[Dog gone]

Depends on where I'm riding. If it's scenic backroads it's a 1/2 with a pull down full face shield. I also have a full fairing which gives some added protection. If I'm going to be on the interstate on any superhighway then it's my full helmet with the 1/2 in tow for the off interstate stuff

That's a little weird, not you just your choice on the different roadways ; i.e. Super highways or any highways are way safer then off shoot roads (twisties) hills straight aways and curves! You'd think your choices would be the other way around. On a highway (super highway) you want to be able to hear and definitely want to see and be able to react quickly with a half helmet or a skid lid. Not much happening and you have so much reaction time and several ways out. There is like 6 lanes going each way on a super highway and 3 to 4 lanes usually on regular highways. [You own the roads] just you and the highway! Now on the country roads so much more can happen, i.e. Road debris possibly pot holes cracks gator tar less and shallow road sides for pulling over in a emergency situations, oncoming traffic too and many different animals.....So sir I'd rethink your helmet wearing choices. You should switch it up. There are more accidents in smaller road ways. Please don't take me wrong I'm not trying to re-write the book for you or tell you what to do, but others are reading this and may think that your way is the right way. It's not! And they shouldn't! I hope you see the difference. Good luck and keep safe. Ride lots.

 

[Dog gone]

I saw a guy do his best imitation of flying back in late September. A dune buggy pulled out in front of him and he had ZERO time to react as he t-boned it. Impacted the pavement. Being first on the scene it is my OPINION that without the helmet he would have not spent just a night at the hospital. No pictures out of respect to the rider and his 100 year old Harley (yeah). This is not rocket science anymore folks. Helmets save lives!. Don't want to wear one? Don't. No excuses required either way. Just do me a favor and enjoy YOUR ride…in the long run isn't that what it's all about? Take the photo as it was meant: a reminder that even on our best days we are not fully in control of all the factors that can cause us harm out there.

REMINDER: Do NOT remove a rider's helmet after she/he has gone down. After a serious wreck with impact to the head it generally takes TWO trained individuals to properly remove a motorcycle helmet. Safest thing to do is let the folks at the Trauma center deal with it. Also, do NOT give water or food to a downed rider until it has been determined that they are free of injuries that might require surgery (head injuries, fractures, internal bleeding, etc). Do insulate them from hot pavement/asphalt and the elements, protect them from traffic, notify EMS and notify their family if you can. Do not move them unless their lives depend on it and EMS won't arrive in time.

Great story great read, I'll have to jump in here with your little rocket science (re Helmets save lives) if this was true the law would be in effect right now to be wearing them or you can't ride period. That is the big question amongst all the people (folks)who make or can change the laws about helmets. and also the folks fighting for our rights not to wear Helmets is real. So it's not yours or my argument it's theirs! So it's status quo-if your state has the law; Leave it that way and if your states law is no helmet law also leave it that way. It should just be our freedom of choice. The Motorcycle came first and when racing started after a few years you had a choice and then after a few more years it became mandatory. During war time everybody wore helmets even the motorcycle divisions from bullets and shrapnel. I think reading once not so long ago some accidents have saved lives by wearing any helmet not just full face, but out of 10 accidents it was way to low saving the lives to be changed 2/10 comes to mind. A large portion of accidents wearing a helmet the rider was killed anyway. What a horrible conversation. You wear what you want and so will I. You are absolutely right about leaving the helmet on a downed rider. EMS were killing riders by taking them off, Hospitals in sure would rather cut them off. This is common knowledge now amongst first responders. There are folks out there fighting for a riders rite not to wear helmets and always get more then enuf votes to not have the laws changed. There are no folks anywhere in the world fighting to make all riders wear helmets.not enuf interest or data to make a difference. Like on a construction site you must wear a helmet and all most all accidents with head trauma, it's not good for the victim. Let's drop this. If anrider thinks he's now invincible by wearing a helmet (we've got a new breed of rider) oh oh! "Stupid Hurts" very true ie I'll be enjoying a highway ride or back roads way and some sport bikers zooooooom by you and pop wheelies and zig zag and this is what I mean by "Stupid Hurts" Ron aka dog gone

 

[Ironbutt70]

That's a little weird, not you just your choice on the different roadways ; i.e. Super highways or any highways are way safer then off shoot roads (twisties) hills straight aways and curves! You'd think your choices would be the other way around. On a highway (super highway) you want to be able to hear and definitely want to see and be able to react quickly with a half helmet or a skid lid. Not much happening and you have so much reaction time and several ways out. There is like 6 lanes going each way on a super highway and 3 to 4 lanes usually on regular highways. [You own the roads] just you and the highway! Now on the country roads so much more can happen, i.e. Road debris possibly pot holes cracks gator tar less and shallow road sides for pulling over in a emergency situations, oncoming traffic too and many different animals.....So sir I'd rethink your helmet wearing choices. You should switch it up. There are more accidents in smaller road ways. Please don't take me wrong I'm not trying to re-write the book for you or tell you what to do, but others are reading this and may think that your way is the right way. It's not! And they shouldn't! I hope you see the difference. Good luck and keep safe. Ride lots.

