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[GregKhougaz]

       Story originated in The Detroit News and was picked up by Fox News.  Fox also cited a study from The Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

I'm wearing mine but it is sometimes nice to "go naked."   

[Midnight Rider]

Too early to tell, IMO.  Plus, fatalities are not the only stat that needs to be looked at in a case like this.  Head injuries...period...should be the stat that tells the most.  Nobody is ever going to convice me that head injuries are less likely without a helmet on than with one on.  It is completely illogical.

Having the ability to choose?  That's a different discussion.

I don't have a dog in that hunt anyway because you'll never catch me riding without a helmet...never.

[Unbalanced]

       Story originated in The Detroit News and was picked up by Fox News.  Fox also cited a study from The Center for Disease Control and Prevention. 

I'm wearing mine but it is sometimes nice to "go naked."   

Not preaching just pointing out that Nekid is nice and was the norm, but after my ordeal and almost dying from head injuries, I can tell you +1 for the helmets.   They can fix most things, but scramble the eggs and your done, i learned the hardway, but was lottery lucky in the end to get my faculties back ... i think.  Some will argue that , but ohh well.      Of the things I lost my mind and memory are on the top of the list.   

[SCRM-R]

A very good friend manages the CT scan department at a large hospital.  She says the staff in her department refers to motorcycle riders that don't wear helmets as "organ donors", because they often show up with serious/fatal head injuries, while their internal organs are in very good condition and suitable donor organs.

[flhse]

That was run yesterday, this was today:

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121003/METRO05/210030382/1409/metro/EB-96-ramp-94-reopened-after-motorcycle-crash

The driver of the motorcycle, a male in his 50s from Macomb Township, was not wearing a helmet and was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, police say.

I'm always riding with my helmet.

Brad

[Dead_Reckoning]

In Maine, I have had the choice for many many years.
My free choice has always been to wear a helmet.

DR

[MAT]

Too early to tell, IMO.  Plus, fatalities are not the only stat that needs to be looked at in a case like this.  Head injuries...period...should be the stat that tells the most.  Nobody is ever going to convince me that head injuries are less likely without a helmet on than with one on.  It is completely illogical.

Having the ability to choose?  That's a different discussion.

I don't have a dog in that hunt anyway because you'll never catch me riding without a helmet...never.

 

[laylonlor]

come on ,now harleys riders should have the right  to look cool with out  a helmet

[Bowman1836]

If you want to wear a helmet well wear one but don't rag on the guy who chooses to go without one. This is the problem to many people think they know whats best for another let him or her decide for themselves. Our freedoms are slowly being taken from us. Ok rant over 

[TIF2]

That was run yesterday, this was today:

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121003/METRO05/210030382/1409/metro/EB-96-ramp-94-reopened-after-motorcycle-crash

The driver of the motorcycle, a male in his 50s from Macomb Township, was not wearing a helmet and was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries, police say.

I'm always riding with my helmet.

Brad

And as is the case with all irresponsible reporting, it doesn't mention what the life threatening injuries are a result of.
It strongly imples it - but it clearly could be the result of something where a helmet (or lack thereof) was not a contributing factor.

My guess is it had nothing to do with lack of a helmet.

[Rocketman69]

I'm from Michigan, and the repeal of the helmet law was a welcome change as far as I'm concerned.  You won't hear me say anything like "helmets cause more injuries than they prevent", but I will argue that they shouldn't make laws to protect me from myself.  I've been riding since I was three years old.....no joke.  My dad raced bikes when I was young, and always drilled into our heads that helmets and long pants were always a necessity.....no ifs, ands, or buts about it.  I was always an advocate for helmet use, until I started riding on the street.  While I understand that a full face helmet is supposed to be the safest way to ride, I didn't like the extra weight being on my neck, didn't like the drag created by the wind, and absolutely hated the lack of peripheral vision.  I've been using non-DOT "novelty" helmets for the last several years.  I have no assumption that the helmet I wear would protect my noggin in any substantial way, but it's enough to keep the fuzz off my back.  But, as mentioned above......it's a matter of personal choice.  I always choose to wear my seat belt when in my car, but I don't believe there should be a law governing it.  These laws only exist to generate revenue for the state and local authorities.

And along with what TIF said about the irresponsible reporting:  We had a story a while back where a man and woman were in an accident, and, sadly, neither made it.  The reporter was very quick to point out that neither were wearing helmets.....but failed to mention that they had both been decapitated.

Oddly enough, when someone dies in an accident and they WERE wearing their helmet, nobody mentions that fact.

I crashed my Softail back in April.....went down pretty hard, $7400+ in damages to the bike.  I went to the doctor to get checked out because I was certain that I had broken my shoulder and collar bone.  Everyone in that office, upon learning why I was there, asked if I had been wearing my helmet.  To which I replied in the affirmative, followed by the explanation that it was irrelevant, since at no point during the accident did I hit my head...on anything.....there weren't even any scratches on the helmet.  But they all responded with, "Thank god you were wearing the helmet."..................seriously??

Anyway....end of rant.

[GregKhougaz]

On the issue of personal freedoms, I agree that helmet laws infringe on that freedom.  But at what point does exercise of personal freedom become so much of a burden on society that society can curtail it?  I refer to riders, insured or otherwise that become so crippled from head injuries they become a burden on society.  Who should bear that cost? Or, should the personal right be restricted?  Just noting the issues.  I don't have the answer. 

Non DOT helmets are not the answer but I have one you might like.  HCI makes a DOT Carbon half helmet that is nearly as thin as the novelties.  I sometimes get stopped by riders who ask where they can get one because they think it looks so cool.  The are available online for $118.  Worth the look though statistics show most head injuries are actually to the face. 

[TIF2]

On the issue of personal freedoms, I agree that helmet laws infringe on that freedom.  But at what point does exercise of personal freedom become so much of a burden on society that society can curtail it?  I refer to riders, insured or otherwise that become so crippled from head injuries they become a burden on society.  Who should bear that cost? Or, should the personal right be restricted?  Just noting the issues.  I don't have the answer. 

I appreciate your points here Greg.
However, there is simply no data to support the position that the non-use of helmets contributes materially to a burden on society via sustained injuries related to said non-use.

[GregKhougaz]

Not sure about no data but will agree that the data is disputed.  That's the point of the original article. 

Let's all stay alive!

[Wild Card]

I appreciate your points here Greg.
However, there is simply no data to support the position that the non-use of helmets contributes materially to a burden on society via sustained injuries related to said non-use.

There actually is rather comprehensive data that supports Greg's position.  This study looked at the financial burden of motorcycle injuries to society through increased insurance premiums to pay for those injuried.    

http://www.iihs.org/research/qanda/helmet_use.aspx

What MI did was fine by me (I still chose to wear one).  You have the right to chose.  However, they require additional medical coverage to help close this financial disparity.