Old helmets for less fortunate Two-Wheeled Texans

[John Bennett]

Not everyone rides motorcycles just because they like them. Some motorcyclists ride because it can be a very cheap way to get from A to B.

A few minutes ago I drove down to the strip mall to pick up a pizza. It's bloody cold outside today. I saw two riders there who I suspect were not riding because they wanted to, but because they had to.

I saw an old man on a ratty little scooter. I saw a younger guy on a ratty old Yamaha standard. Both these guys had what most of us would call very marginal cold-weather riding gear. You know what I mean. Not stuff from Aerostich, or even close. I could be wrong, but a betting man would label them Poor Folk.

Neither of them had helmets. This gave me and idea. I put my old Shoei in the back seat of my car. If I see either of those guys again. I'm going to offer them my old helmet for free. If they prefer lidless, that's fine. If not, I might slightly increase the level of good karma in the world.

To most of us, purchasing one of those cheap $90 helmets is no problem. To some people it is. I figure my old helmet is safer and warmer than No helmet.

Please consider this winter putting one of your old helmets in the back seat of your car to give away.

[kurt]

I've made two offers to buy helmets for soldiers from Ft. Hood shopping at CTPS. In each case they had made statements to the salesman that they had just spent all their money on bikes and insurance. Both declined the offer.

[John Bennett]

That was good of you Kurt. I was just thinking that most of us probably have old helmets laying around that could benefit someone.

[kurt]

I've got a couple of those too. A Nolan N-102 in XL and an Arai RX-7 Corsair also XL. That would take me down to three helmets.

[Mark_M]

Originally Posted by John Bennett

Not everyone rides motorcycles just because they like them. Some motorcyclists ride because it can be a very cheap way to get from A to B.

A few minutes ago I drove down to the strip mall to pick up a pizza. It's bloody cold outside today. I saw two riders there who I suspect were not riding because they wanted to, but because they had to.

I saw an old man on a ratty little scooter. I saw a younger guy on a ratty old Yamaha standard. Both these guys had what most of us would call very marginal cold-weather riding gear. You know what I mean. Not stuff from Aerostich, or even close. I could be wrong, but a betting man would label them Poor Folk.

Neither of them had helmets. This gave me and idea. I put my old Shoei in the back seat of my car. If I see either of those guys again. I'm going to offer them my old helmet for free. If they prefer lidless, that's fine. If not, I might slightly increase the level of good karma in the world.

To most of us, purchasing one of those cheap $90 helmets is no problem. To some people it is. I figure my old helmet is safer and warmer than No helmet.

Please consider this winter putting one of your old helmets in the back seat of your car to give away.

what an awesome and noble thought. Great idea kudos to you.


Mark

[Brotha J]

This sounds like a really great idea.

I just need to get with the wife to see what I CAN give away.

(too many years of force giving to an "interesting" church has cost me my donation privileges)

I have one of two helmets that may qualify for donation.

I've been wanting to post a thread on this board for a flip-up of mine that has been very recnetly retired, but I need permission first.

Either way...

[pacman]

Originally Posted by Brotha J

(too many years of force giving to an "interesting" church has cost me my donation privileges)

I don't want to jack this thread, but it sounds like there's a story there than needs to be told.



Back on topic-

I've got an old HJC that I'll start carrying around. But I rarely drive my car, so I doubt I'll be able to help anyone.

[Brotha J]

Originally Posted by pacman1

I don't want to jack this thread, but it sounds like there's a story there than needs to be told.

You're right.
But that chapter of my life deserves a sober write up.

Perhaps I'll get on Word soon and type it up.

The title may go something like this...

..."And from the faithfull fools comes the spoils"
Or maybe...
And let the Church say, "Give Me Your Lunch Money"

I'll work on it.

[John Bennett]

Thanks guys!

[bedlam]

Originally Posted by Brotha J

(too many years of force giving to an "interesting" church has cost me my donation privileges)
.

Hey, I had that experience, too! Except substitute "cult" for "church", and that hits closer to the mark. It was a dark, sad and painful chapter in my personal growth handbook. I'm still recovering, quite frankly. I feel your pain, Brotha.


Back on topic:
I saw the recent video of the Iraqi stuntas and wondered how to get them some old gear, too...but that seems like a huge challenge. We've given away lots of bits of gear, most recently an armoured jacket to our favorite waiter from our very favorite Mexican restaruant. I really like the idea of hauling old stuff around looking for folks who might need it...great idea!

[mlinkibikr]

I've got some old helmets but I don't think even I would want to put 'em on again. I kept them thinking I would make a garage display of some kind.

A couple of them look like dinosaur eggs compared to my new X-Eleven.

Dave.

[TWTourist]

I think that is a great idea. And I bet my wife would agree to me getting rid of the old stuff.

I have donated old helmets to EMT schools for training purposes. (ie the correct way to remove a helmet from a down rider.)

[pacman]

Originally Posted by bedlam

Hey, I had that experience, too! Except substitute "cult" for "church", and that hits closer to the mark. It was a dark, sad and painful chapter in my personal growth handbook. I'm still recovering, quite frankly. I feel your pain, Brotha.

Wow, I had no idea there were so many of us. We should swap stories sometime.

[Spook]

Originally Posted by FJR Bandit

I think that is a great idea. And I bet my wife would agree to me getting rid of the old stuff.

I have donated old helmets to EMT schools for training purposes. (ie the correct way to remove a helmet from a down rider.)

Wonderful Idea

[freebutcaged]

This is a great idea. When I started riding the reasons were two fold

1. I couldn't afford a dependable car (I am a broke college student)
2. I really wanted to start riding

I had to scrounge gear and got free gloves off this site and a cheap jacket from newenough. When I finally have money to upgrade I will most likely give my old stuff away.

[sarge33rd]

Originally Posted by txmedic

I've made two offers to buy helmets for soldiers from Ft. Hood shopping at CTPS. In each case they had made statements to the salesman that they had just spent all their money on bikes and insurance. Both declined the offer.

Both generous of you, and stupid of them. Ft Hood Regs REQUIRE, on and off-post that soldiers be wearing helmets, jackets with reflective vests, gloves, boots and jacket while riding. Anything else, and they are subject to UCMJ.


If anyone cares to develop a "collection point", I believe I have an old helmet or two I could donate.

[Michelle]

This is a great idea.

Since I'm a newbie and still on my first set of gear I don't have any extra yet. However, as I begin to aquire I plan to pass on my old gear. Maybe by next winter I'll have some to offer up.

[Wastrel]

I'm going to make sure to ride by medics house without my helmet so I can get his old N-102, hehe.

[kurt]

Originally Posted by Wastrel

I'm going to make sure to ride by medics house without my helmet so I can get his old N-102, hehe.

Just come get it.

[Chirpy]

Originally Posted by txmedic

I've made two offers to buy helmets for soldiers from Ft. Hood shopping at CTPS. In each case they had made statements to the salesman that they had just spent all their money on bikes and insurance. Both declined the offer.

Might have just been the embarrassment factor. I know that now when I pay for an enlisted man's meal I usually just find the manager and tell them I'm putting $30 or whatever against the tab, and just tell them that a citizen appreciates their service. Keeps the e-factor low.

I wonder if Steve would consider a "GI gear-fund" that could be contributed to. Then when ever a GI bought a bike, a helmet could just be "on the house".