GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Not sure if this has been brought up, but the State of Pennsylvania has passed and approved an ammendment to the law that motorcyclists must have head gear on at all times.  The new ammendment, do not quote me, states that licensed riders with two years + of experience now have the option to ride with or without out a helmet.  Since this motion has started, there has been several debates in both my hometown of Pittsburgh, and my 'home away from home' in Erie, whether this ammendment should have been passed.  I was curious as to what GS'ers opinion was on this topic.  As for myself, I will continue to wear my headgear at all times, because you just don't know.  You should ride for fun but prepare for the fall.  Yet, I do not disagree with giving people the option.  Comments...

I prefer our lane splitting law :mrgreen:  :nana:

and what might that be...

In stopped traffic you can ride between cars. That is lane splitting, of course you should be very careful, do it at only around 10-15 mph speed differential max and never exceed 25 or some like that. That is CA version. Great at traffic lights, or stopped traffic in highways of which there is plenty in CA.
Helmet...well I cant even keep my eyes open at any more than 20 or so...Helmet law or no helmet law I need one.
Cool.
Srinath.

Was in Singapore last year, and they have the same law...seems like havoc to me.  You have a ton of bikes at the front of a line of traffic.  In order to get lane position again, they have to hull ass to get infront of the car they were originally beside.  In the law, does it say that autos have to give way to bikes?  

Another note on the helmet issue, myself and many others have agreed, if riding a local route, the helmet can stay at home.  Still, just bought a new mod helmet to show it off, not to leave it at home to collect dust.

from an anatomical perspective your brain is a semi-solid gelatinous mass that weighs about 3 pounds. It is anchored inside your skull by a thin membrane of connective tissue that is about 1/8th inch thick and a shell of bone that's approximately 1/4 inch.  So that's about 3/8 of inch plus or minus a little CSF... So  will i continue to wear my helmet everywhere i go including dicking around on the street in front of my house.  

here's to gov rendell--- :nana:
lower my taxes, provide decent education, make people wear helmets

jake

In MA they are or were looking to repeal the helmet law.  What I can't understand is they are so friggin adamant about the seatbelt law.  Click-it or ticket, seatbelts save lives..etc.  Oh and they go on abut how all they want to do is save lives.  
Now how can they tell me on one hand that I have to wear a seatbelt, then on the other tell me I don't have to wear a helmet?  Seems to me if they want to save lives so bad, they shouldn't repeal the helmet law!

If they do repeal it... you'll see me out there with my full face helmet on every time!  I'll be in the proper riding gear and so forth.  Regardless of the seatbelt law, I wear my seatbelt.

This stuff confuses me.   :?

Quote from: snapper

This stuff confuses me.   :?

You make a great point! Seems most bikers want freedom of choice. I think its absurd. CA has a helmet law (everyone must wear one regardless of experience) and what you get is a bunch of cruiser riders wearing non-DOT approved beanies to satisfy the "letter of the law" but providing them with no protection.

This issue is very contentious with bikers all around. I think without the law too many people don't wear them....they should be mandatory I think.

Yes I agree- make it mandatory.  And why not start constantly pulling over the idiots who wear the beanies.  Then use the $ that is raised from these tickets and put it into the MSF courses so they are cheaper for people to take; and so they can pay the instructors a bit more.
:mrgreen:

Yep, here in MI they take all the money from registration of Cycle endorsements to pay for MSF and we just pay $25 for the class. Dunno what instructors get paid. The Gov here is trying to take that money for something else and make the MSF a privately funded and run thing and will prob cost a lot more.

And yes helmets should be used at all times it will cut down on costs for hospital visits which will lower our health insurance and then maybe the Government will pay for it like Canada.

I am also all for pulling the bikers over with those little helmets with the DOT sticker they got from the swap meet thrown on it. I am Glad MI has a helmet law, but just to the south Ohio doesnt.

I do notice all the sportbike riders wear full helmets and some protective gear. While the cruisers dont. Tho there are always those squids that wear nothing in OH.

The seatbelt law is in effect because if they don't have it and enforce it, they don't get Federal Highway Funds.  They don't get money for enforcing a helmet law.  That is it, plain and simple.  They get money for seatbelts.  They get votes for giving us our "freedom" with the lack of a helmet law.

QuoteThey get votes for giving us our "freedom" with the lack of a helmet law.

How true it is...still, on my behalf, I've lived in Columbia, SC for sometime, where there has never been a helmet law.  Most southeastern US states don't have one for that fact.  Guess I'm just used to not seeing people with them.  I'm going to wear mine, regardless, but it's nice to have the option.  Still...on the other hand, much warmer down south, which could be a factor, doesn't get very warm, at least that often in PA.

