Do you wear a helmet when you ride???

[RiceRocket_Redhead]

I am a huge supporter of proper gear via motorcycle. Being a full time rider, I have year round gear for weather condtions, protection, and multiple variables for specific given scenarios. I think a friend of mine said it best, "You can buy the best gear, but if it's hanging in the closet when you need it, it's worthless." I try to wear what I should (even in commuter traffic). However, my helmet (actually more than one) is something I don't leave home without.
The helmet debate is one I understand regarding different viewpoints. Legally, I can be on my motorcycle without a helmet, but find that choice insane. When out and about, I see plenty of motorcyclists not wearing helmets, be they passenger or navigator. Wearing a helmet (or full gear) does not insure a safe outcome to a wreck. However, after wrecking three times, my worst at 115mph, then being able to walk away from it (and not have a sore neck the next morning) tells me there is a major factor in protecting yourself all of the time, even if you only need it one time.

Thus my poll out of couriosity...

Thanks,

Redd

[Anonymous]

All it takes is a deceased brother, and a neighbor with a Titanium Cheek and jaw to keep my noggin protected at ALL times.

[U-Turn]

I rode for 16 years without incident. Without a helmet. Without leathers. Without armour. Without sense.
It only took one cager, on a cell phone, to rear-end me and teach me my lesson.
I hit the ground at 40 wearing shorts, sandles, a muscle shirt and a smile(temporary as the smile might have been).
I haven't been on a motorcycle without full gear since.
My motto quickly became ATGATT.

[Tx Rider]

I rode most of my younger years in jeans n tshirt and helmetless, in rural backroads and offroad mostly. Even back then I wore a jacket and helmet on the highways and in town though, or if I was going to push my limits on or off road. I find that my situational awareness does drop with a full face on though.

Nowadays I wear a full face and jeans at least always, and 99% of the time leather jacket and gloves as well and I ride a -lot- less agressively these days though I'll wipe off the chicken strips if the road is good surface and clear of traffic.

Even though I've never dropped a bike on the road in 30 years, I'm older, slower, and drivers seem more stupid/aggressive these days. I got run off the freeway onto the shoulder by a moving truck just this morning on the way to work.

I figure I've been real lucky and it's gotta run out sooner or later, better to be prepared.

Well I did actually drop a bike on the road once, but I wasn't really moving. I pulled up in front of a couple gals on my bike and went to do my "flick the stand down and leg over the bike in one move, and sit in the seat sideways while bike leans back on the stand" move. Real cool stuff 8-)

The stand popped back up as the bike leaned over on it but I was already seated with both legs on the other side of the bike. :shock:

Needless to say the results were less than "cool" and the gals got nice giggle from it, or actually more of a roll on the ground laughing. :)

The gear won't stop ya from getting hurt much, but can make small spill painless and larger one potentially less serious, no gear can save you from a 4000lb hunk of steel at speed though, or a sign pole or tree. Only your riding style, decisions and awareness level can help that.

[Dirtrideroader]

I always ride with a helmet. Full face with shield. Smashing a windshield with your helmet and face shield can leave an impression on you.

Well with the exception of going down the street and back to blow the water out of the crevices after washing the bike. I know, most accidents happen within 2 miles of the home. The bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house, I don't wear one there either.

[DucGirl]

I wear one 100% of the time....even after I have just finished washing the bike and just need to ride up and down the street a time or two to get the chain warm so I can lube it....

honnestly...to ride without a helmet is just.....well.......

every time I see someone without a helmet the first thing I think is that they must not have been riding very long or they must not go for rides other than around town....because I get smacked with rocks and crap all the time....not to mention dust and other stuff in your eyes can be real bothersome

[mlinkibikr]

I just never want to be on the news where the final sentence is "The rider was not wearing a helmet". Too many of those lately. I don't want my kids to read that about me.

[Vee Dub Nut]

I wear my helemt all of the time.. there are a few cases when I might jump on it and drive it a bit without it... normally after I have been working on it and Im not getting out in traffic ( I live in the country so there is no traffic )

[Thermalser]

Full time full gear. I just dont see how some people go without....especially during love bug season! :-?

[Mustang]

I bipped and broke up my should (clavicle, scapula, two ribs) about a year ago. I had my helmet on.. and it took a lot of the impact for me. It was freak 5-7 MPH high-side.. put me in the hospital for 4 days and on codine for about a month afterwards. Hmm... does that make it sound like it hurt? I hope it does.

Anyway.. I really can't ride comfortably without a helmet on and I prefer to wear other gear, although I don't always. But I'm never without my helmet .. well, unles I'm in the driveway.. or literally going across the street.

It's all about survivability. It's difficult to feel very alive when you're dead... and I think most of us ride because that risk makes us more aware of life in general.

So.. gear up and enjoy life!

Mustang

[buck000]

every time I see someone without a helmet the first thing I think is that they must not have been riding very long or they must not go for rides other than around town....

My next door neighbor has put 33K miles on his gorgeous Road King in the past 4-5 years. His typical gear is a t-shirt and no helmet. He might wear a jacket if it's chilly, or a do-rag, or glasses if it's sunny.

I, too, can't figure out how people deal with debris that hits around head level. I guess my neighbor's windshield is quite effective at protecting him... 8-)

[Dirtrideroader]

It just takes once of getting hit by a rock or one of those big grasshoppers full of yellow grasshopper goo to always were a helmet and face shield. I switched to a full face helmet while in college because a friend left half of his face on Welborn Rd. I bought mine that afternoon. Couldn't drink beer for 2 weeks (because I was broke from buying the helmet).

Well, except for the parties we crashed.

[Tourmeister]

:tab Like the stock market, past performance is no indication or guarantee of future performance. Getting away with not wearing a helmet for 30K miles does not mean the very next mile might be the one that kills you ;-)

Adios,

[Fangs]

It's difficult to feel very alive when you're dead...

You guys are killing me withyour terminology :rofl
Is this anything like waking up dead?

[Chirpy]

Playing Kenny Roberts (the only one at the time) on an XL100 in the rain made me understand why his TZs didn't run on semi-knobbies.

For some reason my mother brought the helmet to the ER in Tomball. i remember the Doc looking at the scuffed Bell and commenting "That saved his jaw".

I've ridden with a full-face ever since, probably +90% of the time. Running the Zuma to the post office or something is usually bare-headed, and no, I can't explain it.

[leeroy]

So you can see mo better.You never know what bush that Taco Cabana will be hiding behind.

[Anonymous]

I always wear a helmet. I personnaly think you are nuts if you don't; but that's just my opinion.

I have four helmets - 2 full-face, 1 flip-up, and one 3/4 for extremely hot triple-digit Texas heat. (I can't put chrome on my scoot, so I buy hemets. :-) )

Ride safe & far,

[TexasFatBoy]

I have a Nolan flip-up full face and a DOT Nexl half helmet. Most of the time I ride with the half and usually only wear the full face for bad weather or cold riding. I very rarely ride without at least the half, but have been known to go lidless on some back country roads where there is little or no traffic.

OK, flame away at the Harley guy for not wearing a full-face. 8-)

[Tourmeister]

OK, flame away at the Harley guy for not wearing a full-face.

Hey, it's your face. :-P Why should I want to flame you?

[Mer]

I always wear my helmet and gear no matter how hot it gets. I've always worn one, but having a "mystery bug" hit me smack dab in the middle of my visor keeps my decision simple. BLECK!! :eek:

[Dragwn]

Always a full face lid, one saved my head on LBJ freeway a few years back, now I have the choice of the Schuberth flip up, or my Shoei RF1000...btw it was an Arai that had a four inch visible crack after I went down, always full gear, I'd rather smell like ground beef, than look like it :mrgreen:

[Brotha J]

I wear the full-face allt the time.
Though when I first learned how to ride I did it lidless, but today I wouldn't even consider it.
I'm way to pretty to go out like that! :mrgreen:

[Brotha J]

I wear the full-face allt the time.
Though when I first learned how to ride I did it lidless, but today I wouldn't even consider it.
I'm way to pretty to go out like that! :mrgreen:

[TexasFatBoy]

but having a "mystery bug" hit me smack dab in the middle of my visor keeps my decision simple. BLECK!! :eek:

Now if you'd been wearing a 3/4 or 1/2, then you wouldn't have had to stop for lunch! :-D

[Mer]

but having a "mystery bug" hit me smack dab in the middle of my visor keeps my decision simple. BLECK!! :eek:

Now if you'd been wearing a 3/4 or 1/2, then you wouldn't have had to stop for lunch! :-D
ROFLMAO!!!!! :puke:

[Dragwn]

"With every open face helmet sale today, we'll include a large bottle of Tabasco or BBQ Sauce, your choice" New Helmet sales program that didn't make it :rofl :party

[Lezbert]

I always ride with a helmet, including the time I moved the bike over three parking spaces. (With my luck, that one time would have been the instance when I was due to go down.) I wear a full face. Mah face may not be purty, but it's th' only one I gots.

[Spider]

<rave>I'm am quite spoilt with my HJC modular flip face. I usually have it flipped up at a stop when I normally don't have to worry about getting too much protien in my diet. The Blast! doesn't have much in the way of a wind/bug deflector. The flip face makes breathing in the heat so much easier.</rave>

[thestudent]

I always wear a full face as well. A have a few buddies that I ride with 3 or 4 times a year who always give me crap about how long it takes me to put ALL my gear on. I'm the only one in that group that wears gear. Well, some of them wear ear plugs (they have LOUD pipes).

[Anonymous]

I always wear my helmet and gear no matter how hot it gets. I've always worn one, but having a "mystery bug" hit me smack dab in the middle of my visor keeps my decision simple. BLECK!! :eek:
Similar thing happened to me. Scott and I were hightailing it down 380 when this big black blob was coming straight at me. Before I could even blink, WHACK, right in the middle of my forehead. I felt it through my helmet. :eek: My only thought was, jeez, I'm sure glad I have my helmet on. That sucker would have knocked me off my scoot. I didn't even think about bug goo for several seconds. :puke:

[wonder91178]

Full face, all the time....it saved my teeth (and the rest of my head too!).

Kim

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/wonder91178/Kim/post-59-10969278251.jpg

[Squidward]

Full face helmet at all times.

[Gilk51]

Bugs - I remember little about my stint with a 2-wheeler almost 40 years ago - I had an Allstate scooter (Vespa import).

*** WARNING *** Graphic description *** WARNING ***

I was riding home on Royal Lane In Dallas from my folk's bookstore where I worked after school. OK - I was 14 - no helmet. Up ahead a could see a very large insect of some type, circling but it had a serious target-lock on me.

It was a horsefly and it hit my face and went up into my nose (forget which nostril) - WAY up!

I am lucky I didn't crash or go off the road trying to blow that sucker out - made a very gross mess on my shirt.

Man, it DID hurt!...

I still shudder thinking about it...


I remember riding to school in the mornings and my head and ears freezing. I love the full-face helmet when it is cold - my head and ears stay warm!

[Hemibee]

Don't get me started here...........

90 mph down the freeway wearing a helmet, flip-flops swimming trunks and the gf on back wearing even less.....Darwin in reverse!

Always wear the proper protection in what ever you do!

[Tchuck]

I cannot imagine the thought process of anyone riding without a helmet, a jacket, gloves and protective pants. I had a Harley twenty years ago and wore a Bell full face, now its rare to see any cruiser pilot with a helmet at all.

In fairness to the Harley guys, I see my share of rice rocket pilots hatless, usually young and feeling immortal.

[bushwhacker]

Did not use to ever wear a helmet. 30 mph on my Valkyrie on a side residential street with a pickup driver with his head up his **** and here are the results - (Graphic - view at your own discretion -

http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_11678/Hospital-3.jpg

http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_11678/Hospital-5.jpg

I now wear a full face all the time.

-

[Mr Ed]

On a trip to Eureka Springs a couple of years ago, I let someone convince me to ride to the restaurant without a helmet. It's a tourist city; traffic moves at 20mph; what could happen? Right?

