Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Novelty helmets...What's the point?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 17, 2011 | 09:38 PM
  #41  
Deuuuce's Avatar
Deuuuce
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 16
From: Roseville, CA
Default

Originally Posted by IAMSWUTIAMS
Richard "Quig" Quigley was the activist in CA that went up against the CHP and made the helmet law virtually unenforceable in CA. As long as you have something on your head, you're good to go. You could probably get away with wearing a yarmulke, but I haven't tried it.
There is/was an old lady that rode a yellow bike in his neck of the woods that wore a "helmet" just like that.

I didn't start this but....

Originally Posted by GymRat523
Let met slam your head in a wall, your choice, no helmet or a novelty helmet. They are light smaller and store easy. I went down on the interstate in 05, broken shoulder, two ribs, right hand and fractured skull just below the helmet in back. Helmet was trashed but protected my head. Much better than nothing. I just hate the bigger helmets, it is a personal choice. Of course most think their opinion is the only correct one.
Imagine if you had a real helmet on. How about slamming your head with a novelty helmet vs. a Snell FF? Any takers?

Originally Posted by Cozmic
I too am from a state (Montana) that doesn't require helmets for those over 18. I've never worn one (unless in a state where required). I've been down a few times over the years. I'm still here. Have many friends with similar stories. I even have a friend who split a deer in half on the interstate with no helmet. He's still riding. And yet, my 19 year old son, wearing his full face helmet, and all his stylish padded leather, died 6 months ago, when he ran into a cage that ran a stop sign an pulled out in front of him. He was doing about 75. The coroner said that everything inside the helmet was fine. It was just below the helmet where the problems began and continued from there. Imagine his life now, if he had survived? I honestly thank god that he didn't. And that he didn't feel a thing. Nuff said- No thanks, I'll pass on the helmet, as it probably won't matter anyway.
Horrible loss, I'm so sorry.

A few post on here about how a helmet saved them once in a while, perhaps you'll reconsider someday.
 
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2011 | 11:08 PM
  #42  
babyray's Avatar
babyray
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: Sierra Nevadas
Default

Originally Posted by IAMSWUTIAMS
No helmet, you get pulled over. Novelty helmet, you don't get pulled over. In CA anyway.
Not true, a couple of weeks ago my buddy in Bakersfield paid a 180.00 ticket for a no dot helmet. I know , Bakersfield is the armpit of Ca. but its still Ca.
 
Reply
Old Oct 17, 2011 | 11:17 PM
  #43  
toastman's Avatar
toastman
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 21
From: Queens, NY
Default

Originally Posted by Cozmic
I too am from a state (Montana) that doesn't require helmets for those over 18. I've never worn one (unless in a state where required). I've been down a few times over the years. I'm still here. Have many friends with similar stories. I even have a friend who split a deer in half on the interstate with no helmet. He's still riding. And yet, my 19 year old son, wearing his full face helmet, and all his stylish padded leather, died 6 months ago, when he ran into a cage that ran a stop sign an pulled out in front of him. He was doing about 75. The coroner said that everything inside the helmet was fine. It was just below the helmet where the problems began and continued from there. Imagine his life now, if he had survived? I honestly thank god that he didn't. And that he didn't feel a thing. Nuff said- No thanks, I'll pass on the helmet, as it probably won't matter anyway.
Jesus man, sorry for your loss.

Really brings a bit of perspective to a bunch of guys bitching at each other about helmets on the Internet.

You keep your head up and stay strong
 
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2011 | 04:00 AM
  #44  
CSMHOG's Avatar
CSMHOG
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 290
From: FL
Default

Originally Posted by Lowcountry Joe
I have always been a helmet guy cause I wanna look good in the casket. I want them to say "Aw, don't he look natural" or "Aw, don't he look good" or "Aw, look at that smile on his face". The headlines read.."he was traveling at a high rate of speed when...."..

But why is it that most guys have their passengers wearing a helmet and they don't wear one? Guess they want their gal to survive them and spend all their life insurance on the new boyfriend. Or maybe they want the gal to be there to take care of them when they are a brainless, disabled burden to society. Who knows. Decisions, decisions.
Are you really asking this question??? I guess for the same reason I wear a non DOT in Florida. It's about CHOICE. I wear a non DOT novelty helmet because it's light, cool, and it keep the sun from burning my hairless scalp. My wife's wears a DOT because that's her preference and I don't ask why. That's her choice, she respects my choice, I respect hers.
 
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2011 | 04:04 AM
  #45  
CSMHOG's Avatar
CSMHOG
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 290
From: FL
Default

Originally Posted by Cozmic
I too am from a state (Montana) that doesn't require helmets for those over 18. I've never worn one (unless in a state where required). I've been down a few times over the years. I'm still here. Have many friends with similar stories. I even have a friend who split a deer in half on the interstate with no helmet. He's still riding. And yet, my 19 year old son, wearing his full face helmet, and all his stylish padded leather, died 6 months ago, when he ran into a cage that ran a stop sign an pulled out in front of him. He was doing about 75. The coroner said that everything inside the helmet was fine. It was just below the helmet where the problems began and continued from there. Imagine his life now, if he had survived? I honestly thank god that he didn't. And that he didn't feel a thing. Nuff said- No thanks, I'll pass on the helmet, as it probably won't matter anyway.
Sorry for your loss Cozmic.
 
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2011 | 05:10 AM
  #46  
TxDeuce's Avatar
TxDeuce
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville, Fl.
Default

Maybe same reason people walk around rallies in chaps in 90 degree weather (in states where there is no helmet law like Florida).
 
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2011 | 05:30 AM
  #47  
JohnnyBravo's Avatar
JohnnyBravo
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 1
Default

I wear mine on colder nights.....the Styrofoam insulates my noggin.....Little known fact, 90% of the heat you lose is from the top of your Skull.
 
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2011 | 05:48 AM
  #48  
SeeMeDo's Avatar
SeeMeDo
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 0
From: WireGrass, AL
Default

you talking to ME? Real helmets ruin the self image of the real biker after all it's all about image. This is my favorite helmet and it just might be a real DOT.

Besides how is anyone ever going to see your matching dew rag if you're wearing a real helmet?
 

Last edited by SeeMeDo; Oct 18, 2011 at 05:51 AM.
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Oct 18, 2011 | 06:17 AM
  #49  
My401k's Avatar
My401k
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
Default

Most places in Michigan will not pull you over for a novelty helmet. However, Grosse Pointe, MI will issue you a ticket (without towing your bike) and you have to bring a DOT helmet in to the station. You pay a $5 fine. If you fail to do this, the fine is several hundred dollars.
 
Reply
Old Oct 18, 2011 | 07:59 AM
  #50  
Feeeeg's Avatar
Feeeeg
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Ct.
Default

Originally Posted by JB
They just have them wear them so they have something to throw under the kick stand in case they have to park some place thats its soft so it wont sink in.
Lmao, thats priceless.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:19 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE