Food for thought.... Ranting... sorry.

Broc Lee · 07-21-2008, 10:34 AM

Ok, been arguing back and forth on another board about safety.

Club Rules: A helmet MUST be worn on all sanctioned rides, we want our members to be safe. You show up without your helmet, you will be asked to leave and will not be allowed on the ride.

Nothing wrong with that, your club, your rules....

Now, here is where the fun begins.

There is a poll about limiting the speed of rides to not more than 5mph over the speed limit.

Hey, great, gotta keep people safe, kudos!!! However there are people arguing about this.

Na, you gotta let people ride how they want to ride....

The state has the speed limits to slow for us bikers....

Bla bla bla....

The issue of proper clothing comes up... Well, we cannot enforce anyone to wear proper clothing, I too like to wear tank tops and shorts when I ride if it's hot. (club founder or upper admin or something)

Ok, you can enforce a helmet, so why can't you enforce the clothing issue the same way... not allow them on the ride.....

Why is there even a discussion about speed? 1. it's unsafe and 2. it's against the law.

Now, I have been told to just stay away from ANY event if I did not wear my lid. I figured I would not attend their rides, I cannot always wear my helmet as when I was in my early 20's, I went face 1st into a windshield during a car accident. There are days where I have pain in my neck and back... where I can still turn my head, it's hard, a helmet would prevent ANY movement. Figure a bike night is a public place, no biggie... I would just show up. No, that is not the case with some. Just stay away!!!

The main argument for helmets on sanctioned rides is that a stone can kick up hit you in the face and cause you to wreck and that could cause those around you to wreck... Ok, but your laws say helmet, not full face helmet... I have seen people in pics with those half helmets on... so that same rock will still hit you in the face unless you do have a full face helmet on. Let's clarify the rules a bit.

The law in arizona states I can ride without it but it's recommended.... the arizona speed laws state that even 1 mile over the posted speed limit is considered reckless driving and you can be fined, of course, you don't see many cops stopping people for 1 mile over, but they are within their right to do so.

So, you wanna MAKE me wear a helmet to come out to ride, hang and eat... it's all about being safe, yet you want to hit the highways at 90+mph.

Look, I am all for safety, but don't claim you are doing one thing to keep us safe then do something else that not only endangers the rider, but others on the roadway as well as breaking the law.

Friggin hypocrites.

You know I cannot keep my mouth shut on this... I am expecting a banning soon.

Yeah, I know these bikes go fast, I know that a good rider can handle the speeds and I am not saying it's wrong to want to get out and ride fast... However don't tell me one thing then do something that contradicts the reasoning for something else.

I guess that's why I like you guys here.... even though you suggest I always wear the lid, leathers and so on, you don't degrade me for making my own choice.

I need to move back to Vegas.

oh wait, then I'd have to wear the helmet all the time...... never mind

Sorry... needed to vent for a minute. Carry on!

2upFZ1 · 07-21-2008, 11:19 AM

Our state mandates helmet wear, but our club mandates wearing gear (jackets, gloves, and decent footwear) at all times (including a fullface DOT approved lid). If peeps don't like it, they don't have to join SCS.

Sorry but we might not be the peeps you want to go to with the gear argument.

As for speed, the last ride I led our way out to Area 51 and did 5-10mph over. But some peeps didn't like going that slow so I told them I would pull sweep on the way back, no big deal. We try to adjust the speed of the ride on the experience of the riders while on a group ride. But we don't have a set "5mph over" limit.

2upFZ1 · 07-21-2008, 11:20 AM

I do see the hypocracy in their statements.

Road Block · 07-21-2008, 11:41 AM

Well I am gonna chime in here, certain all knowing individuals will no doubt judge and ridicule but so be it.

I am originally from AZ, I consider myself a very experienced rider. When I lived in AZ I didn't always were my helmet, it wasn't required. Add to the fact that I was witness, as a small child, to an accident that a guys helmet got snagged and ended up decapitating him. I was told that asphalt eats skin, so I always wore gear to protect me from road rash

.

I was always taught that part of riding a bike is the freedom that you have, you are responsible for your own actions and safety. Many times there were attempts to for the helmet law on riders and riders ( including helmet wearers) banned together and fought it.

We have the freedom of choice, we can decide if we want to ride the speed limit ( it is only a suggestion, it's not like your vehicle will blow up or something if you go over )

We have the choice to ride naked if we so choose ( again it isn't like you have to be in gear to start your motorcycle )

And ultimately we have the right to choose who we do and don't ride with. So do your thing and I'll do mine and lets enjoy the open road. And if you choose to exercise the second freedom I listed do me a favor and give me a heads up

I may or may not want to video tape it for youtube

I AM KIDDING JOSE

Broc Lee · 07-21-2008, 01:02 PM

Yeah, I was only wanting to point out the Hippocratic views.... nothing more. Not looking to join a club or anything, like my posting here, I am just out to make more friends and find others to ride with... don't like large groups personally.... I'm also in a real pissy mood.... damn bank is screwing with me and just needed to vent a little.

