Just curious....how many of you ride without helmets?

Dewman · 08-24-2011, 03:28 AM

Be honest. In Idaho, helmets are optional for those over 21 years old.

4Raven · 08-24-2011, 05:49 AM

Sometimes, yes...not very often..usually when it is extremely hot outside or I just want to feel the air. I am aware of the consequence of not wearing one! That is why I wear one more often than not!

porange · 08-24-2011, 08:06 AM

Helmet always

Lowcountryjim · 08-24-2011, 01:38 PM

For me helmet always. I'm also live and let live.......so your choice.

hogcowboy · 08-24-2011, 02:41 PM

I've been known to ride short distances without a helmet but I don't make a practice of it. I truly do feel naked without it and in Texas it's your choice.

Johnjr08 · 08-24-2011, 03:51 PM

I always ride with my helmet

Mikedero · 08-24-2011, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnjr08

I always ride with my helmet

Ditto even if CT it is Optional. I bet that shocked people being that i ride a Harley.

never with out one on

hogcowboy · 08-24-2011, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikedero

I bet that shocked people being that i ride a Harley.

Not at all. I know a lot of Harley riders that where helmets.

als2052 · 08-24-2011, 08:27 PM

Helmet always...

V8Thrasher · 08-25-2011, 02:39 AM

Even if it was legal here in CA, Id still wear my helmet always. Though sometimes when im moving the bike from my garage to the street, ill "slowly move" without one.

KMWilliams · 08-25-2011, 05:55 PM

If I didn't wear my helmet every time, my wife would beat me into a bloody pulp.

I'd wear it anyway. I just like to make her THINK she's in change.

jdspreitzer · 08-25-2011, 06:20 PM

Just moved from Michigan (helmet state) to Arkansas (not helmet state) and I don't plan on wearing one. Maybe I'll get one to put on my old ladies head.

Gerjets · 08-25-2011, 06:38 PM

My state (Maryland) is a helmet law state so I must wear a helmet. Probably would anyways because it doesn't bother me (I wear a 1/2 shell). I ride with guys who stop at the PA state line and take theirs off - I still keep mine on because my insurance says it won't pay if I end up injured in an accident w/o a helmet. I don't judge - each rider should make his/her own choice.

Tankhead · 08-29-2011, 05:30 PM

I don't care how hot it gets around here. I always wear 1.

4Raven · 08-29-2011, 05:50 PM

Reasons to wear your helmet...hot tar stuck in your hair!!!

ReconLdr · 08-29-2011, 09:19 PM

I can count the number of times I have ridden without a helmet on 1 hand. When Pa revised the helmet law allowing riders 21+ and 2 years licensed to choose, I tried it and never really felt "comfortable".

I believe in personal liberty/choice, so I choose to wear my helmet. Since I wear my helmet 99% of the time, I reserve the right to wear shorts on occasion...

chefonahonda · 08-29-2011, 10:38 PM

Always except for short rides in my neighborhood

speedracer51 · 09-06-2011, 12:05 AM

Why would you not wear a helmet? I don't care if you smash your skull on the pavement and die. What happens if you don't die and your loved ones are stuck with your care for the rest of their lives? Its a pretty selfish decision not to wear a helmet if you ask me.

I wear 100% of ride time.

JasonSK · 09-06-2011, 09:50 AM

I wear mine all the time with the exception of when I was on a group ride yesterday and I moved from the gas pump to the line of bikes.

In my group ride there were 8 bikes, only one other rider had a helmet and she was a passenger.

Ride55 · 09-06-2011, 07:50 PM

Safest way to ride a motorcycle is to wear a helmet, and ride like your not wearing one.

Most dangerous way to ride a motorcycle is to not wear a helmet, and ride like you are wearing one.

I have ridden in the past without one, but only on very rare occasions, and never in traffic.

