View Poll Results: Helmet or no...
Yes
95
90.48%
no... never!
5
4.76%
no.. but on highway yes
5
4.76%
Voters: 105. You may not vote on this poll
How many of you would wear a helmet ALL THE TIME, if it were'nt a law.
Thread Starter
Post Whore Junior
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,825
From: Triad, NC
How many of you would wear a helmet ALL THE TIME, if it were'nt a law.
Be honest. If it were'nt a law in the state in which you live or were visiting, Would you ride without a helmet? AT ALL.. (i would make it a poll if I could, but sadly I am no post *****, just a wanna be.. and dont know how to make a poll)
Ok, I'll go first. On a recent visit to Ohio, I did not. I loved it.. tooling around town, hair blowing around (ok, what little I have left at my age). However if I got on the freeway, I did wear it. When I go to South Carolina to Myrtle Beach... I plan to not wear it when I'm tooling at the beach.
I dont want to start a flame war over this. I just want to hear honest ANSWERS... I dont care what stats you know, or how you feel about it. Whether it be up to rider to decide, or it it should be mandated by law...
Ok, I'll go first. On a recent visit to Ohio, I did not. I loved it.. tooling around town, hair blowing around (ok, what little I have left at my age). However if I got on the freeway, I did wear it. When I go to South Carolina to Myrtle Beach... I plan to not wear it when I'm tooling at the beach.
I dont want to start a flame war over this. I just want to hear honest ANSWERS... I dont care what stats you know, or how you feel about it. Whether it be up to rider to decide, or it it should be mandated by law...
Member
Squid
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46
From: Pittsburgh, Pa.
From what I understand, you're safer being helmet less on the highway as most fatalities occur closer to home. I live in Pa., no helmet law, still wear one, if you've ever been down you would understand way. Used to ride without one as a kid though, felt great. Guess I'm just more cautious now.
Member
Squid
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 46
From: Connecticut
Always. Went down at low speed once when a left turning car t-boned me. Helmet made a very LOUD SMACK when it impacted the curb at about 10 or 15 mph.
Thanks to my helmet I was able to stand up and throw it in the direction of the car that hit me, you can't do that nearly as well with double-vision and/or blood loss.
your results may very. I'm running far from this thread now.
Thanks to my helmet I was able to stand up and throw it in the direction of the car that hit me, you can't do that nearly as well with double-vision and/or blood loss.
your results may very. I'm running far from this thread now.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,631
From: Montreal
I wouldn't ride without one. Call me crazy but the thought of my unprotected head slamming into a cement curb or onto the pavement holds no allure. In fact, I rode into NH two summers ago and was met by hordes of helmetless riders (most of them riding paint mixers)... made my skin crawl to be honest.
Anyone remember actor Gary Busey (hope I got the spelling right)? He was an avid anti-helmet proponent years ago UNTIL he had an accident and had his head slam into a curb. He survived but doesn't rant and rave against helmets anymore......interesting....
Anyone remember actor Gary Busey (hope I got the spelling right)? He was an avid anti-helmet proponent years ago UNTIL he had an accident and had his head slam into a curb. He survived but doesn't rant and rave against helmets anymore......interesting....
Member
Squid
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 51
From: San Diego CA
Now that I live in a state that has a helmet law I'll always wear one (even after I move). I used to live in CT and rode all the time with no bucket or gear. Now I won't even go get gas without at least a helmet, jacket, boots, and gloves. I know all the gear in the world won't save you in some situations, but I'm more aggressive, in control, and a much better rider with gear.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 139
From: Northern Vermont
Senior Member
Back Marker
Back Marker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 229
From: Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand
I started riding in a country that at the time had a law requiring helmets only when riding your bike out of town limits.
My uncle is a trauma surgeon. He told me about scooping up the brains that had come out of people's ears after falling off bikes around town (eg fell off at 20mph, hit head on kerb).
I have always worn a helmet since, even in classic trials competition where it was not a requirement here until only a few years ago.
My uncle is a trauma surgeon. He told me about scooping up the brains that had come out of people's ears after falling off bikes around town (eg fell off at 20mph, hit head on kerb).
I have always worn a helmet since, even in classic trials competition where it was not a requirement here until only a few years ago.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,455
From: Williamsburg, VA
I never ever go without for two reasons.
1. It's just not comfortable for me not to have one on, wind, bugs, etc.
2. My only brother(not a good rider) side swiped a mail box, came off and went head first into a telephone pole with no helmet. I understand that it probably wouldn't have saved his life, but the funeral was open casket and you could tell they had to try real hard to put his head back together.
