motorcyclists/sportbike riders and image

[S107]

Sounds Like Your Problem Should Be Directed At The Cops. Not Us Squids.

[bdrushto]

Eh, shit happens. I bought a sportbike and ride it, therefore certain things are going to happen. A lot of people are dicks, many aren't, I wish there were fewer. As long as I'm still allowed to ride out of the city and get the f*ck away from 'em all, it's all good.

[F4sSprintST]

Tell ya what, you worry about you, I'll worry about me.


As a gun owner, I do my best to portray a positive image, just like I do riding, but some people you will NEVER win over. There's a group that will always believe motorcycles are too dangerous

[S107]

Originally Posted by F4sSprintST

Tell ya what, you worry about you, I'll worry about me.


As a gun owner, I do my best to portray a positive image, just like I do riding, but some people you will NEVER win over. There's a group that will always believe motorcycles are too dangerous

No Dice.

[TS80]

Originally Posted by S107

I Disagree, Im A Squid. And Proud To Be Labled As Such. Why Do You Care So Much About What The Other Guy Is Doing??? And Why Do You Feel The Need To Represent All Bikers? Heres An Idea, Just Go Out And Ride. Who Cares If Someone Is Out In Sandals & No Gear. It Is That Guys Choice And His Right To Do So. Like You, I Hear This Conv. A lot. Let Squids Be Squids. Most Grow Out Of It. Some Dont.

I agree with a lot of what you said, but disagree with some.

On one hand, what someone else does isn't my business and for the most part, I don't care. Personally, I don't buy the whole high insurance and no gear correlation.

But riding habits of others DO affect me whether I want it to or not. Where I live (NYC) lanesplitting is illegal but mostly ignored by the law. It's safer for the motorcyclist and reduces congestion. But with the recent rise in squidly lanesplitting practices (high speeds, and yes, even wheelies between cars) law enforcement has been cracking down.

In the past, responsible motorcyclists could lanesplit, now all lanesplitters get stereotyped as hooligans terrorizing others in traffic. I've gotten stopped once this year because the cop saw "a blue sportbike" lanesplitting at high speeds.

Not only that, but there's this rider that routinely wheelies down my residential street. I had the cops stop by my apartment 2 weeks ago because a neighbor a few houses down thought it was me.

There's also this side road on a deserted area I often take breaks at because it's on the way home when I ride a certain route on the weekend joy-ride. It's straight and pretty empty, on the side of the road is a pull off because of the scenery. Last year when I pulled in there were 2 police cars parked, thought nothing of it. After I took off my helmet and lit up my cigarette they came over and checked all my papers. They told me that the road is often used for "wheelies and other stunts" by local kids and most of them didn't have legal papers.

While nothing is that big of a deal, it's irritating and annoying. To apply some logic to the case, would I have had those stops/inquiries if squids did not exist? No. I think it's safe to conclude that squids DO affect some of us in a negative way. Yeah, it's all minor stuff...I've probably only had about 1 hour of my life wasted because I was stopped...but still, it's not cool. Plus the added aggravation of targeted unnecessarily by law enforcement. AND I might have to stop splitting lanes which would probably add 30 minutes each way on my commutes.

As for gear, whatever. Wear what you want, it's your skin. I think it's stupid to not protect yourself, but that's your choice.

I only get annoyed when someone else's choice directly affects my life in a negative way, and squids do, so they get no support or sympathy from me.

[S107]

I Know What Your Saying. But, The Same Thing Is True About Cagers. Its Just Something We have To Put Up With In Any Vehicle. I Think The Only Way A Squid Can Directly Affect You Is If They Are On The Same Road At The Same Time. Even Then Its The Rider, Not Every Squid. I Guess Thats My Biggest Gripe, Hearing "All" Squids.

[jaboyak]

Originally Posted by S107

I Know What Your Saying. But, The Same Thing Is True About Cagers. Its Just Something We have To Put Up With In Any Vehicle. I Think The Only Way A Squid Can Directly Affect You Is If They Are On The Same Road At The Same Time. Even Then Its The Rider, Not Every Squid. I Guess Thats My Biggest Gripe, Hearing "All" Squids.

The truth of the matter is that anything that squids do to get someone else's attention, whether positive or negative, directly affects us on some level. For example, some squid wrecks a few times on a road and the cops have to keep coming out there, they're probably going to put a few cops out there more often because of recurrence of such issues, if for no other reason than to try to slow down the number of accidents.

