Helmets - Yes or No.

[timebandit]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

When I asked "What are you rebelling against" ? That was a set up for a line Marlon Brando said in "The Wild One", the mother of all motorcycle flicks. His reply? "What have ya got?"

Not big on older movies but the reply is great . Guess I'll have to find an old copy and watch it some time

[timebandit]

BTW this is the new lid I got

http://www.g-max.com/gmax/gm55S.html#

very lightweight almost feel as if you had nothing ;)

[ken]

If that g-max half-helmet ever gets approved for Germany, I'd buy one for around town. But given that the German TUV takes about 10 years to learn anything new...I'll probably be dead from old age by then.

[dhomoney]

Originally Posted by Ken

I know this is a subject that I really should keep my mouth shut about, but I just was looking at a photo of a new member and noted that he and his passenger were not wearing helmets. Admittedly the bike was stationary, but my thought was - if the driver doesn't want to wear a helmet, so be it. But it seemed in the photo that the passenger was a young person. As an adult, a father and a (I hope) responsible rider, I would always want my passenger to wear a helmet (as I do). And as for young people (read children), they should always wear a helmet.

Now I know that the wearing of helmets is a touchy subject in the U.s. and I have no wish to raise anyone temperature, or interfer with their "God given rights," but helmets are just sooo important.

OK, I said my piece.....Regards to all and be safe - Ken

Ken,

In the summer around here I often don't as it gets well over 100 degrees here. The spring, fall, and winter I tend to wear them. I support the ability to allow anyone to choose to wear or not wear at their discression and abhor the idea that the state can tell me I have to wear a helmet or seat belt for that matter. Let me choose to wear or not to wear.

I know the picture you are referencing and I am sure it is a posed picture as the person referenced is an MSF instructor. I just can't stand the idea of nanny state telling me I have to wear it. It isn't the states business. These are frequently tough concepts for those in Europe to understand as till recently you were all dicatatorships and monarchies and have no conception of personalized god given rights as you said. I would rather died free than live forever in the nanny state.

[djh]

Think about this. Wearing a helmet might just save your life. Not wearing one you may end up dead or Gary Busey ! Just think about that for a moment or two. Wearing a helmet or not is your choice to a point, but think about who you will be leaving behind or who has to take care of you when your not able too. I wear a helmet even where and when it may not be required to wear one . That is my choice and My family (Grandkids) . Choose what's right for you and your family but choose wisely. Ride Safe DJ

[egetaseb]

Helmets are mandatory for all age groups in NJ. I would wear it regardless of the law because it just makes sense to me. I had a crash last year and my full face helmet saved my jaw (and maybe my life) because when my head hit the asphalt, my jaw area took most of the force. I have the marks on my helmet to prove it. That accident was less than 5 miles from home so those who only wear helmets on long trips are misguided (IMO) because a crash 20 miles from home is just as deadly as one in front of my house. If the bike is moving, my helmet is on. I even wear my helmet when moving the bike from the front of my house to my detached garage.

Having said that, I have no problems with taking pictures on a stationary bike without a helmet. I have pictures of my son on my bike without a helmet because the bike is on the kickstand and in my driveway.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I don't feel the states should require helmets. I think it should be up to the individual. I, of course, believe wearing one. It should still be up to the rider. As far as children or passengers, if you don't wear one I don't think you should require the passenger to wear one. Just a thought.

[markusmaximus]

I almost always wear a 3/4 helmet. The only exception is when I puttering around the neighborhood to cool off after cutting grass.

[johnb]

Real sensitive subject. I don't like the state telling me I have to wear a helmet or seat belt, however even if they didn't I would use them just out of common sense. I think there's enough data out there to show that they do save lives. Let the individual take responsibility for his own safety for he will have to pay the price for his choices. Just make sure he has enough insurance to cover picking him up and burying him if he pays the ultimate price.

[ells]

One way to rebel against being told you have to wear a helmet is to wear it because you chose to whether you are told to or not. Wear mine 99% of the time but am glad it is because that is what I chose not have to do.

[ken]

@ dhomoney –

Just a quick note....I LIVE in Germany, I'm not a German, I'm 50% American and 50% British....Raised in the US and worked for the US Gov't for more than 36 years and am a Vietnam Vet.

And as for your intimate knowledge of Europeans and their dictatorships and monarchies, where, pray tell, did you obtain this insight? Most Germans I know understand very well the meaning of a dictatorship. Did you know that the idea of social security was invented in Germany by Kaiser Bismarck? And most of the ideas that went into developing the early U.S. constitution and bill of rights came from England. Let’s not trivialize the Europeans too much.

