Why do people not wear helmets when they are on a Harley?

Question

I know some do but not as much as any other motorcycle brand.

Answer 1

Some people prefer the natural feel of the wind in the hair and sense of freedom. It comes with risk and a high cost of course.

Personally, my state does not have a helmet law and we see fewer and fewer riders on the road. I think it is a Darwinian proncple that eliminates them.

Answer 2

Helmet Laws Suck , I'm not wearing this helmet by choice, Let those who ride decide. If you live in a helmet law state these may ring a bell. I hate wearing a helmet and survived just fine before the helmet laws. When I hit a state line to a no helmet state ,It's off and in the saddle bags w/o stopping the bike. Helmets are uncomfortable and restrictive. Yes to some degree they are safer but fu(k that ,I'd rather be comfortable.If one is on a dirt bike or a sport bike and planning on pushing the limits of safe riding then a helmet is a good idea,but most of us Harley riders are not jumping, doing wheelies, stoppies or bouncing off canyon gaurdrails.

Answer 3

I would assume it is because it fits the "outlaw" image associated with Harleys.

Many people see Harleys as Freedom, the freedom of the open road , the freedom to modify the bike to their own taste, the freedom to just get up and go.Along with that is the freedom to make a personal choice about helmets.

Motorcycling has been assaulted by law makers for years now and the fundemental freedoms that riders enjoy are slowly being eroded away.

How and what we get from riding is diferrent for each individual, my choice is all the gear including gloves and a helmet, if some riders make their choice to be free of a these then Vive le difference.

Answer 4

I think its the same on just about every bike except the speed bikes ,I would say a good 90% of them wear helmets maybe more , I feel that those who ride can decide if they want to wear a helmet , Personally I don't ,and they claim if you drop your helmet on the ground one time you should get a new one because its no good anymore ,So if its no good being droped from 4 feet high then what good is it being slammed on to pavement at 60 miles an hr , if it was the Law then I would only wear a half shell , We don't think were Kool not wearing a helmet We Know We Are KOOL !

Answer 5

As an owner of one myself..I can tell you that many riders have a "tough image" to uphold. It is ashamed they don't spend more time in the ER and notice the difference in injuries to those who had on helmets verses those who didn't. Not only would I not ever ride without a helmet, I make sure I have on all proper riding gear. Anything to protect my skin from the ashphalt is worth wearing.

Answer 6

I don't wear a helmet on a Harley because............
I didn't wear one on a Honda
I didn't wear one on a Suzuki
I didn't wear one on a Yamaha

Only when I felt like it.
Riding a Harley don't make a difference.

Answer 7

It's the law of nature. The strongest minded survive. If you care about yourself....then you wear a helmet. If you want to look like a 60's rebel ...don't wear a helmet ...because it is cool! to not wear a helmet.

Answer 8

I've seen bikers wear or not wear on any type of bike. It is personal preference. I ride with a helmet since I want a chance of survival in case of a crash.

Answer 9

I don't know but I think it would be smart if they did. A friend of ours was in a bad reck without a helmet and he died from head injuries. A lot of states don't require them either but we wear one all the time.

Answer 10

Because we're stupid and think we won't look cool if we wear a helmet. We're very vain that way. More upidy than a soccer mom in a Hummer.