Helmet Neck Snap and other questions

[flynrider]

(You know the helmets that look like something borrowed from an Apollo mission.)

My first helmet was an early Bell model. I thought they called it that because it looked like someone had taken a bell, plopped it on your head and cut out a small slot for you to see out of.

[hi-side]

After 20 crashes on the race track in 10 years of racing, I've gone through 8 helmets. Although I have had 2 concussions, they kept the soft stuff on the inside every single time.

[Shorts]

Theres a rumor going around stating that if you have a helmet on, the weight can cause your neck to snap if you're jolted hard enough during an accident. Now, I call bullshit, but I'm not sure.

Also, is it ok for a person to hold onto the shoulders instead of the waist? Sometimes I get asked for rides by guys, and neither of us feel comfy with the waist area.

With bigger sport bikes (500+) is it necessary to adjust the suspension for 2 people? I know I HAVE to with the ninja 250 or it'll sink in too much and handle badly.

I've had my neck snapped in an accident where I was not wearing a helmet.

Protect your melon and forget the bullshit anti-helmet wearers give you.

[DustyJacket]

There are as many arguments for not wearing helmets as there are for not wearing seatbelts. (Weight, vision, hearing, and so on)

I even had someone argue thet the refplective stripe I put on my helmet will grab onto the asphalt when I am sliding across the ground, and "snap my neck".

Bah.

Your head will do much better in a helmet than without. There are studies showing what part of your helmet/head stikes the ground more often that other parts. The more helmet you have the more protection you have.

(I have 2 helmets - a full face, and a flip-up full face-modular)

I make my living using my brain, eyes, ears, and hands - so I wear a full helmet, with a faceshield, earplugs, and full-finder gloves. (and other riding gear like armored or leather jacket and pants)

[DustyJacket]

Also, when we give BACA kids rides, many want to hold on to the armholes of my vest. As long as there is a backrest it is fine.

In England they make a belt with grab handles for the rider (driver) to wear. I am going to get one for taking the kids for rides.

SOme bikes have grab handles, too.

When I was in college I rode pilion and just held onto the waist of the rider. It was a little wierd in those homophobic days, but not a big deal.

[Fast Eddy B]

SOme bikes have grab handles, too.

Some bikers have grab handles too!

[Snoviper]

What about people with oversize heads, wouldn't the extra weight make your neck snap, but seriously. I think given the forces involved the extra 3 to 4 pounds would have minimal effect, your head is going to snap back and forth anyhow. I have read where the greatest impact is usually in the chin and forehead area. Seems like the added protection out ways the chances of it actually snapping your neck. Cars have headrests just to prevent the neck snapping without a helmet. IMHO

[ceemes]

Remember when they were called CRASH HELMETS?

[Bored]

As I am sure someone must have mentioned above, If you hit hard enough to snap your neck with a helmet on, Just imagine what it would be like without the helmet!
You may not snap your neck but you will most likely spill your brain all over the road!

As I said in another post some time ago, I have nothing against people who don't wear helmets, I personally will never ride without a full face helmet though. I already am rough looking, I don't need any road rash on my face! Besides that, it keeps the bugs out of my teeth!

[olebiker]

The small town that I come from was a big bike town with many other lunatics. Many of us died or were injured in highspeed crashes. I do remember on one occasion a guy ended up on the neighbors front lawn. He didn't have a mark on him but was dead as a doornail. Was it his helmet, who knows? This argument has been around forever I think that the older full face helmets were heavy and poorly designed. I also think that people gear up and think that they are bullet proof, bad idea, all the gear in the world won't save your life if the wrong thing happens. No matter what you do or don't wear make sure that you understand that cagers DO NOT see you. You are invisable, plus if you override a corner go down and your head hits a fixed object NO HELMET will save you. They are only good for a fairly low speed direct hit.