Quote:

that extra 15 lbs of weight on the head ( yes he was wearing a helmet)



My full face modular helmet weighs about three pounds.

Frankly, I think saying or implying helmets cause more deaths than they prevent is rather irresponsible and in fact not true.

Of course there are other causes in a crash such as internal injuries, severe road rash causing massive shock and/or bleeding.

And the injuries to hands, feet etc. can be debilitating, but not as much as head injuries.

I know a woman who is a recreational therapist. She helps people with mental disabilities to get out and participate in different activities; bowling, tennis, movies etc. Fully 50% of her clients are head trauma victims, they were just normal people enjoying life until they received a head injury that forever changed them, essentially making them mentally retarded/lobotomized. Of that 50% about 10% are injuries from not wearing a helmet while crashing a motorcycle.

The simple fact is that if you are involved in a crash on your bike your head is the most vulnerable part of your body and if it hits the ground or any hard object; tree, fence, rock, fire hydrant etc.,etc., you can count on dying or being a rutabaga and a burden to your loved ones for a long time.

We all know and accept those risks, so choose how much risk you want to take, if that means no helmet and it's legal where you live then more power to you. Of course, then for you that 20mph low/high side due to some slippery sh!t on a turn, or being rear ended by a ditz on a phone while sitting at a red light may just be fatal.
I'll have a damaged bike and walk away.

As for newspaper reports; kind of silly to mention that the rider was wearing a helmet in states where it is required by law. But by reporting that he was not wearing a helmet may serve to educate some people and encourage them to wear one.

In states that don't require helmets, it should be reported either way, wearing or not wearing.

So it's a choice. Make your choice.
My choice? ATGATT

Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también