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[Monolyth]

I live in a Helmet state and my helmet is off my head the min I enter a state that does not require it.  Hate them.  Everyone has a different comfort level with risk.

Monolyth

[clegg]

When I was just a wee lad I wore next to nothing. Luckily the Marine Corps required gear and I got used to it. Thanks to that I came out of two bad crashes in fairly good shape. For me its jeans boots helmet jacket gloves all the time. Although I do go with a vest sometimes when it is hot enough.

[Rio]

I came from a non-helmet law state (Illinois)  , and live in a helmet law state (Michigan)  After 7 years, I guess I am used to it for the most part, but I still take it off on the back roads on hot days and put it in my lap to cool down.  I guess I've gotten used to it being a false sense of security and I would wear it on the highways around other vehicles, but on the back roads where there is less traffic, it comes off immediately!

[sinktip]

I have been known to go with shorty gloves and no jacket at times but I always wear a helmet.

[RedDevil]

I came from a non-helmet law state (Illinois)  , and live in a helmet law state (Michigan)  After 7 years, I guess I am used to it for the most part, but I still take it off on the back roads on hot days and put it in my lap to cool down.  I guess I've gotten used to it being a false sense of security and I would wear it on the highways around other vehicles, but on the back roads where there is less traffic, it comes off immediately!

Not sure where you're coming from calling a helmet a false sense of security.  I'm here today because of wearing a helmet during an accident, and the last thing I would call a helmet is a false sense of security.  To me at least, it's a very real sense of security.  But, whatever spins your prop. 

[2018_FLTRXSE]

Not sure where you're coming from calling a helmet a false sense of security.  I'm here today because of wearing a helmet during an accident, and the last thing I would call a helmet is a false sense of security.  To me at least, it's a very real sense of security.  But, whatever spins your prop. 

Probaly because a helmet only protects the HEAD and its contents, but doesnt do much for the rest of the rider.

I've seen many accidents that people walked away from while wearing helmets. The helmet helped some survive and others not. I can honestly say that given a choice between living my life in a wheelchair or a bed versus death, that my choice is not the bed or the wheelchair.

A helmet, coupled with the rest of the correct riding GEAR, and the correct MINDSET is what saves lives, not simply a helmet by itself.

[RedDevil]

Probaly because a helmet only protects the HEAD and its contents, but doesnt do much for the rest of the rider.

I've seen many accidents that people walked away from while wearing helmets. The helmet helped some survive and others not. I can honestly say that given a choice between living my life in a wheelchair or a bed versus death, that my choice is not the bed or the wheelchair.

A helmet, coupled with the rest of the correct riding GEAR, and the correct MINDSET is what saves lives, not simply a helmet by itself.

You're absolutely correct, but still there isn't a false sense of security in a helmet.  Again, my own opinion.  I can't dispell anyone's wish to be dead rather than be disabled.  Thank God, all our military personnel don't feel that way though.  God bless 'em. 

[AZ Sparky]

Okay, while I didn't read all 5 pages...  Can anyone confirm, as I simply haven't followed up because what I'm fixin' to type only makes perfect sense to me.

Being a Veteran, and having served in a few States that did not require helmets, I've often been told that because it is a DOD requirement that all Active Duty must wear helmets, regardless of State laws, IF you were to get killed while operating a motorcycle while without a helmet, the Life Insurance Policy under the Gov't System will not pay out to the benefactors, because you simply did not have on a helmet.

Has anyone else heard of this, because I've also been told (and again, cause it makes sense) that if after you got out or retired and transferred your Life Insurance to the Civilian equivalent, the same applies... No Helmet, No Payments to Benefactors.

I've been down... as maybe some on this forum... my gear saved my life and limbs and I wouldn't be here today if not for my helmet.

Okay T-Hawk, here's the skinny from all the research that I've done.

SGLI is NOT required to pay IF you lose your life in a motorcycle wreck without a helmet AND the COD was blunt force trauma to the head.
HOWEVER, there has never, to this date, been a case where SGLI did not pay under those circumstances - the negative publicity would be too much for them.

Please keep in mind that they could start denying at any time but I think the odds are on the beneficiaries side if the worst should happen...

FEGLI - I need to look into now that I'm affected by it - I didn't even realize they had that same requirement - thanks for pointing that out!

Sparky

[T-Hawk]

Thanks Sparky,  while I seldom ever ride without, at minimum, a half-helmet I've simply gotten used to wearing one having spent 22 years where it was mandatory to ride on Base/Post... and even now that I've been working 6 years with the Corps of Engineers.  It's nice to ride wearing my cowboy hat during a parade that's under my personal 2mi limit... but during the rallies, you'll find me wearing a helmet.   

Picture of me pulling back into the staging area on the 4th of July, 2009 Parade in North Pole, AK

[Deep Blue Dives]

Half helmet always - DOT one, not a cheap lid to avoid state laws.  Full Face in the winter months.  Texas repealed the helmet law, but I still wear it.  Keep the grey matter in is my moto - the brain doesn't work well when it loses it.

I will admit in the summer, the leather comes off except for fingerless gloves and boots - and short sleeves are common.  I know the sunscreen won't protect against road rash, and I know I will regret this if I ever go down on the road.

[JCZ]

Not sure where you're coming from calling a helmet a false sense of security.  I'm here today because of wearing a helmet during an accident, and the last thing I would call a helmet is a false sense of security.  To me at least, it's a very real sense of security.  But, whatever spins your prop. 

I have to agree with the devil........again.     For years I never wore anything until Calif. got a helmet law.  Then it was the bear minamum novelty skull cap (can't really call it a helmet).  Eventually I grew up just a bit and started wearing a legal (DOT approved) half shell helmet.  Had a slow speed accident (25 mph) where I got all busted up and amongst other injuries, ended up with a shattered jaw.  Now I wear a full face modular helmet.....even in states that don't have a helmet law.

I was very surprised to learn that they actually keep your head and face cooler in the hight temps, than no helmet at all (but of course if makes sense if you consider that your head is out of the sun and in shade all day).  I had a mental block against that kind of thinking.....in the Marine Corps of the early 70s, they taught us that 80% of body heat escapes out the top of your head.....so I thought.....naturally you don't want to cover it up when it's in the triple digits that are normal for this area in the summer months.    

Of course, I knew it'd keep my head warmer in the cold weather.

[miker]

One of my crashes, the helmet worked very well, as in saving my sorry arse...The rest of me was well bashed....

Of course then when no helmet was an option, off it came....Now I must wear one because of the new $90K titanium plate in mee skull, the area around the plate attachement points are weak..Its not bad, just get used to it is all...Arai Profile full face to fit my oblong noggin...and a nxt carbon fiber 1/2 for local runs...

No more sunburnt head, as I aint got no crainal fur.

[JCZ]

and probably a good idea......if you go to Key West and get out there on one of those high speed wave runners.....wear a full face helmet and full body armour.   Damn killer machines.... 

[miker]

I still cant reckon how you did what you did......Still owe you a Ruths Chris dinner too....

[Vyscera]

DOT helmet, leather jacket, gloves and boots all the time. First accident my gear protected me well. I rode one day in a long sleeve and leather vest, met with a ford excursion and now have the scars to show which areas were protected and which werent. Yes DOD policy requires gear for me, but I exceed that requirement due to experience. And not wanting any more metal fixtures.