Ducati Monster Forum

i rode without a helmet today. my seat got jammed and my helmet got stuck.


i must admit, it is quite liberating.... im going to have to consider a half helmet for around town/no highways and no speeding.

that is all.

This one rocks the Haus and would be great if you ever decide to invade France :P

(http://ep.yimg.com/ip/I/helmetstore_2058_1899889)

 [laugh] [laugh]

Every wreck I've seen, in town or not has had the chin bar and visor smacked.  Full face FTW.

He Man, Matador's gonna be disappointed if you mess up that pretty face   :P

riding w/o a lid scared the poo out of me

I rode in shorts and t-shirt (with helmet) for the first time last weekend. I was not feeling it at all. maybe just jeans would be cool but the shorts was not working for me.

When I first started riding I rode without a lid sometimes. No more.

I just had an in-town, not speeding wreck about a week ago. If I hadn't been wearing my helmet I'd either be super make the beast with two backsed up, or I would have gone home in a box.

I wouldn't recommend the liberated, no helmet option, myself. :P

Y'know, parachutes can really make your back sweat. They can be heavy and ungainly, too. Wouldn't it feel lighter, more liberated to feel the air blasting past without one after you jump out of the plane? I'll bet it would.

A better alternative to riding no helmet -

It's liberating, stylish, and environmentally friendly.  Most importanly, it cools your head while riding in hot moggy NY summer. 

(http://www.geocities.com/paulfrancisblake/melons.jpg)

I too, have sinned. a couple of weeks ago it got up to 38 degress (100 fahrenheit). It was just a 5 minute ride down to the beach so I only wore shorts, t-shirt and sneakers, but I did use my full-face helmet and gloves. Even though I was cooler, I couldn't help but feel completely vulnerable.
I won't do it again.

Rode my bike in shorts t-shirt and no helmet halfway around the block at about 10 mph from the front of my house where I washed it back to my garage in the alley where I finished detailing and I felt vulnerable, especially in the gravel in the alley.  Couldn't imagine going any further in anything less than full gear.  Hell, I feel weird if I forget my earplugs (although it makes me love the Zards even more).  Didn't feel liberating at all, eyes were watering up even with sunglasses on at 10 mph, I couldn't imagine highway speeds without a FF helmet, especially since I always seem to take rocks and bugs in the face shield.

I have done the shorts and T-Shirt thing down my road and back just to heat my chain up and that scared the hell out of me.  I have never done it since

No helmet?  Even for around town is just stupid........around town there are plenty of inattentive drivers trying to find parking spots for the grocery store or something.  And something like 80% of crashes hit the chin bar. Wearing a half helmet is just plain stupidity as well.  If you want a good modular helmet there is one out there with a fixed chin bar i just do not know the name off hand.  I'll look for it.

Don't be dumb we would like to keep you around.

Sure would. That's why Pastrana did it.  ;)  If your scared, just say your scared.  [evil]


Travis Pastrana Skydives without a Parachute (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDBrdl2sZWs#lq-lq2-hq-vhq)

I was hoping someone would post that ^^^

That make the beast with two backser is crazy.

a good friend of mine is a competitive skydiver. He is on those jump teams, not sure what you call it, but they do the formations, etc.


That video and his stupidity pissed off the skydiving community, at least some of them were offended by his gross neglect of safety and the sport.

^^ that is putting a lot of faith in to many variables

Meh, I know plenty of skydivers that loved it.  [thumbsup]

That's cool.

All jumpers are different and how passionate they are about their sport/hobby.

Jud, You said and I quote, "That video and his stupidity pissed off the skydiving community," 

That is an incorrect statement. Do you think that the Professional skydivers and camera men in the video were pissed off?

Sorry, I should have been much clearer on a friends "local skydive community"


does that make you feel better? I didn't realize I need to be precise in my postings. I'll work on it.

No helmet vs. shorts and T Shirt...

I started riding around 1973.  In that time I've gone down hard seven times.  Sometimes with a helmet and sometimes without.

Now, I didn't always hit my head going down, as a matter of fact, I only struck my head twice in those seven accidents; once with a helmet (it probably saved my life), and once without (faceplant looks like meat).

However, I ALWAYS hit my (_!_) and my feet, legs, and back always took a lot of damage.  I never rode without at least Levis, but usually with leather pants.  Always with leather jacket, boots, and gloves.

FTR, I walked away from all but one of these.  Crumple #6 sent me to the hospital with broken ribs; I TBoned a car that pulled in front of me and stopped.  I had full leathers, boots, gloves, and full face helmet.

I guess the moral of this story for me is that no matter how safe we think we are being, the Sausage Creature can still bite us hard.

I'm an ATGATT guy, but I can see the appeal of going naked -- the other day the battery crapped out on the ST2 and I caught a ride back the next morning with a fully charged one to drop in & ride home. Realized too late that my jacket was at home so decided to ride in just a T-shirt and jeans (but with a FF helmet). It's hot & dry here in Central Arizona, and it felt absolutely delicious at 60 mph -- I could feel the shirt climbing up my back to my shoulder blades, just like I always see on various squidly sorts. If I'd planned it a little better, I should have made sure it was a Corona T-shirt so I'd have the full experience -- well, if I'd planned better I would have had my leather & armor on.

