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StretchPhoto
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« on: July 03, 2011, 10:29:59 AM » |
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http://news.yahoo.com/ny-motorcyclist-dies-ride-protesting-helmet-law-143217859.htmlONONDAGA, N.Y. (AP) — Police say a motorcyclist participating in a protest ride against helmet laws in upstate New York died after he flipped over the bike's handlebars and hit his head on the pavement. The accident happened Saturday afternoon in the town of Onondaga, in central New York near Syracuse. State troopers tell The Post-Standard of Syracuse that 55-year-old Philip A. Contos of Parish, N.Y., was driving a 1983 Harley Davidson with a group of bikers who were protesting helmet laws by not wearing helmets. Troopers say Contos hit his brakes and the motorcycle fishtailed. The bike spun out of control, and Contos toppled over the handlebars. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. Troopers say Contos would have likely survived if he had been wearing a helmet.
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"Walking the wire is life. The rest is just waiting." - Highwire walker Karl Wallenda, just days before he fell to his death
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MacDragon
Member
Posts: 1970
My first Valk VRCC# 32095
Middleton, Mass.
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« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2011, 10:35:08 AM » |
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Not a good way to get positive results from a no-helmet protest...  |
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 Ride fast and take chances... uh, I mean... ride safe folks. Patriot Guard Riders |
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RainMaker
Member
Posts: 6626
VRCC#24130 - VRCCDS#0117 - IBA#48473
Arlington, TX
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« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2011, 10:39:09 AM » |
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He had the right to protest and ride as wanted to. It's a shame he had the accident. But if he was fishtailing, sounds like another case of all rear brake, no front brake as well as no helmet. Sorry for the family.
RM
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 2005 BMW R1200 GS 2000 Valkyrie Interstate 1998 Valkyrie Tourer 1981 GL1100I GoldWing 1972 CB500K1 |
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RoadKill
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« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2011, 01:13:10 PM » |
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if the empire state building had fallen on him, they would have said a helmet would have saved him.
People die in cars with out helmets all the time
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The Anvil
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« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2011, 01:18:14 PM » |
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if the empire state building had fallen on him, they would have said a helmet would have saved him.
People die in cars with out helmets all the time
That's just a silly argument. That said, a man is dead. He had a family and people who loved him. I might not agree with his choice and I might even question the wisdom of that choice, but I'm not gonna gloat over it. And that's kinda what this thread feels like. |
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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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StretchPhoto
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« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2011, 01:37:49 PM » |
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Sorry, Anvil. And anyone else who the post offended. I'm not gloating over anyone's death. To me, the irony made it worth sharing and I thought this might be the place. No disrespect intended, I promise.
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"Walking the wire is life. The rest is just waiting." - Highwire walker Karl Wallenda, just days before he fell to his death
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bigdan
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« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2011, 01:51:08 PM » |
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Are you against helmet laws and, if so, are you also against seat belt laws for automobiles?
Thanks, and, ps - did you see this bike?
I'm against both, and air bags, and a bunch of other nanny state regulations, not all transportation related. I believe we're just defeating darwin's idea of natural selection, and should let the herd thin naturally. (get rid of OSHA & the average IQ in this counrty would rise 10 points in one generation!) I DO wear a seat belt, and a brain bucket most of the time. but the choice should be mine. |
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VRCC1283  |
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T.P.
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« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2011, 06:56:54 PM » |
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"Well you can call me T, or you can call me P, or you can call me T.P. but you doesn't hasta call me Toilet Paper"
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BigAl
Guest
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« Reply #9 on: July 03, 2011, 07:19:44 PM » |
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I would like to say that I will always wear one.
Tried it without one and all the crap kicked up by cars and bikes is hitting you all over your head and face area.
Dragons on the beach is where I tried it at Panama City Fla. ,,,,,also in Kentucky.
I guess it's a macho thing or something to go without a helmet.
Gary Busey the actor, used to be all up in arms about freedom to ride without a helmet.
He fell off his motorcycle and hit his head on a curb, he was in a coma.
After he woke up, he said he will rde again, but with a Brain Bucket in the future.
I have been personally saved on numerous occasions by wearing a helmet.
Racing Motocross, Trail Riding, and once just fell off a bank of a dry creek bed when a limb broke that I was leaning on and I fell head first into
a pile of rocks, alone and away from the roadways on a trail ride.
Go ahead you are free in most states to go without and we are still free , so no skin off my head if you don't wear one.
Remember put me in your will,, for me to be the new owner of your Valk , should you croak while riding without your Skid Lid.
Al
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The Anvil
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« Reply #10 on: July 03, 2011, 07:39:46 PM » |
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Sorry, Anvil. And anyone else who the post offended. I'm not gloating over anyone's death. To me, the irony made it worth sharing and I thought this might be the place. No disrespect intended, I promise.
I know it's all too easy to be glib when something like this happens. I'd be lyin if I said I'd never done it. No harm done. |
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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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3fan4life
Member
Posts: 6959
Any day that you ride is a good day!
Moneta, VA
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« Reply #11 on: July 03, 2011, 07:54:57 PM » |
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I have been personally saved on numerous occasions by wearing a helmet.
Racing Motocross, Trail Riding, and once just fell off a bank of a dry creek bed when a limb broke that I was leaning on and I fell head first into
a pile of rocks, alone and away from the roadways on a trail ride.
