| When people think about the image of a biker, one | | | | weeks to heal and will still result in a large scar. By |
| of the first things they think about besides the | | | | wearing the tall riding boots you are much less likely |
| tattoos is the stereotypical black riding boots. In | | | | to be burned. |
| years past you would never see a biker out for a | | | | Of course there are many other reasons for wearing |
| cruise without his boots. These days with the | | | | protective footwear, leathers, and helmets not the |
| popularity of sport bikes and what we call "rice | | | | least of which is the risk of injury from being |
| rockets" you see people riding them with tennis | | | | involved in an accident. Wearing thick leather pants |
| shoes on and you will see business people riding their | | | | and jackets can save your skin if you lay your bike |
| motorcycle to work with dress loafers on. For | | | | down in an accident and the boots will save your |
| hardcore bikers, this may seem to be sacrilegious but | | | | feet. A helmet should always be worn, even if you |
| it is happening more and more. So, are riding boots | | | | don't think it is cool. I have seen several people who |
| really a functional necessity or just for looks? | | | | have died in minor accidents because of head injuries |
| If you have the nerve to walk up to a biker and ask | | | | that would have been avoided if they had worn a |
| him if his boots are functional or just for looks and | | | | helmet. |
| whether they would ride their bike without them you | | | | Even though bikers will say that their reason for |
| will find that they would not get on their bike without | | | | wearing the boots is mostly for protection, the |
| their boots. Though you may be hard pressed to get | | | | classic biker look is a reason as well. I have friends |
| an in depth explanation from them if you push a little | | | | who wear their biker gear even if they are driving |
| they will tell you that while they like the look of their | | | | their trucks. If you were to bring up the example of |
| boots, the main reason they wear them is for | | | | a sport bike rider wearing tennis shoes, they will tell |
| protection. | | | | you that observation makes their point that those |
| There are inherent risks that we take when | | | | people aren't real bikers. Let's face it some guy with |
| participating in biking but wearing motorcycle boots | | | | a flashy windbreaker and tennis shoes riding a little |
| eliminates many of them. One of the first injuries | | | | rice rocket doesn't make you want to lock your |
| that many bikers get is a burned leg from their own | | | | doors when he rides by, now does he? |
| exhaust. This is a horrible injury that can take several | | | | |