Topic: Helmets

[Quail "Owner of the comfortable k8"]

Here is your chance to express yourself.  Here in PA we can decide, I myself wish you couldn't.  Sorry I have to side with Big Brother on this one.

[Bob Wessner]

I agree 100% The potential for pain and suffering is not just limited to the rider. Everyone has someone else who would be devistated by the consequences.

[Terry in Australia]

Helmets are mandatory in every state in Australia, and although I'd like to have the choice, I'm not fussed that I have to wear one. I have a full face helmet for winter and long rides, and an open face helmet for short rides, summer, and when I have a craving for eating bugs.

I prefer the open face helmet, but am aware that the full face is safer, but don't care all that much because until they can make jeans and T shirts as protective as a cheap open face helmet, I can't see much point in retaining a perfectly preserved head atop a mangled, paralysed body. Cheers, Terry.

[kghost]

I really have to wonder: When did government stop protecting us from each other and start protecting us from ourselves?

That being said: Texas has a pretty good solution. If you have appropriate health insurance you are not required to wear a helmet. Works if you ask me. If you wish to make yourself a veg. I don't have to pay for it (taxes, higher ins. etc.). Niether does the government. You want Personal freedom be Personally responsible for yourself. (what a concept!)

[SteveD CB500F]

Law in the UK since the 70's - I remember the legal battles with the Sikhs as they stated that it was against their religion to take off their turbans. Can't remember who won, but you don't see be-turbaned bikers over here!

I've always worn a helmet as the law came in as I bought my first "bike" (Raliegh Runabout) - so much so that many years later, when I learnt to drive a car I felt starngley unprotected bowling along a road with no helmet...!

[Flood]

In Austria, Helmets are compulsory since 1984.

I'm always full-faced, either a normal visor-helmut or a MX one with goggles. Last year I used an open classic style (actually my BMX-Helmet from childhood days with some le mans- striping) because of the  better visibility around town, but the missus wasn't impressed.

I'm using the crosshelmet now for commuting.
Always gloves, always boots. Leathers when I'm leaving the city limits.

Cheers, Remi

[ofreen]

I think it is nice that so many people are so concerned about other people's safety that they want the gov't to step in with mandatory helmet laws.  Very considerate. 

Why not take it further?  It is a fact that some of the most serious injuries in car accidents are head injuries.  Obviously, many lives would be saved if helmet use was mandated in cars.  Why not pass a car helmet law?  The answer is obvious - it would be politically impossible.  Too many people worried about the helmet messing up their hairdo or making it tough to hear the other side of the conversation on their cell phone.

So why are there helmet laws for motorcyclists but not for cage drivers?  Because we are a minority and an easy and convenient target for do-gooders.  The fact is, every argument used to justify a mandatory helmet law can just as easily be used to justify the banning of motorcycles.  Plenty of people wearing helmets are killed while riding and there are plenty of people who think no one should be allowed to do something so dangerous as riding motorcycles. 

That old canard about unhelmeted and uninsured motorcyclists being a drag on society was discredited a long time ago, but it lives on. 

All that being said, I wear a helmet about 99% of the time, but I believe it is nobody's business but mine, just it is none of my business if you choose to skydive, ski, rock climb, sit on your butt all day watching TV, or live on a diet of Big Macs and Cokes.

Just my $.02.

[dusterdude]

right on ofreen

[chippyfive50]

Ofreen said it, I always wear a helmet by CHOICE anyway. Whatever did happen to pesonal responsibility, I think it is hiding under the unfurling blanket of socialism next to personal freedom....

[Bobby]

Beyond the neo-political-sociology banter, we here in the Ocean State do not have helmet laws for "drivers" only "passangers".  However, the vast majority of us use this style of helmet. 

-Bobby

[Terry in Australia]

Hey Bobby, if I "paypal" you the dough, can you send me one of those "Nordic" helmets? Bloody fantastic idea mate, and on modern sports bikes it'll give the passenger something to hang on to as well, ha ha!

As to Ofreen's remarks, yeah, fair enough mate, I've heard that argument about a million times before, but I do enjoy driving my car on a daily basis without a helmet, so the last thing I want is to have to wear a freakin' "lid" inside my "cage" (ha ha, I love all that wanky 1970's biker talk) on my 120 mile daily commute. Cheers, Terry.

[ofreen]

As to Ofreen's remarks, yeah, fair enough mate, I've heard that argument about a million times before, but I do enjoy driving my car on a daily basis without a helmet, so the last thing I want is to have to wear a freakin' "lid" inside my "cage" (ha ha, I love all that wanky 1970's biker talk) on my 120 mile daily commute. Cheers, Terry.

Hey Terry, it's OK with me if you want to drive your car without a helmet on your head.  I wouldn't do it either.  But the points I made are valid whether you hear them once or "about a million times."

By the way, I am no "70's biker."  But I believe the expression (cage) is a good way to contrast the experience of riding a motorcycle vs. driving a car.

Cheers to you.

[Terry in Australia]

No worries mate, I am a biker from the '70's, and even then I used to laugh at that expression, it was coined by Harley Riding "One Percenters" who called our bikes "Rice Burners", or "Jap Crap".

