Topic: Who rides without a helmet and why don't you wear one?

[Shenanigans]

I learned everything I needed to know about helmets when I watched all the montages of the moto GP crashes.


Just sayin'

[Thane]

I always wear one, I'm a organ donor but I think that I'd like to keep them a while longer.

[tramp]

saw a guy yesterday here in mich.
against the law here
must be that 1%

[le_sterls]

saw a guy yesterday here in mich.
against the law here
must be that 1%

I'm from Michigan as well, saw a guy flyin down hines dr. wearing a backwards baseball cap...

[myhondas]

I wear one 98% of the time (won't go into the 2%) but I am against the states like MI, TN, NC, WV, and others that have inacted laws that FORCE me to wear one. It is totally different from seat belts, but in many ways it is the same. What happened to the word FREEDOM? Have we all decided that it is just too dangerous of a thing to have? As an adult, I should have the right to decide what I want to wear. Next thing you know, they will require everyone to wear boots and gloves and armor inserts and chaps and who knows what else. I am AGAINST legislators trying to control everything I do. It should be MY choice....NOT theirs !!!!

[weekend_junkie]

I always wear a helmet but never liked the law.  A recent conversation about helmet laws changed my view a bit.  If I crack my head open and die because I didn't wear a helmet, I am only hurting myself (and family/friends).  If I am not wearing a helmet and get a head tramua that puts me in the hospital AND I don't have health insurance, then I am puting the burden of my health bills on the taxpayers because of my 'freedom'.

I am a self-described Darwinist, so it would only seem fair to me that not wearing a helmet means you would forfeit your rights to heroic efforts at saving your life in the case of an accident.

THAT is why I wear a helmet.

[ProTeal55]

I don't choose to wear a helmet becasue it's MY CHOICE.
And untill IL becomes a helmet law state i have no plans to wear one.

[myhondas]

I always wear a helmet but never liked the law.  A recent conversation about helmet laws changed my view a bit.  If I crack my head open and die because I didn't wear a helmet, I am only hurting myself (and family/friends).  If I am not wearing a helmet and get a head tramua that puts me in the hospital AND I don't have health insurance, then I am puting the burden of my health bills on the taxpayers because of my 'freedom'.

I am a self-described Darwinist, so it would only seem fair to me that not wearing a helmet means you would forfeit your rights to heroic efforts at saving your life in the case of an accident.

THAT is why I wear a helmet.

Simple, if you don't have health insurance and you don't wear a helmet you forfeit your rights to ANY efforts at saving your life. And while we're at it... you had better be in this country legally or you forfeit your rights to health care unless you have insurance or you can pay.

[Retro Rocket]

I don't choose to wear a helmet becasue it's MY CHOICE.
And untill IL becomes a helmet law state i have no plans to wear one.

Good for you, you are also helping to push up the cost of health and motorcycle insurance. If you all think it is a blight on your freedom you are kidding yourself, get a copy of your state and federal laws, you haven't been free for quite some time......

Mick

[seaweb11]

Crashed the CL350 on a gravel road on the weekend. No road rash  on my head at least.
I wear a helmet, it's also the law here.

Now I did go a day or 2 in Sturgis without one, but I don't think that it was a very wise move either.

[Gordon]

I don't choose to wear a helmet becasue it's MY CHOICE.
And untill IL becomes a helmet law state i have no plans to wear one.

Even if they make a helmet law it will still be your choice. 

[ev0lve]

Crashed the CL350 on a gravel road on the weekend. No road rash  on my head at least.
I wear a helmet, it's also the law here.

Now I did go a day or 2 in Sturgis without one, but I don't think that it was a very wise move either.

This legendary pic still makes my butt clench involuntarily

[Duke McDukiedook]

I'm all for freedom, blah, blah blah but I wear a brain bucket when I: ski, snowboard, ride my bicycle, motorcycle, and when I used to skateboard (lots of half-pipe).

That thin shell and foam makes me bulletproof, I swear by them. 

[seaweb11]

Yup, getting through that corner sideways was certainly a handful 

In my defence/ I did put my helmet on for the rest of the day

[DammitDan]

So, for those (sarcastically) saying that we should start wearing helmets in the car or the shower...

Seatbelts immobilize you to make you a "piece" of the car.  When you're wearing a seatbelt you're no longer a piece of luggage being thrown around inside the cabin.  This immobilization means that you're not going to be ejected from your seat, and if your seat is properly adjusted (head rest height, distance from the steering column/airbag, etc) it will pretty well protect your neck and head from injury.

