Interesting ATGATT reaction

[Shinigami]

As I have mentioned elsewhere here, like many of you, I never roll on the bike without ATGATT, even across a parking lot.

Last night for a run to the store it was full Vansons top and bottom, Puma Desmos, Taichi gloves, Arai lid.

So I'm packing the groceries I've just picked up into my Boblbee Meg Aero (which doubles as a CE back protectior) in the parking lot of the local grocery, and about to put my helmet on, when this typical-looking soccer mom with a kid in tow walks up.

"I just wanted to thank you!" she says.

"For what?" I answer

"For setting such a good example of what a serious biker is supposed to look like for my five year old here!"


As I reflected on that comment I realized- every day this kid is staring out of a car window, and here in SLC he typically sees 7 underequipped (or completely UN equipped) riders for every 10 riders he sees- a population that has been growing like kudzu in a Georgia swamp here because of crazy gas prices.

Squids here are doing a lot to damage our image, not to mention themselves. Stories about the sinister dangers of "bullet bikes" (my how I loathe that term) abound in local media lately as a rash of these new untrained and unequipped riders meet with predictable results.

I told soccer-mom, "Hope he remembers- and thanks for teaching him the difference!"

[SCraig]

I agree! You should be thanked for setting a good example. Many of us should, but it seldom happens.

The situation is the same everywhere, I think, and something I saw a few weeks ago really stuck in my mind. I was in Indiana (yes, on my VFR) and north of Evansville highway 41 is 4 lanes wide with a 60mph speed limit. There was a kid on a little scooter running about 35mph, no helmet, shorts and a t-shirt, talking on a cell phone. He was completely oblivious to the traffic swerving around him from behind. I've wondered just about every day since whether or not he is still in one piece.

The lessons these kids are apparently being taught is that motorcycles are NOT dangerous, that they will NOT get hurt on them, and that it is OK to ride without protective gear or any safety training at all. They see people on bikes with no protective gear, not even a helmet, and think that's normal. Maybe it is "Normal" in many places, but it certainly isn't real smart.

[Joey_Dude]

That's awesome you actually got a thanks for setting a good example!

I'm ATGATT too and I mostly get "aren't you hot?" comments. For those people I usually just tell them it's not that bad with the perforated leather. That and I'd rather sweat than bleed.

Unfortunately for some people they'll never realize the need for good gear until they get into an accident. A speech from the local safety officer doesn't quite reach home as much as seeing your leg bone sticking out.

[drewl]

Power to the People!

Poeple meaning us that wear proper gear.

[34468 Randy]

Just getting suited up ATGATT for a 2 minute drive to the dentist. He will cause me more pain that if I wipe out.

[WhiteKnight]

Last Saturday I went to a small accessory store about 30 miles from me. I wore full gear and it was 90+ out. I walked in the store and a gentleman asked me "don't you get hot in that?". I said only when I stop. He said on a day like that he wouldn't be wearing leather. I said "Well, I'd rather prepare for the worst and hope for the best". He just looked at me like I was crazy. I guess that unless you have some graphic pic to pull out and show people, they don't really understand, or maybe they just think it can never happen to them. I don't know. I see lots of people ride in shorts, t-shirts, sneakers (not that I haven't ever ridden in sneakers or jeans, which jeans are better than shorts), even no helmet. I just wonder what they will think, if they can, after the odds catch up to them and they go down.
It's awsome and cool that someone thanked you. Those of us who actively practice safety, at least with regards to gear, don't hear that enough, IMO.

[ILVFR75]

that is awesome! i don't think most people even realize the difference b/w ATGATT and everything else. just the fact that she recognized you were being responsible is pretty cool. hopefully the kid will make the same decision sometime down the line.
cheers,
Jeff

[Pliskin]

I obviously understand what everyone is saying, but what does ATGATT stand for?

[PUSkunk]

All The Gear, All The Time, Pliskin.

[VFRShorty]

all the gear all the time

[VFRShorty]

man i was beat to it, barely!

[Pliskin]

TY. BOTH of you! :)

[ILVFR75]

a tie goes to the woman doesn't it? ;)

[Alaskan]

Whenever I see a rider without gear, a part of my brain registers that he/she is an idiot. I can't help it.

[SilverSurfer800]

I see it everyday here in California. When the weather gets hot the protection comes off (no jokes please...) When they go screaming by my a just shake my head at them; these are the people i don't wave to...

[RWB25]

That is very awesome of the mother to actually come over and thank you for doing the proper thing and not chastise you for being a sport bike rider. Obviously Mom knows something about bikes and/or what can go wrong on a bike. If the kid is going to ride when he's/she's older, I'm quite positive the mother will lay the law down....ATGATT or stay home!