Honestly, if you want to die, go right ahead and do it, but please don't endanger others while doing so. That's most of the problem that we have, I can somewhat safely say.


As TS80 said:
I only get annoyed when someone else's choice directly affects my life in a negative way, and squids do, so they get no support or sympathy from me.

[S107]

But Again, The Same Thing Goes For Cagers. In Cali They Are Destroying Vehicles That Are Street Racing. Under This Logic We Should Destroy Every Vehicle That Produces More Than A Certain Amount Of HP.

[Jtpaintball70]

Originally Posted by S107

But Again, The Same Thing Goes For Cagers. In Cali They Are Destroying Vehicles That Are Street Racing. Under This Logic We Should Destroy Every Vehicle That Produces More Than A Certain Amount Of HP.

I don't get how you're establishing a link there. They are destroying vehicles they catch street racing, yes. But tell me the range of vehicles you'll find them doing that to. It could be something like a Focus, all the way to a Supra or Skyline.

Plus our bikes for the most part make less HP than any of those

[Nailer45]

Originally Posted by S107

I Disagree, Im A Squid. And Proud To Be Labled As Such. Why Do You Care So Much About What The Other Guy Is Doing??? And Why Do You Feel The Need To Represent All Bikers? Heres An Idea, Just Go Out And Ride. Who Cares If Someone Is Out In Sandals & No Gear. It Is That Guys Choice And His Right To Do So. Like You, I Hear This Conv. A lot. Let Squids Be Squids. Most Grow Out Of It. Some Dont.

Yes we do need future organ donors daily and the squids help fund the needed supply , so they are doing some good..LOL

[bumblebee]

Originally Posted by nox23

cool. I guess maybe I didin't make myself clear. I totally agree with you. let squids be squids. Thats why said the whole squid discussion is old. All I was saying was that riders who call out others as squids have been guilty of the same actions themselves, only less frequently. I'm really don't give a shit about what the other guy is doing either. I'm not trying to represent anybody other than myself, hell I'm not trying to even do that, riding is not what defines me, but it is something that I really enjoy and care about. Hell I like beef jerky too, that doesn't mean that I'm get all worked up over it. I was only making an observation. It's Sunday, I'm just kicking back. thats it. take as a conversation.

Perhaps...after you have a few more years, and another 30,000 miles of riding in...your observation and conversation may change.

[ctandc]

I've never been pulled over since I started riding EVERYDAY again. So Jul-Nov (still riding) I've never been pulled over or even followed. Is it because my old Katana isn't insanely loud? Is it because I don't drive like an idiot? One kid was griping about cops and told me I never get pulled because I'm older. When I asked him how officers could tell that when I always ride with a full face helmet, he ignored me and kept going on and on about how cops "profile" and pick on sportbikes.

Personally I think it differs greatly from place to place. And JUST LIKE ANY OTHER JOB, there are always assholes. It's a fact of life. But no one goes on and on about the officer who stopped in the rain to help them when they were stranded, or the officer who responded to their 911 call and helped them, JUST LIKE no one talks about the sportbike rider who let them over in that traffic jam etc.

It's human nature...and it's perception.

I think the same is ESPECIALLY True with motorcycle riders, not just sportbikes.

I've seen plenty of idiots on bikes, just like I see plenty of idiots driving cars. That's the way it is.

But I'll use an example. I really good friend of mine...she didn't get "Worried" when I started riding again. She thought it was great. It was never a 'topic of conversation'...riding a bike was not WHO I am, it's just something I enjoy doing.

Fast forward to riding down the Interstate one night...I'm in my truck following her, she's following her husband, as we're coming back from a sporting event out of town.

An idiot on a sportbike blew by us like we were standing still....and we were going 75 -ish mph on the Interstate. He then proceeded to cut across four lanes of heavy traffic on the Interstate to make an exit. As fast as he was going, all I truly noticed was that he had a helmet on (it's mandatory here in Va, so that's not suprising) and he has really white legs...so he was wearing shorts.

He never ONCe shoulder-checked when making the cut across 4 lanes. And right before he blew by, I saw him in my rear view and flashed my brights at my buddy's wife who had her blinker on to change lanes (left lane, where the bike was coming from). That bothered her when that guy flew by. Not because he was "Crazy"...because she had almost changed lanes in front of him at that speed....she was just shook up thinking what would have happened to HIM. Not 30 minutes later, a guy comes screaming up the left lane in sportbike. No mirrors. No gear but his 'crew jacket' , shorts, boots, and one of those chrome Nazi helmets.

