Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Riding Technique Helmet? Who freaking cares?

I always wear the gear. The full gear....full face helmet with face shield, gloves, armored riding jacket, kevlar jeans and boots.

When I first got the bike I went down twice in a month both executing tight left turns at about 2 MPH and I was looking at the ground instead of where I wanted to go. I ended up on the ground. Both times my noggin was bashed against the ground.

When I had a serious mishap in 12/08 at 35 MPH I dumped the bike to avoid being T Boned by a car full of teens at night and again the helmet saved my noggin. The other stuff was handy as I suffered no road rash, no lacerations but I did get some brusing and a broken Fibula when the bike fell onto my ankle.

I just finished riding through a Las Vegas summer of h%%$ wearing all the gear. I found a wet vest that I wear under a mesh jacket and it makes riding in hot weather bearable.

Not pleasant but bearable. The head is a big item to cool and even with a well ventilated helmet the air trying to cool you down at 110 degrees does not do much to make your head comfortable at all. It became a sweat bucket and I wonder why it does not stink with all the sweat it has absorbed.

To ride the bike at low speeds (up to 50) is OK without the windshield but to ride the bike on the highway at 60 MPH or more the chunk of plastic in front of me is very welcome and appreciated.