Motorcyclist Dies On Ride Protesting Helmet Laws. Gotta Wonder Sometimes

[Solus]

I was just getting out of the service in 1968 just after the front seat belt became standard equipment in 64 and the year they became standard in rear seats also.

Made a promise back then that I'd always wear a seat belt and have never driven without one since.

I like the idea that they are standard equipment as that reduces the cost by not having them go through a special order process on the assembly line.

I do not support any mandatory seat belt laws or helmet laws would work against them.

[tombogan03884]

Back in the 60's NH had a mandatory helmet law. It said  you had to wear a helmet. Guy around Concord put his over his knee, Cops must have stopped him a dozen times.
When he finally did dump the bike he happened to have it on his head.
He broke his knee. He sued the State.
 I don't remember if he won but they repealed the helmet law 

[Ichiban]

My brother rarely wore one.  One day he had it on when he crashed and the guy he was with ran over his head.  He's been a believer ever since.  You should see all the protective gear he makes his kids wear to go trail biking - they look like hockey players.

[MikeBjerum]

I average ride many miles in many areas and settings.

 I have two helmets, a full face and a beanie, and I have a thick skull.

I wear the full face when the wife is along, because it has the intercom in it.  I also wear it in the rain and very cold weather. 

I wear the beanie when I feel like having a helmet, but I don't feel like wearing the full face.

In my opinion, the full face helmet is the most dangerous piece of equipment ever invented for motorcycle riding.  The restricted field of vision takes away much of what a rider needs for safe riding in close traffic.  The added weight is also a hindrance and adds to fatigue on long rides.

The beanie is a good compromise, but just like an open face helmet gives a buffeting when used at highway speeds or in windy conditions.  Once again fatigue becomes a factor, but field of vision is unaffected by this helmet.

I amazed by the number of people posting on here that would not stand for government intruding in other areas of their personal lives or with their guns, but they have no problem calling motorcycle riders idiots and morons for riding without a helmet.

I have insurance on my bike, I have health insurance and I have a lot of life insurance, and if you don't like my riding attire you can just Bite Me 

[fightingquaker13]

M58
You need to read more closely. Most of us calling riders idiots for not wearing a helmet aren't calling for helmet laws. Its like the Mexican carry thread. I think you are a dumb ass if you stick a gun in your wasteband, but I'm not calling for a mandatory holster law. Its your head (upper or lower), choose to protect it as you wish. I might have an opinion, but its not my call.
FQ13

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

I average ride many miles in many areas and settings.

 I have two helmets, a full face and a beanie, and I have a thick skull.

I wear the full face when the wife is along, because it has the intercom in it.  I also wear it in the rain and very cold weather. 

I wear the beanie when I feel like having a helmet, but I don't feel like wearing the full face.

In my opinion, the full face helmet is the most dangerous piece of equipment ever invented for motorcycle riding.  The restricted field of vision takes away much of what a rider needs for safe riding in close traffic.  The added weight is also a hindrance and adds to fatigue on long rides.

The beanie is a good compromise, but just like an open face helmet gives a buffeting when used at highway speeds or in windy conditions.  Once again fatigue becomes a factor, but field of vision is unaffected by this helmet.

I amazed by the number of people posting on here that would not stand for government intruding in other areas of their personal lives or with their guns, but they have no problem calling motorcycle riders idiots and morons for riding without a helmet.

I have insurance on my bike, I have health insurance and I have a lot of life insurance, and if you don't like my riding attire you can just Bite Me 

It's not the suggestion that wearing a helmet is a good safety practice that I have a beef with.
It's the "there needs to be a law" mentality that infuriates me.
The primary argument is that injuries cost the taxpayer, that's bullsh!t. What m58 posted is true of most, if not all Bikers.
Considering that the price of a new Harley will pay for a pretty decent car, or make a darn good down payment on a house requires insuring the investment." Mandatory " anything laws are just another case of nanny state do gooders saying "you are to f*cking stupid to make your own choices".

[MikeBjerum]

M58
You need to read more closely. Most of us calling riders idiots for not wearing a helmet aren't calling for helmet laws. Its like the Mexican carry thread. I think you are a dumb ass if you stick a gun in your wasteband, but I'm not calling for a mandatory holster law. Its your head (upper or lower), choose to protect it as you wish. I might have an opinion, but its not my call.
FQ13

I said what I said, and I meant what I said!

To compare my rides sans helmet to a waistband carry is part of what I was posting about.

Remember that it was a head injury caused by a fall from a ladder that killed Dave Gruber.  Maybe he should have worn a helmet that day!

I can post stories, including one of a young lady that lives 3 1/2 miles from us, about people in a vegetative state because their helmets kept them barely alive.  As a friend says - "Some things you don't want to live through."

[fightingquaker13]

M58
I worked as a courier in DC on a moped for three years. It payed damn good money (this was pre-email and fax machines were new). I made $750 a week or better. But, riding in city traffic in the rain, with steel plates on the streets to cover underground construction, not to mention cobblestones and trolley tracks that wanted to grab your tires in older neighborhoods? If I didn't wear a full face helmet I'd not be here to annoy you. I might have only gone 35 MPH, but I still layed that bike down twice and had it go out from underneath me more than once. I think I have the right to say you are a  fool not to wear a brain bucket. I DO NOT however, have the right to MAKE you wear one. If this offends you, too bad, its just the opinion of a fellow rider with a whole lot of road rash under his belt. Take it or leave it.
FQ13

[tombogan03884]

Hey FQ, very different circumstances here.
You were in a big city, with all the stuff that means, m58 on the other hand has open highway, and generally can keep some space around himself.

[fightingquaker13]

True, and I'm not picking a fight. I guess my point is that its ok to say "IMHO you should do something for your own safety". It is not ok to say that you must do it. Here I hope we are all in agreement.
FQ14