I am not into having the man tell me what to do. Be it seat belts or helmets. I know they both save lives and I do not actually have an argument for seat belts. Except unless you have a real bad sun burn :x  I say make some one responsable for ther own actions but give them freedom to do whatever, as long as it is not hurting anyone else. This is the land of freedom, right? If someone wrecks on a bike without wearing a helmet and they have insuficiant insurance, I say let darwinism take over. I will not be a burden to society if I want to drive down my favorite stretch of road with the wind in my hair and I have insurance. It should be my perogative to do so.
U.S.A.
U.S.A.
U.S.A.

If they are that far down on the dumb scale not to wear a helmet odds are they dont have a job that has insurance, or even a job or insurance for that matter.

And county hospitals cant turn away people even if they dont have insurance..and who pays for that..uh we do. Everyone pays for it in the end, either higher tax rates, higher insurance, higher hospital cost. You cant just give things away and not think they will make it up in other places.

Here in Louisiana, our law states that if you are under 18, you must weat a DOT spec helmet.  Over 18 and you do not have to wear one.  But if you are not wearing a helmet, you must show proof of at least $10,000 of insurance for medical coverage.  But the police never check for this.  They check whether or not your exhaust is street legal, but not if a non-helmeted rider is following the law.   :roll:

I guess your right in the fact that there is free health care here to those who don't bother to get it. At least in emergency situations. Anyways, my point was made but your arguement was better.
I just want a solution that will let me occasionally pretend to be Peter Fonda in Easy Rider 8)

Maybe we should talk to our Senators about doing helmet funding like seatbelt funding and see how things change then. I see nothing wrong with a helmet even in the hottest heat you can wear one there are more choices than just a fullface. I wear a fullface with no vents in 90+ weather and just leave the visor cracked a bit.

Ah well sometimes you cant get it thru some peoples head that its there to protect you. They will wish thier head is as thick as we think it is when it impacts the ground.  :nana:

Ahh, the Easy Rider reference...great movie!  Still, seen to many people scared for life because of not wearing a damn helmet.  Best case being in my MSF course when the instructor brought in his helmet and the damage it took after slamming into a deer going 60mph at night on Int. 79.  Guy would have no face left if he even wore a half helm.  On that note, I'm all about our freedoms, without getting into the politics of it ,ie. insurance this, healthcare that, cops, but when it comes down to dollars, I'm up in the air, hate losing money I could be putting into the GS!  :thumb:

Here in Kansas there is the under 18, but no over 18 law.

Funny thing, is I see 80% without helmets on the streets and highways.

The really interesting thing is seeing a helmet strapped to the back of the bike, not on the head....atleast in a spill it will offer the bike some added protection when the family sells the bike to someone else when the rider can't ride anymore! :guns:

let people do whatever they want.  If they're stupid enough to ride without a helmet, then fine.  Who cares.  Since when is it the governments place to tell people they can't be stupid?

As long as they're not putting others in danger, it's every moron's right to not wear a helmet, or a seatbelt, or to stand up on a roller coaster, or to jump off a bridge, or get in the ring with Mike Tyson.

It's Darwinism...... natural selection. Let these morons ride around without a helmet. Then if they wreck, instead of being hurt for a bit, recovering, and returning to riding and living there life, they will die and won't spread their "stupid" seed to this planet.

 -Anti

I wear my helmet to lube my chain.

Personally I like my Head just the way it is... So I'll always wear a helmet... I rode one night (the last night before they put the law back into effect in MD) without my helmet.... I had to know what I was going to be "missing"...

Well I was rolling through a 45 mph sweeper...and out of the corner opf my eye I can see the asphalt zooming by as I have the bike leaned over pretty well....It occured to me how much hitting that asphalt without my helmet on would REALLY hurt my head... So I went home and got my helmet....

As far as heat goes ...I wear shooting glasses under my visor and keep the visor up for ventilation...

Darwinism ....Yeah they'll take themselves out...natural selection and all.....

Not wearing one because "The man" says you have to... That's kind of childish to me... but then again I like my head just the way it is now...

Bbanjo...wearing it while you're lubing your chain...too funny...

Quote from: Jared
Well I was rolling through a 45 mph sweeper...and out of the corner opf my eye I can see the asphalt zooming by as I have the bike leaned over pretty well....It occured to me how much hitting that asphalt without my helmet on would REALLY hurt my head... So I went home and got my helmet....

Not wearing one because "The man" says you have to... That's kind of childish to me... but then again I like my head just the way it is now...
quote]

Yea well at least you had a choice before the man took it away.

QuoteFrom JasonB: And county hospitals cant turn away people even if they dont have insurance..and who pays for that..uh we do. Everyone pays for it in the end, either higher tax rates, higher insurance, higher hospital cost.

Without helmets, many will bypass the hospital and go straight to the mortician.  I think riding without a helmet is crazy, but we all choose our own risks.

Carl

Quote from: mrslush50let people do whatever they want.  If they're stupid enough to ride without a helmet, then fine.  Who cares.  Since when is it the governments place to tell people they can't be stupid?