1. It's just not comfortable for me not to have one on, wind, bugs, etc.
2. My only brother(not a good rider) side swiped a mail box, came off and went head first into a telephone pole with no helmet. I understand that it probably wouldn't have saved his life, but the funeral was open casket and you could tell they had to try real hard to put his head back together.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,631
From: Montreal
I must say I am pleasantly impressed by the answers. I somehow think that the proportions would be inverse if this was a paint-mixer forum. Then again, their choice in vehicles just affirms they have nothing to protect, lol
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,611
From: Belgium, WI
You know that feeling that you get when you are ***** deep without a condom and you start thinking, " I probably should have got her name."????? That is how I feel without my helmet. I where it all the time, and all my extra gear. I have gloves, boots, jackets, icon back protector, jeans...and I catch **** from my friends. I can get over the sweaty *****, I can spend some extra dough on the mesh jacket, and for $100 bucks I dont have to put my skin back on or my **** back in my head when it all goes wrong. Kind of a deal in comparison, as skin grafts get kinda pricey.
I mean, Hell, I remember growing up on the mopeds, cruising through town and having a good time. I had an Aero 80, sob would do 37-40 on flat ground. June bugs hurt, and I mean like watering eyes kinda hurt. Why I would want to desimate one of those, or any other bug for that matter, on my forehead at speeds approaching 80 mph, just doesn't make sense.
I mean, Hell, I remember growing up on the mopeds, cruising through town and having a good time. I had an Aero 80, sob would do 37-40 on flat ground. June bugs hurt, and I mean like watering eyes kinda hurt. Why I would want to desimate one of those, or any other bug for that matter, on my forehead at speeds approaching 80 mph, just doesn't make sense.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,138
From: Austin, Tx
I never ever go without for two reasons.
1. It's just not comfortable for me not to have one on, wind, bugs, etc.
2. My only brother(not a good rider) side swiped a mail box, came off and went head first into a telephone pole with no helmet. I understand that it probably wouldn't have saved his life, but the funeral was open casket and you could tell they had to try real hard to put his head back together.
1. It's just not comfortable for me not to have one on, wind, bugs, etc.
2. My only brother(not a good rider) side swiped a mail box, came off and went head first into a telephone pole with no helmet. I understand that it probably wouldn't have saved his life, but the funeral was open casket and you could tell they had to try real hard to put his head back together.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
No real helmet law here, won't even through a leg over without it!! Once you smack your head hard enough there is no choice, you just wear it. I broke a Bell Moto 3 when I hit a boulder head on trail riding as a teen, after that I never thought twice about it.
Yeah I know what you're thinking...........so that's what happened to him!
Yeah I know what you're thinking...........so that's what happened to him!
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 243
From: Long Island, NY
Rode a friend's chopper around the block in CO over Christmas without a helmet and damned if I wasn't as uncomfortable as I've ever been on a bike. Smacking my helmet on the pavement when I lowsided last summer only reaffirmed my adamant belief in riding prepared.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 818
From: Thornwood, NY
I ride with one all the time... (with exception of moving the bike in my driveway). I lived in Illinos for 3 years and I found nothign more ridiculous than someone on an R1 blowing past me at 100 plus with nothing but some sunglasses and the flying off T-Shirt....
I think if you actually see someone go down, or have ever gone down with a helmet on... you'd realize how much of your body you CAN'T control once you start tumbling.
J.
I think if you actually see someone go down, or have ever gone down with a helmet on... you'd realize how much of your body you CAN'T control once you start tumbling.
J.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 104
All the time even when I ride 1/4 mile up the street. Hell I am scared to death not to wear gloves ,boots pants and protective jacket at all times. Its not like you can plan when the accident is going to happen.
Moderate-whore
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 9,052
From: Leander TX!!
Always, don't even have to think about it!! Lived in TX, no helmet required, never left home without it...and the rest of the body gear...Hey, I am not so pretty the way I look now, trying to get laid after the skin grafts just wouldn't be an option!! LOL...
Wear your gear folks...Go buy it then!!! OK, whatever, so it wasn't a simple yes or no....Drama, drama, drama....get over it. or we'll turn this into the post ***** thread
Wear your gear folks...Go buy it then!!! OK, whatever, so it wasn't a simple yes or no....Drama, drama, drama....get over it. or we'll turn this into the post ***** thread
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 267
From: Houston,Tx
I always wear one, back when I rode my paint mixer I did'nt but that was because I thought I was a cool h@rley rider. And you can't convince me to not ware one now especially after the last crash I had, I think I'd be dead or in a coma from the way my head bounced off the ground. Helmets for life!
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,631
From: Montreal
"back when I rode my paint mixer..." it's never too late to see the light (about the helmet too) 
From a more scientific perspective, I look at riding without a helmet as a prime example of Darwinism. In the end, it'll weed out the gene pool, lol
From a more scientific perspective, I look at riding without a helmet as a prime example of Darwinism. In the end, it'll weed out the gene pool, lol
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,455
From: Williamsburg, VA
