Used to ride without a helmet forever.

One day, happily riding along at the speed limit (no kidding) a female pheasent (sp?) landed right in the middle of my smile - very nearly knocking both of us off the bike.

I bought a helmet. Currently enjoying my Nolan full face - watching the bugs, rocks, and road waste bounce off. Don't plan to see if it helps in an accident, but I sure like how it cleans out the jetstream