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SpeedRacerXXX · 06-15-2012, 06:02 AM

For those of you who ride without helmets and believe you are just as safe as those who ride with helmets --

http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-wo...-reduce-deaths

F-Sharp · 06-15-2012, 07:07 AM

Speed, it's just Mother Nature's way of cleaning out the gene pool. These Darwin Award winners don't honestly believe they are just as safe, they want to believe they are free! Free to be as stupid and as selfish as any other person planning to commit suicide.

Gentleman · 06-15-2012, 08:07 AM

A lot can be said on both sides. Many, many variables. I question if either of you ride or have ridden long...

I have been riding for 45 years. Been hit twice by a car with broken bones the result in both collisions.
I do wear a helmet for the majority of my rides but not always. I appreciate that it is my decision to wear a helmet or not.

Toyz · 06-15-2012, 08:37 AM

I won't drive around the block without a helmet...but in Texas its too hot to wear the other gear most of the year. If you go down at speed its all relative I guess.

SpeedRacerXXX · 06-15-2012, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gentleman

A lot can be said on both sides. Many, many variables. I question if either of you ride or have ridden long...

I have been riding for 45 years. Been hit twice by a car with broken bones the result in both collisions.
I do wear a helmet for the majority of my rides but not always. I appreciate that it is my decision to wear a helmet or not.

I am a cyclist not a motorcyclist. Wouldn't be caught dead (excuse the pun) riding without a helmet. I know that even standing still on my bike I could fall and hit my head and be seriously injured without a helmet. My top speed is about 30 and I'd hate to think what would happen if I crashed at that speed. I RARELY see a cyclist without a helmet. I would estimate 50% of the motorcyclists I see do not wear helmets.

As you have stated, it is your decision whether to wear a helmet or not. I agree with F-Sharp to a degree in that if you want to risk your life for something as dumb (to me) as not protecting yourself, so be it. However, you have to realize that if I am in a car and hit you causing you injury or death, I am liable for a great expense which might have been totally avoided had you been wearing a helmet.

rockerrick · 06-15-2012, 08:59 AM

As a person who shattered L femur in 8pcs , broke every rib on L side, fractured 3 vertabrae in neck , guarantee you I would not be here if I had not worn one. Totalled my body and bike , only damage to Suburban that made L turn in front of me was a melon sized dent where my head stuck like a dart in the fender. I'm all for your freedom to decide to wear one or not , as long as we have the freedom to decide if we pay for your hospital bills , or possible law suites .

SpeedRacerXXX · 06-15-2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toyz

I won't drive around the block without a helmet...but in Texas its too hot to wear the other gear most of the year. If you go down at speed its all relative I guess.

I was driving to and from Brenham on 290 last Friday/Sunday. Packed with bikers. Small minority wearing helmets. I agree with you that if you are riding at 50-60 mph, a helmet isn't going to do anything to save you.

rockerrick · 06-15-2012, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedRacerXXX

I was driving to and from Brenham on 290 last Friday/Sunday. Packed with bikers. Small minority wearing helmets. I agree with you that if you are riding at 50-60 mph, a helmet isn't going to do anything to save you.

Not true I impacted at 60 and yet here I type !

Toyz · 06-15-2012, 09:27 AM

My top speed so far is 136, but wear a helmet to afford the family an open casket funeral should they want one.

nuglet · 06-15-2012, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockerrick

As a person who shattered L femur in 8pcs , broke every rib on L side, fractured 3 vertabrae in neck , guarantee you I would not be here if I had not worn one. Totalled my body and bike , only damage to Suburban that made L turn in front of me was a melon sized dent where my head stuck like a dart in the fender. I'm all for your freedom to decide to wear one or not , as long as we have the freedom to decide if we pay for your hospital bills , or possible law suites .

I guess you didn't know.. In Texas, if you don't wear a helmet, you have to have proof of personal hospitalization insurance. That's not required if you have a helmet on. They can, and sometimes do, stop you without a helmet to see if you have the insurance. That was the concession when the helmet law was repealed years ago. It's fair... if my dumb-ass gets hurt due to not wearing (by my choice) a helmet, I have to prove I am financially able to scrape up what's left of my brains and go to the hosp.
I wore a helmet for years, then they made it a law and I felt rebellious, so worked with my fellow bikers to change the law back to "no helmet required". There was several "but's" added when the law was repealed..
Been riding bikes for a little over 50 yrs.

nuglet · 06-15-2012, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpeedRacerXXX

I was driving to and from Brenham on 290 last Friday/Sunday. Packed with bikers. Small minority wearing helmets. I agree with you that if you are riding at 50-60 mph, a helmet isn't going to do anything to save you.

The most dangerous area to ride is in downtown traffic. Seldom are there wrecks on the highway compared to intersections in town.

S O B · 06-15-2012, 10:07 AM

LEATHERS AND BOOTS People in flip flops or tennis shoes are idiots. Your girls ass looks good hiked up in shorts, until she gets road rash all over. Bicyclists have road rights like a car... I can't ride the shoulder in my car legally. STFU Nug, did you know Sputnick?

rockerrick · 06-15-2012, 10:10 AM

Nuglet even with medical insurance these incidents still degrade into finger pointing with nobody accepting responsibility . My case I had insurance but insurance company points finger elsewhere , then the legal precedings begin , they end up degrading into road design flaws and etc. 6 years later shit gets resolved to no ones liking , and that medical insurance you had cancels after first set of bills they have to pay , and now you have a pre-existing condition. Good luck getting insured after that . And anytime an insurance company pays out WE ALL pay eventually !

SpeedRacerXXX · 06-15-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockerrick

Not true I impacted at 60 and yet here I type !

Incredible!! Thanks for the correction to my assumption.

nuglet · 06-15-2012, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockerrick

Nuglet even with medical insurance these incidents still degrade into finger pointing with nobody accepting responsibility . My case I had insurance but insurance company points finger elsewhere , then the legal precedings begin , they end up degrading into road design flaws and etc. 6 years later shit gets resolved to no ones liking , and that medical insurance you had cancels after first set of bills they have to pay , and now you have a pre-existing condition. Good luck getting insured after that . And anytime an insurance company pays out WE ALL pay eventually !

I'm not arguing that point, I just pointed out that there are laws attempting to make the rider responsible for his choice not to wear a helmet. I don't understand that they don't work. Aren't all law written perfectly, with no loopholes? surprise surprise.
As for getting insured, once it happens.. I have full coverage on 1 Motorhome, 2 motorcycles, 2 cars (one being a somewhat expensive sport convertible) and have full coverage on all of them, and pay only about $1300 per year total. But, admittedly, I now have no tickets for 20 yrs, and no accidents. Didn't use to be that way ... LOL