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To helmet or not to helmet

6.5K views 157 replies 82 participants last post by  ohlarikd  
#1 · (Edited)
I have noticed latley that MOST of the ridders where im at do not wear helmets. I have also noticed that when I am ridding just down the streets where the speed limit is not over 35 but 4 lane traffic I find it much easier to not be wearing my helmet because I am able to keep tabs on the traffic much easier.
I have found that when I wear the helmet on the slow streets I scare myself much more by almost hitting somebody when im about to change lanes because I never saw nore heard them comming up behind me and passing me. Multiple times even when I look back I still have some blind spot that I never catch.
With the helmet off I have never had this happen to me and I actually feel WAY more comfortable with the flow of traffic around me and much more aware of what is going on around me.

This is just a question for low speed streets in town. How many of you would rather not wear the helmet just cruising around town and not getting too crazy on the bike or wear one?
I will always wear my helmet on the highway or anything over 45.
Does anybody else find it ALOT easier and more comfortable ridding in these conditions without a helmet?
 
#8 · (Edited)
haha much safer to not wear a helmet. well put.

you can still die from a head knock at 15 mph.

From some of his statements, he might have already bumped his head at slow speeds already :fact :lol :lol. This is such a dumb thread it's not even funny. What happens when somebody hits you, while you are stopped and no helmet is on your head. When you drive, don't your check your blind spot before you move over. The bike is the same thing. Put your helmet on and go ride your bike :riding
 
#3 ·
if you would have read the whole thing you would have see i said "safer" because I can keep tabs on what is going on around me easier. How about safer as in... getting hit because i was wearing a helmet or not getting hit because i wasnt.
 
#5 ·
Just imagine that melon of yours smacking off the pavement at 35mph then dragging for a while until you smack your face off the curb or the rear of a car at 35mph. How safe does it sound now.
 
#6 ·
ok... you all are obviously not getting my point. Pretty much close minded.
I understand my head can be seriously injured or killed at 15 mph etc... but understand what im saying.
Im a pilot for a living... im designed to think of situational awarness and what not... my point was... do you think it could be safer in certain situations to be more situationally aware or blind?
Imagine your body being dragged along the car next to you then the pavement and then under its rear tire at 35 mph because you couldnt see the car.
 
#17 ·
You're probably not going to find anyone here that's going to recommend you don't wear a helmet. Your visibility should not be THAT restricted with a helmet on. Sometimes if I need to turn and look at something behind me, I'll shift my body to the side a bit then turn my head around for a quick half-second or so.

It's up to you if you feel more comfortable without a helmet in certain situations..but another driver can still hit you and now you're tumbling on the ground with nothing on your head...not very comfortable!

But like I said...ultimately it's up to you. If you want to accept the extra risk then go ahead. I've ridden without a helmet before (a long time ago) and the #1 benefit I found from not having a helmet on, was the increased attention from girls. I guess it's easier for them to talk to you and ask for a ride if you don't have a lid on.
 
#20 ·
Ok, yes I will admit that my helmet dulls my ability to hear, and decreases the range of my peripheral vision so yes I can tell what's going on better without a helmet on. Have I ever, or will I ever ride without a helmet, No.:fact The safety the helmet provides out weighs the decrease in senses.
 
#29 ·
I have noticed latley that MOST of the ridders where im at do not wear helmets. I have also noticed that when I am ridding just down the streets where the speed limit is not over 35 but 4 lane traffic I find it much easier/safer to not be wearing my helmet because I am able to keep tabs on the traffic much easier.
I have found that when I wear the helmet on the slow streets I scare myself much more by almost hitting somebody when im about to change lanes because I never saw nore heard them comming up behind me and passing me. Multiple times even when I look back I still have some blind spot that I never catch.
With the helmet off I have never had this happen to me and I actually feel WAY more comfortable with the flow of traffic around me and much more aware of what is going on around me.

This is just a question for low speed streets in town. How many of you would rather wear the helmet just cruising around town and not getting too crazy on the bike or wear one?
I will always wear my helmet on the highway or anything over 45.
Does anybody else find it ALOT easier and more comfortable ridding in these conditions without a helmet?

Can't believe you even asked this question. Most damage to your head will not occur because you fell on it and bumped it straight on, it will occur from you sliding and bumping your head along the way many times. Luck to you. BTW, squids do not wear helmets.
 
#36 ·
alot of people smoke. alot of people aren't that bright. i have a hjc symax helmet. it is a flip up helmet. you can't flip it up at speed but when you are sitting in traffic or doing less than 35 it helps to keep you cool and vision. i use my mirrors for looking behind me:)
 
#37 ·
I always wear a helmet, gloves, boots, and jacket, even when going around my neighborhood or to the store. When riding in situations like you describe I just check my mirrors often and keep track of where traffic is. The time I fell I was only going 15mph and I am glad that I was wearing my helmet when my head skipped off the ground.
 
#39 ·
Wearing your helmet is like smoking cigaretts. Some people understand that cigaretts can lead to bad things, and they stay away from them. The smokers themselves know it isnt right, but do it anyways. Then when somebody dies from lung cancer they all go after the damn companies.

You know what, if you dont feel like wearing a helmet go for it. Its your choice....


BTW, just in case I miss it: RIP/heal up soon/I call the forks if they arent bent
 
#43 ·
I've never once thought about riding without a helmet. There is a helmet law in Mass. But I'm surrounded by states that don't require a helmet. I can't imagine a situation where I'd even entertain the thought of no wearing one.
:scoots:​
Not a smart smilie====================>
 
#48 ·
So look at it this way. It is safer to be wearing a helmet in a crash.... yes? How about this...
we are trained as pilots to be safe... and in doing so... we train just as much if not more in how to AVOID bad situations than in how to get out of them once they are there. Why only know how to get out of a bad situation when you could have been educated on how not to get there in the first place.

Same reasoning im using in my ORIG question. I never said its safer to not wear a helmet. The point was... yes its safer to wear one but what about keeping yourself out of a bad situation to begin with. Could this be easier to do without a helmet.
Mabie not wearing one is not the key... mabie some new radical helmet design that has HUGE fields of vision or some new material that makes helmets 2 cm thick on your head....