Thoughts on wearing a helmet...

[bunga]

Of all the flak I catch about riding a motorcycle, by far the biggest is the "Hey, where is your HELMET?!!" Everyone seems to freak out about the helmet thing. Not that it is the biggest deal what people think, but it has caused me to do some thinking...

I obviously take wearing a helmet very seriously, and here is my current rule:

I wear a full face helmet about 85 percent of the time, mostly when commuting to work. However, if I am going for a ride and if conditions are clear with light traffic, I usually don't wear it.

I have and prefer the full face helmet, but it does make it hard to see my blind spots, like when I am looking back to check for a turn or lane change. I actually feel more confident when I don't have it on because I can see more without turning my head back.

Any thoughts, stories or advice on the helmet saga? What is your rule?

I am also looking at getting a new, good but not expensive helmet. Thoughts there?

Thanks all!

bunga

[mblosch]

Do what feels right for you. I always wear a helmet on the highway, not because of crash protection, but for wind noise reduction, weather protection and for bug protection. When I am running around town, I hardly ever wear one, unless it is cold. I don't like feeling closed off in the traffic.

Like CrazyDave said in another thread. be your own best safety gear, use your head not your ego.

Just ride your own ride, ride to the best of your ability and enjoy the **** out of it.

[jeepinny]

I hear you loud and clear about the blind spot thing.

I used to use a 3/4 helmet which was a good compromise and I could see a lot better to the side of me. I used that 90% of the time...the other 10% was with a shorty helmet

After my spill a few years back I needed a new helmet to replace the 3/4. I never liked ff at all because I felt way too enclosed and like you I hated not having any real peripheral vision. I ended up buying a modular helmet and LOVE it.

I run without a windshield so at highway speeds I can have the comfort of full face protection from the high winds, yet at lower speeds and in traffic I flip it up, have good air flow on my face and can see all around me. Even with my helmet in FF mode I still have better side vision then my wife's normal FF.

I still use my shorty a decent amount for small cruises and if I ride 2 up with someone who doesn't own a helmet (I give them my modular to wear and I wear the shorty)

As for the comments you get, I learned really early on that people are always going to try to impose their opinion on you about biking (especially those who do not ride)...It's just something you gotta live with. I just don't even pay attention to it anymore.

This is the modular helmet I use: AGV - Street Road - Miglia Modular - Miglia Modular Flat Black

[randy.caddell]

There has been a multiple page helmet thread once every week or so for a while. Search it out.

[iamcmf]

I rode for years without one. When I moved back to Pa. I had to wear one, as it was the law. And then, I was T-boned, and ended up with skid marks up the front of the helmet. So, I now wear one 90% of the time. Mostly for protection, partially because if I have a accident without one, she-who-shall-not-be-ignored has threatened to make my life he** over it. And truthfully, my love life is wayyyy to good to not wear one and pi** her off!

[CaptCrash]

HUGE window. Good price: AFX North America | Adult Dual-Sport Motorcycle and ATV Helmets

[mblosch]

Originally Posted by CaptCrash

HUGE window. Good price: AFX North America | Adult Dual-Sport Motorcycle and ATV Helmets

I love my AFX half, that FF is a good looking helmet.

[Blkhwkdr]

Originally Posted by randy.caddell

There has been a multiple page helmet thread once every week or so for a while. Search it out.

This + infinity

[ksdad2two]

Duh! I'm Gary Busey! and I did not wear a helmet, and I still think there should be "no helmet laws duh"

[93gc40]

If you live somewhere, where you have a choice in the matter, Good for You.
I hate wearing a helmet, but they do have their advantages. Music, no matter how good your Bike stereo is, helmet speakers are better. Then there's crashing, opinions vary here but. In the times I've crashed, it's 50/50 wether the helmet served any purpose. but those time it did, it did. I have 5 broken helmets and no major injuries.