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In what ways is it safer to ride a motorcycle without a helmet?

samatman 11y ago
It's easier to see what's going on around you, and you can hear better. I don't consider this worth the risk of head injury personally, but the difference is there, and it's noticeable, particularly vision.
- oldmanjay 11y ago
  It's also somewhat less tiring to eschew the helmet, but I similarly always wear the helmet anyway.
jasonjei 11y ago
Never, even at low speeds (this applies for cyclists, too). But apparently the argument is that motorcycle riders will approach their riding with more caution. To a certain degree, I will agree (when I wear less gear and no leathers, I ride with paranoia set to 80%, and assume the car behind me is going to drive with the intent of attaching me to the front bumper).
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nsxwolf 11y ago
Helmets reduce field of view, reduce hearing, and may make a rider "feel safer" which can lead to carelessness. Don't know if statistics back any of that up, but those are the common reasons I've heard. Better to avoid an accident than survive one.
- handedness 11y ago
  Sounds nice in theory, but I've never once been involved in a bike accident that was caused to any degree by my helmet, and I've been unvolved in two accidents that weren't of my doing (or even avoidable), both of which destroyed my helmets. Accidents, by definition, aren't entirely avoidable. I'm not for helmet laws, but let's be reasonable about the benefits helmets provide, with very little downside.
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thescriptkiddie 11y ago
Unlike most bicycle helmets, typical full-face motorcycle helmets impair your ability to see and hear what is around you. It is actually illegal in some jurisdictions to drive a car while wearing a motorcycle helmet for this reason. Because most motorcycle crashes are the result of the motorcyclist being hit by another vehicle, no helmet means you have a better shot at avoiding an accident. That said, I wouldn't go near a motorcycle without a helmet. You're going to fuck up and hit your head eventually.

It's easier to see what's going on around you, and you can hear better. I don't consider this worth the risk of head injury personally, but the difference is there, and it's noticeable, particularly vision.

oldmanjay 11y ago
It's also somewhat less tiring to eschew the helmet, but I similarly always wear the helmet anyway.

jasonjei 11y ago

Never, even at low speeds (this applies for cyclists, too). But apparently the argument is that motorcycle riders will approach their riding with more caution. To a certain degree, I will agree (when I wear less gear and no leathers, I ride with paranoia set to 80%, and assume the car behind me is going to drive with the intent of attaching me to the front bumper).

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nsxwolf 11y ago

Helmets reduce field of view, reduce hearing, and may make a rider "feel safer" which can lead to carelessness. Don't know if statistics back any of that up, but those are the common reasons I've heard. Better to avoid an accident than survive one.

handedness 11y ago
Sounds nice in theory, but I've never once been involved in a bike accident that was caused to any degree by my helmet, and I've been unvolved in two accidents that weren't of my doing (or even avoidable), both of which destroyed my helmets. Accidents, by definition, aren't entirely avoidable. I'm not for helmet laws, but let's be reasonable about the benefits helmets provide, with very little downside.

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thescriptkiddie 11y ago

Unlike most bicycle helmets, typical full-face motorcycle helmets impair your ability to see and hear what is around you. It is actually illegal in some jurisdictions to drive a car while wearing a motorcycle helmet for this reason. Because most motorcycle crashes are the result of the motorcyclist being hit by another vehicle, no helmet means you have a better shot at avoiding an accident. That said, I wouldn't go near a motorcycle without a helmet. You're going to fuck up and hit your head eventually.