Is a helmet actually necessary?

**want-a-harley** · 3rd February 2009, 17:58

Well of course it is but in 2 days I have seen 3 people on bikes with out a helmet.

Saw one guy on Otara Road last night booting along, noticed that he was just in shorts/t-shirt etc. Took me a second to notice he had no helmet as well.

Today at the new world in Birkenhead a rider with pillion leaving, both without helmets (or any other gear obviously).

Next recipient of the darwin awards?

**sunhuntin** · 3rd February 2009, 18:17

i saw a scooter the other week... 2 people on it, no helmets on either. mums seen whats likely the same pair on the other side of town. she noticed the lack of footwear, dad noticed the no helmets.

admittedly, i have done a short jaunt with my partner with both of us helmet free. it was literally 2 mins in total, but the best fun ive ever had on the bike, lol.

**AD345** · 3rd February 2009, 18:22

If you crash without a helmet you will die

except for the time when I did and I didn't (although the bike did).

Helmets protect your head

except for the time when my visor cracked and gouged great chunks out of my face.

**jrandom** · 3rd February 2009, 18:23

Helmet laws are just the Man trying to keep you down, man. Fight the power, ride naked.

**breakaway** · 3rd February 2009, 18:43

Just leave it be. I say we take all the restrictions off, take the warning labels off everything, and let the problem sort itself out.

**98tls** · 3rd February 2009, 18:47

Helmet necessary?Not really in NZ as many have there head so far up there arse that a decent set of leathers is probably a better bet.

**carlosliu** · 3rd February 2009, 18:50

Only ride a bike for two weeks, I was already hit by stones 3 times at 80+kph. Two on the visor, one on side. I just can't imagine the injury if no helmet on my head.

**Gubb** · 3rd February 2009, 18:55

Originally Posted by jrandom

Helmet laws are just the Man trying to keep you down, man. Fight the power, ride naked.

The Man(tm) made me keep my pants on, now that I have tasted freedom, I want more!

**Motu** · 3rd February 2009, 18:59

Originally Posted by want-a-harley

Saw one guy on Otara Road last night booting along, noticed that he was just in shorts/t-shirt etc. Took me a second to notice he had no helmet as well.

Can you confirm he was dead the next morning....or the morning after that?

**Taz** · 3rd February 2009, 19:11

Originally Posted by carlosliu

Only ride a bike for two weeks, I was already hit by stones 3 times at 80+kph. Two on the visor, one on side. I just can't imagine the injury if no helmet on my head.

Yeah but at least you wouldn't have a chipped visor and helmet

**McJim** · 3rd February 2009, 19:13

As has been said - a helmet is only necessary when you crash - I find mine useful for keeping pot plants in.....

**Drunken Monkey** · 3rd February 2009, 19:15

Originally Posted by jrandom

...Fight the power, ride naked.

I think you mean 'nekkid'. Naked is a bike with the fairings off. 'Nekkid' is a person with the fairings off.

**P38** · 3rd February 2009, 19:24

I seen a guy who was riding a Buell wearing no helmet just last year.

He was laying on the road beside his wrecked bike with part of his brain oozing out at the time.

Not nice.

He bloody lived too.

**Outlaw_Torn** · 3rd February 2009, 19:26

Originally Posted by carlosliu

Only ride a bike for two weeks, I was already hit by stones 3 times at 80+kph. Two on the visor, one on side. I just can't imagine the injury if no helmet on my head.

Same here! had to ride around with no visor for a while and that was bad enough... then face planted the road at speed after going over a ute... fark that! bad enough what little injuries i did get out of it. needless to say the helmets poked... well and truly. My opinion.... people that ride without helmets are dipshits and should jump off a cliff to avoid the time delay between now and getting killed on the road...