In Pennsylvania (and many other states, I suppose), a helmet is optional and I see a lot of both sport bike and harley riders without them. I also see the same mix of people not wearing gloves or a decent jacket. A few times, I've seen peole in just a pair of shorts and nothing else. I most certainly don't wish them any harm and I accept the fact that it's up to them. Personally, I always wear boots, jackets, gloves and a helmet. It's not so much that I'm afraid that I'll crash, but I'm afraid that someone will force me off the road or crash into me and like someone else said in this thread, it could be the difference between a week of recovery and six months.

So what is a squid? In my opinion, it's those that ride with an appearent death wish. . lane splitting, zig-zag thru traffic and anything that puts the rider and other drivers at undue risk. So, just because you want to do a wheelie or ride 120+MPH, I woudln't call you an idiotunless you were doing it in an obviously unsafe place. Just like driving a car, it's all about risk mitigation.

 

one of the big problems
at least around here anyway is that your average squid doesnt have insurance either
bike shops sell bikes on credit cards so the bank doesnt require coverage
then they get liability once a year to cover the tag and inspection

its not that they are hurting themselves
its the load they are placing on the rest of us when our insurance rates go up because of the med bills of uninsured motorists
(cars included)

personally i say
person goes down and doesnt have coverage
leave him on the side of the road unless he can pay cash for the treatment

 

After two weeks of riding my wife was going around a corner (50 mph on her cruiser) it was only a 25 corner. Due to her inexperience she down shifted to 2nd which is a no no on a cruiser going that fast. Instead of pulling in her clutch she slid first left then right. Then she fell left slid 50 yards flipped and then slid off the road. She was wearing a tank top and a half helmet. The handle bars were bent flat on the left the turn signals ripped off and the pipes were smashed on the right. She has some road rash scars on her left shoulder and the back of her helmet were shaved off. I saw it happen as i was behind her and after i found out she was okay it was an awesome display of destruction. I told her if you were wearing your leather jacket you wouldnt have your road rash. She replied, If i was wearing my jacket i would no longer have a $400 dollar jacket. So my wife is a squid but i love her all the same.

 

I agree with the states that have optional helmet laws, its simply darwinism at its best and reduces the amount of stupid people out there, hopefully before they breed.And about wearing gear just be happy your not on a military base where you have to wear long pants, long sleves, gloves, helmet with visor or goggles, bright orange or yellow reflective vest, and hard soled boots that cover your ankles. And if you dont its a 30 day suspension of your license.

 

I once low-sided in a curve on my old 900RR because the tire had picked up a lot of dirt and it marked up my leather jacket on the back (yes, I still wear it), but it did exactly what it was suppose to do. I may have scratched up my favorite jacket, but I didn't leave any skin on the road and even if I'd been traveling fast enough to destroy the jacket, I paid a lot of money for it to protect me. . notso I couldlook good in it. In this respect, I completely agree with you. Sh*# happens. . we all know this and buy gear to help us survive.

 

I do not know how any body rides in shorts my bike put off way too much heat. I bought a mesh first gear jacket for summer riding for 50.00 and it works great.

 

tell you wife she might not want to a wear a helmet either as it could get damage too! ask her this if she is in a car accident would she still want the airbag to go off as it will cost about 1500 to 2g or more to replace and install.

and yeah i live in florida it will be about 95 today, if i am on the road i have the head gear, perforated leather gloves, jeans, and a sturdy pair of boots.Yeah its hot yes i sweat when in traffic but never seen anyone go out boat trip and wonder why they got wet.i laugh when i see guy in flip flops or better yet the helmet is strapped under the seat and they have gloves on,

i think boy whats the point. thats like opening a condom wrapper and leaving it on the table, i guess its just so you know it there if you need it at the instant you need it lol

 

What has often been intimatd here, are two things: 1) those that appear to qualify for the moniker of 'squid' act irresponsibly - however you may ascribe to that last word. 2) often - though not always - persons that are most oft called squid& act irresponsibly are young. Now, 'young' is as much a cognitive maturation as much as anything. Most of us have seen the 16-yr old who is wise & responsible beyond their chronological years; likewise there are 30, 40, 50, 60+ something that behaves recklessly with utter disregard for life, limb & property of others. Or has repeated accidents that raise the insurance rates for every rider - or worse, doesn't carry insurance.

Why? Because those of us with a mortgage, children, spouses, own our own businesses, or have some greater resposibilies to someone/something beyond ourself behave/act accordingly. Which doesn't include acting like an utter ****. It comes down to selflessness vs selfishness.

And yes, the H-D rider or RR rider or any other motorcyclist that rides unprotected, or allows a passenger to ride unprotected is a selfish *****, i.e. 'squid'.

Cheers

 

Dude your right. But did you have reference the dictionary for every other word in that reply? I mean I got my BS in political science of all things an I was like why the hell is he over doing it like that with the words. Sometimes simplicity is the best way.LOL

 

I know that the expensive gear that protects you isimportant, but obviously your not married. The woman doesn't care about being protected they just want to look good. hehe I know its crazy but thats women.