I agree with most of Thumper's post. But not the parts that mention 'suicide' or 'death by accident'. Death is the easy way out of an accident. At least if the other option is a head injury. I will probably shame myself here, but that really doesn't bother me. Before getting too upset, read the next paragraph carefully and think about what it means.

I am a better then some other riders, and far better then most. That doesn't mean all other riders, so anybody can put themselves in that select group. This is based on my years riding, and racing, off road. And 40+ years, but only a few hundred thousand miles due to riding in big city traffic, of riding in an area that allows for riding 24/7/365. I only mention this to prevent the posts about my lack of skill or any charge that I'm scared. I bet that happens anyway.

My last desert race ended badly. When I woke up 6 weeks later, I had no memories of my last race, or the prior 4 years. After learning how to roll over, sit up, talk, walk, etc. I spent a few years recovering. While these skills were easier to learn(relearn) at age 21 then when I was a child, I will never be proficient enough at them that people will not immediately recognize I have a problem.

Eventually I returned to college, changed my major from Political Science(pre law) to computer science, and worked for a couple of decades as a programmer/analyst. It wasn't Silicon Valley money, but I earned enough to allow me to not work and instead help my parents after they became old and infirm. My life wasn't bad, by most standards it was pretty good, but if I had a chance to do it over I wouldn't bother.

I mention this because my injuries occured off road while wearing a DOT FF helmet. It would be easy to receive the same injuries during a minor fender bender, or slip in some water while turning a corner, and riding without a helmet. So if wearing a helmet for a few minutes, or hours, at a time is really that bad then don't wear it. Just don't depend on an accident, and possible head injury, ending your life. It might begin a new life.

I was lucky enough to already be in college and planning on a career that didn't involve too much 'work'. My job then, working for Pizza Hut, was and is beyond my ability. Just as a lot, most(?) jobs, would be. Or perhaps the lucky part was that my injury didn't impair me intellectually. Head injuries can be much worse. FLAME ON!

Ron

 

When it's cold, warm riders wear'em

 

Seriously go tell them to **** themselves. Do whatever you want and don't care what anyone else says. Some Harley owners feel that their are rules to own a Harley. Well unless they bought your Harley and they're paying you to ride the thing no one can tell you what to do, or what is and what is not appropriate. Harley owners also will tell you real men ride Harley's. I own a yamaha sportbike and a Harley Softail Slim. I love my Harley more than I probably should, but Its nice to ride other things too. Harley certainly doesnt get everything right when it comes to bikes just like Harley riders don't know everything about everything

 

I have a FF and a half. I wear what I need depending on the ride. Short ride I wear the half. Long rides, bad weather I like the full. Do what is best for you. I know some guys don't like helmets. That's fine this is your life. But I want to wear the helmet. I see the value in it.

 

Ok I have my FF helmet in a bag on the Shelf ..For cold rides.. I have arthritis In my Neck back so the FF and 1/2 Helmet is too heavy for long painful rides. I have the novelty helmet to hold my baseball cap on.. Living in Florida , I am still asked why I wear a helmet after all the Rider went thru to have them Rider choice.. I lost a friend not long ago that hit a concrete telephone pole in a corner.. He was wearing a full face helmet looked nice in the Open Casket Service.. If it is your time , it doesn't matter what you are wearing. So wear what you want.. I always wore the FF on my Busa because it was hard to keep the speed down below 150+. Glasses kept trying to blow off wearing a half helmet... I have had 2 serious accidents so I didn't like skinned up hands. and always wear Gloves.. Ouch !!

 

A (helmetless) friend asked me if I had a Guardian Bell to protect me.

I said, "No, I have a Full Face Bell".

 

Obviously those who ride without a DOT helmet or none at all feel invincible or have nothing worth protecting. Living in North Central OK and riding in the summer at 100+ deg F is uncomfortable but not a bad as recovering from road rash or bashed head.
09 XR1200
05 DL 650 Suz
78 R100/7 BMW

 

I used to wear a half until I saw a guy go down HARD. Full face ever since.

 

Everyone is entitled to there own opinion. However no one but you is on that motorcycle. You wear what is comfortable and mentally gives you peace of mind. Be a leader not a follower. I wear a FF all year round, around town or 1000 miles from home. Haha what do I care what others say, I have nothing to prove and neither do you.

 

I went to a bike night last Thursday and there was well over 100 Harleys there, 1 Boss Hog and 1 Triumph. what I didn't expect to see was over half of the Harley's had Full Face helmets sitting on them, some even painted to match the theme of the bikes they were on.