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Sorry to hear he got hurt....but.........NO HELMET!!!!!!!!!!!

I heard a preview on Fox news radio on my XM about an NFL QB hurt on a bike but I didnt get to hear the actual report. I hate to say it but I actually breathed a sigh of relief reading that it wasnt Tom Brady. Have to go check out the reports on Ben. He's been quite an outstanding young QB and a thorn in the side of my Patriots.

Rides a Hayabusa, with no helmet. Says without a helmet he's extra careful..... and rides with a group, that's "safer" too.

The dealer was quoted as saying the 'busa is popular with "first-time" buyers..........sheeeeeesh.

Acpantera wrote:Sorry to hear he got hurt....but.........NO HELMET!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been reading about this accident in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette and a few other Pennsylvania newspapers.

Let's see... According to Police reports as printed: Ben was riding a black colored 'Busa. Eyewitness said Ben didn't slow down prior to entering intersection--possibility excessive speed. (Obviously Ben didn't change lane position either) Elderly woman and her male co-pilot made a left turn into the path of Bens motorcycle--talk about being asleep at the wheel!! (No evasive action on Bens behalf--perhaps not paying attention??)

So.....how could a helmet have prevented the accident?

Ed..

I read some of the same reports. I don't know anybody who believes a helmet prevents the accident. But it can sure reduce the consequences.

Based on a few articles I recall reading....I believe he broke some facial bones, lost some teeth, had a (9") gash on the back of his head and suffered (at least temporary) disorientation and possible concussion.

It's hard to say a helmet wouldn't have been a plus in this one!

JCsman wrote:I read some of the same reports. I don't know anybody who believes a helmet prevents the accident. But it can sure reduce the consequences.

Based on a few articles I recall reading....I believe he broke some facial bones, lost some teeth, had a (9") gash on the back of his head and suffered (at least temporary) disorientation and possible concussion.

It's hard to say a helmet wouldn't have been a plus in this one!

I won't deny that, but I believe a helmet can be no subsitute for a diploma from a state approved advanced rider course. After reading newswire accounts of Bens crash, I feel he was definitely lacking a few basic street survival skills.

In all probability, the pro helmet crowd will key on the helmet issue.

Ed.. (Wearing his bright red Savanah II jacket, riding his bright red Harley, decked out with extra lights).

Ebiker, I by no means suggested that a helmet prevents accidents. I do think its a shame that a guy like a pro football player forgets how important safety gear is to any sport, just like he wears on the field. It's obvious that a full face helmet would have protected his face and scull. Motorcycle accidents will never stop happening....thats fate that the victoms may or may not have have a choise of.....BUT.....Every one has the choise of wearing the proper safety gear. If not for their sake, but for the sake of their family and friends that have to endure the agony of your missfortune....

In PA you can choose to lose the helmet.
Your choice.

I rode 45 minutes once in PA without a helmet. Never again. Every microscopic piece of road sand is a face missle. But worse, it feels like going to the mailbox naked. too weird.


I respect that choice, but let's face it, you can break your arm, break your leg, but you can't break your head.

It's going to be a PITA listening to the MSM and the evil of motorcycles all over again. I already got 2 'told you so' emails from non-riding friends.

And and now another chapter in the Helmet Wars

ebiker wrote:

Acpantera wrote:Sorry to hear he got hurt....but.........NO HELMET!!!!!!!!!!!

So.....how could a helmet have prevented the accident?

Ed..

He did not say that the Helmet would have prevented the accident.
He implied Ben might not have had to have 9 hours of surgery on his head if he had been wearing one.

While I wont begrudge anyone the right to ride per their state laws, in Big Bens case he was just not acting responsibly for his situation.

The Bengels guy got wrecked two years ago.
Cowher spoke to him SPECIFICALLY asking him that if he HAD to ride that he use a helmet, Ben walked out of the meeting.

You can bet coming up just about every pro team will start having reckless abandonment clauses in their contract, if not specifying MC-riding then certainly stipulating that should the person participate in an activity that renders them unable to fulfill their obligations then they will go on an Insurance deal and not their full salary.