Helmetless, though, feels really weird and uncomfortable to me & I've only done it for half a block a few times to move a bike from my house over to the garage where a neighbor lets me keep one. While I wasn't over 10 mph and not worried about my skin in shorts etc., the worst concussion I've ever had was from coming off a bicycle at 2-3 mph, and that happened while wearing a bike helmet.

In particular, those half-block trips make it harder for me to understand riding with flip flops, as even with Chaco sandals strapped firmly on my feet it's a real PITA to upshift.

Thanks kopfjager, was hoping someone (other than me) would post that up.

Let me start by saying that I ride covered tip to tail...or is that feet? ALWAYS.  

I'm absolutely not trying to stir up anything, just amazing how we look at all the things that are trying to kill us and justifying how we go at "protecting ourselves".
But funny thing, I have been ski racing (on U.S. ski team) and bicycle racing (Jr. National team & 2 time State Champion) & don't remember ever wearing anything that would protect me other than my head or ears (my free ski, GS or downhill helmet), my slalom helmet had basically a bar the size of a pencil to "protect" my face.  All other armour was to block gates, period. They would eat you up when you fell. The bicycle is even crazier, F'n cars, like on moto but worse (they reeeeaally hate bicycles).  Flayling off mountain passes at 60+, taking 10 mph hairpins @25 wearing very unattractive underwear with a piece of foam for a helmet.

Good God!  I think I just convinced myself to buy one of those body airbags & stay inside the rest of my life !

Now look what you guys went & did.

 Bottom line: Use your head (not to stop). and no matter how you chose to ride, enjoy yourself, but know that someone  is expecting you to come home in one piece.

See ya' down the road!    

Again, I misspoke myself.

How would I know if the entire skydive community was pissed?

I've only been 5 times and it has always been with the same group at two different DZ's.

Sorry guys.

I actually thought of it because it was one of the dumbest damn things i've ever seen.  Don't be sorry,  He's just freakin' crazy/out of his mind.

Yeah I rode without a lid once and I felt free but in the back of my mind I kept feeling like I was gonna wipe out.

For me to feel fully free on the bike, I leave my watch at home.

R.

It really isn't smart and doesn't teach younger kids the aspect of skydiving safely.

It is just a moron trying to get more notoriety.

I guess it worked because we keep talking about it.

Could not have said it better.

Many famous people have said "threre is no such thing as bad publisity". 

I think I heard Madona say it first about 20yrs ago.  Maybe she & Pastrana could jump together...by themselves...no parachute.   Let's see how that goes. 

 [clap]  [popcorn] 

I believe Pastrana's success at the X Games would prove him not to be a moron.

How many young kids do you think watch that video and say. Man, I gotta try that.

Also, you wouldn't be able to pull it off without the support of some professional skydivers.

Extreme Base Jumping in Wingsuits (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttz5oPpF1Js#normal)

notoriety is one thing, just pure fun is another.

When we start talking about skydiving without a chute, you have to get one thing. sky diving has 1 definite. you will ALWAYS crash into the ground. the parachute just slows you down. on a motorcycle you can not wear ur safety gear and get away with it.


I had a similar feeling. i just saw myself and my brains all over the road. i dont think i broke 30mph when i rode without my helmet. It was also 4am and there wasnt a car in sight. the only problem i might of had was perhaps someone saw my face and wanted to shoot me or something.

this year, i started going back to wearing a t shirt and jeans + sneakers for local commuting. Again, i dont intend to stir shit up but people all have mixed feelings about what gear is primary and what is secondary..etc. I  think it all depends on what you are willing to risk and what your mindset is when your riding.

I've noticed some people when they ride, they look STRAIGHT, and just like to have thier mind wander and worry whats in front. Some people are in a race mode and only look at the traffic as an obstacle, the last one ive noticed is paranoid. Theres no such thing as a blind corner where i live, the only way you can get into an accident is if someone clips you (on purpose) or runs a red light.

But dont forget. the more gear you wear, the harder you are likely to ride. It is true for most people, and for everyone i personally know.

One time I went riding without pants....

Seriously?  After the past couple of days I figured you of all people would know I'm not out to tell anyone they are wrong.   I have jumped off of bridges for ski movies (yeah ski movies). What the hell was I thinking?  Bungee jumping back then was as bad as no freakin' parachute.
It's now to the point where it's a "Look at my crazy ass do a forward flip with a back flip while texting" dick swingin' world.    

He Man, speedbag.    [thumbsup]

Pretty damn happy I don't know you speedbag, so I don't get a visual...just sayin'.

Yeah, you don't. And I'm not saying any more about the subject.  ;)

Thank Gaaawwd    ;)

I'll confess too....normally I am an ATGATT gal.

However, one time I saw a neighbor with a lil old CB400 for sale, walked over to check it out on my way to go to a party.

While I was sitting on it, he started it up and told me to test it out. 

