Originally Posted by Mark Faulkner

Living in the UK, our helmet laws are a lot more strict. We wouldn't get away with wearing some of the poor excuses for a helmet that you can get away with in the US.
I get the appeal of riding with no helmet. I rode through the Welsh mountains years ago without one, all back roads, no other traffic and 30mph and under, just taking in the stunning views. But that was a one off. Even if we had a choice not to wear one, most of my riding is at 60-90mph, and at those speeds it's just not worth the risk.

Originally Posted by hd4evr2008

I wonder why motorcycle racers wear the best helmet they can afford?? Full face helmets at that! Never seen anyone racing wearing just a doo rag!

Originally Posted by nytryder

Hit a tree at 60 - 90 mph and see just what a helmet can do for you.

Originally Posted by nytryder

Hit a tree at 60 - 90 mph and see just what a helmet can do for you.

Originally Posted by nytryder

Hit a tree at 60 - 90 mph and see just what a helmet can do for you.

Originally Posted by CobraRacer

There are several reasons that there is more of a need for a helmet these days. I deliver all over the country and I have said for 7 years now that the number of cars and trucks on the road have skyrocketed in the last 20 years and they are dumber and more aggressive than ever. When I was in the rehab hospital for 3 months from my wreck I was outside with a therapist and said to myself that I might have to move to a small town like this if I am ever going to ride all of the time like I used to.Unfortunately because of issues like those mentioned above it is basically like we are playing the video game "frogger" every time we ride in a larger city.

Originally Posted by nytryder

Ask your Doc next time you are in how many people are killed each year by negligent doctors and hospitals. Be sure to wait for an answer. By the way the 300% figure is pure bullshit.

Originally Posted by hd4evr2008

Here's a guy at the Springfield Mile hitting a concrete wall with his head at over 130 mph. He fully recovered to race again. Imagine that without a helmet on. I was at this race, btw.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADM4G1z-iao

Originally Posted by 0maha

The NTHSB estimates the effectiveness of helmets at preventing fatalities at 36%, meaning 64% of the time they will fail to save your life.

Others put the effectiveness lower...generally around 29% or 30%, and claim that the NTHSB inflates their numbers for political reasons.

Wearing a helmet when you crash is almost always better than not wearing a helmet, but not crashing is infinitely more important than wearing a helmet.

Originally Posted by hellonewman

Agreed but if something like fuel went up in price by 30% or interest rates for that matter people would take notice. 30% sounds low because of the delivery. I dont know what 30% translates into regarding number of lives saved but if its one is that bad?

Originally Posted by 0maha

Not at all. I just bring a different perspective to this. In my view, helmets are largely the last thing I think about when it comes to safety. Too often, I see people saying (in so many words) that motorcycle safety is about helmets/gear/etc. I think that's foolish.