After getting back with no mishaps, a full-sized, bright-red, Ford pickup was rear-ended right in front of the hotel as he tried to turn in. My first thought was "coulda been me, and I wasn't wearing my helmet." Never again.

[MaxiScoot]

When I crashed on the Dragon in TN and my bike's windshield pinned my head to the ground, I did wonder what would have happend had I not been wearing my helmet. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v505/SWingGirl/Non-Bike/SmlyBugEye.gif

[MuddyPaws]

I can atest that wearing all your gear each time you ride is essential to your well being, especially if you have an accident. Make SURE that helmet is tightend down and won't come off. (lesson learned here!)

My boss said "We have a name for motorcycle riders who don't wear a helmet. Organ donors". :(

I will be buying better gear the next time. It worries me when I see riders with little protection on. That will never be me. I'll wear all my gear each time I get on a bike, if driver or passenger.

MuddyPaws -> Shandra

[Sleepy Weasel]

My boss said "We have a name for motorcycle riders who don't wear a helmet. Organ donors". :(

Doug has a flair for cliches, doesn't he?

Reminds me, though, we need to post up some pics of your helmet.

[M2]

Just to add another cliche to the bunch...

"I want to live forever, or die trying!"

Just moving from Europe, the only people you see without helmets were moped riders (who in Belgium are required to wear them now, but some idiots just perch them on top of their head, where they are useless). It wasn't uncommon to see someone riding a 125cc bike wearing leathers, they take gear as seriously as the bike itself. It is a wonderful mindset and one that I subscribe to, if I were ever to die from this sport, I won't want it to be avoidable.

What I can't get over is why people ride with their helmets--often high-end (read: expensive) helmets with fancy graphics--attached to their bikes? The minimum I will go is a pair of jeans instead of leather pants, but always a full face helmet, leather jacket, gloves and boots. I wear more when I mountain bike than 80% of the bikers I see on the road!

Cheers! M2

[Mer]

I cannot imagine the thought process of anyone riding without a helmet, a jacket, gloves and protective pants. I had a Harley twenty years ago and wore a Bell full face, now its rare to see any cruiser pilot with a helmet at all.

.

Yea, I ride a cruiser and I'm definitely in the minority when it comes to wearing a helmet. Good thing I ride to be riding and not to portray a "certain image". I wear a full face helmet, gloves, jacket, boots and Draggin Jeans when I ride. I don't care what people think. ;-) 8-)

[MuddyPaws]

Doug has a flair for cliches, doesn't he?
Reminds me, though, we need to post up some pics of your helmet.

It was Josh who said that.

I do have some pictures but no way to post them. Guess we can load them up to your site huh? ;-)

Shandra

[whoa]

I cannot imagine the thought process of anyone riding without a helmet, a jacket, gloves and protective pants.

You forgot steel-toed boots. <g>

Can't imagine someone being on a motorsackle when they could be safely tucked inside a Volvo V70 or Ford Expedition. But then, to each their own eh?

[Chirpy]

You forgot steel-toed boots.

Ohhhh, that makes more sense. I always thought people were talking about "steel toad boots" - and I wondered where they got the steel toads.

;-)

Besides, those steel toed boots will cut your toes off in a wreck, don't you know?

[MusicMan754]

I always wear my helmet and full gear whenever I ride.

About the only time I haven't worn everything is when the I'm moving the bike from the driveway into the garage after working on it or washing it. Or moving it from one place to another at less than 5 MPH. I always wear my boots when I am around the bike though. I made the mistake one time of wearing only tennis shoes when I moved the bike and skined my leg on the the side of it. Won't do that again.

[Tourmeister]

Howdy Justin,

Welcome to the site!

[Gilk51]

Yo Justin! :-D

Glad you finally made it. Now, will you make the next Tuesday night get together? (keep the ball rolling) ;-)

Be sure and wear your gear! :roll:

[mary111]

I wouldn't think of getting on a bike without proper gear.

[Tourmeister]

Yes, but not everyone shares the same idea of "proper" ;-) For instance, my list of proper does not include sun screen or a bandana :lol:

[mary111]

I've had a Joe Rocket jacket and Joe Rocket Ballistic pants for years. As far as bandana, etc. I've never used those "trinkets". I like my protective gear!

