I like to be comfortable and free. I know that in certain scenarios a lid can minimize damage to the cranium. I have attended the MSF course twice over the years so I am not ill informed to the positives of a helmet in terms of their potential to minimize injury.
I fall into the category of those who choose to be free and go without. Down here in southern Arizona it is flat out hotter than hades from May to as late as the end of October. A helmet is heavy, reduces vision to a degree, creates a heat trap for the cranium on those hot days and is just generally a bummer.
So I am willin to take my chances. We all gotta die sometime and if my risk is indeed elevated than so be it.
Mow riding in winter a helmet is a positive to comfort on a cold morning. I wear a burglars mask and the helmet over the top keeps the cold blast off the face and head.
It just feels so good and fun to be free. The warm air whisling around your ears is not a problem with a good skull cap/do rag to handle that and keep your hair from messin up.
Its my life and I'll live it or not as I see fit within the law.
And I hate it when all the do gooders come out of the woodwork to lecture all of we free choice types on the issue. flat makes me mad as it were.
Motorcycling is about fun and enjoyment based on personal choice. I dont make fun of the riders you see from time to time on the street wearing a bright orange vest over the top of their jacket. What you wear or dont wear in terms of clothing and protective gear is to me all a personal choice. (I do draw the line at flip flops)
Just get on and ride and be YOUR OWN PERSON. Go your own way as long as the law allows it.
