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

YIP ;; I think the insurance companies probably have more control over us than we want to think about;; THE DEDUCTABLE RIP OFF YANKS MY CHAIN ;;;:angry:

Helmet Tales

I am all for rider choice in the use of helmets and I have made the conscious choice to wear my helmet when I ride. I was talking with someone from our local MS Society who told me that the Harley riders did not like her becuase for their Motorcycle ride fundraiser, all participants must wear helmets. Apparently, some individuals do not see that helping to raise money for a good cause may be more important that making the choice to ride without a helmet. The reality is that for an organization sponsored ride, the risk management people will insist on requiring helmets to minimize the risk for the riders AND for the organization.

Ride safe.....

Doc

The majority of organized rides require liability insurance..hence if you want to ride in the organized ride you have to wear a helmet.

I ride each June in the Colorado 500 Invitational Charity Road Ride put on by Wally Dallenbach (ex Indy 500 racer, 20 years steward of CART racing and Motorcycle HOF entrant last year). We spend 6 days/nights riding around Colorado staying at ski resort hotels (some pretty nice ones too). There are usually around 150 riders/passengers total. You're required to have a valid AMA membership, show proof of medical insurance and to wear an approved helmet even though Colorado doesn't mandate it. Never heard one person complain about it because it's the right thing to do.

I think it should be the riders choice, but I wear one all the time. It is very easy to make a mistake driving and also very easy for someone to make a mistake and get you!!! Here this week a rider looked away and rear ended a vehicle doing about 30 mph. Was killed and no helmet. I have ridden for many years and it is very easy to make a mistake while driving. I chose to not take the chance if I screw up or for someone to screw up around me. If the helmet gives me a better chance to survive I'll wear it. Why take the chance???

Choices

The Issue Appears To Be That Most Riders Feel As Though The Government And Those That Do Not Ride Are Forcing Us To Wear Helmets Against Our Wills. I Agree It Is A Matter Of Choice But It Comes With Dire Consequences Both For The Rider And The People Who Care About Him. Not Wearing One Is Just Another Form Of Russian Roulette But There Is More Than One Bullet In The Gun And You Are Not The One Spinning The Cylinder. I Have Been A Rider For 35 Years ;i Have Taken My Fair Share Of Body Surfing The Asphalt,sand,gravel And Grass; I Have Only Suffered A Broken Little Toe And A Sprained Foot Along With Extensive Skin Damage; I Have Had Many,many Close Calls With Other Drivers;i Can Honestly Say That It Was A Helmet That Not Only Prevented Serious Injury But Saved My Life As Well. In Each Case The Helmet Was Damaged Severely Enough To Be Replaced But My Head Did Not Need Any Special Attention. There Are Many Choices To Be Made In Life But This Does Not Take A Genius To Arrive At The Right Decision [choice].if Your Head Is Not Worth Protecting For Your Own Sake Then Do It For Those That Want To Keep You Around For Awhile. It Is Very Simple,ride As Safe As Possible,the Cranium You Save May Be Your Own.

I'm more comfortable with a helmet, but will see about lighter, 1/2 size for local runs in summer. I do believe it should be a choice. The choice is easy for me, I've had at least 3 or 4 rocks hit me in the helmet and would rather not have then hit my face when doing 60. Don't want a stone in the face distracting me from the more serious business of staying safe.


FRXMAS, why capitals on every first letter? It's annoying to read, nice post though.

Capitals Hellboy

Don't Know Why. I Am Using The Computer At Work And It Just Does That When I Type A Message. If I Use Small Letters It Is Difficult For Me To Proof Read My Message. I Did Not Foresee Getting Older To Be Such A Damn Adjustment. I Have Lens Implants,one For Distance And One For Nearer Because Of Cataract Surgery 8 Yrs. Ago.this Also Makes Taking The Eye Test For A Driver's Liscense A Bit Of A Hassle.i Have Corrective Riding Goggles For Night Riding Otherwise I Do Not Have A Problem With My Eyesight. After The Surgery I No Longer Needed To Wear Eyeglasses Or Contact Lens.thanks For The Compliment.