As long as they're not putting others in danger, it's every moron's right to not wear a helmet, or a seatbelt, or to stand up on a roller coaster, or to jump off a bridge, or get in the ring with Mike Tyson.

this is the sort of darwinian perspective.  just pray they do all that stupid stuff BEFORE they reproduce :cheers:

jake

sorry about my last post --- seems i replied before scrolling to page 2 and reading everyone else's darwin comments.  

shaZam! and i thought i was being original--- :x
jake

I live here in York, PA home to the Harley Davidson plant and thousand and thousands of adamant bikers.  The comunity here is torn over the law.  The harley driving beanie wearing riders out there say that the difference between a helmet and no helmet is that your brains are splatered on the road or in the helmet. This may be true, but in my opinion if i fall at a moderate speed, my shoei is saving me from a lot, including screwing up my pretty face, haha.  I think beginning riders should wear for 2 years then have the choice, that's just my opinion.

Oh, and on a followup.... what the hell is the point of carrying a helmet strapped to the side of your bike?!?!? I see this in MD and DE all the time. WTF?

HAHA! you suck Jake! HAHA!

 -Anti

I may be the minority here, but I would not mind a helmet law.  Many accidents around here (no helmet law) are fatalities due to massive head injuries...many more are vegetables lying in a hospital bed.  Where if they had been wearing a lid, they probably would have only had comparably minor injuries.  

People Buddha Loves You and moan when they have to pay several hundred to several thousands of dollars for insurance each year, but want dumbasses to be able to choose to ride without a helmet.  Pick one side or the other.

On the contrary. I believe you are the majority. Well, I don't think there needs to be a helmet law. I think it is common sence. Wear one! I do think it is a good law though.

 -Anti

I always wear my helmet, and not because some stupid law makes me.  Allow the government to outlaw stupidity and the next thing you know, they will outlaw fun.  :nono:  I say hurrah for PA

rhenter,

 Love the avatar man. Love it!

 -Anti :thumb:

Ah but the democratic government is the voice of the people so in actuality you are saying you want a helmet law if your state passed it, or the majority of your state wants it. You elected the people to represent you and if they make a law you and/or the majority of voters wanted it.

Good points there.  How about this?  When someone buys insurance (we all at least have to have liability (here anyway), you sign a waiver.  This waiver says that if you get involved in an accident that a helmet would have most likely prevented or significantly reduced the chance of massive head injuries, the insurance company does not have to burden the other sensible riders financially for your stupidity.  In other words, no lid, no paying for you to be tube-fed for the next 20 years on my coin.  

Don't say that it's discriminating against those that choose not to wear a helmet.  Some medical insurance companies already don't have to pay if you are hurt while riding a motorcycle or other "dangerous hobbies".

here's an idea, some companies give a "deduction" in employee health insurance costs if they say that they'll wear their seatbelt.  granted, it's only $1-2 bucks a month, but still.  what if i promised the insurance company that i'd wear my helmet, and other riding gear if necessary, and they decrease my premiums?  i'm sure that'll happen when motorcycles are deemed 'transportation' instead of 'recreational'.

My health insurance pays an extra $10,000 to my family if I am killed in a car accident while wearing a seatbelt.  Perhaps insurance companies should offer something similar.  I am sure they won't go as high as $10,000 but it would be a start.

PDG....

Well a seatbelt is much like a helmet ... It's better to be using both in 99.99% of the cases (100% with the helmets..)...

Now having a law that says you must wear them shouldn't be necessary if everyone used a little more common sense.

Thread Hijack Of sorts:

Smokers shouldn't be taxed heavily?? You're right they shouldn't. They should ban smoking completely.  It causes Cancer and many other diseases -not ONLY in the smoker but anyone that is around them that has to breath the poison that the smoker decides to share with everyone around them.
It smells nasty and has absolutely no benefits to anyone that does it. Not to mention the money side of it... how much does the average smoker spend a year on that crap?

"Chances are I won't hurt anyone else in the process." --That just doesn't apply to the smoking part. Take chances with your own health-fine... Smoking around anyone else is taking chances with their health ...not just yours.

