Keith whaley wrote: > > Speaking of helmets, our local motorcycle shop has about 8 > "used" helmets hung up above their accessories counter, > showing how much abrasion a helmet takes. > A couple of the full face helmets which were almost > completely worn thru by rough pavement make you a real > believer! Had that been a helmetless rider, if he didn't die > from the terrible road contact, he would have been disfigured > and have gone thru so much plastic surgery! > No, helmets are truly essential pieces of gear.
People, even bikers, tend to assume that helmets are only for impact protection. Man, *friction* can be a killer too! I crashed my FZR 400 at Pocono Raceway once and, though I didn't hit my head hard, I'd have shaved off my beard and then some without that helmet! > when I think of the years before general public availability > and acceptance of helmets, back when I wore a Harley Davidson > soft cap and moccasins... well, it just makes me shudder to > think of how vulnerable I really was! At the beginning of every race weekend you have to take your motorcycle to tech inspection so they can certify that it's raceworthy. One weekend I was camped right next to the tech inspection area so I just hopped on and rode it up there without putting my helmet on. Maybe 50 yards distance at about 5 mph, mostly over grass but it still gave me the creeps. I walked it back! -- Mark Roberts Photography and writing www.robertstech.com
