DOT Helmets or Novelty?
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 0
From: Carroll County, Maryland
DOT Helmets or Novelty?
Ok, I'm posting this even though someone probably has already. I tried searching for it but the search feature on this site sucks so I didn't really find any good info.
I've been wearing a DOT helmet for a while but I came home this past weekend wearing one of those little "novelty" tupperware helmets. My wife flipped out!
Been reading some research on the issue and it appears to be 50/50 when you look at reasearch from some sources that say a helmet offers little protection in a real world scenario and other research that says helmets save lives.
you read one case where somebody has a freak accident and dies, one case where someone was wearing an helmet and lives. Just thinking about the physics of it, I read somewhere, ABATE I think, that said a four pound helmet becomes a 200 pound helmet when stopped abruptly at 50 mph. Based on the inertia of it. And that leads to more spinal cord injuries and broken necks.
It's tough to read thru all the prevailing research and beleive me, there is enough out there to support both sides of the issue.
Guess my question is... who wears a helmet and why? If you don't wear a helmet, why? Not really looking for any answers like the following:
"i wear one cause I saw someone die just falling over," or "I don't wear one cause I like the wind in my hair." No offense to anyone who has lost someone close to them on a motorcycle. Okay? I'm just looking for some answers from people who've either read the research, or really sat down and thought about both sides of the issue.
Granted, I'm going to wear what I want, but just looking for other riders viewpoints. A healthy debate if you will.
I've been wearing a DOT helmet for a while but I came home this past weekend wearing one of those little "novelty" tupperware helmets. My wife flipped out!
Been reading some research on the issue and it appears to be 50/50 when you look at reasearch from some sources that say a helmet offers little protection in a real world scenario and other research that says helmets save lives.
you read one case where somebody has a freak accident and dies, one case where someone was wearing an helmet and lives. Just thinking about the physics of it, I read somewhere, ABATE I think, that said a four pound helmet becomes a 200 pound helmet when stopped abruptly at 50 mph. Based on the inertia of it. And that leads to more spinal cord injuries and broken necks.
It's tough to read thru all the prevailing research and beleive me, there is enough out there to support both sides of the issue.
Guess my question is... who wears a helmet and why? If you don't wear a helmet, why? Not really looking for any answers like the following:
"i wear one cause I saw someone die just falling over," or "I don't wear one cause I like the wind in my hair." No offense to anyone who has lost someone close to them on a motorcycle. Okay? I'm just looking for some answers from people who've either read the research, or really sat down and thought about both sides of the issue.
Granted, I'm going to wear what I want, but just looking for other riders viewpoints. A healthy debate if you will.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,763
Likes: 0
From: AZ
I wear one because I don’t ride as well as I use too, not as fast, most of my bills are paid off, too many cool toys now and I will own my home in a few years. But then I have almost always used one. If you ride in a state that requires one, having the DOT will save you some $$$.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
If there is no helmet law........... I don't wear one, normally. Helmet law...... I wear one.
I can see some value in wearing one off and on, when on a long road trip (weather).
Here's a link to some helmets that are DOT but look novelty.
http://www.carbonfiberhelmets.com/dothelmets.htm
I can see some value in wearing one off and on, when on a long road trip (weather).
Here's a link to some helmets that are DOT but look novelty.
http://www.carbonfiberhelmets.com/dothelmets.htm
Club Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 4
From: Ponchatoula Louisiana
Always wear one, usually a 3/4 for daily commute to keep the wind noise down and the love bugs away from eyes etc. Wear D.O.T. half helmet for short rides around town. Full Face Shoei Modular for the winter. I tried riding without a helmet and it felt strange. Why take more of a chance with a novelty? Of course, I believe when the Lord wants me, He's gonna take me anyway
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 547
Likes: 1
From: Republic Of Texas
theres no debate
the Internet offers all sorts of proof that helmets dont save lives and space aliens have interbred with humans too
its your head / your call to make
just carry medical insurance please
I dont want a single tax dollar spent on your head injury
the Internet offers all sorts of proof that helmets dont save lives and space aliens have interbred with humans too
its your head / your call to make
just carry medical insurance please
I dont want a single tax dollar spent on your head injury
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Wellington, FL
When I first started riding 38 years ago, most states including the one I lived in had helmet laws. I started with a shorty Bell helmet and then as I rode more and more I purchased a Bell 3/4 helmet with a faceshield (there were no full face helmets back then).
About five years later I crashed - the car I was riding behind was involved in a head on crash. I tried to stop, but locked up the rear wheel when I rode into the debris and highsided at about 35-40mph.
Luckily I was wearing my 3/4 helmet, gloves, a leather jacket, leather pants and heavy boots.
The faceshield on my helmet was scraped and shattered, the helmet looked as if it was on a grinding wheel. I burned a hole in the shoulder of the leather jacket and the stitching on the side seam of the leather pants melted and there was a 12-15" opening in the pants. My gloves had lots of holes and the boots were badly scraped.
Fortunately, as a result of all the gear I had no cuts or scrapes. I was bruised and sore all over, but did not miss a day of work.
Since then, it is a no brainer for me. I only ride with a 3/4 helmet with a faceshield or a full face helmet, gloves, mesh jacket with padding or a leather jacket, padded jeans or leather pants and motorcycle boots.
Yes, I give it a lot of thought every time I ride and always choose to wear all the gear all the time.
About five years later I crashed - the car I was riding behind was involved in a head on crash. I tried to stop, but locked up the rear wheel when I rode into the debris and highsided at about 35-40mph.
Luckily I was wearing my 3/4 helmet, gloves, a leather jacket, leather pants and heavy boots.
The faceshield on my helmet was scraped and shattered, the helmet looked as if it was on a grinding wheel. I burned a hole in the shoulder of the leather jacket and the stitching on the side seam of the leather pants melted and there was a 12-15" opening in the pants. My gloves had lots of holes and the boots were badly scraped.
Fortunately, as a result of all the gear I had no cuts or scrapes. I was bruised and sore all over, but did not miss a day of work.
Since then, it is a no brainer for me. I only ride with a 3/4 helmet with a faceshield or a full face helmet, gloves, mesh jacket with padding or a leather jacket, padded jeans or leather pants and motorcycle boots.
Yes, I give it a lot of thought every time I ride and always choose to wear all the gear all the time.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,892
Likes: 2
From: Florida
On the internet you can find any kind of information you want. The folks who support helmets are gonna tell you that helmets will save your life and the folks that don't like helmets are gonna tell you that they won't.
My personel experience is that a helmet saved me when I was a teenager, no questions about it. So that's why I always where one.
My personel experience is that a helmet saved me when I was a teenager, no questions about it. So that's why I always where one.
Trending Topics
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: Missouri
watch out numbers are deceiving.....not all accidents hapen so neatly that can be tied up in a simple equation.
Can a helmet save your life? yes in the right situation.......could a seat belt in your car kill you in the right situation? yes....so you decide
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 704
Likes: 0
From: Orlando, FL
I wear a helmet because I like my head protected against stuff in the air, but also because every current & retired EMT, fire fighter, & cop I've ever chewed the fat with says that every time they came across a helmet-sporting motorcyclist in a wreck the guy made it, whereas probably more than half the time the motorcyclist did not have a helmet he didn't make it. I'd rather protect my noggin.