Fixing other guys bikes and ATGATT*

[Rob S.]

...the bike stood back up onto the tires and dead into the guardrail. I was going 60 when he hit the rail maybe 10-20 mph faster.

In all actuality, the bike looks like a 20 mph lowside, but my brother in law got a concussion and 35% coverage of road rash on his body.

The ONLY time I have ever seen my brother in law go anywhere without a helmet. The LAST time I will ever go anywhere without a helmet. I'm in the process of looking for a riding jacket with armor that I like.

Rider error...we've all been there. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

Brother-in-law that lets you ride his Ducati? I don't have one of those.

Just curious - what state are you in? No helmet law? I used to go to Connecticut just to ride "bare".

[78550GS]

Rider error...we've all been there. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

Brother-in-law that lets you ride his Ducati? I don't have one of those.

Just curious - what state are you in? No helmet law? I used to go to Connecticut just to ride "bare".

He actually healed most of the rash up by going to a public pool with a ton of chlorine a couple times. Kept it real clean too.

I'm in Ohio, you are required to have a helmet only when you have your temporary permit and during your first year riding since the dub you a "novice."

[Wingsconsin]

Spread Information and Education -

I am sometimes called upon to help less experienced riders with routine maintenance or simple updates on their motorcycles.

AS one who ALWAYS wears a helmet , and armored mesh jacket and long pants when I ride I prefer to tell others about MY personal choices and WHY I made them..

After that - Personal responsibility takes over - You choose what you want to ride in and the risk level that goes with it...

I do think we more experienced riders have some wisdom to impart and share and should do it whenever we can.

[earlfor]

I started riding around 1963 and until 1990 or so, the only gear I owned was a 3/4 helmet and a pair of sunglasses and a fatigue jacket I wore when it was cold. It was rarely cold in south Fl. hehe I have for a long time, "changed over" to wearing full gear, full face helmet, gloves, "the whole nine yards", and I think it is the prudent thing to do.
However, I still think about the days I rode in a T shirt, jeans and a only a helmet. I enjoyed that. Even though I know the risks, now and then, I feel like really being in the wind, so I do ride sometimes with only a helmet. I don't recommend anyone else do it, but I'm not going to hide in a closet behind a pile of airbags hoping something doesn't fall on me either. LOL I can't very well be telling another rider to wear all the gear when I'm standing there in a T shirt. LOL

[niclpnut]

One of my employees has seen me on one bike or another for the past 4 years and wanted to get into motorcycling.

"What should I get?"

Get something you can lead to ride on and work on. Best to know how the machine works and get to know it intimately AND ride it properly. Cruiser or sportsbike doesn't matter. Get something that you can learn on and will allow you the opportunity to finetune your skills and comfort level.

Please read some books (twist of the wrist, etc..)


what's the guy get?

2005 Yamaha R1... A real starter bike.

Takes out a personal loan, gets the cheapest liability insurance out there and manages to high side the bike due to a "missed shift" into second on a straight, dry, and clear road.


At a minimum he followed my advice and got a Helmet, armored gloves and was wearing boots.

Now he's out several hundreds of dollars for repairs but walked away from the crash without splitting his head open.

He's learned an expensive lesson with a good bit of rash as a reminder.

I'm happy to report that he has recently purchased an armored jacket, begun repairs to the bike and has requested assistance in riding instruction and reccomendations for motorcycle safety classes.


Nic

[Rob S.]

manages to high side the bike due to a "missed shift" into second on a straight, dry, and clear road.

Nic

???

How the heck does that happen? Just wondering.

(Also - if the road is straight and the bike is perfectly upright, which side is the high side? )

[nejeff]

So in my off time I work on friends and neighbors bikes that have stood idle for a while and get them back on the road. Nothing too crazy.

Anyway, I finish my neighbors 1985 Maxim engine a few weeks ago that stood dormant for ten ( 10! ) years and the engine starts on maybe the 3rd or 4th hit of the button. Cool. Now I tell him what pads to order, brake fluid type and that new seals and maybe pistons will be on the list. And off he goes before we do the brakes....in shorts...Vans and no helmet.

Thankfully he gets the brake parts I had him order and we service the brakes last week. NOW he rides in the same attire with the cute girlfriend on the back. In a tank top.....flip flops......and no helmet.

Should this bother me so much? How do you guys that work on other peoples bikes reconcile this? Could I be held liable if something were to happen?

