Got a helmet? Wear a hat. Thats what they do.

[Mr.E]

Hey riders.
This is more of a just venting post for me. I the other day I was driving down one of the more dangerous 3 lane roads near my house and saw a motorcyclist. He had beautiful bike which was blue (my favorite color) and a nice helmet which had to be a more expensive one. But the only thing his helmet was protecting was the side of his bike. He on the other hand found that a had would do the job in the even of a crash. Although I'll admit it was a nice hat, I wondered how nice it would be after he got a head injury.

Bottom line? Got a bike and a helmet? Wear the helmet. I know we all want to protect our bikes when it goes down, but giving it the helmet to wear isnt really going to help. Be safe guys.

[TenaciousD]

Amen brother. A helmet won't do any good hanging on the side of the bike.

[k-os]

Yeah I've seen people riding around town with their helmets in their helmet locks. I don't understand why they wouldn't wear it if they had it there.

[jmgrande]

Originally Posted by TenaciousD

Amen brother. A helmet won't do any good hanging on the side of the bike.

["A"]

Not all motorcyclists are meant to survive.. let people do what they want and hike up the insurance rate for the rest.. that's freedom, baby... you want your freedom, you got it.

[Jesse8931]

how do guys who ride with no helmet or glasses keep from tearing up. at about 65 for me it gets so bad I cant see.

[bluepoof]

Originally Posted by Jesse8931

how do guys who ride with no helmet or glasses keep from tearing up. at about 65 for me it gets so bad I cant see.

I've always wondered that too!

[CC Cowboy]

Helmets are for girls. You keep it on the bike so if you pick up a girl she wears it.

Do I have to explain everything!

[gfloyd2002]

We get a quite a few rastafi riders here in Barbados that wear the helmets on top of their dreads. I find it hysterical. A for effort I guess . . .

[Reswob]

I could care less what other people do. Not wearing a helmet is just Darwin's way of getting stupid people out of the gene pool.

[heylookitsfranco]

don't bring darwin into this dude. strictly speaking, given car or bike, the safer option is the cage.

[RedCromwell]

I'm always thankful for my helmet when a rock, or a bug for that matter, smacks my face shield.

[SSR]

Originally Posted by heylookitsfranco

don't bring darwin into this dude. strictly speaking, given car or bike, the safer option is the cage.

And the safest option is never leaving your house!

[jmgrande]

Originally Posted by Jesse8931

how do guys who ride with no helmet or glasses keep from tearing up. at about 65 for me it gets so bad I cant see.

Haha, I don't know, my eyes tear up when I run on the track

[bluesinorbit]

Originally Posted by SSR

And the safest option is never leaving your house!

Not if you want to reproduce outside of your own gene pool.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by jmgrande

Haha, I don't know, my eyes tear up when I run on the track

Crying doesn't count

Originally Posted by bluesinorbit

Not if you want to reproduce outside of your own gene pool.

That's how aids started. Leave the monkeys alone.

[Apex]

Yeah I always wear my helmet. I wear my bicycle helmet when I head out on the bike. Only thing, it is designed to allow a lot of ventilation, only problem with that is when a bee or wasp decides to aim right for a vent. If you ever see a cyclist shaking their head side to side, most likely a bee just flew into their bonnet.

[jmgrande]

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

Crying doesn't count

[SSR]

You know, I just don't get the whole "not wearing a helmet". Up here in Canada, it's a federal law you have to wear a motorcycle helmet. So I have to wear one under law. But even then, when I think about how much money I've put into my brain through University, courses, personal reading, why would I not want to spend an extra $300 to the huge list amount of money I've already spent?

That, and a helmet provides many other non-safety benefits, such as being able to ride in a pouring down rainstorm, riding when it's -4C (I think that's around 28F), bug deflector and a microphone/speaker mount. Makes sense to me why I'd wear one!

[Mr.E]

I agree with all of you. It really does make no sense. Down here in florida you have to have one on by law unless you have good insurance that has thousands of dollars worth of coverage. Which still makes no sense. The other day coming home from the beach we got pulled over at a stop light as cops were walking in and out of traffic and the driver of the SUV (my friend) was told to pull in a gas station because she didnt have her seatbelt on. Luckily the guy gave us a break on a hundred and ninety dollar ticket and gave her a ticket for not being able to produce insurance which can be waived if she shows the DMV. But if u in a 4 wheeled vehicle which is enclosed and much safer then a motorcycle, and are required to wear a seatbelt so you dont go flying through the window and kill yourself, why shouldnt you be required to wear a helmet so you dont go flying and killing yourself? Its the same concept and its all about safety. I guess we're a little lacking with laws considering motorcycles.

