Most controversial post yet.

[PolygonFla]

As most of you know by now I started riding in the mid eighties. Back then if there was body armor it wasn't widely available. So I didn’t form good habits early on. I know it can work in some situations, because a close friend of mine had a mechanical failure while riding a GXR in the mountains of New Mexico. He rode the bike off of a 600-foot cliff. He was wearing a Nolan N100 helmet and Joe Rocket gloves and jacket. He was airlifted to a hospital with a concussion, two broken wrists, a broken shoulder and broken kneecap. He is convinced that the helmet and gear saved his life.

As adults I believe every rider has the right to make his or her own choice. I will never berate someone the choice they make. Just like I expect the same respect. When I had the motorcycle endorsement added to my license the clerk took it upon her self to tell me that “riding a motorcycle is stupid and that I am likely to get killed.” I don’t know what she was expecting. Was I supposed to say, “Oh I didn’t think of that, thanks for your time I changed my mind goodbye.” I had obviously just spent $270 bucks on a MSF course; it must have crossed my mind at least once that I was increasing my risk level.

Ok so I am starting to rant. Here is the place to do it. I invite everyone to rant here.

[John22j]

Well, I guess I should say I wear full gear and armored jacket but it's not like street armor, but close enough (EVS Ballistic Jersey)... you couldn't pay me to ride on the street anymore, just a choice and I'm not willing to take it.... I had my time and now I just stick to the dirt where I don't have 1 1/2 ton beasts hunting me down.

Even after a car crossed double yellow and hit me head on I didn't hesitate to get another bike... then I took on many more responsibilities and I started to re-think how many cars almost hit me or how many close calls almost happened.... I have a responsibility to others now, so I just can't take that risk -- again, it's a choice... I fully understand why people ride against cars, I just choose not to do it anymore.

They don't call 'em donar-cycles for nothing. :wink: Some of the best organs come from cyclists... so actually bikers save lives in a sick twisted way.

[culcune]

When I first got my Jetmoto registered (and before :wink: ) I rode around sans helmet. To be honest, I didn't purchase a helmet until I was going to cross the state line into California to check out the Imperial Sand Dunes. After that, I used the helmet full-time, and then the bike broke, and I haven't had use of it since late August.

When I get back into the swing of things, the helmet will be used 90% of the time.

[PolygonFla]

It gladdens my heart John that you have found a way to enjoy the sport and care so much for your family that you try to keep your risk level low.

I just started commuting 5 miles each way on my bike this week. Yesterday was beautiful. Cool but not cold, dry and no one attempted to kill me. I even had a car stop short at a traffic light and wave me in front of her from the bank parking lot.

On the other hand, on Tuesday I was making a left turn with a green arrow and a car made a right turn from the opposite side of the intersection across three lanes in to the lane I was in. Thankfully the dualsport is skinny because for a moment I was lane splitting with a cage. I down shifted and pulled ahead of her and I could tell she was very surprised when a motorcycle suddenly materialized right in front of her.

She never saw me sitting across from her waiting for the light. I have a feeling that I could have been driving anything. If I had been in my car I think she would have hit me. I didn’t send any rude gestures her way, she either knows she screwed up or she doesn’t.

[RPM]

As you have already stated, I, respect anyone's decision also, but always insist on a helmet, boots, gloves and a jacket when I ride.
After riding bikes for 33 years, I have seen many accidents and been a part in some of them and I can say for certain that I wouldn't be here today if it was not for wearing a helmet. The guys that did wear helmets that I knew had injuries, but pulled through except for one that even a helmet wouldn't have made a difference, my cousin was picked up in plastic bags and one who decided to not buckle his.
I have split two helmets myself and scarred many more, after all, there's two kinds of bikers, those that have gone down and those that haven't gone down yet. I have crashed into 3 cars, none my fault, and even survived a crash against a semi on the highway about 7 years ago, which was nobody's fault unless you figure in mother nature. There's no way I can recount all the trail accidents over my time, but I still walk with gravel in my knees to this day. It's going to happen so I always try to prepare for it, Lord knows I ain't going to stop riding ... not as long as I can lift one leg over the saddle!
I attended a bike rally once a while back that was sponsored by the Vietnam Vets, who I very much respect I might add, about a 1.5 hour ride from me, only to find out when I arrived that the purpose in the entrance fee of $20.00 was to raise money to help change the helmet law in my state. I just couldn't make myself pay to go in after that, again, please respect my decision as I do yours. I agree that it is a very touchy subject with all bikers, and I can manage with or without the state telling me how to ride, as long as I can wear a helmet!
This same issue rose up when the seatbelts were invented, if the old timers can remember. I remember when the belts were an option.

