Helmets Yes or No? - Page 6 - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

MagnumForce · 12-11-2005, 12:05 PM

I'd much rather ride a motorcycle than jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Bearing in mind that I would never skydive, I would agree that riding without a helmet would be more dangerous for me.

Pinhy · 12-11-2005, 04:13 PM

the most thrilling thing i have ever done in my life is freefall from 13500 feet to 5000 feet in about a minute or so. we reached approx 150 mph straight down! it was soo awesome!

very nervous when getting close to jump time, but when i got up to the door and looked down i got very calm and was ready to go.

.

**Clint** · 12-11-2005, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trappercase

And they wear a helmet while skydiving.

LOL. Good point.

Liqwed · 12-11-2005, 09:28 PM

My thought to the original poster.

If you are too uncoordinated to ride a bike with a helmet on, you shouldn't really be on a bike. Helmets are designed to protect your head INCASE of an accident. Seatbelts in cars are uncomfortable and sometimes get in my way, but still I put them on anyways. Everyone wants to avoid an accident, I'm sure no one ever purposely try to get into an accident. We all try to avoid it, but hey...**** happens. Wear your helmet and be safe man, it could save your life.

Chappy206 · 12-13-2005, 01:16 AM

Rowdy, I got to admit that I find it much more dangerous jumping out of an airplane, even with a helmet and any other protective gear they make, than taking a ride on my bike without a helmet. In fact, I don't find those two activities even in the same ballpark, in terms of danger. Not that I'm some sort of safety expert mind you.

But, perhaps I digress....bottom line, it all comes down to personal preferences. My analogy might have been a bad one. What seems "too" dangerous to one person, might be seen as a justifiable risk to another person. I think that is the case when we get into a discussion on motorcycle helmets and for that matter bicycle helmets as well. Ride safe everyone...

**Clint** · 12-13-2005, 07:46 AM

Well, check the statistics on how many motorcyclists die and how many skydivers die, even when both are wearing helmets. Opinions and baseless speculation don't mean much.

http://www.afn.org/skydive/sta/stats.html

Quote:

Helsinki, Finland, October 1993 Global research on safety in parachuting 1991. Replies from 35 countries of 62 were received. 26 had exact counts, nine had only estimated numbers.

Total of 245,162 jumpers made 4,848,025 jumps. 74 died, which makes 1 fatality per 65,513 jumps. Preliminary research gives ratio of 1:64,091 for year 1992.

http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/i..._sort_739024=5
This site gives 61.57 deaths per 100,000 registered motorcycles in 1993, giving a ratio of 1:1624, or approximately 39 times the rate for skydivers.

Now statistics are dangerous things, and there are many factors which these numbers ignore. Still, I believe your odds are much worse on a motorcycle than under a canopy. And yes, I've jumped. Twice.

tlwisner · 12-13-2005, 08:35 AM

The last time I was skydiving and my chute failed - my helmet saved my life!

Liqwed sums it all up well in his above post.

TheDickies007 · 12-13-2005, 09:48 AM

This has been a really good discussion. I usually don'tt wear my helmet. Infact, I had a 12 hour ride to Washington (on busy freeways), and then a 15 hour ride back in the night time (on the same busy freeway) with out a helmet. The only time I put it on was when my face was too cold to even smile. But after reading what all you "Veteran riders" do, I think I am going to start wearing my helmet everytime. I always thought I look "Cooler" on the bike with out my helmet, but maybe I was wrong. Thanks guys.

**Trapper** · 12-13-2005, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDickies007

This has been a really good discussion. I usually don'tt wear my helmet. Infact, I had a 12 hour ride to Washington (on busy freeways), and then a 15 hour ride back in the night time (on the same busy freeway) with out a helmet. The only time I put it on was when my face was too cold to even smile. But after reading what all you "Veteran riders" do, I think I am going to start wearing my helmet everytime. I always thought I look "Cooler" on the bike with out my helmet, but maybe I was wrong. Thanks guys.

No, thank you. Maybe this site saved your life...never know.

TheDickies007 · 12-13-2005, 11:37 AM

True, True!!

tigerdude77 · 12-16-2005, 09:45 AM

but I just moved from SC where it's NOT required. Bottom line is - I would wear one ALL the time - even if not required. I don't like bugs/rocks hitting me in the face at high speeds. Plus, bugs are hard to get out of your teeth after a long ride.

