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[Screamin]

I personally don't know one soul who has actually picked up and moved family, hearth, home, job and life to move from one state to another over their helmet law.

 Practically speaking none of us are really moving because of them.

Your right, I don't know anyone who has moved from a helmet state to a free state on that alone. But I do, to the best of my ability, avoid spending time and money in mandatory states. Not a big thing in the scheme of things but I don't visit or traverse a helmet state. Two years ago did the Sturgis, Colorado, Wyoming thing and didn't set a tire in or drop a dime in a state w/ a lid law. And, in all reality, when I retire in two years I'll clearly not move to a state that has a mandatory law. That's only 4 feet (wife and me) but that's the way we feel.

[RedDevil]

Your right, I don't know anyone who has moved from a helmet state to a free state on that alone. But I do, to the best of my ability, avoid spending time and money in mandatory states. Not a big thing in the scheme of things but I don't visit or traverse a helmet state. Two years ago did the Sturgis, Colorado, Wyoming thing and didn't set a tire in or drop a dime in a state w/ a lid law. And, in all reality, when I retire in two years I'll clearly not move to a state that has a mandatory law. That's only 4 feet (wife and me) but that's the way we feel.

Wow, I admire your conviction.    That means you either trailer a lot, or you spend an awful large amount of money and time to go around helmet law states to get to a state that doesn't have a helmet law.  Now that's sticking to a belief.
Cheers ,
Red

[Twolanerider]

Wow, I admire your conviction.    That means you either trailer a lot, or you spend an awful large amount of money and time to go around helmet law states to get to a state that doesn't have a helmet law.  Now that's sticking to a belief.
Cheers ,
Red

Yeah, I'm not that militant; or too lazy (whichever works).  In the roughly half the states that absolutely require a lid there is stuff I just might want to see or roads I just might wish to ride.  Not going to let some pinheaded legislature or some dumb-assed law keep me out.

[RedDevil]

Yeah, I'm not that militant; or too lazy (whichever works).  In the roughly half the states that absolutely require a lid there is stuff I just might want to see or roads I just might wish to ride.  Not going to let some pinheaded legislature or some dumb-assed law keep me out.

Yeah, I agree.  There's some beautiful riding country in those states.  Kind of a shame to miss out on it because of some law.  But ya gotta admire his conviction though. 
Cheers ,
Red

[Twolanerider]

Yeah, I agree.  There's some beautiful riding country in those states.  Kind of a shame to miss out on it because of some law.  But ya gotta admire his conviction though. 
Cheers ,
Red

Nah, no I don't.  Gave up cutting off my nose to spite my face a long time ago.  As it fortunately still can be, however, to each his own to enjoy as he pleases (even if it requires a detour).

[RedDevil]

Nah, no I don't.  Gave up cutting off my nose to spite my face a long time ago.  As it fortunately still can be, however, to each his own to enjoy as he pleases (even if it requires a detour).

No doubt about that.  The way I look at it, there's too many more important things in life to be concerned about then some state with it's piddlin helmet law.  It's not something I even give a second thought about.
Cheers ,
Red

[hard10]

AJ, James Madison had it right in Federalist 10 when he suggested that most political tensions were finally resolved by the meeting and thrashing of different groups of interest.  The more interested (and larger and organized) one side got the more likely it might be to prevail. 

Within our community of bikers and riders everyone seems to be so very interested in the helmet debate.  It's almost, anymore, as if you can't claim your leathers if you don't have a helmet opinion.  As strong as those oh so fervent opinions might be though I personally don't know one soul who has actually picked up and moved family, hearth, home, job and life to move from one state to another over their helmet law.

It may seem asinine to say or think this but there are certain governmental policies or practices that I do deem important enough to have an effect on where I'd choose to live.  Helmet law discussions are recreational and intellectual exercises anymore though.  We hash this discussion out over and over again because we enjoy it; not because we expect it to really effect anything.  Practically speaking none of us are really moving because of them.

2ln - I didn't think anyone was going to take me seriously about moving. (except Hoist!)

[Screamin]

Yeah, I'm not that militant; or too lazy (whichever works).  In the roughly half the states that absolutely require a lid there is stuff I just might want to see or roads I just might wish to ride.  Not going to let some pinheaded legislature or some dumb-assed law keep me out.

And that's true w/ us as well. All trips of any great length other than west end up going through at least one helmet state, so it goes. Render unto Ceaser and we wear the lids. That is the most important fact to consider. It's the law which must be obeyed. Going west, amazingly, let's you choose. I imagine we've missed some jewel in Nebraska by taking I-90 through S. Dakota every time we go but so it goes. As for the retirement thing, we've long considered the Carolinas and North Carolina is, in our opinion, one of the most beautiful states in the east. Too bad and who knows, maybe their law will change in a couple of years. The good news is that western S. Carolina is also very nice and will suit our needs quite nicely.

But I now cede the discussion to y'all. Hoist asked to stir the pot and I've stirred enough. In the end, we've got our opinions and I think we've done a heck of a job clearly sharing them.

