| Author |
Message |
    
Skyguy
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 06:14 pm: | 
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Outrider,
I am very pro choice. I just hope those that choose not to wear a helmet to understand one little thing...................
It's not about how crazy you ride, It's about how crazy others drive.
I could ride in a manner that eliminates any chances of going down to operator error, mechanical failure or road hazard. I can not however guarantee I will not go down due to the actions others.
Anyone that rides knows that crashing is a reality regardless of riding style. I choose to wear a helmet not so much as to avoid dying but more to avoid becoming a drooling, infirm burden to my family.
Oh and to make sure that I don't end up looking like I kissed a pissed off shark in the event I do live and don't drool. After all I am single.
 |
Zxzer04
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 06:51 pm: |
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I figure you want to ride without a helmet, then go for it. Problem is when you smash your melon and are worm food or a drooling fool, my insurance rates go up. And they are already outrageous. Now if there is no law the insurance company should be able to ask if you wear a helmet all the time and they provide a list of requirements(i.e. snell, DOT) for your helmet then you get a lower insurance rate. If you get into a accident and have no helmet then they can void your policy. Saves my insurance and cleans up the gene pool. I have seen to many accidents where a helmet saved a life and way to many where a helmet would have saved it.
Oh and the hole in the logic that if you are on a cruiser and being safe you don't need a helmet, you must have forgotten "Molly got a cell phone stuck to my head" or "Grandma cant see over the steering wheel" has you in their targets. Larry |
Phonemanjustin
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 07:15 pm: |
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Nothing like adding a little chlorine to the gene pool |
Daves
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 07:16 pm: |
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do you actually think that if we all suddenly started wearing helmets all of the time your insurance would go down?
If that is so, why is insurance not 1/2 price in helmet law states? |
Skyguy
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 07:24 pm: |
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Daves is right, Nothing ever goes down in price. |
Outrider
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 08:22 pm: |
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It's not about how crazy you ride, It's about how crazy others drive.
SkyGuy...That is quite true. That is why I specified how and where I ride sans helmet.
Actually, I did push it a lot more than I said, but that was in the pre-helmet days in CA and applied to commuting, lane splitting, canyon and desert runs on my cruisers.
The first time I wore a helmet on the street (other than during winter blizzard in WI when I was going to college) was when CA said I had to. That was when the type of bike changed and I really picked up the pace.
Ironic thing is the only two on road incidents I had was while wearing a helmet in CA and I can honestly say I was riding above the speed limit and sightseeing. Gravel in the turns got me both times. My bad, eh?
So, please don't lump all of us in the same basket as the the rocketeer's, stunta's, under skilled, the drunk, the loadies and the unknowingly reckless.
Additionally, remember that I do wear the full gambit of safety gear when out sport riding. I'd be a fool if I didn't. |
Bigblock
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 08:28 pm: |
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Abate isn't the only one that does statistical manipulation! How about our good 'ol trusty gov't, when they want to stuff some new law down our throats, and take away yet another choice!
Now, I wear a helmet 99% of the time, atleast. But I prefer to be able to CHOOSE to do so.
As for seatbelts, a good friend of mine was in 4 auto wrecks (none of them his fault, 2 he wasn't driving) In EACH case, either the investigating officer(CHP in 3 of them, the coroner in the other) Told him he would be DEAD if he were wearing a seatbelt! These are experts here, and people who do this for a living, they just might know a little something more about accidents then a politician!
My Aunt and Uncle are also still alive today because they WEREN'T wearing their seatbelts, the car they wrecked in burst into flames on impact, and if they would have had to fumble with seatbelts, they would be crispy corpses today.
I realize that these may be isolated incidents, and seatbelts have probably saved more lives than they have taken, but don't kid yourself, seatbelts have killed.
I usually wear a seatbelt, too, but I sure do prefer to wear it by CHOICE! |
Skyguy
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 08:59 pm: |
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Outrider, I am not berating you in anyway.
We are all grown-ups and capable of making educated decisions. The key is to admit the risk of our actions.
I live in a high risk world and I only feel bad for those that did not truly understand or the risks involved with whatever it is they are doing.
Those that can look you straight in the face when asked about their decision to risk it all and say "I know" have my respect.
Those that refuse to admit the risk get zero sympathy from me. Takes them out of the gene pool and does the world a favor IMHO.
Did I ever mention my Brother-in-law recently died on a bike of head injuries?
He left four kids, a wonderful wife and many friends behind.
He was up in Sutters Creek, CA on a road that was pretty empty, cruising. He slowed down to 25 or less to pass an accident on his side of the road. There were lots of emergency personal on site already when an oncoming car driven by a blue haired demon crossed the double yellow at 50+ and him him head on.
The good news was my nephew lived. His cute little head was in a helmet.............
I have lost friends AND family. The issue is close to home. All I ask of anyone that rides without a helmet is to be honest with themselves regarding the risks involved.
Outrider, I have read alot of your posts and you seem like a good guy. I dont want to read about you.