[CathastrophiX]

Originally Posted by RPM

, after all, there's two kinds of bikers, those that have gone down and those that haven't gone down yet.

-Yes, that is correct.... ALWAYS wear protection, even if you´re just going on a short ride. A helmet and protective clothing will save your fragile body a LOT better than no protection. I stopped riding for six years because of my last accident. I have demolished two helmets and one protective suit, (while wearing them :wink: )
By the way, use a back protector too.

Yes, I also think it´s a pain to put on all the gear, but sliding down the tarmac in shorts and t-shirt is more painful....

[culcune]

I hear you, Tom. I grew up in the 70's (born in '69), but do remember the older cars that people still used that didn't have seat belts to buckle. Being a teen in the 80's, I remember growing up in what I thought was paradise, the greater metro area of L.A., California. There was still the 60's mentality in the air--no seat belt laws, no helmet laws, legally riding in the back of pick-ups, those street legal dune buggies (VW-based), assault rifles, etc. Slowly, the state started becoming a "STATE" and these freedoms were slowly eroded away, into the 90's, and even today if you count the fact that the 1 state that you can't register a 49-state DOT approved Lifan GY-5 is California.

I know the danger is there for no helmets, but if that fundraiser was held in California, and if I knew then what I have experienced up to now, I would have paid the $20 more out of rebelling against the Kommunist Peoples Republik of Kalifornia, than being against helmets. Then again, I would hope to overturn all the restrictive laws, just because it is California telling me not to, and my resentment for that.

That being said, there is a possibilty of me moving back to that socialist state to be closer to my family, and my wife's family, if you can believe that!

[culcune]

Originally Posted by CathastrophiX

Yes, I also think it´s a pain to put on all the gear, but sliding down the tarmac in shorts and t-shirt is more painful....

It gets to be thousands of degrees Faranheit in the summer here (ok, it just feels that way--118 to be exact for a big part of July/August/September), and I still wear a helmet, long pants and a long sleeve shirt. I know that it's not completely protective clothing, but I do plan on obtaining it--yes, hopefully before I need it!

[John22j]

A friend of mines dad use to say: "Asphalt is undefeated" - I've gone down on interstates, gravel roads, trails, and mx tracks - sometimes really hard. (and sometimes with nothing but a helmet, shorts, and shoes on -- no shirt, just skin waiting to be ground up like nobodies business... still I always had a helmet, even in my "crazy days".... unfortunately I have the scars and gravel forever in my body to prove it as well... but we learn and move on.)

Helmet, neck roll w/ wedge brace, boots, knee/shin guards, protective jacket (chest, back, shoulders, elbows, arms, kidney belt), reinforced pants -- even in 95 degrees you won't see me on the trail without all of the above. It's a personal choice that comes from experience, not just being overly cautious.

[PolygonFla]

It is my experiance riding in Florida that I am actualy cooler when I wear a mesh jacket with intigrated armor. It keeps the sun from hitting the skin but as long as I'm moving more than 5 mph the air keeps me cool. In a tee shirt I simply roast.

[ambassador]

Simple fact- Helmets save lives...

[NewEnglandTrails]

I wear a helmet 98% of the time and would never advocate for someone not to be as safe as can be while enjoying two wheels. However mandating that one has to wear a helmet to ride legally is something I have a problem with.

