An interesting observation in PB (Performance Bikes) from the UK...

[Geof3]

For those of you that read this rag... Great one by the way... the inside cover spread always features photos from some sort of bike oriented gathering, track day or something highlighting everday riders from the given region. It depends on the coverage of the given event.

Interestingly, in the June issue (just got it) the event in question is Bike Week in Daytona. What is fastinating about the pictures in this spread VS the images in the various Euro events, is every one of the shots in this issue has what we might call a "squid" or "poser" in the various pics. NO ONE has leathers, few even have jackets or helmets, most have a chick on the back with a tank and flip flops... all the usual "squid" stuff. Almost EVERY ONE... To add, all the bikes are heavily modded etc...

The contrast is, in the Euro pics MOST of the riders have leathers, either full one piece or at least two, almost none have jeans, NO ONE has shorts, flip flops or other oddities, and almost all have helmets...

I guess where I'm going with this is, what is it with us? I can't imagine what our brethren over the pond must think viewing these shots from one of the biggest bike events in the US... Pretty pathetic if you ask me... It goes right along with the recent "are you a poser" thread...

BTW... guilty of squidom at times, as you all know... :hammer:

[Avi8or]

Weather weather weather. Hot climes and leather don't mix too well. Yeah I know......... better sweat than blood.

[FarsideMichael]

On 2006-07-18 02:36, Avi8or wrote:
Weather weather weather. Hot climes and leather don't mix too well. Yeah I know......... better sweat than blood.

Don't agree I ride in Africa and myself and guys I ride with ALWAYS wear lids, jackets, gloves and biking longs of various descriptions - at the very least wearing Draggin jeans with Kevlar inserts. We often see the flip-flop brigade shunting at great speed with NO gear or even funnier guys in full kit and girl on the back with no kit!!??

I always wondered what a "squid" is I think I'm getting the meaning but an explanation would help thanks. :wink:

[Calitriple]

The"flip flop brigade" is a great explination. You hit it right on the head.
I live in central california and it was 109 today. I still wore my jacket, lid, gloves and jeans. I used to work in emergency medicine and would NEVER ride without my gear. Sometimes gloves but thats it.
I'd hate tolook back from a hospital bed with no flesh and partial paralysis and think about that extra second it would have taken to put on my gear...

[crashmasterd]

Now you see why I don't go to many of these "bike oriented gatherings." I feel out of place in my full leathers.

Heck, I can't be a squid: I don't even own a pair of flip flops!

[Dobieman]

Weather is a factor but in general from what I have seen on other message boards is the the UK crowd gears up better.
I am 90 miles from Daytona and can tell you that squids are rampant down here.
Saturday I am riding with a buddy that just got his first bike an SV650 and our trip takes us close to a Cycle Gear store here in Jacksonville so I stop in with him to cool off and touchy feely stuff.
Around one of the aisles steps out a young squid wearing jeans and flip flops and thats it besides his sunglasses (Eye protection is mandatory if Florida but not helmets :roll: ) and he looks at me with my Icon Ti Max Mesh Jacket, Icon pants, Icon Hooligan Gloves, Alpine Stars SMX road racing boots and HJC full face lid and says " You guys are into the protection stuff huh?" I said yes and started to lecture him but I knew it would not do any good. He throws a cheap pair of short wrist length gloves on the counter and now he has some cool looking gloves to wear with his flip flops and no shirt, lid, shoes.
I figured someone down here needs a kidney or something anyway
:hihi:

[ This message was edited by: Dobieman on 2006-07-18 07:24 ]

[Limey]

[quote]
On 2006-07-18 07:18, Dobieman wrote:
Saturday I am riding with a buddy that just got his first bike an SV650 and our trip takes us close to a Cycle Gear store here in Jacksonville so I stop in with him to cool off and touchy feely stuff.
I
:hihi:

Dang, Dobie. Glad you didn't ride with us, not into that Touchy feely stuff, just not what grown men do to each other :-D

[6485]

On 2006-07-18 07:25, Limey wrote:

Dang, Dobie. Glad you didn't ride with us, not into that Touchy feely stuff, just not what grown men do to each other :-D

uh, oh! Limey may take your man card for that comment! :lgh:

[Dobieman]

[quote]
On 2006-07-18 07:25, Limey wrote:

On 2006-07-18 07:18, Dobieman wrote:
Saturday I am riding with a buddy that just got his first bike an SV650 and our trip takes us close to a Cycle Gear store here in Jacksonville so I stop in with him to cool off and touchy feely stuff.
I
:hihi:

Dang, Dobie. Glad you didn't ride with us, not into that Touchy feely stuff, just not what grown men do to each other :-D

Thats not what Cheap said about your romantic weekend in the twisties :-D

[Limey]

yeah, had to post those pics on a different site :-D