That being said do what you will and I will still buy ya a beer should we ever meet up!  } |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 09:01 pm: |
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Law until 18 years of age - then choice. |
Zxzer04
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 09:30 pm: |
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Daves-Ok, well of course insurance rates aren't going down but they can definitely go in the other direction which is just what happens when the laws change to "no helmet laws".
Bigblock-After spending 2 1/2 years in a level II trauma center I can say my opinion of seatbelts is about 99.5% of the time they are going to save your butt. The rare chance that the seatbelt will kill you is so small it's almost unmeasurable. Next time you get a chance watch your local news or paper for deadly accidents and see how many are people are killed when they are ejected from the vehicle. |
Daves
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 09:56 pm: |
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Iowa is no helmet required and our rates are still pretty low?
Kandie and I insure several bikes,most are about 200 per year.
My Mille R is the highest at 500 per year
What do you pay in the helmet state of NC? |
Cyclonedon
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 13, 2006 - 11:44 pm: |
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I'm Pro-Choice on the wearing a Helmet. I usually wear one but I don't want any government law dictating that I wear it! Most all these laws are written by people who have never ever rode a motorcycle before! |
Buellgirlie
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 12:16 am: |
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count me in as a pro-choicer. even though i'm absolutely certain i wouldnt be here typing if i wasnt wearing my helmet sunday when i crashed while racing. then again, you arent allowed on track without super duper gear.
i also enjoy putzing around on my bikes without my helmet and jacket sometimes.
and i've got a fresh 6 figure graduate school loan for things i stuffed in my brain from 2003-2005 
i know, contradictory, and irrational. but thats part of owning and riding motorcycles too IMHO.
D |
Bigdaddy
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 07:25 am: |
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Hey DaveS,
NC MC Insurance sux dogs balls -- you didn't ask me, but I have much knowledge on insurance in the Tarhell insurance world.
(these are off the top of my head, but very close)
Uly w/$500 ded,,,$900 per year
VRSCB w/$500 ded,,,$600.00 per year
M2 w/$500 ded,,,,$900 per year
CBR1100XX w/$1000 ded,,,,$1000 per year
FLHRS (sold) w/$500 ded,,,5-600 per year
P3,,,$112 per year
I'd have to ask my wife for exact numbers,,,,but I hate to get her stirred up about motorcycles.
G2 |
Daves
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 07:38 am: |
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I know they do and I am sorry I brought up the $$ they gouge you for.
My point was that the helmet law will not make your insurance cheaper as Zxser had suggested.
Thank you for proving my point.
You and I are about the same age, insure multiple bikes and your rates are more than double mine.
That sucks.
You live in NC, a helmet law state, I live in Iowa a non helmet law state. |
Bigdaddy
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 07:45 am: |
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Dude,,,you're like a lot older than me! Didn't we have this discussion in Daytona? 
I've reached a point in my life where I find it very hard to carry on a civil conversation with my insurance extortionist/agent. It a big freaking crock of horse crap if you ask me. Right now, at this very moment, I'm being forced to battle with them about damages from a hail storm and I'd rather go have a couple root canals.
G2 |
Outrider
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 07:59 am: |
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SkyGuy...I never thought you were attacking me. To me this is just a discussion of opinion and preference with some stats tossed in for humor.
The only reason for the personal experiences is that I share mine with many other Dinosaurs and we just don't want to lose any more freedoms. Similar to the opposition, eh?  |
Ptown
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 08:22 am: |
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In South Africa it is law to wear a helmet.
Not wearing a helmet is the same as..
Going out the night and having a one night stand not using a condom not knowing the Aids status of the other person.They also say its not 100 proof to be safe with a condom but it minimize the chance you will be infected from Such person. Same argument with a Helmet. Helmet wont assure you that you wouldnt be involved in a accident but will avoid serious head injuries. So would you take a chance without a condom knowingly of the consequence of having sex with a Aids person.. Use a Helmet.. Brain damaged or dead people cant tell you about it, you gotta believe your own eyes for that matter. |
Bigblock
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 09:09 pm: |
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Zxer, I've seen all sorts of stats, and heard and read all sorts of stories. I know that ejection is a scary risk, but also know a guy who was saved by being ejected! Not in great shape, but not dead. Car completely destroyed and burned. Probably more killed by ejection, but that's not the point. I will probably never convince you that not wearing a seatbelt is a good idea, or safer than wearing one. I am not trying to. I don't believe that myself.
I do believe, however, that the "stats as reported" may not be the whole story. I am tired of losing more choices all the time. You won't convince me that the "added safety" of a seatbelt is worth giving up the right to choose if I should wear one. This is about choice, and about being able to decide for yourself. I don't like being told what to do, do you? I am a big boy, and can actually make informed decisions for myself. I am quite aware of the risks of not wearing a seatbelt, or not wearing a helmet or gear. |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 - 09:42 pm: |
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While I have been termed as rabidly pro-helmet,
I also think the Government has no business
legislating our safety to us, especially in cases
where it is really common sense to most people.
Personally, I know my helmet has saved my life
at least twice. I don't ride anywhere without
one firmly affixed to my head.
While I do reserve the right to encourage others
to dress for the crash, I do not endorse it being
made into law. We have way too many laws as it is. |
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