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Big IV
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« Reply #40 on: June 29, 2011, 07:00:03 PM » |
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Went down at 65 mph 2 years ago, after I was side swiped. Ground through the chin guard and both sides of the helmet were cut into the foam liner. Not a mark on my noggin, I will not ride with out one.
I don't leave home without my helmet. However, I see that as a personal choice moreso than a legal choice. I just happen to live in a state where they are required. |
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"Ride Free Citizen!"
VRCCDS0176
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Chili Pepper
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« Reply #41 on: June 29, 2011, 07:50:40 PM » |
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As for insurance...well. ..here in Michigan we have the catastrophic coverage thing. Motorcycle riders must pay this "fee"...but if you're in a single vehicle accident on your bike...loose control, hit a deer, whatever...you're not covered. But if you're in a single vehicle accident in your car?...you're covered. Go figger...So we're already paying for insurance coverage for cagers  |
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F6Dave
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« Reply #42 on: June 29, 2011, 08:13:01 PM » |
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I remember an article in a bike magazine back in the '70s. The opening line was: 'helmets are about as effective as seatbelts on airplanes'. The point they made was that preventing an accident was far more important, since there would usually be serious damage regardless of what you were wearing.
All but about 2 of the hallf million miles I've ridden have been with a helmet. But I'm always aware of how exposed to injury I am on a bike.
As for helmet laws, you could make a good case for requiring people riding horses, or even in cars, to wear helmets. Since we're all becoming serfs on the federal plantation, maybe our masters will pass such a law! For our own good, of course.
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Linedog
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« Reply #43 on: June 29, 2011, 10:33:36 PM » |
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My dad had a head injury. Although the injury was not the result of a motorcycle accident, what he went through the last 20 years of his life wasn't worth the freedom of not wearing head protection! Linedog
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Trynt
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« Reply #44 on: June 30, 2011, 06:49:54 AM » |
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My dad had a head injury. Although the injury was not the result of a motorcycle accident, what he went through the last 20 years of his life wasn't worth the freedom of not wearing head protection! Linedog
+1 My father was broadsided by two kids out drinking. He was thrown from the vehicle and suffered a head injury. He was in a coma for 9 days. He had to relearn how to walk and talk. For the rest of his life he had to wear glasses because his eyes wouldn't align. He came back a long way but was never the same physically or cognitively. To this day, I've never met a tougher man, but he was transformed to a frail shadow of himself. Watching him struggle convinced me. |
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« Last Edit: June 30, 2011, 07:00:20 AM by Trynt »
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The Anvil
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« Reply #45 on: June 30, 2011, 07:23:28 AM » |
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I remember an article in a bike magazine back in the '70s. The opening line was: 'helmets are about as effective as seatbelts on airplanes'. The point they made was that preventing an accident was far more important, since there would usually be serious damage regardless of what you were wearing. Seatbelts on aircraft are quite effective under certain conditions actually, and crew seatbelts are critical to proper operation. Remember a few years back when a passenger was killed when their plane hit severe turbulence? That's because they weren't wearing their seatbelt and they bounced off the cabin ceiling. Several others on the flight were severely injured as well. Remember the stew who was sucked out of Aloha flight 243? She wasn't wearing her seatbelt, everyone else was. I get really annoyed when people who know nothing (as the author of the article clearly did not) about a subject make statements like that. A few years back I used to go to the gym with a nice young kid who owned a Yamaha R6. Several gym visits went by and I hadn't seen him. Next time I was at the gym I asked somebody who knew him outside of the place where he'd been. Turned out he'd died when he hit a car turning left in front of him. Severe head trauma, NO OTHER MAJOR INJURIES. The police on the scene say that he may have even walked away had he been wearing a helmet. My own experience of having my chinbar smashed to pieces when it bounced off a tree during a hare scramble sold me on helmets as being effective. I was concussed, but I walked away. Had I not been wearing a helmet? I might be dead and I'd certainly be disfigured. Bottom line; it's your life, do with it as you wish, but don't try to tell me they're not effective. And there are no absolutes in life. |
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Boxer rebellion, the Holy Child. They all pay their rent.
But none together can testify to the rhythm of a road well bent.
Saddles and zip codes, passports and gates, the Jones' keep.
In August the water is trickling, in April it's furious deep.
1997 Valk Standard, Red and White.
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MNBill
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« Reply #46 on: June 30, 2011, 08:46:28 AM » |
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My Bride and I are both on this side of the sod due to helmets. Progressive replaced them. We do not ride without them. An accident that occured about 2 weeks before mine with the same in town speeds resulted in the death of the MC driver. We have no helmet law in MN for adults, I still wear one even on cross town trips like the one we were hit on.
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MNBill
SE Minnesota
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KW
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« Reply #47 on: June 30, 2011, 03:21:42 PM » |
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The FORCED catastrophic coverage Chili referred to is another solid point that I forgot to mention. For those of you in other States; our Insurance companies are forced to add this on and in my case, it doubles my cost. . . . . . In effect, it’s s bike specific TAX which covers “extra” cost of motorcycle injuries. . (A simple layman’s explanation from a simple mind! Google it if you want.)
