This is embrassing...

[CanadianFZ6]

I'm more critical about a motorcyclists riding recklessly than riding w/o gear. On a side note, the state of Florida recently recinded its mandatory helmet law. During my visit to Key West and Miami Beach last month, 95% of riders (including me) wore no helmet which made sense for the islands because scooters (everybody seems to rent one) can barely attain 35 mph, the traffic is a lot of stop 'n go, and the weather is hot, humid and sticky. Riding around on the scooter wasn't all that much different from riding around on a bicycle. The same principal applies to, say, riding a liter sportbike 25 MPH down the block to pick up a newspaper or pack of cigaretter---overkill to put on boots, gloves, helmet, upper and lower leathers/mesh, etc. for the errand. So, I see some rationale to Florida backing off on the helmet law. Back to the guy you posted about: yeah, if you're gonna ride recklessly and at high speeds all the more reason to gear up---since you're asking for it.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but let me ask you this... What do you think would happen if your head hit the asphalt at even as slow as 10 mph? Or your nailed at a light waiting it to turn green? Or left turning vehicle? Very little speed involve here, but you head bounces off the windshield or road.

 

[coiled]

Tailgate...really? I have never and will never understand the people that argue that it's a personal choice to wear a helmet or not. It's just my opinion, but if you choose to NOT wear a helmet, you're an idiot. And trying to compare an accident like a walkway collapsing or falling out of a top bunk to participating in an inherently dangerous past time such as motorcycling is asinine. If you can't see the difference, I can't open your eyes.

BTW, if wearing a helmet is a personal choice, then let me make a personal choice of my own. I CHOOSE TO NOT WANT TO SEE ANYONE'S BRAINS SPLATTERED ON THE PAVEMENT. That's an image you can't get out of your head once it's in there and I don't want it.

There...I've made my choice.

Personally I always wear a helmet and happy to but think of it as natural selection.

 

[pottie]

I had pretty traumatic experience bout the helmet...
Back then when I lived in Jakarta Indonesia I was young and start riding when I was JR High school, every weekend w/100cc honda yeaap is small maybe max up to 60-70mph
One night another rider hit the divider and he s gone....
I guess we all know the risk and we re taking it so wheather we realized or not we do need buffer/gear...they re the only one that seperate us from asphalt...IMO..

 

[Tailgate]

I, myself, was saved once by a helmet/face shield during a spill so it's not as if I'm arguing "Don't wear a helmet." But, I think it's disingeneous to misrepresent or exaggerate some of my statements in order to make an argument. For example, did I try to compare, falling out of a top bunk, riding a bicycle, moped, or scooter around the block at low speeds without a helmet or full gear with participating in the "inherently dangerous pastime of motorcycling" without headgear,etc.? And, I'm sorry, but the vast majority---at least in this state---don't feel it's necessary to legislate laws requiring all (just certain minors, probably 90% of whom ignore the law) to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle. I feel that some of the views espoused here represent extremism. I'm not looking forward to the day when, next, some busy-body legislator is going to try to pass a law requiring all to wear a lifejacket while swimming no matter where. After all, I'm sure there are plenty of anecdotes to go around of people w/o a lifejacket drowning.

 

[RJ2112]

I, myself, was saved once by a helmet/face shield during a spill so it's not as if I'm arguing "Don't wear a helmet." But, I think it's disingeneous to misquote or exaggerate some of my statements in order to make an argument. .......

You cannot legislate intelligence.

I've crashed without gear, and I have crashed with gear....... if someone can ensure they never crash...... gear is non essential. Sooner or later, gravity wins. Gear makes healing up hurt less.

Gear will reduce the severity of injuries.... but it is not a solution to all stupid behavior. The best gear in the world will not prevent injuries being sustained, in all situations. If you hit something solid at more than 25 MPH, it's the same thing as taking a swan dive out of a second story window. Gear doesn't help with the impact, but it will reduce the amount of scrapes and such......


Wil Rogers...."Experience is what you get, right after you needed it."

.02

 

[lupusobus]

Gear doesn't help with the impact, but it will reduce the amount of scrapes and such......


Wil Rogers...."Experience is what you get, right after you needed it."

