...especially if she's your wife and doesn't want to wear any?
This is a twist to the discussion about safety tips/gear in the other thread. Here's the back story. My wife has only been lukewarm about my motorcycle habit and never wanted to ride with me until I told her I was buying a new bike. She's invested herself in my decision to the extent that she gave me the go-ahead with the stipulations that it wasn't a “Ninja” (the term she uses to describe anything that remotely looks like a sport bike) and it had to have a backrest. The other bike I gave serious consideration to was the Yamaha FJ-09 but when I showed her the picture, that was the end of that.
The good news is that she really likes the CB. With a top-case as her backrest she really feels comfortable on this bike and she loves the look. The bad news, to me anyway, is that she flat out told me she doesn't want to wear any gear, except for a helmet.
I've been an ATGATT guy since day one and have no problem with those that choose not to be. I truly believe in “to each his own”. But I was taken aback buy the forcefulness of her statement. It's one thing to espouse a live-and-let-live attitude toward the general population but it's another thing altogether when it's someone you love and don't want to have to keep taking to the hospital for skin grafts on her butt after even a minor spill.
Have any of you experienced anything like this? What do you require your passengers to wear?
helmet, long pants, jacket, decent shoes( no sandals), for my wife.
If she rode with me more often, would go to motorcycle specific protective pants, jacket, shoes.
Actually, when I had my 900 Ninja she rode with me all the time, when I bought the CB1100 after a few years off, she got mad, and now does not ride with me, oh well, her loss. At least we both won't be wiped out at the same time/accident.
I would feel so uncomfortable with a passenger not properly protected. There is no way I could enjoy riding this way. Somehow she needs understand that proper gear not only makes the ride safer but adds peace of mind necessary for a pleasant riding experience. When I'm in the cage I don't start up until everyone is buckled up. Same thing.
My wife never balked about gear, understanding its importance. She doesn't want to ride without full face helmet and proper motorcycle gloves, jacket and boots. If she refused, the bike wouldn't be leaving the garage with her on it, plain and simple.
My wife is an adult and makes her own decisions about what to wear. She has been riding with me, and on her own bikes, since 1972. That's 45 years on two wheels for her. She knows the risks as well as anyone. She is reasonable about it but not fanatical. Almost always a modular helmet (sometimes a 3/4). Most times an armored jacket. Almost never gloves. Most times jeans but on a tour armored pants. Most times hiking boots, but on a tour motorcycle specific boots.
(04-08-2015, 04:40 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]My wife is an adult and makes her own decisions about what to wear. She has been riding with me, and on her own bikes, since 1972. That's 45 years on two wheels for her. She knows the risks as well as anyone. She is reasonable about it but not fanatical. Almost always a modular helmet (sometimes a 3/4). Most times an armored jacket. Almost never gloves. Most times jeans but on a tour armored pants. Most times hiking boots, but on a tour motorcycle specific boots.
I would imagine that describes almost everyone elses wife here, as well. I don't think that was so much the question as pondering what, if anything, should be done when your passengers decisions don't appear to have been wise ones?
(04-08-2015, 04:51 AM)DGShannon_imp Wrote: [ -> ] (04-08-2015, 04:40 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]My wife is an adult and makes her own decisions about what to wear. She has been riding with me, and on her own bikes, since 1972. That's 45 years on two wheels for her. She knows the risks as well as anyone. She is reasonable about it but not fanatical. Almost always a modular helmet (sometimes a 3/4). Most times an armored jacket. Almost never gloves. Most times jeans but on a tour armored pants. Most times hiking boots, but on a tour motorcycle specific boots.
I would imagine that describes almost everyone elses wife here, as well. I don't think that was so much the question as pondering what, if anything, should be done when your passengers decisions don't appear to have been wise ones?
I would imagine that describes almost everyone elses wife here, as well. I don't think that was so much the question as pondering what, if anything, should be done when your passengers decisions don't appear to have been wise ones?
Well you can express your concerns, but ultimately the decision is hers, just as my decisions are mine as to what to wear on any given ride which may not be in lock step with the ATGATT crowd. I can hardly deny her without being fair and denying myself as well. That's not going to happen.
Luckily my wife is very safety conscious and wants to wear gear. She actually really enjoyed the shopping; my advice if you want it is to frame it as an opportunity to get some "stylish" new clothes.
I get Ferret's perspective. My wife rides her own bike and does a pretty good impression of ATGATT (she sometimes wears plain jeans rather than Kevlar). I don't love this and I have encouraged her to beef up the protection. In the end, though, she makes the decision that is right for her.
ON THE OTHER HAND....she is not a passenger on my bike and, therefore, is making her own decisions on how to interact with traffic, road, and weather conditions. If she makes a mistake, it's on her. A passenger on my bike is, in my opinion, my responsibility. If I make a mistake and she gets injured, that's on me. Therefore, it has been my stated position when this has come up before that any passenger must wear enough gear to make ME feel comfortable, which would be a proper jacket, helmet, boots, gloves and at least denim pants. The good part about taking this stance is that people have stopped asking for rides around the block.
