Biking in the US

[True Blue]

So I was in America for 2 weeks there. I always hear how bikers never wear helmets etc but when you actually see it for yourself, you can't help shaking your head in disbelief. I only saw 1 guy with a helmet in the whole time I was there. All the bikers I saw were wearing shorts and T shirts, no gloves and no motorcycle boots. I know it's warm there but FFS, I think I would still wear a helmet and gloves at the very least.

Actually the worst (possibly stupidest) thing I saw, was when I was driving to to airport on my last day there. There was a guy in front of me on a Triumph Daytona. I could see the canvass on his rear tyre. The bare strip was about half an inch wide. This was on the motorway at about 80. I wasn't sure till we came to a standstill and I got a good look at it. That's something I can say I've never seen here. (Not saying it doesn't happen though)
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[Wave2k]

stupid americans
although its there own choice
they really are stupid
given the choice i would always wear a helmet, after seeing wot one looks like after a crash, i would not like that to happen to my face
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Ducati 1299 Panigale
2009 Corvette C6 z51
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[ZRX61]

Been here for 14 years, so far I've seen 3 people ride without helmets.... You just happened to visit a State run by morons.......

[Desert Rat]

I was born and raised in California and have been riding all my life. Before it became a law to wear a helmet, I used to not wear one.........yes I was pretty stupid, and single. Now its a law and thank god, there are so many stupid drivers (of cars) they had to make it a law. I live in an area where allot of sport bike riders race through the mountain roads, these guys ride like they are racing.......they crash.....they are killed......but not because they were not wearing a helmet....its because they take 60 mph turns at 95, and lose it, because of gravel, or oil from all the piece of crap cars on the road. The other reason is all of the military guys who spend their money on their first bike they ever owned...Ducati 996, Katana's and GSXR's and they cant handle them. Also, the california roads are terrible and dangerous.

I ride in the desert, a Honda XR 400 (450)........I like the dirt better, besides my wife wont let me have a street bike!! She does not want to have to scrape me off the pavement!!!
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Desert Rat

[california_rookie]

[Robby]

[Frost]

"I'm not saying americans are stupid, i just say we take the safety labels off things and let the problem solve itself."

could very well apply to yankie bikers

The correct kit for riding in a hot US state is:

Strong jeans
Summer gloves
Open face helmet
Sunglasses
Boots
Open leather jacket

Allright its not perfect, but provided you dont have a massive spill you stand a decent change of retaining some skin.

Not wearing a helmet is just stupid given what we know, but many in the states probably dont understand the risks. Them not wearing lids more more likely a case of ignorance rather than stupidity

[RSixer03]

I had the pleasure of riding from coast to coast last year in the States, and in some states your right no lid law...
Your see a lot of the harley guys riding around with no lids on, but very few sportbikes riders....and the reason why you ask?
Harleys and the easy rider bikes all have big screens for protection, on a sport bike very little protection unless you tuck yourself in, which ain't gonna last to long, and when you do sit up..Bugs the size of golf balls always tend to make a bee line for your face, i know i was stuck numerous times....without a lid ..believe me that's a whole lot of hurt and a accident waiting to happen
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"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
Mario Andretti.

[hustler]

I have to agree, its illegal in some states not to wear a helmet. Even the harley crew, stop to helmet up at certain state lines.

There is also a big distinction between a sports bike rider and simply cruising (eg harleys) in the US. If I'm going 55mph in a straight line on a harley and the law allowed I'd ditch the helmet, however if I was topping a 100mph and on twisties - what ever the law said about helmets for my own safety I'd have a lid on my head.
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As I said to that guy with the crutches and full camouflage gear, you can hide but you can't run.

[JonB]

Like Seatbelts, wearing a helmet comes naturally now, I couldn't see myself not wearing one, it wouldn't feel right.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[leg-end]

I own a Disney time share in Orlando, have to say at least 90% of bikers I see when on holiday don't wear helmets. In Florida you have to show you have $2M insurance cover for medical expense to then obtain a permi to ride without a helmet IIRC

[california_rookie]

[carvell]

They are MASSIVE parking bays!

Park it right in the middle of the bay next time.
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Yamaha TDM 850

[ZRX61]

So which one of you in unable to park across the street & walk an extra 40ft? Is there somethng in the bushes over there with cooties?

[Major_Grooves]

I'm in the US at the moment and I might as well not be wearing my helmet. It barely fits and feels like it's about to leave my head wehn I reach 70mph!
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[leg-end]

Sports bikes can be a lot cheaper in the US

My wife and I visited a Yamaha main agent in Charleston in the summer of 2002, they were doing a special deal on R1s.

Brand new 2002 R1 fitted with....

Ohlins forks and steering damper
Ohlins rear shock
OZ wheels
Akrapovic can
Datatool alarm
Goodridge braided hoses

...for the equivalent of £7995 on the road.

[california_rookie]

[mrchips]

You lot always get the bargain. Riding without a helmet is rather noisy apart from anything else.

[True Blue]