Originally Posted by Pappy35

This is an example of how people don't realistically assess risk. I agree with the rest of your statement, this thing about confidence though, come on. You really think it's a confidence issue? My local HOG group's most experienced riders got into an accident at an intersection. The cager was texting and ran the red light and t-boned my friend. He lost a foot and had to endure multiple skin grafts to treat the road rash. In another incident, some moron "racing" his Sportster on a highway, rear-ended someone and his bike, and what was left of him, ran across the median and plowed right into the heart a another group of our members and caused several of them to go down, at highway speed. Fortunately, our folks fully recovered. The moron was dead before he hit the ground.

Point is, this "I'm immune because I've never had an incident in x-decades of riding" is EXACTLY the kind the wrong message. Ride your ride, but denial is a very poor basis for a decision.

Yes, I'm overly touchy about this topic.

Originally Posted by Pappy35

The OP had a totally valid observation and so it seems like you don't live your own advise. Me thinks he struck a cord. So, what are your favorite riding flip flops and have you picked out a skin graft surgeon yet?

Moving past my own snarky response, I am lax with gear below the waist preferring jeans and sturdy shoes, but no matter what the temperature is, I will ALWAYS wear a ful face lid, Klim jackets (mesh for summer and non-mesh for winter). The mesh jacket keeps the sun off me and feels cooler to me than riding without one.

In my opinion, there are two classes of riders that go without gear: ones who have carefully and realistically weighed the risk and accept it (I have no issue with their informed choice, but I do pray a little for them that they never have to pay the consequences), and the ones who think they are somehow immune to the risk of a some random idiot that just HAS to send that text message NOW. These future organ donors I have no sympathy for (though I still hope nothing ever happens to them).

I am a highly skilled and conservative rider, know that I could get into and accident every single time I go out. I choose to wear gear.

Originally Posted by brakeless

I think it should be "How much other riders DON'T care"....

Also, I see it as a self correcting situation.

Originally Posted by gonemad

I can’t tell which this thread is more full of.

Busy bodies,

or judgy folks.

Let's go with judgy bodies.

Originally Posted by cobra23

So another 105 degree heat advisory day here in sunny Florida. I pull up next to a guy on an Ultra. I glance over at him and saw that he was wearing:

rubber shower flip flops
shorts
tank top
no gloves
no helmet

I know it's hot out but it never ceases to amaze me how little some riders care about their own safety.

Originally Posted by Goose_NC

There many folks out there that believe motorcycles are too dangerous and should be outlawed. How are their "safety" arguments different than yours?