What's the prognosis doc?

[2017EX_imp]

Although this thread has taken a bit of a different direction from the original post, I think one of the obvious values of this or any other forum is the exchange of information, and ideas. We are all adults, responsible for our own decisions, and the consequences pro or con of those decisions. That said, I also think that the intent of our comments in this case is to help a fellow cyclist, and perhaps suggest a different prospective moving forward.

Many of us started riding as teenagers, and in my case, it was 1966. Back then motorcycle specific protective gear was next to non existent, other than maybe a helmet. That is fortunately not the case now, and I have found over the years that boots seem to be the least considered, understood, researched, and/or acquired pieces of gear for many riders. This may because many people already have lace up work boots, or cowboy boots, mistakenly considered adequate.

We all know the best protective gear of any type is useless if it is not worn, and not a guarantee of avoiding injury, but does tilt the odds in favor of the user. Personally, I want whatever gives me the best odds of a favorable outcome in any situation. I wear Daytona Boots. They are comfortable off the bike walking around, and each boot has two zippers, making them easy to put on and take off. All leather uppers, with Kevlar layer under the leather for abrasion and puncture resistance. There is also hard TPU armor in the toe box, heel, ankle bones, and shin under the leather. My personal preference is Daytona, but there are other premium brands that offer good protection as well.

Whatever mrprofessionality decides to do or not do is up to him, not anyone else. That said, I think forum members would be remiss not to at least offer a different prospective on the subject for consideration. In this situation, given the motorcycle is a commuter exposed daily to sharing the road with frequently inattentive drivers, I hope that leaving a pair of shoes at the office to change into on arrival and departure at the end of the day along, with purchase of a good pair of CE rated armored boots will at least be considered.

[the Ferret]

Well thought out and explained post EX

[PowerDubs_imp]

Sorry to have started a war.

I wear what many would think to be excessive amounts of armored gear.

I'll readily admit I had a couple beers in me when I wrote what I wrote, but something about the 'wearing motorcycle boots every day of my life just isn't practical' must have hit a nerve.

Anyone is free to wear or not wear what they want. I just try to set a good example for the new guys I ride with, or even make the old guys feel more comfortable about getting over the whole 'I don't want to look like a nerd' mentality that is all to prevalent in our testosterone filled hobby.

[DAC]

Here's another angle -- a somewhat logical one -- to think about.

As someone who works in the insurance industry (yep, one of those guys) I've learned of one angle not often considered: comparative negligence or, in more strict jurisdictions, contributory negligence. I'm a bit rusty on these since I don't work directly in legal or claims, so keep that in mind.

Anyway, these doctrines hold that if the harmed party could have prevented a portion of the damage, then that party has a diminished claim or, in the case of contributory negligence, no claim at all.

This puts the freedom of choice in a different light. Not wearing gear, especially a helmet, makes the human and financial cost of any accident much higher. This could draw the ire of the car driving public so that at some point they push for wider adoption of these doctrines to shield themselves from the cost of what may be perceived as rider preventable injuries.

And virtually all of us buy auto insurance and bear the cost of situations where claims costs run higher because certain precautions are not broadly adopted.

Not judging at all. Just another angle.

[misterprofessionality]

Honestly, i didn't mean for this conversation to look like this at all either, I just meant to explain why i choose not to wear anything like that, and that I stick by it. really, the whole concept of my bodily injuries in this case is blown way out of proportion. it was a super minor bruising/laceration injury with a few stitches that i've already removed myself. i've been hurt worse than this tripping and falling down a hill. the bodily injury here is really a non-issue. I was more worried about what the outlook was for my bike and whether the mechanically minded folks on the forum had an opinion on whether or not the bike would survive. In that regard, the whole situation turned out really favorable, and i'm thankful for everybody's insight.

[Houtman_imp]

You might have been lucky this time but what about the next time ?
Bikes are cheaper to replace than body parts , we are not judging you , only trying to help . I know that it is very hot in Charleston as our daughter lives there but a shower takes care of sweat after a ride.
We have a helmet law in NC but when I see people riding with just a "pan " on their head I think by myself : " they are not fooling the law , they are fooling themselves"

[Cormanus]

Honestly, i didn't mean for this conversation to look like this at all either, I just meant to explain why i choose not to wear anything like that, and that I stick by it. really, the whole concept of my bodily injuries in this case is blown way out of proportion. it was a super minor bruising/laceration injury with a few stitches that i've already removed myself. i've been hurt worse than this tripping and falling down a hill. the bodily injury here is really a non-issue. I was more worried about what the outlook was for my bike and whether the mechanically minded folks on the forum had an opinion on whether or not the bike would survive. In that regard, the whole situation turned out really favorable, and i'm thankful for everybody's insight.

misterprofessionality, I hope this comes across as gently as it's intended, but I'm afraid one of the problems of contributing to any forum, particularly one populated by a lot of opinionated geezers, is that you'll very often be given the benefit of their opinion whether you want it or not.

It may not seem it, but your post and the various responses are, as 2017EX said, an important part of the forum's culture and appeal: you've provoked a conversation and an exchange of ideas which may provide a moment for some or all of us to pause for thought. That's a good thing in all our lives.

It may seem very personal—after all it's your opinion that's being disagreed with—but it's one of the risks of having and expressing an opinion: others will take it upon themselves to disagree.

I'm glad you're OK and the injuries were minor. I'm also pleased for you that the bike's come through in good shape. Don't be deterred by this curious and curmudgeonly corner of the internet. People may disagree, but they generally do it respectfully. Stick around; I, for one, value your views and enthusiasms.

[KiowaEagle_imp]

lol...."opinionated geezers"....I like that!

[misterprofessionality]

Honestly, i didn't mean for this conversation to look like this at all either, I just meant to explain why i choose not to wear anything like that, and that I stick by it. really, the whole concept of my bodily injuries in this case is blown way out of proportion. it was a super minor bruising/laceration injury with a few stitches that i've already removed myself. i've been hurt worse than this tripping and falling down a hill. the bodily injury here is really a non-issue. I was more worried about what the outlook was for my bike and whether the mechanically minded folks on the forum had an opinion on whether or not the bike would survive. In that regard, the whole situation turned out really favorable, and i'm thankful for everybody's insight.

misterprofessionality, I hope this comes across as gently as it's intended, but I'm afraid one of the problems of contributing to any forum, particularly one populated by a lot of opinionated geezers, is that you'll very often be given the benefit of their opinion whether you want it or not.

It may not seem it, but your post and the various responses are, as 2017EX said, an important part of the forum's culture and appeal: you've provoked a conversation and an exchange of ideas which may provide a moment for some or all of us to pause for thought. That's a good thing in all our lives.

It may seem very personal—after all it's your opinion that's being disagreed with—but it's one of the risks of having and expressing an opinion: others will take it upon themselves to disagree.

I'm glad you're OK and the injuries were minor. I'm also pleased for you that the bike's come through in good shape. Don't be deterred by this curious and curmudgeonly corner of the internet. People may disagree, but they generally do it respectfully. Stick around; I, for one, value your views and enthusiasms.

Oh, no I just meant to say that I didn't even mean to give an opinion in the first place, and for that reason it didn't really occur to me that I was being disagreed with. I was just stating a fact of my life for those who were questioning it, lol. I don't think anybody thought it was personal.

[PowerDubs_imp]

So... what were you wearing? You are the guy with the sparkly sneakers, right?


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