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Cruiser
Posts: 209
| I'm sure this could be a very controversial subject, but here goes. In sc [where i live] there is n't a helmet law. I have recently went to a harley shop with a friend to pick up his bike, and they were having a bash of some sort. what got me is out of 100 to 150 bikers, going in and out, I seen maybe 3 or 4 riders wearing helmets. pretty typical here in sc. I havnt really been to a victory rally, so are victory riders as hard headed as harley riders? I'm thinking victory riders are a bit more 'safety minded' |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 691
Manchester, CT | Hey Banjodan
In CT, helmets are optional but I prefer to take any and all safety advantages I can! That's why my new VV has Clearwater leds (over 2000 lumens each) that work both on low and high beam and the screaming banshee airhorn (also flashes the light simultaneously). |
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Visionary
Posts: 1632
Jasper, MO | From what I've observed, both Victory riders and Harley riders go helmetless where it's legal and wear a helmet where it's required. I live in the corner of a helmet required State that is bordered by three States that do not require helmets. I've seen riders of both brands stopping at the State line to either don or remove helmets as legality allows.
Personally, having experienced close and intimate encounters with the pavement a couple of times over the years, I choose to wear a helmet everywhere most of the time, even where it is legal to go without, which is a change from my position on the matter in my younger days. I do not support mandatory helmet laws though. I still think it should be a free choice.
Ronnie |
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Cruiser
Posts: 209
| that's cool,street eagle! I''ll bet you can't sleep nights waiting to ride that new vv. got any miles on it yet? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1066
Peru, IN | It should be the riders choice, however, I won't leave my driveway without a lid on. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 154
Danbury, Connecticut | In my opinion, if you are over 21, have health and disability insurance, you should be able to make that choice for yourself. I personally hated wearing a helmet until a few years ago but started more for the intercom function and music and now I wear one most of the time and have gotten used to it. Once in a while it makes my scalp itchy/creepy crawly- that's the part I hate. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 691
Manchester, CT | The new baby arrives at the house on Saturday. If everything aligns my seat will be back from CA THANKS to my good friend Marc Parnes! Excited?!!!! If u look up the word in the dictionary you will find my picture  |
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Tourer
Posts: 411
Dallas, Texas | Personally, I rarely wear a helmet of any kind. I have a half helmet that I carry in the trunk, just in case I get a wild hair. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | OK - I have gone thru this several times. I started riding with no laws, then lived thru the first laws.
True Story: When 'helmet laws' were introduced in British Columbia - I did a STUDY. I discovered that more people died falling out of bed, then died from head injuries in Motorcycle Accidents. For real !!!
So I proposed that the Government legislate a mandatory HELMET LAW that would demand that people put on a helmet before getting out of bed in the morning. Made sense to me !!!
Well - you know how far that would go ....
I lived and rode in Orlando, Florida for 5 years from 1997 to 2002. The Florida Helmet Law was repealed in 2000 or so - so I drove a couple of years down there without a helmet. The only good thing I can say about a helmet is that it keeps your head warm in cold weather.
I would rather die from a head injury, than be a cripple with a broken back whose life was saved by his helmet. This has been MY argument since the first law was introduced in BC back in the 70's. And believe me - there are MANY cripples around who should have died. Sad - but a fact of life.
If I was a 'racer' - I would use EVERY safety device that was available to me. But I'm not - and should be allowed a choice.
IMHO ... (right, like I'M humble <grin>
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | I have always worn a helmet. Would feel naked without one. I like the protection. |
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Tourer
Posts: 575
Spirit Lake IA "Birthplace of Victory Motorcycles" | I always wear a hemet, but I believe that states should not legislate this. My wife and I were in a car / motorcycle accident 2 years ago where the car failed to yield. I would have lost my left ear and a good part of the back of my head if I were not wearing my helmet. Personal choice? Yes. I do value my life over that of any initial discomfort in wearing a helmet. My kids and grandchild also appreciate my choice to wear a helmet. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 76
| Sometimes I do.... sometimes I don't. It depends on the weather, where I'm going and who I am riding with that day. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 209
| I,ve had two minor bump ups, of which were not my fault. once i was rear-ended at a traffic circle, and once by another mc. my helmet has scars instead of my head. just a few bruises otherwise. |
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New user
Posts: 4
Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia. | I believe "Helmet Laws" suck. It should be riders choice but, should they choose to ride without a helmet they must have Health Insurance cover (in respects to head wounds whilst riding). |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| I live in Texas and the helmet laws flip flop every 15-20 years. Currently it's not required. For the most part I wear a helmet but I believe it should be up to the rider providing they have health insurance. As a side note my family's happy that I wear one, especially my son. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 271
Belding Michigan | I have lived where it was required and where it is not. I live in Michigan now and Abate was successful in getting the law repealed. I have only had one accident in 41 years of riding but based on the damage to my helmet the time I went down I would have had 37 less years of life and riding had I not had it on. I will wear it and don't mind me riding like everyone is out to get me because the one time I was sure I was good they got me. Archie |
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Cruiser
Posts: 108
Conneaut, OH | Sometimes I wear one sometimes I don't but if I do wear one it is full face what good is surviving if your face is ripped off |
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | I am a firm believer in a riders right to choose. I choose ATGATT and probably look like a power ranger on the bike. My wife went down and end over ended her bike 2 years ago and she walked away with a small abrasion on her shin. The helmet and her jacket were scraped up pretty good. Without the helmet I would have been a widower. |
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | SteveS - 2013-04-11 10:25 PM
In my opinion, if you are over 21, have health and disability insurance, you should be able to make that choice for yourself. I personally hated wearing a helmet until a few years ago but started more for the intercom function and music and now I wear one most of the time and have gotten used to it. Once in a while it makes my scalp itchy/creepy crawly- that's the part I hate.