[MuddyPaws]

Absolutley wear your helmet and all your gear.

[Sleepy will get me for this...]

I thought I'd get on my bike and take it for a little spin yesterday. Before my accident, I had a hot weather riding jacket, denim jeans, over the ankle boots, helmet, and gloves. When I got on my bike yesterday, I only had on some tennis shoes, some lined jogging/althetic long pants, a long sleeved t-shirt, and the helmet and gloves. I thought better of it and even though this new-to-me bike has sat in the garage for coming up on two weeks, I CAN NOT go through what I went through again. I didn't ride and I won't be able to until I get all the proper gear purchased again. All the gear it just too important to NOT wear. I'm still rehab-ing my right knee and it may not look the same as my left ever again. Probably everyone knows my story about my accident, but I'm *LIVING* proof that gear saves you from much worse injuries.

Remember to tighten that helmet down to keep it on your head! Does no good it it comes off, like mine did!

MuddyPaws

[Jack Giesecke]

I'll ride short distances sometimes, like down to the store a quarter mile down the street, sans helmet. I ain't even in third gear yet when I'm turning into the new Walmart here. I wear it 99.9 percent of the time, though. I'll also wear my summer armored jacket or my winter armor on the road most times. I don't wear leather, though, except on the race track. I know guys that wear leather when they ride, but they don't ride daily. I ride every day, any weather, to get where I wanna go. I need practical apparel. Jeans, ankle covering boots, armored jacket, full face.

I need a new Nolan N100. I loved that helmet. I'm going to get one soon. Wore my old one out. Helmets have to be replaced occasionally even if they're not crash tested. I have several full face helmets. Can't seem to find my Bieffe. Hope I didn't leave it at the track or something.

I have crash tested many helmets over the years in my racing endeavors. I used to have a Bell Star 2 with the chin bar nearly carved in half. Face planted at 80 mph in "the bi-ch", a corner at Hallett, Oklahoma. I used to keep it around to show customers why they should be wearing a full face. I'd only break it out if helmets were the conversation. Wasn't pushy about it. But, if that had been my chin......

[kocook]

I subscribe to the "dress for crash, not the ride" motto. Full-face helmet w/visor, leathers or Aerostich, gloves, boots. If I don't feel like wearing the stuff, I strap on a car. Weird things happen w/o warning...just ask Thermalser about the kungfoo deer.

Then again, I have always leaned to the dorky side. Growing up, most kids my age followed football and baseball. I followed auto and m/c races. Wanting to imitate my heroes, I thought safety gear was really cool--even seatbelts in cars. Since daily routine is often just a bunch of habits strung together, wearing the gear for me is not really a decision.

[Sinjen]

Ok it looks like most if not all of us agree on the gear. I myself wear a full face helmet. But I bet I am not the only financially challenged one out there.:shrug: So the question is can one get good quality gear for the best price? And where? Hate to put a price on safety but it is a reality.

[Jack Giesecke]

One of the most impressive helmets I've come across for the money is the AFX I'm racing in now. It's about a hundred bucks, very well made and padded, and is Snell approved. The Bieffe's are about the same price, the cheaper Snell approved ones, but they're a lot flimsier built. They are lighter, also noisier than the AFX. I really like that AFX. For an acceptable quality helmet, just my opinion here, I think pricing starts about a hundred bucks. Of course, any helmet is better than no helmet at all. A cheap DOT polycarbonate helmet can save your bacon. I just trust a helmet that's Snell rated and has no central seam down the middle. I know about Motorcyclist's article on Snell vs DOT. I still look for Snell on the helmet.

http://www.afxhelmets.com/

The Nolan N100 is NOT a Snell approved helmet because it's a flip front. It's a couple hundred bucks, a well built lid. I like 'em a lot because they're convenient. I wear glasses. Too, I can flip it up when gassing at a station and not have to take it off. Nice for touring. I'd never race in it, of course, but I think it could take a pretty good slam on the face and still protect. It's kinda heavy, but quiet and well built. I need a new Nolan, but I notice that AFX has come out with a new flip front for half the price. I think I might try that AFX. It's available through Parts Unlimited dealers.