Quote from: The AntibodyIt's Darwinism...... natural selection.   -Anti

Darwinism and Natural Selection are not the same thing and are only vaguely related but I see your point.  The issue of helmet laws opens a number of cans of worms, let's see if I can distill a few things here-
1/ Governments may be elected by the people but they do not answer to the people and they act on two principles- party philosophy and media whining (the squeaky wheel principle).  2/We all agree that wearing a GOOD helmet is a good idea most of the time, but some of us seem to overlook the fact that serious crashes can happen at very low speeds (the slowest fatal crash I have personally heard of was in a m/cycle cop who fell off while parking,).  3/While it's all very well to say as an adult I should be able to make up my own mind, I think we all know people who are adults with the same rights as us but who for whatever reason (eg stupidity) are NOT safe to make up their own minds on many issues.  Responsible society will want to protect these vulnerable folks from themselves and as doing so on a case by case basis would be prohibitively expensive and time-consuming we need to frame laws that will do it.  Unfortunately this often means that we have to forego some freedoms in the process.  Our priority should be not the removal of all such laws but to ensure our legislators enact appropriate laws that provide a balance between the conflicting demands.  4/ If you want to demand a freedom which exposes you to risks which most other members of your society would consider unacceptably excessive, I believe you must be prepared to fully accept the consequences of that decision, including paying for your own health costs and any costs incurred by others you may injure (this includes the stress placed on those who have to see you splatter yourself all over the highway), explaining to those who love you why your choice of hazardous pursuit means more to you than does their feelings, and publicly absolving society of any responsibility for what happens to you.  Only once you have severed all ties will you truly be "free" to do as you please.
This may sound like I'm preaching against any risk at all, but please, I ride a motorcycle so that is clearly not true.  All I'm saying is that we are not independent of the rest of our society and we have to keep the risks we take in perspective.

Continued post hijack:

Jared,

For the record, I wear a helmet EVERYTIME I ride, using a seatbelt is such a habit, I put it on when just moving the car in the driveway, and I have NEVER smoked anything in my life.

But what people do in the privacey of there own homes is thier buisness.   And, smoking in bars and resturants should be left to take care of itself.  I don't like smoke, so I don't go to smokey bars, if enough people are like me then the bar owner will relize it and if he wants to make money will make it a no smoking place.  Besides, its a bar, they are supposed to be dark and smokey.  I don't go to a motorcycle race and complain that I can smell exhaust fumes.

Smokers are a dieing breed (pun intended).  You see them standing outside places like societal outcasts, they never look happy.  How anyone would start smoking is beyond me.  But, I still don't believe it is my goverments job to protect them from themselves.  They are adults, they can make there own descisions.

OK...now back to motorcycle stuff.   :thumb:

Hijack continued.

Ok PDG I just got the impression that you were pro-smoking. I'm glad you wear your helmet and seatbelt- good things to do.

Dying breed.....maybe but I see kids smoking all the time...So the stupidity continues.

I just want to grab em by the neck and shake the stupidity/ naive "Oh that wont happen to me" mentality out of them.

Should governement have to step in with smoking laws....in this case yes because it hurts everyone not just the smokers ( the smoke..). Since most smokers are too damn selfish and inconsiderate to go away from the non-smokers . Yeah you see em outside of stores etc but you have to walk through that crap filled air to get in  the store don't you?  It had to be legislated - not that that deters half of them.


Want to know why this strikes a nerve so bad with me??

I survived (so far) Hodgkins Disease ( cancer )... I did 6 months of Chemotherapy ...followed by a Stem Cell Transplant...(essentially the same as a bone marrow transplant) .. then I did a year of Chemotherapy again after the Stem Cell Transplant. I've lived through the HELL ( that word doesn't do it justice) personally.

Lung Cancer isn't cureable.

I was anti-smoking before but I'm 10 times more vocal now.  I'm  at alot greater risk to get leukemia and about 10 other forms of cancer because of the treatments I had ( I had to sign a waiver saying the stem cell transplant would probably cause the other stuff later and I couldn't sue.. had to sign it or no transplant....well Geeee what do you think I did?)

When I smell the slightest wiff of cigarrette smoke it makes me insane...


You see - which breath of what poison is going to be the breath that triggers cancer again......I don't live my life by that (no Boy ina bubble or anything)...but It's never really out of my mind...(a joy I get to have for the rest of my life..).
You see if I get any cancer again I'm pretty much dead. You can only have so much of the drugs they give you and you can't have anymore...Adriamycin for one - (I've had  a large volume of 10 diffgerent drugs like that one/including that one)... Killer kool-aid  it's referred to... (it's a red liquid that looks like Kool-aid)  it destroys your heart muscles...you have a lifetime-dose you can have then no more...

So yes back to the core subject...

No we shouldn't have to have helmet laws if everyone was smart enough to wear them to begin with.

I dislike mandatory helmet laws because they encourage people to wear helmets that don't fit, which can be worse than no helmet at all. I was just converted this weekend when I was talking to a dad who showed me the huge helmet he made his daughter wear when she was on the back. I pointed out that is was several sizes too big and likely to slam back and cause serious damage in even a minor accident, he says "well at least she's legal with it."

vmichel- you have a good point there.  Many people don't KNOW how a helmet shoudl fit, only that they NEED one.  It's frustrating for me to see kids riding down the sidewalk on their bikes with the helmets on but hanging off the side of their head or off the back.  Hello!  Thats not going to help them!!!  

Do we need an ad campaign to sweep across the nation like they did with the smoking ads?  Which really did nothing.  
Do you remember a few years ago the smoking commercials that they had on... like the one with the beach and all the body bags.  Good commercial...but it fell on deaf ears.

