Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I just moved into Las Cruces, NM and found this city has no helmet laws. They only require that you use eye protection and I've enjoyed this new freedom, mabey more than I should.
I wanted to know what you all are seeing as far as helmet laws and what's required to ride without them.
In Texas, you need to pass the MSF course or have $10,000 in life insurance.

Why on earth would you go without a helmet anyway?

The risk of injury aside, I find 60 mph wind in my eyes incredibly unpleasant.

I should quantify my "always" vote.

I don't wear my helmet when I ride it up 1 foot of driveway an into the garage. As I take my gear off on my way into the side door to open the garage. Other then that, you won't find me on a moving bike without a helmet.

Already spent too much time in ERs, ICUs and rehab. Crash damage hurts, no matter how cool the scars are afterwards. Some "poo poo" is permanent

It sinks in real slow that you can't wiggle your toes or move your arm.

++1 Shorts, life is too darn short anyway!

I ask because, I don't know if it is the area or what, but the riders, mostly on cruisers, go everywere w/o a helmet. I see guys flyin on the interstate w no lid. Just a t-shirt and a smile.

I meant to put a third option of " depends on were I'm going" for that poll

VulcanNasty wrote:I just moved into Las Cruces, NM and found this city has no helmet laws. They only require that you use eye protection and I've enjoyed this new freedom, mabey more than I should.
I wanted to know what you all are seeing as far as helmet laws and what's required to ride without them.
In Texas, you need to pass the MSF course or have $10,000 in life insurance.

Hey Vulcan,

I grew up in Las Cruces. I still fly in there about once a month.

It's not the city that has no helmet law, it's the whole state. Much like we have next door in AZ.

I'm glad I always wore a brain bucket when I was learning to ride in L.C. I landed on my noggin a couple of times. The large population of inexperienced drivers from the university doesn't help. The proliferation of 80+ yr. old drivers spending their winters in the desert makes it worse.

I'll admit to taking a short ride every now and then without my helmet here in AZ, but I'd have to say that around 99% of my riding is done with the lid on. I just don't have that much faith in the cagers that I have to share the road with.

flynrider wrote:

VulcanNasty wrote:I just don't have that much faith in the cagers that I have to share the road with.

Amen.

That's a good point inregards to the University and the retired folks. Hadn't thought of that. I came out here a week ago and am still getting used to a whole new style of traffic.