Are half helmets safe?
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 0
RE: Are half helmets safe?
I lost several friends to head trauma before the helmet law passed in California. One of them was riding his fully restored 47 pan head to the love rideas he was taken out by a women that crossed over into his lane. He died in his brother's arms. A couple of my friends that ride sportbikes wearing full face helmets suffered head injuries from their crashes. They both were in comas for several days but fully recovered and are back on their bikes today.
I grew up riding my bikes without helmets, loving the wind tangling my hair, gritting on road dirt and the sting of the occasional bee hitting my face! Today I feel naked without my helmets. I wear an Arai FullFace on my sportbike and have a 3/4 HJC and Bell Drifter 1/2 helmets for myHD. All DOT Approved.Although I don't like the way DOT 1/2 helmets look like mushrooms, the Bell Drifter is at leastthe best looking (for mynoggin at least!)
If youwear a 3/4 helmet, consider using a Chatterbox. It's the best communicator for your money and great for group rides.
I grew up riding my bikes without helmets, loving the wind tangling my hair, gritting on road dirt and the sting of the occasional bee hitting my face! Today I feel naked without my helmets. I wear an Arai FullFace on my sportbike and have a 3/4 HJC and Bell Drifter 1/2 helmets for myHD. All DOT Approved.Although I don't like the way DOT 1/2 helmets look like mushrooms, the Bell Drifter is at leastthe best looking (for mynoggin at least!)
If youwear a 3/4 helmet, consider using a Chatterbox. It's the best communicator for your money and great for group rides.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
RE: Are half helmets safe?
Wearing a helmet or not is personal choice. I choose not to, but I still advise folks thatask that they will get the most protection from a full-face. I got a full-face helmet for my daughter when she started riding last year and she likes wearing it.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Are half helmets safe?
A good Helmet Dealer won't sell a Helmet online. A helmet has to be fitted to your head. Some people have pumpkin heads, and other peoples heads are longer front to back. (Profile head) If you have a profile head and buy a pumpkin head helmet you will be loose on the sides, and have a lot of pressure front and rear of you head. If your going to wear a helmet make sure it fits.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Massachusetts
RE: Are half helmets safe?
Not a personal attack -- I'm sure the cops said what they said; they were just wrong. There has never been a single study that showed the added head mass of a helmet contributed to neck injuries in a crash. My Dad used to refuse to wear seatbelts on the theory that having a seat belt on would stop you from being thrown safely clear of the wreck. Total crap. Didn't matter: he died of a heart attack while watching TV. His whole history of aggressive driving without seat belts didn't make a shred of difference.
Most people who have a problem with helmet laws really just have a problem with being told what to do. I can understand that. I can respect a person's freedom of choice without having to respect the choices they make.
Most people who have a problem with helmet laws really just have a problem with being told what to do. I can understand that. I can respect a person's freedom of choice without having to respect the choices they make.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 967
Likes: 3
From: Eastern Massachusetts
RE: Are half helmets safe?
ORIGINAL: WildBill76
A good Helmet Dealer won't sell a Helmet online.
A good Helmet Dealer won't sell a Helmet online.
I agree that a helmet needs to be fitted and you have to try on the helmet you're going to buy. If I was buying a new helmet and didn't know what fit, I'd go to a store and pay the extra money for the chance to try things on and get the experience of the sales folks.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,848
Likes: 0
From: Poquoson, VA
RE: Are half helmets safe?
ORIGINAL: cadman311
I JUST WANT TO ADD MY TWO CENTS. I CRASH IN THE 70'S WITH OUT A HELMET. I SLID WAY OVER 100+ FEET MAYBE 200. I WAS TOLD BY THE STATE POLICE IF THE HELMET WOULD OF BEEN ON MY HEAD. I WOULD BE DEAD TODAY. I WAS TOLD MY NECK WOULD OF BROKE.
BUT ON THE OTHER HAND A FREIND HAD MOPED. HE FELL OFF THE STEP WITH THE MOPED AND DIE THAT NIGHT FROM HEAD INJURY. LET THE RIDER DECIDE.
I JUST WANT TO ADD MY TWO CENTS. I CRASH IN THE 70'S WITH OUT A HELMET. I SLID WAY OVER 100+ FEET MAYBE 200. I WAS TOLD BY THE STATE POLICE IF THE HELMET WOULD OF BEEN ON MY HEAD. I WOULD BE DEAD TODAY. I WAS TOLD MY NECK WOULD OF BROKE.
BUT ON THE OTHER HAND A FREIND HAD MOPED. HE FELL OFF THE STEP WITH THE MOPED AND DIE THAT NIGHT FROM HEAD INJURY. LET THE RIDER DECIDE.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 0
From: SW Ohio
RE: Are half helmets safe?
i wish i could wear a half. the wind noise drives me crazy. and the wind always wants to blow the half off my head . i like the 3/4 with the flip up shield .
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 770
Likes: 2
From: East NM
RE: Are half helmets safe?
If it's less distracting and you can see better, it's safer because you are more likely to see trouble coming and avoid it. I'ts really sad that more and more people are buying into the government propaganda that you should sacrifice tha ability to drive safer in favor of the ability to crash safely. As long as you don't crash or run into one of those foot long flys they have in Bornio, you don't even need a lid. I have a ZR1 that I use to keep my ears warm when it snows and it seems nice enough, but I'd rather not crash with or without it.