Why do YOU wear, or NOT wear, a helmet????

Do you wear one because you HAVE to (law)

or, because you WANT to....(regardless of laws)

Like I said in an earlier thread...I wear for one for two reasons:

1) Rocks like to bounce off of my thick skull

2) I don't like the sensation that accompanies rocks bouncing off of my thick skull....

scoot

I wa\ear one cause I have too!!!

Years ago when I hit the border.... off came the hard hat....nowdays I leave it on....dunno much about the image thing..I can get a little squirrely when I ride so the hat's a good thing .....for me anyway.

9 of 10 times mainly on longer trips, night trips, and in mountainS. Just riden town and a lot of stops I don't, and when I do that I believe it is my choice. that said, that is also the times I recall holding the scalp of a man that made his own choice also and (although it doesn't fix someone elses driving) I do highten my awarenss and pray my choice doesn't bite me in the ass.

Funny you should mention holdin' that scalp, ironhorse. A few time I go out hatless, and I think of the exact same thing almost, only it's putting a finger in a hole in this guy's head to stop bleedin'.

I'm going to a lower profile helmet soon as I can line up my ducks, though.

How is Cheyenne these days? I was stationed up there in 89-90, and again, near there Greeley, in 97. Still friggin' cold?

scoot

I want to live for awhile yet. Riding without a helmet may be "cool" and it's your choice, but I think it's foolish. Also, I had brain surgery about 18 months ago and don't want to go throught that again. YES this "German Helmet" IS DOT approved.

Like the looks of that helmet. Mine is similar, but not DOT approved. By the way, welcome aboard dude...

I hated the full face I used to have years ago. I could not see side to side and it was no fun at all. The "novelty" I have now is great but I know it won't save my live or my great looks

I don't wear it when I am in the country like Utah or CO or Wy, etc.

I have heard that most accidents are on secondary roads when there is opposing traffic. So on the highways (when they are empty) I feel safe enough. In the city I should wear a DOT approved hat, no doubt about it.

If I do get in a bad accident I hope I die quick.

Choice

Like I said earlier. I think it should be a persons choice. There are arguments for both sides. Personally I don't like to wear one but the Great State of North Carolina requires me to when I ride. Now I live about 3 miles from the South Carolina state line where you don't have to wear helmets. I make it a point to ride there as much as possible because of the choice. We had a poker run there this weekend that included about 75 to 100 bikes. Some people wore lids and some didn't. The thing is no one ever goes up to someone and ask's " why are you wearing a helmet when you don't have to?" because everybody is cool with the freedom of choice.
As far as the government doing this to protect us, then why is it still legal to grow and sell tobacco products? Talk about a menace to society.
I don't buy into the "harley image" reason to not wear a helmet. I just believe a person should have the freedom to choose. That freedom would be the one that many people on this forum has fought for me to have. And I THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for what you have done and continue to do for my sake.

Just brought a new one

I live in Michigan where the lovely governor vetoed the “Right to Choose” bill this last summer. I have mixed feelings about wearing a helmet. While it did save me from some considerable discomfort when I high sided (the helmet got pretty banged up, my head didn’t). I do like riding without it when I travel down in Ohio.

Dot.... Bsh

If you are going to wear a helmet wear a good one and DOT is BS. A snell foundation acceptance actually means something . Take a look at this:
http://www.ezinearticles.com/?DOT-a...Understanding-DOT-and-Snell-Ratings&id=224696, It gives the lowdown on whats what.

As it points out a DOT sticker doesnt even require the helmet be tested...just that the manufacturer "thinks" it will pass. Sorry but I just don't trust corporate America that much....

Ride Free.......

Ain't how I read it. My BOLD marks. The key words are: "MUST be manufactured to comply with FMVSS No. 218 and bear a permanently affixed DOT symbol. Some good fines if not, (The maximum penalty for a related series of violations is $16,050,000) That's Sixteen Million plus change,
and it really opens up the company for major liability lawsuits if somebody is injured or killed and it is proven that the DOT sticker was affixed and that the helmet was not manufactured to the specification.

