do you ride w/or w/o a helmet why?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 751
Likes: 3
From: Monterey, Louisiana
I have never ridden without a helmet, but only wear gloves in the winter months, I just purchased a armored mesh jacket, but it's black and down here in Louisiana when you have to stop in traffic or a light the damn thing gets hot.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
Agreed.
That "open vs closed casket" argument is something that people tell themselves to justify not wearing a helmet.
Just so we are clear: I don't support helmet laws and I don't judge you if you do or don't wear a helmet, but please don't blow smoke up our a$$es with the "helmets don't save lives" nonsense.
Having been down, having had a helmet save my skull from being cracked, I am living proof that helmets save lives.
It doesn't take much impact at all to crack your skull or induce a brain bleed, its much less than most people think. Fall off your bike sitting STILL and the force can crack your skull, possibly damaging your brain or worse.
Again, I'll never ever advocate forcing someone to wear one, but please don't try to tell the community that wearing one doesn't save lives.
That "open vs closed casket" argument is something that people tell themselves to justify not wearing a helmet.
Just so we are clear: I don't support helmet laws and I don't judge you if you do or don't wear a helmet, but please don't blow smoke up our a$$es with the "helmets don't save lives" nonsense.
Having been down, having had a helmet save my skull from being cracked, I am living proof that helmets save lives.
It doesn't take much impact at all to crack your skull or induce a brain bleed, its much less than most people think. Fall off your bike sitting STILL and the force can crack your skull, possibly damaging your brain or worse.
Again, I'll never ever advocate forcing someone to wear one, but please don't try to tell the community that wearing one doesn't save lives.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Direct impacts of course are going to be massively traumatic. In those cases the protective gear contribute little to the overall outcome... you're pretty much toast. However, there are numerous types of crashes, many involve sliding and sloughing off speed. It's during those slides where your noggin is going to take a few shots against the pavement (too bad Apple doesn't support Flash so you can see the video linked to above). These wouldn't be considered direct impacts, they are glancing blows. These are the types of crashes where a helmet can virtually eliminate serious head trauma.
Your argument against helmet usage claims that since you're not going to survive a direct hit, why bother with any protective gear. The purpose of protective gear is to minimize the damage sustained in a survivable crash.
Your argument against helmet usage claims that since you're not going to survive a direct hit, why bother with any protective gear. The purpose of protective gear is to minimize the damage sustained in a survivable crash.
My argument is not why bother to wear a helmet in the event of a direct hit but to point out a helmet or AGATT won't make one invincible. Some here believe that helmet use can fix stupid.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Agreed.
That "open vs closed casket" argument is something that people tell themselves to justify not wearing a helmet.
Just so we are clear: I don't support helmet laws and I don't judge you if you do or don't wear a helmet, but please don't blow smoke up our a$$es with the "helmets don't save lives" nonsense.
Having been down, having had a helmet save my skull from being cracked, I am living proof that helmets save lives.
It doesn't take much impact at all to crack your skull or induce a brain bleed, its much less than most people think. Fall off your bike sitting STILL and the force can crack your skull, possibly damaging your brain or worse.
Again, I'll never ever advocate forcing someone to wear one, but please don't try to tell the community that wearing one doesn't save lives.
That "open vs closed casket" argument is something that people tell themselves to justify not wearing a helmet.
Just so we are clear: I don't support helmet laws and I don't judge you if you do or don't wear a helmet, but please don't blow smoke up our a$$es with the "helmets don't save lives" nonsense.
Having been down, having had a helmet save my skull from being cracked, I am living proof that helmets save lives.
It doesn't take much impact at all to crack your skull or induce a brain bleed, its much less than most people think. Fall off your bike sitting STILL and the force can crack your skull, possibly damaging your brain or worse.
Again, I'll never ever advocate forcing someone to wear one, but please don't try to tell the community that wearing one doesn't save lives.
Wear or not wear, it's your decision.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
My brother's best friend was DEAD RIGHT in wearing his helmet, which was found to contribute to him breaking his neck in a low speed crash just blocks from his home. He was also wearing AGATT AT THE TIME OF HIS WRECK. He was wearing a top of the line Shoei helmet. Shoei settled with his family before a verdic was rendered.
Wear or not wear, it's your decision.
Wear or not wear, it's your decision.
All I'll add here, is that any head impact that has great enough force to cause the back of the helmet to break your neck, would have 100% guaranteed cracked your skull wide open if you weren't wearing a helmet.
That is why neck break deaths from helmets are widely misunderstood, its because people forget that the impact that imparted that force to the helmet in the first place is fatal.
Shoei settled, just like any other company would, because the settlement costs less than defending themselves in court. Remember that a settlement is never an admission of wrongdoing, only a recognition of the reality that in many cases, the settlement costs less.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
The only time I see more helmets than not is during our bike weeks when riders from helmet states ride down here.
Ride safe.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
I'm sorry for the loss of your brother's friend.
All I'll add here, is that any head impact that has great enough force to cause the back of the helmet to break your neck, would have 100% guaranteed cracked your skull wide open if you weren't wearing a helmet.
That is why neck break deaths from helmets are widely misunderstood, its because people forget that the impact that imparted that force to the helmet in the first place is fatal.
Shoei settled, just like any other company would, because the settlement costs less than defending themselves in court. Remember that a settlement is never an admission of wrongdoing, only a recognition of the reality that in many cases, the settlement costs less.
All I'll add here, is that any head impact that has great enough force to cause the back of the helmet to break your neck, would have 100% guaranteed cracked your skull wide open if you weren't wearing a helmet.
That is why neck break deaths from helmets are widely misunderstood, its because people forget that the impact that imparted that force to the helmet in the first place is fatal.
Shoei settled, just like any other company would, because the settlement costs less than defending themselves in court. Remember that a settlement is never an admission of wrongdoing, only a recognition of the reality that in many cases, the settlement costs less.
On my brother's friend fatality, he landed on a neighbor's lawn no other contributing trauma was found. Witnesses stated he couldn't have been riding faster than 30-35 mph when his front wheel drifted and hit the Belgian curb in front of this home when he got thrown off his mc and landed on the grassy lawn. Witnesses actually though he would just get up, he didn't, he was DOA.
I've been a airborne combat medic for 13 years when in the Army, I've seen parachute failures that I would bet my check on wasn't survivable yet they walked away as if nothing happened. You just never know.
Ride safe.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 11
From: Central Illinois
I understand your point and I respect it.
On my brother's friend fatality, he landed on a neighbor's lawn no other contributing trauma was found. Witnesses stated he couldn't have been riding faster than 30-35 mph when his front wheel drifted and hit the Belgian curb in front of this home when he got thrown off his mc and landed on the grassy lawn. Witnesses actually though he would just get up, he didn't, he was DOA.
I've been a airborne combat medic for 13 years when in the Army, I've seen parachute failures that I would bet my check on wasn't survivable yet they walked away as if nothing happened. You just never know.
Ride safe.
On my brother's friend fatality, he landed on a neighbor's lawn no other contributing trauma was found. Witnesses stated he couldn't have been riding faster than 30-35 mph when his front wheel drifted and hit the Belgian curb in front of this home when he got thrown off his mc and landed on the grassy lawn. Witnesses actually though he would just get up, he didn't, he was DOA.
I've been a airborne combat medic for 13 years when in the Army, I've seen parachute failures that I would bet my check on wasn't survivable yet they walked away as if nothing happened. You just never know.
Ride safe.
