New rider falls, i worry im gonna see her in the news

[Bonz]

The way he described it was a group of squids out riding with shorts, tennis shoes, T-shirts and one of them lost control, I hadn't heard about a death wish on the part of that particular person, but it's absolutely true he didn't have a prayer

[CatatonicBug]

There was a multi-page article published by Motorcyclist a number of years ago (sadly, no longer available online) that tested then-current models, ranging from discount-house brands up to big $$ models with all the latest Snell ratings. The very interesting results were that the cheaper DOT-rated helmets (without the 'better' Snell rating) were judged to be a lot safer than the more-expensive Snell models.

Here's a copy of the original article: Blowing the Lid Off

Yes, you can spend $500+ on a fancy "name-brand" helmet, but personally, I don't see the need. The same specs are found in the $100-range helmets, and will then allow me to afford a nice jacket, boots and gloves at the same time. ATGATT

[planedick]

Avoided?

I would never rag on someone for their choice. My choice is personal and based on having had accidents both where the helmet was not needed and where it saved me from injury (and one where having a full face instead of a 3/4 would have saved me from injury), but that is a personal choice. I believe in helmet use but don't believe in helmet laws. I rode in Az with no helmet laws and wore a helmet 100% of the time, both on and off road.

While I believe that each rider has the right to choose to wear or not wear protection of whatever type, but I disagree on there being a way to "ride to impact" as there are impacts that are not able to be avoided.

I didn't say impact was avoided. Drove right into the back seat of a '62 pontiac once, no helmet. There was surely an impact, but when it happened I wasn't there. No helmet, no injuries. That's what I'm talking about. There are others very similar too. You guys with such minimal experience trying to tell others what to do is funny at best.

That should put your "rag in a knot".

[motoman]

i didn't say impact was avoided. Drove right into the back seat of a '62 pontiac once, no helmet. There was surely an impact, but when it happened i wasn't there. No helmet, no injuries. That's what i'm talking about. There are others very similar too. You guys with such minimal experience trying to tell others what to do is funny at best.

That should put your "rag in a knot".

+1.........

[BA80]

Oooh - BTW I think I saw her a few minutes ago ride by out the window and it LOOKED like she was on a different RED Harley instead of a BLACK one - maybe she went and traded it in for a smaller one - couldn't get a good look - maybe I need to ride around and look for her

Or maybe she dropped the black one too many times and had to go get a new one.

You should introduce her to the old man down the street with the little 3 wheeler. Maybe he could give her some pointers.

[Bonz]

With all respect, don't generalize with me in it (probably the same sentiments from others as well...) when it comes to guys on this thread as having minimal experience in whatever you are saying. I don't wear going over the bars or into another vehicle without a helmet as a badge of experience.

It was clear that Cy wasn't talking about avoiding an impact, but that despite a person's best efforts they won't be able to "ride to impact" with out injury (when not wearing helmet/other gear) with in the scope of some collisions.

How the hell do you "drive into the back seat of a '62 Pontiac", experience an impact, but say there was no injury because "when it happened you weren't there?" So did you end up in the back seat or in a bed of flowers to cushion your impact at the side of the road?

This is going nowhere fast...

[motoman]

With all respect, don't generalize with me in it (probably the same sentiments from others as well...) when it comes to guys on this thread as having minimal experience in whatever you are saying. I don't wear going over the bars or into another vehicle without a helmet as a badge of experience.

It was clear that Cy wasn't talking about avoiding an impact, but that despite a person's best efforts they won't be able to "ride to impact" with out injury (when not wearing helmet/other gear) with in the scope of some collisions.

How the hell do you "drive into the back seat of a '62 Pontiac", experience an impact, but say there was no injury because "when it happened you weren't there?" So did you end up in the back seat or in a bed of flowers to cushion your impact at the side of the road?

This is going nowhere fast...

......and bought as clear as mud. To re-respond to original question: buy the helmet that is comfortable and fits YOUR needs.