So, from what I've read, the concensus seems to be...axe the law, but wear the helmet.  Be responsible enough to wear the helmet, and make sure it fits, for all riders.  It's the age old story of authority vs. anti-authority.  Tell someone they are prohibited to do something, and they do it just dispite you.  Law breakers...  I agree that 'some' people are not able to logically think for the safety of themselves and/or the others around them, thus the law.  Yet, I also agree that this particular law, along with the seatbelt, is for the safety of the individual and not the group.  So, if one's responsible enough to determine what is safe and what isn't, there's no need for a law.  Smoking, on the other hand, involuntarily harms the health of other when it is present.  It is then our job as responsible adults to teach and guide the youth or others as to what's safe, harmful, dumb, stupid, moronic, etc.  Common sense issues can be difficult.  One would think that is just a right or wrong issue, but some issues are more sticky, thus the need of the 'man' to 'knowledgeably' (assuming the 'man' cares for our well being and not for pleasing the media, money hungry corps, or blackmailers with votes) decide the correct course of action.

Great posts everyone,  Thanks!  :thumb:

The law protects more than just the rider, it protects the family he may have at home that he supports with his employment. Cant support them when they are dead or disabled, then they again start living off the government and the taxpayers.

What is wrong with a law that hurts no one and saves lives? It shouldnt even have to be a law it should be done all the time already. Just because people know they should do something or shouldnt do something doesnt mean there shouldnt be laws. Would suck if your sister got raped and there was no law against it because well they rapist should have known not to do it and its wrong so we though why have a law against it?

QuoteWould suck if your sister got raped and there was no law against it...

Thanks for the mental :nono: ...

I'm not saying there's no need for laws, there JayB, obviously there is given your awful example.  There is, however, different levels or degrees of lawful enforcement.  Helmet law vs. Rape case.  No comparison.  One is aware, in most cases, whether they're committing a crime or not vs. breaking some 'common sense' law.  As for protecting the family, it's in the individuals hands to determine whether or not he or she should wear a helmet in the instance of a fatal crash that would cripple his or her family.

I believe there should be a law. It may be overly paternalistic, but there will never be a 'group' if you don't protect the individuals. The safety of everyone on the road could be affected. A bird or a bee hitting a helmetless rider in the head could result in a crash involving other vehicles. Even if no one else is involved, there are always costs, direct and indirect - medical staff time, police pulled away from other duties, etc. You could reduce these costs by just dragging any bodies off to the side of the road - maybe that would get people to wear a helmet.
Ontario even has a mandatory bicycle helmet law for minors.

This may just be my Canadian, socialist ideals coming through but on the other hand, our beer is good!   :cheers:

I had to put a shocking mental image in your mind with the rape thing, grabs your attention and sways you more than say a law against selling lemonade on the corner without a permit.

Quote from: RodThis may just be my Canadian, socialist ideals coming through but on the other hand, our beer is good!   :cheers:

Hah! I like that.

Oh well in the immortal words of Stan from Southpark "Don't Be ghey" . :nono:

I hear ya...great posts!

Triple XXX's all around....

...on ROD! :cheers:

The problem is, where do we draw the line? Everyone with a family should have life insurance in case they die so their family is looked after financially. Should that be mandatory? People, (me included), should  limit their intake of fatty foods because they're bad for them. Should we put a five day waiting period on the purchase of Taco Bell Chalupas? Mmmmm...Chalupas - Sorry - You see my point. I think the mistake being made here is that "the Government" is supposed to cure all of our societal ills with more and more laws that infringe on the freedoms of law abiding citizens. With true freedom comes risk. This Nation, (sorry Canada, Great Britain, et al), was founded on the principles of individual freedoms. One of those freedoms is freedom from the tyranny of a heavyhanded government, (oooh, sorry again Great Britain). Just remember, a government that's big enough to give you everything you want, (including protection from your own stupidity), is big enough to take away everything you have.

I have absolutely nothing new to add to this discussion, but I'm not going to let that stop me from putting in my two cents.

I will always wear a helmet when I ride a motorcycle, just like I always wear a seatbelt, even if I am just moving my car from the street to the driveway. It's a good habit.

I don't believe it is the government's job to protect me from myself. I'm an adult and I can make my own decisions and live (or die) with the consequences of my choices. If we agree that the government can tell me to wear a helmet because it is dangerous not to, why can't the government tell me I can't ride a motorcycle at all because it is dangerous? Or rock climb? Or walk alone at night?

And as far as motorcyclists without helmets being a burden on society when we have to pay for their hospital bills, (I don't have any data so I probably should just shut up), but I just don't buy that argument. I would bet that there are far more healthcare costs that society pays for, from people who don't get the exercise they should or who habitually eat foods that are unhealthy, than from motorcyclists without helmets. Where do you draw the line?

That being said, I don't get too upset about the issue, because I think there are other things the government does that are cause for much more concern.

Laura

Brain good...

