Motorcycle debates: helmets, riding gear, mufflers, lane splitting and stunting

June 17, 8:23 PMBaltimore Motorcycle Travel ExaminerTom Bachur

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This helmet protected the rider from injury. Imagine the injuries without it. (Photo: Jeff Dean)

Until now, my articles have been fairly opinion free.  I thought it time I write an article about some of my personal riding opinions and pet peeves.  As always, I welcome any thoughts and comments.

I guess if I’m going to start a firestorm, I might as well jump in with both feet!  Here goes:

• I believe that helmets save lives
• I subscribe to the acronym “ATGATT” (All The Gear, All The Time)
• I think the saying “loud pipes save lives” is absurd
• I am appalled by the knuckleheads riding between cars at high speeds on the highways.
• I am dumbfounded by the stupidity of the "riders" who show-off by stunt-riding in traffic.

About Helmets
Yes, I’ve heard the arguments regarding helmets:

• "Helmets restrict my vision"
• "Helmets impede my hearing"
• "Helmets are too hot"
• "Helmets are too heavy"
• "Helmets cause injuries"
• "It’s a matter of personal choice; the government doesn’t have the right to tell me I have to wear a helmet."

I’ve been riding for over 25 years.  When I was young and stupid, Maryland didn’t have a helmet law.  Yes, I was out there riding the highway with sunglasses, shorts, tennis shoes and no helmet.  Not anymore.  Call it maturity, experience or wisdom; I now wear a full-faced helmet and ATGATT!

People, think!

• Helmets restrict your vision.  Helmets are designed not to restrict your vision.  If you think that, turn your head - your neck moves!
• Helmets impair your hearing.  What, more than the wind noise does?  As someone who has ridden both with and without a helmet, I can authoritatively denounce this statement as being just plain false!  In fact, I wear earplugs under my full-faced helmet to protect my ears and I can still hear what I need to hear!
• Helmets are too hot.  Yes, there are some days when it is too hot to ride.  On those days, I drive the car, close the windows and turn on the air conditioning!
• Helmets cause injuries.  Despite the various websites that slant the facts to support this argument, the real truth is that statistics show the opposite.  Helmets reduce injuries and protect the head and brain.
• It’s a matter of personal choice.  No, it’s not.  Driving on public roads is a privilege, not a right.  If you aren’t willing to abide by the rules of the road, the State has the right to revoke or suspend your license.  Helmets laws for motorcycles are tantamount to seatbelt laws for cars.  It’s NOT a choice, it’s a law!

Here is a great webpage that details the frequency of impact areas found on motorcycle helmets involved in a crash.  Some of the information might have you re-evaluating your helmet choice!

It's not by accident that race car drivers, MotoGp riders, MotoCross riders, boat racers, astronauts, military pilots and a myriad of other professions wear helmets.  Do you really think they would wear them if helmets didn’t increase their safety?  They are the professionals, and they are leading by example for a reason.  Be smart, follow their lead!

About Riding Gear
I’ll admit, it’s a bit of a pain to put on the jacket, boots, helmet and gloves every time I get on the bike.  But for me, it’s about responsibility.  For me, gearing-up sets the initial tone for my ride.  It puts me into the “okay, now I’ve got to be on my best game” frame of mind.  ATGATT also makes me feel more responsible as a father and husband.  By gearing-up each and every time I ride, I’m acknowledging the risks inherent in riding, and I'm doing my best to be prepared.  To me, ATGATT is like putting on my seatbelt when I get in my car.  I hope I never need to find out how well my gear protects me, but I feel better knowing it’s there if I need it.

About Mufflers
A friend once asked someone arguing that loud pipes save lives: “if that’s true, then why aren’t all of the GoldWing rider’s dead?”

In a prior career, I drove an emergency vehicle for 20 years.  From experience, I can tell you that with full emergency equipment activated (lights and siren), car drivers don’t always hear or see you coming.  It is a well-known fact that emergency vehicles “outrun” their sirens between 50 - 60 mph.  Stated another way, by the time the siren is heard, the emergency vehicle is either right on top of, or passing the vehicle being signaled!

If other drivers can’t hear an emergency siren, do you really think they are going to hear your loud pipes, which are facing the wrong direction?  My opinion is that all loud pipes do is bother neighbors and give other riders a bad image.

About Lane Splitting and Stunting
As typically observed, these activities are seriously dangerous and have no business being performed on public roads or in traffic. 

Professional stunt riders are impressive and enjoyable to watch, but the "pro's" will never practice on public roads in the middle of traffic!

Lane splitting is illegal in all states but California.  In California, lane splitting is only legal if performed safely, placing the responsibility on the rider to avoid a crash.  Weaving through traffic at 80+ mph is suicidal at best and it places other drivers in harms way.  One unexpected occurrence is all it takes for this kind of kamikaze ride to turn into an instant tragedy.  These riders are generally young males, full of testosterone, invincible and oblivious to the real dangers they’re creating.  They give us all a black eye and might one day become the logic behind mandatory motorcycle rider training.

To me, these ideas are based in common sense.  To those that ride by these "standards," I applaud you.  To those of you who have a different opinion, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.  To all, GodSpeed, good fortune and good health during your two-wheeled travels!

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