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2004 (October to December) More for Judy who has a strong message about novelty helmets after losing a loved one: So sorry to hear of your loss. I can only imagine how devastating this must be. While I hear your message about the novelty helmet...I also hear a lot of other things here. My son is probably one of the best riders I have ever seen. A natural...he wears a novelty helmet and I cringe. I always wear a DOT helmet when I ride. While both myself and my best girlfriend of thirty plus years both wear helmets, we are upset at his choice. On the other hand, I have no control over this. It is his choice! I am confident in his abilities and trust his judgment in spite of how I feel. And while I don't want to get philosophical here, I do believe that it is up to a higher power and we are protected and taken when it is our time. It is hard for us survivors but, I believe that there are other powers at work. While this is a site for women riders and mentoring, there is also a lot of other support that goes on for women. In that forum, I hear other hurt here as well. I am not a psychologist but, want to put my two cents in (for what it is worth). It is so hard to let go of a man we love. I was married for 22 years to what I thought was "the love of my life." But, after many years of experiencing his alcohol and drug abuse and infidelity...I had to call it quits. It hurt terribly but, it was the right thing to do. He is ill now and I have moments of guilt and sadness. But, the moments get smaller. I am now married to my best friend and supporter. I love riding with him and being with him. He has been a great mentor and supporter to me of riding and everything else in life. I love riding...it helps me keep everything today and in the past in perspective. It is a good outlet and helps me to keep grounded. I still have days where my past haunts me but, I ride through it. And I am so grateful for that. Something I heard some time ago...Relationships should be easy. I did not understand what that meant until now. My life is easy...my relationship is easy. It is easy to come home. Get rid of the scripts....ride through it. You will get there. Ride through the grief and experience all the wonderful things that life has to offer you. I have faith in you!! Have faith in yourself. And keep the wind in your face!!! PS. There are a lot of states that are now adopting motorcycle awareness to the written driver tests. The AMA is supporting and pushing for this as all of us riders should as well. – Shani (note from Mama: thank you for sharing your message about choice and reading a bit deeper into Judy's letter . . . one that struck a chord in your own life. This could only have come from first hand experience and your courage to talk about it is inspiring. Yes, by and large, this site is about women and riding, but over time we've covered other issues that can cloud our lives. It's always appropriate to discuss other life aspects, as we do not operate in a "riding vacuum" so to speak.) In response to VTwin Mama's note about the novelty helmet issue: Do you think any helmet is going to protect you going over 15 mph? Think again. It would be a fluke. I believe a helmet would have to be 3' thick to work - that would be impractical. Don't tell the UN or insurance companies; that will be next. Rather than push for regulation of non-DOT helmets, I would like to stick to my original suggestion - prosecuting the cage driver. They just keep getting away with misdemeanors when they are using a weapon against us which should be a felony. THEY NEED TO GET JAIL TIME! Please do not tack on nonsense to my very serious suggestion regarding car driver accountability. Thank you. Sincerely, – Cecilia Eckerson For Shani about the use of novelty helmets: Your "higher power" gave your son a brain to think with and reach conclusions with. So I guess your God just rubs his chin thoughtfully when he sees people wearing novelty helmets and ponders on their enthusiasm to meet him a lot quicker than some other folks. We have an expression here [Australia], it seems to fit well: If you've got a 10 dollar head...wear a 10 dollar helmet. And as Petra will point out to everyone...when I was your son's age I wore no helmet at all...but thankfully the Australian Government decided eventually that if you can't wear a helmet then you can't ride a motorcycle here at all. That's the only reason that I and most of my mates are still here today. As I got older, I got smarter, you've only got one life...look after it! – Kevin (note from Mama: I will simply add that I cringe over some of my decisions from past years that heightened my chances for things to go wrong and am thankful I survived them. Age and experience will always change our perspecitve on issues, especially one as explosive as the wearing of helmets.) More for Shani and her son's use of a novelty helmet: Well I'm glad you feel that your son is a great rider. But no one will ever be a perfect rider. Accidents happen to anyone. Seriously, someone should show that kid what wearing a novelty helmet will do to a person. My dad dropped his bike, I had to go pick up the bike. Had my father been wearing one of those novelty helmets he would of been in a world of hurt more so then he was with a broken collarbone. I get so sick and tired of hearing young kids saying stuff isn't "cool" to wear. How cool are they going to look when they wind up dead ??? Kids now a days need to have common sense beaten into their heads. So I really do hope your son never falls but maybe will have a little more sense in what he puts his head into to protect it. Like you said, it's his choice, but he also needs to realize his choices affect him and his family. – Worried in GA (note from Mama: yes, choice can affect more than the immediate person, but how do we influence another to see the consequences of choice? Unfortunately, first hand experience witnessing a horrific outcome is the fastest teacher. For many, age and experience allow us to know and understand the lesson without having to experience a personal crisis because we learn over time that we are less invincible than originally imagined. Then there are the states that demand helmet laws because they perceive that they know best. And so round and round we go with both "camps" convinced they are in the right and not able to reach common ground on the issue. Constructive thoughts and ideas on how to educate a rider on the dangers of novelty helmets and no helmet riding would be welcome at this juncture.) Friday,