I laughed at those expressions too, as I couldn't understand why those guys thought they had somehow earned the right to bad mouth other motorists by merely purchasing a Harley, ha ha! Cheers, Terry.

[chippyfive50]

Bobby, those helmets SHOULD be mandatrory state issue.....or perhaps these

[ofreen]

as I couldn't understand why those guys thought they had somehow earned the right to bad mouth other motorists by merely purchasing a Harley, ha ha! Cheers, Terry.

I know what you mean.  I always figured that behavior indicates a self-esteem problem. 

Anyway, the helmet law thread has been done to death everywhere motorcycles are discussed on the web.  The only reason it is still even a little interesting is because it represents the basic political conflict between an individual's freedom of choice vs. how much say the gov't has in that choice.  It is an eternal debate, as you may agree.  Regards.

[don_m]

Helmets are dangerous!  I plowed into a Chevrolet while doing about 50MPH & bent the frame of the car.  Broke the helmet too, so it must be what did the damage.  Years later, while going wayyy to fast on a familiar canyon road about midnight I hit a log lying across the road.  Did an endo & must have landed on my head as the helmet broke.  Not to worry--the bike flipped 180 & landed on the tail lamp & rear fender.  After pulling bent pieces out of the way I was able to ride it home.  Oh yeah, my eyebrow was sliced open by the broken edges of the helmet, the only injury other than bruises.  Like I said, helmets are dangerous!
Cheers, Don Psycle Madden.

[Terry in Australia]

I understand your concerns Don, so I'm lobbying the government here to compulsorily fit big fluffy cushions to riders helmets, knees, elbows and asses. Sure we might look a little silly with big fluffy pink (I think fluoro colors are a definate safety item) cushions attached to all our contact points, but I'm sure you guys will all thank me when these sensible new laws spread across the free world! Cheers, "Safety Sam" Terry.

[Quail "Owner of the comfortable k8"]

Well here we go again another poll, 750+ members and only 29 know what kind of helmet they wear, I now can assume about 721 members did not wear a helment in the past.

I wear a helmet so I can have an open casket funeral, at least the head will still look good ( well that is my opinion)

[don_m]

Hi Terry in Australia,
Some interesting ideas there.  Not to be surpassed in the outrageous catagory, the California politco who pushed our helmet law through next pushed for seat belts on motorcycles, but I guess that was to much even for this state.  We'll leave that to you lot down under.  I don't need any more cushioning on my ass but I've lost a fair amount of hide over the years.
Cheers, Don Psycle Madden.

[mcpuffett]

hi all saw this advert somewhere long time ago (let those who ride decide)    mick.

[jbailey]

I used to feel that you'd have to be stupid to not wear a helmet but since you only hurt yourself, the government should not make the descision for you.

BUT, I ran across something on the New York State DMV website that basically said the following:

If you are injured due to not using a seatbelt or helmet, eventually you will reach your insurance cap.  It then becomes the states responsibility to care for you (and your family).  Therefore since it is the state who takes the financial risk, it is their right to tell you to wear or use protective equipment which has been proven to be beneficial.

This is not an exact quote, but you get the idea.  As a taxpaying citizen, I expect my money to be spent on that which benefits the innocent victim not some moron that thinks he's too cool to wear a helmet or seatbelt.

[Terry in Australia]

Well there you go, I think I'll be able to sell my "Big Pink Fluffy Cushion" suggestion to The State of New York DMV! Excellent.................... Cheers, Terry.

[Quail "Owner of the comfortable k8"]

I READ IN time MAG. THAT THEY HAVE DEVELOPED AN MOTORCYCLE AIR BAG.

[Bob Wessner]

True enough...

http://www.sae.org/automag/techbriefs_06-00/06.htm

[Einyodeler]

I wear a Fulmer full face and when it gets real hot just take off the shield for extra air circulation. I`ve had 2 serious accidents on bikes over the years.The 1st time some kid in a hopped up car took a corner way too fast and met me on my side of the road,I swerved and tried to lay it down in the ditch but was catapulted into the air and hit a couple of trees.Nearly lost my left leg in that one,had left hip replaced and artificial knee joint.
The 2nd one I had a car pull out right in front of me when I was doing 60mph and I T-boned it: 6 cracked & 4 fractured  ribs, 1 punctured lung.broken kneecap on the other knee and major head trauma.Both times I was wearing full face helmets and both times they saved my life.I used to keep them around to remind me how my head could have looked but the wife couldn`t stand to look at them anymore( too many bad memories for her) so I finally pitched them.I have pictures somewhere and I`ll post them when I find them.
I don`t see much use in the airbag on a bike because it`s best to get clear of the bike in a collision. How about a riding suit on the principle of the airbag.In the event of a collision you turn into the Michelin Man and just bounce off of cars and trees.
There`s a road right across the Mississippi River in Illinois called the Great River Rd.and Ferry crossings from the Missouri side to there.The first thing that 80% of the riders on these ferries is take off their helmets and stow them for the ride in no helmet law Il.
I just have to shake my head (glad I`ve still got one to shake).