Interesting observation about non-helmet wearers.

[jparent]

I wear my helmet, every time. I also wear all the gear I own, boots, jacket, gloves, etc. Every sport I've participated in, every job I've had, all have safety recommendations and equipment. Without fail, there is always someone who won't wear the required gear, and is more than willing to tell you that they don't need it, or think that it's just BS that someone sold you to line their pockets.
At work, it's not a choice; PPE is a job requirement, or you're out the door (or at least written up).
On the bike, it's all up to the individual on the seat.
As far as what you look like, I think when I see someone on a bike, at any speed, without gear, they are the ones who look out of place. To me, the gear is part of the biker "look". That's a bonus to the real purpose of wearing it, IMO.

[Zukdriver]

I only wear one when I think I might crash.

[Big Ed]

Originally Posted by BikerBeagle

I've never known of or seen that happen, personally, but if you say it happens ...

I've always found it funny (strange) to see and hear people claim to be against helmet laws, but turn around in the next half-second and claim to always wear their helmet all the time. Might just be me, but it seems like being against a law for something that you (general 'you', not specific 'you') already do by free choice is just a little schitzophrenic. *shrug*

I am not a big fan of the state running my life. I understand the need for certain laws. The "protect yourself" laws are what really irritate me.

To sum up my stand:
I reserve the right to advise you to wear a helmet. I will not, and cannot, require you to wear one (unless you are my child or wife).
I am also fully aware of your right to ignore my advice. I will not browbeat you about it.

I do wear a helmet, and always will. But that doesn't mean that you have to. As I posted in a previous exercise in the performance of percussive maintenance on a deceased equine, I firmly believe that it is a matter of risk tolerance. Only you can choose your acceptable level of risk, in either what you do or how you choose to do it.

[A2rider]

Originally Posted by Big Ed

As I posted in a previous exercise in the performance of percussive maintenance on a deceased equine.

This is priceless!

[gnomad]

Originally Posted by Big Ed

As I posted in a previous exercise in the performance of percussive maintenance on a deceased equine,

Thanks for helping me blow orange juice out my nose!!

[A2rider]

Originally Posted by gnomad

Thanks for helping me blow orange juice out my nose!!

Happy birthday!

[Skunkwurcx]

Here in Canada our health care system is publicy funded through the tax dollars they take from us. By inacting laws to keep us safe(er), the logic is that not as great a strain would be put on the system by minimizing injuries. And that makes perfect sense. For those who think that because they pay taxes, that gives them the right to do as they please, think again. If you seriously think that the dollars taken from your pocket alone would pay for the medical attention required to fix your broken pumpkin, then you need to give it a shake while you still can. It's the dollars taken from every tax payer that goes to pay for that perhaps preventable injury. Therefore, your right costs me and every other tax payer money.

I do see the double standards everywhere though....for example, there should be a McDonalds law.....if you eat there, you should be required to do one full half hour at the local gym for every happy meal you eat.

[CheeseHeadNinja]

I just say to them "if you don't think your head is worth protecting, then it probably isn't"

[gnomad]

Originally Posted by A2rider

Happy birthday!

Thank you, it is turning out to be a good day! Won't get to ride much, we have a couple of graduation parties to attend today.

[tricker]

happy birthday gnomad.. I will concur that today is a good day.

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by Skunkwurcx

Here in Canada our health care system is publicy funded through the tax dollars they take from us. By inacting laws to keep us safe(er), the logic is that not as great a strain would be put on the system by minimizing injuries. And that makes perfect sense. For those who think that because they pay taxes, that gives them the right to do as they please, think again. If you seriously think that the dollars taken from your pocket alone would pay for the medical attention required to fix your broken pumpkin, then you need to give it a shake while you still can. It's the dollars taken from every tax payer that goes to pay for that perhaps preventable injury. Therefore, your right costs me and every other tax payer money.

If medical care was publicly funded here, I could see them mandating everything they felt would keep you from using it more than necessary. However, I am heavily insured at a premium price from my own wallet and also an organ donor. Despite that, I wear my gear because I'd rather not have to use either option this soon in my life.

