A different kind of helmet thread
#71
02-19-2018 | 06:52 PM
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 865
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From: on the move
For me it was because of the way the wind hits you when you ride.
I wore a full face that I had when I had a sportbike, thought anything less was stupid. Then I pulled out into traffic on my Harley with my visor up and literally said, "What is that?!"
I had ridden a bit with my visor up before on a Sportbike, spent most of my time choking on the air if that makes any sense. But it simply hits completely different on a Harley.
Only thing that felt better was no helmet. Yeah I know, doesn't change the experience of it.
I wore a full face that I had when I had a sportbike, thought anything less was stupid. Then I pulled out into traffic on my Harley with my visor up and literally said, "What is that?!"
I had ridden a bit with my visor up before on a Sportbike, spent most of my time choking on the air if that makes any sense. But it simply hits completely different on a Harley.
Only thing that felt better was no helmet. Yeah I know, doesn't change the experience of it.
#72
02-19-2018 | 08:29 PM
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 77
Likes: 57
From: USA
Yup.
Went on a HOG chapter ride Saturday, up US 12 toward Lolo Pass. Had lunch at the Lochsa Lodge. Awesome, gourmet-worthy food, btw, if you're ever up that way. Oh, and they're open all year, and there's a one-pump gas station there. Good to know!
So, it was basically a steady 102 degrees all the way back to Lowell, where it went a few degrees higher until we stopped in Kamiah. (If you ain't from these parts, that's pronounced "kam-eee-eye".)
As I'm fond of saying, I may be riding a Harley, but I'm not a "Harley rider". Jesus dirtbiking Christ, you should have seen the rest of the group when we stopped. They're pulling off their cheap, black, helmets, that flow no air, their hair is soaked with sweat, their faces are beet red, and sweat is rolling down their faces. They're wearing black leather jackets, ("But I have the vents unzipped!"), and the standard black leather chaps. They're buying bottles of water and pouring water over their heads and down into their jeans. Woooooo!!
I'm wearing a cooling vest under my (light colored, hi-viz) full mesh jacket, (light colored, hi-viz), mesh-backed gloves, and a (light colored, hi-viz), not-black helmet that flows a lot of air. I've been drinking my cool water, not pouring it on my head and my (not) steaming crotch.
I'm as comfortable as I can be, I'm not even sweating. I'm ready to go ride, they're all ready for heat stroke.
And, no, they didn't look "badass".
Went on a HOG chapter ride Saturday, up US 12 toward Lolo Pass. Had lunch at the Lochsa Lodge. Awesome, gourmet-worthy food, btw, if you're ever up that way. Oh, and they're open all year, and there's a one-pump gas station there. Good to know!
So, it was basically a steady 102 degrees all the way back to Lowell, where it went a few degrees higher until we stopped in Kamiah. (If you ain't from these parts, that's pronounced "kam-eee-eye".)
As I'm fond of saying, I may be riding a Harley, but I'm not a "Harley rider". Jesus dirtbiking Christ, you should have seen the rest of the group when we stopped. They're pulling off their cheap, black, helmets, that flow no air, their hair is soaked with sweat, their faces are beet red, and sweat is rolling down their faces. They're wearing black leather jackets, ("But I have the vents unzipped!"), and the standard black leather chaps. They're buying bottles of water and pouring water over their heads and down into their jeans. Woooooo!!
I'm wearing a cooling vest under my (light colored, hi-viz) full mesh jacket, (light colored, hi-viz), mesh-backed gloves, and a (light colored, hi-viz), not-black helmet that flows a lot of air. I've been drinking my cool water, not pouring it on my head and my (not) steaming crotch.
I'm as comfortable as I can be, I'm not even sweating. I'm ready to go ride, they're all ready for heat stroke.
And, no, they didn't look "badass".
"After our HOG ride today we were at lunch and this guy dressed like a highlighter pen was staring at people's crotches"
#73
02-19-2018 | 08:53 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Great State of Texas
#75
02-19-2018 | 09:07 PM
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Joined: Mar 2017
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From: New Jersey
#76
02-19-2018 | 09:48 PM
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 117
Likes: 20
From: Downingtown, PA
To each their own I guess. For me, its not about fear. I just value my life and have too much to loose. We know our hobby is dangerous. I have a responsibility to my family to protect myself best I can. I guess if something happened to my wife I would not value my own life as much and might stop wearing one or wear one of those useless half helmets or something.
I don't judge others who choose not to wear helmets in my home state of Pennsylvania. Besides we always need more organ donors...
John
Another Very Happy M8 Owner!
I don't judge others who choose not to wear helmets in my home state of Pennsylvania. Besides we always need more organ donors...
John
Another Very Happy M8 Owner!
#77
02-19-2018 | 10:00 PM
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 111
From: British Columbia
#78
02-19-2018 | 10:05 PM
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
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#79
02-19-2018 | 10:09 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Great State of Texas
I love my FF Shoei. I wear contacts so a FF is a must for me. The internal sun visor comes down like a blast shield and makes it nice during the daytime with the face shield up. It's a little hot in the warmer weather but worth it to me for the face / chin protection. May not look as cool for riding a Harley but honestly. I just don't GAF.
#80
02-19-2018 | 10:14 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: 48.067222,12.863611
Most will deny it, but it's usually about vanity and image. Fitting in with everyone else.
I started wearing a helmet last year while in MN (no helmet) state for the first time in 15 years and 125K miles of riding. Full face. Glad I started too.
I always say, wearing a helmet is like fVcking with a condom....it's not nearly as fun, but it's a heck of a lot safer.
I started wearing a helmet last year while in MN (no helmet) state for the first time in 15 years and 125K miles of riding. Full face. Glad I started too.
I always say, wearing a helmet is like fVcking with a condom....it's not nearly as fun, but it's a heck of a lot safer.