Now I have no choice. I had open heart surgery in January and they put a mechanical valve in. I am now on blood thinners, and any bump to the head can be very serious.

markk53 · 09-06-2011, 09:22 PM

Unless there are extenuating circumstances, like having to ride someone for some distance for some emergency type reason and only having one helmet, I won't consider riding across the street without one. I also will only wear a full face - off road or road.

Caladan · 09-09-2011, 11:35 PM

Full-face when I'm on the two-wheeler.

Open-face when I'm on the three-wheeler (unless it's cold).

Won't go past the end of the driveway on either one without a helmet. In fact, I'm pretty much an ATGATT kind of person when on the two-wheeler. I'm in the medical field, and I've seen enough cadavers of helmet-less Harley riders to know what can happen to a body when one rides without reasonable protection. It ain't purty.....

markk53 · 09-10-2011, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReconLdr

I can count the number of times I have ridden without a helmet on 1 hand. When Pa revised the helmet law allowing riders 21+ and 2 years licensed to choose, I tried it and never really felt "comfortable".

I believe in personal liberty/choice, so I choose to wear my helmet. Since I wear my helmet 99% of the time,

I reserve the right to wear shorts on occasion...

I'm right there with ya. That is one of the risks I am willing to assume at times. Of course I'm a shade more careful when in a Tee or shorts. No flip flops though, God didn't give me a shifter pad on my toe.

I looked at this again and came back to say I don't condemn those who don't wear helmets. I just thought - I'd ride without a helmet IF:

If the atmosphere had no bugs and junk flying in it.

If the tires of a vehicle in front of me (usually my buddy with his sticky rear tire) wouldn't be pitching pebbles or more at me.

If all others on the road and I were perfect drivers/riders and there was no chance of crashing.

If the roadways were all perfect.

Of course none of the above is true so I figure I will protect what is the toughest to have heal - my head and eyes. I get enough of an idea of what is going on when we're dual sporting and a pebble or bug hits me in the cheek where neither the googles or chin bar protect me. Hurts like heck.

Jeri Evans · 09-10-2011, 07:28 PM

I always wear a helmet.

WOLF · 09-14-2011, 04:46 AM

here in Israel it's against the law, in some small villages people sometimes not wearing an helmet. but when a small and vicious idea of not wearing it sneak into my head - i try to think about the thing's i dont want to miss (in case of accident) and put it on, full facee only!

ken45 · 09-23-2011, 08:54 PM

One time I tried it without a helmet, about 25 years ago. I went about a half mile in a park and that was enough.

Oh wait, I did take the bike from the house to the barn the other day without a helmet, about 500'.

No, I really don't like anything less than a full face helmet.

Ken

Chuck A · 09-23-2011, 09:46 PM

I always wear my helmut, its the law, but when i went to another state it wasnt required, defenitely a different feeling without the helmet though
very nice, indeed

Badlands-4-2 · 09-28-2011, 12:29 AM

I always wear a helmet. Always.

OTD · 09-28-2011, 09:02 AM

I always wear a helmet. Usually a full face but the 60+ days of temps over 100 this year convinced me to buy a Half-helmet. My first street bike helmet was a Bell MX helmet and every helmet since has been a full-face so my first time out on the street with the half was a bit strange. But now that I'm used to it I like it.

catchy name · 09-28-2011, 10:28 AM

I do 90% of the time . If I'm just running a few blocks down to the store or just putting around my neighborhood looking to catch one of my teens doing something they shouldn't be .

AgentKissable · 10-06-2011, 12:09 PM

It's a law in MD..but even if it wasn't I'd wear mine 100% of the time anyway.

If I wreck and become a vegetable even w/wearing a helmet...at least I can say I tried to prevent that outcome.
If I wreck and become a vegetable without a helmet on...then I just become another stupid statistic giving other riders a bad name for not being safe.

RiditAgain · 10-07-2011, 09:56 AM

ATGATT. In PA we have a choice to wear a helmut or not. We do not have a choice to wear seat belts. I haven't been explained the reasoning with that.

