My how times have changed/I'll say it again

[the Ferret]

From the earliest time I can remember (mid 50's) until just a few years ago, one thing you could count on with Harley riders is that they always wore jeans, black engineer boots and black leather gloves (fingerless in summer). In my mind those things are synonymous, Harleys, blue jeans (Levis), black leather engineer boots and black leather gloves. They may have worn a sleeveless T-shirt on top, or a sleeved tee with a leather vest, or denim vest if it was warm, or a leather jacket on top if it was cold. Here in Ohio we haven't had a helmet law in forever so I don't remember them wearing helmets much (and dew rags only came into vogue in the 90's), but you could always count on blue jeans , engineer boots and leather gloves.

Passed these two fellows on this mornings ride. Bear in mind it was 56 degrees when I took off this morning with my Modular Helmet, Tourmaster jacket, deerskin gloves, blue jeans and Alpinestar boots (and it was a bit nippy dressed like that). There's a new breed of Harley riders.

[url=http://smg.photobucket.com/user/theferret111/media/April%202016%20007_zps1xi5rzvj.jpg.html]

and I will say it once again, for the umpteenth time. "I am not tough enough to ride a Harley" lol

[DocRid_imp]

Doesn't matter what bike they're riding, seeing a rider with an outfit (or lack there of) like that makes me cringe.

[the Ferret]

I don't personally care what someone wears or doesn't wear. Their choice, let them live with the consequences. I'm not an ATGATT type of guy either, more of a MOTGMOTT (most of the gear most of the time) or SOTHGATT (some of the gear all of the time) guy.lol

It just seems so odd to me to see guys on Harleys (you know the rugged individual brand..the guys on steel horses) wearing shorts, and deck shoes and red high tops and no socks.. and I've even seen one wearing a pastel blue plaid shirt. I just can't wrap my head around it lol. To me it would be like watching a cattle round up and the ranch hands are wearing Jimmy Buffet flowered shirts, sunglasses, shorts and sandals (who knows maybe they do wear that nowadays). Just doesn't compute in my head.

[drodg33]

I agree with the whole Harley dress thing that you are saying Ferret. I was just saying today even though we don't have helmet laws in Indiana I am noticing more Harley riders wearing helmets.

[kmoney_imp]

I was at a Harley Test ride event this weekend (which was actually really awesome) and took my go-to riding gear -- Hood jeans, Dainese Jacket and full gauntlet gloves and A* touring boots and a Shoei full-face. Definetely got a bunch of funny looks from the "regular" Harley riders at the event. I guess that's just the new reality for them, as they try to attract a new demographic.

[4 Paws_imp]

Years back Harley decided to market image rather than engineering, it shows.

[WhiskeyUSMC1979_imp]

I have guys that drive M1 Abrams, the toughest tanks in the world. 70 tons of near unstoppable mass. They wear helmets. Who am I to go helmet-less on two wheels when these guys armor up on tracks? My leather jacket and steel toe boots took a beating and lost at 45 - 50 mph during my last down. I don't even want to think what my skin would look like without them there to take the initial abrasive forces. I'm not planning to crash again, but once the bike and I part ways at speed, it's too late to throw my gear on then.

Ride safe. Rubber side down. Enjoy the ride!


Sent from an undisclosed location

[LongRanger_imp]

The riding two-abreast nonsense makes me cringe too, but I guess there are no curves anywhere in sight, so maybe it's okay. Stupid is as stupid does.

I occasionally see elderly BMW and Gold Wing riders around here without helmets. That too makes me cringe. It just doesn't fit the image of what I expect.

[4 Paws_imp]

Darwin.

[Guth_imp]

I'm of the opinion that from Harleys to Hondas, if it makes you happy then ride it and enjoy. If motorcycling is going to draw new people into the mix, then you can probably expect a bit of a dilution of the common stereotypes. The "Harley crowd" is an easy one to fixate on as they represent such a large percentage of the overall mix, but I'm sure the same can be said of the rest of the types of rider groups out there.

You just never know what to expect any more. Jeez, here in Portland, I've seen guys on bicycles fully decked out in motorcycle riding leathers and guys on every type of motorcycle imaginable wearing not much more than a pair of shorts and a tank top. There are plenty of other examples around to bridge the gap between those extremes. To each their own.