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From: dm_johnson@xanadu.DEC
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: intimidating images
Message-ID: <1260@decwrl.DEC.COM>
Date: Fri, 21-Feb-86 08:21:15 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.1260
Posted: Fri Feb 21 08:21:15 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 24-Feb-86 06:20:28 EST
Sender: daemon@decwrl.DEC.COM
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Lines: 39


>I have noticed that when a rider like Todd is very cautious and wears
>orange .... that
>automobile driver tend to intimidate them or try to intimidate them.
> 
>On the other hand is the rider in full, black leathers ..... 
>Noone ever rides his tail or cuts him off ...

Funny you should mention that. For several years I rode a honda 350 and
then a 550. I had this green open face helmet and I wore various rather light 
weight jackets. Since it was a big city I rode *extremely* defensively.
But I always had cars trying to take my hole to swing from the left lane
across 3 lanes to the exit ramp, etc. Even though I was rubbernecking 
traffic and trying to make eye contact and all the good recommendations.
I added a leather jacket (black was all they had at this shop) because I 
was beginning to feel paranoid but it never really seemed to change 
anything.

But my current bike is black. I really wanted another color but black was 
all they had. And it has a full cafe fairing and comes across looking 
something like the bike in the tv show Street Hawk. Because of various 
reasons I went looking for a new helmet 9 months later. I wanted a full
coverage helmet and the only thing I could find in my size was ... 
black.

I don't ride any differently defensive wise. But you know.... People 
don't try to brush me anymore. When people tailgate me I slow a little 
bit and look over my shoulder at them and I don't have a problem 
anymore. I'm not macho. I eat quiche. I'm fairly sensitive. And when I 
think about all the ramifications I could get upset. But the overall
package, even though I never set out to do it, seems to intimidate 
people.

I also strip the jacket as soon as I get off the bike. People seem to be 
more comfortable with me that way.

Just thoughts
Ride on
Dennis Johnson