We’ve just gotta cover up, but it’s kind of
like the bicycle safety helmet thing. They
are a legal requirement but how many
people have you spotted recently not
bothering to click one on? That is one of
those traffic issues the under-staffed and
over-committed police patrols simply don’t
have the time or resources to properly follow
up. So, if a bicycle helmet is apparently
unenforced, I guess making it some sort of
legal requirement to wear protective tops
and bottoms, and footwear on a motorcycle
capable of doing 50km/h or more is pretty
well out of the question.
They’re still messing around trying to get
some sort of legislation in place to make
the wearing of protective headgear on fast-
moving electric scooters a legal requirement.
So any potential action to make the wearing
of protective clothing on a motorcycle
compulsory is never going to happen.
So yep, it all comes down to the individual
and as things are in a democracy, everyone
has their rights and, if there is nothing in the
legal sense standing in their way they, can do
what they choose. They can wear a T-shirt,
shorts and jandals and take the 1100 out
for a bit of a summer squirt. And if things
go awry the only ones I have sympathy for
are those fine but often pushed staff in the
medical emergency centres whose routine
is thrown out of synch’ by a completely
avoidable event.
I learnt the hard way. I went down the road
after over-braking and was wearing a light
shirt and very light cotton trousers. Off to
hospital... and the scars are still there 40
years later. I have also been ‘down the road’
in leathers while going even quicker and just
got up and surveyed the damage to the ‘bars
and ‘pipe. A few scuffs on the leather hide
and a slight bruise to show for it, but that
was it.
Lesson learnt, but it was a hell of a way to
get the message... cover it up.
TREKKER OUTBACK
Alloy case set for the
serious adventure rider
TREKKER OUTBACK
Premium quality design and
construction with 18 mm Ø steel
mount frames with one key to lock
case and lock case to bike.
Less than 1.0 meter fitted width on
most bikes.
• Completely waterproof
• Built-in carry handles
• Beveled edges for no-catch damage
limitation
• Available in silver or black
Available now for all popular adventure
bikes. Go to www.givi.it for full
application details
Trekker Outback top cases.
42 L and 58 L (fits two full face helmets).
Attaches to standard Givi Monokey
top plates
$ 1,340
www.eurobike.co.nz
Complete three
case set including
mounting racks from
$ 2,085
Complete two
case set including
mounting rack from
Accessories available: inner soft bag and strap on top bag