Appreciate your input but IMHO the chance of getting hit in the head area with flying debris, blown tires, stuff falling/blowing off of trucks, etc.etc. is considerably higher on the superhighways than on the back roads. Far fewer spudheads and big rigs on the back roads because as a rule they aren't driving crazy to get somewhere or meet a delivery deadline.. The inherent dangers involved in riding will always be there. All we can do is drive smart and try to always be prepared for the unexpected as best we can. I ride like I'm invisible no matter where I go. It's done well for me for 55 years.
Be safe out there.

 

[Dog gone]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I've heard your story too many times in 55 years of riding. When I see the knuckleheads blasting down I-95 at 80 mph with no helmet it just leaves me shaking my head.

Psst; Trust your abilities trust your Motorcycle and trust your tires. 80 to any biker is not speeding, how ever it's getting close. But on a Highway it sure isn't. Sometimes that speed is one keeping up with traffic. If you ever go 80mph with or without a helmet it doesn't feel fast at all. I use that speed on the back roads because I can and I'm always pushing myself. And I ride lots and know some great roads highways and I-ways. And if a bike passes me at even a 100mph I'll tuck in and use him as a guide, he'll get the ticket. I'm not a mad man by no means but I'm always pushing myself and bike. Plus I'm cautious to my surroundings. So many of us are out hunting for roads as such. You've never been over seas with their speed limits, you'd have to get out of the way. And be courteous or they'll let you know (fast) For every mile of highway there is 2 miles of ditch. Now get out there and have some fun. But keep safe and ride lots.i ride with some late 70 yr olds and one guys is 82 and they love the speed/it's a cruising speed to them.

 

[SPECTACULARSPYDERMAN]

tens of thousands of people drink & drive everday without an accident, thousands shoot heroin without
getting aids and i'm sure hundreds of thousands of people still smoke cigarettes without getting
lung cancer but i'm not going to chance it so i will wear a full face helmet whenever i ride & so will my
wife.

 

[Aargow]

I don't care what helmet anyone wears. I only make choices for me and my family. There are a lot of stats available from the MSF that can dispel some of the misperceptions about where and when motorcycles crash. However, the stat that I find most compelling is the facial impact study:

 

[Chris UU]

It's common sense. Anyone arguing against full face helmets do not possess it.

That said, I rarely wear mine even though I know I should. I haven't ever worn one consistently enough to get used to it. I really am going to make an effort to though. No one plans to crash, it just happens... without warning. I'd like to be prepared, so I'm making a change.

For the record, I don't care what anyone wears or doesn't. Not my life. Saying it's less safe to wear one then not? Lack of common sense, lying to one's self, or being argumentative are the only reasons I see to say such a thing.

I've wrecked dirt bikes enough to know that if I hadn't been wearing a helmet, I'd be paralyzed, have brain damage, or be dead.

To each their own though.

 

[One-Eyed Jack]

No one plans to crash, it just happens... without warning.

To each their own though.

This whole argument gets rehashed about every 6 months on this forum and folks line up on both sides: naked riders vs the ATGATT - and many somewhere in between. All the same tired arguments from both sides. The OP's photo was impressive and should be a warning to us all. Will it change "behaviors"? Nah. <YAWN> Next topic please.

 

[Aargow]

This whole argument gets rehashed about every 6 months on this forum and folks line up on both sides: naked riders vs the ATGATT - and many somewhere in between. All the same tired arguments from both sides. The OP's photo was impressive and should be a warning to us all. Will it change "behaviors"? Nah. <YAWN> Next topic please.

Oh, I don't know about that, One-Eye. I've got an old half helmet with a lot of miles on it. Somewhere along the line, my behavior changed.
I do agree that we can stick the fork in this one.

 

[TinIndian]

Rode lots of miles without a helmet...I claim stupid ass luck for not taking a rock in the face or worse. Bugs and other crap have hit me and I was lucky. I also follow the 3 second rule, look for exit strategies, cover my brakes and always make eye contact with those around me. This and stupid ass luck has kept me from buying the farm. As o have gotten older, these liberties are not worth the chance. We just bought 2 new Schuberth modular helmets. Spent over $1000. Super cheap insurance in my mind. Spend the most you can afford is my advice. Comfort is everything.

As for those that choose to not wear a helmet...I will feel sorry for your children and relatives should the unfortunate circumstance arise that you die or get seriously injured from head trauma. It's not their fault. However, I will not feel sorry for you...you had options and chose to roll the dice and lost. Just don't ask me to pay your medical bills, rehab costs, nursing home expenses or funeral costs through increased premiums via insurance payouts. I did not make the decision to ride without a helmet...you did.

