View Full Version : riding without a lid on?
John 675
26-11-07, 09:19 AM
i was watching top gun last night and saw tom cruise riding around on what ever bike that is with no helmet on,
i then remembered that in some states in the US you dont have to wear one... WTF !
i just wouldnt feel safe at all without a lid on,
thoughts?
Ceri JC
26-11-07, 09:24 AM
I've ridden without a lid on for very brief periods (EG when a mate whose van my lid was in drove off!). Liberating, but stupid. A bit like an extreme version of riding in shorts and t-shirt. If it wasn't a legal requirement here, I must admit I'd do the odd 30mph all the way trip across town without one. I go faster than that on a push bike without thinking twice about it...
I've done it a few times over the years, and would all the time around town at slow speed if it wasn't a legal requirement. You have less protection it's true, but you have more peripheral vision so it's a trade off.
As with all protective equipment it isn't a guarantee. I tend to modify my riding to what gear I have on at the time. So when I'm just popping down the road I occasionally wear jeans and trainers, but I ride slower and more carefully when I do.
STRAMASHER
26-11-07, 09:46 AM
Zante - Olympia in Greece. Honda AX-1 250 single, 2 up, 200 miles (or so it seemed) Stopped by the cops,peruses passport and says "Please wear a helmet next time, enjoy Greece."
About 10yrs ago. Now we look back and can't quite believe we did summit like that. As said above, liberating but ****in stupid.
:rolleyes:
Not interested in riding a bike unless there is a helmet available.
Be interesting to hear how folk across the pond feel. 80% of the bikers I remember seeing in Florida(Keys) had no helmets. Don't remember seeing any corners either tho'!
gettin2dizzy
26-11-07, 09:54 AM
There's alot of argument in the states that riding with a helmet impairs your vision too much and is unsafe. Do you think they have a warmer climate? ;)
tomjones2
26-11-07, 10:00 AM
Have done in Thialand on at over 100kph on 125 moped's. Infact all I had on was boardshort, flipflops and sunglasses. This was before I had ridden a bike and now I have seen what happen I would never do it again. Its worth noting that there was no protective gear avaiable the locals just ride slowly.
mr.anderson
26-11-07, 10:02 AM
When we went down to Lydden for the track day, i rode my bike about 50 yards to the air pump at 1mph absolutely sh1tting myself - just don't feel at all comfortable without one on.
But as Bear says, the helmet is no guarantee of safety.
Maybe I'm paranoid, but I won't ride my pushbike on the road without a cycle helmet on. Some of my mate refuse to waer a helmet on a bicycle saying that people drive more carefully if they see you have't got a helmet on. But it's the wnaker that doesn't see you that's the danger.
gettin2dizzy
26-11-07, 10:10 AM
I fell off a bike on to gravel with no helmet on. Mangled knees, hands, elbows (shorts and t-shirt didn't do much) and glass sunglasses embedded in my eyebrow. The ol' noggin held up pretty well though ;)
Dicky Ticker
26-11-07, 10:19 AM
Being an old fart and riding bikes before the crash helmet law came into being I think now it was one of the better laws.The old ton-up boys often came to grief and many would have survived if they had lids on. Times change and at the time we thought nothing of it. Across the forecourt to pay for petrol is about as far as I venture these days without a lid.
When Jax was learning to ride she rode around Asda car park a few times without her helmet on. We had a bit of a discussion about this as she didn't what to ride with her lid on, but I insisted. The argument to this was that she was only doing a few mph and should be fine, and I said you need to get used to wearing a lid ready for the road else it will feel strange.
While riding round the car park she slipped a gear and knock the bike in to second and 'I think' dumped the clutch. This wheelied the bike and lost control, hit a fence, and as she went over the bike she hit a steel fence pole (it was good and thick), and egg shelled her lid (we found this out at a show later). So if it wasn't for the helmet she wouldn't be here now.
So even if all else is not protected I always wear my lid.
squirrel_hunter
26-11-07, 12:11 PM
On occasion I have been known to ride sans lid but only up and down my road on a shake down once I’d fixed a bike or across a car park or forecourt nothing fast, nothing serious. I would never go out to ride properly without a lid regardless of the law. I will never ride without a full face lid either; I believe that open face helmets should be outlawed. From experience if it wasn’t for my lid I wouldn’t have a chin.
metalmonkey
26-11-07, 12:26 PM
I will ride only with a full face lid on, it doesn't take much to hurt yourself really does it? Up toy uo end of day, but we all know what happens if ride without a lid and you come off. I seen people waering open face lids, and it just makes me cringe....I have seen a few lids after offs, dam will never wear open face.......
yorkie_chris
26-11-07, 01:49 PM
I don't like riding with no lid, I wouldn't wear an open face helmet either since my trials bike landed on my head and a bit of brick lodged itself in the chin vent. Could have been nasty.
