javawave,

I lean the other way in that I don't know why anyone would want to ride without a helmet. Got run off the road on my first bike at 17, Back of my helmet smacked the road as I jumped off the bike heading into the trees. Three-day concussion. Grateful for the helmet.

not to start a debate, but I also wouldn't ride without. A few years ago I had an unfortunate "get off" on my old bike. My helmet had a "quarter sized" chunk of paint get knocked off. Not sure what it would have done to my head

javawave wrote:


Ahh flash... you can't help it, its a man in power thing, just ask the gov of NY.

Yea he sure screwed his world up..

I don't go without the helmet as a rule, but every now and then..
Your probably younger than me and still have that bullet proof thing goin on...

flashback wrote:
javawave wrote:


Ahh flash... you can't help it, its a man in power thing, just ask the gov of NY.

Yea he sure screwed his world up..

I don't go without the helmet as a rule, but every now and then..
Your probably younger than me and still have that bullet proof thing goin on...

Maybe a little younger, but bullet proof, not a chance. I have riden with and without for the last 30 years or so. I just don't enjoy it with the helmet. It takes so much away from the ride for me. I agree its smart to wear one. It just isnt for me. I understand the crash aspect. I totaled one bike, threw me maybe 40 feet before I hit the pavement. As luck would have it, I had a helmet on that time. I think i have mentioned it before. I ride with a pretty big group, on some Sunday rides we have had 19 - 20 bikes. It's about split down the middle. Half wear them half don't. I btw am the youngiest in the group at 45.

yep, at 45, your not bullet proof anymore either.. but your young enough to remember 25.. I think a lot has to do with where you ride also..

I have to side with javawave on this one. I hate wearing my helmet.He is right though it's the smart thing to do
"But Hey I Never Said I Was Smart" I'm going to be 54 in May and have been riding motorcycles since I was 10 and on the street at 15 1/2,so I'm not young either but I just feel so constricted when I wear one. Thanks to the great state of Arizona we are not required to wear one. When I go to the Laughlin River Run I'm forced to wear one there and when we ride to Sturgis this August I have to wear it long enough to go through Calif & Nevada, once I'm past those states it comes off for the rest of the trip. I commend those of you who do wear one. I just hope that God don't want me yet and let's me ride without crashing and if he does then it was meant to be.
Ok I'm climbing down from the pulpit now!

flashback wrote:
yep, at 45, your not bullet proof anymore either.. but your young enough to remember 25.. I think a lot has to do with where you ride also..

Good point, flashback.

If I lived in an area with a lot of open road and little traffic, I might feel comfortable to tool along without one. But I live in a heavily-trafficked urban/suburban area. Too many cagers, offramps, and intersections for me.

Hey Musky,

There was frost on my wife's car window that I scraped off before heading out this morning on my scoot. My temp indicator says it is 70 out now. It should get up close to 78 or 79 by the time I head to my other job at five. Seventy mile round trip in the cool of the evening...oh yah!!

Not debating , just stating an opinion. I look at wearing my helmet like I look at wearing my seat belt. I do it because it's smart. Now , I also invested in a small DOT approved helmet , because , like the rest of you , I love the wind in my face. I would hate to loose any one on here due to a head injury that might have been avoidable. It happens. And believe me , I'm also aware that nothing is fool proof, I know ole Grim can get you with your helmet (or seat belt) on as well. I just think it's wise to even the odds a little. Most bike accidents are caused by careless drivers , not the motorcycle operator, I'm not calling our helmet less brothers here less of a skilled rider , I'm just saying you can't predict the future. Be smart............(spoken out of genuine concern............) BB

Sorry ,

Big Bear wrote:
Not debating , just stating an opinion. I look at wearing my helmet like I look at wearing my seat belt. I do it because it's smart. Now , I also invested in a small DOT approved helmet , because , like the rest of you , I love the wind in my face. I would hate to loose any one on here due to a head injury that might have been avoidable. It happens. And believe me , I'm also aware that nothing is fool proof, I know ole Grim can get you with your helmet (or seat belt) on as well. I just think it's wise to even the odds a little. Most bike accidents are caused by careless drivers , not the motorcycle operator, I'm not calling our helmet less brothers here less of a skilled rider , I'm just saying you can't predict the future. Be smart............(spoken out of genuine concern............) BB

Sorry ,

Nothing off topic, I respect all your opinions. I even wore my DOT approved German helmet on this evenings ride, its better than my full face.. A little. lol. I live in a small town, 3 stop lights. Most of my riding is on paved county roads, I seldom see any other traffic except maybe a tractor. On the rare occasion when I ride a highway, or god forbid an interstate I always wear the helmet. flying rocks are my second biggiest fear. Deer is my first. If I am out after dark I have a helmet on for the bugs and deer which run in herds here but the dozens.