Another helmet question.......
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,352
Likes: 648
From: Vegas, baby!
with no helmet I had my wife move a ping pong ball two feet on each side of my head starting where I could'nt see them. At 110 degrees with eyes straight ahead I picked up the *****. With my full face helmet I couldn't pick them up untill they were at 85 degrees . A loss of vision of 25 degrees. Try it yourself.
Do whatever makes you feel good. But I have lived for 35 years with the result of a head injury, and it is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. And ironically, my life didn't turn out too bad. But that is only because I was young enough to still have my parents around, educated enough that I could 'work' around my problems, and I didn't have a family depending on me for their support. I have seen much worse head injury results and totally destroyed lives, that of the injured person and their families.
That is why I think it is a shame when someone posts nonsense about the safety provided by a helmet. I would think you would feel some empathy for riders/families because of your experience. What happened to your son took a very unlucky combination of factors, if the helmet was the cause. And I assume you think it was. But an unhelmeted rider's 'melon' can sustain damage over a very large area for a variety of reasons. The odds of a head injury are many times greater then that of a broken neck.
I'm going to end now with this thought. In many wrecks a helmet wouldn't matter at all. But many wrecks that would only result in a little roadrash or a few broken bones, can have far worse results if a rider's head bounces off something solid. I know some people post that their head never touched the ground. But I have never seen a post from someone that claims their head hit a solid blow on a street, curb, etc. and they were glad they weren't wearing a helmet. Could there be a reason?
For most of life, I lived on Dr. Pepper, junk food, and sweets. Now I have to 'eat healthy'. Life now is a b$tch.
Ron
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 799
Likes: 1
Ive worn the same 1/2 skid lid since 86. It aitn got scratched yet. Not so with a few machines I was on.
When They made us wear full faces back in the 70s for road racing. I had a front tire blow out at 130ish. The Doc took hours picking the pieces out of my face and jaw. It weighed so much, it kissed the track and shattered, there was no ground meat, just my *** wrapped in fiberglass.
Never have or will wear one again.
Before 86 when the helmet companies paid off the state to take away the Peoples freedom of choice. I had gone down several times, and never even hit my melon once. But then I was trained to race starting at age seven. My Ole Mans training was brutal.
When They made us wear full faces back in the 70s for road racing. I had a front tire blow out at 130ish. The Doc took hours picking the pieces out of my face and jaw. It weighed so much, it kissed the track and shattered, there was no ground meat, just my *** wrapped in fiberglass.
Never have or will wear one again.
Before 86 when the helmet companies paid off the state to take away the Peoples freedom of choice. I had gone down several times, and never even hit my melon once. But then I was trained to race starting at age seven. My Ole Mans training was brutal.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,900
Likes: 4
From: way down upon the Suwannee River
The 25 degrees you speak of, even if accurate, would have very little to do with keeping a rider safe except possibly it might help from being hit from the side while stopped. If a rider was moving that 25 degrees would probably be meaningless.
Do whatever makes you feel good. But I have lived for 35 years with the result of a head injury, and it is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. And ironically, my life didn't turn out too bad. But that is only because I was young enough to still have my parents around, educated enough that I could 'work' around my problems, and I didn't have a family depending on me for their support. I have seen much worse head injury results and totally destroyed lives, that of the injured person and their families.
That is why I think it is a shame when someone posts nonsense about the safety provided by a helmet. I would think you would feel some empathy for riders/families because of your experience. What happened to your son took a very unlucky combination of factors, if the helmet was the cause. And I assume you think it was. But an unhelmeted rider's 'melon' can sustain damage over a very large area for a variety of reasons. The odds of a head injury are many times greater then that of a broken neck.
I'm going to end now with this thought. In many wrecks a helmet wouldn't matter at all. But many wrecks that would only result in a little roadrash or a few broken bones, can have far worse results if a rider's head bounces off something solid. I know some people post that their head never touched the ground. But I have never seen a post from someone that claims their head hit a solid blow on a street, curb, etc. and they were glad they weren't wearing a helmet. Could there be a reason?
For most of life, I lived on Dr. Pepper, junk food, and sweets. Now I have to 'eat healthy'. Life now is a b$tch.
Ron
Do whatever makes you feel good. But I have lived for 35 years with the result of a head injury, and it is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. And ironically, my life didn't turn out too bad. But that is only because I was young enough to still have my parents around, educated enough that I could 'work' around my problems, and I didn't have a family depending on me for their support. I have seen much worse head injury results and totally destroyed lives, that of the injured person and their families.
That is why I think it is a shame when someone posts nonsense about the safety provided by a helmet. I would think you would feel some empathy for riders/families because of your experience. What happened to your son took a very unlucky combination of factors, if the helmet was the cause. And I assume you think it was. But an unhelmeted rider's 'melon' can sustain damage over a very large area for a variety of reasons. The odds of a head injury are many times greater then that of a broken neck.
I'm going to end now with this thought. In many wrecks a helmet wouldn't matter at all. But many wrecks that would only result in a little roadrash or a few broken bones, can have far worse results if a rider's head bounces off something solid. I know some people post that their head never touched the ground. But I have never seen a post from someone that claims their head hit a solid blow on a street, curb, etc. and they were glad they weren't wearing a helmet. Could there be a reason?
For most of life, I lived on Dr. Pepper, junk food, and sweets. Now I have to 'eat healthy'. Life now is a b$tch.
Ron
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,352
Likes: 648
From: Vegas, baby!
I just ran a test. with no helmet I had my wife move a ping pong ball two feet on each side of my head starting where I could'nt see them. At 110 degrees with eyes straight ahead I picked up the *****. With my full face helmet I couldn't pick them up untill they were at 85 degrees . A loss of vision of 25 degrees.
Jump forward a couple of decades and I was amazed at the improvements. Lighter, better vision, and best of all out here in the desert are the vents. If you, or anybody else, wants to go with a full face be sure and try on several before picking one. There apparently can be a large difference between them.
I am not attempting to influence anybody's choice about type of, or even if they should wear a, helmet. I am just sharing my experience in an effort to help with 'freedom of choice'.
Ron
Last edited by rjg883c; Dec 17, 2010 at 11:12 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 44
From: Back woods of Maine
The United Bikers of Maine says "Let those who ride decide". I have gone down without a helmet on (t-boned a left turning Buick at 45 mph) didn't even scratch my head. Almost always wear a helmet now.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,131
Likes: 51,466
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Been down with and without and I've yet to scratch my old half lid . It's a toss of the dice by fate my friend don't care who say what .
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,927
Likes: 5
From: Midwest
Wow! This time you guys really did it! yessir!! I think ya'll said it all this time! I think this has finally been the definitive helmet thread and therefore no more are going to be needed! Thanks to all who have participated in this helmet thread to end all helmet threads, you can be proud! I know I am.