Flattop67 · 10-07-2011, 10:17 AM

I live in a helmet state, but about 3 miles from the line of a non helmet state. I wear it all the time locally, but will admit to not wearing it occasionally while in the other state. Sometimes I just like to feel like a rebel. When I did crash last December, I was wearing it and I am very glad I was.

[IMG]

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MikeChas · 10-09-2011, 03:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerjets

My state (Maryland) is a helmet law state so I must wear a helmet. Probably would anyways because it doesn't bother me (I wear a 1/2 shell). I ride with guys who stop at the PA state line and take theirs off - I still keep mine on because my insurance says it won't pay if I end up injured in an accident w/o a helmet. I don't judge - each rider should make his/her own choice.

This is a very good point. In most (if not all) insurance policies that are for bikes registered in a helmet state, don't pay anything if you weren't wearing a helmet, even in a non helmet state.

I wear my full face all the time. Even if it weren't illegal, I'd wear one anyways.

WinterWarrior · 10-09-2011, 07:55 PM

Live in Jersey, so 100% of the time, unless moving my bike in the driveway or a parking lot or something.

I wear a 3/4 helmet always, and I think its comfortable. Im thinking about getting a full face for the winter.

mikevillena · 10-10-2011, 06:57 AM

Some food for thought:

The diagram below shows the areas and percentages of impacts. The research was conducted by a German safety study.

What's interesting is that 35% of all crashes showed major impact on the chin bar and face shield area.
Here's a link to an interesting page:
http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Helmets.html

Bodraleadz · 10-10-2011, 10:15 PM

Always wear one but it's a choice. I've smacked my head on things over the years and don't want the road to be one of them.

RiderX16 · 10-11-2011, 11:46 PM

Never unless i go down the street and back!

cbdallas · 10-12-2011, 09:56 AM

Only when I'm doing a quick test-ride around the block. Anywhere else, the brain bucket is on.

If I'd been helmetless the day of my crash, I'd probably still be having face / head surgeries to this day, if I'd lived through it. Best money I've ever spent.

stantony1 · 10-12-2011, 02:17 PM

Always.

Even when moving the bike forward a few inches to get to the tire valve stems or check the tires.

400 plus pound bike falling and hitting me and then me hitting the ground at a stand still is still enough to crack skull.

Weird accidents do happen.

08-24-2011, 03:28 AM	#1
Dewman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 222	Just curious....how many of you ride without helmets? Be honest. In Idaho, helmets are optional for those over 21 years old. __________________ 65....goin' on 35!

08-24-2011, 05:49 AM	#2
4Raven Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,080	Sometimes, yes...not very often..usually when it is extremely hot outside or I just want to feel the air. I am aware of the consequence of not wearing one! That is why I wear one more often than not! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is liable to go to places no one has ever been before. - Albert Einstein

08-24-2011, 02:41 PM	#5
hogcowboy Crash Dummy Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Texas between Fort Worth and Wichita Falls Posts: 893	I've been known to ride short distances without a helmet but I don't make a practice of it. I truly do feel naked without it and in Texas it's your choice. __________________ 2007 Electra Glide Ultra Patriot Guard Rider

08-25-2011, 02:39 AM	#10
V8Thrasher Shattering The Skies Above Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: City of Angels Posts: 663	Even if it was legal here in CA, Id still wear my helmet always. Though sometimes when im moving the bike from my garage to the street, ill "slowly move" without one. __________________ Go Heavy, High Reps Don't Impress

08-25-2011, 05:55 PM	#11
KMWilliams Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SE PA Posts: 2,432	If I didn't wear my helmet every time, my wife would beat me into a bloody pulp. I'd wear it anyway. I just like to make her THINK she's in change. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-24-2011, 08:06 AM	#3
porange Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,651	Helmet always

08-24-2011, 01:38 PM	#4
Lowcountryjim Motorcyclist Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Lexington, SC Posts: 10	For me helmet always. I'm also live and let live.......so your choice.

