the Ferret
Road warrior
MG check out the classic Bell full face worn by the older Japanese fellow (look carefully) in the Spirt Never Changes video posted in the 2017 CB thread. I'd buy another Bell like that.
What would you do?
- Thread starter metallyguitarded_imp
- Start date
Offroad
Road warrior
I've always worn one, not necessarily because I was safety conscious but to keep bugs and wind from hitting me in the face at speed.
I think most helmetless riders are behind fairings which gives them a false sense of security. There are no seat belts, if anything happens you become a projectile.
When I test rode a fairing’ed up Victory, I couldn't even feel the wind....they even had "vents" to allow some air to get to the riders. It was slow and sluggish and no wind. I thought if I'm going to have a slow sluggish vehicle that I can't even experience the sense of wind and speed, I'm might as well be riding in a car with cage and seat belts..
That is one thing I like and the same thing I don't like about our naked bikes. The wind gives you a real sense of how fast you are going, but at the same time can be irritating at anything above 40mph.
I think most helmetless riders are behind fairings which gives them a false sense of security. There are no seat belts, if anything happens you become a projectile.
When I test rode a fairing’ed up Victory, I couldn't even feel the wind....they even had "vents" to allow some air to get to the riders. It was slow and sluggish and no wind. I thought if I'm going to have a slow sluggish vehicle that I can't even experience the sense of wind and speed, I'm might as well be riding in a car with cage and seat belts..
That is one thing I like and the same thing I don't like about our naked bikes. The wind gives you a real sense of how fast you are going, but at the same time can be irritating at anything above 40mph.
I wear a helmet even though my state (PA) doesn't require me to. I like that we have a choice and every once in a great while I'll putt around my little rural town without one but I long ago stopped leaving town lidless. What I was comfortable with as a kid I no longer am.
Haystack_imp
Running like a top
Automobile occupants should wear helmets.
Two primary arguments for helmet laws: 1) save lives, and 2) to keep health care costs down for all of us due to those who survive motorcycle crashes and who need medical rehabilitation.
However, what is never reported is the number of persons in automobile accidents who die due to head injuries (even though they were wearing seat belts), and those who survive car crashes and require lengthy medical rehabilitation due to closed head injuries.
When a motorcyclist is involved in a fatal accident, it is immediately reported whether or not a helmet was being worn. When a car crash occurs, it is reported whether or not a seat belt was being worn, but no details as to the cause of death or injury.
Since there are far more deaths and head injuries caused by car crashes (even though seats belts were used) than motorcycle crashes, would it not be more effective, and hence more humanitarian, to require automobile occupants to wear helmets?
This illustrates that the motivation for motorcycle helmet laws is primarily political, not practical.
My position is based on discussions with physical therapists and nurses that I have known.
BTW, I always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle.
Two primary arguments for helmet laws: 1) save lives, and 2) to keep health care costs down for all of us due to those who survive motorcycle crashes and who need medical rehabilitation.
However, what is never reported is the number of persons in automobile accidents who die due to head injuries (even though they were wearing seat belts), and those who survive car crashes and require lengthy medical rehabilitation due to closed head injuries.
When a motorcyclist is involved in a fatal accident, it is immediately reported whether or not a helmet was being worn. When a car crash occurs, it is reported whether or not a seat belt was being worn, but no details as to the cause of death or injury.
Since there are far more deaths and head injuries caused by car crashes (even though seats belts were used) than motorcycle crashes, would it not be more effective, and hence more humanitarian, to require automobile occupants to wear helmets?
This illustrates that the motivation for motorcycle helmet laws is primarily political, not practical.
My position is based on discussions with physical therapists and nurses that I have known.
BTW, I always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle.
LongRanger_imp
Road warrior
This is unsubstantiated, but I wouldn't be surprised if the percentage of riders who wear helmets in this state exceed the percentage of drivers who wear seat belts. It sure seems like most occupants who are killed in auto accidents weren't wearing their seat belt. I think it's a byproduct of the rural culture around here.
Hondahawkrider_imp
Running like a top
Having been down twice.. I always wear a helmet.
In fact when I went down and totaled my vtr super hawk, I was wearing a brand new helmet. It's on display somewhere with Allstate.. it's still nice and shiny, but the area around the chin was a rch away from the foam.
In fact when I went down and totaled my vtr super hawk, I was wearing a brand new helmet. It's on display somewhere with Allstate.. it's still nice and shiny, but the area around the chin was a rch away from the foam.
nine876_imp
First service completed
I'm not interested in further limiting the field of view of automobile occupants. This is the last thing I'd want to see at every intersection!Haystack_imp said:
emptysea
Road warrior
Interesting position, but you're going to have to present the actual statistics showing that there are more head injuries per crash in cars than there are in motorcycles. My reading of the stats show that: Seat-belted drivers and passengers are MUCH less likely to sustain a head injury in a crash than their non-belted counterparts. Motorcyclists are MUCH more likely to sustain a head injury (helmeted or not) in a crash than is any seat-belted occupant of a car.Haystack_imp said:
Of course, the question wasn't really about that. He merely wanted to know who wears their hat when they ride and who thinks it should be mandatory. I do....and I don't.
