Why would anyone ride a motorcycle without a helmet?

Question

It seems insane to me. I don't care how "good" you are or how "careful". All it takes is one idiot and your brains are all over the highway.

Answer 1

Mostly for me its psychological...freedom. Also just because I don't like being told what to do. For trips over 10 mins, I put one on (usually) but for rides around the neighborhood, or to the movies...I don't.

Answer 2

You are exactly right about the one idiot

Some of us ride without helmets because we like the feel of the wind, hate the weight and heat of the helmet, and some of your vision and hearing are impaired with a helmet.
Also some feel like they'd rether die of a brain injury than be a vegtable that had a helmet on.
Either way riding is an individual thing and the rider himself should decide NOT the GOVERNMENT

sometimes I will use a helmet in the rain or cold
of course in states where they are manditory

ABATE MEMBER since 1987

ABATE is a political action commitee that helps preserve the rights of riders. Helmet laws and other obtrusive agendas that governments try to impose on individual freedoms.

Answer 3

I think people should be allowed to make their own decisions. Personally, I'll never ride without a helmet. It just isn't worth the risk.

The argument that they restrict vision is just insane. Maybe if you're using a 20 year old full face. Modern full face helmets do NOT restrict vision. And like one person said, if you can't turn head with a helmet on, you shouldn't be riding. Its just a lame excuse thats not based in fact. As far as the weight of helmets, most modern helmets are light enough that they don't cause much fatigue if any.

Answer 4

seems there's more non-riders answering this than actual riders, so as a rider, i'll give ya the straight dope direct from the saddle.

after about 150 miles in a 65 mph windblast, bikes that dont have a windsheild...and i'm speaking about cruisers, even a 3/4 shell helmet with face shield will feel like its about 25 pounds at the very least. windshields will give ya roughly about a 200 mile range before u really notice the 'weight'. even tho that full face helmets offer THE best protection if u go down, when the temps is above 85 degrees, when ur not moving, it soon feels as if u have ur head in an oven, and it gets worse as the temps climb. some think that the full face is on par with being inside a tunnel. the truth is, ur visibility is reduced by about 2 or 3 inches of having to turn ur head over ur shoulder more. a little less with the 3/4 shell. the half shells dont have any hard spots to cover the ears, and those are the lightest type of helmets, but they have no face sheild.

i've ridden with and without helmets. if i didnt find the noise of a 65 or 70 mph wind blast howlin in my ears, i'd probably ride without it unless i crossed into a helmet manditory state. the wind flowing thru the hair does feel good, but then there's things that make me appreciate the helmet more. here's a short list.

big bugs...like moths, and especially june bugs. june bugs HURT when they make impact on yer forehead at 55 mph. its on par with gettin hit in the head with a small rock.
rain...big drops feel like ur riding in a shot blaster in a slightly hard rain, but a shower feels like gettin sprayed by needles.
rocks/pebbles kicked up by cagers...no comment...see june bugs.
wind blast noise is drastically reduced with a helmet to the point where ur ears dont ring after a 100 mile ride.

now here's the problem. if the helmet doesnt fit properly, its totally worthless. there has been instances where a rider went down and because it was too big, the lid snapped the rider's neck. but i have seen from 1st hand experience what happens at a low-speed lay down...which could happen if a cage pulls out or left turns u. this guy laid down a 50cc scooter at 20 or 25 mph when doing the swerve portion of the mc test. left side of his head, and a bit of what would have been his forehead kissed the asphalt. there were scratches and 'war dents' in his lid and face sheild. the bike just dropped on him....most likely from gettin a handful of front brake when leaned over. big mistake cause the bike dropped him hard.

personal preferences...i'll wear mine. they're like a seat belt, u might not need em but.......if it comes to it, u wont have time to strap on when its on the sissy bar.
in ohio, it's optional for those 18 or over and have the endorsement for a minumum of 1 year. across the line in pa, its 2 yrs of endorsement and being 21 or over. w. va and mi is a lid state.....helmets are manditory.

Answer 5

I always wear a helmet. But people should have the choice since it is their own body afterall.

And there are some instances where a helmet can be restrictive such as quick looks to the rear, or up or down. I haven't really had issues with visibility compared to riding without a helmet, but I've grown used to the limits of the helmet and compensate for them.

I would never allow a pillion rider to not wear a helmet though because I am responsible for that person.

So, regardless of how "insane" it is, people do (and should) have the right to do as they wish when only they are involved.

Answer 6

Keep in mind that a lot of biker deaths are from internal injuries to other parts of the body, not the head. Perhaps a full suit of armor is what we need. Maybe we could make that mandatory along with helmet laws. As you can probably tell, I believe in personal freedom of choice. If you ride a motorcycle that's all that matters to me. What you wear or don't wear makes no difference. As adults we can decide for ourselves what risks we want to take in life. I don't wear a helmet because I choose not to wear one. That's all you or anyone needs to know.

Answer 7

Oh, hey now.
I used to like to ride mine without a helmet when I was taking it around the block to warm it up so I could change the oil. I don't have that option since we got the helmet law in California. Ah, memories.

Answer 8

If you have ever ridden a motorcycle, the answer is easy. I want you to get on a bike, ride down the road with a helmet and without and see which you like better. When I am teaching people to ride (at slow speeds) I actually teach them without a helmet because you are more in your element without one. It is definitely risky business to ride without a helmet, but it is so tempting that it gets the most of quite a few people. I prefer to ride without a helmet, but highly suggest them on longer trips.

Answer 9

In my state the helmet is not required so therefore sometimes I don't wear one.

Just like when you bang someone it feels so much better without the rubber, well its the same thing here.

I do believe that a helmet will protect you but only under certain speed. Who the hell rides below that speed??? Only at school zones right...

Answer 10

Most people are sure of themselves, and that they won't fall or crash. This is a fine theory, except when you factor in other drivers. Almost all fatal motorcycle crashes occur with someone who has ridden less than 1 year, or due to a automobile driver. Almost all fatal motorcycle crashes incur a biker not wearing a helmet.

Answer 11

when there is morons riding like bill in kansas,that belives stupidly that modern helmets restrict your view and takes your freedom away all i can say is i hope an accident without a helmet does not take his life away,then where will his freedom be ....splattered up the highway..........

a helmet blocks whats behind you does it ,,,,wow got eyes in the back of your head have you ...

i've had a very serious accident on bike and had it not been for the FACT I WAS WEARING ONE ,i wouldnt be sat here typing this now ...

face it ,helmets save lives ....the choice is simple ,wear one and live ,or dont and die....