[Chris Mitchell]

I have to agree with wearing a helmet as being a sensible thing to do in the intrest of making your chances of surviving a crash better. However, I hate being told by anyone that I have to wear a helmet. Sometimes I do enjoy going on sort runs with out the helmet, like to the drug store for a prescription or to the car wash. I just object to being told that I must. With the thousands on thousands of people getting head wounds and being killed bye brain injury in cars every year why dont some of these concerned citizens who help pass the motorcycle headgear laws have laws requiring 6 point seat belt laws and helmet laws for cars and trucks? And better air bags for cars and trucks. Why is there a difference for them and all the focus on motorcycles? Does anyone know that airbags for motorcycels are on the way to the market? And from the films I have seen on the subject of air bags for motorcycles its a heck of a good idea really. I have heard that Honda plans on offering airbags as a option on their Goldwing line soon. I just prefer the choice be mine to use them.

[Jack Giesecke]

I agree with you politically, Chris. I still wear my helmet. But, I do make short runs to the store without it a lot just because it ain't five feet and carrying a helmet in the store is a bit of a pain. Everyone should judge the risks for themselves. No one including the government should MANDATE you wear one.

[Tgatortexas1]

Yes, always wear my full face. There are the benefits of being great sun protection and quieting down your ride, as well as protecting your melon. I want to get some leather pants and boots as well. Anyone have suggestions for good ones that are reasonably priced?

[Tourmeister]

Check Newenough.com. Despite the name, the do sell new stuff as well. They have great prices and are extremely helpful.

[Jesse H]

Ok it looks like most if not all of us agree on the gear. I myself wear a full face helmet. But I bet I am not the only financially challenged one out there.:shrug: So the question is can one get good quality gear for the best price? And where? Hate to put a price on safety but it is a reality.

http://www.scorpionusa.com/

Argueably the best helmets under $200. I have the EXO700, which cost me about $170 in a solid color. The EXO400 is a tad cheaper and argueably (depending on which helmet crash report you read) better.

I've had middle end HJCs and AGVs in the past and hands down I like the Scorpion. Visor never fogs, fairly lightweight and awesome ventilation.

[finoa]

Honestly, the results of this poll surprise the heck out of me. I travel to Austin frequently for work and notice PLENTY of motorcyclists riding around without lids and without gear. I know it's hot as heck, but I can't imagine how painful it could be to make a longggg skid mark with your face, or your hands, or your knees, or your hips, not to mention actually impacting a solid, immovable object. Sorry, I got a 2 1/2 year old boy and a wife to think about. Don't want them taking me for a drag in my wheel chair just because I want to look cool. No sermonizing, just stating the position that makes most sense for me.

I'm glad to be associating with folks like y'all.

[finoa]

Check Newenough.com. Despite the name, the do sell new stuff as well. They have great prices and are extremely helpful.

Agreed. Good stuff there. I got my Honda Leather Pants there for $99! Big steal. Doesn't match perfectly with my Vanson, but whatever, good gear is good gear.

Another place to try is Motorcycle Leather Exchange (http://www.motorcycleleatherexchange.com/used_pantschaps.html)

and

Johnson Leather (http://www.johnsonleather.com/)

Johnson can be pricy but the stuff they have is top notch.

[macktruckturner]

Full face, all the time - even if I'm just moving it out of the garage.

[mary111]

Full face....very colorful for visibility!

[Jack Giesecke]

I wear one 100% of the time....even after I have just finished washing the bike and just need to ride up and down the street a time or two to get the chain warm so I can lube it....

honnestly...to ride without a helmet is just.....well.......

every time I see someone without a helmet the first thing I think is that they must not have been riding very long or they must not go for rides other than around town....because I get smacked with rocks and crap all the time....not to mention dust and other stuff in your eyes can be real bothersome

I'll be riding out on I10 in west Texas somewhere and I see guys and gals all the time without helmets and they're 200 miles from any civilization. How and why they do that is totally beyond me. Sometimes they'll have a wind screen, but lots of times no. Some of 'em will be on chopped hogs and such. I mean, I can't imagine riding a *** like that that far with or without a helmet. :rofl: Can you imagine putting 700 miles in a day on a hard tail with bugs assaulting your face? Not me. :rolleyes: Even on my Wing with full windscreen/faring, I have a full face on. Actually, I like taking long trips in the hot sun with a dark visor to keep my nose from burning.

