Helmets in Tenn

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May 1, 2006 | 05:15 PM

jusask

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From:

Helmets in Tenn

I plan on takin the Street Glide from here in WI to Tenn Memorial Day weekend. Tenn. is the only state with a helmet law. I need to know if the local cops there in Tennessee are sticklers on DOT hats or can I get by with my "almost real" helmet? I know some states are cracking down, but don't know about Tenn. Thanks

May 1, 2006 | 07:34 PM

chopperchuck

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RE: Helmets in Tenn

i've been through tennessee a hundred times and never wore a helmet at all.......i got caught last year coming back home from the myrtle beach bike week.. i live in ohio. my ticket was 155.00 and my wifes was another 155.00. the state trooper let us go on without helmets, he said that he was going to get into his car and leave, and it was up to us on what we did after he left but if we got stopped again we would get another ticket....he wasn't concerned with a dot sticker, he just wanted us to have a helmet on period...

May 6, 2006 | 10:16 PM

LT753

Road Warrior

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 1,367

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From: Tennessee

RE: Helmets in Tenn

Tn. isn't the only state with a helmet law, but we do definitely have one. As far as the DOT sticker goes, it depends on the officer. Those issues normally come to be after the bike was stopped for some other infracton. (normally). Enjoy your stay in Tn. By the way there is a big three day outdoor concert in Pigeon Forge that weekend. A lot of pretty big name Country Music singers coming and so is CMT.

Lynn

Quote:

ORIGINAL: jusask

I plan on takin the Street Glide from here in WI to Tenn Memorial Day weekend. Tenn. is the only state with a helmet law. I need to know if the local cops there in Tennessee are sticklers on DOT hats or can I get by with my "almost real" helmet? I know some states are cracking down, but don't know about Tenn. Thanks

May 12, 2006 | 02:34 AM

bradvols

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Joined: May 2006

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RE: Helmets in Tenn

Carry a digital camera I got stopped while on leave in Tri-Cities by one of the 2 motorcycle cops in my hometown wrote me up for non-dot (though my carbon fiber has better impact protection than DOT[:@]). As he was alking away I noticed his police issue wasnt DOT it was snell at the time Tn code only adressed DOT it may have changed as there were some changes this year. So I snapped a pic had to go to court but that pic saved my bacon. If the cops cant tell DOT than how can I the consumer. I have since bought a skid lid for the sole purpose of the peal off DOT sticker [sm=devilgrin.gif]

edit: spelling; jeez would think I would proofread

May 12, 2006 | 12:51 PM

billnourse

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2004

Posts: 7,934

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From: Bloomfield, NM

RE: Helmets in Tenn

You can buy DOT stickers most anywhere. Just put one on the helmet and if you get stopped tell them you bought it that way.

Not long ago if I recall, the CHP took it upon themselves to determine what was and wasn't a legal helmet in Republic of Kalifornia. Seems that I recollect the courts shutting them down and determining that if it had a sticker it was legal, no matter what the CHP thought. I know that a lot of people from Calif. now ride with beanie helmets.

I have a shell(beanie) helmet, and I put a DOT sticker on it that I bought at the rally in Laughlin. I have worn this helmet in many helmet law states including Kalifornia and Tennessee, and I have not had a problem.

Regards,

Bill