I noticed all these things because was right beside me in traffic. Instead of waiting for the car ahead of him to pass and move over out of the left lane, without warning he cut in front of me, and to make a stupid pass on the guy in the left, and then almost ran straight into a truck in front of him that was braking for the slowing traffic ahead.

I had given him EXTRA room because I from his head movement I knew he was thinking about making the pass. I can't imagine someone not expecting that, and having to SLAM on brakes, possibly starting a multiple vehicle collision because of this joker.

My point? So my friend went from pretty much NO stereotpye of sportbike riders, to know she worries about me, because it's "dangerous". Because now when she thinks about sportbikes, she thinks of those two idiots, and worries.

That's WHY sportbike riders can get a bad name.

And time after time I see people posting here about being 'harassed' because they ride etc etc then..the same guys post about doing wheelies (on public roads), how fast their bikes go (public roads), and asking about how to get traffic fines / points reduced because "A cop harassed me and gave me a ticket....for 20mph over the limit......"

It's the same for owners of classic / muscle cars, sportscars, Harleys, cruisers, gun owners, hunters, smokers etc etc.

If someone does not identify with WHAT you do, then many times they have experience with the BAD side of what you do.

I have alot of friends who are LEO's. Sure, there are plenty of officers who can be pricks..but if you see 100 officers, versus 100 store clerks, I wonder which 100 will have more 'pricks'?

I'm just tired of people not wanting to take resposibility for their actions and always blame it on something else.

The 70's was the "ME" Generation..seems like the 90's and now have become the "NOT ME" generation.

Simple fact: If you are not doing anything wrong, you don't have anything to worry about. Ride YOUR ride, and not someone else's. Sure, you may get pulled over for what you think is "no reason" but if you don't give the officer any reason to act otherwise, if you're legal, it'll be a quick, small inconvenience. And you never know what went on prior to that.

I got followed one night, driving my truck, for several miles. Eventually I pulled over at a 7-11 to grab a pack of smokes. The police car pulled in behind me and hit the lights. Long story short...they had just had an armed robbery, and the suspect's vehicle description matched mine. After about 5 minutes, we were done and I was on my way. So I guess I was being harassed? Profiled?

It's an old saying, but it's true. If you're not a criminal, or breaking the law, then 99.99999999 % of the time you don't have a think to worry about if you get pulled over or get followed.

Want to speed? Do it....but deal with the things that may happen.

Want to stunt? Do it...but deal with the things that may happen.

Want to ride a sportbike? Do it..but deal with the things that may happen.

Like someone else said..I could care less what decisions other people make, as long as those decisions don't affect my family or myself in a negative way.


Chris

Hell it's obvious to me, the gene pool needs lots of thinning out anyway.

[ADR3NALINE FIX]

paragraphs + foot notes




















please

[nox23]

Originally Posted by ctandc

I've never been pulled over since I started riding EVERYDAY again. So Jul-Nov (still riding) I've never been pulled over or even followed. Is it because my old Katana isn't insanely loud? Is it because I don't drive like an idiot? One kid was griping about cops and told me I never get pulled because I'm older. When I asked him how officers could tell that when I always ride with a full face helmet, he ignored me and kept going on and on about how cops "profile" and pick on sportbikes.

Personally I think it differs greatly from place to place. And JUST LIKE ANY OTHER JOB, there are always assholes. It's a fact of life. But no one goes on and on about the officer who stopped in the rain to help them when they were stranded, or the officer who responded to their 911 call and helped them, JUST LIKE no one talks about the sportbike rider who let them over in that traffic jam etc.

It's human nature...and it's perception.

I think the same is ESPECIALLY True with motorcycle riders, not just sportbikes.

I've seen plenty of idiots on bikes, just like I see plenty of idiots driving cars. That's the way it is.

But I'll use an example. I really good friend of mine...she didn't get "Worried" when I started riding again. She thought it was great. It was never a 'topic of conversation'...riding a bike was not WHO I am, it's just something I enjoy doing.

Fast forward to riding down the Interstate one night...I'm in my truck following her, she's following her husband, as we're coming back from a sporting event out of town.

