Did you or didn't you?

[90s]

... ride without a helmet in Rarotonga?

Just back from 2 weeks working out there and the form is that virtually no-one wears a helment, and riding two-up, in shorts and jandals (or barefoot) is the norm. Sometimes with a chicken. Most transport is by 125cc scooters (awesome under seat storage!) or RG125s, although there was a dude in long dreads knocking about on a Ninja 10 (which would be pretty fun).
Speed limit 40k but 60-70k done by most trucks, locals and bikes.

My point is here I would never ride without my full helmet, fox pro formas and armoured jacket - even to the dairy!
Also as the proud owner of road-rash up one leg courtousy of the Golf GTi that trashed me in the 80s I said I would never ride without strong protection again - cracked my AGV lid in half in that one and it was at 40k (although GTi police worked out had been doing 95 in 50k area)

Because everyone was doing it lidlless and carefree on R I did too - and I loved it!

Mind you, it was still pretty stupid.

Anyone use a lid there or did you all go fully ventilated?

[Disco Dan]

Never been there, never want to.

Would never ride without a lid and full gear.

[TLDV8]

... ride without a helmet in Rarotonga?

Was there in 1990 with the other half..
There to have fun not road race so tootling along at probably lower than the speed limit like most others... Same in Bali.

As far as here,fullly kitted up,take the car to the shop's (easier)

[ArcherWC]

we were there in July this year, and yep we just cruised round on the scooters with out helmets.

[Meathorse]

Honnymoon'd it up there in April with full Raro uniform too (sunny's, flappers, shorts, singlet and no lid).

Went exploring up the roads that lead inland one afternoon without the Wifey when I got caught in a massive downpour. Wasn't worried about staying dry (being on holiday and all), by the time I'd scampered back to the motel 20 mins later, I was dry as a bone!

It was pure chaos with chickens, dogs, coconuts and everyone speeding, however I felt saver on that pokey little scooter without a lid than I do driving through Palmy North in my cage!

What scared me was the families in the utes with the 3 year old kids sitting on the rotten tail-gate flying along at ~70km!

[Lucy]

Never been to Raro but rode scooters in Greece and motorbike in Goa, helmetless. Still getting used to wearing one here, it's like being in a cage compared to being free, as far as vision and hearing goes. Safety is a different matter of course, but do you think that maybe with all the armoured gear here people feel too protected and ride accordingly? If you are in shorts and jandals and lidless, you certainly know that youdont want to come off!