This may be off subject just a little to the left,but I want to ask an important question.I have rode for over 35 years,many of which was mandated I had to wear a helmit.I feel like I should really start wearing one all the time even on small rides.I just got my first bike ever with a radio/cdplayer/gps.

What all will I have to purchase and add on to the bike so I can hear the radio/cd player in the helmet...is there any wirless stuff so I dont have a microphone right in my face?Always thought I would never buy or own a bike with windshield and bags and all the **** on it for me...lol....that was not manley enough for me...I was younger and wanted all the bugs in my face and rocks,etc back then....you know?No Guts no glory!!!!!

I have a feeling this will be an expensive endeaver and should have done all this while I was ordering the bike late last summer and I suspect I could be going back to not wearing one after all the chit on my head if i go throught with this,but maybe if I could enjoy it with out all the freakin wires,I would do what is better for my head...lol....I have a Streetglide if any one of you all may just went through this maybe you could share the Info. (hey just in case the spelling/grammer police comes by and reads my post....I don't give a chit so don't ding me!!!...lol....

Cheap way out

For my $0.02, stick with a DOT approved half shell. You can hear the stereo, as well as traffic, and it doesn't cut your perephial vision as much as a full lid. Since, my audio system consists of my Ipod and some ear buds, that's the best I could offer.
Ride Free,
GB

sounds like you just gave me some good advise...I already have the half helmet....I only wear it on long trips....maybe i just need to get used to it and wear it all the time....

I guess we all agree it should be a matter of personal choice. Well, how bout this: if the government mandates that I wear a helmet against my will, and that helmet causes my death for one of the reasons described in the Abate link I provided above, say it causes my head to go bouncing down the pavement like a ping pong ball and breaks my neck, and btw I think it is natural instinct to cradle your head in your arms to protect it which would be difficult with a helmet, well then in my opinion the government that forced me to wear the dam thing should be liable for damages, right? Of course that ain't the way of things they (the government) are going to force me to do something and if it kills me they take no responsibility) don't that just suck! AL

I'm replacing my helmet from my accident last summer. Doesn't appear to be structurally compromised, but the road rash looks pretty bad. Too bad..it wasn't a cheap helmet (Shoei Synchrotec flip-face)..though I got the $450 helmet on eBay for $219. The new Shoei Multitec (replaces Synchrotec) is a tad more and the cheapest so far on eBay is about $369.

I'm now looking at Nolan's new N102 NCom flip-face. J&M is going to have their upgraded bluetooth headset incorporated right into the Nolan for J&M so it doesn't look like it has all this crap attached to it. Supposed to be available this spring. The only problem with the bluetooth setup is not being able to use the CB radio/music player J&M unit now on the bike.

Chatterbox makes a bluetooth setup with GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service). While probably better than CB for communicating bike to bike, I don't know anyone using it. The majority of the folks I ride with generally have CB if they do have communications. Plus..reviews don't rate the Chatterbox stereo speakers all that good. J&M's speakers are pretty good for stereo sound (though not cheap..nothing J&M is).

Lots of choices, but no perfect setup.

Yet another thing I have never experienced is music on my bike, I've never had a sterio. Seems like I always have a song going inside my head though and then there is that beautiful music the V-twin makes. AL

I thought listening to music while riding would be too distracting, but it sounds like something I'll have to try soon. I could easily try my little postage stamp size nanopod, but somehow the idea of stereo speakers being part of the landscape seems safer. The iPod seems to put you in your own space and when riding I want to be right where I am, safe and sound. Still, I'll have to try the iPod soon.

You guys are inspiring me to look for a better 1/2 size helmet, in place of the ratty one that's kicking around my closet.

One downside I can see is it might lead to a commo system which is the last thing I need. Seems like the only time the OL stops talking is when she is on the back of the MC. AL