The Official Pune Offline Meet(G2G) Thread

[kaushik60]

I wear knee gaurds, and riding boots and even a spine gaurd for that matter! And this I have been doing since a while. Heck! At times I end up "donating" my knee guards too!

Look at it this way.

Today you have an ability to influence x number of people. Most of the x have bought the state of the art riding gear and they continue to ride with safety gear. Whether or not they ride safe is debatable, but the problem is that x is a minority. The road still has a Y population which rides unsafe. They make our lives miserable too. They do crazy things, we get blamed.

What we aim to achieve is to take these Y people, and brain wash them and convert them into more X's

How does it help
1. Xs population grow, lesser perills caused by Ys on the road
2. Xs ride saner as they have to set an example to Ys
3. We get more Xs and so more birthday treats and what not
4. Some of these Xs are chicks who want to ride, but dont.. we get to ride (with) them. Given a choice, am sure you would rather want to spend the evening g2g with this Y than apna kakkar or nunu

I should say I agree with you.
Here's some background. I'm new to xbhp here at Pune, but I have been doing a lot of riding in the past 4 to 5 years. I've always made it a point to wear thick pairs of jeans, thick jackets, strong shoes, and a good helmet. I dint even THINK of a state-(or not)-of-the-art riding jacket/other gear, because I always felt it was too expensive, and the group I used to ride with did a large number of rides with hardly any incidents of major injury due to crashes. Maybe the lack of adequate gear played on our mind, and we were generally on the safer side as a result, but we did pretty good speeds with decent amount of cornering as well, and managed to be pretty safe. We just got lucky for all I know.

But after being exposed to this community and riders from xbhp, I have cleared 2 things out:
1. Basic riding gear isn't obscenely expensive (talking of basic knee/elbow protection)
2. I'll be fooling myself to think that I can continue riding with minimal protective gear and come off as clean as I have till now.

The reason these things have become clear is because of the fact that I have been reading threads, and have met a few folks at a couple of g2gs.
So, i think Satyen's point is that guys like me who are enthusiastic about biking can be made to realise the importance of gear, and also this can help dispel myths about gear being totally out of reach financially.
Now this wouldnt happen if I dint come for g2gs or associate with xbhp riders. (because of not being "worthy" due to lack of riding gear). Amongst non-xbhp bike enthusiasts, there is a definite perception in many sections that xbhp-ians are a set of rich guys who can afford big bikes and costly kits, and ride only with the big guys (absolutely no offence meant). This sense of exclusion results in them not even wanting to follow threads, let alone actively interact, learn and contribute to the forum. If xbhp can become more accommodating of such riders, and in the process tune them to the need and availability of safety gear, a large section of bikers will be truly benefited.

[antz.bin]

I should say I agree with you.
Here's some background. I'm new to xbhp here at Pune, but I have been doing a lot of riding in the past 4 to 5 years. I've always made it a point to wear thick pairs of jeans, thick jackets, strong shoes, and a good helmet. I dint even THINK of a state-(or not)-of-the-art riding jacket/other gear, because I always felt it was too expensive, and the group I used to ride with did a large number of rides with hardly any incidents of major injury due to crashes. Maybe the lack of adequate gear played on our mind, and we were generally on the safer side as a result, but we did pretty good speeds with decent amount of cornering as well, and managed to be pretty safe. We just got lucky for all I know.

But after being exposed to this community and riders from xbhp, I have cleared 2 things out:
1. Basic riding gear isn't obscenely expensive (talking of basic knee/elbow protection)
2. I'll be fooling myself to think that I can continue riding with minimal protective gear and come off as clean as I have till now.

The reason these things have become clear is because of the fact that I have been reading threads, and have met a few folks at a couple of g2gs.
So, i think Satyen's point is that guys like me who are enthusiastic about biking can be made to realise the importance of gear, and also this can help dispel myths about gear being totally out of reach financially.
Now this wouldnt happen if I dint come for g2gs or associate with xbhp riders. (because of not being "worthy" due to lack of riding gear). Amongst non-xbhp bike enthusiasts, there is a definite perception in many sections that xbhp-ians are a set of rich guys who can afford big bikes and costly kits, and ride only with the big guys (absolutely no offence meant). This sense of exclusion results in them not even wanting to follow threads, let alone actively interact, learn and contribute to the forum. If xbhp can become more accommodating of such riders, and in the process tune them to the need and availability of safety gear, a large section of bikers will be truly benefited.

