[Guest]

There is a strong line in the world of motorcycling about helmets.

My personal feeling is that everyone should wear one. You will not even get me to go around the block without a lid on. I have witnessed more than one life saved because of them and that is all the proof I need.

Others feel that they are too hot, restrictive or generally uncomfortable and refuse to wear them and are willing to accept the risk of what happens if your head hits the ground at speed.

As adults, we all make the choices that directly affect our own lives, so there is no "Wrong" answer here and I do not expect anyone to agree with my particular point of view.

Which side of the fence are you on??

 

[Guest]

I think it should be a personal choice. When I used to ride (I'm currently bikeless) I would wear on for longer trips- but not if I was going to the store around the corner.

I rode in Japan as a kid, and the cops didn't enforce the helmet laws.

 

[Guest]

Always wear a hat on my bike, and a belt in the car.

Some years ago (around 1972) while riding I-5 near San Diego, a rock (or something - didn't get a good look) fell off the truck in front of me during a 70 mile-per-hour rush hour and hit me square on the forehead. Yes, I was wearing a helmet, but the impact was still so hard that I nearly went into the lane beside me, which happened to be occupied by a car-load of children. If I hadn't been wearing the helmet, those kids might have witnessed something real hard to live down.

I see my lid as being more for my protection as I'm riding, than if I'd happen to be leaving a long, flesh-colored skid mark. Yeah, it might save me if I fall, but if I fall hard enough, I might not want to be saved. (Ick, ick.)

Besides that, the midwest has been REALLY BUGGY this summer, and I prefer to get my protein from beef. 8)

 

[Guest]

I can see both sides to this too. I personally rarely wear a helmet. If I go for long distances, I will, but under 30 miles I don't. As for the bug problems and rocks, I use a small windshield. It wonj't stop everything, but it works for me.

I don't think it should be a law. If you are an adult, you should be able to make up your own mind. As long as you understand the risks. Of course, kids should HAVE to wear helmets.

Kelly

 

[Guest]

helmets.

Hi, as you may be aware Helmets are compulsory in the UK, for a few years now. I personlly have no doubt they are a life saver, I have a AGV with a chunk out of it, believe me I was glad I was wearing it, and I was only doing about 40mph at the time.
To be fair though, I have driven abroad without a helmet, shades, wind in the face, warm sun, unbeatable.(Although I would cringe at seeing kids 3 at a time on one moped!-(in greece),)
Unfortunately, you could be the best driver in the world, but the guy that pulls out in front of you turns out to be the worst driver in the world, you have no chance. At least if your on a trail bike you can mount the verge.

Personally I've opted for a flip helmet, Kaberg J1 plus, one of the cheaper range of helmets, but I like it. Gives me the best of both worlds, full helmet for speeds over 50mph, and a nice open face for those stuck in traffic moments.
Most of the bike dealers in this country will steer away from those helmets,saying(I've heard them), that this helmet won't be much good if you fall off at 100mph, you would be better with the race replicas, about four times the price!
What gets me is if you fall off at 100mph, anywhere other than a race track, chances are it won't matter what helmet you have on!
I've also had the arguement from proper trail bike riders, who a few years back were forced to wear full face helmets, as opposed to open faced, but found that because of type of crashes, trees,branches, rocks whatever, MORE people were breaking there neck WITH full face helmets on, oppossed to the open faced helmets which allow more flexability on the neck.
Needless to say it's now down to prefrences at these events.

So my vote is helmets save lifes, and permanent disfigurement,( One of my mates came off his GT550, wearing a open faced helmet, kinda wore away his jaw a bit, but he had no doubt he wouln't be here now if it wasn't for the helmet.)
Today in Britian Helmets are as much a fasion accessory as a neccessity, with some very cool designs, the new ones are like star wars stormtrooper helmets, with all the breathing apperatus inside,flip down smoke visors etc, and remarkably light!
Basically the general conclusion in Britian is that the compulsory helmet law,hated at first, then turned out to be one of the best traffic laws worth having.

 

[Guest]

I always wear a helmet. I don't quite understand why a State would not have this as a law. If you are in a cage it is against the law not to wear your seat belt, but you can ride around without a helmet???? This has never made much sense to me. Now PA is planning on changing the law to make helmets optional based on riding experince and such. Why would you change the laws for the worst??? Again my .02cents

 

[Uncle Bob]

Now I know you Americans on this site might disagree with what I'm going to say ( Freedom of choice and all ).

I think Full face Helmets should be mandatory everywhere. They offer maximum protection ,after all if your going to wear a helmet why not one that protcects you whole head especially your face.

Why mandatory ? Because this fantastic hobby/sport comes with a lot of peer pressure! I thought motorcycling was about freedom and independance or so that's what I heard before buying my bike. But the reality is that you're expected to adhere to the group mentality of whatever kind of bike you ride.

This peer pressure forces many riders to "go with the flow" rather than make there own decisions. A Harley rider with a full face helmet would be made fun of at every gathering ( not by everybody but I garantee that he would have to put up with a couple "smartass" comments ).

A lot more riders would gladly wear a full face where it not for peer pressure. And those who are against it ,well they'll be around longer to be able to complain about it.

Not to mention the problems for those of us who need glasses. A visor on a full face allows us to wear regular glasses and not have to worry about getting a second pair for riding ( depending on you r Rx this can be very expensive).

