With respect Hizzy, the UK government are watching events in France and Ireland very closely.
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With respect Hizzy, the UK government are watching events in France and Ireland very closely.
I don't see that having a minimum level of kit for test day would be a problem - the test is supposed to be a 'perfect example' of riding after all, after that you can do what you want.
As someone said, it's a bit like having your hands at 10 and 2 on the steering wheel on a car test, except in this case it's actually a useful thing to specify! And a good habit to get into.
I get asked why I bother with the full top-to-toe kit on my 125 sometimes - and they stop asking when I explain that I got knocked off at less than 20mph, when a car crushed my foot between it and my bike. The doctor told me afterwards that the only thing stopping me from having a broken ankle was my proper motorbike boot. So it's full kit for me at all times. 8-)
Thanks for the reminder on the link Nooj.
So there you go, it's your choice.
I know she was pillion and the rider should have been keeping her safe etc etc but it was her freedom of choice to climb on the back of someone who she presumably thought she could trust without wearing decent kit.
BB
Good job it was a lady turning up in skirt & stilletoes. Could have been worse ;D
People need to wear the proper gear whether on a test or after passing, but after passing it should be a personal choice and common sense should tell you what to wear. Money is tight when you are starting out with the price of a bike, insurance etc.. but sensible clothing is a must.
Now where are my flip flops
- & there you go...Quote:
Originally Posted by Nooj
Lacking as I am in the necessary Jedi powers to know if I am going to get hit off today by cars, HGV, pedestrians, diesel, branches, road debris etc I will continue to wear full leathers as I see fit ;)
Tarmac is a high-friction surface to keep your bike upright, God help you if you ever find yourself heading for it.
I'm with Hizzy on this.Quote:
its their train set and they can dictate what rules they like
Yes you can do what you want on your own time.
But if you are riding with an examiner or instructor whether voluntary or professional, then that person/institution has a say also as to what they get involved in and are potentially liable for.
As well as THEIR personal choice, there are also issues of liability, insurance etc.
If I had someone turn up on a ride with me and they were wearing shorts or had dangerous tyres or chain then it's MY perrogative not to go for a ride with that person.
Yes individuals have a choice, but so do instructors, examiners and test centers as to what they wish to be involved in.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevinb
If the kits out of your budget then the bike is too, get a cheaper set of wheels and buy the right kit! Got my new partner kitted out with boots, jacket and helmet for under £150 from GW's , could've spent less, gloves for another £30 and they have the budget version of draggin jeans on offer for £30 at the moment too. I'd rather spend £240 in the bargain basement at GW's on the right gear even if it doesn't look brilliant than go face do on the ground an tear my body to shreds ...it fecking hurts even with the right kit on !
It's easy not to bother, if you think you won't come off, or it won't hurt if you do.
I've had severe gravel rash just from coming off a pushbike in shorts and sliding the road, and it hurt like hell. Can't imagine sliding the road after a bike accident with no protection.
Seeing that link above, has made me go 'i'm not going out in normal jeans again' on the bike.
Thanks for the heads up Hizzy, will pick up some of those discounted jeans for Jen & I
The way I see it if people are obliged to take their test in proper gear then they are going to have the gear already by the time they come to buy a bike, if they have the gear they are more likely to wear it! Yes its expensive bu as hizzy just proved, you can get fully kitted out fairly cheaply, you don't need alren ness/aplinestar or any other big name just somthing that will stop your skin getting shredded if you slide down the road on your ass!
If you have all the right gear and then decide after your test not to wear it then yes it should remain your choice but I think if people have to have the right gear for their test they will have the right gear so are more likely to wear it all round!
Geo
I don't think the expense should come into it.
We don't bring up an expense argument against helmets or seatbelts.
I do feel for those just starting out on pocket money. I had a moped when I was 16, but we don't exempt them from helmet or seatbelt rules on grounds of cost, so it's not a valid line of argument.
For a lot of gear, 2nd hand is cheaper although I would never recommend buying a 2nd hand helmet.
I'm not condoning people who ride in inadequate kit. As I stated, I refuse to train anyone who turns up in inadequate kit. I don't ride in inadequate kit myself. I have had my tumbles on diesel spills, and thank Mr Richa that his kit did the job. What I don't want though, is any more laws. And what I don't want is a workshy examiner finding excuses to turn people away.
Anyway, how many people here ride in an open face helmet? Have you thought of the consequences of all that exposed skin? Devils advocate again... ;)
+1 Back-off Nanny StateQuote:
Originally Posted by Mark_Able
Those silly enough not to wear good protective kit are, in my eyes, asking for trouble. It sends a shiver down my spine when I see people in shorts and t shirts on bikes knowing that if they do come off there is nothing to stop the tarmac just grating away the layers of flesh, bone and muscle.
For the first time since passing my test, I wore a pair of normal jeans (stupid idea) on the short ride to le mans circuit from the hotel last year, yes it did feel cool and 'free' but I would never do it again. I felt very vunerable and very aware that if I did come off my jeans were going to provide me with no protection whatsoever :( plus when I hit a bumble bee and it exploded on my knee IT REALLY HURT!!! ;D
I like the comfort and reassurance of the leathers/textiles, the gloves, boots and of course the good quality lid.
It's designed to help protect from serious injury as much as it can do and/or try and save people's lives if they do unfortunatley come off so it must be worth it?!
I understand people have the right to choose whether they want to wear it or not but it's the only thing between you and the road, no metal cage with airbags for protection on a bike so why not kit yourself up.
The other thing that really winds me up is seeing guys/gals on bikes, fully kitted up with the leathers, boots, lid, gloves and then you look at the pillion (wife/GF/partner etc) and they have a lid on and maybe if they are lucky a jacket and gloves. They sit up there with jeans on, trainers/shoes and a normal jacket, usually with their arse hanging out and their spine exposed :o :o...WTF is going on there??
That screams to me saying 'I care about my own skin and body but I don't care enough about the person on the back...I'm alright jack'. I would never let someone get on the back of the Ars6 without the full kit on, that's just ridiculous. They don't have kit = they don't pillion.
Talan is right, he is living proof that it's needed. Wear it because it may just save your life one day.
Roxy x :)
Kevlar what?? :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBE98Raljwo
:'(