If I were making 10mil a year or some stupid amount, I could wait until I was retired to have my fun. And yes... I was a State Champ level athlete in high school, so don't give me any of the 'that daring and reckless abandon is what makes him great' crap. I managed to win State athletic honors without messing myself up doing stuff that would jeapordize my ability to play.

Rothlisberger seems to have made many an error in this situation. Failure to take account of his environment and act/respond accordingly, and lack of proper safety gear. I couldn't care less if my state forced me to ride with a helmet. The fact of the matter is, a helmet makes having an accident a little safer, and contributes a great deal to comfort when riding many hours, especially on the interstate.

The thing I don't like about this other than seeing a good man hurt is the negative publicity this is generating for our sport/hobby.

Shaman wrote:

ebiker wrote:

Acpantera wrote:Sorry to hear he got hurt....but.........NO HELMET!!!!!!!!!!!

So.....how could a helmet have prevented the accident?

Ed..

He did not say that the Helmet would have prevented the accident.
He implied Ben might not have had to have 9 hours of surgery on his head if he had been wearing one

I don't believe Acpantera needs a translater, but thanks anyway! Yes, "Big Ben" might have suffered fewer injuries if he'd been wearing a helmet, but do consider he might have broken his neck if wearing a full face helmet!

The Bengels guy got wrecked two years ago

Who was that?? Oh, you mean Cleveland Browns Kellem Winslow, jr., who was "showing off" on a new crotch rocket.

More than several sports figures have been killed or seriously injured off the playing field in various ways. Mixing notoriety, booze, drugs and a fast life can be a recipe for disaster.

In retrospect, Steelers coach Cowher might have insisted that Ben enroll in a rider training course, or hire a private instructor. Ben might have ridden his bright colored Harley on Monday. He might have been more alert to oncoming traffic and that brain dead female and her husband might have LOOKED OUT FOR MOTORCYCLES!

Unfortunately, the pro helmet gang will probably run with this incident for years to come.

Ed..

You guys are missing the point!

What about the season?

ebiker - I don't care whether or not you wear a helmet. But I'm trying to figure out how a wreck that would cause you to break your neck while wearing a helmet wouldn't cause you to break your neck while not wearing a helmet.

I have a degree in physics, so I know something about kinematics.

Please explain. Seriously.

yjleesvrr wrote:ebiker - I don't care whether or not you wear a helmet. But I'm trying to figure out how a wreck that would cause you to break your neck while wearing a helmet wouldn't cause you to break your neck while not wearing a helmet.

I have a degree in physics, so I know something about kinematics.

Please explain. Seriously.

I suppose an extra three-four pounds on your head would not make a impact on your neck structure in a body whiplash? A motorcycle rider usually goes airborne in a crash. How many football players suffer paralyzing neck injuries in a low speed contact?

Yes, 3-4 lbs for a full face helmet. My Shoei Syncrotec weights 3.75 lbs.

I usually wear a helmet. However, I feel a helmet is no substitute for common sense and street savy. Our governmental leaders on the other hand believe that mearly mandating helmet use will save lives when statistics indicate otherwise. I believe a helmet can reduce injury in SOME accidents, but a large percentage of helmeted riders die each year in motorcycle related crash.

Look--when a state relaxes their helmet law motorcycle registrations rise and so do fatalities. A state imposes an all rider helmet law and registrations along with fatalities sharply decline. (California) The safety nannies then point to the helmet law as a life saver.

A helmet law is "feel good" legislation to satisfy people who probably don't even ride a motorcycle.

We NEED more rider education classes, more motorcycle awareness media and rider awareness in high school driver ed.

A serious cellphone use restriction would be a plus, too.

(Rant finished)

Ed..

Here we go again......

NOW it appears that Beeg Ben did not have a motorcycle endorsement on his drivers license.

http://kdka.com/topstories/local_story_164115654.html

I'm willing to bet he had NO formal training either....

Aaaaarrrrrghh!!

Ed..

Ed - I don't think anyone here is denying the fact that rider skill is most important. However, the injuries Rothlisberger has reportedly suffered could have been severely reduced by the use of a helmet.