However, I don't beleive that this should be law just like seatbelts when people are in a car on their own
kwak zzr
26-11-07, 02:46 PM
i very nearly got killed in cyprus my a mad mec taxi, me on a scooter in shorts turning right when i herd screeeeeching tyres! he was attempting to overtake me while i was turning right! sh#t head! he got out of the taxi and was just laughing and joking? i had no crash helmet on.
peripheral vision doesnt stop some tit knocking you off by being a terrible road user
My crash helmet stays on (and i hate having to fanny with glasses with em)
yorkie_chris
26-11-07, 02:53 PM
Peripheral visions not really valid IMO, decent lids don't reduce it much if at all.
Even if you disregard the safety aspect of wearing a lid, how would you cope with all the crap that gets kicked up off the road into your face without one. Wasps hitting you at 50mph in summer. No thanks.
scooby2102
26-11-07, 05:26 PM
Even if you disregard the safety aspect of wearing a lid, how would you cope with all the crap that gets kicked up off the road into your face without one. Wasps hitting you at 50mph in summer. No thanks.
+1
bought a new visor for my arai astro j, was headin down the motorway, had only fitted it that morning and a largish stone came up and chipped it at left cheek level, can guarantee that it would have hurt had the visor been up or no helmet on - just aboot kacked maself with the noise it made :smt103
A few years ago we rode round Butlins in Skeggy with no lids on during the MCN weekend. I was also sitting backwards on the bike and taking pics of our mates following us:D
Have gone without a lid a few times, but never quickly, never on the road, and never would.
Ratty46
26-11-07, 05:53 PM
outside my house is a dead end road, i sometimes wheelie and mess about on my scoot up and down it, have done it with out a lid at times, not very often tho, it doesnt take much for your head/brain to be damaged, most likley unrepairable damage too.
its a bit like riders that have all teh gear on...and no gloves!!? fingers alwasy touch down first in an off.
yorkie_chris
26-11-07, 05:55 PM
Most of the time when I've fallen off things my lids been untouched and gloves well scuffed.
Doesn't take a lot to do permanent damage to your hands, gloves are probably my most valued bit of kit.
independentphoto
26-11-07, 05:55 PM
Peripheral visions not really valid IMO, decent lids don't reduce it much if at all.
I'm with you on that Chris. Besides which, that's why we check our mirrors & take rear obs (not just "Lifesavers") isn't it?
Had a friend of mine smash up his nose and rip his top lip just farting about on a scooter - and he was older and wiser (much more after the matter!).
Garry:rolleyes:
Ratty46
26-11-07, 05:59 PM
Most of the time when I've fallen off things my lids been untouched and gloves well scuffed.
Doesn't take a lot to do permanent damage to your hands, gloves are probably my most valued bit of kit.
natural reaction mate, you wil always put your hands out in a fall, failing that they normally come into contact with teh ground way before your head.
yorkie_chris
26-11-07, 06:01 PM
Aye, the last off I had resulted in a slightly scuffed glove, not even 1/4 way through the leather.
If that had been my hand I would expect tendon damage, and that wasn't a bad off.
Ratty46
26-11-07, 06:13 PM
eactly goes to show huh
northwind
26-11-07, 07:00 PM
The most persuasive argument I've found for wearing a lid isn't injuries, it's WASPS! Just look at your helmet at the end of a long summer ride, all of that would have been in your face or in your hair, or your mouth. And worse than that, I've had stones and gravel kick up and hit me in the head, my old HJC has a big lump out of it the size of a pound coin on hte chinbar where a bit of debris clattered it, it knocked my head about even with the helmet on and it'd have probably been right in my neck otherwise.
Read somewhere that can easily do serious damage to your skull falling off at 0mph as 70mph so I wear it even when parking it. It's the fall from a height which does the damage - whereas if you come off at 70 you're more likely to skid down the road on your leathers and less likely to use your head to stop. Have nearly ridden off a couple of times and forgotten to put on a lid recently - don't think the police would believe that if I'd been stopped though. I'm another idiot who never bothered with any kit riding around 2 up in Greece on holiday - would always wear all my gear now.