08-24-2011, 03:51 PM	#6
Johnjr08 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 6	I always ride with my helmet

08-24-2011, 08:27 PM	#9
als2052 SCRC Chapt 566 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Port Labelle, Florida Posts: 91	Helmet always...

08-25-2011, 06:20 PM	#12
jdspreitzer Newbie Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 4	Just moved from Michigan (helmet state) to Arkansas (not helmet state) and I don't plan on wearing one. Maybe I'll get one to put on my old ladies head.

08-25-2011, 06:38 PM	#13
Gerjets Motorcyclist Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Mount Airy, MD Posts: 11	My state (Maryland) is a helmet law state so I must wear a helmet. Probably would anyways because it doesn't bother me (I wear a 1/2 shell). I ride with guys who stop at the PA state line and take theirs off - I still keep mine on because my insurance says it won't pay if I end up injured in an accident w/o a helmet. I don't judge - each rider should make his/her own choice.

08-29-2011, 05:30 PM	#14
Tankhead Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Roswell, NM Posts: 479	I don't care how hot it gets around here. I always wear 1.

08-29-2011, 05:50 PM	#15
4Raven Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,080	Reasons to wear your helmet...hot tar stuck in your hair!!! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is liable to go to places no one has ever been before. - Albert Einstein

08-29-2011, 09:19 PM	#16
ReconLdr Master of Rex Kwon Do Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Allentown Pa Posts: 781	I can count the number of times I have ridden without a helmet on 1 hand. When Pa revised the helmet law allowing riders 21+ and 2 years licensed to choose, I tried it and never really felt "comfortable". I believe in personal liberty/choice, so I choose to wear my helmet. Since I wear my helmet 99% of the time, I reserve the right to wear shorts on occasion...

08-29-2011, 10:38 PM	#17
chefonahonda Lead, follow or get out of the way. Life Is Good! Join Date: May 2011 Location: Zolfo Springs, Florida Posts: 743	Always except for short rides in my neighborhood

09-06-2011, 12:05 AM	#18
speedracer51 Verified Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Lapeer, MI Posts: 67	Why would you not wear a helmet? I don't care if you smash your skull on the pavement and die. What happens if you don't die and your loved ones are stuck with your care for the rest of their lives? Its a pretty selfish decision not to wear a helmet if you ask me. I wear 100% of ride time.

09-06-2011, 09:50 AM	#19
JasonSK Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: East of Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 392	I wear mine all the time with the exception of when I was on a group ride yesterday and I moved from the gas pump to the line of bikes. In my group ride there were 8 bikes, only one other rider had a helmet and she was a passenger.

09-06-2011, 07:50 PM	#20
Ride55 Verified Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Cranbrook BC Posts: 39	Safest way to ride a motorcycle is to wear a helmet, and ride like your not wearing one. Most dangerous way to ride a motorcycle is to not wear a helmet, and ride like you are wearing one. I have ridden in the past without one, but only on very rare occasions, and never in traffic. Now I have no choice. I had open heart surgery in January and they put a mechanical valve in. I am now on blood thinners, and any bump to the head can be very serious.

09-06-2011, 09:22 PM	#21
markk53 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Delaware, Ohio Posts: 3,232	Unless there are extenuating circumstances, like having to ride someone for some distance for some emergency type reason and only having one helmet, I won't consider riding across the street without one. I also will only wear a full face - off road or road. __________________ KLX650C, Zephyr 550 SR500, Bultaco Sherpa T

09-09-2011, 11:35 PM	#22
Caladan Verified Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 31	Full-face when I'm on the two-wheeler. Open-face when I'm on the three-wheeler (unless it's cold). Won't go past the end of the driveway on either one without a helmet. In fact, I'm pretty much an ATGATT kind of person when on the two-wheeler. I'm in the medical field, and I've seen enough cadavers of helmet-less Harley riders to know what can happen to a body when one rides without reasonable protection. It ain't purty.....

09-10-2011, 07:28 PM	#24
Jeri Evans Verified Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: CMH Posts: 37	I always wear a helmet.

