Riding without a helmet thoughts

[rebls]

I generally ride with a helmet. Longer trips full face, shorter trips half. Today I just hopped on the bike to ride about 10 miles for a small job I had to do, no helmet. When I hit the road I immediately felt not quite right. I felt "less safe" without the helmet. Have ridden a couple of other times without one and got the same feeling. On the plus side I felt like I had to be more aware of what was going on around me, and I rode slower than usual. In any event I am certainly "pro choice" on this matter, but was curious what you all might have to say on this subject.

[Retro Rocket]

Here in NJ it's the law that you wear a helmet. In surrounding states such as Delaware and Pennsylvania there are no helmet laws. I have ridden without a helmet in thous two states and always catch myself thinking in the back of my mind that I"m crazy for not having a helmet on. Still I enjoy riding without one on occasion.

[NC Hammer]

I agree with Rebls. We should have the choice. :cheers:
Here in NC it's the law too.
I don't think I'd ever ride without one.
I ride paranoid normally. I figure, if I expect everyone is out there to kill me, I'll have a better chance of avoiding problems. :coffee:

[Big-X]

I have never rode without a helmet and don't see me ever doing it either. I have seen what happens when the head hits concrete unprotected and I want to give myself the best chance.

[pegs]

I live in Florida and on cruisers, it seems like half at least go without helmets. I kind of let myself be peer pressured one time after pulling into
Daytona and took mine off for about 20 minutes. It did feel good but I couldn't really enjoy it.

I kept remembering two things:

1) in a 33 year riding career I've been down twice, both low speeds and both with helmet hitting pavement.
2) I didn't pick when either time was going to happen.



Edit: I should've mentioned, I'm for choice. I already have choice so I didn't think to mention it.

[VTXcitable Boy]

I ride w/o one. I know the risk. On trips I use a half shell or full. To each his own. I'm not a judge. I also won't judge. What bothers me is people who ride w/o a licence or Insurance. I have a living will, and my wife knows what to do. I also carry lots of extra life insurance.

[Mer]

I have had way too many "things" hit my helmet/visor to ever consider not wearing a full face helmet. A small "pebble" hitting you at 70 mph has quite and impact. I kinda like my face/head the way it is. :cool:

[blkxride]

If you live in a helmet state then the decision is made for you. I prefer to let everyone make their own choice about anything that only effects them. Of course I guess you could say that by not choosing to wear a helmet you might be effecting someone else (wife, kids etc) but then that would be between you and those you are close too. I learned how to ride when I was 14 and was taught wearing a helmet. It's always seemed like the smart thing to do so for me the choice has been to always wear a helmet. I live in Florida now and there are no laws but I still wear my helmet. I won't wear short and flip flops either but then like I said to each his own. I just believe in being up front with the saftey issue. I just turned 60 and I plan on continuing to ride for many more years. I've had a couple of accidents and one (many years ago) could have been the last of me but my helmet save my head/life. It split when I hit head first into a tree and my neck was stove up for several months but my head was fine. I'll stick with wearing a helmet as my choice. I also made a decision to be a smarter rider after that incident :)

No matter what choice you make Ride Safe.

[thepathfinder22]

I live in a State that requires the use of a helmet. I am used to wearing helmets. Football, and the U.S. Army Pratroopers. If I had a choice....I would still wear my helmet.

[PPERRONE]

Insurance rates throughout the country are driven by statistics. Statisticaly, one has somewhat less chance of severe head injury in a crash while wearing a helmet. Argueably, in those states with helmet laws, insurance rates should be somewhat less expensive than in those that do not. So, in a since, those riders that choose NOT to wear a helmet, are in fact affecting the rest of us...right in the pocketbook.

[FL_VTX_GA]

Thirty-nine years riding and down once. (Dirt bikes don't count.) Always wear a helmet.
The helmet lets me see better - no squinting, dirt and bugs in my eyes, etc.
The helmet lets me hear better - no air rushing past my ears.
The helmet is cooler - the Florida sun doesn't cook my brains as much.
The helmet is cheaper to replace than my face.
The helmet looks better than my face.

[Outlaw1800]

I live in Va, a helmet law state. I am also a member of ABATE which is fighting for choice, amongst other issues. I ride with a helmet. I watched my wife go down on her bike and roll on the asphalt for a while. Her helmet was ruined but her head wasn't. Last weekend I watched our lead rider get launched over a jeep turning left in front of him. He had a half helmet on. His face got scraped up but his head was OK. About a dozen of us went to Pa. a few weeks ago. No helmet law there. I stopped at the state line to let anyone who wanted to loose the helmet. Only one person took off his helmet and it was hotter 'n hell that day too. I did some riding up there without a helmet but never felt right about it. As a kid, I had several wrecks where the first thing to hit a stationaty object was my head. I believe in choice and I choose to wear a helmet. Just a half but, a helmet never-the-less.