I would be extremely glad to tell you that anybody can approach any xBHPian at a G2G or otherwise. G2Gs don't require anyone to be in any sort of riding gear. Anyone who does wear does so because he wishes to. Heck some people don't even wear a helmet while coming to G2G. You can very well show up on a G2G dressed up in floaters, shorts and a Tee and still you wouldn't be lectured about safety or frowned upon. Yes, you might be told to wear a helmet whenever riding anywhere but nobody is sent back because he showed up helmetless.

Also, 5.30/6 AM on a Sunday morning is not exactly the best time to socialize with new people. Thats the time most rides start during the (fast approaching) summers. So if someone genuinely wants to know the people who he will be someday riding with, G2G is the time to do it.

And on xBHP being too Big Bike Focussed, I kinda agree. I mean just look at the xBHP Front Page and also the magazine gives us the impression that only people with Big Bikes join xBHP. What they do not realize that most of the ones who ride Made In India bikes are the ones who are the masses and are the people who make up the numbers here.

The only way to let the people know what we do and who we are is to show them. This is what the Roadshakers are extremely good at.

[AntiqueBlue]

I dont know how much you read but thats what we are mandating for short rides too....

Ummm...frankly speaking, I thought I did mention I haven't gone all posts in mumbai thread. Leave that aside, I still tried to go through the thread fully, but I guess since I was not following, I found it lil bit difficult to follow.

Whatever I got from it is,

The aim of getting this rule is to increase participation. Totally agree with you on this. This could actually work, but this could also turn out to be a big price you might end up paying for. Why I say this is because most of the new guys that join, most of them (Most) come for fast riding in group, few for love of riding, few for photos. There is little to worry about last two, but first group that mostly forms major chunk. They will surely join more in numbers on group rides, and may be many of them will also be influenced. But problem is those few numbers which may fall on their first ride. If the person gets severely injured, it would be really long time before he comes back (family probs, fear etc)... but few who also had their first ride or were not fully geared will understand their value. So as it is always, its give and take. Now question is how much are we ready sacrifice for the sake influencing others.
There are many if and buts to this discussion, on how one can minimize accidents without gears, group riding culture etc. But all of them are of no good when panic takes over you or for that matter anything else.

Why one insist on a new razor at barber's shop everytime? Are you sure blade is unused, No. Also knowing your friend is healthy, will you use same razor, again No. but then you are sure you have done everything in your hand at that moment. Similarly, if you are equipped to your best ability, well and good, rest is one's own risk till it's solo, but when in group, every rider is each other's responsibility and as a group it has to be decided by group on what risk they are ready to take riding together vis a vis how much riding gear one
should be having, which again can depend on lots of thing.

This is a very good topic on which very healthy discussion can be made

And sincerely no hard feeling or attempt only to go against your view

[nav75]

G2Gs don't require anyone to be in any sort of riding gear.

And if such a rider has a spill over a oil patch, right next to the g2g venue & suffer serious injuries. Who will call up his home to inform?

This is what my point was, when last time this topic of riding gear, how much and when, had come up in Pune thread.
My point was: if we are enforcing riding gear rule, it should be applicable all the time & not just for selected occasions.

But I feel, everyone who is riding a motorized vehicle should be well aware of the risks involved in riding it - if he/she doesn't know, better not ride it.

Now, as not every one can afford to own/wear the top of the line racing suite(even that is no guarantee of safety) all the time, OR what ever amount of riding gear one has. So, one should be aware of how to safely use the vehicle (with/without what ever amount of riding gear he/she is wearing) & ride within his/her limits. And this is my point, more than stressing on making riding gear compulsory, make rider aware of how to ride safely(no that doesn't mean ride in your b'day suite).

