I live in South Florida and it never fails seeing someone on sportbike riding w/o gear, to the point where the only thing they have on is a wife beater, pair of shorts and sneakers.
I avoid preaching to those about wearing gear, but I always say something. (even on the hottest days I still wear a full face, gloves, jacket, jeans & boots)
Just over the weekend I saw a young guy, maybe around 19yrs old, only riding in shorts and sneakers (no helmet) on a Honda 1100R flying down the expressway.
I exited to fuel up and moments later I hear sirens going in the direction that I just came from.
I got back on the highway and traffic was slowed down, when I came up to the police & fire rescue units, I see the bike in the center lane and medics working on the kid, fortunately he was conscious and in obvious pain, and looked like a piece of meat. (he was airlifted from the scene)
I pulled to the side where some cars were stopped and a witness said the kid was cutting in and out of traffic and lost control.
Other motorcycles drove by and too stopped, we all agreed that if he had gear on he probably wouldn't have been in bad shape, a firefighter on the scene who also rides said gear would have made the difference.
So with this said, I encourage everyone to wear gear and to pass the word on to those who don't.
You never see a professional rider without, this should be a cue.
I avoid preaching to those about wearing gear, but I always say something. (even on the hottest days I still wear a full face, gloves, jacket, jeans & boots)
Just over the weekend I saw a young guy, maybe around 19yrs old, only riding in shorts and sneakers (no helmet) on a Honda 1100R flying down the expressway.
I exited to fuel up and moments later I hear sirens going in the direction that I just came from.
I got back on the highway and traffic was slowed down, when I came up to the police & fire rescue units, I see the bike in the center lane and medics working on the kid, fortunately he was conscious and in obvious pain, and looked like a piece of meat. (he was airlifted from the scene)
I pulled to the side where some cars were stopped and a witness said the kid was cutting in and out of traffic and lost control.
Other motorcycles drove by and too stopped, we all agreed that if he had gear on he probably wouldn't have been in bad shape, a firefighter on the scene who also rides said gear would have made the difference.
So with this said, I encourage everyone to wear gear and to pass the word on to those who don't.
You never see a professional rider without, this should be a cue.