Brain smushed on road... not good.

i stick with my previous reasoning

jake
:cheers:

Thanks Jared,

 I know I'm late on the whole smoking thing, but I'm going to continue the highjack. I've heard those ideas in the past about boycotting bars and clubs because they have too many people smoking. Although great in economic theory, it cannot and will never work. I live in a small town. With perhaps less than 5 bars. All are plentiful with cigarette smoke. If I want to go out, I don't have a choice. When I'm at college, I cannot enter a building without suffocating through a plume of death smoke from all of the people that MUST burn one down before and after class. IT'S CRAZY!

 On a good note, I spent 8 months in Germany with the Army not long ago. The smoking here in the States is nothing by comparison. You can't even go into a diner, cafe, resturaunt, or even a grocery store without gagging!

 -Anti

There is no doubt that the personal choice/freedom argument is very compelling. On the other hand, many years ago before our helmet law I never used one but as things went on it just became an excuse for Old Bill to stop bikers without helmets on the premis that the lack of helmet was a probable indication that you had knicked the bike! A 197cc two-stroke Lambretta, naaaaar not likely. Now I always wear the plastic head, you know it makes sense.

Back on topic....

(http://poetry.rotten.com/all-kings-horses/0003/kh3.jpg)


Wear your helmet....

NUFF SAID.

Way to get us back on topic.

Thats sobering....... reeeeal sobering.

 -Anti

Quote from: pantablo

You make a great point!

This issue is very contentious with bikers all around. I think without the law too many people don't wear them....they should be mandatory I think.

Nice Helmet!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????? :?

Quote from: The AntibodyWay to get us back on topic.

Thats sobering....... reeeeal sobering.

 -Anti

Lol...sorry i had to.. the pic i WANTED To post was much much worse...

Worse because the man has no face.. no eyes, no mouth, no nose.. and hes STILL ALIVE!! :o  That is even worse IMO.

I think pics like that are enough to scare someone straight.

those pics don't bother me.  it's the ones of people who were wearing gear and still got messed up that bother me.

:x  :x  :x
HOW ABOUT A WARNING!!!!
Its disgusting pics like that make me want to stop using the internet. I know there is some nasty $hit that can happen but I don't want to see pics. Don't like that "Faces of Death" movies either.

Doh- a warning next time pls.

Maybe I'll just skip breakfast.   :(

mrslush has a good point too....  but just ieeeeeooouuuuuu!

I think with our group of folks we have a mojority that will wear their helmet.  Thats a comforting thought.
:mrgreen:

Quote from: snapper....  but just ieeeeeooouuuuuu!

Photos don't do that sort of injury justice.  If you think looking at it makes you want to skip breakfast for the next 20yrs, you had better at all costs avoid coming in contact with the smell of extruded brains.  It is one of those things that makes your flesh crawl and makes you wake in a cold sweat.   :o  I pray you NEVER have to experience it.

I have to say ME TOO!  The photo is more than enough for me!  Granted even without the photo I wear my shoei brain bucket every time.   ;)

Quote from: Michael

Quote from: snapper....  but just ieeeeeooouuuuuu!

Photos don't do that sort of injury justice.  If you think looking at it makes you want to skip breakfast for the next 20yrs, you had better at all costs avoid coming in contact with the smell of extruded brains.  It is one of those things that makes your flesh crawl and makes you wake in a cold sweat.   :o  I pray you NEVER have to experience it.

dude what do you do for a living?

jake

Okay, so we're all in agreement that we should wear good, full coverage helmets when we ride. Fine. Except for the occasional, bicycle speed spin on my street, (sorting out out driveability issues and such), I always wear a helmet. Yes, I know I should even wear one in those instances. What can I say? It's a risk assessment thang. My quarrel is with anybody, my government, my employer or my mommy telling me I HAVE to or I will face strict disciplinary action. Please, I don't need a nanny.

Sorry John, i didnt want to start a new thread, and i cant really see how i could have warned you.. since you probly would have scrolled down anyways.

Your right pics like that shouldnt be on the net.. but in this instance, its used for a reason.

Sorry again, if anyone was offended...

sorry about breakfast too.. :oops:

Rashad,
 That other pic your talking about is wrong. It's not from a motorcycle accident. It's actually a pic from when a guy bit down on an artillery primer. For those who are not familliar, they are the little explosive charge that ignites the powder. It is nasty.

 -Anti

Quote from: The AntibodyRashad,
 That other pic your talking about is wrong. It's not from a motorcycle accident. It's actually a pic from when a guy bit down on an artillery primer. For those who are not familliar, they are the little explosive charge that ignites the powder. It is nasty.

