Wear a Helmet & a reason NOT to ride as a passenger.

[martin-csr]

helmet

[Suze711]

That really sucks! We have had quite a few fatalities in the past few months here in Yuma! I lost a very dear friend a couple months ago (no helmet)....
A weird one was on Wednesday. The guy was riding along, started to make a turn & over shot it. He fell off his bike, doing 30 mph...AND HIT HIS HEAD ON THE ROAD & DIED! Just kind of a weird accident...Very slow, by himself. He would have also survived if his head would have been covered...sigh I guess it's worth it to some people...

[martin-csr]

Yes, I remember the report about your friend... I was sorry to hear about that.

[GotNando]

Martin, I agree 100%. As someone who will begin to ride starting Mid-April (after basic MFS courses), I'll always dress up for the crash. Helmet, gloves, leather, sturdy jeans, and boots that go over the heel. Even if I am going to ride a block down - I will wear gear. Motorcycling is fun but also dangerous. Suze, I am very sorry for the loss of your friend.

[tailgater]

Thanks for sharing this Martin. The woman in the report is my step-daughter and sadly we had to take her off life support this evening. She was pronounced brain dead Saturday afternoon with no chance of recovery. Only 35 yrs old with 4 young boys. Prayers needed for family and her sons. Please riders, wear a helmet every time you ride and protect your passenger too!!!!

[swearingsailor]

I am sorry for your loss, and you and yours will be in my prayers.

We have had many fatalities lately in the area from MC accidents. Watching the younger generation fly around corners and showboat is something that is way to common around here. No helmets, no gear, some in shorts and tshirts, just acting like a bunch of idiots. I drove down to the gas station the other day to fill the tank, went 3 blocks, and wore my gear, helmet, jacket, gloves, boots etc. Had a couple of guys probably not much older that teens snickering and pointing at me as they were filling up their crotch rockets (of course no gear to be seen). I guess to them, surviving an accident is just not cool, oh well, its their funeral, not mine.

[Suze711]

I am sorry for your loss, and you and yours will be in my prayers.

We have had many fatalities lately in the area from MC accidents. Watching the younger generation fly around corners and showboat is something that is way to common around here. No helmets, no gear, some in shorts and tshirts, just acting like a bunch of idiots. I drove down to the gas station the other day to fill the tank, went 3 blocks, and wore my gear, helmet, jacket, gloves, boots etc. Had a couple of guys probably not much older that teens snickering and pointing at me as they were filling up their crotch rockets (of course no gear to be seen). I guess to them, surviving an accident is just not cool, oh well, its their funeral, not mine.

You seldom see the guys on crotch rockets WITHOUT full gear here. It's normally the cruisers around here that prefer the NO helmet style. But, having said that, the rockets are also the ones that seem to speed around! I guess I can only worry about coverin my own azs at this point. I've ridden both street & cruiser & always wear my gear...I'm also alert & ride with care. I hope it's enough to keep my family from ever getting bad news.

So sorry for your loss Tailgater...Prayers to your family & hers.

[LTD fan]

Sad that the driver cares less about his own life/well being but have some consideration for the passenger! How horrible would it be if YOUR passenger died cause of your negligence! A death that you caused is something one has to live with for the rest of your life. A few years back i was coming back from the shore(in my truck)on rt 55. Two lanes each way separated and no intersections/lights. About 7-10 bikes(crotch rockets) flew by me doing WELL OVER 100+mph! Traffic was moderate but at that speed there was NO WAY they would be able to stop or avoid a collision if someone changed lanes suddenly. They had helmets but they would do very little at that speed. I'd hate to have to cleanup your blood and guts off my tailgate just because of your STUPIDITY! Some people need to wise up.

[cpg]

I can't believe the people that get on the bike without gear. I always have boots, pants, my jacket with armor, gloves, and a full face helmet. Saw a guy on a crotch rocket the other day in gym shorts, sleeveless shirt, and flip flop sandals and I can't even imagine riding like that. Sorry to hear about another tragic accident and loss... gear up and ride safe out there.

[rbentnail]

This preachy stuff is getting on my nerves . I'm sorry that these families have lost a daughter and a mother. I truly am. And I'm not saying that the guy and his uncle aren't scumbags for leaving her laying there. They are.

But IMO it's her own fault and to blame anyone else for her choices is irresponsible. A "35 yrs old with 4 young boys" mother ought to have a hell of a lot more sense than to get on a bike without considering the life threatening consequences. How many of us gave up our passion for riding when we got married and had a baby, for whatever reason? That would be me. Maybe her passion was too strong. Maybe she wasn't in the right frame of mind. Maybe peer pressure was just too overwhelming. Or maybe she was missing the thrills in life. But to blame the guy for her choices, though in keeping with today's attitudes of passing the blame, is IMHO just plain wrong.