October 8 I have chosen not to edit any responses for content or language. The VTwin Mama site has always attempted to post everyone's thoughts as presented, and on occasion, explosive issues generate more direct responses. You will also note that I will not be adding my own usual commentary as I feel the messages speak for themselves. If you have not been following the recent thread, start on the Riding Gear: Helmets page with Judy's letter about novelty helmets and the loss of an important person in her life. Then you'll see the subsequent posts, including those that follow here. Without further ado . . . For Cecilia who questioned the ability of any helmet to protect a rider over 15mph: Your statement regarding helmets being useless above 15mph is so far off the mark I really don't know how you reached that conclusion lady? Sure people have died going slow whilst wearing a helmet...but it's rare. Now don't get all excited mate...have a good long think for a minute. GP Racers and guys and gals who do track days are coming off their bikes at close to or in some cases above, 300 kph...and getting up and walking away with no serious injuries to their heads...you wonder why that is? You think they would have been ok with no helmet on? Give me a break. I used to race motorcycles in the Rallye class...I have come off at over 120kph several times...on dirt roads covered in jagged rocks...the helmet looks like an alien monster has clawed it to pieces...but my head's ok inside it. I have come off my road bike at high speed, slammed into the ground with my helmet and got up and walked away, head unhurt. Every day, all around the world, hundreds of motorcyclists...whether they are riding to work, or racing on a track are being saved by their helmets...and that's a FACT!!! You may not like helmets, you may not want to wear a helmet...but don't delude yourself that they are not saving lives even as I type this. I am against mandatory helmet usage myself...that's not the issue here. The issue here as you stated, is that helmets wont save you above 15mph...and that's just bullshit mate. Thousands, yes thousands, of riders across the planet are living proof that I am right and you are wrong. I am not saying a helmet will always save you (at any speed)...but it sure helps! An old Aussie test for unbelievers...I have seen it done. Get a water melon, hold it in both hands...smash it into a wall three or fours times. Put water melon on ground, hit it hard a couple of times with a piece of 2x4. See what water melon looks like. Get another water melon, put it securely inside a full face helmet. Smash helmet into a wall three or four times. Place helmet on ground, hit it hard a couple of times with a piece of 2x4. Remove secured water melon from inside helmet, see what it looks like. Put the two water melons together and inspect both closely. Think of a human head whilst doing all of the above. Throw the helmet into the nearest dumpster, it's now useless, but it has done it's job. Sorry you had to ruin a perfectly good helmet for the above test to work. Here endeth the lesson. – Kevin I
really must respond to the
incredibly ignorant posts made by Cecelia E., regarding Novelty (and
other) Helmets. It’s
bad enough that she was rudely dismissive and downright insulting to you
in regard to your insightful comment to her initial post.
I’m surprised she didn’t trot out that ridiculous myth about
full-face helmets causing people to break their necks.
I’ve actually seen rants comparing wearing FF helmets to having a
200-lb. weight attached to their heads.
Strangely enough, they don’t concurrently post anything about
majoring is physics in college! Quite
the contrary: many of these
helmet “authorities” seem to have writing ability just a bit beyond
3rd grade level. To
blindly state a helmet is no good above 15mph…OMG, that’s beyond
ridiculous. Perhaps she’s not aware that hundreds
of racers and track day participants across the country crash
violently at speeds between 70 and 150mph every year, not to mention
street and trail riders. Frequently,
they walk uninjured, or with only minor bruising, and often no head injury
whatsoever. Yes, a few die.
Not even the best helmets can protect against all impacts, that’s
a given. But these racers
don’t come even remotely close to dying with the frequency of street
riders wearing less than adequate protection, like Al did. The
comment about a helmet having to be 3” thick……if it wasn’t such a
serious issue, I would still be laughing.
My Snell-approved helmet’s hard shell (exclusive of inner foam)
is somewhere around ¾” thick. This
is the same type of helmets the aforementioned road racers use in saving
their lives on a regular basis. When
I was 16, I crashed my dirt bike on a logging road at about 40 mph and my
helmet impacted a jagged boulder. There
was a ½” deep dent in my helmet. I
had a minor concussion and some cuts and bruises, and was fine the next
day. Perhaps if people such as herself that are so totally focused on repealing mandatory helmet laws put even a tiny bit of their energies into assisting with the AMA’s “Justice for All” campaign, there would be no reason for her rant about making Cage Drivers taking responsibility for their actions. For those not aware of this, the campaign’s goals are to change the laws to insure people don’t get away with what amounts to at least manslaughter, as is so common now. – Judy Hawkins
For Cecilia on the point of prosecuting cage drivers for their crimes:
I've
spent some time thinking about the post that Cecilia left in regards to
helmets as well as the prosecution of "cage drivers" that harm
bikers. First of all, let me say that I agree that punishment should
fit the crime. We hear way too often of drivers getting by with a
slap on the hand for causing a biker to be harmed in any way. I have yet
to understand how some sentences are determined. I also agree
that more should be done to make everyone aware that people on motorcycles
(and bicycles and walkers, etc) are sharing the roadways.