An idiot on a sportbike blew by us like we were standing still....and we were going 75 -ish mph on the Interstate. He then proceeded to cut across four lanes of heavy traffic on the Interstate to make an exit. As fast as he was going, all I truly noticed was that he had a helmet on (it's mandatory here in Va, so that's not suprising) and he has really white legs...so he was wearing shorts.

He never ONCe shoulder-checked when making the cut across 4 lanes. And right before he blew by, I saw him in my rear view and flashed my brights at my buddy's wife who had her blinker on to change lanes (left lane, where the bike was coming from). That bothered her when that guy flew by. Not because he was "Crazy"...because she had almost changed lanes in front of him at that speed....she was just shook up thinking what would have happened to HIM. Not 30 minutes later, a guy comes screaming up the left lane in sportbike. No mirrors. No gear but his 'crew jacket' , shorts, boots, and one of those chrome Nazi helmets.

I noticed all these things because was right beside me in traffic. Instead of waiting for the car ahead of him to pass and move over out of the left lane, without warning he cut in front of me, and to make a stupid pass on the guy in the left, and then almost ran straight into a truck in front of him that was braking for the slowing traffic ahead.

I had given him EXTRA room because I from his head movement I knew he was thinking about making the pass. I can't imagine someone not expecting that, and having to SLAM on brakes, possibly starting a multiple vehicle collision because of this joker.

My point? So my friend went from pretty much NO stereotpye of sportbike riders, to know she worries about me, because it's "dangerous". Because now when she thinks about sportbikes, she thinks of those two idiots, and worries.

That's WHY sportbike riders can get a bad name.

And time after time I see people posting here about being 'harassed' because they ride etc etc then..the same guys post about doing wheelies (on public roads), how fast their bikes go (public roads), and asking about how to get traffic fines / points reduced because "A cop harassed me and gave me a ticket....for 20mph over the limit......"

It's the same for owners of classic / muscle cars, sportscars, Harleys, cruisers, gun owners, hunters, smokers etc etc.

If someone does not identify with WHAT you do, then many times they have experience with the BAD side of what you do.

I have alot of friends who are LEO's. Sure, there are plenty of officers who can be pricks..but if you see 100 officers, versus 100 store clerks, I wonder which 100 will have more 'pricks'?

I'm just tired of people not wanting to take resposibility for their actions and always blame it on something else.

The 70's was the "ME" Generation..seems like the 90's and now have become the "NOT ME" generation.

Simple fact: If you are not doing anything wrong, you don't have anything to worry about. Ride YOUR ride, and not someone else's. Sure, you may get pulled over for what you think is "no reason" but if you don't give the officer any reason to act otherwise, if you're legal, it'll be a quick, small inconvenience. And you never know what went on prior to that.

I got followed one night, driving my truck, for several miles. Eventually I pulled over at a 7-11 to grab a pack of smokes. The police car pulled in behind me and hit the lights. Long story short...they had just had an armed robbery, and the suspect's vehicle description matched mine. After about 5 minutes, we were done and I was on my way. So I guess I was being harassed? Profiled?

It's an old saying, but it's true. If you're not a criminal, or breaking the law, then 99.99999999 % of the time you don't have a think to worry about if you get pulled over or get followed.

Want to speed? Do it....but deal with the things that may happen.

Want to stunt? Do it...but deal with the things that may happen.

Want to ride a sportbike? Do it..but deal with the things that may happen.

Like someone else said..I could care less what decisions other people make, as long as those decisions don't affect my family or myself in a negative way.


Chris

Hell it's obvious to me, the gene pool needs lots of thinning out anyway.

amen to that brotha, welcome to America, land of "let me get someone for you..." and "it's not my fault"

[MwKid19]

Originally Posted by ctandc

I've never been pulled over since I started riding EVERYDAY again. So Jul-Nov (still riding) I've never been pulled over or even followed. Is it because my old Katana isn't insanely loud? Is it because I don't drive like an idiot? One kid was griping about cops and told me I never get pulled because I'm older. When I asked him how officers could tell that when I always ride with a full face helmet, he ignored me and kept going on and on about how cops "profile" and pick on sportbikes.

Personally I think it differs greatly from place to place. And JUST LIKE ANY OTHER JOB, there are always assholes. It's a fact of life. But no one goes on and on about the officer who stopped in the rain to help them when they were stranded, or the officer who responded to their 911 call and helped them, JUST LIKE no one talks about the sportbike rider who let them over in that traffic jam etc.

It's human nature...and it's perception.