**Clint** · 12-16-2005, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDickies007

I always thought I look "Cooler" on the bike with out my helmet, but maybe I was wrong. Thanks guys.

No offense, but people on the highway without a helmet look as stupid as a person with a cigarette in his mouth to me.

You'll always find arguments for both sides, but which one really makes more sense?

Mr.Miyagi · 12-17-2005, 02:20 AM

Shoei X1 - Troy Lee design, got a big orange dragon on each side....bought it when I had a sports bike cos it nice and light, quiet and looks kinda cool...costa bloody fortune here in Oz. Still wear it now I'm on the M50....why....because although it may look a little odd for a "cruiser" rider, it's nice and light, quiet and will probably save my life one day. As for the "individuals" with the bandanas for helmets, well you all kinda look the same to me...but each to their own

BTW, even though I got a wiz-bang helmet and an MC that makes about as much noise as two hammsters going for it (stock exhaust of course) I still wear hearing protection too when riding to work (90% of the time at 70MPH+).....and for all those that say ya can't hear sirens to avoid trouble etc....bull****.....the only time you really won't hear them is when you've been riding for 25+ years without looking after your scone and your half deaf, or your just not paying attention! Just my 2 cents worth

Ride on!

infrared41 · 12-06-2008, 09:46 PM

I was in the "no helmet" crowd until I had my accident. Until then, I would wear a helmet some days and not wear it on others. My logic was that a short trip didn't require a helmet. (Gotta love that logic. As if a short trip didn't present the same hazards a long one would.) The day I had my accident I was on a "long trip" so I was wearing my full face helmet. The irony is that my accident happened at a 4-way stop on a side street. If I had been on a "short-trip" instead of heading out on the road I wouldn't have been wearing the helmet. Well to make a long story short, after the accident I looked at my helmet and there was a huge gash on the front of the helmet right about where my mouth would have been had I not been wearing it. Once I started riding again I decided that a helmet wasn't such a bad idea.

frostbitevinnie · 12-06-2008, 11:09 PM

Lots of zombies lately. Is it the weather????

Low&Slow · 12-07-2008, 11:17 AM

It's the law in Louisiana, but when I ride in states that don't require it, I will sometimes ride without mine. I absolutely agree with all of the reasons why you should wear a helmet, but I also sometimes run with scissors and play with matches, I don't know, I guess I just feel dangerous sometimes.

ranger04 · 12-07-2008, 11:27 AM

Holy Zombie thread man, three years dead
Ok, I'll feed the zombies

I wear at the least a leather riding jacket, gloves, boots and helmet everytime I ride, doesnt matter if its 5 minute ride or 5 hour ride I wear my gear. If its cooler out Ill wear leather chaps, or suzuki riding pants if I wear the Nittro jacket.

I dont have, nor want a windshield on my bike and them big bugs are out to kill me im telling ya

-Plus all them other safety reasons to be wearing the gear

tricker · 12-07-2008, 11:44 AM

brains....... BRAINS!!!!!!!!!

wxmcpo · 12-07-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frostbitevinnie

Lots of zombies lately. Is it the weather????

Maybe, it is winter in some places so some guys may have put their bikes away so nothing to do except scan the forums.

Personally I can never see a point where I rides without all of my gear. When I was 12 my dad was riding his bike home and was hit from behind by some idiot on the freeway. Shattered both wrists, broke one leg and had some serious road rash, but he survived because he was wearing his helmet. We still have that helmet because it served as a reminder to never go out without one.

mattman57 · 12-07-2008, 12:30 PM

I wear a helmet 100% of the time and its a full face Arai helmet. I lost a friend to an accident where he t-boned a truck going about 20mph and killed him. Had he had a helmet he would have been fine. I work at a bike shop (honda) and we have about 4 or five helmets hanging around that have been smashed and the wearer is still ridding.
cannot say enough about helmets. Buy the best (Arai) and compromise on the rest.

