Do you wear a helmet?

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by DeckardVF1000R, Oct 8, 2010.

  1. DeckardVF1000R

    DeckardVF1000R New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2010
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Scottsdale, AZ USA
    I'm curious to know if there are members of this newsgroup who choose NOT to wear a helmet?

    I ask this as I am confounded by the AMA's position of not advocating the use of helmets as they apparently see this as an unconstitutional mandate that comes down to personal choice.

    I do not agree with this view, and if we can have mandatory seat-belt laws then why not helmet laws?

    As far as I can see, most experienced riders where helmets anyway, and those who don't appear to be douchebag squids and Harley Davidson riders.

    Your thoughts?
     
  2. PorscheBob

    PorscheBob New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2006
    Messages:
    627
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Los Altos, California USA
    Map
    I think I can answer this in just a few words.

    In a "free society" people have the right to make bad decisions.

    Riding without a helmet is a bad decision. :crazy:

    Carry on ~
     
  3. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2007
    Messages:
    13,741
    Likes Received:
    1,557
    Trophy Points:
    158
    Location:
    Chilliwack, BC Canada
    Map
    And what is the cost to the rest of the tax payers to support some tool who becomes brain deficient due to a crash where he was not wearing a helmet? I say keep the helmet laws in place. I wear on onthe bicycle too.
     
  4. PONYBOY

    PONYBOY New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2010
    Messages:
    197
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Tax payers shouldn't be supporting retards that became retards due to their own stupidity. I wear a helmet about 99% of the time, yes, that 1% is stupid and makes me a squid, I know. I agree with the previous post, it is un constutional and violates my freedoms (yes, my freedom to be an idiot, but freedom none the less). I think seatbelt laws are a big ol steeming pile of :bs: too.
     
  5. Rollin_Again

    Rollin_Again Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    Messages:
    2,317
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    53
    Location:
    Duluth, GA
    I use a skateboard helmet, does that count?

    Rollin
     
  6. vfourbear

    vfourbear New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2008
    Messages:
    2,519
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Location:
    Louisville, KY - Under my tinfoil hat
    Map
    Once in a great while I'll run around the block without a helmet on.......yeah yeah yeah.....insert long preachy post about how Im part of the problem blah blah blah.

    I have health insurance, and all the gear one needs, including two one - piece full suits.

    I also smoke cigars once in awhile ,use snuff, have been know to consume whiskey, and own firearms too.

    Good God man, I'm a menace. Stop me before I hurt myself ....again.

    I wouldnt think it too dfficult to figure out the AMA stance on this, since ohhh I dont know for sure but judging by what I see out on the roads about two out of three bikes are either a Harley or a Harley knock off.

    So are you seriously trying to get an answer to a question or just stirring up shit?

    I dont really mind either way, but you do understand that this is probably the third most posted topic on any bike forum, right after "what oil is best ?" and "check out these boobs"
     
  7. bitterpil

    bitterpil New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2008
    Messages:
    1,379
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Location:
    Northern Virginia
    Map
    helmet laws dont help much. Look at the skimpy brain pans the cruiser guys wear. They are legal but useless.
     
  8. vfourbear

    vfourbear New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2008
    Messages:
    2,519
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Location:
    Louisville, KY - Under my tinfoil hat
    Map
    Thats a slippery slope bro, because then you'd have to define retard....think about it.
     
  9. drewl

    drewl Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2007
    Messages:
    5,760
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Virginia Beach, Va
    Map
    Goforide

    There, I defined it.
     
  10. tinkerinWstuff

    tinkerinWstuff Administrator Staff Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2009
    Messages:
    7,831
    Likes Received:
    90
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Colorado Front Range
    Map
    I choose to wear a helmet unless I run around the block 20mph or less.

    I believe people should have the right to choose, and peer pressure, rather than some f'n bureaucrat should be telling people how to live.

    Where does it stop? 1st you have mandatory helmet laws, and before long you end up with laws that say you can't ride without a full track suit.
     
  11. ricko2

    ricko2 New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2010
    Messages:
    105
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Grass Valley CA
    Its the law here, so I do all the time. Pretty much, if you ever wrecked and "used" your helmet, you kinda do for the rest of your life.



