2nd day of "no helmet law" in FL

Though I always wear a helmet when "sport riding," commuting, and touring, I do occasionally ride without a mellon-protector. I feal closer with the bike, since I can hear, feel, and see everything so much better - I feel more as if I'm one with the bike. I'll usually make a few quick errands at dusk to the local greasy spoon, and the helmet usually stays at home. Sure there are dire consequences, but then again, everything thrilling has a steep price tag. It's just a matter of personal risk management. Sometimes I'm willing to risk the skull fracture for a breif moment of heightened motorcycling enjoyment. In fact, I'm quite tired of the safety nazis (SN) calling everyone else squids, because the SN's are themselves unwilling to compromise the least bit of safety when it comes to riding. We are our own masters of our bodies, so the SN's should just mind their own damn business. I'm just glad states like Illinois, Indiana, Florida, etc. have caught on to this concept.

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--2000 VTR1000F Super Hawk

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wolfman:
I think it looks really cool to ride without one
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I think just the opposite. Looks foolish to me when I see a rider without a helmet.



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TJ
'98 SuperHawk - no longer scuffed
"Are straight roads good for anything? Yes, they get you to the next curve."

When I first started riding in the early 80's, I had a crash. I was only going about 10 - 15 mph, less than a block from the house. It was a lowside, and I hardly got hurt at all, but my helmet had a lot of very deep scratches in it from where my head was slammed into the pavement. Needless to say, I wouldn't be here if not for that cheap helmet. While I don't go for the concept of the govt saving me from myself, wearing a helmet is still a very good personal choice. About the only time I would ride without one is somewhere like Daytona or Myrtle beach, where there is so much traffic, you'd be lucky to ever hit 50mph. It would be nice to be riding down the street, see a girl, pull over, and tell her to get on without having to go through the helmet thing, but for 99% of my riding, I'll still wear one.

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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Aril, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cbr600f4gd:
Ride Fast - Take Chances
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Ride fast Take chances..... hmmmm.

Maybe the no-helmet contingent on SBW is just living up to your signature....







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Fear Green.

A few weeks ago a guy just a little ways out in the county went wide in a curve. He made it to the side of the road and was doing about 4 or 5 miles an hour when he put his foot down and braked. His foot slipped in the gravel and the bike dropped. His head bounced off the pavement. His buddy asked him if he was alright. He was a little shook but said yeah and off they went. A couple days later he was having some odd symptoms and went to the clinic. I'm not sure of all the details but he did some unseen damage and died 3 weeks later from complications.

Now before you say he was stupid for not going to the hospital think about how many times you've bumped your head. Did YOU go to the hospital every or any time?

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Chris (H-Man) Pyle
'99 F4-S/T
Ride Smart, Ride Far

I will always be wearing my helmet because--

a) the other guy
b) myself
c) my bearutiful wife
d) I have so much I want to do yet

This is all about natural selection. Ride without a helmet and live, moto-population gets more careful/skilled. Ride without a helmet and die, moto-population gets smarter (?).

For most, the helmet laws are about "choice" and that is what our country is about. That's fine. Many who want helmet laws repealed will wear one anyway. It is just the choice thing.

Ride safe with or without a helmet this 4th.

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No helemt laws always bring up a few questions for me: Anyone?

Any statistics on increased number of accidents with injuries due to no helemts?

Also what does it do to insurance rates?

What about insurance for autos (to cover potentially more cliams from riders without helemts who get hurt)?

Also, do any insurance companies not pay if you are not wearing a helemt (like seatbealts)?

As for my $.02, looking at accidents, most happen close to home on short trips - exactly when riders are least likely to wear a helmet if given the choice. I figure its like wearing a jacket. Its too easy to leave it off sometimes and the more you leave it off the more likely you are to leave it off the next time. Besides how many short trips turn into long ones.....just today I ran an errand, told the wife i would be home in a few minutes, but it was a nice day and didnt think of the time until I turned around two hours later.

Sorry its so long.......but you cant plan on when a helmet will save your head and when you wont need one.

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Dave

600 Bandit

Okay, statistics say you are most likely to have an accident close to home. But, duh... like 98% of all your driving is going to be close to your home! (Was it Mark Twain who said there are lies, damn lies and statistics??? Statistics are part of my job and they can be made to say most anything you want.) Come on! Where you have the accident usually has nothing to do with HAVING the accident.

I live in Indiana, a "no-helmet-law" state and would be lying if I said I never rode without one. But... I am cognizant of the fact that I am literally taking my life into my own hands when I leave home without one. As some of you have said, close to home, down the road for quick bite, maybe cruisin' the loop at a nice relaxed pace... yeah, I'll go without the brain bucket. Commuting, twisties or quarter miles? Shoei every time!

(Having died twice already, maybe I have a little different outlook than most. I'm gonna enjoy all the time I have left with a certain amount of judicious risk-taking being an acceptable tradeoff.)



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Ride Hard. You can rest when you're dead.

Hey folks !!!
I just started riding again a few months ago,
but like Leon i had 5 mph low side back in
1984. Same story, huge scraches across the
face of my helmet. The point is (and we all
know this) that any ride on a bike can be
deadly, Helmets save lives, and your good
looks !! But even i have ridden around the
neighborhood without the lid just to listen
to the bike ( and the fear of crashing
outweighs the sensory experience). Freedom
of choice should be our right, but i always
encourage helmet and leather protection.
I hope Kristy or anyone else ever has to try
to patch my melon back together !!

ride safe !!

00 vfr800

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