Itchy head can be fixed. Wear a nylon or polyester beany under the helmet helps a lot. Most cheap helmets do not have good airflow and cause you to sweat easily giving you "monkey head". A good cheap helmet with planty of airflow is the Gmax line of full face helmets. I owned one for a couple of years and it did well in hot weather. |
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Tourer
Posts: 500
| Anyone responsible adult that rides without a helmet is nuts!! Same goes for those who do not fasten seat belts is cars...Seat belts are mandatory in order to help save lives...Why should not helmets have the same laws.....I take exception with the "riders right to choose" in this argument..If you want to ride, you should be required to wear a helmet.....JMHO of which I just expressed..... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1365
Central Maryland | opas ride - 2013-04-12 11:22 AM
Anyone responsible adult that rides without a helmet is nuts!! Same goes for those who do not fasten seat belts is cars...Seat belts are mandatory in order to help save lives...Why should not helmets have the same laws.....I take exception with the "riders right to choose" in this argument..If you want to ride, you should be required to wear a helmet.....JMHO of which I just expressed.....
If someone wants to risk an increased chance of being killed; from not wearing a helmet... let them. Why do you want to control someone's choice opas? It's not your head; not your life. It is not of your concern, It does not affect you personally. So why do you want it to be "required"?
That is what's wrong with our country; too many people trying to control others. Let folks go their own way; as long as they are not personally impacting you.... why stick yer nose in their business?
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Cruiser
Posts: 251
Mechanicsville, VA United States | We are dumb American's we need more government control! I need someone to tell me how to walk/talk/manage my money/my house whole/my children/ my life style/ my business....I must do as I'm told..........you will wear a helmet or you will die! |
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Cruiser
Posts: 160
Camas Washington | Wow, I am amazed at all those who say screw the helmet it my choice. When I was an avid cyclist best advice I got was "how much is your head worth" when picking out a helmet. I use to ware a 1/2, last year a went full face and will not go back. To those that say it is there choice, yes it is but it becomes everyone problems when insurance cost go up to cover medical expenses that can be prevented. All it takes it one time, let me state it again, all it takes is one time. You want to gamble go ahead it is your choice but when I read about a biker going down and in serious condition or killed bacause of head trauma due to no helmet, don't ask me to feel sorry for the person.
For most it is an ego thing for others, including several friends I ride with its: look at me I'm a badass biker no helmet. I tell them it takes one time and you go from badass to dumbass being feed by a straw.
I ware a helmet for the following:
Snow sking - this year it saved me from a potential head injury when nailed by a snowboarder
Wakeboarding - manitory for anyone who boards behind my boat, learned this lesson the hard way with a friend of my son nailing his head on the board doing a crazy air trick
Cycling
Motor cycle riding. |
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Tourer
Posts: 416
Prairie City, IA United States | diamonbird - 2013-04-12 12:18 PM
We are dumb American's we need more government control! I need someone to tell me how to walk/talk/manage my money/my house whole/my children/ my life style/ my business....I must do as I'm told..........you will wear a helmet or you will die!
DEMOCRAT! oh no... LOL (just kiddin) |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 785
Mt. Vernon, WASH. | Back in the mid 60's when my first ride was a 250 YAMAHA twin mosquito killer helmets weren't required. A buddy of mine bought a simular sized bike and we spent a fair amount of time runnin' around Seattle back when it was still a small city. One day he was cut off, hit by someone else and slid down the street until his forehead took out a 4 x 4 bearing a parking sign. He spent the next 23 years as a big carrot until he finally passed away from health complications. As a consequence of his accident (and heavy duty badgering from my Mother) I started wearing a BUCO half lid, learned to tolerate the giggles coming from others until time made all of that stop. I always ride with a helmet because the street is getting nastier every day.
Make your own decisions as we're all adults but be prepared as your family should be, to perhaps spend the balance of your life plugged into a million dollars of medical machinery when, some day, yuppiepuppy mommy tells the cop 'I never saw him' and you're in a big pile on the far side of the VOLVO wagon with your brains leaking all over the street.
Edited by SYNSTR 2013-04-12 2:14 PM
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Helmet or no helmet?