    Or are you talking condoms?
     
  12. PONYBOY

    PONYBOY New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2010
    Messages:
    197
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    You make a good point, but I was mainly referencing Randy's post. I think if you're riding a motorcycle, with no helmet and sustain severe head injury, it's your own damn fault for not wearing a bucket and the state should not support you for being an idiot when you threw a leg over that day.
     
  13. horseiron1

    horseiron1 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2007
    Messages:
    100
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    North Louisiana
    To answer the OP orginal question. Yes I wear a helmet all the time.
     
  14. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2008
    Messages:
    6,731
    Likes Received:
    85
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Map
    When I am in states that do not require a helmet it reminds me of how things used to be before Big Brother and I miss those times. I almost never ride without one but love to ride in the national parks without one and am glad when I can. If you have never ridden at night without your lid you do not know what you are missing. My opinion......let it go......I doubt I will meet my maker on a bike but it would not be a bad way to go and we all are gonna go one day.
     
  15. drewl

    drewl Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2007
    Messages:
    5,760
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Virginia Beach, Va
    Map
    The problem for me (as one who has seen every single type of brain injury from a rung bell to bits of brain on the pavement) is not the one that kills you, but the one that alters you. Brain injuries actually rewire your brain. They change you ability to do normal things, think normal thoughts, or even change your personality(i.e. the awesome pro football quarterback that now feels the need to assault college freshmen in bar bathrooms after ramming his head into a sedan with the help of a Harley).

    If this happens to you early enough in life, no amount of personal insurance is going to cover that forever. Then the financial responsibility becomes yours and mine.
    Sure, you're free to decide not to wear your helmet. Unfortunately, I am NOT FREE to refuse to pay your medical bills.
     
  16. cebuVFR

    cebuVFR Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2008
    Messages:
    1,184
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    51
    Location:
    Carson,CA
    Map
    Amen to that bro!
     
  17. cebuVFR

    cebuVFR Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2008
    Messages:
    1,184
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    51
    Location:
    Carson,CA
    Map
    Learning to ride a scooter back in the 80's didn't require helmets and, boy was it fun! The only thing i hated were bugs getting in your eyes. When I bought my 1st bike, a Honda VT250, I had a helmet ready by then. I never rode without a helmet ever since. The only time I "ride" without one is when i move my bike from the street to the garage!
     
  18. tjwor

    tjwor New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2008
    Messages:
    155
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Manhattan, KS
    Map
    I wear my helmet every time I ride except about once a month, I ride around the block without one to listen to the bike, see if I notice any noises that I don't notice with my helmet on. My bike is way too loud to ride without one on a regular basis, drives me nuts even with a helmet blocking a majority of the sound!
     
  19. havcar

    havcar New Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2008
    Messages:
    1,266
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Denver CO
    Map
    I'm with Drewl, if the consequences only affected the rider who's brains are all over the road, then freedom of choice would be ideal. But that's not the case, the fact that I have to pay higher insurance costs due to his stupidity is not ideal, or even acceptable. To make matters worse, when said fool isn't dead, but rather injured in some capacity for the rest of his life, it will eventually cost me even more. Perhaps more important than all of that, I get sick of lookin at some of those ragged wenches mugs riding passenger on Harleys.

    Then again, I've never seen a posted speed limit that I liked.
     
  20. Lgn001

    Lgn001 Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2007
    Messages:
    1,855
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    53
    Location:
    Russian River by Ocean, CA
    Map
    Nothing should be "mandatory" due to somebody else making the decision for us, based on what they feel is right, correct or proper. At the very least, it should be voted on by the populace, not just introduced as one more law/statute/rule etc. Personally, I think that people should exercise and take care of their body on a regular basis. Obesity (or lack of exercise, period, without obesity) leads to a whole host of secondary health issues that we all "pay for" in one fashion or another. But that isn't my call; to each his own.

    I live at the end of a private road, about one mile long, speed limit 15MPH. I occasionally ride every bike up and down the road helmet-less to listen for anything I can't hear with my helmet on. I have found two problems, both on the old 1100F, that were not detectable (to me) with the bike stationary.
     
Related Topics

Share This Page