is not legal in California. They simply do not have a law against it and therefore tolerate the behavior.

I think it would take time for cagers to learn but if you made it legal here, you would over time be able to do it with a moderate level of safety.

Regarding gear, I am not sure who "we" are? If you mean Sport Bike riders versus the typical HD rider then I think it comes down to the false belief that if you ride slower, you are less likely to crash. And, if you do crash you are less likely to be injured.

If you look at crash data and insurance claims you will see that "they" are dying and crashing quite a bit more.

Sport Bike riders are usually younger, a lot less articulate, and sometimes come off like punks. (Mostly, because a lot of them act like punks) So, they get the rap of the loudest of the bunch, when it is well know that most of them are pretty OK.

Don't think for a second that older people don't think riding without a helmet or gear is intelligent, it is just not a concern as it is seen as their choice. Versus someone riding by at a fast rate, popping wheelies and cutting in and out of traffic which is seen as endangering others.

Does that help?

right off the CHP(california highway patrol)'s website FAQ.

Can motorcycle riders "split" lanes and ride between other vehicles?
Lane splitting by motorcycles is permissible but must be done in a safe and prudent manner.

[Birdman]

Permissible means allowed, but there is no law on the books that says that it is specifically legal. (Go ahead, look it up and show it to me)

Thus the "safe and prudent" qualifier in the statement on the CHP site. If in the officer's view you are not splitting in a safe or prudent manner, you can and will be cited for lane splitting.

Look, 99% of the time you are not going to have an issue in CA and honestly that was not the point of this thread in the first place, the question about gear was...

[asu-vfr]

Permissible means allowed, but there is no law on the books that says that it is specifically legal. (Go ahead, look it up and show it to me)


you don't need a law to say something is legal. laws are there to define the illegal.

[Birdman]

you don't need a law to say something is legal. laws are there to define the illegal.

Law is about definition.

When you add a law to the book it defines an activity.

In the case of lane-splitting all you need to do as an officer is call the activity "unsafe" and you do have a law that makes it illegal. The law? Unsafe operation of a motor vehicle.

In AZ we are looking for an appeal of the current code that does not allow lane-splitting so that we can allow the activity to be permissible, just like it is in California.

Don't believe that just because it is not written somewhere that you cannot do something, that you have a legal right to do it.

[schlizzag]

ahhhh technicalities technicalities

i think we all get the gist of how california defines lane splitting

now if we could just convince our own state and the rest of the nation...

[Disdain]

Back to the topic of gear...

It's linen shorts a tee-shirt and some target sunglasses

sometimes Ill splurge and wear some burkenstock sandals.

[Birdman]

Back to the topic of gear...

It's linen shorts a tee-shirt and some target sunglasses

sometimes Ill splurge and wear some burkenstock sandals.

Gotta get the Corona T's they protect much better...

[CletusFD3s]

I lane split all the time in traffic. Like heavy dead stop traffic, and when I'm going a little faster than I should.

Also

Back on the main topic. Riding w/o gear = death. The chef at my work gives me shit all the time for gearing up before I go anywhere. He rides a harley. I always ask him where is helmet is and he says 'Between my legs' So i always tell him that its probly too small to fit over his big head and ego. Retard.

[schlizzag]

i never go anywhere w/out my helmet and gloves. sometimes i'll go without a jacket and even wear shorts, but those are usually shorter trips/under 50 mph... but i usually do wear a jacket - especially on my daily commute - never know what those cars will do during rush hour, gotta protect myself somehow

[AZIROC]

well, if we even needed a reason y we r frowned upon...

A Mesa man was arrested Monday after police said he drove his motorcycle 140 mph on the U.S. 60 and 80 mph through a school crosswalk.

The Department of Public Safety arrested Matthew E. Engelbeck, 20, about 7 a.m. after he abandoned his motorcycle near Rio Salado Drive and the Loop 101 and was chased by officers on foot, DPS Detective Tim Mason said.

Officers observed Engelbeck driving about 140 mph on the U.S. 60 near Mesa Drive on a 2006 Honda CBR motorcycle. They were able to track Engelbeck without chasing him.

At one point, Engelbeck drove past a crossing guard in a school crosswalk in Mesa at about 80 mph with a flat tire, Mason said.

Thirty minutes later, Engelbeck abandoned his motorcycle and a foot chase ensued.

Engelbeck could face charges of aggravated assault, endangerment and felony flight, Mason said.

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/pics/breaking/0402abrk-motorcy-autosized258.jpg (http://javascript%3cb%3e%3c/b%3E:;)
(http://www.azsportbikes.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3283)

[357Magnum]

yeah I just saw that on the news. what a toolbag

[Johnny Cochran]

Fucktard

[schlizzag]

nice chin pubes

[CletusFD3s]

Hey! i have chin pubes

[schlizzag]

Hey! i have chin pubes

well then yours are nice, his are (sarcastic) nice

[R6SNOB]

dude that guy that ran is UGLY!!!!!
And that's the reason why we all get the rep we do cause of assholes like that!!!!!

