View Poll Results: Wear a helmet in states that DON'T require it?
Yes, if I'm on the bike, it's on my head
180
50.70%
If I don't have to, I ain't wearing it
74
20.85%
Yes, but not ALL the time
101
28.45%
Voters: 355. You may not vote on this poll
POLL: Helmets??
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,352
Likes: 648
From: Vegas, baby!
Ironically, my life turned out pretty good by some standards. But that is only because I didn't have a wife and 3 little kids depending on me for financial support, my parents were still around to assist me with recovery, and possibly most important I was already in college. There are so many ways a head injury affects a person, and can greatly lower possibilities in life. Most important there a no 'do overs'.
I am NOT suggesting anyone should, or should not, wear a helmet. Just be sure to weigh the pros and cons very carefully. Sometimes the results of our choices are not what we expect and can affect us, and those close to us, for a very long time.
Ron
Last edited by rjg883c; Feb 9, 2010 at 11:57 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
I really don't want to start anything, but trust me "defensive driving and common" sense will not always "save your butt". And for those instances when your "butt" is not saved getting killed, or not, is really not the most important consideration. Getting killed shouldn't even enter the equation. There are times when getting killed is the easy way out.
If a rider is killed, he/she will never know it. But riders with a head injury may have to relearn to walk, talk, write, learn a new skill with which they can support themselves, etc.. Or they may spend the rest of their life sitting in a wheelchair, drooling, and being tended to like an infant.
Helmets aren't a panacea and can prevent all injuries. But trust me, there is nothing about wearing a helmet that is so bad as to justify risking 'living' the rest of your life with a head injury. Of course that is just my opinion, formed after decades, and hundreds of thousands of miles, of riding and 'living' with a head injury.
Wear a helmet, or don't, I couldn't possibly care less. But everybody should make their own choice without the need to rationalize or justify it here. Of course those of you that have had an accident, bounced your unhelmeted head off something solid and either died or suffered no brain injury, are urged to post. Most people that have a head injury, even if they have a life in which they are active, work, have a family, etc. probably don't ride anymore and won't be here to read this.
Ron
If a rider is killed, he/she will never know it. But riders with a head injury may have to relearn to walk, talk, write, learn a new skill with which they can support themselves, etc.. Or they may spend the rest of their life sitting in a wheelchair, drooling, and being tended to like an infant.
Helmets aren't a panacea and can prevent all injuries. But trust me, there is nothing about wearing a helmet that is so bad as to justify risking 'living' the rest of your life with a head injury. Of course that is just my opinion, formed after decades, and hundreds of thousands of miles, of riding and 'living' with a head injury.
Wear a helmet, or don't, I couldn't possibly care less. But everybody should make their own choice without the need to rationalize or justify it here. Of course those of you that have had an accident, bounced your unhelmeted head off something solid and either died or suffered no brain injury, are urged to post. Most people that have a head injury, even if they have a life in which they are active, work, have a family, etc. probably don't ride anymore and won't be here to read this.
Ron
Novice
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
I choose not to wear a helmet. I used to work in Ann Arbor (Go Bucks), and put my POS helmet on, and took it off, at the Ohio/Michigan line on the fly. Quite a few times a Michigan State trooper was running radar at the border and seen me do this. I always thought it was silly that I could get a ticket for for not wearing a helmet 10 feet from a place where it is OK not to wear a helmet.
On top of that, Michigan has a concealed carry law. I could legally carry a loaded pistol into a liquor store, but I needed to have a helmet on when I got there. Figure that out. I'm trusted with a deadly weapon, but not riding without a helmet.
On top of that, Michigan has a concealed carry law. I could legally carry a loaded pistol into a liquor store, but I needed to have a helmet on when I got there. Figure that out. I'm trusted with a deadly weapon, but not riding without a helmet.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Pompano Beach
Living if Fl is nice because I have the option. I wear one 99% of the time now, not because of some gruesome incident, being a fireman I have seen enough. The main reason is my 2 and a half year old son. The story is this, he loves motorcycles and all things motorcycles, including helmets, he now has his moms novelty skid lid from about 20 years ago. His mother and I had DOT half helmets from HD that were preposterously large, so we decided to take a ride one evening without one. As he was in the front yard with Grammy waving goodbye he started crying and asking where are our helmets and as we drove off feeling guilty I could see him in the rear view crying and patting his head. Needless to say I felt horrible. So I purchased a novelty half helmet from Advanced Carbon Composites for me and the wife. Gotta say I love it, I know that it is not as safe as a DOT but it certainly is better than most of the novelty's I've seen.
Its too bad that there isnt as big of a selection of novelties that offer better protection. I think if they were to make a novelty that had maybe half the thickness of foam it would sell. Its the size that most people seem to have a problem.
Anyway, yes I wear a helmet and the beautiful thing is "IT'S MY CHOICE." What's that pesky little saying about the pursuit of happiness?
Its too bad that there isnt as big of a selection of novelties that offer better protection. I think if they were to make a novelty that had maybe half the thickness of foam it would sell. Its the size that most people seem to have a problem.
Anyway, yes I wear a helmet and the beautiful thing is "IT'S MY CHOICE." What's that pesky little saying about the pursuit of happiness?
