Triumphrat

Dan McGrath · 11-16-2012, 07:28 PM

1) No
2)No
3) I wear a Bell 500, never been challenged on it. BTW, Biltwell now carries a DOT Helmet that resembles the 500.
4) N/A

leftarmlogan · 11-16-2012, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshrob

1. In your location, can you ride without a helmet?

2. If you are allowed to ride without a helmet in your state, do you feel like you are ever alienated by other bikers, if you CHOOSE to wear one?

3. If you have a helmet law, do the cops enforce it rigidly or can you ride around in a Davida pudding basin or SOA type skull cap,or some non approved novelty helmet, ie the Biltwell, as per my avatar?

4. If you live in a state where you don`t have to wear helmets, are there any encouragements or media campaigns, or pressure to wear one?

1. Yes. A rider can go helmetless if he or she is older than 21 and has more than two years of riding experience or has completed an MSF course. Riders on learner's permits must wear a helmet.

2. No. Most of the riders I know wear always wear a helmet.

3. As long as the helmet has the following, it's legal:

- Name or identification of manufacturer
- Precise model designation
- Size
- Month and year the helmet was manufactured
- A “DOT” sticker can be centered on the back of the outer shell of the helmet.

4. I've never seen one but then I've never paid attention to it, either. I wear my helmet regardless. During the MSF course, they really preached the use of helmets, which is to expected in a safety course.

PixMan · 11-16-2012, 10:52 PM

1. No
2. No
3. Rarely enforced, but the "DOT approved" provision is on the books.
4. N/A

In Mass, helmet law means everyone wears one, though I occsionally see a rider from bordering states without helmet laws (Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hampshire) who wander across the border and either didn't realize, didn't know, or just plain forgot to cover. When I ride in those states I am definitely the odd man out as I may pass dozens or more of riders on all sorts of bikes (including Triumphs) who ride bareheaded.

As for riding gear on given types of bikes, zealatore had it about right though there are many "out of uniform" for their rides. I probably look odd riding my Tiger 800 in full (though 2-piece) leathers, boots & gloves on the warmer days. I also wear full textile Goretex-type gear a lot, and find only a small percentage riding in anything other than jeans. A few more may wear a jacket, lots of half and 3/4 helmets, more plastic buckets, few wear boots or wear gloves above 70ºF.

I'm an advocate of ATGATT, and willingly engage anyone in the discussion if they should make a comment to me of "aren't you hot in that..." or similar.