I understood every word he said.

 

Both videos make a strong statement. I do wear a full face helmet but I am a hypocrite about safety because I wear only a T-shirt and jeans in hot weather. If I go down at speed the shirt and jeans will provide no protection at all.

 

None...severe road rash for sure, but not much is going to prevent broken bones and internal injuries.

Buddy I work with took his Hyabusa to a road track. He and his friends wear full dress clothing with lots of armor while riding. His friend went down at about 70mph down last weekend, breaking 3 ribs, collar bone, and losing 3 teeth.

Most of the clothing that even the most diligent wear is going to protect against scrapes, but not much more (except for the helmet) .

 

While I support any adults right not to wear one. I have no problem saying it is foolish not to.
The government should understand we have a right to be foolish

 

that was good!

 

Plenty of people will howl about it, but the state's rights on helmet laws will be forfeited once the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) is fully implemented. Universal health insurance will legislate against what is perceived as risky behavior (not wearing a helmet). A similar thing happened in 1980 (?) when the feds mandated age 21 for legal drinking in all states under the threat of losing federal highway funds.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but helmets are required in all provinces in Canada, right? Federal law? I went to five countries in Europe last fall and they all had helmet laws. Again, universal health care.

 

Would you wear and air bag jacket? Anyone that has been down before, would you?

 

I agree with you 100%. And I'm sure you wear a helmet when driving in your car or truck as most deaths in an auto accident are caused by head injuries. Jus say'in ( :

 

You are not a hypocrite. There is a HUGE difference in a head injury and road rash. Or even broken bones that might be prevented by pads, braces, etc..

I had a wreck in 6/71 when a fence plank flew off the rack over a truck bed I was meeting and hit me in head. After bouncing, sliding, rolling, etc. I had road rash on both arms and my back. I even had a cut on my chin that was bleeding bad enough to need a couple of stiches. Today the only indication of that accident is the road rash scar on my left shoulder. And that is only visible when I don't have a shirt on.

On 3/23/75 I had an accident while desert racing. There was no road, so no road rash. However there was a basilar skull fracture and brain stem injuries. It meant several years of recovery before being able to return to college, change my major to something more in line with my abilities, and returning to a productive life.

I might have even considered returning to my job at Pizza Hut, but it was beyond my abilities. That is why BVR(State of Nevada Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation) helped me return to college, I had worked in the BVR workshop and it was determined that most jobs, even the ones that are usually found for disabled clients, are beyond my ability.

Unfortunately my injuries inhibited my reaching anywhere near my full potential. That is not a big thing to me, I never had a spouse or kids depending on me. Things might be different for people that have anyone depending on them for anything.

Two final points: (1)My head injury occurred while wearing a DOT FF helmet. Similar, or worse, injuries could occur from even a minor get off by a helmetless rider. Especially on the street.
(2) Relief from the pain, agony, or whatever reason anyone has for not wearing a helmet only means anything while not wearing a helmet. A head injury, for those not lucky enough to die immediately, is a/the main focus of their life for the rest of their life. And the lives of their caregiver(s).

I wish this experience could be shared without shaming myself, but it really can't. So my best advice is to weigh the pros and cons of helmet use. And be prepared to live with the result of your choice. Don't worry about road rash or broken bones. Unless they are very bad, they not that big a consideration in the 'big picture'.

Ron

 

man!! don't show that to the nuts in congress, or we'll all have to wear a helmet.