.02

+1 :thumbup:

 

[Motogiro]

I agree, if you feel you want to wear a helmet and/or full gear riding around the block on your bicycle or whatever, you should put it on. It's weighing the risks against the benefits. One will always find anecdotes to support a position. Heck, I was witness to a man who, while walking on a sidewalk at the Golden Gate Bridge south end area, suddenly collapse. He fell and hit his head hard on the concrete sidewalk. Off-duty nurses nearby administered CPR for over 15 mins but he never came to. Do I think elderly people should take a walk only while wearing a helmet now? I know somebody who fell out of the top bunk and hit his head. Do I recommend that people who take the top bunk wear a helmet?. I think, sometimes, people go to far with trying to tell others how to live. Reminds me of the abortion debate...

I don't think any one here is trying to force anything on you. I thought we were just expressing our spin on the subject.

I won't judge the guy that crashed the R1. If I was there I'd not judge him. I'd tend to his humaness.

Tailgate...really? I have never and will never understand the people that argue that it's a personal choice to wear a helmet or not. It's just my opinion, but if you choose to NOT wear a helmet, you're an idiot. And trying to compare an accident like a walkway collapsing or falling out of a top bunk to participating in an inherently dangerous past time such as motorcycling is asinine. If you can't see the difference, I can't open your eyes.

BTW, if wearing a helmet is a personal choice, then let me make a personal choice of my own. I CHOOSE TO NOT WANT TO SEE ANYONE'S BRAINS SPLATTERED ON THE PAVEMENT. That's an image you can't get out of your head once it's in there and I don't want it.

There...I've made my choice.

We all can grow and I don't think your spin becomes any more valid by tagging him as an idiot or assinine. It's called dialogue and we don't have to take the thoughts or opinions of others so personal.

CCHOUSEKEY: I guess chances aren't great that one will catch us sinking a beer together, huh? Geesh.

How would having and different opinion negate sharing a beer with your brother?! We're talking about BEER man! LOL

 

[audible]

This is probably what my father-in-law pictures when I ask to use his truck/boat....

 

[YamaSpeed]

Up here in Canada when someone goes down we all have to shell out for it. So to all you Canucks out there:

"Ware you gear because I want my favorite road paved more than I want to shell out for your skin grafts"


Yamaspeed

 

[YamaSpeed]

Up here in Canada when someone goes down we all have to shell out for it. So to all you Canucks out there:

"Ware you gear because I want my favorite road paved more than I want to shell out for your skin grafts"


Yamaspeed

and by "ware" I mean "wear":spank:

 

[Kriswithak]

Sad to hear a rider being irresponsible like that, personally I wear all my gear except my draggin jeans always (will wear normal jeans instead occasionally) and that includes a helmet, gloves, jacket, and boots.
The only time I don't wear my draggins is when they are in the wash, I do need a second pair but they are exp

There seems to be this idea that if your always doing the right thing you will never have an accident, and its not true, you can be 101% in the right and someone will do something unbeleivably stupid and you won't have time to react, even if you are being the most defensive rider ever.
If that happens its better to be following the all the gear all the time motto, than be sitting there on the road with half your skin torn off saying "BUT I WASN"T IN THE WRONG!!!!"

There is the arguement about not wearing all the gear... but the issue I have with that 'freedom' is everyone else is paying for your doctors bills when it happens (most likely through taxes) and it just strikes me as selfish
I honestly don't mind other people doing it, its their life, but I don't think other peoples money should be being spent on their stupidity, small investment in gear (and maybe some slight discomfort) for ALOT of money saved on medical.

On the same note the police here don't wear anything but a helmet and I think gloves.... totally irresponsible if you ask me, how can someone who totally disdains to wear proper full protective gear tell me I'm being irresponsible doing a small amount over the limit (speedwise) when no one else is on the road and it isn't unsafe in any way while wearing a short sleaved shift and normal trousers. With the way they ride at 200+km/h to catch people if they came off they would need one of those road scrubbing trucks to clean the blood from the 1km long skid they would have left.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

I honestly don't mind other people doing it, its their life, but I don't think other peoples money should be being spent on their stupidity, small investment in gear (and maybe some slight discomfort) for ALOT of money saved on medical.
.

I agree 100% ....because of their stupidity, it's costing everyone. More so in other countries, but here in the states too.

 

[Red Wazp]

Tailgate...really? I have never and will never understand the people that argue that it's a personal choice to wear a helmet or not. It's just my opinion, but if you choose to NOT wear a helmet, you're an idiot.

I CHOOSE TO NOT WANT TO SEE ANYONE'S BRAINS SPLATTERED ON THE PAVEMENT.

Don't look.