Now before anyone raise point about other people on the road, well highways are much more safer as compared to city in that respect.
On highway, the visibility is better than city, the traffic is lesser in density than city. So, in that way, riding gear if has to be made compulsory, should be made compulsory for city riding more than highway.
Yes, on highway the speed is more than city but then if anything happens at those high speeds(of highway), you will need a bit more than normal-basic safety gear to be able to walk away in some decent condition.

[AntiqueBlue]

But I feel, everyone who is riding a motorized vehicle should be well aware of the risks involved in riding it - if he/she doesn't know, better not ride it.

So, one should be aware of how to safely use the vehicle (with/without what ever amount of riding gear he/she is wearing) & ride within his/her limits.

Totally agree on this part
But not everyone is aware of how to safely use the vehicle or what are it's limits. That for one, can be incorporated into guys when they come for ride. If they have got even a little bit of smartness in them , they will understand in 2-3 rides what is their (his/her and bike's) limit as one. And what riding gears do is provide them safety till then(not in literal meaning), after once they are aware, they help in inspiring confidence and hence honing of riding skills and off course also safety

And again their is thin line between confidence and over, so most imp thing is to be aware of your limits.

[beruoist]

And if such a rider has a spill over a oil patch, right next to the g2g venue & suffer serious injuries. Who will call up his home to inform?

This is what my point was, when last time this topic of riding gear, how much and when, had come up in Pune thread.
My point was: if we are enforcing riding gear rule, it should be applicable all the time & not just for selected occasions.

But I feel, everyone who is riding a motorized vehicle should be well aware of the risks involved in riding it - if he/she doesn't know, better not ride it.

Now, as not every one can afford to own/wear the top of the line racing suite(even that is no guarantee of safety) all the time, OR what ever amount of riding gear one has. So, one should be aware of how to safely use the vehicle (with/without what ever amount of riding gear he/she is wearing) & ride within his/her limits. And this is my point, more than stressing on making riding gear compulsory, make rider aware of how to ride safely(no that doesn't mean ride in your b'day suite).

Now before anyone raise point about other people on the road, well highways are much more safer as compared to city in that respect.
On highway, the visibility is better than city, the traffic is lesser in density than city. So, in that way, riding gear if has to be made compulsory, should be made compulsory for city riding more than highway.
Yes, on highway the speed is more than city but then if anything happens at those high speeds(of highway), you will need a bit more than normal-basic safety gear to be able to walk away in some decent condition.

Mc Dowell XXX effect :P

Cheers
Biru

[kaushik60]

I would be extremely glad to tell you that anybody can approach any xBHPian at a G2G or otherwise. G2Gs don't require anyone to be in any sort of riding gear. Anyone who does wear does so because he wishes to. Heck some people don't even wear a helmet while coming to G2G. You can very well show up on a G2G dressed up in floaters, shorts and a Tee and still you wouldn't be lectured about safety or frowned upon. Yes, you might be told to wear a helmet whenever riding anywhere but nobody is sent back because he showed up helmetless.

My point was not that xBHPians are unapproachable. I've surface only in the last 2 weeks, and I've found everyone extremely friendly! I dont have riding gear yet, and that hasnt stopped me from coming to G2Gs. Im talking of doing away with the perception that xBHP is too "closed" a group (for whatever reasons). Relaxing a few regulations for extremely short rides, and actually doing these rides with the newbie riders will go a long way in instilling in them the need for gear, and safe riding practices.

Now, as not every one can afford to own/wear the top of the line racing suite(even that is no guarantee of safety) all the time, OR what ever amount of riding gear one has. So, one should be aware of how to safely use the vehicle (with/without what ever amount of riding gear he/she is wearing) & ride within his/her limits. And this is my point, more than stressing on making riding gear compulsory, make rider aware of how to ride safely(no that doesn't mean ride in your b'day suite).