Really makes me reconsider working on other peoples rides.

* Full disclosure: I am an ATGATT a-hole. Hate squids and I am truly envious of Harley riders that obviously purchase the Screaming Eagle invisible crash protection barrier.

I agree in total with Steve's assessment. I will say though your not running a Walmart here, who you do work for or business with is your choice. A customer can vote with his feet and so can you. If you were is a motorcycle shop then no but a little after hours work in your garage, you certainly can choose who you want to do work for

[Grimly]

The hardest lesson is learned by making your own mistakes - no amount of preaching will drive the knowledge into some heads.
Fwiw, I occasionally rode lid-less before helmets were compulsory, but 99% of the time I elected to wear one.
Even now, if I'm in the small town nearest me, I do the short hop (400yds) from the bank to the supermarket, lidless, at 20mph. No cops, no big deal - I go faster down that hill on my bicycle.

[GateKeeper]

......... NOW he rides in the same attire with the cute girlfriend on the back. In a tank top.....flip flops......and no helmet. ........

We need pictures or it didn't happen....

.

[Rob S.]

Two pieces of gear that don't bother me even on the hottest days are my boots (I just laced 'em up for a ride in 90 degree heat).

I like the extra bit of height they give me at stop lights, and the protection I feel when dragging a foot on launches.

[bwringer]

I work on a lot of bikes, and worries about the rider's lack of gear or skills sometimes cross my mind.

In the end, they're grown-ups and responsible for their choices.

I've refused to work on bikes or otherwise have any role in enabling riding for family members who are under 18 and known to be complete idiots when in the presence of any sort of throttle and too cool and immortal for any gear whatsoever. I've also refused to participate in work that would make a bike less safe, or to perform other work without addressing serious safety problems first (I'm not going to help with that pipe or anything else until you get new tires).

As far as encouraging gear use, the sort of person who would ride sans gear has already proven themselves well beyond the reach of sanity or logic. People with this mindset will only cling to their position more strongly if you confront their idiocy directly.

All you can really do is lead by example and answer questions if asked. I have noticed some folks quietly improve their gear usage when it becomes apparent that they can't ride nearly as far or in comfort without gear.

However, I usually take strong steps to avoid riding with ungeared riders since I really dislike the sight of unused brain matter.

[tkent02]

Two pieces of gear that don't bother me even on the hottest days are my boots (I just laced 'em up for a ride in 90 degree heat).

I like the extra bit of height they give me at stop lights, and the protection I feel when dragging a foot on launches.

Really? You drag your feet?
Get a Harely.

[Wingsconsin]

Two pieces of gear that don't bother me even on the hottest days are my boots (I just laced 'em up for a ride in 90 degree heat).

I agree - my boots are never uncomfortable - IN fact I own a few pairs that I like to wear alternately when I can...When on a long (multiple day) ride I always wear my waterproof First Gear boots... But I do own some less water resistant boots I wear locally as well

I like the extra bit of height they give me at stop lights, and the protection I feel when dragging a foot on launches.

Feet always belong on the pegs (up) whenever moving...I know a guy who lowered his feet prematurely when coming into a gas stop and basically ran himself over when his foot caught under the passenger peg --- did serious ligament damage and he had to undergo surgery -- please be careful.

[mrbill5491]

I'm in the process of looking for a riding jacket with armor that I like.

I just bought a Tourmaster 3.0 air intake HiVis green armored riding jacket and it is FANTASTIC. Especially in the hot desert. Got it from Motorcycle Super Store, had a great price on it for $179, free shipping.

Back to the rest of the thread. I rarely work on anyones bike any more with the exception of GSXR7ED (he is a believer in ATGATT), we had a great time working and riding together. Other then that, when someone asks me if I could work on their bike, I price myself out of their range lol or just refuse too and give them the name of someone that will.

As for ATGATT, geez, had several come up and ask what they should do for riding gear. I give then the spiel and they say great and thank me. Next time I see them they have totally ignored any advice I gave them. So I rarely do that now as well.

The group I ride with tend to do pretty good on the gear and usually have no problem with any of them, there are those exceptions and of course we have a couple of those. I just tell them have good insurance and I hope you have a high tolerance to pain once they start cleaning out the gravel and crap with the road rash. Cue to strap on the gear, start bike and leave.

[NoH2Oh]

Thanks for the opinions and insight fellas.