Well, we've all heard it a million times, but since I still often see people riding with out any protective gear (not even a helmet), I'll say it again...

If you refuse to wear any other protective gear...AT LEAST WEAR A HELMET!!!

You all know the story...I was flying down an "easy" dirt road...the upcoming turn was just a tad tighter than it looked...loose gravel on the road...big tree heading straight at me...

It was clear that a "get off" was inevitable, and sure enough, off I came. Flying.

After what seemed like forever, my body finally came to a stop (at this point, I wasn't sure where my 300EX was). I was going at least 40 mph when I was thrown off the bike. If you have never had a bad wreck like this...let me tell you, it is very scary. Never will you fell more out of control than when you are skidding and bouncing on the road at 40 mph. Once you finally stop, it is very quiet...it takes a few seconds for you to realize exactly what happened. Every part of my body hurt...bad. I did a quick "limb check", and it seemed like all my parts were still with me, and none seemed broken. I began to realize that my head was really pounding, so I took off my helmet. The front was scraped up really bad, and the shell was cracked from the impact. I, however, was unharmed. I dusted myself off, found my quad, and rode back to my house. I had had enough riding for the day...

I always ride with long pants, long sleeve shirt, gloves, riding boots, and a full face helmet. I feel quite certain that I would be in the hospital right now (assuming I lived through it) had I not been wearing this equipment, especially the helmet.

Don't wait until you have a "get off" to realize that you NEED this equipment. Just think of it as part of the cost of owning a quad. Put it on a credit card and pay $10 a month if you have to...IT'S WORTH IT.

Anyway, there's my story. If it prompts one person to buy a helmet, it was worth all the typing (I can't type for crap). For those smart enough to already be wearing helmets...well, I hope it was an interesting story!

 

Good story, I think everyone needs to hear these horror stories every now and again to remind us why we should be wearing our helmets.

 

I just reminded myself yesterday how happy I am that I wear a helmet. I flipped over backwards climbing a hill and the 4-wheeler hit me right in the head on it's first roll. What would that be like without a lid on...Some people are just stupid.

 

I just reminded myself yesterday how happy I am that I wear a helmet. I flipped over backwards climbing a hill and the 4-wheeler hit me right in the head on it's first roll. What would that be like without a lid on...Some people are just stupid.

 

The guy I ride with was backing his 400ex out of his truck when one off his homemade wooden ramps broke. He & the quad rolled over & hit my truck. Luckily the handlebar missed his head.

The point I am getting at is you NEVER know when something can happen, even unloading, so wear that HELMET.

The excuse I can't afford a helmet is bunk. If you can afford a quad then you can afford a helmet.

 

I agree 100% with you! I would be dead if I didn't ALWAYS wear my helmet. I ride horses as well, and I always wear a helmet then, too. Ride safe!

 

for another wear your helmet story see oh my goodness in this honda forum.

 

Just Saturday one of my friends came around a curve and hit some gravel on his motorcycle, and laid it down on the pavement. He was wearing a helmet, and the helmet is completely ruined. It doesn't take much contact with pavement to sand down a helmet, good thing he was wearing it. His head is ok, but he is going to have a few skin grafts to replace the skin the pavement rubbed off on other parts of his body. Really fortunate he didn't end up with a lot of broke bones or worse. Was running about 45MPH.

 

A little unrelated but true.
October 18, 1992 I day I will never forget! I had a 1981 Kawasaki KZ550 LTD. I left town on a cold day so I wore my Bell Wedge Helmet. I got on the highway and set the cruise at 60 and about 10 seconds leter a pickup ran a stop sign. I locked the rear wheel but that didn't help. I slammed into the truck broadside. I hit so hard the truck was totalled my bike was crushed and my body was pretty torn up! I shattered my pelvis (broke in 11 places) My left femur (thigh bone) was sticking through my pants. I got lower back injury, internal injuries and a crack in my skull! I spent 2 weeks and 2 days in the hospital and another 8 weeks on my back. After 4 surguries, I ended up with more metal in me than on a Buick! One month walking with a walker and crutches and a few more months having to use a cane for support. But I lived to tell the story thanks to my helmet! But, in March of that year I was back on a snowmobile riding slow! (that WAS a mistake) Two years later I bought a Honda Shadow and I hated it! So I traded it for a 95 300 EX. Now I have a 2000 300 EX and am planning to try a little racing this year! I need plenty of protective gear to protect some of my past injuries and to give me a little comfort that I will not get hurt as bad if I go down. So basically If you ride anything, get the equipment to save your skin and bones! The more the better! Also do not be cheap when it comes to buying gear. Always think about this: What is my head and body worth, much more than all riding gear put together right?
Ride Safe this season!
Jason

 

This a wear your safety gear story. I was messing around on my 98 blaster trying to climb a steep rocky creek embankement the rear tires started spining and then hooked up the biked looped out I fell down the embankement and the bike rolled right over me I was not injured just a little shaken the blaster's bars where bent but that was nothing. my freind (who was on my dads 300ex) and I went home I took off my FOX chest protector and it had a huge dent in the back of it where I landed on a rock. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN MY BACK OUCH!!!!!! I always wear my alpinestar tech 7 boots my FOX chest protector blue jeans a long sleeve shirt HJc full face helmet my fox gloves scott goggles or smith roll offs and I never ever ride double.