[Egg on Leggs]

I can't believe you missed the opportunity to get her phone number.

[RWB25]

Now THAT is a quick thinking man!

[34468 Randy]

Sort of reminds me of two similar scenarios that happened to me within a few months of each other many years ago. One mother came up to me hauling her three or four year old child and scolded him, "If you don't behave this policeman will throw you in jail!" Then a few months later another woman came up to me with her little girl and said word to the effect," Here's a policeman. He is you friend and will help you if you need!" Then to my surprise, the child came up and gave me a hug...in the middle of a mall at a Police Week display I was manning. Seen by many.

I had words with both these mothers, one without the child present. You can figure out roughly what was said to whom.

This mother should get the "Mother of the Year" award for being most caring mom. We need to instill positive attitudes in our kids when they are too young to get their minds polluted by the negative crap.
Positive reinforcement is far superior to negative consequences and this mom not only gets the picture, she puts the frame on it too

[ZonaMan]

I totaled my VFR on Catalina Highway yesterday and walked away with a sore knee, ankle and hip. My $20 A* knee armor saved me from getting a broken leg when I smashed in to the guard rail. My leather jacket saved me when I landed on the rocks. I am very happy to report that the gear saved my life, but am very angry at myself for the split second brain fart that caused my crash. Plan for the worst, hope for the best - just wasn't my day, I guess.

My beloved VFR sure was fun while it lasted (only two years) and I hope I can find another to replace it. They ARE SCARCE! Especially fifth gens.

[34468 Randy]

Living proof ! Good to hear you made it OK...relatively anyways.

[SilverSurfer800]

Zona, glad you're OK after your get off and I hope you can find another bike to fill the void left by your VFR. I think posting pics of your gear would help drive home the importance of ATGATT more than any words could ever do. I'll take a sore knee over the alternative...

Once again glad you're doing well!

[RedRover5683]

I'm a physician, and I'm also among those who are orthodox practitioners of ATGATT. In addition, no one gets on the back of my bike unless they (1) own full protective gear from head-to-toe, and (2) they're familiar with 2-up riding.

I've been through two low-side crashes, and in both cases my full riding gear saved my bacon. In the first crash, I was riding solo, westbound on Ohio Rt. 56 in a very rural section of Vinton county (I'd been over this stretch of road many, many times, in both directions), when I momentarily spaced out while riding the last portion of an S-curve. I entered that last left-hand, decreasing radius curve way too hot, with a bad entry line, and I ended up low-siding to the right, destroying a new '07 BMW K1200GT in the process, but I was fortunate enough to walk away with only trivial injuries.

A very pleasant and kind Ohio State Highway Patrol officer soon arrived at the scene. He looked me over and the first thing he said was something like "I really want to congratulate you for wearing all of that riding gear...This is a bad stretch of road..."

He then took in the scene further: An expensive BMW motorcycle, trashed in a field; a rider wearing expensive, full gear, who has a full set of nice teeth, talks educated with good grammer like city folk... "You're not from around here, are you?" I said I live in the Columbus area.

The tow truck driver, Andy (who is a magnificent person and a life-long motorcyclist) said, "Is you a doctor or something like that?" I chuckled and said yeah, I'm a doc. Thank you so much for helping me! Andy was a great motorcycling "psychotherapist" and a source of comfort and encouragement as I rode with him towards Columbus with my dead BMW on the back of his truck.

My 2nd low-side crash occurred while riding my new 2007 VFR with a very experienced co-rider on Ohio Rt. 669, at Malta. Like me, my lady co-rider was wearing full gear from head-to-toe. We'd previously rode ~6000-7000 miles together without a hitch, when all of the sudden the rear tire (Metzeler M-4) lost traction in a slow, 90 degree left hander. We most likely hit a film of antifreeze or some such thing. (It was not gravel.) The policeman agreed, and so I was not cited for Failure to Control. The damage to the VFR was only cosmetic, to the tune of ~$1500.00.

At any rate, we both slid about 30-50' on our left side, and when we finally came to a stop, our Autocom link was still active. I said are you OK? She said I'm OK but my leg is pinned under the bike. I was able to free my left leg and get up, but her left leg was still pinned...

As it turned out, 400 firemen and medics happened to be close by because they were in Malta for a weekend training exercise. They immediately came to our aid (God bless them all), lifted the bike and freed her. Once they determined and were assured that we were both fine, guess what they said..? (Hint: The wisdom of choosing to ride while wearing full protective gear from head-to-toe... ATGATT!)

