THE DEBATE…..

I started riding motorcycles in 1969; I was fourteen years old at the time. Over the years I have had several types of motorcycles. Like most of us who ride I was hooked from day one. At that time I lived in Missouri, they had a helmet law and still do. I remember doing day rides to Illinois so I could ride without a helmet and talk about how great the feel of freedom was. Through out the following years I still road with a helmet.

In 1973 a pick-up truck made a left turn in front of me. I hit the right side of the front bumper, into the windshield and onto the pavement. I was wearing a helmet, but didn’t have it fastened. The good part was it stayed on just long enough. I spent a month in the hospital and a month at home before I was up and moving again. I was young and the recovery was good. This didn’t keep me from riding. When I was well, I rode every chance I could. Everyone had a bike for me to ride until I got another one.

A lot of years and miles have past, I still ride. I moved to Arizona and rode without a helmet. Moved to Mexico and started to wear one again as the roads and drivers leave a little to be desired. Six years ago we moved to Texas, one reason was I liked the idea of all the roads to ride. I rode with my helmet for a while, but seeing everyone with out one, I joined in. We all do things because everyone else does it. I’m no different.

At some point I started wearing my helmet again, just felt like I should and felt safer to me. Then one day last year in a rain storm I hit oil on the road at a stop light. I just tapped the rear brake; it felt like someone kicked the rear wheel from under me. I went sliding down the highway. It was a good thing the cars behind me were far enough back I didn’t get hit. My head hit the road three times. I had a big lump and was grateful that was all. The helmet took the hits well. I retired that one and bought another one. That’s when I started to push all my friends to wear a helmet. I’ve had several friends go down in the years, several here in Texas. Some had helmets on, some didn’t. I’ve seen some bad accidents and several miracles. I still wear my helmet.

Now this brings me to December 15^th, 2006. It was a great day; I just got the bike out of the shop from a long time problem. I also spent the day cleaning, waxing and an oil change. That night on the way home from a party about 8:30 a lady flipped a SUV over on the bridge in front of me. I hit the undercarriage at about fifty mile per hour. I had on a new full face helmet. I took a hard hit; my head is still swollen almost a month later. I thought at the time of impact “This will be interesting if I wake up from this.” Funny what goes on in your mind at times like that. I suffered a cut on my forehead from the shield, because I had it raised, it broke and cut me. My glasses looked like someone wadded them in their hand. I suffered a broke wrist and a very sore body. The bike didn’t fare so well. Someone was looking out for me that night. You are given choices in life, one is weather or not to wear a helmet. I chose to wear one and because of that I’m here today. I retired that helmet also. I’m now a proud owner of a new motorcycle and a new Z1R full face helmet. They are the top rated helmet on the market and I’m worth it!

                                    Ride Safe, Wear a Helmet!  Nisee

A Helmet is not always enough, these photos were posted by a friend on texascruisers.com, they are very real and very graphic.

The 18 Wheeler that this young man on the crotch rocket rammed into was unscathed.....but the young rider and his bike?












PLEASE, LET'S RIDE SAFE OUT THERE......