All that aside; I’m amazed how many people want to have this discussion turned into a “whether or not a helmet works” argument. There are numerous studies showing both the ineffectualness and effectiveness of wearing a helmet above or below a certain speed, but that just isn’t issue as I see it. Frankly, it scares me that so many people want to decide what’s best for me and mine, particularly when the main justification is some possible monetary cost from an incident (crash) that may never occur. Amazing . .
If you can’t see the preverbal slippery slope in this case, then it’s pretty clear what side you fall on in the ‘discussion.’ This isn’t about a child seat protecting a baby who can’t protect themselves (just what age does a liberal start caring for a “baby” anyway? I’m always confused on that one.) Or, a jetliner during takeoff/landing where an unstrapped passenger can bounce into another person and cause harm. . . . This is about ME choosing to not to wear a helmet.
P.S. Hey Timbre Wolf!! Your helmet preference may be the same brother, but you definitely upgraded on your choice of bikes!!!  
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« Last Edit: June 30, 2011, 07:06:13 PM by KW »
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doubletee
Member
Posts: 1165
VRCC # 22269
Fort Wayne, IN
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« Reply #48 on: July 01, 2011, 06:03:32 AM » |
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The FORCED catastrophic coverage Chili referred to is another solid point that I forgot to mention. For those of you in other States; our Insurance companies are forced to add this on and in my case, it doubles my cost. . . . . . In effect, it’s s bike specific TAX which covers “extra” cost of motorcycle injuries. . (A simple layman’s explanation from a simple mind! Google it if you want.)
All that aside; I’m amazed how many people want to have this discussion turned into a “whether or not a helmet works” argument. There are numerous studies showing both the ineffectualness and effectiveness of wearing a helmet above or below a certain speed, but that just isn’t issue as I see it. Frankly, it scares me that so many people want to decide what’s best for me and mine, particularly when the main justification is some possible monetary cost from an incident (crash) that may never occur. Amazing . .
If you can’t see the preverbal slippery slope in this case, then it’s pretty clear what side you fall on in the ‘discussion.’ This isn’t about a child seat protecting a baby who can’t protect themselves (just what age does a liberal start caring for a “baby” anyway? I’m always confused on that one.) Or, a jetliner during takeoff/landing where an unstrapped passenger can bounce into another person and cause harm. . . . This is about ME choosing to not to wear a helmet.
P.S. Hey Timbre Wolf!! Your helmet preference may be the same brother, but you definitely upgraded on your choice of bikes!!! Well said on the 'slippery slope.' It's much bigger than simply wearing or not wearing a helmet. |
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solo1
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« Reply #49 on: July 01, 2011, 07:12:58 AM » |
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Wearing a helmet should be a personal choice BUT trying to tell me that they're ineffective is not true!
Somewhere I read that airbags save lives which I believe is true, It also stated that more accident victims were seriously crippled for life. The conclusion was that air bags saved lives but that normally unsurvivable accidents were now survivable. As a result, victims are now living but with severe lower limb trauma.
Building cars that crush more easily, protect the leg area, and absorb the shock looks like the answer, along with better surgical and medical procedures.
Helmets do not protect against chest trauma. Air bags do not protect against extremity trauma.
Helmets work, and I wear them. If you don't wish to wear, that should be your choice, but I think that the argument that they don't work as designed, is inaccurate.
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Rocketman
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« Reply #50 on: July 01, 2011, 08:00:34 AM » |
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All that aside; I’m amazed how many people want to have this discussion turned into a “whether or not a helmet works” argument.
Well said. I am willing to have a helmet law discussion. I am willing to have a "how much do helmets help" discussion. I am not willing to mix the two. My belief that helmet laws have no place in this country has NOTHING to do with whether I believe they work or not. Those that have ridden with me know my opinion based on my actions. Those that haven't, are not lacking any part of my helmet law argument. Let me choose what I want to do when I ride. As for the unenforcability of insurance and age restrictions on helmet laws: Texas wrote our code with similar provisions. It has been written in such a way that you can get dinged for it if you're already pulled over for something else. I don't believe that it's permissible for a LEO to stop you simply for an age verification, or insurance verification. Mark |
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Skinhead
Member
Posts: 8727
J. A. B. O. A.
Troy, MI
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« Reply #51 on: July 01, 2011, 10:28:14 AM » |
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Along the lines of the catastrophic claims fee that is charged on every vehicle you insure in MI (about $147 I think) I fail to see why you wouldn't be covered in a single vehicle accident, can anyone explain the reasoning for this? Also since most motorcyclist-cage accidents involve cages imposing on the right of way of the motorcycle, why aren't cages made to pay more, especially if they have caused an accident in the past. If the "I didn't see him" defense is used, that operator should be made to pay a "poor eyesight" or "inability to concentrate on the task at hand" premium for the next 5 years following their accident, it should also be graduated based on the severity of the injuries sustained by the victim.