12-11-2005, 12:05 PM	#101 (permalink)
MagnumForce Throttle Jockey Join Date: May 2005 Bike: 05 M50, 06 CBR600F4i Location: Sitting on the can... duh! Posts: 3,160	I'd much rather ride a motorcycle than jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Bearing in mind that I would never skydive, I would agree that riding without a helmet would be more dangerous for me. __________________ "I love the smell of toner in the morning… it's the smell of victory!" MAJ M, Staff Officer

12-11-2005, 09:28 PM	#104 (permalink)
Liqwed Where Am I ? Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 42	My thought to the original poster. If you are too uncoordinated to ride a bike with a helmet on, you shouldn't really be on a bike. Helmets are designed to protect your head INCASE of an accident. Seatbelts in cars are uncomfortable and sometimes get in my way, but still I put them on anyways. Everyone wants to avoid an accident, I'm sure no one ever purposely try to get into an accident. We all try to avoid it, but hey...**** happens. Wear your helmet and be safe man, it could save your life. __________________ 2003 GSX-R 750

12-13-2005, 08:35 AM	#107 (permalink)
tlwisner Throttle Jockey Join Date: Apr 2004 Bike: '05 Boulevard C50 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 3,208	The last time I was skydiving and my chute failed - my helmet saved my life! Liqwed sums it all up well in his above post. __________________ Tim Wisner AMA, SCRC Happiness is something we create

12-13-2005, 09:48 AM	#108 (permalink)
TheDickies007 Where Am I ? Join Date: Oct 2005 Bike: '97 Marauder 800 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 37	This has been a really good discussion. I usually don'tt wear my helmet. Infact, I had a 12 hour ride to Washington (on busy freeways), and then a 15 hour ride back in the night time (on the same busy freeway) with out a helmet. The only time I put it on was when my face was too cold to even smile. But after reading what all you "Veteran riders" do, I think I am going to start wearing my helmet everytime. I always thought I look "Cooler" on the bike with out my helmet, but maybe I was wrong. Thanks guys. __________________ The Great White Ninja

12-13-2005, 11:37 AM	#110 (permalink)
TheDickies007 Where Am I ? Join Date: Oct 2005 Bike: '97 Marauder 800 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 37	True, True!! __________________ The Great White Ninja

12-11-2005, 04:13 PM	#102 (permalink)
Pinhy Doesn't think you're funny Join Date: Dec 2004 Bike: 05 Boulevard M50 Black Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 5,210	the most thrilling thing i have ever done in my life is freefall from 13500 feet to 5000 feet in about a minute or so. we reached approx 150 mph straight down! it was soo awesome! very nervous when getting close to jump time, but when i got up to the door and looked down i got very calm and was ready to go. .

12-13-2005, 01:16 AM	#105 (permalink)
Chappy206 Seat Tester Join Date: Nov 2005 Bike: 2006 Suzuki C50-2008 Triumph Bonneville T-100 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 94	Rowdy, I got to admit that I find it much more dangerous jumping out of an airplane, even with a helmet and any other protective gear they make, than taking a ride on my bike without a helmet. In fact, I don't find those two activities even in the same ballpark, in terms of danger. Not that I'm some sort of safety expert mind you. But, perhaps I digress....bottom line, it all comes down to personal preferences. My analogy might have been a bad one. What seems "too" dangerous to one person, might be seen as a justifiable risk to another person. I think that is the case when we get into a discussion on motorcycle helmets and for that matter bicycle helmets as well. Ride safe everyone...

12-16-2005, 09:45 AM	#111 (permalink)
tigerdude77 In Training Join Date: Dec 2005 Bike: 2006 Kawasaki 650R Location: B'ham, AL Posts: 128	Well - in Bama - it's required by law... but I just moved from SC where it's NOT required. Bottom line is - I would wear one ALL the time - even if not required. I don't like bugs/rocks hitting me in the face at high speeds. Plus, bugs are hard to get out of your teeth after a long ride.