[ddragon63]

HJC Helmets are the best bang for your buck. Heres what I do. Go to a bike shop that sells them and fit one to your melon. As different brand sizing can differ... then go to Motorcycle-Superstore.com and start shopping. You can get a SNELL rated HJC for $150 or less. Sometimes they have big sales. I got my last 2 HJC's from superstores. MY CS-15 cost me $65 and my FS-15 cost me $154 both snell rated just closeout last year models. JAT

as for lil girl on a big bike... theres the polar opposite too... I seen a 300+lb man on a 250 ninja on the freeway the other day. I was waiting for a love handle to get caught in the chain... I think the seat and cowling was in there somewhere, but wasn't visible

I don't understand the whole deal with a MAN's bike. I had some dude on a GSXR1000 give me crap one day up @ my favorite stop up in the hills when I owned my 748 superbike. He said "I'd buy some 916 badges for it so I wouldn't look like a sissy!" So then I offered to ride with him back towards town. Not sure what happened to him... I lost him somewhere in the twistys in my mirrors.

[planedick]

Hard

Gassin' it hard to get through the intersection before the light changes. Yeah I know, stupid, but the guy turned left in front of me and I hit him at about 75 mph. I jumped up just before impact and went over the car, tuck and roll as I was spinning anyway from hitting my feet on the roof of the car. Minor bruises only. Totalled the bike and car.

[BA80]

That's what I've always done when a crash is inevitable................JUMP and take my chances with the ground.

Parked my 500 under a van on 183 in Ft Worth one afternoon when it stopped right in front of me at about 50. I dove for the grass on the median. Missed the grass but I missed the van too.

Road rash heals faster than crushed bones.

[ddragon63]

That's what I've always done when a crash is inevitable................JUMP and take my chances with the ground.

Parked my 500 under a van on 183 in Ft Worth one afternoon when it stopped right in front of me at about 50. I dove for the grass on the median. Missed the grass but I missed the van too.

Road rash heals faster than crushed bones.

I put my 99 R-1 into a flat bed car trailer up the Gorge. I was up in the apex of this big sweeping corner and dude's trailer came across my line. before the bike could high side me me I dove for the ditch. Bike ended up in a Douglas Fir tree 40 feet off the Ravine. Thank God for full sport bike leathers. I end up with minimal road rash and a separated shoulder. guy never stopped.. lucky I was riding with others. My medical insurance was not pleased with me

My 96 R6 died a horrible death thanks to a drunk chick running a red light. I smashed her windshield with my helmet. She was nice enough to let me slide off her hood before she tried to make a break for it. When the cops caught up to her she said "I don't know what your talking about, I think a kid threw a rock and it smashed my windshield!" the Cops were overly impressed as you could imagine. No license, no insurance.... Guess who gotta pay for that hospital trip too.... ME! It was a Hot summer night. I was wearing jeans and a T-shirt. Spent the next 3 days in the hospital as they picked rocks out of my back... I must have skidded across the ground after leaving her car. I had road rash all the way up the left side of my back. Most uncomfortable 3 weeks of my life as that scabbed and healed. but it was better than having them sew my shoulder back together again.

I quit riding for a few years after that... it felt like the was a higher power that didn't like seeing me on 2 wheels

I quit riding for a while after that....

[cywelchjr]

That's what I've always done when a crash is inevitable................JUMP and take my chances with the ground.

Parked my 500 under a van on 183 in Ft Worth one afternoon when it stopped right in front of me at about 50. I dove for the grass on the median. Missed the grass but I missed the van too.

Road rash heals faster than crushed bones.

In many if not most cases you have an out for you at least if not you and the bike, but sometimes situations come up where there is no time to react and you don't have the speed OR room to get away. Everybody has to make their choice. I'll wear the gear, cause when I have to make that escape, the gear will make thing more survivable and make for less damage to my aging body.

As for the SNELL helmets, given that they allow more force through to the brain, and our brain can take less force without damage as we age, I'll stick with the softer DOT helmets. At the speeds that the helmet is actually going to save your life, I can't see the SNELL helmet really performing any better, and besides, I like my modular so much that I can't see giving it up and I've not seen any SNELL modular helmets as yet, and I REFUSE to spend $300-400 or more on a helmet which would make me unable to afford the rest of the gear.