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Taylor, MS
I wear one all the time, and yes, I also wear a seat belt all the time. Why? My friend had a wreck on his Triumph and made a 1-point landing after sailing 10 feet in the air. They put him in an ambulance with a Styrofoam beanie with the shell hanging in halves from the chinstrap. He had a sore knee and back for a couple of months. My dad rolled his El Camino and came away with a scratch on his arm and a bruise on his chest. When it happens to someone you know, it makes a lasting impression. It's your choice in some states. What you do with it is up to you. Me, I prefer to take every precaution I can. Not because I am nervous, but because they are tools made to protect me. I also wear gloves to work with ****** wire and a welding helmet to weld with. Don't you? But, damn! I wish I had worn a condom 20 years ago! 
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: USA
OK! " I dont wanna start anything either" But you know what it's about the ride, and honestly some of you people sound so scared it's probably dangerous for you to be on a bike being that nervous and all. I am not trying to be an *ss and I am sure some of you all knowing people will tell me I am ignorant for saying so and throw out more dangerous situations that can happen. but bottom line is if your that nervous about the things that could happen on a bike maybe you belong in a cage, I have a wife and a child and you know what i might get blown up today or crack my skull in an accident next yr, but i'm in it for the ride, and no sense being nervous about it, and definately no sense in helping uncle sam take more of our rights away, and making the argument for him!!!!
If you live in a state where you don't have a choice because of a helmet law, get with a state bike organization and lobby to get it changed.
I think the common thing is we all love to ride and enjoy our bikes and our time on them.
I'm gonna shut up now because this has turned out exactly like I didn't want it to.
Back to the Poll...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,352
Likes: 648
From: Vegas, baby!
OK! " I dont wanna start anything either" But you know what it's about the ride, and honestly some of you people sound so scared it's probably dangerous for you to be on a bike being that nervous and all. I am sure some of you all knowing people will tell me I am ignorant. definately no sense in helping uncle sam take more of our rights away, and making the argument for him!!!!
Some people, nobody specific but in general terms, seem to believe taking a little precaution here or there indicates that a person is scared. Or perhaps unsure of their abilities. I don't mean to offend anyone, or to brag, but I am better then most riders. And a lot better then some riders. And I would never accuse anyone of being 'ignorant', at least in a bad sense. Anyway, 'ignorant' isn't always a disparaging description.
It just means that someone doen't understand something. And living with a head injury is something I hope nobody does, or will ever, understand. Because to truly understand, it must be personally experienced. And then it is too late to reconsider. Now if people would stop claiming that a helmet interferes with vision or hearing, will cause a broken neck in a crash, or that a crash without a helmet will result in death and that(death) is the worst possible result of a head injury I wouldn't have to keep posting. I notice nobody ever claims that a heavy jacket, or even a long sleeved shirt, inhibits arm movement enough to be dangerous?
But I do have a selfish motive. I too fear "uncle sam take more of our rights away". And if/when this happens is will be a result of more injuries/deaths occuring among motorcycle riders. Not because of what someone posts on an internet forum.
Ron
Last edited by rjg883c; Feb 10, 2010 at 11:15 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
maddox I don't think you're being an a**, just giving your opinion and I agree it's about the ride, and I enjoy the ride with or without the helmet. The helmet to me doesn't detract from the ride at all. At least not like it used to with the FF I wore years ago. It's not at all that I'm afraid to ride and I'm sure the others here aren't either, otherwise we'd not be here talking about what we all love to do. It isn't a matter of being nervous but prepared for anything that can happen. There's nothing wrong with being cautious and reduce the risk of serious head injury should I ever go down. I love riding with my buddies and with my wife by ourselves. Some of us wear helmets some of us don't, we just happen to want to wear them. If you don't want to wear one that's of course your choice and I can respect that. I will justify why I wear one and others will justify why they don't. And that's fine because ultimately my judgment affects me and my wife and no one else. My state has NO mandatory helmet law but we wear one anyway. Our Choice...
If you live in a state where you don't have a choice because of a helmet law, get with a state bike organization and lobby to get it changed.
I think the common thing is we all love to ride and enjoy our bikes and our time on them.
I'm gonna shut up now because this has turned out exactly like I didn't want it to.
Back to the Poll...
If you live in a state where you don't have a choice because of a helmet law, get with a state bike organization and lobby to get it changed.
I think the common thing is we all love to ride and enjoy our bikes and our time on them.
I'm gonna shut up now because this has turned out exactly like I didn't want it to.
Back to the Poll...
No bro i hear you, all vaid points, I actually do wear a helmet once in a while, but i just hate absolutely hate, the government telling me i have too, hey lets face it every one knows it is safer to wear one, its common sense, the big issue to me is having the freedom to decide, LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE..thats what they tell us atleast, but the freedom seems to keep disappearing and its because if people dont care about a particular freedom they dont help out there buddy who might be real passionate about it, i am not sure if i am making sense, but as bikers i think everyone should be pissed when they have no choice whether they would have chose too or not.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
I am living in PA. No Helmet Law. I believe in Freedom of choice. I am a member of ABATE that pushed for No Helmet Law. What it really was all about was "Freedom of Choice". Let the rider decide. As for me I ride with a helmet either half or 3/4 helmet.