12-17-2005, 02:20 AM	#113 (permalink)
Mr.Miyagi In Training Join Date: Jul 2005 Bike: 2005 Suzuki M50 Black Location: Australia Posts: 119	Shoei X1 - Troy Lee design, got a big orange dragon on each side....bought it when I had a sports bike cos it nice and light, quiet and looks kinda cool...costa bloody fortune here in Oz. Still wear it now I'm on the M50....why....because although it may look a little odd for a "cruiser" rider, it's nice and light, quiet and will probably save my life one day. As for the "individuals" with the bandanas for helmets, well you all kinda look the same to me...but each to their own BTW, even though I got a wiz-bang helmet and an MC that makes about as much noise as two hammsters going for it (stock exhaust of course) I still wear hearing protection too when riding to work (90% of the time at 70MPH+).....and for all those that say ya can't hear sirens to avoid trouble etc....bull**.....the only time you really won't hear them is when you've been riding for 25+ years without looking after your scone and your half deaf, or your just not paying attention! Just my 2 cents worth Ride on! __________________ Mr.Miyagi**

12-06-2008, 09:46 PM	#114 (permalink)
infrared41 Newbie Join Date: Dec 2008 Bike: 1997 Suzuki Savage Location: Ohio Posts: 4	I was in the "no helmet" crowd until I had my accident. Until then, I would wear a helmet some days and not wear it on others. My logic was that a short trip didn't require a helmet. (Gotta love that logic. As if a short trip didn't present the same hazards a long one would.) The day I had my accident I was on a "long trip" so I was wearing my full face helmet. The irony is that my accident happened at a 4-way stop on a side street. If I had been on a "short-trip" instead of heading out on the road I wouldn't have been wearing the helmet. Well to make a long story short, after the accident I looked at my helmet and there was a huge gash on the front of the helmet right about where my mouth would have been had I not been wearing it. Once I started riding again I decided that a helmet wasn't such a bad idea.

12-06-2008, 11:09 PM	#115 (permalink)
frostbitevinnie Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Join Date: Jul 2007 Bike: '07 C90T, '76 MT250, smashed up '91 GSX1100g Location: St. Cloud, MN 3rd house NW of the Depot Posts: 4,159	Lots of zombies lately. Is it the weather???? __________________ Sam 3/7/09 Rest in peace my good friend.

12-07-2008, 11:17 AM	#116 (permalink)
Low&Slow Can Ride And Chew Gum Join Date: Sep 2006 Bike: 07 Vulcan 1600 Classic Location: Bell City, Louisiana Posts: 1,910	It's the law in Louisiana, but when I ride in states that don't require it, I will sometimes ride without mine. I absolutely agree with all of the reasons why you should wear a helmet, but I also sometimes run with scissors and play with matches, I don't know, I guess I just feel dangerous sometimes. __________________ I believe that sex is the most beautiful, wholesome, natural thing money can buy.Steve Martin Last edited by Low&Slow; 12-07-2008 at 11:31 AM.

12-07-2008, 11:27 AM	#117 (permalink)
ranger04 No Significant Other Join Date: Oct 2006 Bike: 2009 Yamaha Vstar 950 Location: ohio Posts: 2,398	Holy Zombie thread man, three years dead Ok, I'll feed the zombies I wear at the least a leather riding jacket, gloves, boots and helmet everytime I ride, doesnt matter if its 5 minute ride or 5 hour ride I wear my gear. If its cooler out Ill wear leather chaps, or suzuki riding pants if I wear the Nittro jacket. I dont have, nor want a windshield on my bike and them big bugs are out to kill me im telling ya -Plus all them other safety reasons to be wearing the gear __________________ M50 Manual

12-07-2008, 11:44 AM	#118 (permalink)
tricker M-J Lifetime Achievement Award Join Date: May 2007 Bike: 2004 kawasaki zzr 600 Location: rochester, minnesota Posts: 7,074	brains....... BRAINS!!!!!!!!! __________________ I feel left out since Tim and Pete are doing it too.. song of the whatever timeframe I decide? Godsmack - Awake http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypkG-mIfvy4

12-07-2008, 12:30 PM	#120 (permalink)
mattman57 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2008 Bike: vtx1300c Location: rogers arkansas Posts: 15	I wear a helmet 100% of the time and its a full face Arai helmet. I lost a friend to an accident where he t-boned a truck going about 20mph and killed him. Had he had a helmet he would have been fine. I work at a bike shop (honda) and we have about 4 or five helmets hanging around that have been smashed and the wearer is still ridding. cannot say enough about helmets. Buy the best (Arai) and compromise on the rest.

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