I totally disagree with this statement. Our lives affect everyone around us. Our children, our family, our friends..... How am I going to provide for my family when I'm paralized, blind, or dead due to being stupid? Then there are your buddies who are totally inconvienienced when you hurt yourself, and they have to help you out.
I'm not saying to always play it safe.. by NO stretch!! I'm a total adrenaline junkie!! I work hard, and I play hard!! I ride my Hayabusa at 150+, I race cars, I sky dive, I ride my P700 fast.. BUT, I wear my protective gear.. especially a helmet and goggles. And YES.... I see anyone that see's a known risk, and doesn't take precautions for that risk, as stupid! In my lifetime, I've personally seen 18 people die right in front of me, due to being stupid!

One comment another guy said says it all.. it's the natural selection... stupid people are the reason we have the Darwin awards, or idiot warning labels... traffic accidents... drunk driving.... drug abuse... alcoholics... and the list goes on and on and on....

 

I agree with the statement that it is everyone's choice whether or not to wear helmuts. But, coming at it from another point of view, we are in the midst of possibly loosing some legal riding in Western Mass. This was one of the reasons (amungst others) that the Environmental Police used in their argument (not following the rules/injuries). If you are on your own land, I don't see a problem, but if you are at "public" places, I think the "rules" need to be followed.

By the way, I wear mine except when I load/unload/ride from the shed to the truck. It's the example I want to set for my kids.

 

You mistaking the difference between me stating my opinion of wearing a helmet or not, and giving a crap if you live or die. I couldn't care less if you kill yourself while riding or any other means. I'm just stating my opinion, and facts as to why I think safety gear is important. All the gear has saved me on many MANY occassions. Do what you want, I could care less.. now if it's my family, or kids.... yea.. they will wear it or not ride with me.. period!!

As for wrecking my sportbike at 150.. actually I've wrecked it at 135, and yes, the safety gear is what saved my life and limbs. My bug suit, helmet, backpad, boots, kevlar gloves all worked as they were supposed to. All I got out of it was a bunch of bruises. So unless you have a clue as to what your talking about.. you shouldn't be talking at all!! Why do you think we wear all the gear while racing?.. for the looks?? Why are there rollcages, safety harness's, fire suits, neck pads ... PROTECTION!! I treat my P700 no differently when I go out riding with my family or friends any different then I would if I were taking it out racing... I don't see the racing or riding fast or any other high adrenaline sprot as stupid... hey, it's what makes us feel alive!! But it's doing it wrecklessly (out of control), or not paying attention to basic safety is what is VERY STUPID!!

As just to clarify.. I'm NOT WORRIED if you live or die.. wear a helmet or not... Frankly, I could care less!! I'm just stating my opinion...

 

Also, I was giving BASIC examples as to how simple things (such as a tossed rock, or tree limb), can cause major problems if your not wearing protective gear.

I could give a hundred examples why it's smart to wear protective gear.. can you give me any intellegent reasons why it's smart to NOT wear it??

 

II'm curious, where are you riding your sport bike at the speed? Is it at a track or just out on an ordinary raod. Just out of curosity.

 

So far I am still riding in the Rhino.

"As just to clarify.. I'm NOT WORRIED if you live or die.. wear a helmet or not... Frankly, I could care less!!"

I have never met a single person in these forums. I would never want to see or hear of anyone of you being hurt or killed, no matter how bad we disagree. Well that’s not true, a few weeks ago someone threatened my family and my feelings for him is a little different.

I just don't feel the same way some of you do. I know everyone is safer wearing a helmet; we just don't like wearing them period. They take from the enjoyment of the ride. Sorry if it offends you.

 

I've raced at many tracks such as Mid-Ohio, Virginia Motor Speedway, Laguna Seca... I dumped it at Mid-Ohio.... I got rearended braking for a fast corner and tried to recover but ended up dropping it. I do ride fast on low traffic roads between farms etc ... but not on normal highways.

 

{Specta} I'm not offended at all... I'm more then happy to agree to disagree.

I too wouldn't WANT to see any hurt in motorsports, but really when you've been around it as long as I have, you really don't worry about it. It always happens, and it's 99% of the time the bone heads being stupid are the ones who got hurt or hurt someone else in the process. I started go-cart racing at 5yrs old, then motorcross, SCCA sport cars, Superbike racing, demolition derby's, drag racing (cars and bikes), pulling trucks and modified tractors, I even drove for one season in sprint cars..... I also spent 3 yrs on the flightdeck of an Aircraft carrier... and all my experience.. it's the safety gear is what allows us to enjoy the extreme sports we do. Sure, it's dangerous, but common sense, control, and the right safety gear will keep you alive.

Happy trails!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

back to the (do you where a helmet question) [yes] all the time because you never know when a crash can occur that helmet might be a little troubly sometimes but in a crash it could be the difference between life and death.

 

When I was just alittle teenager I wiped out my dirt bike on pavement and if it had not been for my helmet I would not be here today as a functioning adult rather then vegetable, I walked away that one with out some skin but the helmet was scraped down thin on the backside and cracked, that would of been my skull if not for the helmet. Now that I ride quads I seem to have forgotten that little episode in growing up, I figure I am going alot slower and don't need one but that is false, I have crashed more on my fourwheeler then ever on my dirt bike. I know I am supposed to wear one for my safety as well as now that I have family to take care of and my little boy is getting a quad here soon and I want him to wear one so I am buying a helmet for me. When he rides with me I make sure he has a helmet as he helpless on how I control the quad and I give him every chance to walk away if I am stupid. Regardless how fast I am going or how well i think I am control I give them the chance to grow up normal and allow them the chance to raise kids of their own. I figure my kids don't know whats right and wrong and make the decisions for them until they are old enough to make sound judgment, that should be around 18 I think. Alaska has helmet choice law but for the passenger it is mandatory and riding double is not illegal unless the passenger lacks a helmet. So I say I will wear a helmet and so will my kids, period, no other answer. I expect my kids to wear one so will I as well as my wife. Now for RhinooffRoad, it is everybodys choice to agree and disagree on subjects, you made your choices and that are your choices and I have made mine, I agree people should keep on thier side of the fence and mind their own business, but when you post pictures on your site showing kids sitting in the back of you Rhino it gives the anti-atv crowd ammo, may I suggest an option? Post it as family taking a rest and family photo oppurtunity. Now dont go and slam me, I respect you for getting your family into the atving experience and taking time to include your whole family. So many guys leave the family home and take off for the day a weekend and forget about their kids and wives when you can include them in the fun, yeah you might not be able to go fast and far because your kids will get tired and you feel that you did not have a good ride, but remember your kids will grow up and move away or find other interest and you will have lost that oppurtunity to experience your kids growing up and when it is gone its gone, can't go back. Make your choices and stand by them. AlaskaBoy.