BINGO!!!!!

 

The other part of the question should also be, how many more people are riding now.I stopped listening to statistics years ago because of weighted numbers.They are NEVER accurate,nor do they ever tell the true story.Each and every accident has its' own dynamics.Let Those Who Ride Decide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

In 6 years only Harleys have been in accidents. They must only insure Harleys then, go get a quote on a hyabusa or v-max, ask why so much to insure if there value is less than your harley. My insurance went down over 100.00 this year, to 350.00.

As for the Helmet thing, how many States require helmets, it's not a 50/50 split of people wearing them. If 75% of people have to wear helmets, and accident % is the same for those that do and those that don't, your going to get a larger % of fatalities with those that do. There would be a larger number of people with helmets in accidents, even though the percent of accidents between helmeted and non would be the same.

 

According to Harley Davidson when they checked
into the mileage their customers ride their HD's
every year. They ride less then 2,100 miles a year
on average. I guess that means the crotch rocket
guys don't ride at all on their motorcycles according
to your insurance guy..

 

If you listen to the media, none of the riders were wearing a helmet.

 

This wasn't a study but raw data from the NHTSA. The risk of death while riding a motorcycle is made up of many factors including the use of a helmet. The NHTSA should be looking at total motorcycle fatalities and separating them into groups to find corrolations between fatalities and the different factors or variables. They should do this to direct their motorcycle safety initiatives. The goal should be to identify variables that make the most risk of death and develop plans aimed at reducing that risk. The fact that according to the NHTSA helmeted riders made up 48% of riders in 2005 but accounted for 58% of fatalities points to a low corrolation between helmet use and fatalities.

I'm not trying to debate the effectiveness of a helmet in an accident. I am questioning the NHTSA approach to motorcycle safety. Helmet use is the easy way out.It's visible, is the responsibility of the rider, and takes away any real responsibility from the NHTSA. On the other hand, factors like other vehicles invadinga motorcycle's right of way, rider training and experience, and overall motorcycle awareness by other drivers are more complex factors that require money and in some cases the involvement of the general population. Doesn't the NHTSA care that motorcycles are involved in accidents in the first place? Where are the equally loud pushes by the NHTSA on motorcycle awareness?