Totally agree on the aspect of riding within the limits imposed by the rider and the bike itself. Obviously riding gear isn't a license to insane riding. When I started off riding, someone suggested that I read this. Of course, this made me read even more about safe (and quick) riding technique, and eventually my focus was more on safe riding than high end safety gear.
xBHP has so many senior riders who have major riding experience, and for new riders to ride with these guys would be an eye opener. If this can be encouraged, I'd +1 it.

[MG]

List as of now

[I]MEGA G2G WITH GIR RIDERS - 18TH -SUNDAY-9.30 am - BIG WHEELS MOTORING

Meet up at :
Moto Cafe, Aditya Shagun Mall, Bavdhan
Time: 8.00a.m
We will leave at 8.30 a.m

Please post your confirmations here

1)MG
2)Eshan P180
3)Siddharth_ZMR
4)Sumit_B
5) rick_constantin
6)utsav_chs

Contact MG at 7507299699 for any query

@All - Who are there on yesterday's G2G please add your name in the list

[Viper1089]

I joined xbhp just 4-5 months ago. Before I came for the xbhp g2g's I never wore a helmet even though I went riding on highways. But after a fair reading of posts on xbhp and the g2g meets I was cometely sold to the idea of wearing riding gear when on rides. So its true that people will change their attitude towards safety when given a chance. Shunning them or giving them idea of not allowed will not help in the greater perspective. In my case previously I regarded riding gear as an inconvinience, unnecessary and waste of money. But its not so which I realized after joining xbhp. Fortunately I didn't have to learn it the hard way as I had the impression it was compulsory on rides. And I am grateful this was compulsory. I remember Satyen himself had said this- "Cost of 1 knee replacement Rs1.5lacs..cost of good knee guards rs5k. I think we should wear riding gear for the same reason we take out life insurance policies. If nothing has happened to you for last 30 years of your life is no guarantee that it will be so for the next 30. Same thing apllies to riding too. And making it mandatory on long group rides is one way of doing it.
After my first ride with the xbhp members I now realize how important it is to wear riding gear on rides. We rode on gravel filled roads at night and it was difficult for me to ride in that situation for the first time. It was a great relief knowing I had my gear on for any sort of mishaps. Though we all may educate riders and new comers about good riding and group riding etiquettes there will be a time when a newbie like me is urged to take the next turn just a little bit faster than before. And that little urge might be a big problem if theres no riding gear and I am to have a fall. We are all humans and cannot be expected to ride like robots even when on a ride.
I feel rather than just take the riding gear rule off a midway solution is necessary. We can classify and organize some rides as meant for newbies who have/dont have all riding gear (helmets being compulsory). Once they have an idea of the risks involved then I think we as a forum have done our job. It will be sort of an induction ride for new members. And I am sure 80% of them will start wearing gear. Also its not that expensive now a days that people just cannot afford it.
Also not making riding gear for g2g is I feel somewhat fair. I am not recommending that people dont wear it. Since coming to g2g is not a group ride and though we as human beings will help a fellow rider in case of any mishap it does not affect us as a group as compared to on group rides. What a particular person does when he is on his own and on his own account is not anybody else's responsibility but his. What others have mentioned is correct that when we as a group go on a ride we expect enjoyment, riding pleasure and of course no mishaps. When someone without any riding gear falls or slips and is badly hurt it just defeats the whole purpose of rides. This may lead to riders supporting AGATT not coming on rides where people dont wear riding gear. Again groupism will follow for rides.

[prashant Gosavi]

safety

In regards to the discussion regards the safety gear , some input-
Some days ago, on the old Pune- Mumbai highway a friend who was riding a Busa collided with a dog. The claimed speed at the time of collision was 125 kmph. The impact caused the bike and the rider to slither across the tarmac for a considerable distance.
The rider suffered only minor bruises and scrapes due to the fact that he was wearing protective gear ( head to toe) . After minor ministration at a clinic, he went home and there was no problem in conducting routine activities.
Do not let the enjoyment of motorcycle riding be dimmed for want of protective gear . After all , prevention of injury is the key .

