Helmets!
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 28
From: Allyn, WA
http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/p...verview.html#5
http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811280.pdf
It really is amazing that so much misinformation is still flying around about helmets. The two above pdf's from the NHTSA might clear some things up:
You have a 36% likelihood of facial injury in a motorcycle accident.
You are more likely to suffer a neck injury without a helmet than by wearing one.
You are twice as likely to suffer a fatal head injury by not wearing a helmet.
Of the riders to suffer a head injury while not wearing a DOT approved helmet less than 20% had sufficient (or any) medical insurance. The remainder of the medicals bills are paid the government and the insurance companies (higher rates for the insured)
Full face helmets if fitted properly do not adversely impact vision or hearing.
Over 80% of motorcyclist involved in accidents had improper or no eye protection which probably contributed to reduction in accident avoidance time.
These aren't opinions, they are statistical facts. Argue them all you like but you cannot change them.
Wearing a non-DOT in a state that requires a DOT helmet isn't rebellious, it is deceptive. If you wanted to rebel, you would wear no helmet. The choice not to wear a proper protective helmet is not a choice of personal rights or rebellion, it is a choice for vanity and perhaps comfort. More riders are concerned with their appearance ("I look like a mushroom head") than personal safety. This is an arrogant and selfish position. If they do injure themselves then it is the tax payer and the insurance premium payer left holding the majority of the medical bills and the injured families left without a loved one.
As far as "rights" go, you have no right to operate a motorcycle on public roads, nor the right to operate one without a helmet. The operation of any vehicle on a public road is a privilege granted by the State through compact with the citizens. We pay the taxes and he States creates and maintains roads to be used by individuals meeting the contract the State and citizens agreed upon. Speed limits, right of way, safety belts are all part of the contract. The roads are public but not owned by the citizen directly, you use them at the State's discretion. Thus to use them you most follow they law.
If the law allows and you have the financial security to afford the results of an accident, then by all means, ride with your do-rag proudly.
If you want the privilege of riding without a helmet then make sure yourself and your fellow riders have enough insurance and / or money to secure health care in the event of an accident. Wear protective eye gear at a minimum to help accident avoidance. Take a a motorcycle safety course to enhance your accident avoidance skills.
flame away.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/pdf/811280.pdf
It really is amazing that so much misinformation is still flying around about helmets. The two above pdf's from the NHTSA might clear some things up:
You have a 36% likelihood of facial injury in a motorcycle accident.
You are more likely to suffer a neck injury without a helmet than by wearing one.
You are twice as likely to suffer a fatal head injury by not wearing a helmet.
Of the riders to suffer a head injury while not wearing a DOT approved helmet less than 20% had sufficient (or any) medical insurance. The remainder of the medicals bills are paid the government and the insurance companies (higher rates for the insured)
Full face helmets if fitted properly do not adversely impact vision or hearing.
Over 80% of motorcyclist involved in accidents had improper or no eye protection which probably contributed to reduction in accident avoidance time.
These aren't opinions, they are statistical facts. Argue them all you like but you cannot change them.
Wearing a non-DOT in a state that requires a DOT helmet isn't rebellious, it is deceptive. If you wanted to rebel, you would wear no helmet. The choice not to wear a proper protective helmet is not a choice of personal rights or rebellion, it is a choice for vanity and perhaps comfort. More riders are concerned with their appearance ("I look like a mushroom head") than personal safety. This is an arrogant and selfish position. If they do injure themselves then it is the tax payer and the insurance premium payer left holding the majority of the medical bills and the injured families left without a loved one.
As far as "rights" go, you have no right to operate a motorcycle on public roads, nor the right to operate one without a helmet. The operation of any vehicle on a public road is a privilege granted by the State through compact with the citizens. We pay the taxes and he States creates and maintains roads to be used by individuals meeting the contract the State and citizens agreed upon. Speed limits, right of way, safety belts are all part of the contract. The roads are public but not owned by the citizen directly, you use them at the State's discretion. Thus to use them you most follow they law.
