California was where one real famous study took place.

Hurt Study

It strongly supports the use of helmets. But it also says this:

The motorcycle riders involved in accidents are essentially without training; 92% were self-taught or learned from family or friends. Motorcycle rider training experience reduces accident involvement and is related to reduced injuries in the event of accidents.

It would appear that this is a bigger risk factor than just about anything for being involved in an accident.

BTW... I am not disagreeing with the pro-helmet guys, but still think it should be a choice.

Gram

Seems to be more support for the MSF course. A very experienced rider told me that he had been riding for thirty years before he took the course. He said that what he thought was thirty years of experience, was actually one year of experience repeated thirty times, along with the accompanying bad habits.

That really sank in, for me. I would encourage every rider to go through an MSF course, and after that, go through the secondary, "Experienced Rider" course, as well.

I'm one of those "hated people" who bought his first bike at the age of 39, after having been away from motorcycles for 25 years. First thing I did though, was sign up for a course. I continue to ride carefully, practice the slow stuff in parking lots, and I'm gradually building my skills.

Seems to be more support for the MSF course. A very experienced rider told me that he had been riding for thirty years before he took the course. He said that what he thought was thirty years of experience, was actually one year of experience repeated thirty times, along with the accompanying bad habits.




in my MSF course, the only three people that failed were the ones that had "30 years of expierence" because they were to stuborn to listen to instructor.

I wear a full face helmet all the time. I wouldn't ride any other way. but I do think it should be a personal choice. Same reason I am Pro... Wait.... I'm not going there. WAAAAY to political!

RoadieFF wrote:
Helmet laws guarantee nothing.

bushrjackson wrote:
who is P.J. O,Rourke ?





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._J._O'Rourke

Thank GOD, Indiana is still by choice, Bless u all that wear yours, but I would willingly put on a seat belt before one of my two helmets. No doubt a helmet may save your brain, hopefully after your wreck you have more than that left to work with. But just the unsafe riding nature of a safe helmet should scare u. To check mirrors and then look back as u are suppose to before changing lanes. Way to restricted line of site. Once u have rotated your head completly around, what was once going on in front of u has probably changed. as in the stopping car that u will now be plowing into or trying to dodge. The half helmet is the worst, as tight as u can get it. it still most likely will slip over your head and strangle u or break your neck. I just can't come to like them, Many love them. and to them
BRAVO.

She's on a scooter and that doesn't count

Need directions. Sort of like a warning on a child stroller to remove the child before folding. There are silly warnings because someone has done that exact thing before and companies are getting sued for stupidity. Warning: there are idiots out there!

IMTopGun1 wrote:
bushrjackson wrote:
who is P.J. O,Rourke ?





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._J._O'Rourke




Sorry, what does this have to do with this thread???

Being from Ontario where helmets are mandatory, I don't usually get involved with the helmet discussion.

copperchopper wrote: "But just the unsafe riding nature of a safe helmet should scare u"

I respectfully disagree. I wear a half helmet. It fits well. It does not impede my vision, it is not loose, and it will not come off. I'm not saying it is right or wrong, just that IMHO helmets aren't dangerous

I don't want to get into the whole helmet debate, but just wanted to add my $.02

DUI endangers others. Me not wearing a helmet isn't going to hurt someone else, just me. Blinkers are a safety thing to inform riders of the road your intentions. Speed also can endanger others.

Not the same thing.

If someone backs out of a parking spot, bumps into you driving by, knocks you to the ground, you fracture your skull, brain swells and you die, how is that NOT going to affect the person who backed up slowly and hit you? Sure it was an accident, and we have ALL done something like this. I know when I am in my vehicle I am VERY cautious of bikes, but that doesnt mean I will never be in an accident, and if there were any way to protect the rider of a bike if I hit one, I would love to see them wearing a helmet.

As stated above, you sure can go way over the line and make a bunch of useless outlandish laws that rival our current outdated laws on adultery and other things, but come on, wear a helmet? Thats just common sense law to me.

To each his own, I just wear a simple skid lid, but its better than nothing and hopefully if someone hits me they won't be f@#$%d up for life mentally or charged with manslaughter.