There are just as many harley riders without gear as there are crotch rocket riders without gear. In fact, some of the gear harley guys wear is relatively questionable, as it's more of a fashion statement than protection. Leather chaps without ass covers aren't going to save the meat in a lowside.
I agree with Chaparral, it's a basic freedom to do what you want. If someone wants to ride without a helmet and wind up like the tard I posted the pics of, let them. We have too much liberal control, imo. If I want to drive without a seatbelt, I should have every right to without being financially punished. As I've said, I've never ridden without a helmet or jacket, except when testing my bike around the block, and that was in a gated community at 5-10 mph with NO possibility of traffic. I've ridden to/from work in middle of June, when it was 105* outside, and you bet your ass I was wearing boots, protective pants, and a thick riding jacket with gloves. I brought a spare shirt with me because one got soaked with sweat.
Pop N Wood: now you're just picking for technicalities, by pointing out petew's avatar. How do you know the road wasn't blocked off by the police on both ends, monitored, and the pic wasn't taken for MotorCycle magazine? (Which, I believe it was, since I think I have that issue lying around somewhere.) You've never done a donut or a burnout in public?