I was coming home tonight from a local bar that caters to bikers. I am on a split lane highway and notice a bike on the shoulder in the opposite lane with a truck behind it. I decide to pull a uturn at next crossover and see if they need help. I get there and ask if I can help and the rider tells me he stopped to get his full face helmet from the truck. He said he just bought the bike and was headed home. A bug hit him in the eye and it hurt because he wasn't wearing eye protection. He offered to trade me his old metric bike for my well maintained 13 year old Wideglide. Glad he didn't lose an eye but that bug must have rattled his head. I wonder if he learned something tonight or if he will need a repeat lesson?

 

Yeah, I had a friend that used to ride nothing but little scooters similar to Vespa like ones. Then he go a Sportster. He thought he looked real cool wearing his new skull cap type helmet on his new Harley. Then he did a run to go visit his friend in the desert and right after that he decided, and went out and bought a 3/4 helmet with a face shield. No more skull type helmets for him anymore.

 

Being familiar with all manner of Texas bugs, all I can say is "Ouch!"

BTW, nice of you to stop. Most don't these days. Just old farts like you,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and me.

 

I guess he's never stuck his head out of a car window or even been in a heavy wind. Doesn't take much sense to know you need eye protection at 70 mph. Especially in June in Texas!

 

At highway speeds, those bigger bug can sound like little stones when they hit the face shield or helmet. Eye protection is really a safety must.

 

I had always heard that things were bigger in Texas...

 

Ouch...bet that's the last time he'll ride without something in front of his eyes.

 

I clean enough bugs off my fairing and lowers to know it's a good idea to have eye protection. Wouldn't ride without it.

 

I remember a story from years ago that was told by a family friend who used to be kinda hardcore in his younger days. This guy is about 15 or so years older than me. Anyway, Him and a buddy were going home from a bar one night. His bike wouldnt start so he jumped on the back with his buddy. This buddy had only 1 good eye and he got a bug in it while ridin down the road. Gary said he had to lay him down on the tank and reach around to get the handlebars so they could get stopped. I can visualize what this scene would of looked like. Makes me chuckle to think about it.

 

I have taken a few bumble bees to the chest at highway speeds, I can only imagine how much it would hurt to take one to the eye.