 -Anti

Are you sure thats the same pic? Every other time ive seen it its been accompanied by the caption: motorcycle accident..or something similar to that.

just spent 5 days on biz/pleasure in Fla.; rented and rode a Honda VTX 1300; there is no helmet law in Fla.  I observed about 70/30 NOT wearing helmets.  Frankly, if all helmet laws were repealed tomorrow, that would just cull out all the stupid riders, leaving the roads safer for the rest of us. :cheers:

:? gotta say something here. i can honestly say i know what you were/are going thru jared, for a while i had a co-worker that was doing the same thing, (hodgkin's). i do wear a full face when i ride, (yardsale special), but i am also a smoker. going through withdrawal. am giving it up after 10 years. thats why i got gs to get my mind off of nicotine fit. i do give non-smokers all the room they want/need so they dont come into contact w/smoke and its nastiness.it will be hard for the govt to ban tobaccos use/sale. but i believe public smoking could/should be classsified as assault with a deadly weapon if non smoker comes into contact w/ it. as far as helmet laws go, im kinda torn on that. friend of mine wrecked bike w/o helmet, now has severe probs. i value my brain/body. that is why i am helmeted and quitting smoking. the ones that dont wear, the rest of us usually have to pay for their mistakes/rehabilitation (higher ins.)etc. first day i rode frankenbike i did w/o my brain bucket. it scared the heck out of me. wont do that again. :cheers:

Well Yama-You know what it's like to be around someone that has gone through something like I've gone through but you really don't know what it's like til you've lived it. And I hope you never get to really know what it's like.

I'm glad you are quiting smoking- stick to it . I hope you can do it -  I understand that's very hard to do ( Took Dad 2-3 tries ..). Also glad you wear a helmet.

point taken jared, i dont know what it actually feels like or is like, just been around it. i always asked him questions about it. which he was gracious enough to answer. as far as the smoking goes, this will be my 5th? attempt. but now i have something to get my mind off of the nic. fits
the gs :mrgreen: .jared, i dont know if you are a religious man or not, or if i offend anyone else by saying this i apologise. buti am praying for you, and i hope the lord helps you find a way to beat this. sorry about hijacking the thread, but i had to say this. as far as the helmets go, have you ever seen a (someone classified as a )vegetable try to ride a bike.
sure in a wreck you may die anyway, or be injured. with the helmet on, your odds are better. to survive and ride again :mrgreen:

Quote from: jake42

Quote from: Michael

Quote from: snapper....  but just ieeeeeooouuuuuu!

dude what do you do for a living?

jake

I'm an emergency physician who spent quite a period of time in my formative years working in the Government Forensic mortuary.

then maybe you can answer my question.

is that pic real?

seems to me, if it was caused by a motorcycle accident, the grey matter would be all over the road.  not sitting in a neat little pile next to the guys busted open head.

Quote from: mrslush50then maybe you can answer my question.

is that pic real?

seems to me, if it was caused by a motorcycle accident, the grey matter would be all over the road.  not sitting in a neat little pile next to the guys busted open head.

To be honest, I don't really want to look at it again to double check, but I thought when I first saw it that it looked more like something very large had hit him.  Usually a rider who was moving at sufficient speed to sustain an injury like that would have bits spread over a larger area.  I wonder whether this guy didn't shoot himself under the chin with a big gun?!

hmm.

I kinda just figured they had some guy lay face down in a pool of fake blood, then add the brains and skin/skull flat in digitally.

but I supose a gun under the chin makes sense.  that would make that skull flap thing at the top of his head the exit wound.

but yeah, I agree with you.  I thought that if he fell off a bike (even at low speed) that all his parts would be spread all over the place instead of neatly in the frame for the picture.

Ohhhhhh no Yama.... No religous or political discussions... no way no how...heheheheh...

For the record I'm for lack of a better word an atheist. I think the word atheist still acknowledges an existence of  a "god" by denial. There's  just nothing  as far as I'm concerned.

I don't know what's right for anyone else but myself...please don't feel compelled to "save" me...I'm not trying to convince anyone else to agree with me...and that's all I expect from anyone else...

I've noticed that whenever I mention my ...what's the way to say it... When I mention my "belief system" those that have the opposing beliefs feel compelled to try to change mine to theirs.  I can only assume that my "beliefs" must really shake their "faith"  - so they feel compelled to try and change my beliefs to thier belief system so that they can reinforce their shaken "Faith".

But hey this is all just my opinion... And we all know that opinions are like A$$holes....  everybody has one.

Heh.

Like I said to my Father..... "You know I might be wrong and their could be a god (hey I don't know everything..).....and if there is a god....when I see him....I'm gonna kick him in his nuts."

Oh great now we have a religious discussion.....

Anyway thanks for the well wishes Yama....I'm doing ok so far.

im not trying to change your beliefs. i respect your position. ill take what you say as you say it.there are many different faiths beliefs and cultures out there, if i tried to change everyone, that would leave me with no time to actually do it. there are as many beliefs as there are people in this world. and ill stand by and respect yours as well. anyhoo, good luck to you. :thumb:

Quote from: JaredOhhhhhh no Yama.... No religous or political discussions... no way no how...heheheheh...