BTW: being an organ donor is also not required by law, yet I feel it's the right thing to do. I think more people should do that, as well. I would never say that someone has to, though.

I do see the double standards everywhere though....for example, there should be a McDonalds law.....if you eat there, you should be required to do one full half hour at the local gym for every happy meal you eat.

Nah, I have a high metabolism that takes care of that. I'm a skinny guy.

If that's not enough, try following me around at work - it's close to a 1/2 mile walk from edit room #21 to edit room #32 - and down 12 flights of stairs (they're in two different buildings - one almost 80,000sqft and the other 120,000sqft). It's about 1/4 mile coming in from the parking lot to the area where our room schedules are posted. I never take the elevator - it's too friggin' slow.

[zedx11]

Originally Posted by Skunkwurcx

Here in Canada our health care system is publicy funded through the tax dollars they take from us. By inacting laws to keep us safe(er), the logic is that not as great a strain would be put on the system by minimizing injuries. And that makes perfect sense. For those who think that because they pay taxes, that gives them the right to do as they please, think again. If you seriously think that the dollars taken from your pocket alone would pay for the medical attention required to fix your broken pumpkin, then you need to give it a shake while you still can. It's the dollars taken from every tax payer that goes to pay for that perhaps preventable injury. Therefore, your right costs me and every other tax payer money.

I do see the double standards everywhere though....for example, there should be a McDonalds law.....if you eat there, you should be required to do one full half hour at the local gym for every happy meal you eat.

some people think that even though they are insured that everyone else does not help pay for it. the rest of us and can correlate things in every day life that are just like it. gas prices go up, the cost of a loaf of bread goes up. the insurance company pays out money they start charging more across the board. yes, you may get a safe driver discount but when has it ever been more than the increase you just got?

[Nalayah]

Originally Posted by A2rider

So my money would be better spent taking a TRAINING course? I can save the $100 on a helmet, the $75 horn, and $500 on loud pipes, and actually learn how to RIDE the bike? Is that what it takes to survive?

Thanks, Nate, I think I'll find Freddie Spencer and give my money to him!

That $500 loud pipe won't do much for left turners and people veering into your lane. For a stop light or stop sign, maybe.

Not all accidents can be avoided, but learning how can definately help out. Nothing replaces a DOT approved helmet when your head hits the pavement sliding along at 40 MPH.



Ride2Die.com has plenty of pictures that should do plenty of convincing to people. I won't link to it due to the graphic content, but a quick google search should grab it for you. Or, PM me.

[A2rider]

A lot of my posts are along the sarcastic note.

You will never find me without gear. And a million miles behind the wheel of a semi truck taught me everything I need to know about the stupidity of cagers.

[Nalayah]

Originally Posted by A2rider

A lot of my posts are along the sarcastic note.

You will never find me without gear. And a million miles behind the wheel of a semi truck taught me everything I need to know about the stupidity of cagers.

Ah. My sarcasm detector needs a new muffler bearing .

[A2rider]

Originally Posted by Nalayah

Ah. My sarcasm detector needs a new muffler bearing .

And I've got a quart of blinker fluid if you need it!

[A2rider]

The ride to die site has a picture that came from a ride in AR that went terribly wrong. I know most of the riders that were that day will never forget what happened.

[Gpz1100]

i enjoy the people that yell out 'hey look...a helmet!

i usually congratulate them on their observational skills.

then ask them if they get extra points if they can correctly identify a choo-choo train

[Nalayah]

Well I feel like a hypocrite. In my excitement I didn't change out of my shorts, and dropped my bike. Leg is a bit scratched up, but otherwise I'm ok. I had everything else on (jacket, boots, gloves, helmet).

[bobg]

Originally Posted by fretbuzz

I wonder how many people that bash non-helmet wearers are smokers?

Now that's funny................Like the Harley rider/Metric bashers that drive Toyotas.