Quote from: muskrat on April 06, 2011, 07:48:17 AM
It's up to them, after all they are a private insurer and they can run their business as they see fit.

exactly, but my question was more to the ambiguity of the poster's description. 

It seems to me (I could be, wrong) that the ones who protest/complain the most about having to wear helmets out here (CA) are the worst riders... It always seems to be the type that rides a few miles to the bar on a large, overweight, underpowered bike covered in chrome. Then drink beers all day, then ride home. 

Of course, I had someone on an extended swingarm Hayabusa caution me once that "It's gonna be hot this weekend.  If you're gonna ride, you might wanna leave your jacket at home."  He had one of those "Penis-Head" helmets with the spike on the top. 

My take is, you should have the freedom to choose whether or not to be safe.  We don't have that choice here in Kalifornia, but it doesn't affect me, because I wear full gear 99% of the time. Occasionally I'll commute the 12 miles to work in jeans, but still armored leather jacket, full face helmet, armored gloves, and moto boots.

Now, if I'm organizing a group ride, I require the people I ride with the have full gear.  Feel free to flame me if you wish, but here's my reasoning.   If by chance you have a mishap and go down, chances are likely you'll be way better off wearing full gear than a t-shirt and shorts.  I don't want to be the guy who has to scrape you off the road with a spatula.    Hey, I'm a selfish prick... 

My insistence on this point has been reinforced three times in the last few years. 

Ride 1:  Friend who had been leading pulled over to take pics of us coming by.  As she was catching up to us, she took a curve slightly faster than normal, and dragged her DP low-mounts.  This caused her to straighten up a bit, but she ended up in a ditch.  She went over the bars and landed squarely on her head.  Helmet saved her life.  She ended up with a separated shoulder, and an upgrade from a 620Dark to an M800...

Ride 2:  Fellow rider here on the DMF.  On a previous ride (not mine) he showed up in jeans and Doc Marten's.  He said he was a new rider and didn't have much gear.  I lent him my spare pair of moto boots until he could get his own.  I invited him along on another ride, and he showed up with brand new boots and pants.    On the way back down the mountain, he lowsided in some gravel that had been strewn across the roadway by construction trucks.  His only injury? A skinned knuckle where a seam on his glove failed.

Ride 3:  A couple of weeks ago a buddy (fellow DMF'r) and I took a 200 mile ride to break in his new (old Ducati) bike.  On the way home he had a slow speed get-off.  His entire left leg would have been hamburger if not for his gear.  He ended up with a small scrape on his leg where the pants got pinned under the bike and tore.

In each of these instances, if not for helmets and leathers, they would have gotten seriously make the beast with two backsed up.

Okay, I jacked the thread a bit...  But my point is, if you have a choice, make it a smart one.  Wear your gear and more than likely you'll be able to walk away.  If you're really lucky, you'll be able to pick your bike up and ride home.

Please be safe, people...  [moto]

Quote from: The Bacon Junkie on April 07, 2011, 01:50:55 AM....if I'm organizing a group ride, I require the people I ride with the have full gear.  Feel free to flame me if you wish, but here's my reasoning.   If by chance you have a mishap and go down, chances are likely you'll be way better off wearing full gear than a t-shirt and shorts.  I don't want to be the guy who has to scrape you off the road with a spatula.   

Mate, thats sounds absolutely reasonable to me.

honestly i just moved there and thought it was already 86'd

Pennsylvania doesn't have a helmet law and when riding there I am amazed at the people riding with no helmets.  Staties give you $100.00 tickets for not wearing a seatbelt but no helmet and you're good to go.  Amazes me that people don't ride with one but will throw it on their bike as an accessory. 

Gear, all the time!

Quote from: ducatiz on April 06, 2011, 07:53:47 AM
exactly, but my question was more to the ambiguity of the poster's description. 

I'm sure the ambiguity favors them no matter what.  I still think if you're on two wheels or four you should show proof of medical insurance regardless, it's the responsible thing to do.  If you can afford bikes and cars you have enough money to pay medical insurance.

Quote from: The Bacon Junkie on April 07, 2011, 01:50:55 AM
Now, if I'm organizing a group ride, I require the people I ride with the have full gear.  Feel free to flame me if you wish, but here's my reasoning.   If by chance you have a mishap and go down, chances are likely you'll be way better off wearing full gear than a t-shirt and shorts.  I don't want to be the guy who has to scrape you off the road with a spatula.    Hey, I'm a selfish prick... 