[rebls]

my feelings are still the same. I am still pro choice on the helmet issue. As stated earlier I for the most part wear a helmet. Think I read somewhere that most motorcycle fatalities are riders who have less than one year experience riding. Wish I could find the statistic. With that in mind let me pose this question. If you had to pick one thing to save your life what would it be? Your helmet or your road experience? Think about the "training" you recieve to get your M/C lisence. Is it enough? I feel far more lives would be saved by being a better rider than by helmets.

[cos]

I got to think that people must think it's brave to not wear a helmet. Other riders should keep the awareness alive.

[Mer]

If you had to pick one thing to save your life what would it be? Your helmet or your road experience? Think about the "training" you recieve to get your M/C lisence. Is it enough? I feel far more lives would be saved by being a better rider than by helmets.Why not both?! Your risk would go down significantly if you did both I'd think.

[VTXcitable Boy]

Hey Cos, NOt Bravery. Periphreal vision and hearing. A very large amount of accidents are caused by failure to yield. Damn those cell phones. It would also help if seniors had to retest for licenses more often. JMO. Greg......

[rebls]

Is about the choice to make ones own decision about wether or not to wear a helmet. The safety issue can be taken to further extremes if you want. How about flak jackets, those big orange flags sticking up from the back of your bike, shoulder pads, shin guards, turn signals in your helmet........where does it end? As I explained earlier I do wear a helmet(99.9%), but I want it to be my choice not someone else's.

[Ametz1994]

I live in MT which is mandatory 17 & under, optional over 18. I am pro choice and normally wear one too. Seeing as how I ride pretty much year round, it sure is warmer in the sping and fall. Quess I just got used to it. But, I must admit I like riding without one too.

Chief

[blkxride]

This is one of those subjects that will go on forever because each one of us views the subject differently. Some view it as purely a choice thing while others think about it from a safety aspect. For me personally I look at it from both those perspectives and I've choosen to wear a helmet. About the only thing that would sway me from wanting the decision to be everyones choice is whether or not there are higher accident cost associated with riders not wearing a helmet vs those that do. If the insurance/hospital cost are greater then I'd be in favor of making it manditory becauce it means we all are paying for someone to choose not to wear a helmet. On the other hand if it doesn't cost me anymore whether someone wears one or not then I say To each his/her own.

I'd also agree that road experience/learning to be a better (safer) rider will go a long way to helping you avoid an accident and perhaps the need to wear a helmet, but it won't keep you from being involved if someone else makes a bad mistake and takes you with them. You can ride defensive to a point but at times the other's persons mistake overwhelmes your ability to avoid a situation. There are just too many times when someone does something stupid and leaves you without enought time to avoid the accident.

[chazb458]

Now if we could just get rid of all the stupid drivers and riders....Just a minute someone's at the door. Sorry, they just took my licence, I suppose I'm one of the stupid ones...

[FL_VTX_GA]

I always figured that a "brain bucket" can't keep anything in if there isn't anything in there to start with.

[djvtxcsc]

Being in the Military it is mandatory that we wear helmets, long sleeves, gloves, long pants and over the ankle shoes. We may not be the "coolest" looking group when we ride, but with the way the cages drive here in SC I know it's the best thing to do, not to mention that should there be an accident and we're not wearing our "safety" gear we may not collect any benefits. Maybe it's just being older, but i choose safe over cool anyway. Just my 2 cents

[VTXcitable Boy]

To each his own. I just put almost 3 grand on my Bike. Never came close to trouble.The Brain kept me from it, not the helmet.If it's my time. what can anyone say?Depends on your philosophy of LIFE. Some people think getting old and waiting for a pension is great. If so go for it. Me? I'm gonna live till I die. I'm on the edge now. I have fond memories of my accomplishments and even some of my failures. Tomorrow comes ready or not. I've made my peace. I shall not go quietly into the night. I shall wake the slumbering giants. I will spit in the face of adversaty. I will live the way I choose. You think perhaps I'm stupid or crazy because I choose to ride w/ out a helmet? Then I say you miss the whole point. It's not about good or bad. right or wrong. It's about every individuals right to what he or she wants . Get it? Our government is on the verge of turning all of us into working class tools for a seperate class of rich who make they're own rules for themselves. I've always said that ignorence is bliss, but those folks that rule are about to change even that! Everytime you succomb to another rule {for your best interest} You are giving ground to a psuodo leverage against your basic freedoms. I won't live to see it happen, but I'm saddened by our loses none the less. Choice isn't just your helmet, it's our way of life! JMO. Greg........

