I'm not saying the logic behind ATGATT is flawed. Wearing gear is better than not wearing gear. I've never denied that. I just think that, just because I think something is right doesn't give me the right to push that on others. I really like Yamaha bikes, Canadian whiskey, a healthy lifestyle, (yes, I listed those last two back to back) and a bunch of other crap that you don't really care about but that makes me think I'm smarter than everyone else. You might not dig that, but I don't tell you to.
I don't wear ATGATT. I guess I'm ATGMostTT. Yes, it's a little riskier than gearing up every time I look at my bike, but by that argument we should be wearing our gear to walk our dogs.
I'm never going to criticize someone for wearing gear. It's the safest thing to do. You want to put on your Valentino Rossi costime to ride your scooter to the store? Good for you! You look a little silly, but you're doing the smartest thing you can. BUT, even though I disagree with it, I'm not going to criticize someone for wearing no gear at all. It's none of my business. I might think they're a little crazy, but some of my friends think I'm a little crazy for owning a bike to begin with. Some of you guys think I'm a little crazy for not wearing a leather onesie.
So, yes, please tell anyone who will listen why gearing up is a good idea. Tell anyone who is interested how safe your gear is. But please don't call someone an idiot because they don't fall in line with you, and please don't cram your gear down someone's throat. Respect each other's choices. It's easier when people get along...
Thank you for taking up the gauntlet and answering my challenge! You speak of extremes, though. A leather onesie to go to the store? Not only is that not what I wear, I don't even own one (though I wish I did).
As for calling someone an idiot for not falling in line with my own personal logic? I will admit, I sometimes use that term. But it's not because someone disagrees with me, it's generally because of their reasoning for not wearing gear.
Usually, when I call someone an idiot, they've said something along the lines of "I'm too good to crash." That may not be their exact words, but that's their meaning. That's generally when I say "stupid" or "idiot."
Nor do ATGATT riders think they're smarter than everyone else. Again, in general, we've simply accepted the fact that stuff happens, and we're willing to endure a little personal discomfort to literally save our skins. I will admit, when I see a squid on the road, I do feel smarter than he seems. Looked at logically, why the heck wouldn't I? It's a personal decision, but when I see that squid, I figure either I know something he doesn't, or he's chosen to just believe that he can't possibly go down, because he's just so cool. Looked at that way, how can I not feel smarter?
People buy frame sliders for their bikes, to protect the plastic in the case of a low speed down. It boggles my mind to think that same person doesn't realize their skin is not as tough as the plastic. To care more about the plastic on one's bike, than one's own skin? Or to not even realize that maybe, if you're worried about the scrapes on your pretty plastic, those scrapes on your body are WAY more serious?
What the heck can you say to that? I'm not ramming my ATGATT philosophy down anyone's throat. No one is being forced to read anything I post. I just hope those that read these posts kind of see the light.
How many downed rider threads does it take to convince someone that the relatively minor inconvenience that ATGATT poses is worth it? Sometimes, lots. So I'll keep plugging away.
I honestly appreciate your opinion. I'm not forcing anyone to do anything, though, including reading what I've just written. It's up to each individual to either accept the logic of ATGATT or reject it.
I feel comfortable in calling someone an idiot if they are unable to recognize the simple fact that they are liable to go down. And if they go down without gear, they're liable to get way more hurt than if than if they had the gear.
If that same person recognizes the fact that we are all liable to crash our motorcycles at anytime, due to circumstances beyond our control, and that person chooses not to be protected in that event? The only kind word that comes to mind is indeed, "idiot."
this gives BOTH sides of the equation with equal riders. Pure and simple.