Al All this time I've thought that you were a little "touched" and the truth is that you've just fallen on your head a few "too" many times.  |
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1 Corinthians 1:18  |
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musclehead
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« Reply #12 on: July 03, 2011, 08:40:15 PM » |
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I heard the news on the radio  a helmet has never saved my life, but I still wear one  |
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'in the tunnels uptown, the Rats own dream guns him down. the shots echo down them hallways in the night' - the Boss
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musclehead
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« Reply #13 on: July 03, 2011, 08:45:25 PM » |
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he musta been all over that rear brake, very sad but ironic as well. my one accident at street speeds I was wearing a helmet and it never got a scratch on it go figure.... |
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'in the tunnels uptown, the Rats own dream guns him down. the shots echo down them hallways in the night' - the Boss
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MacDragon
Member
Posts: 1970
My first Valk VRCC# 32095
Middleton, Mass.
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« Reply #14 on: July 04, 2011, 04:11:24 AM » |
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I wear one and will continue. Mass is a helmet state, but the three states around me are helmet-free states. Maine, NH and Conn. I've ridden without in Conn. just to feel the breeze. It was kinda nice but felt a little apprehensive. Just feel a little more comfy with a lid.  I read this story yesterday and it is sad. Prayers go out to the family and friends. |
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Ride fast and take chances... uh, I mean... ride safe folks. Patriot Guard Riders |
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RainMaker
Member
Posts: 6626
VRCC#24130 - VRCCDS#0117 - IBA#48473
Arlington, TX
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« Reply #15 on: July 04, 2011, 05:15:53 AM » |
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I wore a helmet and seatbelts before they were mandatory. But those were my choices. I don't think that the government should make those decisions. However, in the case of seatbelts, the legislation did force the belts to be installed in cars so I could have that choice. So hard for me to argue against the regulation on having seatbelts in cars. But making someone then wear them or they get a ticket - that part I don't like. I think it's smart to wear seatbelts and a helmet and have been saved from serious injury due to those choices. Most things are not black and white. But making me wear a helmet is like making me take a vitamin, drink 8 glasses of water a day, etc instead of giving me those choices. I choose to wear a helmet. I choose to eat well. Freedom gives one the ability and the responsibility of making their own choices, even if they aren't ones that you or I agree with. |
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2005 BMW R1200 GS 2000 Valkyrie Interstate 1998 Valkyrie Tourer 1981 GL1100I GoldWing 1972 CB500K1 |
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fudgie
Member
Posts: 10613
Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
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« Reply #16 on: July 04, 2011, 05:34:04 AM » |
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I guess it's a macho thing or something to go without a helmet.
Remember put me in your will,, for me to be the new owner of your Valk , should you croak while riding without your Skid Lid.
Al
Nope. Cant have the valk. She's gonna be cremated with me.  |
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 Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
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Dougger
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« Reply #17 on: July 04, 2011, 05:34:59 AM » |
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Motorcyclist Dies On Ride Protesting Helmet Law In New York
ONONDAGA, N.Y. -- Police say a motorcyclist participating in a protest ride against helmet laws in upstate New York died after he flipped over the bike's handlebars and hit his head on the pavement.
The accident happened Saturday afternoon in the town of Onondaga, in central New York near Syracuse.
State troopers tell The Post-Standard of Syracuse that 55-year-old Philip A. Contos of Parish, N.Y., was driving a 1983 Harley Davidson with a group of bikers who were protesting helmet laws by not wearing helmets.
Troopers say Contos hit his brakes and the motorcycle fishtailed. The bike spun out of control, and Contos toppled over the handlebars. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Troopers say Contos would have likely survived if he had been wearing a helmet.
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Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005
Member
Posts: 13834
American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God.
Beautiful east Tennessee ( GOD'S Country )
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« Reply #18 on: July 04, 2011, 05:49:54 AM » |
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I think they are ( 4 ) threads going right now on this .  |
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 I've seen alot of people that thought they were cool , but then again Lord I've seen alot of fools. |
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fudgie
Member
Posts: 10613
Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
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« Reply #19 on: July 04, 2011, 06:23:04 AM » |
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I think they are ( 4 ) threads going right now on this . Thats great! That ranks up there with the 'id hit that' pic. |
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Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
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0leman
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« Reply #20 on: July 04, 2011, 08:40:14 AM » |
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I feel a person should have the right to decide to wear a helmet or not. It should be a personal decision. (too want to be in someones will) I do and will always wear a helmet. I got tried to go bare headed when I first started riding 40 years ago. Got tired of being hit in the face by hard shell beetle bugs and rocks. That is why I mostly wear one now, bugs and rocks. Though the thought of sliding face first on the payment is also a consideration. My face doesn't need any more scars on it. Not sure if one uses their head to stop themselves at 60 mph if they will live anyway, with or without a helmet.
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2006 Shadow Spirit 1100 gone but not forgotten
1999 Valkryie I/S Green/Silver
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MNBill
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« Reply #21 on: July 04, 2011, 09:23:51 AM » |
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Saved my life and my bride's on a in town slow speed crash. Just a ride across town, usually where people do not wear helmets. We were only wearing half helmets but they did the job. If you do not want to wear one that is fine, I will and always have.
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MNBill
SE Minnesota
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fiddle mike
Member
Posts: 1148
Nothing exceeds like excess.
Corpus Christi, TX
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« Reply #22 on: July 04, 2011, 09:37:56 AM » |
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Knowing how to brake would have been more useful than a helmet. You'd think cops would know that.
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Freep
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« Reply #23 on: July 04, 2011, 10:03:59 AM » |
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Riders should choose, same with seatbelts.
That said, the only thing I've ever needed to convince someone that a helmet and a full-face at that is required is to show them the visor after riding fifty miles at dusk in Colorado. Ever catch one of those two-inch grasshoppers on the tip of your nose at 70mph?
Freep
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Freep
Keep thine eye upon thine tach and thine ears upon thine engine lest thy whirlybits seek communion with the sun. John 4:50
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