Ratty46
26-11-07, 07:21 PM
The most persuasive argument I've found for wearing a lid isn't injuries, it's WASPS! Just look at your helmet at the end of a long summer ride, all of that would have been in your face or in your hair, or your mouth. And worse than that, I've had stones and gravel kick up and hit me in the head, my old HJC has a big lump out of it the size of a pound coin on hte chinbar where a bit of debris clattered it, it knocked my head about even with the helmet on and it'd have probably been right in my neck otherwise.
nah mate injuries are teh top reason, i wouldnt want to be a vegatable for the rest of my life. saying that a big peivce of gravel/stone could cause some serious injurys or you could lose control of your bike.
in summer my visor is alwasy down, regrdless of how hot it is, too many flies in my eyse!
sv-robo
26-11-07, 07:27 PM
few months back was following my mate on a sunday run,when all of a sudden CRACK his back wheel flicked a chipping up hitting me right in front of my left eye.
thank god i had my visor down,could have been blinded or ended up like a :cyclopsani: ,without a helmet on i would have been knackererd,always better to play it:safe:.
Blue_SV650S
26-11-07, 07:51 PM
I hate the nanny state nonsense, it should be personal choice if I want to wear a lid!
When I was a kid, I'd always ride without a lid (off road) it was great in the height of summer ... such freedom!! :smt045
Would I ride on the road without a lid now - nope!! ... do I think I should be forced to by law - nope!!!
well theres too many idiots out there, the general intelligence of our country is shocking, so we obviously thought that some people needed being told
Blue_SV650S
26-11-07, 07:57 PM
well theres too many idiots out there, the general intelligence of our country is shocking, so we obviously thought that some people needed being told
Why do we need the stupid people to survive??? ... to breed more stupid people??? I mean WTF is that all about???
The more that get the Darwin award the better surely? :rolleyes:
-Ralph-
26-11-07, 08:43 PM
Honda AX-1 250 single.... enjoy Greece
in Greece on holiday
in cyprus
Glad I'm not the only one then!
Did a biking and sailing holiday in the greek islands when I was a teenager, no helmet, even though I did ask for one, guy at the rental place looked at me like I was asking for a pair of pink fluffy gloves! No full license either but he was happy with the green piece of paper that said "Driving License" across the top. Also had no registration plate, the bike was brand new and the guy said so long as I didn't ride on the mainland it didn't need to be registered. He had applied for the registration and your allowed to use it while your waiting apparantly? :rolleyes:
Big thanks to Stramasher for reminding me what bike it was I rented, I had long forgotten just knew it was a 250 enduro, just did an image search on AX-1 on google and it bought a big smile :D
Where legal, no helmet is liberating, so long as you are satisfied with the risk you are taking! It's a personal choice, and on that holiday I rode along flat out at 80 mph thinking....
"I can't breathe 'cos of the windblast, the bugs are stinging my face, eyes streaming tears behind the massive aviator sunglasses (Top Gun has a lot to answer for!), denim jacket flapping like blazes, nice blonde on the back (have to dig the photo of that one out of the attic :smt077) and if I come off I'm DEEAAAD!. But HEY, isn't it this fuggin' GREAT!?" :D :smt045
The biggest problem I had was the sunburn, my forehead and nose were like a piece of crispy bacon!
If you enjoy the wind in your hair and are personally happy to take the risk for a one-off on holiday, then I won't critise you. You may think I'm a maniac, but it's my life, and I'm not going to hurt anyone else by not wearing a helmet and neither are you.
Charley Boorman jumped off a bridge over Victoria falls with what he described as a "frayed looking old rope" tied to his feet. Folk jump out of planes whilst hoping the parachute opens, or climb rock faces with no ropes every day! Again thier choice!
I've had a sh1tty day at work and now I'll be smiling the rest of the night with those memories :D
-Ralph-
26-11-07, 08:46 PM
When I was a kid, I'd always ride without a lid (off road) it was great in the height of summer ... such freedom!! :smt045
Me too!
Would I let my kids do it? - not a chance! :shaking:
-Ralph-
26-11-07, 08:50 PM
well theres too many idiots out there, the general intelligence of our country is shocking, so we obviously thought that some people needed being told
Oi! Why are you riding a bike without a lid in your avatar !?!? ;)
-Ralph-
26-11-07, 09:01 PM
Did I mention I'm in a great mood now!
:rave:
northwind
26-11-07, 09:18 PM
nah mate injuries are teh top reason, i wouldnt want to be a vegatable for the rest of my life. saying that a big peivce of gravel/stone could cause some serious injurys or you could lose control of your bike.
Ah, I could've explained that better, I don't mean that's the best reason, I mean it seems to be the most persuasive. I think some people think "I won't fall off" or "I won't have an accident", same as they do with riding in jeans and a t-shirt, so this stuff that's out of your control seems to have a bigger impact sometimes. People are odd.
mr.anderson
26-11-07, 09:32 PM
Wel, we must all remember that the law clearly states that wearing a lid is compulsory unless you are a member of the Sikh religion and wear a turbin.