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~ Timbrwolf
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« Reply #52 on: July 01, 2011, 10:42:56 AM » |
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. . . ...I saw a werewolf at Trader Vics. . . ...his hair was perfect...
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RoadKill
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« Reply #53 on: July 01, 2011, 05:28:53 PM » |
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Whoo hoo! Might travel to MI more often. But it is the only time we blow dust off the novies. We cant tan with a lid on. Most on here dont want to pay for others that were injured in a mc wreck. Hell you pay for those with a stubbed toe everyday. Also for the border jumpers. So why would you not help pay for those that really need it? If you wreck, its yours or theirs auto insurance that foots the bill. Medicare denies alot of stuff. If they dont think its medically necc then they dont pay. Good to have a secondary or deep pockets. I've seen all types of mc wrecks. Dead ones, live ones, some wow ones, etc. Honestly, with me, all my dead ones had helmets on.  Alot of blunt force trauma to the chest. For us, we want to be 'in the wind'. Like I said before, its better to die doing something you enjoy then to set on the couch and die. I would be pissed if I was in a helmet State and wrecked and woke up in a wheel chair never to ride again. I'd put a bullet in my head. If I wrecked and was a vegatable, I'd pull the plug. I want to know what its like to be in the wind, not remember what its like. Ol lady feels the same. Not having a helmet on is not a guarantee that you wont wake up either. Waking up with definite mental an physical deficits is a royal bitch,at that point you will have more to worry about than the helmet laws. some one asked if I had a death wish because of no helmet. I said 'well,it didnt come true any how' and some one else said 'for a couple minutes it did!' If your luck is anything like mine...dont count on anything ! I dont even know who I was having that conversation with but I know hospital staff,family and friends were all present. I got lucky,nothing broken below T-4 or any arm/leg breaks but you are right about chest trauma. Insurance says wiring the busted sternum together is an elective surgery  Just dont fool yourself that it will be any better because of your choice....it may not be  |
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KW
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« Reply #54 on: July 01, 2011, 06:42:15 PM » |
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Timbrwolf; what’s "Colombia Gold reefer?" Some type of expensive sea diver gear? Or, an expensive type of refrigerator heading for South America?    (My A mind on pot during the 70's. . . )
Hay man, I had a CB750. . . . It was an early model, either a 69 or 70, I can’t remember. It was handled down to me by one of my older brothers. . . in 73. That doggone front disc break almost threw me over the bars on my first ride. I grew up on dirt bikes and most of them didn’t have ANY back brakes, so I always used the fronts. . and the fronts always stunk on my dirts! Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Honda was the first one with front disc, right? Anyway, that dang thing BIT. . and I was a stupid teenage boy.
Man, you can say what you want, but I am SO grateful they didn’t have crotch rockets ‘back in the day!!’
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~ Timbrwolf
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« Reply #55 on: July 01, 2011, 07:42:54 PM » |
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.....one of my fondest memories of my youth.....I stuck a small amount down my jeans as to enjoy my first Road Trip just a tad more.....on the second day I met up with some boys from Virginia on their Harleys...I twisted one up and we all kicked back and talked bikes...one dude kept saying to me in that laid back southern drawl....that shur is a fine "wine" colored bike...(it was burgandy)...when the spliv was done we all mounted up....they tried their best to get me to go hang at some lake with them for the day...but I had miles to go.... ....when I finally hit Houston me and a buddy got in his 1973 pea green Ford pick up and took a little ride to the Bus Station...walked up to these two old black dudes that worked there and handed them my ticket...one of them went and got my bag, came back and handed to me ...smiled and said...have a good day sir...I felt like Johnny Depp in the movie "Blow". .....took the bag and smiled back and replied....thats the plan..  |
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« Last Edit: July 01, 2011, 07:50:03 PM by ~ Timbrwolf »
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. . . ...I saw a werewolf at Trader Vics. . . ...his hair was perfect...
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3fan4life
Member
Posts: 6959
Any day that you ride is a good day!
Moneta, VA
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« Reply #56 on: July 01, 2011, 10:08:44 PM » |
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Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I think Honda was the first one with front disc, right? It seems that you would be correct. According to Wikipedia: The first mass-produced road-going motorcycle to sport a disc-brake was the 1969 Honda CB750 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disc_brake |
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1 Corinthians 1:18  |
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DarkMeister
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« Reply #57 on: July 03, 2011, 09:32:08 AM » |
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/03/motorcyclist-dies-helmet-protest_n_889427.htmlIrony of timing. Total bummer... My wife is always carrying on about helmets. Hates them. Bla bla. "Why, when we were young, we never wore helmets, and was that any worse?" Got to taste some memory lane last year in Lancaster, PA. Dawned on us that helmets were not required, so we had to 'try it'. I dunno. Felt great in some ways, scary in other ways. You don't have to be going fast, in order for something to happen and to fall on your noggin'.
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