Bata introduces special motorcycle footwear

[Sidecar Bob]

I have a feeling they wouldn't sell well here, but Bata have introduced something new that is sure to be a success with most of the world's motorcyclists:

http://www.bata.com/us/news/news/news.php?id=577

[Uwe W.]

I recall when those were introduced in April (I think) and guys were having a good laugh, but you have to look at where they're made and where the target market is for them. The culture and rules around scooters and small displacement motorcycles in Indonesia and other SE Asian countries is literally a world apart from our own. Of course there's always a few squids here that might buy them.

[Sidecar Bob]

I did say that most of the world's motorcyclists would like them - all of the people in developing countries with their overloaded 50cc maachines who dream od one day owning a 250.

I know of at least on Harley owner around here that might be interested too - I have seen him out on his I-don't-know-how-expensive customized machine in a muscle shirt, shorts, beanie and thong sandals. You would think if he can afford the bike he could afford to dress the part too, wouldn't you?

[Uwe W.]

I know of at least on Harley owner around here that might be interested too - I have seen him out on his I-don't-know-how-expensive customized machine in a muscle shirt, shorts, beanie and thong sandals. You would think if he can afford the bike he could afford to dress the part too, wouldn't you?

Maybe he's saving his money for skin grafts and plastic surgery? I don't know why I'm constantly amazed when I see riders without any protective gear on. I keep reminding myself that it's because they've never taken a tumble off a bike, and survived the effects of road rash.

[bikeymikey748]

People always ask me if my leathers are hot ....I tell them a story of how a few years back on the way home from Americade on my old 900RR is was looking with envy at all the folks riding around in shorts and t-shirts. Man, they looked SOOO much more comfortable in the excessive heat than I was. A little while longer I was behind a guy and his girlfriend on their Harley wearing 'comfortable' clothes....we entered a tricky down-hill left-hander at low speed and buddy lost it and slid into the guard rail. He and his girlfriend did slow pirouettes for a short distance before coming to a stop. I blocked traffic with my bike and ran to help...they looked BAD. I had to use my bandana to stop the flow of blood on the girl's arm. They were both in substantial pain and were wisked away hurriedly in an ambulance. Ever since that incident I can honestly say that,ya, the leathers are kinda hot but not so uncomfortable that I'de consider riding without them. I figured that had those poor folks been wearing at least a BIT more gear they would have only had to laugh at their bruises that night and scour E-bay for the parts to fix their bike. Besides in my case, imagine how STUPID I'de feel getting gravel and such picked out of road-rash if I ever did dump while not wearing my gear because I choose to ride in a t-shirt seeing as it was too hot, knowing that I didn't have to endure that torture except that my stuff was hanging in a closet back home ! Years later do you think that couple would remember the heat or the pain ? Given a second chance don't you believe that their choices in riding gear would have been vastly different ? Tough lesson to learn.

[Sidecar Bob]

I sometimes wonder it it is plain stupidity or if they come to motorcycling from driving cars (& being chauffeured in them) and don't understand why at least some protective gear is necessary on two wheels - something that those of us who wore out at least one set of bicycle tires every year in our teens understand instinctively.

Personally, I go by the philosophy of "wear the most protective gear you can stand". That means that if it is so hot that I will have trouble concentrating inside a leather jacket, I wear at least a jean jacket.
My pants are always long and cotton denim - I have seen (& felt) the difference a single, thin layer of denim makes when a hot muffler lands on a leg.
I wear cavalry style boots except when it rains and then rubber boots.
Gloves without fingers? Maybe in a car where you wear them to increase your grip on the steering wheel, but on a bike it would be like wearing open toed shoes............ Oh yeah - that's what we were talking about, isn't it?

I have been known to wear less protection on a sidecar outfit in extreme heat, but the likelihood of ending up sliding down the road is a lot lower on a vehicle that doesn't fall over, but even then I generally dress as I would for 2 wheels out of habit.

[Malks]

Geez, I hope these things are not for sale here! You see enough squids on sport bikes wearing sandals, shorts and t-shirts. Now they will be saying that the sandals are motorcycle rated. At least Harley riders buy their gear at the Harley boutique, where at least the footwear actually looks like it belongs on a bike.

[Sidecar Bob]

At least Harley riders buy their gear at the Harley boutique, where at least the footwear actually looks like it belongs on a bike.
Not all of them. I have seen more than one guy on a Harley with thongs.

[TimP]

I have seen more than one guy on a Harley with thongs.

But what did they have on their feet?

[Sidecar Bob]

http://www.bentgear.com/images/PAT0074.jpg

Thong sandals (with a thong that goes between your big toe & the next one) were around for decades before anal floss was invented.

Flip-flops (AKA multivibrtors) are electronic circuits. There are a lot of them in your computer and none of them will fit on your feet.

[TimP]

Next you'll be telling me "boot" is a verb!

I think it was Nike that made a running shoe with an electronic circuit in the sole that controlled the spring rate, or damping rate, dependent upon forces exerted in walking/running. Maybe Bata could, I don't know, drop in a speed shifter or something...

[Sidecar Bob]

Next you'll be telling me "boot" is a verb!

If I wasn't such a nice fellow I would offer to demonstrate how it can be both...

It sort of reminds me of the Simpsons episode when they went to Australia ;-)

[Hayabusa]

...It is a sandal specifically designed and engineered for bickers. The built-in features are engineered for foot protection and comfort while riding a bike...

This is pretty darn funny!

I'd hate to run into some Outlaw Bickers...:eek:...I hear they're pretty mean...or at least argumentative.

A sandal engineered for foot protection...isn't that like having a:

- solar powered miner's light?

- a screen door on a submarine?

- a water soluble rainsuit?

I'll be here all week...try the veal...be sure to tip your waitress...

[Sidecar Bob]

Keep in mind that, for the vast majority of the world's bikers, the MotorSandal offers far more protection than what they are wearing now.....