09-14-2011, 04:46 AM	#25
WOLF Newbie Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 3	never here in Israel it's against the law, in some small villages people sometimes not wearing an helmet. but when a small and vicious idea of not wearing it sneak into my head - i try to think about the thing's i dont want to miss (in case of accident) and put it on, full facee only!

09-23-2011, 08:54 PM	#26
ken45 Master At Arms Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: southern Ohio Posts: 178	One time I tried it without a helmet, about 25 years ago. I went about a half mile in a park and that was enough. Oh wait, I did take the bike from the house to the barn the other day without a helmet, about 500'. No, I really don't like anything less than a full face helmet. Ken

09-23-2011, 09:46 PM	#27
Chuck A bikes and corvette Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 1,359	I always wear my helmut, its the law, but when i went to another state it wasnt required, defenitely a different feeling without the helmet though very nice, indeed __________________ I enjoy nice, and fast , women and vehicles, LOL

09-28-2011, 12:29 AM	#28
Badlands-4-2 Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Badlands of North Dakota Posts: 9,653	I always wear a helmet. Always.

09-28-2011, 09:02 AM	#29
OTD Ole Hamburger Hands Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Norman OK Posts: 4,796	I always wear a helmet. Usually a full face but the 60+ days of temps over 100 this year convinced me to buy a Half-helmet. My first street bike helmet was a Bell MX helmet and every helmet since has been a full-face so my first time out on the street with the half was a bit strange. But now that I'm used to it I like it. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

09-28-2011, 10:28 AM	#30
catchy name Tarmac Patrol Join Date: May 2010 Location: Whitehall P.A. Posts: 88	I do 90% of the time . If I'm just running a few blocks down to the store or just putting around my neighborhood looking to catch one of my teens doing something they shouldn't be .

10-06-2011, 12:09 PM	#31
AgentKissable Master At Arms Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 196	It's a law in MD..but even if it wasn't I'd wear mine 100% of the time anyway. If I wreck and become a vegetable even w/wearing a helmet...at least I can say I tried to prevent that outcome. If I wreck and become a vegetable without a helmet on...then I just become another stupid statistic giving other riders a bad name for not being safe.

10-07-2011, 09:56 AM	#32
RiditAgain Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,276	ATGATT. In PA we have a choice to wear a helmut or not. We do not have a choice to wear seat belts. I haven't been explained the reasoning with that.

10-07-2011, 10:17 AM	#33
Flattop67 Verified Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Way to the Right Posts: 99	I live in a helmet state, but about 3 miles from the line of a non helmet state. I wear it all the time locally, but will admit to not wearing it occasionally while in the other state. Sometimes I just like to feel like a rebel. When I did crash last December, I was wearing it and I am very glad I was. [IMG][/IMG] Last edited by Flattop67; 10-07-2011 at 10:19 AM.. Reason: add photo.

10-09-2011, 07:55 PM	#35
WinterWarrior Rat Bike Extraordinaire Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 923	Live in Jersey, so 100% of the time, unless moving my bike in the driveway or a parking lot or something. I wear a 3/4 helmet always, and I think its comfortable. Im thinking about getting a full face for the winter.

10-10-2011, 06:57 AM	#36
mikevillena Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 321	Some food for thought: The diagram below shows the areas and percentages of impacts. The research was conducted by a German safety study. What's interesting is that 35% of all crashes showed major impact on the chin bar and face shield area. Here's a link to an interesting page: http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Helmets.html

10-10-2011, 10:15 PM	#37
Bodraleadz Verified Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 14	Always wear one but it's a choice. I've smacked my head on things over the years and don't want the road to be one of them.

10-11-2011, 11:46 PM	#38
RiderX16 Verified Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 18	Never unless i go down the street and back!

10-12-2011, 09:56 AM	#39
cbdallas Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wylie, TX Posts: 1,786	Only when I'm doing a quick test-ride around the block. Anywhere else, the brain bucket is on. If I'd been helmetless the day of my crash, I'd probably still be having face / head surgeries to this day, if I'd lived through it. Best money I've ever spent.