Sent from my LG-US996 using Tapatalk

 

[Chris UU]

The OP's photo was impressive and should be a warning to us all. Will it change "behaviors"? Nah.

Changed mine. Not this particular photo/thread, but the sum of all that I've seen.

I also agree, there's no point in discussing it any further. We're all adults, and we'll all do whatever we want.

I've changed quite a bit over the years. I use to run with a rough crowd and fight a lot, amongst other things. Life experience brings wisdom, if we allow it to. I am a very different person than I used to be. We can learn from our past to better our future, or not. I feel sorry for those who don't.

 

[Dog gone]

Who knows maybe they'll make an ultra lightweight mesh helmet some day that's just as protective.[/QUOTE. I'm thinking Kevlar bandanna/it's on my wish list!

 

[Dog gone]

Changed mine. Not this particular photo/thread, but the sum of all that I've seen.

I also agree, there's no point in discussing it any further. We're all adults, and we'll all do whatever we want.

I've changed quite a bit over the years. I use to run with a rough crowd and fight a lot, amongst other things. Life experience brings wisdom, if we allow it to. I am a very different person than I used to be. We can learn from our past to better our future, or not. I feel sorry for those who don't.

Ya could of stopped after the first paragraph, the bottom part just adds to it! But if you've changed from Wisdom that's pretty kool. Good for you, we must of had the same mates. My attitude has changed also. In Canada we had no choice but to wear helmets, in my Hockey career I'd get a 5000.00 dollar club fine if I was ever caught not wearing one. Down here in a little more than half the states I've got my freedom of choice. So if I have to wear one!The Helmet conversations all go like this thread (no where) I'm sure the folks with full face helmets have crash bars also. Other than full face buckets on a motorcycle for stupid wear I can't believe some riders wear flip flops (that's real freaky) I've never seen that till living down here. 'Crazy' let's move on! I did enjoy your first paragraph!

 

[ShiffJ]

Lots of bikes already come with crash bars...

 

[J Backlund]

Whenever I participate in these kinds of topics, I only talk about myself, and my relevant experiences, and never send advice or recommendations outward to others who don't specifically ask for it.

 

[EskimoQuinn]

Whenever I participate in these kinds of topics, I only talk about myself, and my relevant experiences, and never send advice or recommendations outward to others who don't specifically ask for it.

TRUE Wisdom of posting . . . . .

 

[J Backlund]

Because the OP asked, this is my usual sickle-riding get-up.....

HJC modular helmet and ballistic nylon jacket, gloves, jeans, and 'athletic' shoes.

I look like this whether I'm riding my Vintage, my wife's Harley Deluxe, my 400 Yamaha, or anything else for that matter. I've never been a 'pirate'.

I would wear a solid full-face, but I cannot stand the way they squish my cheeks, the modulars generally don't do that, but they almost certainly sacrifice some structural strength in the face/chin area in exchange for the relative comfort. On the negative side, the HJC modulars I've been wearing for years now are VERY noisy helmets for wind roar, sometimes the racket is so loud that I think I must have two jet engines mounted to the sides of that helmet.

 

[ShiffJ]

I hit a sale on bubble wrap. I feel pretty safe.

 

[Chris UU]

Ya could of stopped after the first paragraph, the bottom part just adds to it! But if you've changed from Wisdom that's pretty kool. Good for you, we must off had the same mates. My attitude has changed also. In Canada we had no choice but to wear helmets, in my Hockey career I'd get a 5000.00 dollar club fine if I was ever caught not wearing one. Down here in a little more than half the states I've got my freedom of choice. So if I have to wear one I wear one. The Helmet conversations all go like this thread (no where) I'm sure the folks with full face helmets have crash bars also. Other than full face buckets on a motorcycle for stupid wear I can't believe some riders wear flip flops (that's real freaky) I've never seen that till living down here. 'Crazy' let's move on! I did enjoy your first paragraph!

Yeah, I quit most of my friends cold turkey because I had to at one point, but after some years we're close again. A few anyway, the ones that matter and I call brother. I just don't go to the same places, do the same things, or see life the same way.

I 100% believe in freedom of choice, and think each individual should be allowed to do whatever the fudge they want. The government has no right to tell you you have to. That's BS.

Hell man, I'm really going to struggle trying to switch over to a full face! I've never worn one more than one day in a row, lol.

 

[Dog gone]

Yeah, I quit most of my friends cold turkey because I had to at one point, but after some years we're close again. A few anyway, the ones that matter and I call brother. I just don't go to the same places, do the same things, or see life the same way.

I 100% believe in freedom of choice, and think each individual should be allowed to do whatever the fudge they want. The government has no right to tell you you have to. That's BS.

Hell man, I'm really going to struggle trying to switch over to a full face! I've never worn one more than one day in a row, lol.

Me likes your post! What's with the helmet change for say maybe 3 days in a row?