What is everyones feelings about wearing a helmet?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: What is everyones feelings about wearing a helmet?
I seldom wear one, my wife always wears one. Some of the people I ride with do, and some don't. Wearing or not wearing is a personal choice, and should not be gov't mandated.
SoftailMatt05 mentioned the public burden theory again. If this country is concerned with public burden, then start dealing with the real public burden. Drug addiction, Obesity, DUI, people on cell phones, etc. All of these things have more insurance claims, or the gov't picking up the tab than a hand full of bikers.
Regards,
Bill
SoftailMatt05 mentioned the public burden theory again. If this country is concerned with public burden, then start dealing with the real public burden. Drug addiction, Obesity, DUI, people on cell phones, etc. All of these things have more insurance claims, or the gov't picking up the tab than a hand full of bikers.
Regards,
Bill
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis
RE: What is everyones feelings about wearing a helmet?
My wife and I are in MO....helmet mandated by the state. Most of our friends keep helmets on when riding into IL which is optional. We both have full faces for winter and half (DOT) for summer riding.
I think the right to ride without a helmet should exist under mulitiple conditions.
1) Pass the MSF course
2) Have a graduated drivers liscence such as in Europe. Perhaps 2 years of riding history without accidents/injuries before someone can ride without a helmet.
3) Most important**** Must carry proof of medical insurance to ride without a helmet. Why should the state pay for some ones head injuries b/c he/she wasn't wearing a helmet? If someone can pay their own medical bills or have the insurance to do so, then let them choose. If not, then a helmet should be a must.
I think the right to ride without a helmet should exist under mulitiple conditions.
1) Pass the MSF course
2) Have a graduated drivers liscence such as in Europe. Perhaps 2 years of riding history without accidents/injuries before someone can ride without a helmet.
3) Most important**** Must carry proof of medical insurance to ride without a helmet. Why should the state pay for some ones head injuries b/c he/she wasn't wearing a helmet? If someone can pay their own medical bills or have the insurance to do so, then let them choose. If not, then a helmet should be a must.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 8,129
Likes: 1,981
From: Ottawa, CANADA
RE: What is everyones feelings about wearing a helmet?
Lids are mandatory here, so I wear one always. I would likely wear one even if I had the choice, but I would like to go for a ride without a lid to feel what it's like.
I believe in "Let those who ride decide", but we have a nanny government system up here that believes it knows what's best for me and other adults... [:'(]
Cheers!
[sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif]
I believe in "Let those who ride decide", but we have a nanny government system up here that believes it knows what's best for me and other adults... [:'(]
Cheers!
[sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif][sm=icon_rock.gif]
Banned
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 152
Likes: 1
From:
RE: What is everyones feelings about wearing a helmet?
You will never catch me riding without a helmet. Ever. That said, I don't believe we should have helmet laws. I also don't believe we should have seatbelt laws for people over 18. Both of these things are proven life savers, but if someone considers them too much of an inonvenience to deal with, then that's your choice. You can deal with the consequences.
Novice
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
RE: What is everyones feelings about wearing a helmet?
I wear a full face helmet in a no helmet state (PA). I have never seen another Harley rider in the SW part of the state with a full face helmet and feel like I stick out like a sore thumb. The hell with that, though. I know the statistics and value my life more than I care about what people think.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 1
From: "Preskitt" Arizona, USA
RE: What is everyones feelings about wearing a helmet?
I've been riding since 1962 and worn a helmet for all of that time, but....that is my personal choice. I'd rather not have anyone tell me I have to wear one.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,615
Likes: 31
From: Charlotte Area
RE: What is everyones feelings about wearing a helmet?
First of all.....I think it should be your decision to wear or not wear a lid. There should be some freedom but accordingly there should be responsibility. I think they should be mandatory for those under 18....hell maybe 21 given that today's kids have no responsibility(old fart mode off) ... Personally, I always wear one because I choose to. Here in So Car. we don't have to but I do anyway. My wife wears also but I think it's to keep her hair from blowing too badly. Hopefully none of us will ever need the helmet but if I do, it'll be on my punkin head.
Ride safe
Bubba
Ride safe
Bubba
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
RE: What is everyones feelings about wearing a helmet?
I wear a half helmet because I feel like it, but I believe in freedom of choice and I don't think that other people have a right to tell you what to wear and what not to wear. It should be up to the individual and let nature take its course.
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, I feel naked without them.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: denver via chicago
RE: What is everyones feelings about wearing a helmet?
i usually don't. when i know i am going to be doing a lot of riding, i will. my harley brand DOT half helmt sucks at highway speeds! it catches the wind and whips my head around as well as choking the heck out of me. in order to keep it from lifting off my head, i have to keep it really! really! tight. after a half day of highway riding (no windshield) i had bruises on my face where the strap crossed my jawbone, big black and blue ones. it also chokes me when i have it as tight as i need it, and nearly causes my eyes to pop out when a truck passes. does anyone else have a half helmet that acts like throat parachute? (btw, i am positive it fits correctly)
my full face is super hot and just kind of ruins the experience. maybe if i found the right helmet, i would look more favorably on them. the regular full helmet with out a face shield might be the way for me to go.
after crashing my bike, without a helmet and being lucky enough to walk away, i thought i would never ride without one... but i find both the helmets i have to be very uncomfortable and really making the time on my bike very painful, or at least unenjoyable. i am leaving denver for the last few days of sturgis tomorrow, ill likley wear my full face.... yuck!
my full face is super hot and just kind of ruins the experience. maybe if i found the right helmet, i would look more favorably on them. the regular full helmet with out a face shield might be the way for me to go.
after crashing my bike, without a helmet and being lucky enough to walk away, i thought i would never ride without one... but i find both the helmets i have to be very uncomfortable and really making the time on my bike very painful, or at least unenjoyable. i am leaving denver for the last few days of sturgis tomorrow, ill likley wear my full face.... yuck!