[rebls]

Fact of the matter is this is not about the helmet at all.

[KRUT]

DITTO, very well said Xcitable boy, here in IL we still have a choice[thank you]
I do ride with/without, depends on weather and time of year as the crops come out the deer get pretty bad , dark in the morn. fog,critters, but it is my choice.

KRUT
RIDE SAFE GUYS/GALS

[Captain X]

I'm not a judge either, but I'm glad to hear that so many of you wear your helmets. I've been a paramedic for 20 years and can't count the times that I have witnessed someones head laying open on the pavement. It's more than that to me when I ride though. I don't like the wind in my eyes, the bugs in my face or the deafening wind noise. Just my way of riding, but I like the full face helmet.

Say a prayer before you ride gents... I worked a fatality bike wreck the other day. This guy was wearing a full face helmet and a 17 year-old pulled out in front of him. He was just as dead with his helmet as he would have been without one.

[DAR]

Even though it does feel better to ride without a helmet; I have gotten into the habit of always riding with one and it feels strange not to. You will rarely and hopefully never need the helmet but when you do; it better be on. Choice is good. I choose to wear a helmet.

[TerrySc]

I always ride with a helmet, except the time I took a friend's wifes 150 cc dirt bike for a quick ride down a dirt road. That was on labor day and I'm still not back to work. The Dr's and my RN girlfriend questioned if I'd even make it. Spent 9 days in CCU. 3 skull fractures, broken clavical, bell's palsey, cerebral fluid leaking from ears, deep gash on chin, left eye swollen shut for a month and still have double vision and hearing problems. Just recently was given permission to drive as long as I patch one eye to prevent double vision.

Still don't have any memory of even riding the bike. But here is what the front wheel looks like. It's now my souvenier.

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/4949DSC00984_Medium_-med.JPG

I was found in a grassy field (tring to pick the bike up) just off the side of the dirt road. We still don't know what happened. I'm just happy I'm still alive. One positive side to the story is I've lost 30 lbs, just didn't want to do it this way.

Anybody guess my stance on helmets???

[Cruz N]

I don't understand logic sometimes ( state government )

Arkansas passes a 'Seatbelt' law requiring all passengers to wear seat belts to protect individuals and in the same session re-pealled the 'Helmet law'. I figured it was the states way of thinning the gene pool of bikers.

[syhman]

I believe it should be your choise and the insurance companies should chage accordingly. I also believe.... helmet good..mushed brain not good.

[TerrySc]

I believe it should be your choise and the insurance companies should chage accordingly. I also believe.... helmet good..mushed brain not good.

I agree but what would the insurance companies do if your premium was based on helmet use and you got in an accident on the rare occasion you didn't wear it? Also, how could they insure you wear it at all? With all the seat belt laws I find it difficult to understand why you can ride without a helmet. Seat belts and helmets should be CHOICE and increased premiums for those who choose to go without.

[VTX Candy Red]

I always ride with one on. Cold weather its a full face warmer its a half helmet. I absolutely do not trust the other person (bike riders excluded). I'm not paranoid but they still might be looking at ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh wait another thread. I just feel safer with a helmet and in the cage its the seat belt. :)

[flattracker]

I have three, a full,a half and a 3/4, all are the best I could buy, depending on the weather and the views depends on which one I'll wear. I really believe in having a choice. When I ride without, which is usally close to home on hot days for short runs into town (12 miles) I find that I ride much slower, not because I think that the slower speed without a helment will help it's just that I don't feel as safe without one . I do however "know" that riding at highway speeds without a helment will cause hearing damage, I SAID IT WILL CAUSE HEARING D A M A G E, so even though it might not be the time you go down and need your helment you want to wear plugs cause that's not a maybe. Still as unsafe as it is , it's nice to cruise through a quiet senic area with the bride on warm evening and talk back and forth without mics and be able to hear each other. :icon_roll

[Retro Rich]

I'm with the others that are pro-helmet. I've seen way too many people and had too many friends over the years lose their lives due to not wearing helmets (for ones that survived the crashes where the helmet made the difference). I know it's a personal choice, but I say spend your energy fighting for a bigger cause than whether or not you want to protect your gourd.

