SouthernCruizer
Is it Beer:30 yet?
After 35+ years of riding road bikes (won't count dirt bikes and motocross), some years with no helmet law here in Louisiana, some years with helmet law, i've only had 2 bikes hit the ground. One was major accident (1975), and helmet played no role, as I flipped end over end over the car and landed sitting down, the 2nd time my bike hit ground was a little drop at 3 mph in gravel parking lot, again, helmet no factor. I perfer NOT to wear a helmet if law allows, and one reason i travel to my neighbor state of Texas for rallies, etc is that I can take off my lid and enjoy the freedom.
I know, ya think I'm crazy...but let me try to explain my philosophy on this...
1). Live is about reward vs risk, every day we make decisions about how much risk we are willing to take for the enjoyment. Think about the people that are non bikers and how they think we are semi suicidal for even getting on bikes...to them, the risk outweighs the reward. I think that riding without a helmet is worth the risk for the freedom it gives me. 35+ years of motorcyling, and I'm still here. I weigh the risk everytime i get into my club airplane and fly, every time i jump out of "The Leaping Leprechaun", the Cessna 182 that I skydive out of, every time I get into an ultralight or powered parachute and take fligt, and I weigh the risk everytime I put on my scuba gear and submerge my body in a hostile environment. I am no newbie when it comes to risk, as 25+ years of high risk hobbies have shown.
2.) I think that the most dangerous thing about motorcycling is not the bike, not the cars, but the PILOT...My first line of defense is not my helmet, but my defensive driving skills, skills I try to keep razor sharp so I can still be riding at age 70 and above. If you think your at high risk for a crash, then by all means, wear ALL THE GEAR...if you value wind in your hair type freedom, then assume the risk and take pleasure in the freedom you feel.
3.) As far as LAWS about mandatory helmet use, they are ridiculous...if they are trying to keep me safe, then why not MANDATORY laws about wearing a life preserver when i get into my ski boat?? Or a MANDATORY law making me wear a highly visible vest if i choose to jog or walk or skate across any road that automobiles travel?? If I crash on my bike without a helmet, I only hurt myself, no one else. Let me assume that risk.
4.) Full face helmets are the safest thing to have on your head in the event of a crash, but I dont care what ANYONE says, the helmet significantly reduces your vision and hearing when on the road. I prefer to be able to SEE AND HEAR AND AVOID the problem than to thank my lucky stars when I hit the ground after colliding with something that I maybe had been able to avoid in the first place if i had 100% of my vision and hearing available to me.
Let the flames begin, but dat is da way I see it :bleh:
Jay
'04 FJR 1300
I know, ya think I'm crazy...but let me try to explain my philosophy on this...
1). Live is about reward vs risk, every day we make decisions about how much risk we are willing to take for the enjoyment. Think about the people that are non bikers and how they think we are semi suicidal for even getting on bikes...to them, the risk outweighs the reward. I think that riding without a helmet is worth the risk for the freedom it gives me. 35+ years of motorcyling, and I'm still here. I weigh the risk everytime i get into my club airplane and fly, every time i jump out of "The Leaping Leprechaun", the Cessna 182 that I skydive out of, every time I get into an ultralight or powered parachute and take fligt, and I weigh the risk everytime I put on my scuba gear and submerge my body in a hostile environment. I am no newbie when it comes to risk, as 25+ years of high risk hobbies have shown.
2.) I think that the most dangerous thing about motorcycling is not the bike, not the cars, but the PILOT...My first line of defense is not my helmet, but my defensive driving skills, skills I try to keep razor sharp so I can still be riding at age 70 and above. If you think your at high risk for a crash, then by all means, wear ALL THE GEAR...if you value wind in your hair type freedom, then assume the risk and take pleasure in the freedom you feel.
3.) As far as LAWS about mandatory helmet use, they are ridiculous...if they are trying to keep me safe, then why not MANDATORY laws about wearing a life preserver when i get into my ski boat?? Or a MANDATORY law making me wear a highly visible vest if i choose to jog or walk or skate across any road that automobiles travel?? If I crash on my bike without a helmet, I only hurt myself, no one else. Let me assume that risk.
4.) Full face helmets are the safest thing to have on your head in the event of a crash, but I dont care what ANYONE says, the helmet significantly reduces your vision and hearing when on the road. I prefer to be able to SEE AND HEAR AND AVOID the problem than to thank my lucky stars when I hit the ground after colliding with something that I maybe had been able to avoid in the first place if i had 100% of my vision and hearing available to me.
Let the flames begin, but dat is da way I see it :bleh:
Jay
'04 FJR 1300
