Thoughts on helmets
Banned
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 4,506
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I rode with a cheap skid lid or no helmet for over 20 years before I decided to go with a full face modular, I spent about $250 on it, after a couple of years I made the leap to an $800 Schuberth, I figured if I was gonna do this I might as well get the best, Ive always wore leather gloves and boots, my latest purchase was a mesh jacket, although I dont wear it as often as I should. I personally think everyone should wear a helmet.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: On the Big Blue marble
Your head + your helmet + your choise = its that simple. 1 sentence.
Me, 4/5/2017 I am moving and I get rammed in the rear on my RK. FF helmet then, FF helmet now. I WAS THE STATISTICAL ANOMOLY. Most important I still have my face intact bc of my helmet. My head + my choise. No disertation.
Me, 4/5/2017 I am moving and I get rammed in the rear on my RK. FF helmet then, FF helmet now. I WAS THE STATISTICAL ANOMOLY. Most important I still have my face intact bc of my helmet. My head + my choise. No disertation.
The dangerous thing about helmets is that they can fool incompetent riders into believing they are "safe".
The average rider is better served redirecting the time and effort spent worrying about safety gear into time and effort spent improving his technical skill and street awareness.
Wear a helmet. Fine. But don't fool yourself into thinking that it has much of anything to do with your safety as a rider.
The average rider is better served redirecting the time and effort spent worrying about safety gear into time and effort spent improving his technical skill and street awareness.
Wear a helmet. Fine. But don't fool yourself into thinking that it has much of anything to do with your safety as a rider.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
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From: St. Charles, MO
OP - well written. I thoroughly enjoyed your "rant", and I thought you made your points very well in an interesting and somewhat humorous way. I'm a "let the rider decide" guy, I wear a DOT beanie almost exclusively, and have been known to go "bare headed" from time to time, so that's where I land in the debate on this matter.
Even so, your post didn't preach at me or make demands of me, only made a reasonable argument in favor of wearing a full faced helmet, and I enjoyed it.
Even so, your post didn't preach at me or make demands of me, only made a reasonable argument in favor of wearing a full faced helmet, and I enjoyed it.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 107
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From: Ohio
Eyes on. Head on a swivel. Always have an escape route.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,351
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From: Vegas, baby!
However, it can have a huge effect on the safety of a rider that crashes. Would they be called 'crashers'? Mainly in the crashes that aren't severe enough to cause blunt force injuries to a rider's body.
And there are times no amount of rider skill, preparation, or luck can prevent every possible bad result of an unexpected/unwanted incident during a ride.
Last edited by rjg883c; May 8, 2020 at 01:59 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Earth
"A helmet has nothing to do with "your safety as a rider".
Sorry, calling BS on this.
I've been hit by a bird, a rock to the face from a big rig, and some other flying object which I still have no idea what it was, but it was nasty enough to put a two inch slice in a Dianese jacket. I've also been hit by a rock to the chest wearing full race armor, and even through CE-II rated chest protectors, that left a bruise which took weeks to heal. Had that hit me in the face while wearing my old half helmet, I haven't the slightest doubt I would have been unconscious or dead before I even went down.
Allow me to re-word the original post: Ride without a helmet if that's what you want to do, but don't delude yourself into thinking that you're not vastly increasing the chances of not coming back from a ride. You don't have to like it but facts are facts.
I swear to god, threads like this are exactly why the Harley community is the laughing stock of every other motorcycle community. The level of stupidity is truly unbelievable...
Sorry, calling BS on this.
I've been hit by a bird, a rock to the face from a big rig, and some other flying object which I still have no idea what it was, but it was nasty enough to put a two inch slice in a Dianese jacket. I've also been hit by a rock to the chest wearing full race armor, and even through CE-II rated chest protectors, that left a bruise which took weeks to heal. Had that hit me in the face while wearing my old half helmet, I haven't the slightest doubt I would have been unconscious or dead before I even went down.
Allow me to re-word the original post: Ride without a helmet if that's what you want to do, but don't delude yourself into thinking that you're not vastly increasing the chances of not coming back from a ride. You don't have to like it but facts are facts.
I swear to god, threads like this are exactly why the Harley community is the laughing stock of every other motorcycle community. The level of stupidity is truly unbelievable...
Last edited by DM426; May 8, 2020 at 02:44 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 23,000
Likes: 11,441
Helmets Yes in this house. I support the right of any adult to choose not to wear one. Government has better things to do than waste time telling people what to put on their head.. Purchase good ones that fit right . replace cheek pads when they become crushed and no longer fit right.
They make some great light helmets nowadays Just purchased a new for Payton . The one we replaced weight 4 pounds, the new bell replacement 2 pounds. Won't bore you with details on deer hunting with motorcycle.
They make some great light helmets nowadays Just purchased a new for Payton . The one we replaced weight 4 pounds, the new bell replacement 2 pounds. Won't bore you with details on deer hunting with motorcycle.
Last edited by smitty901; May 8, 2020 at 03:30 PM.