Dump the Hump

**The Spin Doctor** · 01-05-12, 09:42

According to the paramedics on the 'Biker Down' course on which I present a module, one of the more useless fashion items is the hump on the back of a set of leathers.

The two Andys (who also attend BSB races as medical staff) hate the things because of the problems they cause when someone needs to be treated either on the road or trackside - because of the hump they can't get the casualty to lie flat on their back, which makes chest compressions difficult, and the head will hang at an awkward angle unless supported, which isn't good for neck injuries.

They also don't work aerodynamically until you are well into three figure speeds - so only on the fastest straights on the quickest bikes do they give any benefit at all.

They can also bash on the back of the helmet if they're too high/you've a short neck and you're riding a race rep, so if you must have a hump remember to check hump/helmet clearance in your riding position.

**Mr Rooty Tooty** · 01-05-12, 10:04

Plus they look really, really stupid!

**Splat** · 01-05-12, 10:29

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Tooty

Plus they look really, really stupid!

On the road.

Perhaps the best thing would be a detachable hump. That way you can use your leathers outside the track without looking stupid; and you can use them on the track without increasing your health risk.

**Taipan** · 01-05-12, 10:59

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Tooty

Plus they look really, really stupid!

Make me larf when I see sports bike riders with proper cut leathers that make them stoop and walk like a primate.The hump is a bonus.

**The Martian** · 01-05-12, 11:07

I see many riders using them as a camelback thing now too (holds drink) dont the MGP guys have a straw coming out of theirs?

Maybe an inflatable design is the way forward, so the valve can be released by the paramedics if necessary?

**Dingbat** · 01-05-12, 11:10

Originally Posted by The Martian

I see many riders using them as a camelback thing now too (holds drink) dont the MGP guys have a straw coming out of theirs?

Maybe an inflatable design is the way forward, so the valve can be released by the paramedics if necessary?

Where would you put the hump pump?

**Bladerideressex** · 01-05-12, 11:21

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Tooty

Plus they look really, really stupid!

I nearly cry laughing every time I see somebody wearing 2 pc textiles in warm weather....

Particularly when they are riding one of those sit up and beg type bikes where you have no idea what the front wheel is doing!

Yes some of the sports bike rider bashing does get tiresome in my view..... give it a rest guys just enjoy what YOU ride!

**The Martian** · 01-05-12, 11:23

Originally Posted by Dingbat

Where would you put the hump pump?

In the rectum, of course

But you could have a little external pump, unless you have reebok leathers..

**Bike Breaker** · 01-05-12, 12:11

Originally Posted by Bladerideressex

I nearly cry laughing every time I see somebody wearing 2 pc textiles in warm weather....

Particularly when they are riding one of those sit up and beg type bikes where you have no idea what the front wheel is doing!

I'll have you know that when I'm riding my sit up and beg bike whilst wearing my 2 pc textiles I know exactly what my front wheel is doing. I just look below my handlebars and there it is.

**Milky82** · 01-05-12, 13:23

Originally Posted by Bladerideressex

I nearly cry laughing every time I see somebody wearing 2 pc textiles in warm weather....

Particularly when they are riding one of those sit up and beg type bikes where you have no idea what the front wheel is doing!

Yes some of the sports bike rider bashing does get tiresome in my view..... give it a rest guys just enjoy what YOU ride!

It does seem in the main its sports bike riders that are bashing themselves on to the tarmac (scooter/moped boys and girls are just as bad) , further tarnishing bikes as a mode of transport. I ride both sports bike and a retro mucle bike and a small commuter bike and Im do notice that the general public treat me different on the road depending on the bike Im on.

**Horse** · 01-05-12, 14:05

Originally Posted by Bladerideressex

Yes some of the sports bike rider bashing does get tiresome in my view..... give it a rest guys just enjoy what YOU ride!

Indeed. Let's abuse the Hells Angels. You first . . .

Serious question, though: Do you think any of the abuse is deserved? F'rinstance, one of the other stereotypes which gets given grief is the 'Long Way . . . -alikes' - partly because they choose 'sit up bikes' and wear two-piece textiles. [Oh, was that what you were hinting at?

].

But . . . there comes a point with any image which people choose to adopt when it forms a limitation. I chose to buy a girt-great, faired, styled like a urinal, tupperware-pannier-clad, BMW tourer - and that sheer bulk places some limitations! So I suppose the question is to do with whether the image, and riding style resulting, is 'worst' for sports bike riders?

**Splat** · 01-05-12, 14:27

TBH I don't much care what image other bikers project. I sort of do care a little bit about mine. Although having moved from a lean-forward sports-tourer to a sit-up and beg pogo stick trailie, I'm still the same person and still the same rider so give those things the importance they deserve: little. The proof of the pudding is at the finish line (yes, it is a race)

.

**Ed Safado** · 01-05-12, 14:38

Originally Posted by Bike Breaker

I'll have you know that when I'm riding my sit up and beg bike whilst wearing my 2 pc textiles I know exactly what my front wheel is doing. I just look below my handlebars and there it is.

I don't all the time. Last week I looked down and my front wheel was reading Take a Break and the week before it was phoning chat-lines.

**Mr Rooty Tooty** · 01-05-12, 14:47

Originally Posted by Taipan

Make me larf when I see sports bike riders with proper cut leathers that make them stoop and walk like a primate.The hump is a bonus.

Saw some chaps in Assen eating chips, they looked like they'd all been in for tendon surgery. They walked like Thunderbirds who'd just been shagged up the arse. The "One Piece Gait".

One had incredibly plastic boots on that had a dreadful squeak.

I thought they might actually be going round the track but it seems, nope, they'd just ridden their bikes from the campsite to watch the MotoGP and were now seemingly obliged to walk round in that shit all afternoon. I'm just waiting for them to make a suit where parts of it also double up as the bikes fairing.

My mate went in to buy a one piece race suit and the bloke said he was too skinny and perhaps he'd like to try a girls size. That cheered me up. Whenever I see him in his kit I think of that conchords thing "...get me a small man's wetsuit please!"