[RhinoJC]

I remember pulling into the BRC parking lot on the first day of riding practice, right behind the R1 with the non-functional brake lights and the helmet hanging off the side.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by SSR

You know, I just don't get the whole "not wearing a helmet". Up here in Canada, it's a federal law you have to wear a motorcycle helmet. So I have to wear one under law. But even then, when I think about how much money I've put into my brain through University, courses, personal reading, why would I not want to spend an extra $300 to the huge list amount of money I've already spent?

That, and a helmet provides many other non-safety benefits, such as being able to ride in a pouring down rainstorm, riding when it's -4C (I think that's around 28F), bug deflector and a microphone/speaker mount. Makes sense to me why I'd wear one!

It may not be federal law in The States but most states do require them. Most of us live in such states and it seems weired to us too... like a PSA that isn't needed, but I can understand that it is needed in some places (like FL).

[Reswob]

Originally Posted by Mr.E

I agree with all of you. It really does make no sense. Down here in florida you have to have one on by law unless you have good insurance that has thousands of dollars worth of coverage. Which still makes no sense. The other day coming home from the beach we got pulled over at a stop light as cops were walking in and out of traffic and the driver of the SUV (my friend) was told to pull in a gas station because she didnt have her seatbelt on. Luckily the guy gave us a break on a hundred and ninety dollar ticket and gave her a ticket for not being able to produce insurance which can be waived if she shows the DMV. But if u in a 4 wheeled vehicle which is enclosed and much safer then a motorcycle, and are required to wear a seatbelt so you dont go flying through the window and kill yourself, why shouldnt you be required to wear a helmet so you dont go flying and killing yourself? Its the same concept and its all about safety. I guess we're a little lacking with laws considering motorcycles.

You shouldn't be required to wear either a seatbelt or a helmet. If you have no regard for your own well being, it's none of Johnny Law's business. This nanny state crap is getting out of hand.

[gfloyd2002]

Originally Posted by Reswob

You shouldn't be required to wear either a seatbelt or a helmet. If you have no regard for your own well being, it's none of Johnny Law's business. This nanny state crap is getting out of hand.

Hey, I'm down with that up until the point my taxpayer dollars are going to pay for your healthcare. As soon as you start dipping into my wallet to pay for your crash, all bets are off and I want to make sure you are wearing a dang helmet.

[Reswob]

Lets be honest, you crash w/o a helmet you're not going to be needing any healthcare.

[SSR]

Originally Posted by gfloyd2002

Hey, I'm down with that up until the point my taxpayer dollars are going to pay for your healthcare. As soon as you start dipping into my wallet to pay for your crash, all bets are off and I want to make sure you are wearing a dang helmet.

Exactly. There was a court case up here in Canada where some religous motorcycle riders didn't want to wear a helmet because it would force them to take off their turbin. That's fine, religous freedom and all that, but when MY taxes are paying for YOUR choices not to wear a helmet, heh, I take exception to religous beliefs*. I don't care if you go riding without a helmet, but you should sacrifice your free medicare that my taxes pay for.

*Not trying to get into any religous discussions here.

[addy126]

Originally Posted by SSR

Exactly. There was a court case up here in Canada where some religous motorcycle riders didn't want to wear a helmet because it would force them to take off their turbin. That's fine, religous freedom and all that, but when MY taxes are paying for YOUR choices not to wear a helmet, heh, I take exception to religous beliefs*. I don't care if you go riding without a helmet, but you should sacrifice your free medicare that my taxes pay for.

*Not trying to get into any religous discussions here.

They screwed with the Mounties uniforms whereby a badge is placed on the front of a turbin in the late 1980's. Now u are telling me they want exceptions to the helmet laws! God when will this all stop and they go back to their turbin lovin countries instead of messin with north American cultures. Seems no one has told them that helmets are far sexier than turbs flyin around in the wind. "amen"

[Alex]

Originally Posted by gfloyd2002

Hey, I'm down with that up until the point my taxpayer dollars are going to pay for your healthcare. As soon as you start dipping into my wallet to pay for your crash, all bets are off and I want to make sure you are wearing a dang helmet.

Two counter-arguments. The first is it's a slippery slope applied against any other health choice that people freely make that affects others. While some cities have banned transfats, and mandate putting calorie labels on fast food, we still don't mandate anyone eat healthy. Or exercise. Or do practically anything to improve their health and minimize the amount of dollars we the taxpayer need to subsidize their healthcare, when the most predictable of outcomes occurs (diabetes, heart problems, you name it). By the very nature of society, we are all in it together. Stating that others need to make the same choices you would because we all pay for it doesn't hold up in many (or even most) examples.