And then folks pop in to tell the rest of us how to dress. Please people, come on down off your high horses. You don't understand why or how others do what they do? Not your problem. One of my few mantras in life, and I've said and typed it many times, is "Live and let live, ride and let ride." Don't want to ride with a helmet? Fine with me, I don't care. Want to be ATGATT? Fine with me, I don't care. Fall somewhere in between? Fine with me, I don't care. But sorry folks, I'm 52 yrs old, work every damn day, and pay my own way through this life. And to have people tell me how to do what I do and how to dress when I'm doing it really irks me. I don't like when the government tells me and I don't like it when anyone does either.

So live and let live, ride and let ride. Do what you love in spite of the others' opinions of it. Protect yourself, or not, as you see fit. Remember the MSF course? Recognize and analyze the risks. Make informed choices. Then do what's right for you.

Granted, this is the neenerweb. It's hard to tell how folks want to say things, especially when impassioned by a situation such as these families, and I try to take that into account. But IMO these publicly-displayed dictates of gear and finger-pointing do nothing but detract form the great loss being felt now and for many years to come by those families and is IMHO most inappropriate, uncalled for and insensitive.

Tailgater, please accept my deepest heartfelt condolences. I wish there were words to express my grief for you, your family and those boys.

[sheldonbourgeoi]

Getting on a motorcycle without wearing a helmet is like jumping out of an airplane without wearing a parachute.

Both are stupid IMO.

[Suze711]

Russ, I would prefer the ones I love wear a helmet & they would on my bike. But, I agree, I DO NOT want anyone telling me I have to ride a certain way, unless it would harm others by not doing so. I have lost more than one friend to no helmet, but I still respect their choice.
As a side note...I did also question (to myself) the decision to climb on the back of a bike, especially without a helmet,
with little ones waitin at home... but again her decision. Sadly, one her kids will live with.

Some of the best advice I ever received was...You make the best decision you can at the time, and live with the consequences.

[Bill Lowen]

This preachy stuff is getting on my nerves . I'm sorry that these families have lost a daughter and a mother. I truly am. And I'm not saying that the guy and his uncle aren't scumbags for leaving her laying there. They are.

But IMO it's her own fault and to blame anyone else for her choices is irresponsible. A "35 yrs old with 4 young boys" mother ought to have a hell of a lot more sense than to get on a bike without considering the life threatening consequences. How many of us gave up our passion for riding when we got married and had a baby, for whatever reason? That would be me. Maybe her passion was too strong. Maybe she wasn't in the right frame of mind. Maybe peer pressure was just too overwhelming. Or maybe she was missing the thrills in life. But to blame the guy for her choices, though in keeping with today's attitudes of passing the blame, is IMHO just plain wrong.

And then folks pop in to tell the rest of us how to dress. Please people, come on down off your high horses. You don't understand why or how others do what they do? Not your problem. One of my few mantras in life, and I've said and typed it many times, is "Live and let live, ride and let ride." Don't want to ride with a helmet? Fine with me, I don't care. Want to be ATGATT? Fine with me, I don't care. Fall somewhere in between? Fine with me, I don't care. But sorry folks, I'm 52 yrs old, work every damn day, and pay my own way through this life. And to have people tell me how to do what I do and how to dress when I'm doing it really irks me. I don't like when the government tells me and I don't like it when anyone does either.

So live and let live, ride and let ride. Do what you love in spite of the others' opinions of it. Protect yourself, or not, as you see fit. Remember the MSF course? Recognize and analyze the risks. Make informed choices. Then do what's right for you.

Granted, this is the neenerweb. It's hard to tell how folks want to say things, especially when impassioned by a situation such as these families, and I try to take that into account. But IMO these publicly-displayed dictates of gear and finger-pointing do nothing but detract form the great loss being felt now and for many years to come by those families and is IMHO most inappropriate, uncalled for and insensitive.

Tailgater, please accept my deepest heartfelt condolences. I wish there were words to express my grief for you, your family and those boys.

I get what you are saying however as the owner of a motorcycle you are responsible for the safety of your passenger. It is your responsibility to ensure that your passenger knows what is expected of them and that they are wearing the proper safety gear. It is also your responsibility as the owner of the bike to operate it in a manner that does not endanger the life of your passenger. Sure, she assumes the risk of getting on the bike in the first place but the operator is responsible for her safety after that choice has been made.. I wont even comment on leaving her lying on the pavement critically injured as there will be a special place in Hell waiting for him..