For the record I'm for lack of a better word an atheist. I think the word atheist still acknowledges an existence of  a "god" by denial. There's  just nothing  as far as I'm concerned.

I don't know what's right for anyone else but myself...please don't feel compelled to "save" me...I'm not trying to convince anyone else to agree with me...and that's all I expect from anyone else...

I've noticed that whenever I mention my ...what's the way to say it... When I mention my "belief system" those that have the opposing beliefs feel compelled to try to change mine to theirs.  I can only assume that my "beliefs" must really shake their "faith"  - so they feel compelled to try and change my beliefs to thier belief system so that they can reinforce their shaken "Faith".

But hey this is all just my opinion... And we all know that opinions are like A$$holes....  everybody has one.

Heh.

Like I said to my Father..... "You know I might be wrong and their could be a god (hey I don't know everything..).....and if there is a god....when I see him....I'm gonna kick him in his nuts."

Oh great now we have a religious discussion.....

Anyway thanks for the well wishes Yama....I'm doing ok so far.

Funny, in my experience, people who have no faith or belief, are usually offended when they hear someone speak about theirs. Now im not trying to convince anyone because frankly, you believe what you for a reason. Be it good or bad, i dont judge. BUT...its easier to shake a Faith, then to shake nothing.

Man talk about a topic getting off track....
This one has fallen off the tracks, rolled down a big hill  and landed uspide down in a leech infested swamp.

I say ----more brain splatter photos.


:cheers: jake

"Ask and ye shall recieve"

(http://poetry.rotten.com/all-kings-horses/0006/kh6.jpg)

BTW, the photos are real. CLEARLY that guy LANDED on his head.. sending brains out. you can tell by the other pics. And the squashed face above.

oh BTW.. WARNING. :nana:

Well Rashad-  In my personal experience ..when I've expressed my views/feelings about this stuff - I get the "Oh you're just angry with God" Ie..."I know your mind and heart better than you do.".

To me what it really means is   " If I just explain away/dismiss anybody elses differing beliefs than mine - I can hang onto my faith."

Do I get actually offended... only with the ones that feel compelled to try and change me/my views on religion -I guess they need everyone else around them to believe the same thing.. if the others don't it seems to rattle them for some reason.

Again... You do what's right for you and I'll do what's right for me...


Anyway..... So yes I think we should wear Helmets....

I might wear mine to bed tonight.

:P

Quote from: Jared... only with the ones that feel compelled to try and change me/my views on religion -I guess they need everyone else around them to believe the same thing.. if the others don't it seems to rattle them for some reason.

The point I believe you are trying to make is that you believe your faith (or lack of one) is a good way to be and that perhaps it might also be a good way for others to be- if you think you are onto a good thing, why not share it with others.  This is only being generous-spirited.  Those who seem to be trying to "convert" or "save" you are behaving in exactly the same way- they believe they have something good and want you to share the benefits.  If you don't agree, don't be offended at someone for wanting to give you what they see as help.  Just say no thanks and part amiably.

I say, what the heck, repeal the helmet laws.  In my opinion, helmet laws interfere with the process of natural selection, allowing dumbasses to survive! :nana:

Continuing the topic,

the last pic posted is possible wearing a half-helm as welll...a few summers ago, a guy flying on some back roads at night in my home town lost it in the beginning of an 'S' bend.  His bike went before him and flew over the guard rail bending it down somewhat.  His body slide under the guard rail, while his head, after hitting the rail so damn hard, pushed back the beanie helm and decapitated his head from mid forehead back.........courtesy of the West Deer FD, first on the scene.

Man, you just never know what's gonna happen.  Better to be prepared then dumb when the odds are in your favor.

Well Michael as I said more than once so Far....I only know what's right for me and I don't/wont pretend to know what's right for you - so I'm not trying to convert anyone. I usually just change the subject when people start a religion topic...but once in a great while I jump in.....

Put it this way I'm not one of the guys going door to door trying to "unspread the gospel"....heheheh...that's funny.

I understand that part of their motives are good- I'm sure they get some kind of comfort out of believing what they believe and want to share it. It's also a way of reinforcing your  "faith".  Hey if those other million people believe it...then it must be real/the truth.

ANYWAY.... To quote Ozzy Osbourne...

"I don't want to change the world....and I don't want the world to change me."



Man my foot hurts.... you should see the dead horse now....

I'll tell ya whats good for me... a good fitting full face helmet...driving like a smart person... and NOT being an EMT or emergency worker...
Icky icky icky!
 :nono:

Rashad,

I gotta meet you man you are sick and disturbed on such a good level...


It must be something to do with PA.

Quote from: jake42Rashad,

I gotta meet you man you are sick and disturbed on such a good level...


It must be something to do with PA.

LOL.. nahh man, im not sick, just like to stir things up a bit sometimes.. but if it bothers someone i will stop.

jared, I can see your point. Horse isnt looking so good, im leaving it be.