| Author | Message | ||
     Barthautala |
What do you guys think? Should it be a choice or a law? I personally think it should be a choice but I would choose to most of the time. | ||
| Spiderman |
I don't care I am still going to wear mine. The thing that pisses me off about the whole situation is ABATE. If you say it is for adult choice hey whatever your the idiot not me, but when the president of ABATE tells me, "Helmets do not prevent accidents!" Well no crap a helmet is a inanimate object it has no bearing on how you or others around you ride or drive. A helmet will prevent DEATH!!! And yes I have lowsided when a car came into my lane on a twisty back road and have slid to a stop on my face doing aprox 45MPH I have flew over the back of a car at about 40MPH landing on my head, shoulder and hip. According to ABATE I shouldn't be alive but what do I know I was there...  | ||
| Outrider |
My opinion is that helmet use should be choice, not law. Quite simply, I wear a helmet when on a sport bike, dirt bike, etc. In essence, on any bike where I am the least bit competitive. The inverse is when I am putting around on my Harley I choose not to as does my wife. In essence, we just ride the back roads to savor nature and don't push it at all. Furthermore, concerning helmets, I am for full face helmets only. In every incident I ever had with a bike, a half or open face helmet would have left kept me alive, but without a face. Ride in a spirited manner, wear a helmet. Ride with your competitive self in control and enjoy the freedom of not wearing one. Interesting how so many of us survived to a ripe old age without Government intervention. | ||
| Tpoppa |
It should be law. Young and Stupid, could turn into much worse. Personally, I think there should be a displacement limit for new riders like there is in many other countries (400-500cc). There is no reason for a new rider to ever be on something like a ZX10 or GSXR1K. Maybe the test should be that HP cannot be greater than IQ. | ||
| Gearhead998 |
I could probably argue either side of this one. Personally I wear my lid all of the time. I don't wear it because I am going tear up some roads. I wear it to prevent injuries in the event that an incident such as the one that presented itself to the Steelers QB. I agree that the government needs to keep their nose out of our lives, hell, that is what this country is about. But if others are too stupid to wear a lid, maybe someone should make it mandatory. This may have a positive effect on insurance rates. | ||
| Road_thing |
Choice. But choose wisely! rt | ||
| Pcmodeler |
I wish it was choice. I'd still wear it the majority of the time. | ||
| Light_keeper |
It is choice here in Maine and I do believe that it should be by choice. That being said I do wear mine and have for years. I guess having worked as an EMT on Cape Cod kind of made my mind up.  | ||
| Shanetbolt |
No law, riders choice. Anything that risks the right to ride a bike should be a law or enforced. A helmet has no bearing to others. If you ride by someone w/o a helmet, how is that offensive to them. Now if you ride by someone with straight pipes, you are being offensive to them by making them listen to your pipes. It seems we are all in the same frame of mind because I wear mine 99% of the time. I have been known to ride in a closed course pit area or just a slow ride around my neighborhood w/o a helmet. But that don't happen often and I understand all it takes is one time. | ||
| Mbsween |
Spidey, The ABATE debate reminds of people who are convinced seat belts cause more injuries than they prevent. I'm pretty sure that when Big Ben remembers what zip code he lives in, he'll be able to tell everyone just how hard a windshield/road surface (and anything else he hit along the way) feels to an unprotected head. Face it people, riding is a risky proposition because no matter what we'd like to think, we don't get to pick when we fall or when others decide to knock us down. Yes we do control the bike and we decide how much of the performance envelop we consume. So on one side we can choose to ride in such a way that we're likely to crash. Just the same we can choose to ride in a way that makes us less likely to crash. But there's no way I've seen in 30 years of riding to choose when not to have an accident. And once the accident begins the only thing that reduces bodily damage is your gear. It would be fantastic if we could schedule our accidents "...I'd like to schedule mine for mid-day thursday, when ER traffic is light and the good looking nurse is at the front desk..." I believe every rider should be required to buy at least a jacket,helmet, and gloves