What difference does it make?  Isn't one of the reason we ride is for our individuality?  So who are you to judge what another rider wears?

This thread was doing ok for a helmet thread until a couple of posts ago.

Personally I think I look like  a dork no matter what I have on but I don't care. Just got my full face helmet for the road trip. WOW!!! Going highway speed is now easy. I knew it would be a difference but had no idea how much. Coming off the highway and sitting at a stop light is no fun but that's the way it goes.

How do those guys ride at 70 mph with no helmet, jacket or long sleeves?  I certainly can't. And I don't feel right on the interstate without full leathers. Are they actually able to see when they stop or do those glass eyeballs self lubricate?

My preference is for full face, full leathers. But that's just me.

ALittlebird wrote on 06/14/08 at 10:41:59:
It's real easy -- you hop on the bike and ride.  It is all a matter of what you are willing to tolerate.

Last Sept. 12th I rolled out of Los Angeles, t-shirt, beanie, goggles.  It was a balmy morning so the leather jacket was packed in the left saddlebag.  When I crossed into Arizona the beanie came off and was stowed between the windscreen and handlebar.  Did 570 miles the first day, about 510 the second.  SPF-45 to block the sun, goggles to block the wind, about as close to heaven as you can get this side of death.

I ride the bike to be out in the elements.  WHY would I want to cover up?

I read the link Gort posted (near the beginning of this post) and it was very interesting.  I also like to use webbikeworld as a resource for helmet reviews

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm

I, personally, have a open face HJC that I like, and I bought a full face for  riding in the evening or in cooler weather, and since it is so comfy, I may just use it daily.  It's a Scorpion exo 400.  Super nice helmet, and excellent pricing.  I also purchased a Bell Sprint, but that helmet was awfully uncomfortable (didn't help that I ordered one size too small)  The Scorpion really did it for me.  Comfy and felt light.  Didn't squish my ears like the Bell helmet did.

Mr 650 wrote on 06/14/08 at 09:38:15:


No. Those with the maturity to realize they call it "pain" for a reason wear that stuff.  

I'm old enough and heal slowly enough that a simple road rash can lay me up for some time. Why should I refuse to shift the odds when it is so easy to do so?

Even though I am older, my brain is still agile enough, and my point of view flexible enough to adopt technological advances. I don't wear leather here in the Nevada summers. Mesh is a great innovation.

Guys, guys, guys, (and gals)

This thread is teetering on the edge of taking a nasty turn. Everyone seems to have pretty strong feelings about THEIR level of protection. The original poster on this thread was looking for information, or consensus. Only he knows for sure.  In the end, everyone has to make the choice that he/she feels best suits them, and keeps Johnny Law off their back.

Perhaps it's best if we consider this issue to be like motor oil and toothpaste. Let's celebrate what we have in common; a love for riding and a love for our Savages.

Ride safe,
Jay

Jay wrote on 06/14/08 at 19:31:08:


Thanks for mentioning the gals
I was almost smart enough to completely stay out of this topic though

ASince I included the particulars, including that the first crash, WITH a helmet woulda sure killt me, I figure my input is well balanced.
The second crash, I managed to not hit my head, but was hospitalized when I broke the handlebars with the thigh/torso area.
The third crash, YES HJC Modular, my face slammed into the cab corner, No helmet> No face, maybe dead, certainly critical, SO, what did we learn>

A helmet CAN Kill you, it can make NO Difference at all & it CAN save your  LIFE, so, YOU do what YOU want. Ive lived thru all 3 & I wear a helmet,  HJC modular.