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