For those dumping money into bike...

[thumper_imp]

Just read my signature line and you'll know my stance....

Stay safe, ride fun.

[meowguy_imp]

I am a very safety conscious person in all of my activities and I think this is an important discussion. While I rarely see people riding metric bikes without helmets I always see those of the HD v-twin persuasion without. I think it was described as a "lifestyle" thing, but without life there is no "style".

If a person is willing to sustain road rash, that is certainly their choice. Body leather, no matter how expensive, will not prevent broken bones. It's the helmet that is important, not just to the rider, but to all of us. Severely head injured people usually end up on life support and become a drain on society because their medical care far out weights what they paid for health insurance, even if they were covered. If not covered, it comes out of our tax dollars in Medicaid. Even the cheapest, goofiest looking half helmet provides some protection. Everyone has a right for that reason, to care about whether or not people wear helmets at the minimum. You don't need $700 leather pants. I would bet almost all on this forum wear helmets and some sort of body protection. It goes with the type of bike we ride.

[oldgoat01_imp]

I think the issue and the point Guth was trying to make was in how the thread was presented, i.e., as a judgement around how one should be spending money and one's priorities were wrong if they chose a new exhaust over a better helmet. For example, I could start a thread as: "I have seen some studies that say a $150 helmet X provides as good of protection as a $600 Shoei. There are a lot of people out there wearing Shoei, so I'm curious to know why someone is spending so much more on a helmet. Is it really worth it?"
Or I could start a thread as: "I have seen studies showing that a $150 helmet is as good as a $600 Shoei. How can someone spend that extra money when we have community food banks struggling to support the poor. Aren't they like the 14 year old girl that cares more about the stitching on the back of their jeans then how durable they are? Why do people buy them?"
Both threads are asking the same question. Does it make sense to spend $600 on a helmet. However, the second example is dripping with judgement. To be sure, I've exaggerated the example; however, Guth's concern is that the OP's question/premise strayed away from a question of "what are people wearing, what brands and why?' by wrapping it with bike upgrades. (By the way, I have nothing against Shoei and I am a full-face helmet, ATTGAT proponent)

[emptysea]

The original post was a statement in the form of a question. He already knew his answer, which was that he would buy apparel before buying accessories. If he was truly interested in what apparel forum users wore, he should have just asked that. Instead, his original post has a tone of superiority, which I think is rubbing people the wrong way, intentionally or not.

The real problem with th question as stated is that it presumes that apparel v. accessories is an either/or question when, in fact both are completely independent choices that each rider makes.

I ride in full protective apparel at all times, btw. Olympia Switchback jacket and matching pants. Boots, gloves, and a full face Snell helmet. My choice and it's not better or worse than someone else's.

[Guth_imp]

For what it's worth, I've got nothing against the use of protective gear. I've spent more money on the stuff than what my Hawk GT cost me and I definitely make use of it.

It's the tone of the original post judging the spending priorities of others that has me on edge. If you guys want to discuss the virtues of protective gear, I would suggest starting a new thread. You can argue the merits of brand X v.s. brand Y to your hearts content as long as you try to keep it civil. The argument over use v.s. non-use of gear generally only tends to polarize folks. Wear what you feel is best for you and let others enjoy their ride as they wish. On the other hand, if they want to inquire about their options, then great.

If you can't understand why this thread has me on edge, my apologies, but I can't do much more to explain it.