Harleys and Kilts: Leather, Wool or Cotton?

[dfmacliam]

I would not say anyone is jumping on anyone....it is that motorcycle riders are giving another rider some advice.. accidents happen, and usually its not the motorcycle riders fault.. we care enough about each other, we do not want to see a brother get hurt.

He will do what he will do... and there is nothing any of us can do about it.. but at least we shared our concerns...

I do think you are taking this slightly overboard with your comments, but for whatever reasons, they are your own, and I respect that. Please do not misinterpet our advice for "jumping" on him.

[Cynthia]

Hoo boy. Here we go again.

My personal opinion on kilts and motorcycles is that if ANY topic should be against the rules on XMTS, it should be this one.

Actually, I can think of a few that really set people off and usually end up locked at some point.

[Tobus]

My personal opinion on kilts and motorcycles is that if ANY topic should be against the rules on XMTS, it should be this one. Every time it comes up, nothing good ever comes of it and it ends up in hard feelings and irate people because of how strongly they feel about this issue.

I apparently haven't been around long enough to have seen threads go south over this subject. But if it keeps coming up, maybe it's an important enough topic that it shouldn't be verboten. As long as folks discuss the issues in a cool and reasonable and respectful manner, what's the harm?

If you've ever gone down on a motorcycle, it's perfectly clear why the kilt (as much as we all love wearing it) is not appropriate motorcycle gear. If it's offensive to say that, then I apologize. But at some point, even devoted kilties have to draw a line. Kilts are not well suited as firefighting gear, they're not well suited as NFL uniforms, and they're not well suited as motorcycle gear. Certain activities are dangerous enough that the gear a person wears should offer protection from high risk of harm. If they choose not to, that is of course their choice to make. But I fail to see why banning the subject is going to help anything.

I won't get into where I stand on this, as I've made it very clear in previous threads, but let me just say (to any newer XMarkers) that if you have the chutzpah to come out and admit to being a kilted motorcycle rider, you are guaranteed to have at least 10 mothers jump on your back to tell you what a horrible idea it is.

Maybe... just maybe... they do this because there's some truth behind it?

[Santa Kona]

We were asked for our advice "I need some advice." I think everyone has only been giving their life experiences and not jumping on him.

[ccga3359]

We were asked for our advice "I need some advice." I think everyone has only been giving their life experiences and not jumping on him.

I agree. Seaborn has but this one post. Let's all allow him to respond before we get into a big discussion over this. We don't want to scare him off with an argument. He is a) an adult, and b) someone with legitimate questions regarding kilts.

[jkane]

I totally agree that kilt is not "good" motorcycle wear. I myself make fun of sport bike riders with flip flops and shorts all the time. But ... that is when I see them weaving in and out of traffic. I know the risk of wearing a kilt, and I mitigate it! I am not 20 years old, and I don't ride for sport. I ride for comfort, and am always relaxed. I do not make aggressive riding moves. I am even more aware of what's around me when in a kilt.

I know some day it will happen. I know if it happens in a kilt, it will hurt a LOT more!

I also seldom wear a helmet. When I do, it's a novelty, and will not save my skull.

I know eating sugar will kill me some day. I still eat it (I am a type 2 diabetic).

I know that drinking will expedite when I die. I do it anyway.

I know all of this, and I still chose to enjoy life.

My motto is "It's better to burn out, than to fade away!"

I will never take offense at anyone telling me what they think is right. I will only take offense if they get in my way if I still choose to be stupid after telling me not to do it.

"Hey Bubba, hold my beer and watch this!"

[wildrover]

Do what y'all feel is the best option...a buddy of mine who rides, upon my querying him as to the meaning of the term "squid", once mentioned something about raw meat and lack of skeletal support in regards to crash victims without adequate protection...so ride kilted if you must, I'll keep an extra supply of Bactine, splints, and under-eye blinders in the truck .

-Sean

[Java]

Lifelong rider here. I've ridden on the street since 1979. For years when I lived in the southwest, I didn't even own a car. I'm a riding instructor. So yeah, I'm old, and I'm a safety nazi. I also think if you're a big boy, you should be able to make your own decisions. My job is just to help people make informed decisions. So here is my 2 cents: With all that medical science has learned to do over the last hundred years or so, when it comes to removing asphalt from your hide, hospitals still use a wire brush. All I'm saying is, there are some parts of me I just don't want a wire brush taken to....

Have Fun,
Java

[Good Egg]

Lifelong rider here. I've ridden on the street since 1979. For years when I lived in the southwest, I didn't even own a car. I'm a riding instructor. So yeah, I'm old, and I'm a safety nazi. I also think if you're a big boy, you should be able to make your own decisions. My job is just to help people make informed decisions. So here is my 2 cents: With all that medical science has learned to do over the last hundred years or so, when it comes to removing asphalt from your hide, hospitals still use a wire brush. All I'm saying is, there are some parts of me I just don't want a wire brush taken to....

Have Fun,
Java

Be fair, some may use anesthetic as well.

[csbdr]

[QUOTE=CDNSushi;872361]Hoo boy. Here we go again.

My personal opinion on kilts and motorcycles is that if ANY topic should be against the rules on XMTS, it should be this one. Every time it comes up, nothing good ever comes of it and it ends up in hard feelings and irate people because of how strongly they feel about this issue.

It violates no rules and seriously, I've never seen a serious argument or thread closed over it. Nor hard feelings.

I won't get into where I stand on this, as I've made it very clear in previous threads, but let me just say (to any newer XMarkers) that if you have the chutzpah to come out and admit to being a kilted motorcycle rider, you are guaranteed to have at least 10 mothers jump on your back to tell you what a horrible idea it is.

Mothers....really? You know, he asked, and everyone is politely answering. I don't see anyone jumping on him. If you're getting tired of this issue, ignore it.

Oh. Two other points. One, last year there was an excellent how-to post here on the forum where a member explained some really useful tactics -- if you do a forum search, you may be able to find it. PM me if you can't and I'll give it a try.

Two, I belong to both groups of riders: those who have crashed AND those who will. But I am enough of a libertarian to allow people to make their own choices in life.

noones demanding he follow their advise. He'll do what he wants, but did ask for opinions.[QUOTE]

Beyond that, I also wouldn't do it. To each his own, but I also don't ride in shorts and flip-flops either. ATGATT for me doesn't include kilts. It's risky enough to ride, IMO.