Quote:

Statistics show that there is little difference, but safe riding practices without the distractions and weight of a helmet has a slight edge.
For an inexperienced rider, the reactions needed for safe riding have not yet been developed, and a lid is usually a good thing. For experienced riders, do what you feel most comfortable with because it makes less difference than you might think.



I really believe that any reference to statistics should include a link to them. Otherwise they have to be considered hearsay. We have mandatory helmet law in NV, but I would wear one anyway, I do when I ride in AZ and UT where I don't have to. I also wear a full face, mostly due to truck droppings that get kicked up by traffic in front, but also because of the comfort factor, ae aerodynamics and less wind noise. As to weight and distraction, I don't notice the weight at all, and the only distraction is the face shield fogging up on cool days, but any eye protection will do that. Further, a foriegn object in the face at speed is far more distracting than about anything I can think of. (Been there too, in my foolish youth).
I'll bet that any statistics that you can find will be weighted toward the particular agenda of the organization that produced them. So you can count on conflicting reports.
Just remember the words of Mark Twain:
"There are three kinds of lies;
Lies.
Damned lies. and
Statistics."

Last edited by bigbill; 02/17/2006 2:21 PM.