| Author | Message | ||
     FB |
alright, i stayed in the corner for awhile--i'll now try not to sling any more s**t (trust me, it's gonna be tough... :-) all of you having said all of the above, still: shouldn't we as adults have the choice of whether to wear a helmet or not? Blake, you're better at stirring the pot than i, and it's plainly obvious you're in favor of protective gear (a point of view i have zero problems with), what do YOU think about mandatory helmet laws? Ferris | ||
| Iamike |
I think people should be allowed to be stupid without the government telling us how to live our lives. (Of course a lot of people think riding cycles is stupid). I haven't ridden either bicycles or motorcycles for years without a helmet (well maybe that one time) | ||
| Rick_A |
I (almost) always wear afull face helmet on motorcycles. If I had the option I'd only wear one out of town, where the speed limit is over 30. I've only knocked my noggin hard enough to give me a concussion once, and that was when I first got off training wheels...I was blind for around an hour and, well, it wasn't fun. There's been plenty of spills since then, and I have come off some pretty bad ones with only minor scrapes, bumps and bruises, as I instinctively sacrifice my arms to save my head when I fall without head protection. I only wear a lid on bicycles if I'm booking through downhill trails in the woods, or know I'm going to go down steep, long, paved roads. Double the speed, and the force of impact squares...that's enough to convince me to wear a lid. Through experience *chuckles* I've set 35 mph as a limit to go lidless. | ||
| Fssnoc2501 |
Interesting argument about why not to wear a helmet. NOT!!!! As a Paramedic for the last 20 years working both the field and the hospital I've never heard such nonsense. The skull fracture may give you more room for your brain to swell, while you die a very agonizing death from the brain infection. My choice is to wear a lid. I a few years back had a mishap with a bike while wearing a helmet. I was able to get home although I don't remember how. In fact, I don't remember 5 hours of that I don't as of this day recall (scary how I got home ain't it  ) The first thing that I remember is awakening in a CT scanner. This is not an experience that I suggest for anyone. I feel that the choice of protective gear is that of the ADULT rider. Having said this the inteligent choice is a helmet, long pants, boots and jacket. Just my $.02 worth Ray | ||
| Jb2 |
I always thought it amusing how people who were passionate about their choice to wear a helmet scared people who were passionate about theirs to go without. We somehow got labeled as a threat to their freedom. I live in a helmet free state and everytime I run into the HD cruiser crowd they immeiately start the bullshit about wearing a helmet. Just because we have freedom of choice doesn't automatically mean I have to make a bad decision does it? I think everyone of us here would protect the freedom to choose. There's seems to be a majority amongst middle-aged sport riders who think that going without is not a wise choice. I choose to put every "reasonable chance" of surviving a crash in my corner when I ride. JB2 | ||
| Blake |
FB: Yep, the beans are ah' cookin' ain't they! I'm totally against government mandated helmet usage for those over 18 years old. | ||
| Jmartz |
Blake: You are a great American, long live conservative values! | ||
| Mikej |
"I live in a helmet free state and everytime I run into the HD cruiser crowd they immediately start the bullshit about wearing a helmet. Just because we have freedom of choice doesn't automatically mean I have to make a bad decision does it?" Let me guess, they do this while standing there with a beer in their hand and an empty in the BarBuoy hanging from their apehangers on their bike/barge.  Actually, around here I'm seeing more and more Dresser riders wearing helmets. Still a lot of the half-shells, but more are starting to go full-face coverage. Protective gear: I'd rather sweat than bleed. Helmet Hair: wear it with pride. Witticisms and Sarcasm: used wisely can be funny, not can be annoying, so I'll stop. | ||
| Whatever |
Hi, Haven't read the entire board... but a few comments. It really can change you, I mean permanently, when you see someone who was once witty, hyper and a die hard biker daddy-type of friend laying in intensive care drooling on himself, shivering and shaking, with a tube down his throat and one up his nose looking like a helpless baby. I spent five minutes telling him to 'Just Let Go' because it was just too damn painful to watch him suffer. He died a few weeks later. Did I mention the purple 'z' in his skull where they took out a piece of his brain? OK, enough of a rant. But it was a senseless waste of a really great man who was too proud to wear a helmet. I confess, in six years of riding I have not consistently worn one. My new pledge to myself is to always wear my full face helmet wether I want to or not. (Bought a brand new M2L on January 21). I need to replace the windshield on the helmet(six year old Bell Starlight that has never bee dropped, but has scraped a few walls in my closet). How do you put that new sheild on there if you order it from the company? Don't want to mess up the integrity of the helmet. Anyone know? Charlotte | ||
| Jmartz |
Mikej: Were you wearing a helmet when we went to S&Slast summer? I ditched mine after the freeway ride in Sauk City. We had fun that day! | ||
| Mikej |
Jmartz, Yep, 'cause without the helmet I'd have blinded anyone with the sun reflecting off my head. I was on the Honda 450 that day doing all I could to keep up. Sure glad I was far behind because the Honda brakes weren't too good either and I didn't want anyone to end up with a bike in their back pocket. Got the S2 the next day or so. This summer is shaping up to be busy, so probably won't have near the mileage I did last year. But keep us all posted up here about when you'll be in town next. Some of the local dealers are planning some local combined events since the factory doesn't have much planned this summer for the area in case you can't make it up for the Prairie Thunder. MikeJ (Anyone want to buy a Honda? Please? I'll throw in a dinner at Dennys. ) | ||
| The Setta |
Since we are on the topic of helmets, I was told that a helmet must be replaced if it is in an accident, even a minor one that scrapes the top, something about structural integrity.... Also, I heard that if you ride in the sun a lot, a helmet will only be good for about 4 years because the crash absorbing foam wears out due to constant UVA/UVB exposure etc... Is this for real or a crock?? I always wear a helmet, but would like the choice. It is nice to be able to go around the block helmetless and hear your bike for tuning purposes, see if anything is out of whack. The Setta | ||
| Mikej |
The basic structure and impact material of motorcycle and bicycle helmets is often styrofoam, or something very similar to styrofoam. Once it impacts, consider it has done it's job and chuck it (unless you just want to use it as a rain hat while mowing the backyard ). The UV exposure is also true, but I'm unclear of the actual lifespan which I'm certain depends greatly on where you are and what kinds of weather you ride in and upon how and where you store your helmet while not wearing it. You're also supposed to dispose of a helmet if you just drop it onto the ground in a parking lot, and while I can not say if you should follow this rule or not I have been known to accidently drop kick my helmet into the front door of a local Wal-Mart upon occaision as it slipped out of my fingers and I jumped to try and catch it. | ||
| Buelliedan |
It's not that you are automatically supposed to throw your helmet away if you drop it but instead you should send it to the manufacture for them to examine it for any hidden damage. If it's an expensive lid then it might be worth it but most folks just take the chance that it's okay or they go buy a new one if it's a cheaper model or getting old. Now if you go down in an accident and hit your head it's a completely different story. Buy a new helmet just like MikeJ said. Isn't your head worth more than $250. Besides if you have an accident most insurance companies will pay to replace your helmet if damaged. | ||
| S2no1 |
Some manufactures also post the estimated life of the helmet. It's typically 3 to 5 years. Look at the tags in the inside or on the chin strap. Arvel |