I might point out that most roads in the US have speed limits...ever drive on a German Autobahn at 150 mph? That's freedom. :) Yes, you are right that many countries in Europe are somewhat nanny states but so is the U.S. whether you wish to admit to it or not. And the reason is that for those who fail to exercise good judgment on their own forces the state to do it for them. If you don't have good health insurance (and it certainly seems that lots of folks in the U.S. do not) and if you are not wearing a helmet and if you are stopped at a right light and get rammed from the rear by a cell-phone chatting, finger-nail painting lady and your unprotected noggin is pushed into the truck ahead of you and you are now brain dead, it very well may be my tax dollar that helps keep you alive (if you make it that far). Like you, I don't like being told what to do, but sometimes, sometimes....well, you get my point.

In any event, I do very much wish you well and even if you ride with just a skid lid on your noggin it would be better than nothing. Check out one of the earlier posts on that new ½ helmet. It looks good and might be right up your alley.

Take care and ride safe - Ken

[dhomoney]

Originally Posted by Ken

@ dhomoney –

Just a quick note....I LIVE in Germany, I'm not a German, I'm 50% American and 50% British....Raised in the US and worked for the US Gov't for more than 36 years and am a Vietnam Vet.

Thank you for your service Ken.

And as for your intimate knowledge of Europeans and their dictatorships and monarchies, where, pray tell, did you obtain this insight? Most Germans I know understand very well the meaning of a dictatorship. Did you know that the idea of social security was invented in Germany by Kaiser Bismarck? And most of the ideas that went into developing the early U.S. constitution and bill of rights came from England. Let’s not trivialize the Europeans too much.

Ken, I get this incite from history. I knew that Bismark was the founder of a SSI type plan amongst other socialist/fascist things. Frankly, I abhor and hate stuff like SSI, Medicare, and Medicaid. These are unconstitutional constructs of a federal government run a muck. I am a student of history and read voraciously.

I might point out that most roads in the US have speed limits...ever drive on a German Autobahn at 150 mph? That's freedom. :) Yes, you are right that many countries in Europe are somewhat nanny states but so is the U.S. whether you wish to admit to it or not. And the reason is that for those who fail to exercise good judgment on their own forces the state to do it for them. If you don't have good health insurance (and it certainly seems that lots of folks in the U.S. do not) and if you are not wearing a helmet and if you are stopped at a right light and get rammed from the rear by a cell-phone chatting, finger-nail painting lady and your unprotected noggin is pushed into the truck ahead of you and you are now brain dead, it very well may be my tax dollar that helps keep you alive (if you make it that far). Like you, I don't like being told what to do, but sometimes, sometimes....well, you get my point.

Our health care in the US is fine, a bit pricey, but also the best in the world. You don't see sick world leaders and business men flying to Europe to get care, they come here to the US. Recent stat, in the US male prostate cancer is survived 91.6% of the time. In Europe it is survived 76% of the time, in the UK it is survived 51% of the time. We don't have rationed care, our wait times to see are doctor are the lowest in the world. In some Canadian cities and towns they have health care lotteries. In the US our evil profit driven system provides the fastest and highest level of health care in the world bar none. I don't need to explain what my friends living in the UK have to say about NHS do I? Why do you think they are have private health care. Our health care costs are driven to the levels they are by litigation and we are in dire need of tort reform, and by government meddling health care jacking up costs. Give me American health care any day of the week over anyone else.

Oh and yes I have driven the autobahns. I have been to Germany, Luxembourg, and France. I have driven all over those countries. The drivers and road in Germany are the best in the world. Also the US is becoming nanny state, against the wishes of a great many people. Our leaders don't listen to the people anymore, I can tell you of major legislation that the people where overwhelmingly against yet they passed it anyhow. We aren't perfect, but we have the best construct in place, the US Constitution, and while we got a lot of our philosophy from the likes of Smith and Blackstone, we implemented it, the Brits didn't, of course we also took a lot from Rome and Greece as well. [/quote]

In any event, I do very much wish you well and even if you ride with just a skid lid on your noggin it would be better than nothing. Check out one of the earlier posts on that new ½ helmet. It looks good and might be right up your alley.

Take care and ride safe - Ken

You was well sir. I love a good political debate and no ill will is ever intended no matter how much I rant and rail, ok well ill will toward or inept and corrupt political class is there, but not towards you. :)

[tazfl]

Well, I never wear a helmet, is it the smart thing to do...NO...but i can't help it. It just gets so damn hot here in Florida and i get hot very easy and sweat easily. I will wear a helmet on really cold days to keep my head warm and of course will wear one when I'm in a state that requires it.
I used to wear a skullcap when it was mandatory here in Florida but after thhey changed the law and i rode the 1st time without one it just felt so good to have the wind blowing across my head that I was hooked.
I do agree 100% that kids riding as passengers should have a helmet and other protective gear as well.

[Sin City Stan]

No trip too short not to wear a helmet. They are required in Nevada but it makes no difference I ALWAYS wear the gear or I don't ride.

However, I have severe problems with a Government that forces people to wear helmets, seatbelts, etc.. I call them the "do-goodders". They know what's best for you. If one comes to your door to help . . . run.

[dogdoc]

Wow, I sure enjoyed that HOT political debate and wish both sides a vistory, yee-ha!