Just street siding, not the track: Knee Sliders or NO Sliders?

[ScottRNelson]

I bet the average person takes a look at you stretched over the tank of a hot yellow, fully-faired bike that looks fast standing still, a full black leather suit with obscure logos on it & purpose built boots and thinks "motorcycle racer." No pucks? Hardcase bags on the bike? I'd wager only fellow aficionados spot those details. Just like the same person sees a Harley rider with a leather vest & pony tail and thinks "outlaw," not "graying tax attorney."

Okay, now I'm going to have to get your opinion of this photo, taken on Saturday east of Fresno. 

[EvilSteve]

I have to strongly disagree with you.

I don't believe that I come across as a racer to most people when I'm fully geared up for a ride:

I agree, I don't think you look like a racer either but even though I said it, that wasn't my main point. The main point was that pucks don't make a discernible difference. I also think to the casual observer that there's very little difference between your suit & a 1 piece race suit. So, agreeing with triangleforge, I have to say that your suit being slightly less sporty doesn't really make any difference to the overall impression that you give. Another good point from triangleforge was that your bike looks like a sport bike to a lot of people & as such, you'd be tarred with the same brush.

Okay, now I'm going to have to get your opinion of this photo, taken on Saturday east of Fresno. 

That's a cool picture.

Were you looking for some other comment?

[ScottRNelson]

That's a cool picture.

Were you looking for some other comment?

Exact same riding outfit.  Different bike.

Could it be that the motorcycle makes a bigger difference than what we're wearing?  That's where the arguments seem to be going so far.

Although I think that now I'm convinced that only the presence or absence of knee pucks isn't going to make a big difference in the impression we give people.

[EvilSteve]

I honestly think that the dark visor (I own two and one clear) does a lot more to give the racer impression than pucks or the style of suit. I definitely agree that what kind of bike will have a larger effect on the impression but I doubt it makes as much difference as to make the impression positive or negative. If it's naked it's a cruiser, if it's faired, it's a ninja and if it's a GS they're really confused.

[triangleforge]

Exact same riding outfit.  Different bike.

Could it be that the motorcycle makes a bigger difference than what we're wearing?  That's where the arguments seem to be going so far.

I'm with you on that one -- the bike makes a huge difference.

And yeah, that's a cool picture  Can't ever see myself owning one, but would love to ride a nice custom like that one sometime!  And just for the record, knee pucks on a chopper -- well, that's just WRONG!!!

[EvilSteve]

How to confuse Harley riders 101: wear full leather, full face & pucks on a sweet custom.

[triangleforge]

How to confuse Harley riders 101: wear full leather, full face & pucks on a sweet custom.

Even better, if you can get far enough off to USE the pucks without dragging hard bits, my hat's off to you!  It'd look like you were racing in a sidecar, with no pilot! 

[EvilSteve]

Even better, if you can get far enough off to USE the pucks without dragging hard bits, my hat's off to you!  It'd look like you were racing in a sidecar, with no pilot! 

In the same theme:

[triangleforge]

NICE!  I half expected the sound of the exhaust note to change before the video was over, with all the new holes in the pipe. 

[JohnnyDucati]

Guys (and gal)-

thanks for the really good discussion.  It's nice to sit back and read some intelligent exchanges.  I still don't know whether to keep the pucks in the closet on put them back on.  Going to think about it some more.   

J

[GLantern]

I keep my pucks on because if im committing to a turn and im leaving leeway on the street for something to happen i want to be able to lean far enough into it and not worry about my knee hitting.  If im not wearing the pucks i tend to bring my leg back in as i turn which changes my body position, which forces me to lean my bike over even more due to the weight change, so it leaves me with less room in an emergency.

[JohnnyDucati]

I keep my pucks on because if im committing to a turn and im leaving leeway on the street for something to happen i want to be able to lean far enough into it and not worry about my knee hitting.  If im not wearing the pucks i tend to bring my leg back in as i turn which changes my body position, which forces me to lean my bike over even more due to the weight change, so it leaves me with less room in an emergency.

   Hey man, never thought of that.!  Pretty interesting way to look at.   

[ducpainter]

I keep my pucks on because if im committing to a turn and im leaving leeway on the street for something to happen i want to be able to lean far enough into it and not worry about my knee hitting.  If im not wearing the pucks i tend to bring my leg back in as i turn which changes my body position, which forces me to lean my bike over even more due to the weight change, so it leaves me with less room in an emergency.

I have to disagree with this.

It is possible to get your weight off the bike without dragging a knee.

I know several very fast track riders that never drag a knee and get way off the bike.

If you're dragging a knee on the street you're riding too fast IMO.

[EvilSteve]

While I agree generally (do what I say, not what I do! ), I can drag a knee at like 20/30mph, you don't need to be going fast.

[ducpainter]

While I agree generally (do what I say, not what I do! ), I can drag a knee at like 20/30mph, you don't need to be going fast.

True...

you also don't have to drag to go fast.

I take my sliders off.

I don't think the ground up surface will get me many points with officer friendly.