with the bike. Crap most of us have 3 or 4 of each of those anyways. I think most people would begrudgingly wear the gear if they had to pay for it. Especially given how much nicer gear is now than it was 10 yrs ago, let alone 20 ( A jeans jacket will prevent road rash right?) Dealers make a little extra, hopefully the buyer is protected a bit and all is well with the world. Once the rider has accumulated a bit of mileage, then let them decide what to wear. Hopefully any mishaps occur when they had the gear. Once someone sees how easy buying a jacket is vs getting a skin graft (and then paying for that work) hopefully they see the light. Summing it up, new riders should have this forced upon them, just as they should receive some basic training. Once they've gotten some miles under the belt, then let them choose (Message edited by mbsween on June 13, 2006) | ||
| Ceejay |
should be a choice, but alas as with seat belts those that do not participate will be allowed to decide. They can designate whether I'm allowed to vote in which precinct and on what issues, why should those who do not ride a motorcycle by allowed to vote on issues concerning motorcycles... seat belt law was ramroded in by the threat of removing funds and I know that this a repel of a helmet law, but when government begins to dictate choices where do they stop... | ||
| Skyguy |
ABATE is a bunch of idiots. The arguments they use are so full of holes that there is little to no substance left. That being said wearing a helmet should be a choice. After all stupid people should not breed. It is stupid not to wear one everytime you ride, regardless of what, where and how you ride. I rented a VROD in Oahu and rode helmetless for two days. Damm it felt good. Was it stupid to ride around a bunch of distracted tourists in rental cars? Ummmmm Yes! But it was a choice and a risk I was willing to accept for a couple of days. I think rather than require helmets for new riders they should require a training course that has at least an hour of shock and awe crash and recovery pictures and videos. Then no one can say they were not "aware" of the risks. Let stupid people be stupid get them the heck out of the gene pool. | ||
| Cowboy |
Damn Sky I sure like the way you see things | ||
| Mb182 |
No Law, riders choice. I don't ride without one! I figure those that don't wear one are just providing a means of cleansing the gene pool. MB | ||
| Midknyte |
ebay action for ...replica of the helmet that Ben Roethlisberger was wearing... 20 bids, currently at $22.50 + shipping | ||
| Midknyte |
I believe every rider should be required to buy at least a jacket,helmet, and gloves with the bike. I would like to see [minimum of] a helmet to be included included/mandatory in the sale of a motorcycle (private sales excempt). Not sure if I want its' use mandated, but not having one should not be a/the excuse. | ||
| Ceejay |
mid- I feel bad for the guy but damn that's funny... | ||
| Daves |
there was just an article in the Des Moines Register yesterday Out of all the fatal motorcycle accidents in Iowa, 56% were wearing a helmet. Interesting? I am surprised they even printed that info. I am pro choice, by the way. | ||
| Spiderman |
The thing about those stats are... What kind of helmet? DOT, Snell approved? Was the helmet previously damaged? What kind of accident? Don't get me wrong helmets do not save you in every situation, I am not that nieve. But a lot of facts are skewed to persuade or scare people. | ||
| Eboos |
Dealers could comp a OPP HJC or KBC helmet that meets the current standards with the sale of a bike. Sheldons HD in Auburn, MA does that. (OPP = opening price point) (Message edited by eboos on June 13, 2006) | ||
| Daves |
That's why I am surprised that the media even put it in there. The things you bring up just show how dumb "helmet LAWS" are. they don't require full face or Snell certification. They don't require replacing the helmet if it's been dropped or in an previous crash. They don't regulate fitment(most people out there pick,buy and wear a helmet at least one size too big). Let's just have the government enact laws that require you register your helmet. Every year you have to have inspected, for a fee of course. Then if it doesn't pass you can go buy another one. Of course they should regulate the fitment too. They could hire official government helmet fitment experts and place them in every motorcycle shop to ensure compliance with the new laws. What a wonderfull thing that would be? OR we could leave it a matter of choice? Hmmmm And don't even get me started on the "burden on society" thing that pro helmet people always bring up. | ||