[FeralJuggernaut]

The Leo wears a 3/4 helmet so he can talk to you at a traffic stop and not need to remove the lid. He also does want to remove a full face helmet that will obstruct his vision, even momentarily, and lose his advantage for his own safety. Typically, they are wearing body armor under that shirt and I think gloves are required, but it could be officer option, not sure on that one...

Good gear is a bargain at any price when you are sliding down the black top!

Safety Fast,
E

(no, I'm not a cop, but work with a few retired DPS motorcops at the night job)

[schlizzag]

The Leo wears a 3/4 helmet so he can talk to you at a traffic stop and not need to remove the lid.

NOW it just seems obvious

thanks man

[Jimmy3]

Some states, especially the state LEO's have to wear full helmets. I don't remember which ones but I have seen some full helmets.

[Jsquared]

I gear up most of the time, but other times I t-shirt and helmet and gloves. I mean when it's 120 out and I have to work I don't like to sweat the whole way there and then go in to work. So I wear a t-shirt or polo and ride. Always wear a helmet and gloves though that is one thing I don't mess around with.

[Jimmy3]

I gear up most of the time, but other times I t-shirt and helmet and gloves. I mean when it's 120 out and I have to work I don't like to sweat the whole way there and then go in to work. So I wear a t-shirt or polo and ride. Always wear a helmet and gloves though that is one thing I don't mess around with.

I saw this one kid wearing shorts and his $400 leather jacket with flip flops.

[Rodskii]

I saw this one kid wearing shorts and his $400 leather jacket with flip flops.

Thats nothing. I saw a guy wearing full 2 piece leathers, racing boots and gloves.... no helmet...

[Birdman]

Thats nothing. I saw a guy wearing full 2 piece leathers, racing boots and gloves.... no helmet...

Dude, just yesterday in Prescott right after the Spars we saw two guys in full leathers without helmets.

Then I noticed that one had his helmet on his arm. he had taken it off and had his arm shoved through the face hole, so he could hold onto the bar.

I guess he was done with the "wrecking" part of the road, so he took his helmet off??

Odd to say the least?!

[Jimmy3]

I guess people have to learn the hard way and then some.

[KirbyR1]

Gear is for sissy's, i drag knee in shorts and flip flops. I saw to harley riders drop their bike like dominos at a stop light cause a car stopped in front of them. Imagine that a car stoping at a stop light. A guy stood one up and pushed it over the curb to get it out of the raod and the lady kept saying stop don't scratch it. HAHAHAH it was already screwed up. The guy had a super protective bandana on his head.

[Disdain]

I wear super protective sun glasses...

[Jimmy3]

Too each there own.

[FastDemonr1]

I have leather skin... No need for any of that gear or whatever you squids are calling it now-a-days....

[Disdain]

yea i have a titanium spine

[FastDemonr1]

Sweet!

[KirbyR1]

The scar tissue builds up after a while and your good to go.

[schlizzag]

if i hadn't had my helmet on today... i don't want to know what the side of my face would look like. minor scratches on a helmet don't translate into minor scratches in my skin. i will always wear a helmet. ALWAYS.

[Jimmy3]

Good for you.

[Will04FZ1]

hands down the dumbest thing i have seen yet was a few days ago. Some guy driving down the 17 on a sportbike(was going the other way so dont know what kind) wearing nothing but shorts and sandals. No helmet, no shirt, no gloves, no shoes. asshat

If it was a Yellow GSXR I have seen that reknob also.

[357Magnum]

If it was a Yellow GSXR I have seen that reknob also.

nahz. i thi8nk it waqs a guy on a 2004 fz1!!! waand he was white wigth shaved head hahahha

[Disdain]

Ive seen this one dueche on a silver flake and yellow gixxer... looks like a disco ball...total squid..

[357Magnum]

Ive seen this one dueche on a silver flake and yellow gixxer... looks like a disco ball...total squid..

lol and hes always telling everyone to hold his beer...

:P

[Johnny Cochran]

I've seen that ass too...and it looks more like glitter then flake...he needs to get some tassles...

[Disdain]

or name bhis bike 'Chico'

[Jimmy3]

I'm too fat to go shirtless. I don't like sticking to the tank either.

[Disdain]

rofl!!!!!

I dont want my nipples touching the tank while i tuck in for that ultra cool racer look

[R6SNOB]

or name bhis bike 'Chico'

OMG roflmao!!!!:lol2::lol2::lol2:

[GixJello206]

Ive seen this one dueche on a silver flake and yellow gixxer... looks like a disco ball...total squid..

squidtacular right here

lol and hes always telling everyone to hold his beer...

:P

I don't wanna spill it jarod can back me up on this one

I've seen that ass too...and it looks more like glitter then flake...he needs to get some tassles...

I am gonna find some tassles fucker!:squid

[Jimmy3]

Tassles. . .mmmmmmmm. . .make sure they go in circular motion.

[schlizzag]

Ive seen this one dueche on a silver flake and yellow gixxer... looks like a disco ball...total squid..

i thought we all agreed that they're sparkles

pfft, silver flake...

[Jimmy3]

Where's the poll?