I have not even tried to pull all the stats I did when i was laid up, but the info I did find then showed that it was about 50/50 for survival when wearing a helmet and not.
But, like I said, the stats can be misleading. That number takes into account all wrecks and only divides them into who lived and who died and who wore a helmet and who didn't. It did not get into other things, like speed and type of impact. A lot of those riders would have been killed regardless of helmet use or lack there of. Biker's with helmets on are killed everyday.
In the other web page it mentions that "80 percent of all motorcycle crashes result in injury or death to the motorcyclist." They don't even mention helmets in that statement, and that is just my point. Read Snell's website and all the controversy over the Snell testing methods. The helmet will make sure your head looks pretty for the wake....in a high impact collision. Some of the supposedly "not as good" helmets with a DOT rating will actually protect you better in a lower impact crash than a Snell approved helmet.

P.S. If Indian Larry had worn one, he would probably still be with us.

 

Not sure where you're coming from but if you need to know, full leathers, i.e. leather overpants, jacket, boots, gloves (not fingerless).

 

LOL I tried to find a pic of a robo-biker to show you what I meant. I was talking about the "if it offers protection, I'll wear it" statement. I know and see some crotch rocket guys that go nuts with that stuff. I'm thinking it's more of fashion statement for most of them....one that I'm not trying to make. LOL
In all seriousness though, you really wear full leathers and gloves in the summer when you ride? I don't. My safety gear consists of boots, jeans, brain and helmet. The leather jacket, chaps and gloves I reserve for cold weather.

P.S. no fingerless gloves LOL

 

Yes, for the most part I do. At my age I figure if I go down I want as little damage done as possible and as shortest recovery time as possible. Not at all concerned about fashion police. If I'm going around the corner to the neighborhood market I might not but that'll be the time it'll happen. In all seriousness.

 

Personally, I'm an ATGATT rider because it suits me, it's my posterior, my head, my bike. Concerning types of helmets, I mentioned this one that I'm curious about in a previous thread - http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motor...shark-evoline/ . Seems to give the best of a couple of worlds, but still not sure about it.

Bill

 

I can understand that. I just noticed where you are also. You don't have the scorching heat and dripping humidity like we do here in Florida.

BSEA, what's a ATGATT rider?

 

I'm familiar with the humidity but what is this "heat" you talk about?

And if I were in a warmer climate state I'd still be wearing either the Kevlar type jeans or equivalent and mesh jackets with armor.

 

LOL It's this stuff that we have here in the south that makes air cooled engines struggle a bit.

 

ATGATT....All the gear all the time. I do the same

Real riders don't bother with who wears what. The "weekend warriors" who get together put on their "bad *** biker" clothes and their "attitudes" then act like riders are the ones who deserve to be laughed at.

Decide what your head is worth. Despite what has been said the majority of motorcycle incidents involve head injuries and not all but the majority of those would have been avoided or reduced with a helmet. I think you are kidding yourself if you think riding for a while until you are "comfortable" is going to make a helmet unnecessary.

 

You have chosen one of the most dangerous ways to move your body around.
I have a sport bike I do all the gear on that bike because I push it to some limits.
But all that gear really deadens the sensation of what I think in the winds about.
I love riding the Harley without the skid lid and will not be scared into wearing it.
That said I have been in a bad crash that split my helmet into and took a kneecap off and broke a femur bone.
So you have to decide for yourself what freedoms worth