What's up with no safety gear in the southeast US?

Message

Buelligan · Sat Jul 02, 2005 5:14 am

When I took my MC Course the Instructor said the day before the first ride, "don't forget those gloves, you'd be surprised how uncomfortable it can be breaking and clutching with no skin on your palms."

Eeeewww gave me enough of a mental picture that I have never ridden without a good pair!

I can't image how long it would take the crew Poppy saw to heal after a good slide on the tarmac, that would be of course if they survived any smacks to their heads.

Wizzard · #32 Unread post by **Wizzard** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 1:01 pm

Might as well be controversial as usual . For most of my riding life there was no helmet law in California . So I did not wear one . Altho I am fanatic about boots , long pants , and gloves . In the summer I wear shorty gloves and a leather vest and I am one of those that wears a beanie because the law mandates that I wear some type of head gear . This past week I found a half helmet that weighs a little more than either of my beanies does and is DOT approved . Only the glad rag shop was out of the one in my size . Will pick one up this coming Thursday .
Keep in mind that my next back surgery is in the cervical region of my spine and any helmet (like a full face ) would create more problems for me . I am also a firm believer that helmets for the most part can give one a false sense of security . Growing up with out the need for wearing one taught me to be very concious of my crainium on those occasions that I went down and I did , make no mistake about that .
We went puttin' today and it was at least 102 F. been home for an hour and it is down to 101 . I cannot imagine my self wearing full face and full gear . Remember that I am only speaking for my self .
Not trying to sway anyone else . Because I am an advocate of freedom of choice .
With the kindest regards, Wizzard

blair · #33 Unread post by **blair** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 6:24 pm

Helmet Harbor (among other places, no doubt) carries the HJC AC-2 DOT-certified half-helmet.

I've been thinking of picking one up as a passenger hat and backup for my AC-3.

Wizzard · #34 Unread post by **Wizzard** » Sat Jul 02, 2005 11:11 pm

Thanx for the link Blair.
Kind Regards, Wizzard

Chip Beazley · Wed Jul 06, 2005 3:56 am

I have to agree with Psycluded. Here in the Montgomery area it is a common sight to see the younger riders on sport bikes wearing shorts, tennis shoes and a t-shirt that the back draft has pulled up to his shoulders. The more experienced riders are decked out on full gear. Some even have the full set of leathers.

Most of the cruisers I encounter wear the biker boots with jeans, some with chaps, fingerless gloves, t-shirts and about 50% wear a open face or half helmet, while the other 50% emulate the hard core biker style wearing a cheap skid lid with leather chaps and vest so the tattoos are displayed for all to see.

The passengers (wives or GFs) are split between wearing safety gear or they are wearing sandals, shorts and sleeveless top and helmet. The hardcore biker gals wear their usual uniform of leather pants and vests. Those I encounter on touring bikes are about the same if they are riding locally. These folks can't be riding for very long distances or they would be crispy critters with sunburn.

I really think that the gear that they wear depends on whether or not they have taken the MSF course or were either grandfathered in (middle aged) have only taken the little "quiz" the state gives to get the "M" certification on their drivers license.

Renegade · #36 Unread post by **Renegade** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 3:51 pm

Wizzard wrote:Might as well be controversial as usual . For most of my riding life there was no helmet law in California . So I did not wear one . Altho I am fanatic about boots , long pants , and gloves . In the summer I wear shorty gloves and a leather vest and I am one of those that wears a beanie because the law mandates that I wear some type of head gear . This past week I found a half helmet that weighs a little more than either of my beanies does and is DOT approved . Only the glad rag shop was out of the one in my size . Will pick one up this coming Thursday .
Keep in mind that my next back surgery is in the cervical region of my spine and any helmet (like a full face ) would create more problems for me . I am also a firm believer that helmets for the most part can give one a false sense of security . Growing up with out the need for wearing one taught me to be very concious of my crainium on those occasions that I went down and I did , make no mistake about that .
We went puttin' today and it was at least 102 F. been home for an hour and it is down to 101 . I cannot imagine my self wearing full face and full gear . Remember that I am only speaking for my self .
Not trying to sway anyone else . Because I am an advocate of freedom of choice .
With the kindest regards, Wizzard

Can I stir the pot?

Wizzard,

I'm not picking on you directly. You just opened the door that's all

I live in a state that has no helmet law, yet has a seatbelt law (go figure)...

A _good_ helmet, not a cheap one, that's light shouldn't cause any more problem for your back or neck than your 10-15lb head currently does, and in an accident, just might save your life. At anything other than falling off your bike in your driveway, I doubt you have the self control to keep your head off the pavement.

I routinely ride in weather above 95 with humidity that's out of this world. A full face helmet is the only thing I'd ever consider. Yeah, when you're sitting at a light, it stinks, but you can flip up the visor, or if you choose a Symax or something open the whole front half.

I don't have much of a windshield, even if I did my decision wouldn't be any different.

But nearly ever time I ride, there's something that 'pings' off my face shield where I "think" how in the world would someone not wearing a helmet take that and not either wreck or have a nice cut/ding/gouge in their face? Or worse yet lose a frickin eye?

Sunglasses don't cut it.

I have a wife and 4 kids that I'm sure want to see me when I get home or at least recognize me if I ever get in an accident.

Now I'm not stupid, a helmet isn't always going to save me, that's true. But it's simply beyond me why anyone would not wear one.

"Cruisers think loud pipes will save them"
"Goldwing riders think lots of lights will save them"
"Sportbike riders think Skills will save them"
"Touring riders think gear will save them"

Bottom line is motorcycling is dangerous, why not take what ever precautions you can?

Wizzard · #37 Unread post by **Wizzard** » Thu Jul 07, 2005 4:03 pm

That's Ok Renegade , I still believe in letting those who ride decide and if they repealed the helmet law in my state I would probably go back to riding without one . It's a personal choice and the truth of the matter is that when it is my time to hit the end of my hallway there is absolutely nothing on earth or any where else that is going to have any effect on that .
Just my honest opinion .
Regards, Wizzard
btw , I have a full face helmet that was given to me , it's great for carrying tools in from my rollaway out to the scoot .

Mer · #38 Unread post by **Mer** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 6:16 am

I ride in some pretty hot temps here in Texas and have no problem wearing full gear. (full face helmet, mesh jacket, boots and gloves) Honestly I can't imagine what a bug or rock or ? would feel like hitting me if I wasn't wearing my helmet. (or jacket or gloves) YIKES!! I'm guessing that alot of those folks riding without a helmet and gear are not going very far. I talked to one lady who was riding pillion with her BF who was not wearing a helmet and she got pegged pretty hard by a rock. She said it raised a pretty decent lump on her forehead. She still doesn't like to wear a helmet.

dag207 · #39 Unread post by **dag207** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 7:07 am

Just wind noise alone is reason enough for me to wear a helmet.

My wife is a speech therapist and is trying to help a guy learn to speak again.He just went down to check his mail and hit a little gravel and lowsided and just kind of wacked his head.Physically he was fine but otherwise he is very much like a stroke victim.

Renegade · #40 Unread post by **Renegade** » Fri Jul 08, 2005 8:17 am

I was thinking about this again today... I know some folks moan about how hot and uncomfortable a full face can be.

At times I certainly agree.

This however is where the difference is between a cheap helemet and a good one. Any DOT approved helmet will probably save your skull in any accident that's savable.

But the good helmets have WORKING vents. I have 5 different helmets currently in the garage. All are 'comfortable'.

But only one of them really has a good working vent system, and I paid a lot of money for that one.