Actually, I remember when I saw the first full face helmets that were available from Bell. I wanted one bad. I wore, like every one else, the 3/4 type with snap down shield. I wanted a full face, not for crash protection, but for the added environmental protection it offered. Couldn't afford one as a student and finally got one when I got out of school and got a job, a Shoei.

Beyond that, I see cruiser riders out on the highway with no EYE protection! How stupid is THAT?! You never see sport bike flip flop/muscle shirt squids out on the open highway like that. No audience, ya know. It's always the cruiser guys. I even know a guy that sold his Harley when one of the helmet laws went into effect. He refused to ride with a helmet and just quit riding. That just told me he wasn't about the motorcycles, had something else going on in his screwed up head.

[Bluedevil]

always the helmet, always the Joe Rocket jacket, always gloves, always shoes covering the ankles, always jeans.
all the above no matter what the temp, just more when cold.

[howdydo]

I cannot imagine the thought process of anyone riding without a helmet, a jacket, gloves and protective pants. I had a Harley twenty years ago and wore a Bell full face, now its rare to see any cruiser pilot with a helmet at all.

In fairness to the Harley guys, I see my share of rice rocket pilots hatless, usually young and feeling immortal.

I do get some flak for my full face helmet while riding a Harley. I have always thought I didn't have enough brains to lose ANY! I just tell them not to ride with me if they don't want to see it and take my time gearing up :lol2:

[The Big Spank Daddy]

In '85 I had a low speed highside at about 5 mph. Threw me on the ground like a rag doll. My head took one heck of a hit on the backside. I was seeing stars for hours. However, my trusty Bell Star saved my life. I ended up with torn ligaments in one ankle and two broken vertebrae. Although I was out of commision for 4 months, at least I was alive.

Back in the day...........early 70s........wearing a helmet was mandatory. Thank God for that. That single law is more than 75% why I probably wear a helmet 100% of the time today. In my youth I had many get offs, both in the dirt and on the street. Being 16 and bullet proof, I gave it no thought that the helmet was saving my life. At the time I just dealt with it being hot in the summer and used it to keep my head warm in the winter.

My son Jeff, dropped his first bike the first day in a left hand turn at about 20 mph. He took a good lick on the left side of his helmet and had a nasty bruise on his left thigh. I had preached and preached about always wearing the proper gear. After that experience he was sold. He readily admits today that if he did not have his helmet on, he'd be dead.

Jeff and I were very fortunate that someone other than ourselves "forced" us to make the right choice. I can thank the State of Texas for saving my life more than once:patriot:

[Red Baron]

I wear full face helmet and proper gear even driving my car.

[ben1364]

This is a very interesting poll. From the results, I am led to surmise and be gratified that serious riders make up the vast majority of the members of this list. Helmet use is a no brainer, as is non helmet use. <g>

[SirWilhelm]

I have had an aversion to helmetless since it started as a discussion 20-30 years ago. I have worked in the large ER out here in West Texas and we have lost too many of our own staff who should have known better.
On a funny note. We went out to supper this evening and in the lot of the Korean place was an HD tryke. Nice. Now I had seen the guy earlier but the boss hadn't. When he left eh place and put on his dinky black helmut with the 4 foot cattle horns on each side my wife almost fell out of the chair.
Don't know how much it protects him, but I'll bet that he does distract many cagers. It looked like one of the Viking helemts, except these were 2 foot long on each side.
I also did an informal poll and in the 35 minutes we were in the restaurant, I saw 15 differeent MC go by. That's a lot for out here in W. Texas.
I don't know what happened to Winter. We had 90 plus last week and it was 82 today. And to be the same tomorrow.
And I am off and planning to do some riding.
Bill
San Angelo
S-40 stock
And in the upper 10% in the age graph.