First Time Without a Helmet

[Mcubed45]

Ride without a helmet if you want to

But, if you are going to do that, please sign the organ donor permission on your driver's license.

:yes::yes::yes::yes::2thumbs:

 

[Rogue Hawk]

From the first time I went on two wheels I have been ATGATT follower, full face helmet, riding jacket with Kevlar panels.

Bought a 2014 RT S SE6 about a month ago in New Jersey and breaking it in as I prepare for an epic long ride this fall. Really having a good time. Already I have shed the riding jacket in this summer heat. In my wanderings yesterday I drifted into Connecticut.

Decided to take advantage of their no helmet law as an experiment. Stopped at a gas station as I realized I need some eye protection without my Shoei helmet. Rode down Route 7, which is a fine road in any mode.

At first it was disorienting and felt strange but I quickly got used to it and it was grand. Discovered the rear speakers for the first time as they are not evident with the helmet on. Surround sound, cool. Really enjoyed the experience and loved the ride. Had no problem putting back on the helmet as I pulled back into New York State.

On my epic trip I may do it again on scenic routes but will keep the helmet on Highways. A few years ago I had a low side that broke my shoulder blade. My full face helmet had three scrapes in three different directions which meant it likely saved me from more serious issues. Luckily I healed from the shoulder blade and didn't experience brain damage didn't experience brain damage didn't experience brain damage.

I know many here are religiously ATGATT and I've observed several local riders who ride in shorts, but I highly recommend a lovely ride without the lid once in a while, as long as your local laws allow.
SpyderWalter

It certainly is nicer without a helmet. Just about anything is nicer without a helmet

What I do is wear MC specific sun glasses and keep the visor up.Just a suggestion, if you still want some protection, try wearing a 1/4 or 1/2 helmet.

 

[Rogue Hawk]

I see that often here in Arizona. I just shake my head and move on. Nothing you can do about other people's stupidity.

Pam

Arizona is a blow torch in the summer. I can understand why people don't want to wear gear. If I lived there, I would only ride at night so I can wear protection.

 

[Pampurrs]

Arizona is a blow torch in the summer. I can understand why people don't want to wear gear. If I lived there, I would only ride at night so I can wear protection.

Believe it or not, I am actually cooler under the blow torch of a sun with my body covered up. I wear jeans and long sleeve shirt to protect my skin. I have tried going outside in shorts and tank top and its miserable. Feels like my skin is going to burn off. In July and August I run my errands early in the morning or in the evening. Most rides this time of year are early breakfast rides, or evening rides. It's worth it for a couple of months of misery as a trade off for our wonderful winters.

..... and riding with bare legs next to hot exhaust pipes and hot engine??? It hurts just to look at those people :yikes:


Pam

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: Get yourself underneath some mesh gear, and THEN tell us that you're cooler without it! :thumbup:

 

[TEHelms]

To each his own....

My adjacent state has no helmet law so when I ride there I sometimes shed mine. I'll say this, having ridden two wheels for years always with the bucket on...riding without a helmet is a totally different sound experience on the Spyder. With a helmet I get all exhaust noise and without it's mostly engine sounds...very mechanical..you can really hear the cams and clatter from the valves.

I wouldn't ride on an interstate without but it's my thought that if you crash a Spyder, unless you're at a low speed, it's not going to be pretty because there's no siding this thing...you're likely coming off and as the Blood Rock song went, "we were flying along and hit something in the air."

Has anyone here come off one and walked away?

 

[PaladinLV]

I see people wearing helmets with shorts and flip flops on... HeLLo .. I don't get it

He must have been from Las Vegas! :roflblack:

AJ

 

[PaladinLV]

Taking your "Qs" from the Bedouins.
They've been living under the desert sun for over a 1000 years.

AJ

Believe it or not, I am actually cooler under the blow torch of a sun with my body covered up. I wear jeans and long sleeve shirt to protect my skin. I have tried going outside in shorts and tank top and its miserable. Feels like my skin is going to burn off. In July and August I run my errands early in the morning or in the evening. Most rides this time of year are early breakfast rides, or evening rides. It's worth it for a couple of months of misery as a trade off for our wonderful winters.

..... and riding with bare legs next to hot exhaust pipes and hot engine??? It hurts just to look at those people :yikes:


Pam

 

[Pampurrs]

Taking your "Qs" from the Bedouins.
They've been living under the desert sun for over a 1000 years.

AJ

:thumbup:

 

[Firefly]

Michigan recently recalled our helmet law. I've ridden a few times without... and yes.. it feels GREAT. But.. it really isn't a smart thing to do. Seems we have more fatalities this summer for sure.

I still do it here and there... interesting to hear the various noises the Spyder makes to make sure all is good.

As far as the idea of wearing one on the highway but not in town... that's really backwards thinking. With high speed highway accident a helmet might not make much difference. In town at lower speeds (where most accidents happen), that is the exact place you want a helmet.

Here's a blast from the past.... didn't know TN had helmet law back at one of the SITS.. and we were all riding a group ride.. and I got pulled over by a MC cop. Someone was kind enough to take a photo of it....

