Motorcycle License, Part 3
I teased that there was at least one other time where I chose to wear shorts while riding a motorcycle and this time I did have an adverse result.
The three of us travel to Kauai, the oldest and smaller of the Hawaiian islands. I would say that there are really only 5 cities of note on the island and you can easily drive from one end of the main road system to the other end in a couple of hours (barring traffic). Being the oldest island, it is flatter than the other islands in the chain as well.
Before I tell you about the shorts, I have to be explain what renting a motorcycle implies. Unlike cars, motorcycles are expensive to rent. 15 years ago, rent was $200 a day per motorcycle. Since, all three of us were riding, that was $600 for 1 day’s rent. Also, at that time, we were required to put down a significant damage deposit of an equivalent amount. Oh, and since we didn’t preplan this and would never ride without helmets, we had to buy gloves and borrow their loaner helmets (ick).
We left the dealer with a strict desire to get the bikes back within the 24-hour rental period. Since this is a tropical island, we had only brought shorts with us. So, we decided to risk riding while wearing shorts.
We were able to ride all over the island several times. As we entered the southern half of the island, we ran into rain but by then we were all experienced riders and toughed it out (and as I remember, stopped in Paoli for lunch and to dry out and let the road dry). Since we had a full 24 hour rental, we rode up until dark leaving our rental car at the dealer and going back to our condo with the bikes.
The next day, we did a little more riding and proceeded to head back to turn in the bikes. We were going south around Lihu’e, the largest city on the island and where the airport was. Traffic had backed up to almost a standstill (we never did figure out what tied up the traffic).
This is where there is a serious disadvantage to wearing shorts while riding. If you think about it, riding a motorcycle is really riding an engine with a wheel at either end. Engines, as they run, get hot…really hot. The next time you see a motorcycle, look to see where the hot exhaust pipe is. It is very close to where you put your legs to shift and break. In stop and go traffic, the engine is running but the ability to cool the exhaust from moving air is nonexistent.
Each of the three of us burned his or her leg from encounters with the hot exhaust pipe. I think I ended up with a second degree burn. Regardless, it was a miserable flight home with a big boo-boo on our legs.
“Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a graceful garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.” Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.” - Proverbs 4:5-13 ESV
If you don’t ride motorcycles, you probably think the motorcycle attire is just to make yourself look cool (and it does) but it also has important safety protections. Leather jackets and gloves, helmets, boots all protect (at least for a period) sensitive and important body parts. If you’re a caged driver (car), you might want to give extra grace if you are driving next to someone more at risk than you are.