That's why I now ride alone and stay away from groups of motorcycles. I wear my full face (on a cruiser no less (gasp)). And I don't care if I don't have the latest triple chrome plated fur lined billet gizmo on my bike, I just enjoy riding.

By the way most accidents happen in the first 5 minutes of riding and/or within 5 miles from home , at speeds less than 30MPH. Going to the corner store or around the block is the best time to wear a full face helmet because you're really not on your "guard" on your own street.

 

[Guest]

My wife is now looking at me like I'm crazy for standing up and applauding the computer screen!
Member I could not agree with you more!!

 

[Uncle Bob]

How can you type and applaud at the same time ?

Thanks, nice to know I'm not alone.

Actually, either not many people have checked out my post or they agree with me. I was expecting a lot of resistance when I wrote it but figured what the hell, Americans stand up for the right to freedom of speech why not use it.

The conservative Canuck.

 

[Guest]

How can you type and applaud at the same time ?

I have very limber toes

Like I said it's about personal choice and acceptable risk. There are a lot of people on the other side of the fence too. There is no wrong answer.

I must admit though it just cracks me up to see people spend $1000's of extra dollars to buy a car that has Airbags, restraint harnesses and tops the list in crash test ratings but they won't spend $100 on a lid.

I would like to see helmets become a manditory part of riding but not as a matter of law. Rather as an accepted practice among riders. Some people won't ride with other types of bikes ie..cruisers/sportbikes, I don't care what your riding, I won't ride with anyone who isn't wearing a lid.

 

[Guest]

I have very limber toes

Judging from your picture, they're prehensile. 8)

I don't care what your riding, I won't ride with anyone who isn't wearing a lid.

. . . or a brain bucket, or a head shed, or a pate protector, or a . . .

:lol:

(Here come the New Power Rangers!) :mrgreen:

 

[Guest]

Now I know you Americans on this site might disagree with what I'm going to say ( Freedom of choice and all ).

I think Full face Helmets should be mandatory everywhere. They offer maximum protection ,after all if your going to wear a helmet why not one that protcects you whole head especially your face.

You make a good argument for the full face but I feel safer with my shorty.

A full face may protect you more in some scenerios, but avoiding them is the key to the best protection. Full face is great for racing, dirt track, trail, etc. You don't have to worry about a cage coming from the side or hearing a train whistle, horn or siren and try to figure out where it is coming from. And for those like me that sweat at the drop of a hat (or visor) the heat generated on these 100 degree days here is totally unbearable in a full face.

I would rather have the ability to see and hear unobstructed to avoidan incident than depend on a full face to protect me when it happens.

Mike

 

[Guest]

I ALWAYS wear my helmet. Back in '99 I smashed an ATV into a few trees at a high rate of speed. If it wasn't for the helmet I would have killed no doubt. 2 broken legs, bruised heart, and a bad concusion. Had to be life flighted because my fitals kept droping. I learned my lesson and will never ride without one.

 

[Guest]

I am glad to hear you survived your accident PA. Hopefully noone on list will have one of those experiences without wearing their helmet. The thing that gets me is no matter how comfortable you feel it may not be you that causes the accident. There are to many maniacs on the road these days for me to take any chances.

 

[Uncle Bob]

I would rather have the ability to see and hear unobstructed to avoidan incident than depend on a full face to protect me when it happens.

Mike[/quote]

Don't want to start "the great debate". I sure as hell don't know what to answer to the riding in 100 degree heat problem . I am assuming that we're not talking about highway driving where you would get some good air circulation from a properly designed full face.

As for seeing and hearing better, well when I switched from a half to a full face I had reservations about these aspects also. My personal experience tough as been the opposite. No more watery eyes, no more dust in eyes, no more bugs on my glasses ( sure they splatter on my screen but since they're not right,smack,dab in the middle of my lenses I can just tilt my head and look around the mess). As for hearing ,full face reduces wind noise a lot,especially that annoying whistling right in my ears, but I can hear other things much better. As a matter of fact when I was riding above 60MPH I couldn't even hear my own bike, with full face I can hear that nice rumble just fine.


Just my two cents worth

 

[Guest]

Helmets: yes or no?

Here in Louisiana it is mandatory to wear a helmet if under the age of 18. Adults have free choice. My personal preference is to wear one at all times. I've had my head bounced along a highway a few years back and I am convinced the helmet kept my brains from spilling.

:roll:

 

[Uncle Bob]

Again Uncle Bob say's wear your helmet, preferably a full face all the time. Unless you don't have anything to protect. Please.

 

[Dwayne Hicks]

I bought the helmet when I bought the bike, and have never ridden without it (Unless I'm taking the bike out of the garage to hose it down)

I was following my father in law who was driving his pick up truck full of sand, and I kept getting lashed with dust. Was very grateful for the helmet that day.

And also, living in South Africa, we have a lot of bugs. It is becoming summer now, and I had a blue bottle hit my visor the other night. Had to stop and clean it off, as I couldn't see anything

Dwayne Hicks

 

[Uncle Bob]

Is a blue bottle a type of african bug or are you talking about a blue colored bottle ?.

 

[Dwayne Hicks]

A blue bottle is a large type of fly. Its about half an inch long, blue and makes a nice yellow splat when it hits your visor

Regards
Dwayne Hicks