I'm so proud of myself.

I'm not taking a stand for or against, sometimes (most of the time) I wear a helmet sometimes I don't.
I guess the best thing I have read lately on the forum was when someone wrote a mototcycle saying. "Don't dress for the ride dress for the crash." We all know that someday we are going to be involved in a crash. If we knew when, we would have on the leathers and our best helmet.
So dress anyway you want, as for me I look like a motorcycle rider whether I'm on my bike or not.

I don't wear a helmet unless it is required by law. I have made peace and believe my time will come and go on this earth. I work in a high risk job. I wouldn't make fun of people who wear helmets. I also pick up people whom have that crash. I can say I have seen guys doing over 80 no helmet alert and out of hosp after bone fixing. Then the worst you don't need details. I have seen helmets and gear minimize injury and also not.

What ever choice you make ride defensive. Look at tires at intersection not the driver. Always be able to see cars in front of you at least three ahead. Never, never think anyone sees you. Be the most polite driver and yield to all. All but the last is how I run through my city at work and it has worked for over 23 yrs. Fire trucks are like bikes for some reason
no one can see you or hear you!

Helmut wrote:
I really have to wonder just how many people do not wear helmets just to make an anti establishment point?

This thread has gotten a little caotic, but, it really does hit a nerve for so many of us!

I could care less about the anti-establishmentism! I just love the wind in my face and hair, the sound of my * and all my senses getting hit at once.

I am anti helmet law, but, I wear one quite often. I think that kids under 18 should be required to wear one, but, past that, make up your own mind.

If the worst should happen, I'm happy to share my tax money with you. Better that, than some of the places it's being spent on now.

I beleive that the best safety equipment we have is being aware and alert at all times, prepared to adjust in whatever way we can. Most 'accidents'(read: cage cut offs) can be avoided by assuming they're going to do the wrong thing and it's going to be done to you.

Pray, have faith and maintain our rides, what more can any of us really do?

Ratl

OALA!

Most times wear one... Either too dang hot (110+) or too cold (20s). The shield blocks both the furnace and jack frost. Full face in the winter. 3/4 in the summer. It also helps when its raining. No helmet law for adults here. When the weather is not in the extremes, I like the wind (not the bugs) in my face (freer feeling). I almost always take one with me. Sometimes its protecting my sissy bar. So with me it depends on the situation and weather.

Like it or not, we are all going to be dead in 100 years or less; a good chunk of us in less than 1/2 of that. Its just a matter of how and when. No one gets out alive! Doing what we do is dangerous and we put our lives at risk greater than those in a cage. I'm cheery, eh?

The member who quoted 96% motorcycle accidents are auto's fault; is this fact or did you just make this up? I've seen new riders go down a lot and know old timers who should've put the scoot up years ago, go down. There are bikers who drink and ride, ride too fast, mechanical issues, such as blown tires, little experience, too aggressive, poor judgment, bad luck, etc. Out of the 90,000 motorcycle accidents every year, you're telling me that 86,400 were related cagers fault and not because of something with the rider. I find that hard to believe. I've heard of an odd circumstance where a rider who "wasn't" wearing a helmet lived and they said that if he was wearing one he would've most likely have snapped his neck.

Most of my close calls were my fault, following too close or losing focus. I carry a gun (open carry) when I'm on my bike to protect myself against the insane cager who is trying to kill me purposely. So far, I've never had to use it though I think cagers ride more gracious around me because they can see it in clear site.

Anyway, most people who don't wear a helmet won't live anyway and many are dead at the scene. I mourn for them and their families and am NOT worried about their medical bills and its burden on me. You cheapen life when you say such things + I would assume most would have insurance. Come one, aren't you paying taxes so the US government can determine the speed of ketchup? Its a choice; personally, the only seat belt/helmet laws I agree with are for minors. I wear a seat belt because the dang annoying seat belt buzzer annoys the hell out of me; if it didn't I wouldn't because its constricting. I wear a helmet when I want to. Hopefully if I get into an accident and am not wearing one I won't hear from members here that I deserved it.

Anyway, my opinion...

First off let me say that I agree with all those that say it should be a personal choice in regards to protective gear such as helmets. My choice IS to wear a helmet as I promised my family I would. I ride to live and want to keep living to ride some more. I even wear a white helmet for it's extra visability and no I wasn't a big fan of the TV show CHIPs. Back in the 70s I rode without a helmet because I was more concerned with impressing others, mostly the chicks, but now I could not care less what others think. Another important safety point is don't ride faster than you can stop for or make evasive maneuvers to avoid an accident. Rmember, even if you were in a cage you could have an accident and get hurt pretty bad. Please ride safe everyone.

I've always worn a helmet. Back in the 80's I took a hard fall on the Suzuki I was riding back then. Cracked the helmet open on the asphalt - fractured my skull, broke two ribs and fractured my pelvis. I have no doubt that I'd have been hurt MUCH worse - if I'd survived at all - without a helmet. Yeah, that black helmet I wear gets hotter than hell under that old Texas sun. Especially in July and August when it's rarely below 99. But I still strap that sucker on before hitting the road.

Glad you're still with us, Heavy. But for your protective gear, I don't think you otherwise would be.

javawave wrote:
I'm so proud of myself.



Helmet laws suck. I wear one because the law says so. Yeah, I cheat w/a brain bucket - and I went down w/it a few years ago and it never touched the ground. I also wear a seatbelt for the same reason ... but wouldn't if given a choice. (That little annoying buzzer doesn't help, either.) I was in a wreck where a drunk ran a stop sign and t-boned me. If I was wearing one, should I have survived, I'd be in a wheelchair right now.

My bottom line is: If you don't like what I'm doing, STFU and look the other way. (I do when I see those crotch rockets doing 70 mph wheelies ... I just try to stay in front of them.) It's YOUR choice. Laugh if you want, cause I'm sure as hell laughing at those that wanna look like the Dark Knight in the July/August heat (I find zero enjoyment in that btw) while I cruise by in Shorts, tank, sneaks and aforementioned BB. If you feel safer, aren't so sure of your riding abilities, and/or are down right scared ... maybe you should stick to 4 wheels. Cause, IMHO, you are as dangerous as some cagers.


As far as 'awareness' and 'politics' go:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4

(WARNING! R rated)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhw8DFSGzvg&feature=related



edit: If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free!
-P.J. O'Rourke

I don't see a difference in helmet laws and seatbelt laws. Its a fact seatbelts save lives. Its a fact helmets save lives. Why should a motorcycle be any different than a car just because you want your "freedom"? Maybe you should think about other people around you.

If someone bumps into you at a redlight or cuts you off accidently, should they be punished by your death? Its very easy to be killed simply by falling over or a low speed crash on a motorcycle. Laws protect more than just you, they also protect insurance companies and other drivers around you regardless if the crash is their fault or not.

I dislike helmets also, but as long as its a law and there are other crazy drivers out there I will wear mine.