Not sure how much that would help if you chucked it though.
ahh yes blue true, the world may be a better place without them...
oh and ralph i was parked up at a mates cos he's always wanted a bike, so he went abit crazy taking photos... but its all good cos i wouldnt have ne of me on it otherwise!
northwind
26-11-07, 09:48 PM
You can get armoured turbans, and bike helmets with sculpted turbans on- sounds mad but it's true. Genius! Funny, both of the sikh bikers I know wear helmets. I don't really know what the religious issue is.
yeah they were designed and tested by Trotters Independant Trading
'Trotter's Crash Turbans'
:D
squirrel_hunter
26-11-07, 11:33 PM
You can get armoured turbans, and bike helmets with sculpted turbans on- sounds mad but it's true. Genius! Funny, both of the sikh bikers I know wear helmets. I don't really know what the religious issue is.
Not sure how the religion works on this but it made me think. I last saw a guy on a Bandit 400 many years ago just wearing a turban, and found out it was legal due to the religious significance of the turban. But its just got me thinking how does it remain attached/ stable as the wind blast increases with speed, I'm genuinely interested in understanding this?
gettin2dizzy
27-11-07, 08:06 AM
Not sure how the religion works on this but it made me think. I last saw a guy on a Bandit 400 many years ago just wearing a turban, and found out it was legal due to the religious significance of the turban. But its just got me thinking how does it remain attached/ stable as the wind blast increases with speed, I'm genuinely interested in understanding this?
it's true! YOu think there's an exception for sikh moto gp riders too?
wheelnut
27-11-07, 09:24 AM
Not sure how the religion works on this but it made me think. I last saw a guy on a Bandit 400 many years ago just wearing a turban, and found out it was legal due to the religious significance of the turban. But its just got me thinking how does it remain attached/ stable as the wind blast increases with speed, I'm genuinely interested in understanding this?
I think this is a brilliant piece of legislation, if a Sikh crashes it saves the NHS a fortune.
They dont have to waste any more money on bandages.
I have to wear a hard hat at work but if you are Sikh worker, Health and Safety Manager or a security guard you are exempt:nomore:
gettin2dizzy
27-11-07, 10:49 AM
I'm happy to tootle around without a helmet. Lifes to short to worry about everything. :)
sv-robo
27-11-07, 11:09 AM
Wel, we must all remember that the law clearly states that wearing a lid is compulsory unless you are a member of the Sikh religion and wear a turbin.
Not sure how much that would help if you chucked it though.
well at least they,d have the bandages ready:rolleyes:
northwind
27-11-07, 01:57 PM
I have to wear a hard hat at work but if you are Sikh worker, Health and Safety Manager or a security guard you are exempt:nomore:
On the other hand, if something falls on their head they just die, so its swings and roundabouts ;) Hard hat laws are a bit odd in this country though.
Ratty46
27-11-07, 05:27 PM
Ah, I could've explained that better, I don't mean that's the best reason, I mean it seems to be the most persuasive. I think some people think "I won't fall off" or "I won't have an accident", same as they do with riding in jeans and a t-shirt, so this stuff that's out of your control seems to have a bigger impact sometimes. People are odd.
i get ya, people are odd, like my mate who left his leathers by his front door and popped out in t-shirt and jeans...and propmtly dumped his bike.:thumbsup:
Biker Biker
27-11-07, 05:46 PM
I rode around Phuket, Thailand without a Lid.... we'll the lid they supplied was like a card board baseball cap with nail varnish on, what do you expect for £2 a day hire charge, ha ha.
Plus I was more worried about the Elephants on the road than the truck drivers and tuk tuk
Ratty46
27-11-07, 05:49 PM
I rode around Phuket, Thailand without a Lid.... we'll the lid they supplied was like a card board baseball cap with nail varnish on, what do you expect for £2 a day hire charge, ha ha.
Plus I was more worried about the Elephants on the road than the truck drivers and tuk tuk
haha muy cousin lived out there for a while, he was telling me about teh lack of...lids...gloves etc crazy! seen the pics they aint lids, they are **** pots:thumbsup:
Welsh_Wizard
27-11-07, 09:00 PM
always ridden with a lid but managed a quick burn over to the petrol station without my gloves - now that was liberating. The response you get back off the bike was amazing.. the control felt great.
Traceur-Sham
28-11-07, 01:54 PM
i usually ride around town with my visor up. But at 30mph, air hitting your eyes is a bit sore.
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