[Eshan-P180]

In regards to the discussion regards the safety gear , some input-
Some days ago, on the old Pune- Mumbai highway a friend who was riding a Busa collided with a dog. The claimed speed at the time of collision was 125 kmph. The impact caused the bike and the rider to slither across the tarmac for a considerable distance.
The rider suffered only minor bruises and scrapes due to the fact that he was wearing protective gear ( head to toe) . After minor ministration at a clinic, he went home and there was no problem in conducting routine activities.
Do not let the enjoyment of motorcycle riding be dimmed for want of protective gear . After all , prevention of injury is the key .

Perfecto...

I also believe in coming in full gears, if i dont have the gear i kinda restrict myself for coming on rides. Not only gears but with the bike too...
I guess everyone knows the problem iam facing with my bike, last ride to lavasa was pathetic in the list...

Not only gears but also knowing how to ride a bike is important, its all based on that one single second which one faces when experiencing a crash...

I have seen newbies roaring on streets on weekend rides just to make their presence (even if they are in full gear setup), this is the most dangerous thing to do. But no they want to be heard and want to create an impression - Iam a rider, i ride fast and better than you or faster than you... It only makes you look stupid when you end up mud splattering on a corner...

Be it even cycling for that matter, i remember attending a g2g where i had come on my cycle and not the bike but yes i was wearing the required gear for cycling...

I think we should discuss this face to face (was it discussed in yest g2g??)

[Viper1089]

In regards to the discussion regards the safety gear , some input-
Some days ago, on the old Pune- Mumbai highway a friend who was riding a Busa collided with a dog. The claimed speed at the time of collision was 125 kmph. The impact caused the bike and the rider to slither across the tarmac for a considerable distance.
The rider suffered only minor bruises and scrapes due to the fact that he was wearing protective gear ( head to toe) . After minor ministration at a clinic, he went home and there was no problem in conducting routine activities.
Do not let the enjoyment of motorcycle riding be dimmed for want of protective gear . After all , prevention of injury is the key .

+1
Exactly! Our safe riding habbits or all our training in safe riding is of no use in such situations. Only thing thats useful is riding gear. At speeds of 80+ kmoh if a dog enters your path you hardly get any time to react..Also I dont think its just about wearing top notch quality gear but more about wearing decent gear. No one here is streesing that you get so and so costing or make gear only except for helmets. The decent gear like cramster and dsg are pretty good as per me. The tremendous amount of respect that was created in my mind about xbhp was the fact that though being such passionate about biking, touring, stunting etc we dont do it at the expense of safety. Thats a great trait to have in a biking group/forum.

[niranjanvaidya]

While I had specifically mentioned that the issue was something else, the debate of whether wearing gear or not seems to be the hot topic on this thread.

Just some noodle bakers, just ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I wear a helmet even if it is a short ride; let's say, running an errand to the commodity shop?
2. Do I turn out in the entire gear for "in-city" meets/G2Gs?
3. Do I treat the road as a road and not as a race track?
4. On weekend rides, do I rush into blind corners with no regard to the oncoming traffic?
5. While taking corners, do I really know whether I am veering into the opposite lane?
6. Do I really treat group rides as a pleasurable ride or is it a top speed setting ride?
7. On a group tide, do I really follow the leader or make my own rules?
8. Am I well equipped to handle any emergency on a ride?
9. If a fellow biker is hurt, do I know what to do? Whom to contact? How to coordinate?
10. Do I ride carelessly just because I'm a part of xBhp and "we know all" attitude?
11. Do I have respect for others on the road? Do I let senior citizens, children and handicapped cross before I zoom past?

Maybe answers to these questions might help you understand the tone of our oncoming G2G.

[inder.cool]

I personally feel, that the safety gear mandate for Pune xBhp(If mumbai people think the other way, then the same can be implemented there) should not be removed. We should let it remain as it is. Its for the good of the bikers themselves and their co-riders on the ride.


And an honest question to all, how many riders have we sent back on our rides just bcoz they didn't wear proper riding gear? Can anyone give a count.

[trustvishwas]

And an honest question to all, how many riders have we sent back on our rides just bcoz they didn't wear proper riding gear? Can anyone give a count.

Aren't you the one who turns up without knee guards on every ride?