My main point of contention is being legislated too. Y'all are right to promote safety. Just don't shove it down my throat with legislation mandating me to do so. As well I would caution against supporting any further regulation of 2 wheeled vehicles and atv's or we will run out of places to ride.

As an Enduro lover, I prefer going off road. Where I live.. the same people that want to make it a law for me to ride legally (With a helmet on) also have decided I can no longer ride "legally" on an abandoned railway on which I have been riding for 20 years because they want to designate it a "Green Zone" However horses can ride the trail and unlike me with my quiet 4cycle bike.. they don't always leave just a footprint. Steaming piles of methane exuding horse poop litter the trail. They are also spending money to block access to powerline trails with public money.

Anyway you asked for rants... thats my two cents.

Question: Im curious what are the helmet laws in Canada and in some of the other countries represented by members in our forum? Does anyone else have issue with their eroding rights as a Motorcyclist?

Enjoy it while you can.

NET

[mdsuave13]

Data on materials against highway surfaces:

Skin=0 feet sliding

cloth=1 foot sliding

jeans=6 feet sliding

armored cloth materials= 15-30 feet depending on surface

leather= 80-100 feet depending on surface

kevlar/leather combos= 160-200 feet

kevlar/cordura/lycra combos= 200+ feet

its also good to note that its not all about abrasion resistance either, a lot of injuries come from the actual impact of the roadway or other, crash padding is JUST as important as abrasion resistance. So if you offroad a lot, you may want to look into a chest protector (think about all the important stuff you have inside there along with your head...)

it also said that the best way to go is to look around classifieds or call up motorcycle racing schools and ask if they have any old leather suits they are selling.. most racing leathers that have been used or down still have much more safety then just jeans, granted you can look pretty silly riding a 200cc enduro with race leathers, but if you can get them cheap, its good insurance...


I personally never leave on a bike with anything less then a leather jacket, riding boots, kevlar/cordura/leather gloves with wrist armor, and a full face helmet. I have been down a few times, 2 not serious (just some cuts and bruises) and one pretty close to the end of my life (leg shattered below knee), thigh bone broken in 8 places, wrist, fingers, collar, 2 ribs and a dislocated disc in my spine, not to mention my helmet split after i went down and the bike somersaulted onto my head causing my brain to be bruised, my head to be rashed pretty bad and lots of other stupid things...

i was wearing a leather jacket with a turtleshell, gloves, boots, jeans, full face hjc helmet (which i personally wont get again) i slid for about 70 feet and my joe rocket jacket is still in damn good shape.. i will be wearing it for good luck with my new bike.

sorry for the long post, but after all the shit i went thru of not walking for what seemed like forever, and what could have been my life.. i highly recommend safety gear to everyone.. even if its just around the corner for a quick ride... otherwise it could be your last..

RIDE SAFE.. KEEP THE RUBBER SIDE DOWN!

[liverchip]

Always wear my gear....even on my quads...Kinda a wuss in that way I guess. Trying to set a good example for my little ones. About 8 years ago I took a a good spill at about 40MPH going up a paved mountain road in Mexico on my 700 Nighthawk. Due to my gear I sustained only a minor road-rash on my knee and thigh. Helmet, jeans and leather jacket saved my booty.

[PolygonFla]

Hey N.E.T., get it all out man, that’s what we’re here for, rant away.

Seriously though I remember when Florida passed its helmet law in the late eighties and I was totally amazed when it was repealed a few years ago. Part of the politics that got the law repealed is the popularity of bike week in Daytona and the legislators concluded that being able to ride without a lid would attract more riders.

I haven’t been recording numbers but my casual observation is only about one in five of the riders of the big cruisers wear helmets and then they are likely to have a half helmet on. It seems like two out of three sport bike riders have a helmet, usually full face or modular. The scooter crowd rarely has helmets on. Finally I haven’t seen many dual sport riders around here, I’ve only seen two and they both had a helmet on.

I’m just glad to know that I can make my own choice.