[Twolanerider]

For a slightly different spin on required gear to be worn or not worn while riding on a motorcycle please feel free to share opinions on the following idea.  It is something I feel strongly about, that I suggest to every potential backseater that rides with me, and that I've actually written up and sent to several legislative offices suggesting they offer it as a bill before their house.  Sadly, no legislator so contacted has ever had the fortitude or other courage necessary to try to bring this very important issue before the dock.  The full language is necessarily long and boring.  The core of the proposal (and this is the Federal variant) would be:

From the date of passage all passengers on the back seat of a Harley Davidson motorcycle, while said motorcycle is transiting any Federal road or highway or any state road or highway ever supported in any way by Federal funds, shall be barred from wearing brassieres of any kind in the interests of public safety.



Can't imagine why I've never got anyone to sponsor that Bill  ?

[Midnight Rider]

For a slightly different spin on required gear to be worn or not worn while riding on a motorcycle please feel free to share opinions on the following idea.  It is something I feel strongly about, that I suggest to every potential backseater that rides with me, and that I've actually written up and sent to several legislative offices suggesting they offer it as a bill before their house.  Sadly, no legislator so contacted has ever had the fortitude or other courage necessary to try to bring this very important issue before the dock.  The full language is necessarily long and boring.  The core of the proposal (and this is the Federal variant) would be:

From the date of passage all passengers on the back seat of a Harley Davidson motorcycle, while said motorcycle is transiting any Federal road or highway or any state road or highway ever supported in any way by Federal funds, shall be barred from wearing brassieres of any kind in the interests of public safety.

I'm fer it...


Can't imagine why I've never got anyone to sponsor that Bill  ?

[RJ749]

While I have been in the beligerant group in the past (sold my 89 Springer in 91 when Washington went to a mandatory law, boy that showed them) bought a DWG in 93, All that cost me was a couple of years of riding.

I guess it all comes down to one thing for me anymore.  When I bought the dealership the former owner told me to drive a new car, even though economically it made sense to drive a used one.  He figured that 15 employees expected me to be there to sign checks and run a business that their livelyhood depended on.

I now have over 50 employees and when I made the ride to Cripple Creek in June of last year I decided to at least go with the half helmet all the time.  Partly for communication but mostly for a small amount of added safety.  I have considered a full helmet and can see myself going to one in the future.

At 57 I guess I have had more than my share of close calls and have flirted with disaster enough to count my blessings and be thankful that I can enjoy riding nearly as much with a lid as without and certainly am thankful I am here to share riding and life with my family and friends.

[KentuckyHarleyDude]

I like this as it gives the other side of the helmet arguement. You Nolan guys will never agree on this but, we should be able to choose. And everyone should know how to drive! Hoist!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XOAyXC-9Gw&NR

Hoist being from Alabama I have had to wear a helmet since 1965 when riding a bike because it was the law ....and now that I am in Kentucky where there is no helmet law I still wear one but with that being said I do not like the idea of the goverment (or insurance companys) telling an adult what he should and should not do when it comes to recreation .... JMHO

Bubba

[ronshood2000]

Law's are for reasons. However, I'm seeing a lot of views basically indicating that "I'm too Stupid" to do the right thing. While this attitude really gets me going, I'll just state it. If I want to wear a helmet, buckle my seat belt, that's my choice and I'll suffer for my choice. I don't need government telling me that I need to something because I'm too stupid. Basically, that's what government is doing. We can debate safety until the cows come home, and there are viable arguments on both sides of the fence, but again, you don't need government telling you what to do.
 
What police need to do is arrest and lock up people reading books while driving, chicks putting on make-up while driving, reading newspapers while driving, and all the other stupid things that get people into trouble.

Personal choice is personal choice. Government...........STAY OUT!!!

[UltraPolecat]

Personal choice is personal choice. Government...........STAY OUT!!!

  Now THATS what I'm talking about!!!

[JW]

This is a timely post what with the FBI illegally prying into our lives in the news yesterday.  I have to agree with folks here that we have to decide our own fates.  We need our freedoms left alone and intact.

Other side of coin:  I worked in a head injury unit about 19-20 years ago.  It was called The Greenery, just outside of Boston.  They took severely head injured patients in the coma state, when they "woke up" (if they woke up), they moved from the third floor to the second floor for rehab.  The first floor was for outpatients.  Head injury is an intense thing to live with, especially severe head injury.  It destroys you physically, mentally, financially, and is so destructive for families as well.  Theres nothing good about it.  It doesn't end for many--lasting years and years.  Insurance eventually runs out (or better put--insurance companies bail out, b--t-rds) and the state foots the bill. 

I know there are arguments about statistics.  Statistics lie, same studies can often be used to make a case for either argument-seen that many times.  Bottom line--if its you, its 1000%.  I hate wearing helmets and I particularly hate wearing seatbelts.  In the younger day, I never wore a helmet-hated them.  But, I wont even sit on the bike without my helmet having seen what I have seen.  Wont even back out of the driveway without that dam-- seatbelt on.   

A half lid is better than nothing and you still get the wind.  Get a good one.