Topic: Wear your helmet!

[CycleRanger]

Really, I was looking for comments on the article I posted.

Did anyone even read it?

[MCRider]

Really, I was looking for comments on the article I posted.

Did anyone even read it?

I did. The problem with such articles is the selective cherry picking of statistics. Which may or may not be on purpose. For ex: the increase in fatalitles should be compared to the increase in miles travelled. I never saw the increase in miles travelled. i saw one reference to increase use, but no hard numbers.

But regulating based on statistics is bad governing IMO. Its a matter of principle. If government ran on principle and not statistics, we'd be better off.

I'm pro-choice, always wear one personally.  Try not to ride with anyone who doesn't, don't want to be involved in the goo. Still, I resist the intrusion of government regulations at ALL levels.

[CycleRanger]

I did. The problem with such articles is the selective cherry picking of statistics. Which may or may not be on purpose. For ex: the increase in fatalitles should be compared to the increase in miles travelled. I never saw the increase in miles travelled. i saw one reference to increase use, but no hard numbers.

I agree with you there.

[MCRider]

I did. The problem with such articles is the selective cherry picking of statistics. Which may or may not be on purpose. For ex: the increase in fatalitles should be compared to the increase in miles travelled. I never saw the increase in miles travelled. i saw one reference to increase use, but no hard numbers.

I agree with you there.

I have also read speculation where the babyboomers who bought all those Harleys are aging and losing their edge, skill wise. hence the new popularity in 3 wheeler conversions.

[CycleRanger]

I have also read speculation where the baby boomers who bought all those Harleys are aging and losing their edge, skill wise.
Hence the new popularity in 3 wheeler conversions.

Oh I totally I agree with that. Those trikes are the new Winnebagos!
The wife can have the giant-ass seat and the luggage space and hubby can pretend he's still riding a real bike...

[thrutheframe]

I have also read speculation where the baby boomers who bought all those Harleys are aging and losing their edge, skill wise.
Hence the new popularity in 3 wheeler conversions.

Oh I totally I agree with that. Those trikes are the new Winnebagos!
The wife can have the giant-ass seat and the luggage space and hubby can pretend he's still riding a real bike...

+1 for the Can Am Spyder Syndrome

[CycleRanger]

+1 for the Can Am Spyder Syndrome

I don't even understand those things!

[BrockSamson]

It is the perfect middle ground for the guy who is too cool for a Miata but not cool enough for a motorcycle.

Edit:
Not trying to bash the Miata those are great cars.  I know a couple guys that race them.

[MCRider]

It is the perfect middle ground for the guy who is too cool for a Miata but not cool enough for a motorcycle.

Edit:
Not trying to bash the Miata those are great cars.  I know a couple guys that race them.

Yeah, don't bash the trikes either. I may end up skipping the GoldWing phase and go straight to a 3 wheeler. Leg problems. 

[BrockSamson]

You're right.  Once you reach the senior ages or have physical limitations to riding two wheels there is no warranted bashing for whatever decision is made to keep yourself riding.  Although I don't think the Cam-Am is marketed to the old timer motorcycle enthusiast that is looking for something more within their capabilities.  But, that is more an opinion.. maybe they are marketing to them and I just don't know about it.

[scrapvalue]

I think the old guys that have been riding for many years and are losing a few of their atributes, stand a lot better chance of surviving on the road then the new crop of dumbass's and there sport bikes.
Or the guy,(or girl), that buys a great big shinny Harley because it looks cool, but have no riding experience.
There is no substatution for know how, not even a helmet.

[Retro Rocket]

I resist the intrusion of government regulations at ALL levels.

Funny thing is, the countries that have more regulation for their citizens generally have a better or higher educated population, sometimes leaving people to their own desires is the worst possible outcome, ignorance breeds ignorance....
look at all the panic recently over a "possible" zombie attack in Florida, i mean "really".... I'm not referring to the drugged up idiot that ate the vagrants face either, i am talking about the Russian guy that dressed up as a zombie {after that attack}  and created havoc walking the streets, people actually thought he was a zombie, one guy threatened to shoot him while running away #$%* scared..... I find it absolutely unbelievable that in this day and age and in a civilized country people are actually stupid enough to believe in zombies, {the walking dead} .... hilarious...  By the way, i am not a big fan of over regulation either ...

[tango911]

a friend at church came up to me the other day and said  "hey,  pray for my brother in law, he was just in a horrible cycle accident"   i asked him what happen,  he said he got tangled up with a car. I asked if he was wearing any protection. He said that he was wearing flip flops, shorts, a T shirt and no helmet.  not smart.

against the law to not wear a seat belt but its ok to ride a motorcycle with no protection what so ever. Go figure.

[DJ_AX]

...
against the law to not wear a seat belt but its ok to ride a motorcycle with no protection what so ever. Go figure.

+

[MCRider]

...
against the law to not wear a seat belt but its ok to ride a motorcycle with no protection what so ever. Go figure.

+

There is no contradiction here. Legislation is not a matter of reason (unfortunately) but of sponsorship and support. Governments will always work to regulate. Only those who organize and push back will stay free.

In the example of seatbelts (which i always wear) and helmets (ditto) the reasonable thing is to have no laws governing either. That is the issue, in my mind. I will always push back against all regulation, whether against my position or someone else's. Win a few, lose a few.

The principle at stake is not the detail of each proposal, but the principle of government regulation, should we have it or not.

Or so i think.

[Stev-o]

It is a proven fact that a seat belt will save your life.

Unfortunately, its not quite the same for a helmet, but it has to help.

[scrapvalue]

Seat belts and helmets will save your life in certain situations. Very few times they will actually cause extra injury.
If you want to feel safe at all times, live in a bubble. If you want to actually be safe, learn to ride and pay attention.
If you are going out and pushing,(or even licking), the envelope, by all means wear everything you can to protect yourself from yourself.
If you are going out riding and are oblivious to your surrondings, then definetly wear ATGATT.
If you are willing to take resposibility for your own actions and actually pay attention to what is going on around you, then you should have the freedom to decide.