He wouldn't even settle for a warning...

 

[Pampurrs]

<snip>As far as the idea of wearing one on the highway but not in town... that's really backwards thinking. With high speed highway accident a helmet might not make much difference. In town at lower speeds (where most accidents happen), that is the exact place you want a helmet.

Ever been hit in the head with a piece of gravel or other debris while riding 75 MPH? I haven't, but my helmet has quite a few times, and it gave me quite a jolt each time. I can't even imagine what would have happened to my head had I not been wearing a helmet. :yikes: That's why I always wear one when riding; parades excluded.

Pam

 

[wiredgeorge]

Well, I think I have heard from all the helmet police. "I do this, I do that". And the best one.... "you will die a grissley death and be all yucky!" Geesh, this is the land of the free and home of the little ol' lady/politically correct! As the great 21st century philosopher, Mr. Bobby Knight once quipped:

When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are passed, I want they bury me upside down, and my critics can kiss my a..!
Bobby Knight


Or, as our forefathers once opined: DON'T TREAD ON ME!

 

[Pampurrs]

Well, I think I have heard from all the helmet police. "I do this, I do that". And the best one.... "you will die a grissley death and be all yucky!" Geesh, this is the land of the free and home of the little ol' lady/politically correct! As the great 21st century philosopher, Mr. Bobby Knight once quipped:

When my time on earth is gone, and my activities here are passed, I want they bury me upside down, and my critics can kiss my a..!
Bobby Knight


Or, as our forefathers once opined: DON'T TREAD ON ME!

Yup, you are free to wear whatever you want, and enjoy your ride. I'm with you all the way on that. I will ride side by side with you anytime you want, as long as you ride safely I don't care whether or not you wear a helmet. It's a personal choice that we all make on our own.

Pam

 

[Rawhide kid]

But, if you are going to do that, please sign the organ donor permission on your driver's license.

:yes::yes::yes::yes::2thumbs:

even if you ride with a helmet, please be an organ donor. Do something wonderful for someone you don't know. That, is true giving.

 

[robmorg]

You've Been Indoctrinated

Walter,

:welcome: I see you've only been on the forum just a month, so you may not have expected the response you got on this one.

But now you've been indoctrinated, INCLUDING being told to "rest in peace". :cheers: There are only two subjects that get this sort of reaction here. You've just hit upon one of them, as you can see. The other, well... I'll just say that if you're lucky, and you stick around a while, you'll likely avoid that one altogether. :sour:

I hope you do stick around, and that you feel free to join in all the various conversations, whenever you have something to say. Also, enjoy that new RT of yours - it's a beauty. :thumbup: And seriously, please do continue to share both your experiences and your questions, here on the forum. We really are a friendly bunch, and you will learn a lot - I know I did.

 

[Bob Denman]

Yup, you are free to wear whatever you want, and enjoy your ride. I'm with you all the way on that. I will ride side by side with you anytime you want, as long as you ride safely I don't care whether or not you wear a helmet. It's a personal choice that we all make on our own.

Pam

Hey Pam!
But would you ride with ME?? :roflblack:

 

[SpyderWalter]

But now you've been indoctrinated, INCLUDING being told to "rest in peace". :cheers: There are only two subjects that get this sort of reaction here. You've just hit upon one of them, as you can see. The other, well... I'll just say that I hope you don't stumble upon that one unaware. :shocked:

Actually I won a bet. When I shared my note before publishing to another person with, shall we say, experience on the site warned me that I was entering a buzz saw and that the militant ATGATT folk would descend upon me without mercy. I countered that the short time I was on here there would be others who would at least understand if not rise in defense. That is exactly what happened. I like the folk on this forum.

As I noted in my initial note, I am still ATGATT on two wheels (which I also have) but I will indeed relax from time to time on the Spyder. Never on an expressway, never for very long. I once drove a friend's 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang convertible with V-8 engine on twisty North Carolina mountain roads. Lots of fun and no protection, just a lap strap and no safety in case of a roll over (yes, had that baby on two wheels several occasions, I took it too fast, but I was younger then). Also an accident where a BMW SUV went airborne and crossed lanes, crushed a couple of cars on the Taconic Parkway Saturday which I also rode but not near the accident. Several killed in a terrible crash where a helmet would not have helped me (which I was of course wearing in New York State). I am not cavalier and have no plans to go soon but I will go sooner or later. I figured that out. And yes, I am an organ donor, thanks.

So chatter away, be respectful, I respect all of you and appreciate your advise. Won't follow it all but I will always listen.

Now about my upcoming oil change...



Thanks...
SpyderWalter

 

[Pampurrs]

Hey Pam!
But would you ride with ME?? :roflblack:

Uncle Bob? Is that you? :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

"Now about my upcoming oil change..."
:lecturef_smilie: Only use Canola; it'll make your fries lighter and tastier! :thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

Uncle Bob? Is that you? :roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

Nope! It's just my Stunt Double! :2thumbs:

"No idiots were harmed, during the taking of that picture..."