A discussion on the value/danger of adding a seat belt

[robmorg]

I put this thought on the thread about the accident in MI but no one picked up on it.

Since from what I've seen so far, the Spyder accidents don't seem to roll them over. Which means that the driver/passenger are sent flying. I'm wondering if a seat belt, I know the old lap belt only, wouldn't be safer...
Your thoughts?

FWIW, it wasn't that long ago where a member here reported he was in a similar rear-end accident on an RT. The entire back of the Spyder was crushed. He saw it coming at the last minute and stood up and braced for the crash. Amazingly, if I recall correctly, he was not seriously injured. If he'd have been wearing a seat belt he would have been.

 

[BlueLghtning]

Wasn't it mentioned that the rider in the MI crash wasn't wearing a helmet? I think if anything, this is the biggest piece of safety gear to save your life, especially a full face helmet that gives you full protection.

The seat belt debate is interesting, but I'm thinking I'm going with the majority here that I'd rather be geared up and not attached to the bike.

 

[flaggerphil]

In a car you have a safety cage around you...thus the seatbelt and airbag to help keep you in the safety cage. On a bike or Spyder there is no cage...thus wearing a helmet and safe clothing.

Seat belt on a bike? Nope.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Wasn't it mentioned that the rider in the MI crash wasn't wearing a helmet?

That was some speculation offered up here because of the baseball cap lying in the street. AFAIK nothing definitive has been stated by those in the know.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Not directly applicable to the discussion here, but my brother-in-law went through rigorous police m/c training a number of years ago. One of the admonitions was if you go down on a two-wheeler, say like losing it in a corner or wherever the rear tire slides out from under you, hang onto the bike as much as you can. If you're going to slide through a fence, or into a tree or pole, let the bike clear the way for you. Don't put yourself between the obstacle and the bike by letting go because you'll outpace the bike in a slide.