I think the same is ESPECIALLY True with motorcycle riders, not just sportbikes.

I've seen plenty of idiots on bikes, just like I see plenty of idiots driving cars. That's the way it is.

But I'll use an example. I really good friend of mine...she didn't get "Worried" when I started riding again. She thought it was great. It was never a 'topic of conversation'...riding a bike was not WHO I am, it's just something I enjoy doing.

Fast forward to riding down the Interstate one night...I'm in my truck following her, she's following her husband, as we're coming back from a sporting event out of town.

An idiot on a sportbike blew by us like we were standing still....and we were going 75 -ish mph on the Interstate. He then proceeded to cut across four lanes of heavy traffic on the Interstate to make an exit. As fast as he was going, all I truly noticed was that he had a helmet on (it's mandatory here in Va, so that's not suprising) and he has really white legs...so he was wearing shorts.

He never ONCe shoulder-checked when making the cut across 4 lanes. And right before he blew by, I saw him in my rear view and flashed my brights at my buddy's wife who had her blinker on to change lanes (left lane, where the bike was coming from). That bothered her when that guy flew by. Not because he was "Crazy"...because she had almost changed lanes in front of him at that speed....she was just shook up thinking what would have happened to HIM. Not 30 minutes later, a guy comes screaming up the left lane in sportbike. No mirrors. No gear but his 'crew jacket' , shorts, boots, and one of those chrome Nazi helmets.

I noticed all these things because was right beside me in traffic. Instead of waiting for the car ahead of him to pass and move over out of the left lane, without warning he cut in front of me, and to make a stupid pass on the guy in the left, and then almost ran straight into a truck in front of him that was braking for the slowing traffic ahead.

I had given him EXTRA room because I from his head movement I knew he was thinking about making the pass. I can't imagine someone not expecting that, and having to SLAM on brakes, possibly starting a multiple vehicle collision because of this joker.

My point? So my friend went from pretty much NO stereotpye of sportbike riders, to know she worries about me, because it's "dangerous". Because now when she thinks about sportbikes, she thinks of those two idiots, and worries.

That's WHY sportbike riders can get a bad name.

And time after time I see people posting here about being 'harassed' because they ride etc etc then..the same guys post about doing wheelies (on public roads), how fast their bikes go (public roads), and asking about how to get traffic fines / points reduced because "A cop harassed me and gave me a ticket....for 20mph over the limit......"

It's the same for owners of classic / muscle cars, sportscars, Harleys, cruisers, gun owners, hunters, smokers etc etc.

If someone does not identify with WHAT you do, then many times they have experience with the BAD side of what you do.

I have alot of friends who are LEO's. Sure, there are plenty of officers who can be pricks..but if you see 100 officers, versus 100 store clerks, I wonder which 100 will have more 'pricks'?

I'm just tired of people not wanting to take resposibility for their actions and always blame it on something else.

The 70's was the "ME" Generation..seems like the 90's and now have become the "NOT ME" generation.

Simple fact: If you are not doing anything wrong, you don't have anything to worry about. Ride YOUR ride, and not someone else's. Sure, you may get pulled over for what you think is "no reason" but if you don't give the officer any reason to act otherwise, if you're legal, it'll be a quick, small inconvenience. And you never know what went on prior to that.

I got followed one night, driving my truck, for several miles. Eventually I pulled over at a 7-11 to grab a pack of smokes. The police car pulled in behind me and hit the lights. Long story short...they had just had an armed robbery, and the suspect's vehicle description matched mine. After about 5 minutes, we were done and I was on my way. So I guess I was being harassed? Profiled?

It's an old saying, but it's true. If you're not a criminal, or breaking the law, then 99.99999999 % of the time you don't have a think to worry about if you get pulled over or get followed.

Want to speed? Do it....but deal with the things that may happen.

Want to stunt? Do it...but deal with the things that may happen.

Want to ride a sportbike? Do it..but deal with the things that may happen.

Like someone else said..I could care less what decisions other people make, as long as those decisions don't affect my family or myself in a negative way.


Chris

Hell it's obvious to me, the gene pool needs lots of thinning out anyway.

I don't buy the, "if you've got nothing to hide then you don't need to worry" argument. Sportbikers do get profiled and harrassed for simply being on a sportbike. Same thing goes for people who drive fast cars. I look at it as part of the deal. If you drive a machine that is capable of 150+ miles an hour on public roads you are going to get attention whether you want it or not.