Saved by the helmet?
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 433
Likes: 5
From: Warren, Ohio
Saved by the helmet?
This isn't a thread about whether or not you wear one, but if you feel that it prevented some serious head injuries.
My first time I was 16. Helmets were mandatory. A kid came out of a drive on a bicycle right in front of me. Well, I had to lay it down and I bounced my head off the ashpalt. I was unconscious for about 3 or 4 minutes. Cracked the old stars and stripes helmet and smashed in the old style bubble bug diverter. I would say that was a definite life saver.
Now, 37 years later, I put down my 07 1200C in front of a cager. That was last Nov. 4th. I broke three ribs, but I didn't hit my head on the road, so I thought. My bike sat at the dealer until this March. I grabbed my helmet to pick up my bike and when I looked at it I saw scratch marks on the visor button. Sure enough, I hit my head on the road, but never realized it until five months later. I'm sure those small scratches on the helmet would have amounted to a nice knot on my head.
My first time I was 16. Helmets were mandatory. A kid came out of a drive on a bicycle right in front of me. Well, I had to lay it down and I bounced my head off the ashpalt. I was unconscious for about 3 or 4 minutes. Cracked the old stars and stripes helmet and smashed in the old style bubble bug diverter. I would say that was a definite life saver.
Now, 37 years later, I put down my 07 1200C in front of a cager. That was last Nov. 4th. I broke three ribs, but I didn't hit my head on the road, so I thought. My bike sat at the dealer until this March. I grabbed my helmet to pick up my bike and when I looked at it I saw scratch marks on the visor button. Sure enough, I hit my head on the road, but never realized it until five months later. I'm sure those small scratches on the helmet would have amounted to a nice knot on my head.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,118
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From: Marion Ill
I'll be the first to admit, I don't always wear mine, but when I put it down last august, I was glad I did. I was thrown a good 30 feet before I bounced off the ground the first time, and despite the fact that I landed in the grass, I still hit my head pretty hard, and was very glad I had it on that time. Now, it wouldn't have been a life threatening hit, but I was still glad I had it on.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 990
Likes: 10
From: Redondo Beach, California
Oh yes definitely! I went down on the Highway a few years back doing about 90 MPH and when I finally stopped sliding down the Freeway my full face helmet had a nice 4 inch grind across the chin guard that would have no doubt been my face. I think that it saved me for sure. I was also a victim of a hit and run driver when I was about 19 years old and I was unconscious for about 3 days and when I finally came to, my helmet (a 3/4 Bell) was split almost completely into 2 pieces. My jaw had been broken in 2 different places and I am certain that it saved my life. I always felt that if I had been wearing a full face helmet that my jaw would have been saved, but thats just my opinion. I just do not need the government TELLING me that I HAVE TO wear a helmet. 
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
From: Marion Ill
Oh yes definitely! I went down on the Highway a few years back doing about 90 MPH and when I finally stopped sliding down the Freeway my full face helmet had a nice 4 inch grind across the chin guard that would have no doubt been my face. I think that it saved me for sure. I was also a victim of a hit and run driver when I was about 19 years old and I was unconscious for about 3 days and when I finally came to, my helmet (a 3/4 Bell) was split almost completely into 2 pieces. My jaw had been broken in 2 different places and I am certain that it saved my life. I always felt that if I had been wearing a full face helmet that my jaw would have been saved, but thats just my opinion. I just do not need the government TELLING me that I HAVE TO wear a helmet.
amen to that
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: MD
I just bought my first motorcycle so I have very little experience with them but I have worn other types of helmets. But it has always amayzed me some of the arguments people come up with for not wearing one.
To me it is a no brainer. Why would any one want to put their head out there for the world to potentialy use as a scoccer ball.
Some folks just do not have the sence to wear one. I guess if your the one and only then that is fine, but what about the potential orphan that will be left to fend for them selves ? Maybe this is why the govt has to make us wear them. I just dont get it.
To me it is a no brainer. Why would any one want to put their head out there for the world to potentialy use as a scoccer ball.
Some folks just do not have the sence to wear one. I guess if your the one and only then that is fine, but what about the potential orphan that will be left to fend for them selves ? Maybe this is why the govt has to make us wear them. I just dont get it.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Aurora, IL
I was riding my ol' go kart around my house at about 13-14. My sidewalk steps down to get to a perpendicular sidewalk that runs down the block. I hit it and it threw me sideways, and my front tire caught and I rolled it about 5-6 times, at about 40+ MPH. I was wearing my old 3/4 helmet I had bought when I got my first kart. The helmet was cracked in the back and side from hitting the bar behind my head and the ground.
2 years later, I was in a racing go kart at the track. Came out of turn 4, only turn that had a wall, and got turned around, flipped, I hit the wall with my head after being flung from the kart.
Both instances I know the helmet saved my life.
2 years later, I was in a racing go kart at the track. Came out of turn 4, only turn that had a wall, and got turned around, flipped, I hit the wall with my head after being flung from the kart.
Both instances I know the helmet saved my life.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: wayne,michigan
never without a helmet
Back in 1991, I was on my honda when i hit a hole dug up in the road, someone removed the warning signs, and the motorcycle and I parted company, it went sliding up the road and i went sliding towards the curb helmet grinding along the concrete and bounced off the curb the simpson bandit helmet was cracked but i was fine except for a little road rash. I'am never without one or a leather jacket.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
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From: Lockport Township, IL
My girlfriend was saved by her helmet when she laid my Dyna down the very first time she rode it. Here is what she looked like after the crash. If she would have had a full face helmet instead of the 3/4 one, none of this damage would have been done.
Personally, I have never been saved by a helmet because I have never gone down while wearing one. I never wear a helmet unless I am in a state requiring one.
Personally, I have never been saved by a helmet because I have never gone down while wearing one. I never wear a helmet unless I am in a state requiring one.
Last edited by rh8234; Apr 21, 2009 at 09:11 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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I had a DOT half helmet on the first and only time I went down on the steet. I was going up a mountain at about 55 mph and came into a turn where the highway dept had used a motor grader to clean the ditchs out. The road was covered with gravel. The bike out like I hit ice. I went down still stradding the bike. I had on boots, a leather jacket, gloves, and a helmet. My entire body hit on the right side hard, including my head. Other than a scratch the bridge of my nose from where my sunglasses hit the pavement and got pushed across my face, I wasn't bleeding. I had no broken bones. I did have a nice bruise later to prove I hit the ground hard.