Second argument is more cynical. There has been no published study that shows data that helmet use really will save money. Treating serious motorcycle accident victims is expensive. It's much cheaper for the state (i.e., everyone else) if the victim dies outright, rather than requiring hundreds of thousands of dollars of specialist care. If it really is about the money, show how keeping people barely alive instead of dead when the helmet is the one thing that saved their life, truly saves money of others.

[Reddoak]

I've been living in Florida since 1996... There aren't as many brains to protect down here.

I see these idiots all the time here in Orlando. Usually, there are 2 kinds of helmetless riders we get:
1. The leather clad cruiser guys. Even in summer, black leather... With tassles and fringes. Evidently road rash on your arm is bad, but cracking open your melon is OK! Loud pipes or not, I saw one of the retards get run over, bike and all, at Daytona Bike week 2 years ago. They were going about 10 MPH at the time... with no helmet. I didn't stick around for the aftermath (going the opposite direction) but that dude wasn't getting up. Bouncing your head off tarmac in a 5 foot drop will do that to you.
2. The squids. We all know and love 'em! 120 HP, high revving, limiter bouncing retards (see, more!) that are weaving through traffic 40 MPH faster than anyone else. Well, not weaving, just steering in between two cars, throttling it up and hauling on the brakes to slowly change lanes cutting off the next inattentive tourist. Evidently, not wearing a helmet makes you incapable of handing your mad wild GXXR, y0! However, as pointed out, 9/10 times there is a helmet hanging on the side of the bike. It's there to collect road dust (yummy) and scratch the side of the bike where it rubs. Neato! Sooner or later they'll get smushed under a minivan, maybe they can register as a helmet donor?

Seriously, I don't ever get on my bike expecting to go for a ride and crash. But... it happens. I've dropped a bike (lowside in the snow) and it sucked. But I had a helmet on, and even though I bounced off the pavement, I walked away literally with a few scratches. Even though I don't expect to wreck, I do expect to pelted by bugs, road debris, and sand/dirt/dust etc. Taking a dragonfly to the face at 60 MPH? Not me, I'd rather clean the helmet than explain the welt to everyone that asks. Also, I avoid sunburn (hey, it's hot here) and have terrific tinted coverage from bright days. It also muffles some of the wind and other noise. It's not just safety, but a comfort issue as well.

All that said... I think helmet use and seat belt use should be voluntary for anyone over 18. You're an adult, make your own call. I wear both (not at the same time, unless I'm racing in the car) but if it's not your thing, more power to you!

[SSR]

Originally Posted by Alex

Two counter-arguments. The first is it's a slippery slope applied against any other health choice that people freely make that affects others. While some cities have banned transfats, and mandate putting calorie labels on fast food, we still don't mandate anyone eat healthy. Or exercise. Or do practically anything to improve their health and minimize the amount of dollars we the taxpayer need to subsidize their healthcare, when the most predictable of outcomes occurs (diabetes, heart problems, you name it). By the very nature of society, we are all in it together. Stating that others need to make the same choices you would because we all pay for it doesn't hold up in many (or even most) examples.

And that's a very valid and fair point. I go skiing, I do jumps (small ones) (I also wear a helmet everytime I'm on the slope) and I imagine all the non-skiiers would make the same argument. Why should I pay for someone to engage in a sport such as skiing? But then we can bring in the smokers. Why should I (as a non-smoker) pay your health care when they get lung cancer. But I also eat fast food (and although I'm in excellent physical shape), in general, why should someone who's healthy pay for someone who has diabetis because they over ate.

So I totally see where you are coming from. However, I think the line that is drawn is that motorcycling is by it's very nature more dangerous than eating a hamburger. You could get on a motorcycle for the first time and be hit and killed. It'll take a lot of cheeseburgers for you to die of fat. So I think the immediate risk is what is the defining line.

Originally Posted by Alex

Second argument is more cynical. There has been no published study that shows data that helmet use really will save money. Treating serious motorcycle accident victims is expensive. It's much cheaper for the state (i.e., everyone else) if the victim dies outright, rather than requiring hundreds of thousands of dollars of specialist care. If it really is about the money, show how keeping people barely alive instead of dead when the helmet is the one thing that saved their life, truly saves money of others.

True. No politician will ever say that, but it is true. It's cheaper for someone to be dead then on life support. But using that same logic, it'd probably be easier for car crash victims to be ejected from the front seat of a head-on collision and die hitting the pavement then surviving by wearing a seat belt.

[jmgrande]

I love my helmet. I popped it on the other day, just because I missed it during the off-season.