According to the NHTSA, approximately 75% (that's 3 out of 4) people who are totally ejected from the vehicle in a crash are killed.

In a motorcycle crash, you have a 100% chance of being "ejected" from the vehicle, and are 35 times more likely to die than a person in a passenger car crash.  Wearing a helmet means you have a 37% higher chance of surviving the motorcycle accident.

Regardless of what people say about their "riding skillz", not every accident is avoidable. By getting on a motorcycle, you are taking on additional risk that is simply not present when "stepping into the shower" or "walking down the sidewalk", or even riding in your car with your seatbelt off.  Of course, not every crash will kill you.  But not wearing a helmet means that you have a statistically higher chance of being killed in a motorcycle crash.  Period.  And you can't fight statistics.  

[Retro Rocket]

Well said Dan...

Mick

[le_sterls]

Crashed the CL350 on a gravel road on the weekend. No road rash  on my head at least.
I wear a helmet, it's also the law here.

Now I did go a day or 2 in Sturgis without one, but I don't think that it was a very wise move either.

This legendary pic still makes my butt clench involuntarily

Scary thing is, I don't see brake lights on that van...

[seaweb11]

Seems the left light on the van was burnt out.
Man that was a long right rear skid Helmet, helmet, helmet.

[754]

I didnt sarcastically mention wearing helmets in cars..

 What I meant was, if the intent of the lawmakers when (re)introducing a helmet law is to save lives.. then they could save even more, if they were required in cars.

 If you are 35 times more likely to die in a motocycle crash than a car crash.. and there are 30 cars or more, to every bike.. they could save a lot MORE people..

[scottly]

I started using my seat-belt in cars when I realized there wasn't much difference between my head hitting the inside of the windshield or the "soft" sand, that taught me the lesson about wearing helmets WHENEVER I ride. It did take a few weeks before that lesson penetrated the "fog", and years before I applied it to cars. Face it, folks, brain damage is not fun...   

[le_sterls]

Seems the left light on the van was burnt out.
Man that was a long right rear skid Helmet, helmet, helmet.

Even if that van is braking, sketchy situation. Far scarier than I've ever been, and seems to be my worst nightmare.
I'm riding to mid-ohio vintage motorcycle days in roughly a month from Michigan to Ohio, I know Ohio doesn't have a helmet law, I've ridden through the neighborhood, but I always feel 'naked' without it. Needless to say, I'm going to wear it through the last leg of riding through Ohio, simply because that's because that's what my comfort level consists of. Just furthermore of a reason to wear a helmet, 'cause you never know.....

[ProTeal55]

I don't choose to wear a helmet becasue it's MY CHOICE.
And untill IL becomes a helmet law state i have no plans to wear one.

Good for you, you are also helping to push up the cost of health and motorcycle insurance. If you all think it is a blight on your freedom you are kidding yourself, get a copy of your state and federal laws, you haven't been free for quite some time......

Mick

Mick,
I knew this was going to be a pissing match.
The topic is who doesnt wear a helmet and why, so i said I dont and I said MY reason as to why I choose not too.
As usual people cant respect other peoples choices and act "better" than the other becasue their view doesnt match that of the person.
You want to wear a helmet, have at it. You want to own a certin color/style/make/model motorcycle, cool. You want to be married to what I would classify as a
non attractive woman, have at it. Ain't going to talk down to you or think anything less of ya buddy. Opnions are like #$%*s, everyone has one.

[754]

Good post Joe ..

I have found on here that simply stating your viewpoint when people ASK for opinions can have people jumpong all over you. And I am just stating personal observations, not suggesting my idea id the way to go..

 Speaking of pushing up cost of healthcare & insurance.. 2 words.. cell phones...   Now there is something valid to complain about..

[scrapvalue]

This legendary pic still makes my butt clench involuntarily

Do you think a helmet would have kept this guy on his own side of the road?
Learning to ride is the best protection you can possess.
 

[ev0lve]

This legendary pic still makes my butt clench involuntarily

Do you think a helmet would have kept this guy on his own side of the road?
Learning to ride is the best protection you can possess.
 

"This guy" knows how to ride. He fuxxored the turn. It happens and will happen. I think if it turned out different a helmet would have been helpful, yes.

Edit: Since it looks like you're fairly new to the forums - Scrapvalue meet Seaweb11. Seaweb has logged a lot of miles. I think he would be considered a veteran rider.

Seaweb - sorry to drag that pic in here. I only posted it cause it points up the "#$%* happens, woops too late to put a helmet on now" factor.