Perfectly reasonable. I used to refuse to go on mtn. bike rides with people who didn't wear a helmet.

Quote from: muskrat on April 07, 2011, 07:08:29 AM
I'm sure the ambiguity favors them no matter what.  I still think if you're on two wheels or four you should show proof of medical insurance regardless, it's the responsible thing to do.  If you can afford bikes and cars you have enough money to pay medical insurance.

actually, ambiguity in a contract is always construed against the drafter, which would be the insurance company.  i wonder if there has been any actual litigation on it, because while everyone might agree a helmet is a minimum safety "accessory", everything else could be arguable.

hi,
I'm reading this tread and can't belive
you don't have helmet law  

Sorry to be so surprised, but here in Croatia we kinda look up to americans for many things. And helemts here are manditory by our laws. Though I hate being without a glowes not to mention jacket and helmet  
ticket for not wearing a helmet goes from 100$ to 400$ (considering our salaries are around 450$)  

Quote from: Lore on April 07, 2011, 08:49:28 AM
hi,
I'm reading this tread and can't belive
you don't have helmet law  

Sorry to be so surprised, but here in Croatia we kinda look up to americans for many things. And helemts here are manditory by our laws. Though I hate being without a glowes not to mention jacket and helmet  
ticket for not wearing a helmet goes from 100$ to 400$ (considering our salaries are around 450$)  

Lore

In the US, each state sets its own laws for cars and motos.  Some states do not have mandatory helment laws but most do.  It's a philosophical difference from Europe. 

Quote from: ducatiz on April 07, 2011, 09:09:10 AM

Lore

In the US, each state sets its own laws for cars and motos.  Some states do not have mandatory helment laws but most do.  It's a philosophical difference from Europe. 

I read before some time in France is manditory even to have reflective sticker on helmet 


and sorry for intrusing the tread 

Lore - Welcome!

It's a safe bet that most of the people here wear their gear regardless of being required to by law.  I wear mine all the time but I greatly resent a law that requires me to.  Just a different mindset.  In my state, (Wisconsin) we are not required to wear a helmet unless you are less than 18 years old. 

Do they specify what type of helmet, etc in Croatia?

Quote from: Lore on April 07, 2011, 08:49:28 AM
hi,
I'm reading this tread and can't belive
you don't have helmet law  

Sorry to be so surprised, but here in Croatia we kinda look up to americans for many things. And helemts here are manditory by our laws. Though I hate being without a glowes not to mention jacket and helmet  
ticket for not wearing a helmet goes from 100$ to 400$ (considering our salaries are around 450$)  

Personally, I think it should be the same way here. But many American's become fearful of loosing "the right to choose" which I find (IMHO - and no offense) is really stupid because for a lot of people, it's only a reason to complain about something.

Freedom is a broad subject and covers a lot of ground. Of all the things to get all upset over, I think that this is ultimately a minimal issue. Americans tend to be are really touchy about their rights and freedoms (sometimes rightfully so) but I see that for the most part, any infringements on them aggravates the underlying fear of loosing something greater which makes little issues like this much bigger than they need to be.

I like having multiple helmets to choose from; I look at them as adding something to the riding experience, and if it adds a layer of protection - fine. I really don't see the problem.

Quote from: WarrenJ on April 07, 2011, 09:36:25 AM
Lore - Welcome!

It's a safe bet that most of the people here wear their gear regardless of being required to by law.  I wear mine all the time but I greatly resent a law that requires me to.  Just a different mindset.  In my state, (Wisconsin) we are not required to wear a helmet unless you are less than 18 years old. 

Do they specify what type of helmet, etc in Croatia?

Yes, it has to be full face helmet for "biger" bikes (we have 3 kategories od licences: <50 ccm, <125 ccm , 125<... if you don't understand I'll explain later)
for scooters may be used jet helmet
for chopers i'm not sure 

this kind of helmet is not regular and you can get ticket

and all our helmet have to have EC (or somethin  ) homologation mark for europe

this one is a nice alternative when riding a cruiser or similar.  Have had two of them and they are DOT approved.
http://www.headtriphelmets.com/