I think everyone here firmly agrees that a helmet is no substitute for knowing how to pilot your bike. But if I was in an accident, my money would be bet on me having less injuries with a helmet than without.

I try to stay out of threads like this but...

ebiker wrote:

yjleesvrr wrote:ebiker - I don't care whether or not you wear a helmet. But I'm trying to figure out how a wreck that would cause you to break your neck while wearing a helmet wouldn't cause you to break your neck while not wearing a helmet.

I have a degree in physics, so I know something about kinematics.

Please explain. Seriously.

I suppose an extra three-four pounds on your head would not make a impact on your neck structure in a body whiplash? A motorcycle rider usually goes airborne in a crash. How many football players suffer paralyzing neck injuries in a low speed contact?

Yes, 3-4 lbs for a full face helmet. My Shoei Syncrotec weights 3.75 lbs.

I usually wear a helmet. However, I feel a helmet is no substitute for common sense and street savy. Our governmental leaders on the other hand believe that mearly mandating helmet use will save lives when statistics indicate otherwise. I believe a helmet can reduce injury in SOME accidents, but a large percentage of helmeted riders die each year in motorcycle related crash.

Look--when a state relaxes their helmet law motorcycle registrations rise and so do fatalities. A state imposes an all rider helmet law and registrations along with fatalities sharply decline. (California) The safety nannies then point to the helmet law as a life saver.

How bout this?? Lets say that a helmeted rider is less likely to die from a head related trauma than the non-helmeted rider..does that work for everyone?? In a serious crash, I'd put my money on internal injuries and/or blood loss as a major cause of death.

A helmet law is "feel good" legislation to satisfy people who probably don't even ride a motorcycle.

We NEED more rider education classes, more motorcycle awareness media and rider awareness in high school driver ed.

A serious cellphone use restriction would be a plus, too.

(Rant finished)

Ed..

Ed. I see your point on the "feel good' aspect. My only issue with that is the stat about bike registrations going up with the repeal of helmet laws. To me that says a bunch of undereducated, inexperienced riders out there with out minimal protection. Sound like any professional athletes you've heard about recently?? And the part about the decline says again to me that these folks weren't serious riders but Sunday posers "out there being free" least till the wife calls em on the cell phone!!

What would you say to a mandatory either or law?? Either you have to wear a helmet OR you have to take mandatory rider education?? And I would say it has to be more than just the basic class, at least basic and one advanced course w/i 2-3 years. I totally agree with the rest of your rant.

Except the cell phone thing but we'll sve that for another thread.... [/quote]

rph802 wrote:Ed. I see your point on the "feel good' aspect. My only issue with that is the stat about bike registrations going up with the repeal of helmet laws. To me that says a bunch of undereducated, inexperienced riders out there with out minimal protection. Sound like any professional athletes you've heard about recently??

No argument from me on that. I personally know several motorcycle dealers who have sold a bike to an unlicensed/untrained individual. A free or discounted helmet usually went along with the purchase---to ease the dealers conscience, perhaps.

What would you say to a mandatory either or law?? Either you have to wear a helmet OR you have to take mandatory rider education?? And I would say it has to be more than just the basic class, at least basic and one advanced course w/i 2-3 years

Only problem there is not enough rider ed classes. Most states are reluctant to spend $$$ for additional rider training when a helmet law cost taxpayers nothing. Bikers soak up the expense of helmet mandate.

I have a better idea: everyone under the age of 60 wears a helmet and everyone with over 40 years of riding experience is exempt from wearing a helmet or attending mandatory rider training. (That let's me in the front door)

Any thoughts on that proposal??

Latest scoop from Pennsylvania: Big Ben had been riding his motorcycles on a permit which expired in March 2006. Under Pennsylvania law, while on a permit he was required to WEAR A HELMET at all times.

I had a strong feeling that he was an inexperienced rider!!

IMHO, there's dark clouds forming over us--you and me. Already talk brewing of a National helmet law. I've a feeling this incident won't die down for quite some time.

Ed..