Lately as I've looked around I'm noticing more riders wearing 3/4 or full-face helmets.
And I'm talking cruiser riders.
In the past, I hardly ever saw them wear these, they'd only wear half-helmets, or novelty helmets. Today, I want to say that 50% of the cruiser riders I see are wearing 3/4 or full face helmets now.
And that's here in Southern California. I don't know what it's like in other parts of the country.
California has a helmet law, but the law doesn't define how much of your head is supposed to be covered, only that the helmet is DOT approved.
So what does that say when riders are allowed to wear half-helmets yet opt to wear helmets that offer more protection? The way I look at it, it means the state can eliminate its helmet laws, and riders will still take care of their safety.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Riders Are Ditching Half-Helmets
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
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A vagabond who hauls a motorcycle around the country in a toy hauler, earning a living as a website developer. Can often be found where there's free Wi-Fi, craft beer, and/or public nudity. 
Most of the people I ride with wear half helmets, and, generally in my area, most Harley riders also wear half helmets. I'd estimate that less than 25 percent of Harley riders wear 3/4 or full helmets ... the percentage may be a bit higher for metric cruiser riders, but still less than 50 percent opt for more head coverage, by my unscientific survey. And it's colder in New England than Cali ... who'da thunk?
ReplyDeleteI prefer no helmet...But then I live in a No Helmet State.
ReplyDeleteForced to wear one..I'd wear an old style 3/4 helmet..just because it cuts down on the wind pull effect a half shell has.
Political power doesn't come from being a better biker. It comes from the ability to win elections.
ReplyDeleteWhen bikers shift their strategy from lobbying to campaign volunteering, they will get their rights back.
Half helmets seem to be very popular here in Texas. A lot of riders I know will wear a full or 3/4 when it is cold, but a 1/2 most of the time.
ReplyDeleteAs a Ciudad Juarez/El Paso rider (and always wearing a full faced modular), I see more cruisers wearing bandanas than the second most popular option of 1/2 helmets. I have, however, noticed that the number of cruisers wearing full faced helmets is increasing. Even on our local HOG rides, there is an increase in their usage - which is surpising considering the devil-may-care 1 percenter image shoved down our throats and so cherished by HD.
ReplyDeleteI switched from a beanie to a 3/4 a couple of years back. I decided that I look cool on my bike no matter what I'm wearing and that I wanted the added protection of a "real" helmet. For me, a helmet is equipment, not fashion.
ReplyDeleteAs far as not wearing a helmet at all goes, I did the no-helmet thing in my younger days, and the scars I got from it convinced me that helmets are a Good Thing.
I ride in TN and most i wouk have o say weekend riders mostly use the beanie or half.But people who really ride and spend time in the saddle use 3/4 or full face and there area lot of them here.My self i like he half for short ride on hot days but the 3/4 is the road use.I had a suuden stop a few yrs back and was thrown off my bike luckly i did a summersalt and landed on the back of my head and back the half did its job but as i think back on that day thats why spent the money on the 3/4.I feel more comfortable zipping down the road on fat bot and it helps wih the noise.It s really not that uncomfortable for the protection you get.
ReplyDeleteBeing more concerned about how cool you look, than protecting your head, seems pretty idiotic to me. As for having the "right" to be a brain injured patient, that's fine as long as you're able to foot the bill for medical care the rest of your life, and it doesn't get passed down with increased costs to everyone else.
ReplyDeleteTo hell with increased cost to everyone else.
DeleteAll this talk about protection in a crash. How about not crashing. I have known many guys that have been riding for years and have never been in any crash or accident. Instead of worrying about what kind of helmet you are wearing, worry about making sure you are a good safe rider. Don't get in accidents or crashes. Simple. to say that crashing is unavoidable is total bull. Maybe if you just buy a bike and were never taught by taking a safety course and learning how to ride, accidents can happen. but practice and be aware and avoid accidents.
DeleteYeah guys, listen to roguevampire and just don't get into accidents. All you idiots need to stop getting into crashes ON PURPOSE. Yeah you know all you guys crashing your motorcycles are just doing it for the attention and insurance money. Just a bunch of insecure criminals committing fraud. If you can't tell I'm totally joking and this girl roguevampire, because no man would call himself that, just won internet idiot of the day. That is unless she's trolling but if that's the case then she still wins internet idiot because that's terrible trolling. If she knows a bunch of guys who have ridden for years without an accident then that means everyone who rides should be able to avoid an accident forever ever, forever ever?!
DeleteWear what you want, you look good in any, full, mod, 3/4,1/2, whatever,
ReplyDeleteWear a helmet you don't want to become aorgan donor .
ReplyDeleteHelmet laws are unnecessary.
ReplyDeleteHelmets are a self regulating safety item.
If there is ANYTHING up inside that melon worth protecting, it will be wearing a helmet.