Helmets or Not
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 1,346
From: Banana Republic of amerika
Out here in the Southwest we have no helmet laws. There is nothing like riding for miles on end in the wind without a helmet. Total freedom. Sometimes I wear one to have music through a Bluetooth other times Im free like a bird.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 660
Likes: 352
From: Colorado
An individual's choice. I'm a helmet guy. Over the years the quality of material and workmanship has improved dramatically. I put on my Schuberth modular helmet with a SENA Bluetooth and life is good. That is until the Supreme Commander (a.k.a. wife) calls and asks me why its taking three hours to go to the grocery store.
...My wife is from Canada and remains a citizen. Comes from Hamilton, Ontario. We also have family in Collingwood....love that place. Ride Safe
...My wife is from Canada and remains a citizen. Comes from Hamilton, Ontario. We also have family in Collingwood....love that place. Ride Safe
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 10,858
Likes: 5,421
From: My own little slice of heaven
For years and years I wore full face Arai on my BMW. Now on my H-D I find half helmet or no helmet. Maybe is psychological, going slower not pushing the bike etc. whatever it is, at my age I’m enjoying the wind.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,531
Likes: 30,851
From: Pennsylvania
All of the above. To each his own IAW the rules and regulations of the state you are in.
Me personally, I have slid on the pavement at 55 mph and in the dirt and gravel while riding dirt bikes (wearing full gear in both cases).
I will always wear protective equipment and a helmet.
You tell me when the accident is going to happen and that is when you should be wearing your protective gear.
Me personally, I have slid on the pavement at 55 mph and in the dirt and gravel while riding dirt bikes (wearing full gear in both cases).
I will always wear protective equipment and a helmet.
You tell me when the accident is going to happen and that is when you should be wearing your protective gear.
Texas has a law that the helmet is not required, but the minimum personal liability coverage on insurance has a higher requirement to not wear it.
Personally, I wear a FF all the time.
A local went down, hit a deer. He would have been hurt no helmet or not. The difference is, he'd be able to talk to his wife while in the hospital but instead is having to learn how to speak again. Helmet would have prevented that. I'm still talking to his wife, he is recovering but slowly and will never be the same.
Personally, I wear a FF all the time.
A local went down, hit a deer. He would have been hurt no helmet or not. The difference is, he'd be able to talk to his wife while in the hospital but instead is having to learn how to speak again. Helmet would have prevented that. I'm still talking to his wife, he is recovering but slowly and will never be the same.
Banned
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 300
Likes: 166
From: New Hampshire
NH is a rider's choice state. Personally, I wear one, a FF Shoei. I've fallen off twice in decades of riding; once was my fault - too hot into an oily corner, the second was a cager turning left after signaling a right turn (a longer story I will bore no one with). It was VERY comforting to hear my hat bouncing along the pavement instead of my skull.
I mentioned this in another thread - I once heard an AMA champ racer say, in effect, you can always buy another helmet, but you can't ever buy another head. Ref Smittyy901's post above.
There's an old saying that if you ride, you WILL crash, sooner or later, or something to that effect. Can you predict which day that will be?
YMMV
I mentioned this in another thread - I once heard an AMA champ racer say, in effect, you can always buy another helmet, but you can't ever buy another head. Ref Smittyy901's post above.
There's an old saying that if you ride, you WILL crash, sooner or later, or something to that effect. Can you predict which day that will be?
YMMV
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
Michigan is an option state. Need some extra insurance to be able to ride without. But I spent all my formative years riding with helmet, as that was the law then. I raced dirt bikes and wore all the gear. Could not tell you how many times I have been on the ground. On the street I wear a half helmet during warm months and 3/4 helmet during cool/cold months. I do have extra insurance, I have ridden without helmet but only in parade type situations. But when riding on trips, anything more than a parade it is always a helmet. This is my choice. This is me only. I have been down a number of times, I can recall hearing the helmet hit the ground. I have had some scars on the helmet. And I chose to wear one. Just don't criticize or give me **** because I do, and I don't/won't give you **** or criticize because you don't. We have a choice and I will respect yours.
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Stage III
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3
Likes: 3
From: Haysi Virginia
Down twice in thirty years.
The first time Nov. 09 new Bell 1/2 helmet my skull was crushed lost a 1/3 of my brain in the right side. My bike suffered scratched up chrome nothing bent nothing broke. I don't remember this one. The second no helmet I hit a ford pickup in the left front wheel then the left rear wheel there was nothing on my bike that was'nt bent broke or missing. (Completely destroyed) I walked away from that one still wearing my Harley cap and seeing eye glasses I only had one small scratch on my arm no blood. So IMO helmet or no helmet what is meant to be will be!!!!! P.S I still ride I still ride hard!!!!!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,531
Likes: 30,851
From: Pennsylvania
The first time Nov. 09 new Bell 1/2 helmet my skull was crushed lost a 1/3 of my brain in the right side. My bike suffered scratched up chrome nothing bent nothing broke. I don't remember this one. The second no helmet I hit a ford pickup in the left front wheel then the left rear wheel there was nothing on my bike that was'nt bent broke or missing. (Completely destroyed) I walked away from that one still wearing my Harley cap and seeing eye glasses I only had one small scratch on my arm no blood. So IMO helmet or no helmet what is meant to be will be!!!!! P.S I still ride I still ride hard!!!!!
