Did you know...

**Brownbikerbabe** · 7th March 2008, 12:13

I just came back from a business/pleasure trip...well pleasure trip first from Florida. I rented a Harley 883 that had been converted to a 1200cc with a Screamin' Eagle engine. Yes, fast. I took my full face helmet with me, already kissed the road once with a half helmet and so now its full face all the way for me.

Anyway, I was so freaked out by the fact that there is no helmet law in Florida. All the locals ride without helmets. Saw a guy whizz by me on a sport bike with absolutely no helmet and no leathers, he must have been doing at least 110mph on the highway. It just makes me shake my head. The transplant rate in Florida must be good, that is if there is anything left to be transplanted.

Did anyone know this or am I the only one with my jaw on the ground.

**Str8 Jacket** · 7th March 2008, 12:22

Originally Posted by Brownbabe

Did anyone know this or am I the only one with my jaw on the ground.

Yep, I had a guy in my team who was from Florida and when I used to ride a bike to work with full gear he would always laugh at me and tell me how great it was where he was cause they didnt have to wear a helmet etc.... I told him about the crashes that I had and how lucky I was to have at least been wearing a helmet but he just didnt get it. Each to their own I reckon but I would cringe if I saw someone riding that fast without any gear and I would be praying that I didnt have to come across an accident site where someone hadnt been wearing gear, especially a helmet. Could you imagine the mess they must leave behind?!

**ManDownUnder** · 7th March 2008, 12:26

I have to admit I would never do that but if big people want to make those choices (so long as they are informed) then c'est la vie.

Of interest - where di you go/rent the bike? I'm going to Miami Beach for October... and I'm keen to find something to ride.

Cheers!
MDU

**sunhuntin** · 7th March 2008, 12:50

common as mud over there... one of my favourite online buddies lives in florida [in the keys i think] and another lives not far from him. they both take photos when they ride, and they are always filled with shots of riders actually feeling the wind and having fun. the full gear only comes out when the weather has a bite.

not many decades ago, we also had the choice of whether to ride with or without a lid, and some here would have ridden without. they are still alive. if i had the choice, id go without as well. hell, id go to florida just to try it. but then, ive done levin to southwards in a hoodie... aint many limits to what i will wear on the open road.

**AJ'** · 7th March 2008, 23:32

i was riding a 125cc scooter and wearing a half-face helmet last year

at that time i thought there's no point for me to wear a full face helmet as i wouldnt go that fast

a friend of mine once said to me: "does any drop of your brain worth more than wot u gota pay for a full helmet with well known brand"??

i then joined the Shark family almost immediately after he told me that

i really cant understand why wouldnt those countries setup a road code or regulations for bikers...to create an awareness of how important those bulky stuffs are and emphasis the road safety

**AJ'** · 7th March 2008, 23:43

by the way, if any of those guys had been to Taiwan, they should'v known how important to have a helmet on all the time...

ye helmets are essential for Taiwan bikers to survive in the heavy traffic (u'll see thousands of bikes squeezing each other around u), and awful blacktop~~

the road condition sucks in TW, dont know if there's any improvement after i left Taiwan 8 yrs ago, but....

they wear helmets~

**dipshit** · 8th March 2008, 10:12

It looks like Florida went from compulsory helmet used to "the right to decide" in 2000.

http://home1.gte.net/res0ak9f/bike.htm

"In Florida, for example, fatalities increased by 81% during a three-year period after the state repealed its law in 2000. Riders who ride without a helmet are required to carry $10,000 worth of insurance, but that $10,000 is often used up in the first 30 minutes of trauma care. Hospital costs for motorcycle-related injuries soared to $44 million in the 30 months after the law was reversed, versus $21 million over a similar span while the law was in effect. Less than 10% of the motorcycle riders involved in these accidents had insurance of any kind to provide medical care."

The BROZN dick heads here were also pushing for the "the right to decide" a few years ago.

**McDuck** · 8th March 2008, 17:49

Originally Posted by dipshit

It looks like Florida went from compulsory helmet used to "the right to decide" in 2000.

http://home1.gte.net/res0ak9f/bike.htm

"In Florida, for example, fatalities increased by 81% during a three-year period after the state repealed its law in 2000. Riders who ride without a helmet are required to carry $10,000 worth of insurance, but that $10,000 is often used up in the first 30 minutes of trauma care. Hospital costs for motorcycle-related injuries soared to $44 million in the 30 months after the law was reversed, versus $21 million over a similar span while the law was in effect. Less than 10% of the motorcycle riders involved in these accidents had insurance of any kind to provide medical care."

The BROZN dick heads here were also pushing for the "the right to decide" a few years ago.

I am all for the right to decide. I will just decide to wear helmet.

**Usarka** · 8th March 2008, 18:31

More accidents = more medical staff = more jobs = better economy.

just like 'merica. (hmmm)

**McDuck** · 8th March 2008, 18:41

Originally Posted by Usarka

More accidents = more medical staff = more jobs = better economy.

just like 'merica. (hmmm)

That would be the way.

It would also be a fantastic way for the morons to self eliminate.

**dipshit** · 8th March 2008, 19:07

Originally Posted by Mcduck5n

It would also be a fantastic way for the morons to self eliminate.

The trouble is a good percentage (like 50%) of motorcyclists are morons. They need saving from themselves.

**McDuck** · 8th March 2008, 19:08

Originally Posted by dipshit

The trouble is a good percentage (like 50%) of motorcyclists are morons. They need saving from themselves.

Why should we?

**dipshit** · 8th March 2008, 19:30

Originally Posted by Mcduck5n

Why should we?

Because the carnage on the roads becomes horrendous.

This cost us all directly and socially.

It has also lead to some of the big motor industry safety watchdogs in the US and Europe seeing the only way to reduce the carnage is to ban bikes altogether.