I've ridden without for short distances, never felt very comfortable. I think flattracker said it quite nicely; give yourself some options depending on weather/riding conditions. That makes all the difference in how you feel while your riding, and still keeps you safe.

[Lupus Yonderboy]

I live and ride in sunny Florida and I know it's stupid, but 90% of the time without a helmet. I will wear one tomorrow because it's going to be Co-o-wold! In the summer, I would not ride if I had to ride with a lid. :nope:

[NormO]

Oregon requires a helmet, I have riden w/out but did not really enjoy it and thought the bike sounded way to different as well. Just added a half helmet to my full face, I like being able to get more wind and better visibility w/ the half.
I still think we should have the choice however.

[tejasvtx]

I wear a lid most of the time, every now and then I will go without it, but it feels kind of odd.

[Don]

In Ohio we don't have the law and I choose not to wear one. I figure if my number comes up so be it, you can't live forever. When visiting other states I go by the laws and use it if needed.

[Xnarz]

It's law here in Va. Would still wear it if it wasn't. To many teenage girls on cell phones

[VTXnVa]

I would wear one whether or not it's the law. Raced MX for lots of years, still have a scar on my left temple from taking a header while wearing a 3/4 helmet, that was over 30 yrs ago. After seeing a fellow mxer almost bite his tounge off, I started wearing a f/f. Have always worn one since, only exception is in August when you'll sweat your nads off sitting in traffic.

[Lupus Yonderboy]

Lots of interesting discussion recently about helmet specs and certification. Check it out...

http://motorcyclecruiser.com/newsandupdates/dot05/

[Big Bubba]

I believe everyone should have the freedom of choice. I rode dirt bike continually in my younger days and saw the benefits of a helmet time and time again. I never ride a street bike without a helmet. I saw a rider go down on a bike and bust a helmet, and receive no injury. There was a place on the helmet about the size of a baseball that looked like shattered glass. It "rang his bell" a little bit, but after shaking it off for a few minutes, we got him back on his feet. If that had been his skull, I don't think he would be alive today.

[Shutterbug]

I agree with pegs and Cruz N. I live in Florida where it's mandatory for a helmet if you're under 21, optional over 21. The fact that people ride and die with no helmets contributes directly to higher insurance rates. I always ride with a helmet (half helmet). I feel seatbelts and helmets should be mandatory. It's common sense!

[SeaRider]

I would never ride without a helmet. I've crashed a bike at 60 MPH after hitting a dog, and I walked away from it, mainly because my helmet took the blow. The dog and bike didn't survive.

Freedom of choise is great - and I feel you should have that option. But to me, the wise thing to do is always wear a helmet. :icon_rock

[epiphysis]

break an arm, break a leg, it's fixable, break a brain, it's not.......

RIDE SAFE, HAVE FUN, SO YOU CAN RIDE AGAIN!!!!:choppersm

[TerrySc]

Thinking about upgrading to a full face as I watched a friend go down face first on Saturday. 6 broken ribs and a collor bone but his face was saved by the helmet. And it was at a slow speed too. I got 3 skull fractures when I went without one for a short spin down a dirt road.

I say it once.........wear a bucket! Didn't want to listen? OK your choice, nuff said.

[ride]

I'm also pro choice.
as many of you have stated, I too have been down. took a guide rail in the face. Thank God For my full face. It destoyed it and knocked me out for a little but I shutter to think what could have been

ALWAYS COVERING WHAT BRAIN IS LEFT

[JP33]

It's funny how opinions change throughout our lives. About 8 years ago, before I was married, I had a VT700. I always wanted to ride without a helmet but couldn't because of state law. I've never been a hot dog on a bike. Now I'm 33 yrs old and I bought 2 Shoei RF-1000 Full Face helmets for me and the wife. A clear shield for night and dark smoke for the day. She asked me if that would look funny with a cruiser. I told her that I'm not interested in what I look like when I'm riding. I'm more interested in what I will look like after I crash. I am pro-choice but my state isn't. I don't think anyone should have to wear a helmet if they are old enough to decide for themselves. I do think insurance premiums should be higher for those that ride without. Or the bike be covered and their bodily injury be their own responibility. It wouldn't be right for everyone to have higher rates to pay for someones brain surgery or face fixing because they didn't have a helmet on. I'd love to ride without one but never will because of safety. I want to give myself the most protection I can.
I've always remembered what a CHP officer told me. "There are two types of riders; those that have crashed and those that are going to." Sorry so long......