LongRanger_imp
Road warrior
A bit off topic, but I've skied for 43 years and have never worn a helmet. I've had plenty of wipe outs but I've never banged my head. Everyone wears a helmet on the slopes these days, but I don't. Meanwhile, I would never ride a motorcycle without a helmet... I guess I perceive the risks differently, when in fact they're really not.
kmoney_imp
Road warrior
I was always the same way. I started skiing in the 80s and just never really thought about helmets, as I'd been doing it withput one for so long and had tons of bails and never even a sever inpact to my head.LongRanger_imp said:
All our local hills now require a helmet if you want to be there, so I wear one. They're at least light and compact enough to go relatively unnoticed, but left to my own devices I wouldn't wear one.
Offroad
Road warrior
Since my hip replacement can't ski any longer but I noticed helmets showing up on the slopes when snow boarding became a thing.
I always figured it was because when skiing you tend to slide down, even if you catch an edge you just dive into a slide....but with snow boarding if you are facing the mountain and catch an edge you fall well over 90 probably approaching 150 degrees on to the back of your head....
At least that is what I thought and why I never tried snow boarding ;-)
I always figured it was because when skiing you tend to slide down, even if you catch an edge you just dive into a slide....but with snow boarding if you are facing the mountain and catch an edge you fall well over 90 probably approaching 150 degrees on to the back of your head....
At least that is what I thought and why I never tried snow boarding ;-)
I always wear a helmet (in fact I ATGATT whenever I leave my neighborhood and its 25 mph surface streets). But, it's primarily a decision based on comfort. Since I ride what's basically a "nakit" bike the helmet keeps road debris and bugs off my face. If caught in the rain it makes a HUGE difference from a comfort and safety perspective. Although it gets hot here in Utah during the summer I like the sun block they provide. When weather turns colder the warmth and comfort from a helmet is worth it's weight in gold. None of this is news to most of us. The fact that a helmet may save my life is an afterthought. I just retired my primary riding helmet (Rock Hard AC/DC full face) and replaced it with a HJC Ironman motif one...color matches up nicely with the red tank.
HJC IS-17 Iron Man Helmet - Riders Discount
As an aside since we're back and forth on the topic....We see a lot of upper extremity injuries here during ski season with snowboarders and lower ones for skiers.
HJC IS-17 Iron Man Helmet - Riders Discount
As an aside since we're back and forth on the topic....We see a lot of upper extremity injuries here during ski season with snowboarders and lower ones for skiers.
I just got back from a trip with my wife to Charleston SC. 99% of the riders I saw were helmentless and it really struck me as odd.
I would never consider riding without one but I do not like having the government tell me what I can and can not do. The riders of South Carolina were smiling the smiles of free men and I like that.
I would never consider riding without one but I do not like having the government tell me what I can and can not do. The riders of South Carolina were smiling the smiles of free men and I like that.
olekzap_imp
Running like a top
I'm in WA, specifically King County, where even bicyclists are required to wear helmets (don't get me started on that one). Motorcyclists are required to wear helmets as well, so I do. Even when I was in Indiana and they weren't required I wore one. I think I rode around the block once to see what it was like and it just wasn't comfortable. In that state pretty much no Harley riders wore helmets. Never understood that but it wasn't my problem and if they wanted to take that risk for themselves that was their decision.
Have to, Oregon. But I would anyway...I can't imagine getting pelted by some of the bugs that have decided to end their lives against my faceshield, tho' 3/4 helmet I do wear very hot days, but not at dusk when the bugs are out in full force. I wear helmet and gloves always. Gloves...the first thing you put down is your hand. Ok, maybe not always...but close.
pwh421_imp
Running like a top
I started riding in 1989 before the Helmet law in CA.. Didn't matter, I wore one then and I would wear one now under any circumstances.
It isn't a fashion choice..
It isn't a fashion choice..
uscgmac_imp
Been there
Indian Larry died from a slow fall off his motorcycle in a parking lot. Even though he was doing stunts, it doesn't take much to kill you. I'm required in my state and I would always wear one even if not required. I ride a Harley also and always wear a helmet even out of state. I may not wear the maximum safety level helmet with the Harley but it is a dot approved lid. With my CB1100 I wear a full face or 3/4 with flip up shield.
Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-T350 using Tapatalk
My state of residence does not require motorcycle helmets, however, I've ridden with one since I was eight years old and I wouldn't even think to get on a bike without my full face helmet. That being said, I hate both helmet and automobile seat belt laws (wouldn't drive without my seat belt, either).
slolane_imp
First service completed
No helmet law in Michigan but I always wear one even when driving the slingshot.