I rode around the block (side streets, no faster than 25 mph) with no helmet (illegal here), jeans, tank top and heels. [evil]

That's the only time I've gone helmetless except in a parking lot.  Not that it makes it any better but I've done much more risky things on a bicycle. 

And this one time, at band camp. . .

have gone helmetless before around the parking lot and wished i could do it around town legally sometimes.. definitely feels nice.. ride around town with jeans and tshirt all the time when the weather permits too.
 
BTW, I dont understand why some people get so worked up about what gear others wear/dont wear. It's their decision. To give someone a hard time cuz they dont wear a full face helmet/full leathers/boots every ride is no different than cagers telling us to stop riding cuz motorcycles are dangerous..

BINGO!

I've written as much elsewhere here at DML, though I do think it stupid to go without at least boots and heavy long pants.

No helmet stupid?  Er, I don't want to say that because I like to go without sometimes.  I prefer to call it, "Not the smartes move."   [laugh]

There are many reasons.

Someone has to go peel you up off the pavement, collect the parts from the bushes, keep what's left breathing and pumping, and drive you to a hospital. Often at weird hours when they're supposed to be home with their families.

Someone has to come in and run a code on you, do the tracheostomy and skin grafts, quell your delirium, and wipe your butt. Often at weird hours when they're supposed to be home with their families.

Someone has to pay for your acute medical care and your years of rehab. Yeah, I know you paid for insurance, but a) you're the one raising everyone else's premiums and b) the indemnity insurance benefit maxed out on your second hospital day so all the costs from there on out are borne by taxpayers.

Someone sees you squidding around and they shake their heads and file it away as evidence that riders are irresponsible daredevils. They can see ten others with proper gear but that will make almost no dent in that negative impression.

Motorcycles ARE dangerous. There's practically no risk you can take in life that doesn't impact other people. Thus, taking unnecessary risks that can easily be minimized is selfish.

some people have the "panties in a wad" button on a hair trigger.

My last off bike excursion was initiated by a drunk who rear-ended me. After flying high enough to dunk a basketball, I landed head first on the street. Had I been wearing a half helmet I'd be riding the short bus, need a nurse to feed me and probably need a nurse to clean me via sponge bath.
Hey wait a minute...

 [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]

I agree. but who's to say what is an "unnecessary", "easily..minimizable" risk? would this include riding a motorcycle? I'm sure to some it would--no matter what gear you wear. So in essence you too are being "selfish"... (I'm not actually saying you're selfish btw..)

my point is that the decision to wear gear is just as much a personal choice as is riding a motorcycle and to try to impose your own riding habits/fears/whatever on a fellow rider is no different than non-riders making riders out to be irresponsible hooligans just because they don't agree with their choice to ride.

 ???

Not knocking his talent as a rider or whatever he does. He is definitely good at that.

Still doesn't mean he isn't a moron. What sort of non-moron jumps out of an airplane without a chute on?


Ever seen his MTV Crib's episode?

Doesn't some poor kid go off his ramp and miss the foam pit?



As for kids trying that..........you make the beast with two backsing bet they would if they could.


Remember when The Program came out there was a scene with them laying in the road and having cars pass over them?

why do you think they edited it out eventually? (I thought they did....its been some years)

idiots tried it and make the beast with two backsing got run over.


These x-games guys are professionals, but they do shit that little kids think is "cool" and try it.

We have a skate park across the street in a park from where I live; I see the ambulance there pretty frequently from kids trying stupid shit.

just my $0.02

Don't forget all of the people that get delayed in the traffic because the road is closed due to a fatality. Those people are missing time with their family as well...

Sorry, forgot to set the Tivo.  [roll]

A kid would never be able to attempt that stunt.

They were all kids. How the make the beast with two backs do think they got that good. Lot's of injuries over the years.

Yeah, Close those damned skate parks.  :D

Agreed. Each additional risk taken increases the selfishness. If I'm going to be selfish enough to (fill in the blank), then the responsible thing is to do whatever I can reasonably do to minimize the risks inherent in (blank)ing, whether that's motorcycling, scuba diving, skateboarding, or eating steak. My riding (and diving, and steak-eating) definitely puts my family's economic safety at risk so those are clearly selfish decisions on my part. There's no point adding to the selfishness by not using appropriate safety gear.


No, it's clearly not really any different. Possibly where we disagree is whether such an attempt to get others to use safety equipment is unreasonable or not. I tend to think that the motorcycling community probably does include a considerably higher percentage of irresponsible hooligans than the general public, so perhaps those non-riders are right. Maybe it's just the riders that end up in my ER and on my brain rehab unit. I dunno.

A few days ago as I was leaving the office my colleague started giving me grief for not wearing my helmet - really tore into me. Eventually I broke in to tell her that she was probably right, but wearing a helmet while driving my car made me feel silly and that when I did (e.g., while autocrossing) I kept whacking the helmet against various bits of the inside of the car.

And, of course, the families of those fatalities (who presumably love them) will be missing time with them forever.

Looks like my last comment got deleted.   :-\

I would give anything to chill with Pastrana for a day.  Those stunts are sick it would be awesome to give some of them a shot!