If the law allows and you have the financial security to afford the results of an accident, then by all means, ride with your do-rag proudly.
If you want the privilege of riding without a helmet then make sure yourself and your fellow riders have enough insurance and / or money to secure health care in the event of an accident. Wear protective eye gear at a minimum to help accident avoidance. Take a a motorcycle safety course to enhance your accident avoidance skills.
flame away.
If you choose to ride without a lid, or a DOT lid, because you don't like the government telling you to, then I hope you don't expect the government to help pay your medical bills, or provide for your family. Maybe we should add that to the law. If you get seriously "f'd-up", or die, in a crash and you weren't wearing a DOT helmet, you can't look for government subsidies, including unemployment. And that includes your family.
And I never thought about the whole "the state, or county, owns the roads" aspect. The government built the roads we ride on, so they get to make the rules. So if you want to ride the way you want, build your own road.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,808
Likes: 3
Hey, DOT helmets don't look good on my fat head either. I wear it and really don't care what others think. I'm not out there to impress.
Plus, most of the people I know are starting to think that you look silly if you are NOT wearing a FF helmet anyway. I wear a bright orange one, nonetheless.
People see my mellon a mile away
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 2
From: South Africa
I like this thread! So often the Pro-helmet guys get snubbed for pushing their agenda. Its like a taboo subject. I've never thought about the tax implications Veritas. The tax payer carries the guy who ***** himself up. Anyway...I wouldn't exist if my dad wasn't wearing a full face 30 odd years ago when a minibus taxi hit him head on. He still has the helmet in his study and its pretty messed up.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,525
Likes: 8
From: Wheeling, WV
Geeee, how did I know how this thread was going to turn out......The F'n guy asked about smaller DOT approved helmets, and you always get self righteous asshats shoving the FF helmets down your throat. Like I said before, I'm not going to tell anyone what to wear, so don't tell me what I have to wear. Some days I wear a DOT, (whether it's a FF, 3/4 or 1/2 shell), and some days I wear the novelty helmet or no helmet at all. My choice, and yes, I have enough insurance. Flame away at me for giving the guy anwsers to the question he asked iinstead of me shoving unwanted opinions down his throat. 
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Mamby-pamby
Just live with knowing all DOT helmets are going to give you the mushroom head look. I know I haven't found one yet, and I've got like five or six different ones laying on my bar at home that were all listed as "the smallest DOT helmets on the market". The only one I haven't tried yet is the ACC Carbon helmets that keep going from DOT approved to not being DOT approved. I still mainly throw on my novelty. Wear what you want..........cause I'm not going to get into the whole helmet debate and tell you what to wear like these other jackwagons livin in mamby-pamby land. 
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
i wear a novelty, and love it. its comfortable and looks good... i wanted to please the OL and good old Johnny Law, so my wife bought me a Daytona Cruiser 3/4 helmet for Christmas. It said its the smallest DOT there is. I have a small head.. i got it and the helmet was HUGE on me i looked like the martian in the cartoons and a mushroom head!!... so what im asking is; am i just screwed on a DOT helmet... or are there some that are way smaller than the Daytona... cuz that was BIG!
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
CAUSE ITS MY RIGHT11!!! THIS IS aMERICA!! IT MAKES ME LOOK UNCOOL TO THE REAL BIKERS!!!111
Sorry, I just couldn't resist.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
Full face Dot/Snell rated HJC helmet. It's white with flashy graphics. Best compliment i received was from a co-worker who said to me that i was very visible at long range with that helmet on. I don't wear it for looks. I wear it for the very same reason professional moto racers wear theirs, protection. I do laugh at the free to choose side that are actually a liability to my riding safety on the road. What's hypocritical is a helmet less rider in full leathers trying to protect themselves from road rash neglecting there skulls lol. I could care less about others that choose to go without tbh. I know i'm far better protected while riding and thats all that matters to me..