| Bomber |
choice, every time, on durned near any topic, for me | ||
| Spiderman |
Just so I do not come across here wrong. I think choice is cool, if ya wanna be like a pro quarterback more power to ya  I do not care for ABATE nor people throwing out facts like 50% of people wearing helmets were killed in a non-helmet law state... Unless you have hard facts then don't try and quote vage ones. | ||
| Mbsween |
Daves, I get your point, but don't you think any old helmet is probably better than skin on car/concrete/asphalt? Again, I think it would be cool if there was a "package" deal for new riders (or anybody who wanted it) that included some training and minimum gear. You're absolutely right that the government would make it completely onerous, especially in the compliance (re paperwork) dept. Just seems like there should be a way to get some of the experience of an long time rider into a new rider, other than telling stories in the back of FMJ's pickup.  | ||
| Daves |
It wasn't me coming up with them, it was in the paper? I didn't even read the whole article. The other thing that kind of throws it off is the 56% that were wearing the helmets were only the ones in fatal accidents. It doesn't take into account that many other that were not killed, maybe were not killed because they had a helmet on. I think one other stat they threw out was something to the effect that out of 100 deaths, if everyone wore a helmet 37 would be saved? Doesn't add up with their other stats but who knows. Whatcha think of my proposed government agency to oversee the mandatory helmet BS?  | ||
| Spiderman |
I didn't mean you, I am sorry for not clearing that up. I was refering to the paper, ABATE, the government, etc, etc... The govt helmet czar probally aint far off, look how NewYork and Pa have to have their vehicals inspected before thet can ride em... | ||
| Curtyd |
The weirdest thing about the no-helmet law in Fla. was after living and riding in a helmet state for 20 years or so, and then waking up one day and seeing all these guys without helmets. I have tried it without and just been wearing them so long I feel down right "nekked" without one. P.S. Also after every one of my get-offs I have checked my helmet and always have found a nice scratch, road rash or dent on it and I reflect upon that being on the noggin. You can put me in a wheelchair or anything and I'm still ME if my melon is OK, but I've seen head injuries where folks were never the same person again. NO THANKS. (Message edited by CURTYD on June 13, 2006) | ||
| Skyguy |
ABATE does a dis-service to the entire motorcycling community. A helmet has saved my bacon three times over the years. I will seldom ever say "every, none, all, never or always" when trying to make a point or posting an argument. To do so "almost always" invalidates the argument. In the case of ABATE I am going to make an exception. Every single ABATE member is a statistic manipulating nut job. They are willing to outright lie to meet their agenda. I used to see them at the Rock Store trying to rally others to their cause. Most of them looked and acted like they had already fallen on their heads................... That being said I am pro-choice when it comes to helmet use. | ||
| Kdan |
A week in a coma and 6 months of rehab. I strongly recommend helmets. I also believe it should be a choice. I chose to wear a helmet in Ct. when I got in that accident. Think I'd be an internet wiseass without one? I think seatbelt laws should be a choice too. I am also a cleaner gene pool advocate. | ||
| Outrider |
The nice thing about pro choice is it is your decision to do what you would like. You start telling me what I HAVE TO DO, you had best be prepared for when I start telling you what YOU HAVE TO DO. You may or may not like it and it most likely will be as valid if not more than your input. Think about it. It makes sense. Received some pics today from a friend in CA where some guy in full race leathers and gear went down. Not pretty. Sort of a really gross Humpty Dumpty thing with members all over the pavement and then in a pile on the side of the road. I don't ride like that!!! Do you??? Ride responsibly and dress for the type of ride you are planning. Like I said, I always dress appropriately depending on the bike and the circumstances. Additionally, when I ride my Harley, I am usually between 25 and 45 MPH in little or no traffic due to where I live and ride. Sure is not the same as when I ride a sporting bike. I know it sounds like a lot of BS, but if you think about it, the pro choice decision makes sense for practical folks that ride well within the legal limits as well as the laws of physics. |
