What does your appearance say to others?

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. We express our personality and lifestyle through what we wear. What we wear affects how we feel and how other people respond to us. These are some of the basic principles that form the foundation of the fashion industry today.

Now, where on earth am I going with this?

Last week we talked a bit about track day experiences. To participate in a motorcycle track day, you need a fair amount of the appropriate safety gear to wear. You may also remember from my first blog entry back in February this year I am a former motorcycle road racer, so I understand the function of this safety gear from many on-track experiences. An age-old motorcyclist adage is it’s not a matter of if you will ever fall off your bike, but when.

Jarrod, our other blogger here at redbullindianapolisgp.com, shared with you his recent encounter with a local “cruiser” on an all-white GSX-R motorcycle. The fact this guy was wearing a helmet is pretty rare around the Indianapolis area. The typical route of Broad Ripple, Monument Circle and the Greenwood Shell station can be a more treacherous route than all the hundreds of miles of twisty, curvy roads in southern Indiana.

The typical “dress” or attire you see many local motorcycle cruisers wearing usually consists of blue jeans, T-shirt and tennis shoes. Many times you’ll see a perfectly good full face helmet strapped to the back of the bike, protecting the seat; but little use to the rider’s most vulnerable appendage, his head.

Whenever I swing a leg over any one of my motorcycles, I always take the few extra moments and put on all my safety gear, regardless of the length of the ride. I was running some errands today and was particularly aware of the supportive comments I received from a bank teller, the lady at the post office and a guy at a gas station about the appearance I made to them as a motorcyclist fully dressed to impress.

It’s actually kind of funny how observant a non-motorcyclist can be of the importance of wearing the right gear and the impression this makes to others. I also know that Jarrod understands this concept, as I’ve never seen him riding around without the right gear on. Now evidently he feels differently about ATVs down on the farm!

Motorcycling is inherently a dangerous form of conveyance, but using the right gear could ultimately give you a second chance at many more experiences.

See you all next week at redbullindianapolisgp.com.

Greg