Dealer saves kids life!

[bikernoj]

"If I'm doing 70 mph on the highway, and I'm on the back of a Harley, and I hit the ground, I'm not going to make it anyway. That's the way I feel about it."


That's a funny way to look at things. If anyone remembers, a few years back there was a MotoGP (I can't think of his name for the life of me- rode for Kawasaki) rider whose rear tire came apart at about 180mph on the straightaway. The tread ripped the rear of the bike apart, and he did the tumble & skid for a LONG time.

His Arai was pretty mangled and his leathers wore through in a couple places, and I think he broke his wrist. But the important thing is that he basically WALKED AWAY from one of the worst crashes in MotoGP history because he wore his gear.

Perhaps the quoted guy should change his statement to:

"If I'm doing 70mph on the highway, and I hit the ground... while not wearing proper gear... I'm not going to make it anyway..."

[kwc50]

Originally Posted by EastnMike

What people have to remember though, is that MANY more bikes are being ridden than ever before. If you take the number of bikes ridden as opposed to years earlier, versus the amount of injuries/deaths in bike accidents, they have diminished dramatically...

There was an article a while back that tried to blame Jeb Bush for killing motorcyclists when he signed the bill repealing Florida's helmet law. The article opened with something like "Motorcycle deaths increase 82% since Jeb Bush repealed the helmet law..." If you could make it to the end of the article, it added -- pretty weakly -- that motorcycle registrations had increased over 230% in the same time frame. Hmmm... deaths go up, but not as fast as the increase in motorcycles on the road... are they reporting news or trying to sway policy?

Even if it weren't the law, I'd choose to wear one and do everything I could to ensure that my family wears one, but it's still choice. You can't legislate stupidity -- Darwin needs something to do!

[JoelAZ]

I really question if the article should be retitled, "dealer puts kid in hospital rather then morgue"... Obviously, crashing on the same day means the kid wasn't prepared to handle the bike.

[Trapper]

Originally Posted by kwc50

The article opened with something like "Motorcycle deaths increase 82% since Jeb Bush repealed the helmet law..." If you could make it to the end of the article, it added -- pretty weakly -- that motorcycle registrations had increased over 230% in the same time frame. Hmmm... deaths go up, but not as fast as the increase in motorcycles on the road... are they reporting news or trying to sway policy?

I'm calling BS on that one. Sources?

[Trapper]

Here's my source CNN.com - Report faults repeal of motorcycle helmet law - Jun 18, 2006

A Florida Today analysis of federal motorcycle crash statistics found "unhelmeted" deaths in Florida rose from 22 in 1998 and 1999, the years before the helmet law repeal, to 250 in 2004, the most recent year of available data.

Total motorcycle deaths in the state have increased 67 percent, from 259 in 2000 to 432 in 2004, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics.

Records, though, also show motorcycle registrations have increased 87 percent in Florida since Bush signed the helmet law repeal July 1, 2000.

[blackie1491]

Unhelmet deaths rose from 22 in 98 and 99, to 250 in 2004.
The helmet law was repealed in 2000.

If motorcycle registration was up 87% the number of helmetless deaths
should have been around (87% of 22=19) 41, the diff. 209 deaths can only be atributed to the repeal of the helmet law.

If we say cars turning left are the main cause does not that fact alone direct us to helmets as a sound choice.

I have lived to see one son married, the birth of my first grandchild.
I wear my helmet, my married son wore his, we both have been down and do
not regret our choice.

Please give thought to your family and your future when you make your choice.

[geoffsimpson]

And there you have it. Not all dealers are in it just for the money. THis guy obviously was concerned for his customer. Good karma comin' his way

[Photic]

I find it funny that the dad refuses to wear a helmet but thanked the guy whole heartedly for lending it to his son.

Saying his son wouldn't have a face, but then still won't wear a helmet, or care about how his family would miss him if he was in the same situation. *shrug*

[Shea]

I have to agree with what was said above. It's very easy to put up numbers to make a cause look good. There are many more younger, uneducated riders out there with bikes pushing much more power than ever before.

The dealer was probably protecting themselves. Did the rider have a license? If not, then the dealership was probably protecting themselves because they were letting someone with a permit ride away on a bike they just sold him and could be responsible.

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by Trapper

Here's my source CNN.com - Report faults repeal of motorcycle helmet law - Jun 18, 2006

I don't get it, if Florida law required people to wear helmets in 98, and 99, than how did they wind up with that many unhelmeted deaths?
I tried to open your link, but it came up "page not found"

[Captain Steve]

Here's a better link. Hillsborough: Study: Deaths climb after helmet law repeal

[Rickster]

Originally Posted by Captain Steve

Here's a better link. Hillsborough: Study: Deaths climb after helmet law repeal

That's different, seem like they are trying to base ther study on facts. Something else I would like to see in one of these studies, is how many riders are wearing "SKID LIDS" verses helmets with more protection (full coverage). I know that's not the kind of data they keep, but I think they should, the type of safety gear you have on, and weather or not your wearing it properly, (zipped, and snapped) is as much of a factor, as wearing it at all.