Hi guys,
Haven't been here for a while, but this popped up in my notifications, and I just took a look at the last few posts...wow - very scary what can happen.
I started using a half-shell DOT helmet with my motored bike. Then I graduated to a 125cc scooter (capable of 65mph), so I switched to a full-face, gloves, and an armored, padded mesh jacket. I was still wearing shorts and sneakers however.
Of course I started hanging out at a scooter forum...and then a girl showed us pictures of what happened to her when she crashed doing about 25 mph with shorts and flip-flops...it grounded off 2 toes completely - NASTY! Not to mention the terrible road rash on her leg.
Shortly after that, I decided I better get legal and also learn about how to really navigate and deal with traffic, so I took the MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) course. Florida requires it for over 50cc, which means legally, you need your motorcycle endorsement to ride a motorized bike, too.
You learn on their 250cc motorcycles, and I quickly realized how unsafe both motorized bikes and scooters really are. Scooters are just too small to be in traffic with because people don't see you, and motorized bikes, well, they're pretty unsafe. (I'll just point out that they're not made to be motorized in the first place, and reference the bad wreck discussed above as a great reason - chain locking up the rear wheel, for example).
I now ride a motorcycle - Honda Shadow 750cc cruiser - and I'm much more visible on the road AND I have the power to get out of trouble if I need it. And I have also added more gear...I wear long jeans and high-top leather sneakers for riding back and forth to work (4 miles), and when I am going on a longer ride, I wear padded and armored overpants, steel toe boots (Walmart - $30), full face helmet, and armored and padded jacket and gloves.
THANK GOD I DO, because I had a small crash about 4 months ago (slipped from mud at about 20mph), and this gear saved my ***! The first thing that touched the ground of course were my palms - and the gloves saved them - not a scratch. Then I rolled, because I had mud on both shoulder pads - not a scratch. I did bruise my hip, and that's what prompted me to get the padded pants.
So, I won't tell anyone what to do, but I will remind everyone that us humans are probably the weakest mammals on the planet, covered completely in soft flesh that is no match for anything other than more soft flesh. The road will tear you up. PERIOD.
FYI - they treat road rash as a burn, so you get scrubbed with a wire brush, and no amount of morphine will dull that pain they say. Each day after that, you return to the hospital, and they scrub off the scabs so you don't get infected.
So don't let anyone bother you if they laugh or make jokes or try to get you to not wear your gear. It's just not worth it. And also remember that accidents are UNPLANNED EVENTS. You're just as vulnerable on test rides around the block as you are on a day-long adventure.
I hope everyone has a SAFE and happy holiday!
(Now for the shameless plug: check out my site,
http://www.RideBellChain.com and get a free ride-bell for your bike, and send one to a friend all for $17.95.)
Here's a link to pix of my baby, in case anyone cares to see it:
http://palmbeachsoftware.com/TwoTone/tabid/408/Default.aspx
I LOVE this bike.
My scooter is in the garage, with 800 miles in perfect condition looking for a new home. It's a Genuine Buddy 125cc.
Take care all,
Mark Turkel
http://www.RideBellChain.com
http://www.PalmBeachSoftware.com