8 years of riding until yesterday...
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Maple Falls, Washington
We have to wear a bucket here in Washington state too. I wear a full face cuz the DOT half buckets make my head look too much like my junk. Hell, if I had a beard and pink half bucket,, might just drive the chickies wild,,,,, have to think about that one.
I can see the insurance companies bitchin about helmets being a must, but a state law? Really? Are you kidding me? My helmet is much more dangerous than not wearing one at all. Since we have to wear helmets here, I was forced to put a comm unit in it,, now I gotta hear the ol' lady squakin the whole time we ride,,, like nails down a chalkboard. It'd be alot safer is all I hear is wind.
I can see the insurance companies bitchin about helmets being a must, but a state law? Really? Are you kidding me? My helmet is much more dangerous than not wearing one at all. Since we have to wear helmets here, I was forced to put a comm unit in it,, now I gotta hear the ol' lady squakin the whole time we ride,,, like nails down a chalkboard. It'd be alot safer is all I hear is wind.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: Rockland County Ny
Sometimes you have to roll with the punches. If you live in a state with an existing helmet law and all they're busting you for is DOT compliance, what ya gonna do? It is what it is. It's only a big deal if you make it into one. Welcome to the world of mushroom heads, you'll get used to it, it ain't so bad!
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 540
Likes: 0
From: carolina
Hard to believe they don't have something better to do. I noticed in PA they don't have a helmet law, but they have to have the inspection sticker to show the bike is safe, and put it in a dumbazz spot. I saw alot of bikes on the way to FL having to stop and put lid on/off at state lines. bike laws are Fugged
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 5
From: Hudson Valley, NY
Heard the same on the increased enforcement. On Sundays Route 22 Croton Falls NY local Part Time PD sets up a check point to F**CK up your day. Talked to a guy last year got his bike impounded on I 84 West Fishkill NY. For non DOT lid by the State Police. Aha It is what it is. 
then the same bike cop in New Paltz who pulled me over for no other reason than to try and ticket me (i'm fully legal though) has the ***** to wave at me the next weekend like we're somehow kin because we're both on bikes? stick your hand up your *** pal.
the problem up where we live is we have town police, village police, sometimes city police in Newburgh and Middletown, and state police. we probably have four or five times the amount of police than needed for most of these areas (except city of Newburgh and Middletown). so in order to justify their jobs and our tax dollars they have to ticket like crazy. i've been given a 34 in a 30 speeding ticket in Florida NY (but i'm sure the cop has never gone 34 in a 30 before, hypocrite).
it's weird when I lived in NYC i liked and respected the cops, moving upstate has given me a real disdain for them. cops in NYC were too busy with actual crimes and criminals to have time to harass the regular folks. cops upstate make a living out of harassing the local law abiding citizens because there's just not enough criminals to justify their jobs and full pensions at 45.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 507
Likes: 2
From: Florida/Jax
To tell the truth I personally don't care to much as far as that "mushroom head" look with these DOT helmets....of course be better if they didn't. The straps are my issues. So far I've gotten 3 (1 1/4 and 2 3/4...I guess that's the proper term) that are pretty comfortable except for the strap. Oh...and the noise.
I don't wear one since we don't have to here in Florida but would prefer to if I could only find one that doesn't feel like it's choking me all the time....still looking
I don't wear one since we don't have to here in Florida but would prefer to if I could only find one that doesn't feel like it's choking me all the time....still looking
Novice
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 19
Likes: 1
I got pulled over yesterday and was wearing my beanie helmet.No hassle from the cop at all,but i did leave my helmet on. Someone told me never take your beanie off when the cops pull you over,seemed to work for me.Oh the reason i got pulled over was the number 8 on my license plate looked like a "B" ????
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 339
Likes: 199
From: NE PA
We went through this last spring in the People's Republic of Maryland. 2 buddies each got $100 helmet tickets on different days from a Sherriff's Deputy. The Deputy told them both that they had a grant from federal DOT to step up helmet enforcement.
Went and got $65 DOT helmets. Not too bad of a mushroom head and got used to it. Have not heard of any enforcement yet this spring.
Went and got $65 DOT helmets. Not too bad of a mushroom head and got used to it. Have not heard of any enforcement yet this spring.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 331
Likes: 59
From: Batavia NY
Sorry Thorey!, But it's cool the Trooper let you slide. I'm just down the road from you and It's true, they are cracking down. A friend of mine got stopped a few weeks ago for the same reason. He had benn drinking,... not a happy ending.
Did Stan's hook you up?
Did Stan's hook you up?