I also agree that the choice to wear a helmet should be a personal choice, much like the seat belt law.. I don't need anybody telling me what to do as long as I am not infringing on somebody else's freewill.. I, like others here, cringe at some of these people riding like lunatics with shorts, t shirts and flipflops and no head gear.. Makes me scratch my head.. I personally have never put a bike down but truth be told that concrete under me looks pretty unforgiving.. and why take chances riding unprotected?

just my .02

[bschmidt]

I saw a rider hit a car going way too fast, he killed the driver of the SUV and himself. Bikes are no different than cars, we should drive them for whatever reason and cause no harm to others with them. If you wear a helmet or not is your choice. I personally ware one but see many who don't. Its non of my business.

Be safe!

[bobg]

Agreed on the lectures....I wear proper clothing but CHOOSE not to wear a helmet, any passenger on the other hand has no choice....must be properly clothed and wear the helmet I provide, no like?...no ride. Simple

The attitude to force someone to feel what they say is correct is one of the things that have killed this site. Noone here typically criticized anyone for their choices. In fact all supported others, Ozzyran has a wonderful story about an accident....look for it.

[usmalenurse]

This preachy stuff is getting on my nerves . I'm sorry that these families have lost a daughter and a mother. I truly am. And I'm not saying that the guy and his uncle aren't scumbags for leaving her laying there. They are.

But IMO it's her own fault and to blame anyone else for her choices is irresponsible. A "35 yrs old with 4 young boys" mother ought to have a hell of a lot more sense than to get on a bike without considering the life threatening consequences. How many of us gave up our passion for riding when we got married and had a baby, for whatever reason? That would be me. Maybe her passion was too strong. Maybe she wasn't in the right frame of mind. Maybe peer pressure was just too overwhelming. Or maybe she was missing the thrills in life. But to blame the guy for her choices, though in keeping with today's attitudes of passing the blame, is IMHO just plain wrong.

And then folks pop in to tell the rest of us how to dress. Please people, come on down off your high horses. You don't understand why or how others do what they do? Not your problem. One of my few mantras in life, and I've said and typed it many times, is "Live and let live, ride and let ride." Don't want to ride with a helmet? Fine with me, I don't care. Want to be ATGATT? Fine with me, I don't care. Fall somewhere in between? Fine with me, I don't care. But sorry folks, I'm 52 yrs old, work every damn day, and pay my own way through this life. And to have people tell me how to do what I do and how to dress when I'm doing it really irks me. I don't like when the government tells me and I don't like it when anyone does either.

So live and let live, ride and let ride. Do what you love in spite of the others' opinions of it. Protect yourself, or not, as you see fit. Remember the MSF course? Recognize and analyze the risks. Make informed choices. Then do what's right for you.

Granted, this is the neenerweb. It's hard to tell how folks want to say things, especially when impassioned by a situation such as these families, and I try to take that into account. But IMO these publicly-displayed dictates of gear and finger-pointing do nothing but detract form the great loss being felt now and for many years
to come by those families and is IMHO most inappropriate, uncalled for and insensitive.

Tailgater, please accept my deepest heartfelt condolences. I wish there were words to express my grief for you, your family and those boys.

Amen from the back row! Just let people be responsible for their own actions as long as it doesn't hurt someone else. I've got some armored riding gear that I wear from time to time but sometimes I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I always wear a helmet when I leave on the bike but if it wasn't mandatory by law, I dare say I'd probably jump on it and run to store once in a blue moon. I'm not going to jump on the bike with a pair of shorts and flip-flops, but if someone else feels so inclined, more power to 'em. What is "idiotic" behavior to you may not be idiotic to me.....and vise-versa.

[okbye]

hear ya go.....riding a mx without a helmet is like talking on the cell phone while your driving period People do it every day.

[rbentnail]

Took a bit of searching but I found the following from from a similar thread from April 2007:

I don't get it. If I can't eat it or it doesn't pay my bills or it doesn't provide for my retirement, then it matters not to me what someone else does or doesn't do. Live and let live, ride and let ride, to each his/her own, different strokes for different folks. Some, if not most, folks here have taken the MSF Beginner course- remember the part about accepting risk?

Just b/c you don't agree doesn't make me stupid. Maybe it just makes you chicken...

Again, just my .02.

[thert]

Stupid is as stupid does.

[VikkiP]

Michigan recently repealed the mandatory helmet law. Call me what you will, I have always ridden with a helmet, gloves and eye protection and always will, even for a quarter mile jaunt to the corner grocery. Same with boots and at least jeans though I know from personal experience that jeans are little better than bare-legged even at a paltry 45 mph.

If others want to ride with no helmet and no eye protection, I just hope I am not in the oncoming lane when a June bug meets face at 50 mph.

And for those who choose not to use safety gear, why do I have to pay excessive Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association premiums to pay for lifelong health care for those who suffer potentially avoidable grievous injury? The risk pools should not be combined because of the far greater likelihood of serious injury.