I just find it strange that they preach one thing then do another that is just as bad. :)

As for my personal views, people are gonna do what they want to do, I am not gonna tell someone how to ride their machine. Everyone is responsible for their own actions, and as long as you are not putting others in danger, what do I care what you do to yourself. ;)

EDIT:
Ummmm, Jose, with that last photo of you but humpin... don't think I will be getting anywhere near you when I'm naked

Got2Go · 07-21-2008, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broc Lee

Ummmm, Jose, with that last photo of you but humpin... don't think I will be getting anywhere near you when I'm naked

Ok, so, if that photo had not been posted, there would have been a possibility that you would have gone near Jose naked ?

I'm not going anywhere near you my friend !

ars0n750 · 07-21-2008, 01:34 PM

Sorry to offend anyone....

If you think your skull/skin will be fine in the event of a crash, regardless how fast you are going, your a fucking idiot to chance your life/well being over the fact that whatever you might be running into is softer then your bones/skin.

I could give a shit less about the gear nazis and the people who dont wear gear. Its all personal pref. I am not going to tell you how to rule your life. But if your personal pref is to think you are fucking invincible, well my friend, you are a fucking idiot.

Broc Lee · 07-21-2008, 01:44 PM

I see this is a touchy subject for you....

calm down, calm down..... take a deep breath... no one is saying gear is bad.... :)

Broc Lee · 07-21-2008, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Got2Go

Ok, so, if that photo had not been posted, there would have been a possibility that you would have gone near Jose naked ?

I'm not going anywhere near you my friend !

Ummmm, no, nevermind....

ars0n750 · 07-21-2008, 02:40 PM

lol dont worry broc, some of my posts sound more "heated" then others. Its all gravy baby.

Broc Lee · 07-21-2008, 02:47 PM

no worries man, it's all good.... just didn't want you to have a stroke over nothing

ars0n750 · 07-21-2008, 02:49 PM

I think half my brain already doesn't work?

Broc Lee · 07-21-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ars0n750

I think half my brain already doesn't work?

I would have normally made a bad pot joke here.... but I seem to be getting into much trouble these days..... I bit my tongue instead OUCH!!!

ars0n750 · 07-21-2008, 03:06 PM

lol <3

Lost Sheep · 07-21-2008, 03:15 PM

I always see a ride as a ride.

This is the way I view it.. Fast guys out front.. and everyone else ride their pace... some fast some slow..

You can wear you gear or what ever is mandated by law. You will very very very rarely ride with out mine.

Will I mention lack of or poor quality gear to someone? yea I will I have seen tons of road rash,, and have had my fair amount.

As far as speed your on your own.... I used to love to ride way way way over the speed limit. Now I have a few tickets,,, I pick my pace a little more carefully.. plus it all depends on sportbikes vs cruisers.

just my thoughts

2upFZ1 · 07-21-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ars0n750

I think half my brain already doesn't work?

"You dun smoked yourself 'tarded"

J/K

I too wasn't meaning to offend those that choose not to wear gear, I'm just saying that SCS want's our brothers to come out of any "incident" just as pretty as before. Rider safety is #1 on our list, so if I come off as a gear nazi, maybe I am.

But back on topic. That club/group/whatever is a bunch of idiots for not caring enough about their members heads, thinking that mandating a speed limit will sufficiently keep their heads pretty when it bounces off the tarmac. How fast you choose to ride is relative to skill.

When SCS has a group ride, we usually break up into 3 groups. Let the fast guys do their thing in the lead pack, the moderate guys do their thing in the middle, and the newbies or peeps that just want to cruise do their thing in back. And we have someone sweeping to make sure everyone makes it there.

Road Block · 07-21-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lost Sheep

I always see a ride as a ride.

This is the way I view it.. Fast guys out front.. and everyone else ride their pace... some fast some slow..

You can wear you gear or what ever is mandated by law. You will very very very rarely ride with out mine.

Will I mention lack of or poor quality gear to someone? yea I will I have seen tons of road rash,, and have had my fair amount.

As far as speed your on your own.... I used to love to ride way way way over the speed limit. Now I have a few tickets,,, I pick my pace a little more carefully.. plus it all depends on sportbikes vs cruisers.

just my thoughts

What is the sportbikes vs. cruisers thing?

Broc Lee · 07-21-2008, 03:31 PM

Don't get me wrong LostSheep... I'm no angel when it comes to riding... yeah, I like to get a little fast myself. My bike is faster than it looks... I surprise some of the sport bike guys when they see it 1st hand... they're like Damn dude, that is a fast cruiser.

As I pointed out there, speed is dangerous... even the most experienced riders can have an accident from excessive speeds. Watch any race and you can see that.... What if they hit another person on the road that had nothing to do with the ride, a woman with a baby in the car... well that is not safe. All my points went right over their heads...

Not saying it would happen, but it could, not saying there is anything wrong with riding how you want as long as you are willing to take responsibility for your own actions and the consequences.

I just found it funny on how they promote safety yet this is an issue that needs to be voted on... a vote to be added to the club's bylaws...

Maybe I am too confrontational at times... maybe I don't like people telling me what I can and can not do for one reason and that reason means nothing elsewhere.

or maybe I'm just a jackass... no, I know I can be an jackass. especially when pushed