There is a lot more, including helmet manuracturers "certified" by the DOT. Then it also comes down to: Who do you trust most? The Government or a reliable manufacturer? Or, as the subject of this thread is; Do you even wear one?

FROM DOT Regulations regarding the import of Helmets. Glad mine was made in China! (What isn't these days)?

11. How should the HS-7 form be completed when importing motorcycle helmets?


The importer of a motorcycle helmet must file an HS-7 Declaration form with Customs at the time of entry if the helmet is manufactured for on-road use. To be imported without restriction, a motorcycle helmet must be manufactured to comply with FMVSS No. 218 and bear a permanently affixed DOT symbol certifying such compliance by the helmet’s original manufacturer. Such a helmet is entered under Box 2A on the HS-7 Declaration form.


12. What are NHTSA’s penalties for importing non-compliant helmets or failing to cooperate with an investigation?


A person may not manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, introduce or deliver for introduction in interstate commerce, or import into the United States, any motorcycle helmet for on-road use unless the helmet complies with FMVSS No. 218. A person that violates this regulation is liable to the United States Government for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each violation. A separate violation exists for each motorcycle helmet that does not comply with the standard. The maximum penalty for a related series of violations is $16,050,000.

Furthermore, NHTSA is authorized to conduct any investigation that may be necessary to enforce Chapter 301 of Title 49, U.S. Code and requires a manufacturer to make reports to NHTSA if requested. A manufacturer's failure to respond promptly and fully to such a request could subject the manufacturer to civil penalties pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 30165 or lead to an action for injunctive relief pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 30163. Under 49 U.S.C. § 30165, NHTSA is authorized to impose penalties up to $5,000 per day for failure to provide requested information in accordance with 49 U.S.C. § 30166

DOT tests

My point is the criteria used for testing a helmet to meet DOT regs. Dropping it from 10 feet up. Now I don't know about you but I have fallen 10 feet. It wasn't pleasant but I survived, (that was when I was a kid, not sure now, lol). And the company doesn't have to even do the test just show that, according to it's engineers, it believes the helmet will pass. As to wearing one,
much depends on where and when. On the road I do since crossing state lines its easier to just have it on than pull over and dig it out. I wear a half shell, as do most motorcycle cops. I feel whatever I lose in protection, I gain in being able to see and hear and so avoid. *shrugs* at any rate when your tickets punched you are out of here, no matter what you wear or do. I still regard it as an infringement of my liberty to be forced to wear one. BIg Brother can say all he wants but it is really all about conrol and conditioning people to accept said control not about safety.

Ride Free........

I would like the right to choose.

I'm with hotroadking. It's a risk you choose - or not. I live near Laconia and every year we get the statistics on the number of people killed and whether a helmet was worn or not. Helmet wearer deaths have outnumbered non-helmet wearers since I've been paying attention. Just because someone wears a helmet doesn't mean they have a brain. On the other side of that, I saw a "tough guy" that was a very poor rider recently. I happened to see him in one part of town and then a little while later I saw him on the opposite side of the road, pulled up next to a car and talking to the driver, in the lane (not on the shoulder), and in a curve. I was pissed because the idiot could have easily been run over and killed, and then people would have claimed it was because he wasn't wearing a helmet when in reality the guy was simply a moron.

choice

I believe that the government should once again stay out of our lives and i personally don't need the government to give me a choice. I can give choices to myself and actually make my own choices. I don't need the government to offer them.Nor try to make me feel grateful that they do. That is mighty white of them. How can anyone accept being given a choice by the government.? The people should be giving the government choices. "We The People" Oh well

I have yet to wear a helmet..I suppose I'll have to bend over and buy one if I ever stay around long enough to go on my next planned ride. East coast to west coast and back to Oklahoma.