Both us of came through this low speed, low-side crash without a scratch to our bodies, but our left-side boots, pant legs, and jackets were pretty chewed up. Our expensive, well padded, textile riding gear (and Sidi leather boots) were pretty chewed up, just from this low-speed slide, but we came through this unscathed. Had we not been wearing full, heavily protective riding gear, both of us would've suffered severe injuries. The gear did it's job. Once we got home, we took off the gear, said a prayer of thanks, and tossed it in the trash. It was cooked. It did it's job. We bought new gear. (FirstGear TPG)

Lessons remembered and learned

1) Extreme RoadRash: Cause Effect and Lesson Learned*-*SpeedFreakInc.com You've probably seen this article before. It's always worth another look.

2) The term "Road rash" is really a very bad euphemism for the severe bodily injuries that occur when unprotected or inadequately protected body parts and skin are subjected to severe abrasions. The resulting injuries are not merely "rashes". In fact, they are actually much the same as 2nd and 3rd degree burn injuries. Our skin is best thought of as a vital bodily organ.

3) Young riders (and their co-riders) often feel as though they are somehow
invincible, as if accidents may befall others, but they are somehow immune. Young riders often have a poor sense of their own mortality and morbidity.

4) Among many riders from all age groups, there may be an unwillingness or inability to purchase full protective riding gear, from head-to-toe. Reasons may vary, but the fact is that acquiring and religiously wearing full gear is expensive, seemingly cumbersome and inconvenient, and in warm weather it's often hot as hell....

We have a choice... we can choose to adhere to ATGATT, or we can throw caution to the wind. Among those who scoff at the wisdom of ATGATT, get back to us and report in if you happen to require the services of a medical helicopter, intensive care unit, burn unit, etc.

Even if one chooses to do without ATGATT, what about your co-riders? In an accident, co-riders are more often maimed or killed than the rider.

[KC-10 FE]

I would like to have met this nice lady. It's so unusual to hear a reaction like that.

Isn't it funny that when we hear of a good reaction that we also get warm & fuzzy? I really wish it was the other day around.

A day or two ago, I stopped for an Italian ice. Of course, I got the look from the HOG's. The funny part is, they actually look at me like I'm the stupid one.

As a wise person said, "Walking away in digust beats riding away in an ambulance."

KC-10 FE out...

[vfrcapn]

I saw guy here in California a few days ago wearing shorts, t-shirt, sneakers w/ full helmet, back protector and knee armor strapped to his bare legs! wtf?

I will go with only a helmet and some mesh gloves when going around the corner to the grocery, not getting over 30mph. Better than the spandex worn while on the bicycle, the 'Stich makes hill climbing and sprints so difficult!

[34468 Randy]

More living proof.

Gross Accident Images: Dangerous Motorcycle Driving - 10 Daily Things

[Alaskan]

Nice story, RedRover.

My name is Alaskan I was a squid. I routinely rode in a tee-shirt in hot weather. Invincible!??? What an idiot! After my first - and only - street crash, I wised up. It's been ATGATT for me for the last 30 years.

[Bubba Zanetti]

More living proof.

Gross Accident Images: Dangerous Motorcycle Driving - 10 Daily Things

That's a nasty pic! I've seen it before, but I don't understand why certain articles keep saying he lived.

That rider died from the impact with the truck.

Glad the rider had 'some' gear on, but ATGATT does not help when you slam into a hard object at 120 mph.

BZ

[Nepix]

i just went out and bought a tour-master mesh jacket so I can have a summer jacket to ride with instead of T-shirt. I always wear my gear and im happy to see other people who ride in the same fashion

[34468 Randy]

That's a nasty pic! I've seen it before, but I don't understand why certain articles keep saying he lived.

That rider died from the impact with the truck.

Glad the rider had 'some' gear on, but ATGATT does not help when you slam into a hard object at 120 mph.

BZ

Ya. I kinda wondered that too. But all I had to go in was what was printed. If you look at his feet, they are pale. Look at his neck area and there is no blood probably cause the heart is stopped, and in the back ground there is an Ambulance. I would think any and all EMT's would be on this guy like two minutes before they arrived. Unless of course he is dead. Reminds me of a Porsche slamming into the back of a semi here years ago. When I got to the scene and looked at the Porsche driver, his eyes were wide open and he had that look of Wholly F&*K on his face. But DOA. And besides, I think I watched a program a while back that a 70 (?) or so MPH sudden stop would rip your organs from their places within. Again DOA

Gotta find a more cheerful forum for a while. I retired from that stuff.