From Shani whose son wears a novelty helmet to: Australia and Georgia:
While I respect your opinions on my "stupid" son; I have to reiterate here. I do not condone novelty helmets or the wearing of no helmet, as I have indicated. I always wear a helmet and a DOT helmet to boot. But, I also recognize my inability to control someone else or their behavior. At my son's age of 21, he is a young adult and capable of his own decisions. I have to respect that and that same right of other people. I cannot push my opinions on him or anyone else. All I can ask for is that the value system in which I raised him will eventually be the predominant factor.
This issue is about choices and education. What needs to happen is that we, as responsible riders, require an awareness not only in the motorcycle safety classes and test but, the driver test and education as well. We need to push the states for driver awareness of us riders. "I did not see you" is not an excuse. Many states in New England are pushing for driver awareness. Motorcycle awareness should also be required on all written driver tests.
In the Northeast there are currently bills to require all Motorcycle riders to take a safety class. These are all good propositions and address issues as riders that need to be supported. Education is the way to go.....not criticism!
Let's work on supporting these venues and educating the motor vehicle operators as well as the motorcycle riders. Voice your opinions with the DMW and the AMA. This is where we can be heard! Ride safely and keep the wind in your face! – Shani
In response to my call for constructive thoughts on educating riders on the perils of helmet choice: You requested constructive comments regarding rider safety education, and I just so happen to have Nick Ienatsch's "Sport Riding Techniques - How to develop real world skills for speed, safety, and confidence on the street and track" here on the table next to me. Riders in motorcycle racing must be amongst the most serious riders in the world. And they ALWAYS wear helmets. In addition to that, they have someone who cleans their visor before EVERY race! And racing on the track presents way fewer obstacles to safe riding (clean track surface, everyone is going the same way, everyone is on a motorcycle, everyone is a professional, paying attention, and not a goof-off) than what we experience just going for a grocery run on the streets. Maybe one way to encourage riders to practice better safety habits in general is to share cool safe riding technique books with them. Even though Ienatsch's book is called "Sport Riding Techniques," most of its lessons are applicable to any sort of riding. Of course, there are other great books out there too (like the Proficient Motorcycling books), but this one is really different in a lot of regards. I can't help but think that being written by a motorcycle racer might make it more palatable to a certain variety of person. Anyways, it's my current favorite safe riding book, so I thought I'd share. – Marina Monday, October 11 In response to the thoughtful responses to the question of helmet use: I must say, I learned much from today's riders. My husband used to race in the desert in the fifties and ALWAYS wore a helmet. While riding down the 405 in LA, the same. He was knocked over twice, once on purpose and once by a truck driver (newly licensed vehicle) and broke his ulna getting out of the wheel well. Thank God for people yelling at the fool to stop - the outcome could have been worse. He has also been rear-ended twice. When out in the middle of no where, a cattle truck driver rear-ended him on an off-ramp in 1996, I made him take my car to work. It took a year for him to recoup from those injuries. He was traveling less than 15 mph, breaks of 7 ribs, scapula, collar bone and a thoracotomy (punctured lung). His helmet was scraped over his left temple, and I was really glad he was wearing a helmet! When I was newly involved in ABATE of CA in 1992, I conducted a taped interview of Dr. Krauss at UCLA regarding his study of helmet use. Later, because the leaders of ABATE of CA were too worried about politics rather than truth, I searched on for some. Dr. Goldstein did a study and showed that the studies (funded by the insurance companies; hmmm) were data-biased and that it is a toss up between head injury in not using a helmet and getting your neck broken by a full-faced helmet. This is also where I picked up the 15 mph notion. I just cannot see how a helmet is going to do much good at speed. My husband says that soon the EPA and insurance companies and UN will have us dressed like the Michelin man so that we just bounce back off the road. It's much easier to "dress" us than educate car drivers that we are coming faster than they realize because we are smaller. (80 percent of accidents with a car involve the car driver making that left turn in front of us.) Is that an accident or lack of skill on the car driver? Had he been educated he might have thought twice before turning in front of the biker. I wear a helmet, but have no false sense of security that it will protect me. We take them off while riding through "helmet free" states. ABATE has always promoted rider safety and education. I took a beginning rider class and will probably take an advanced even though I've been riding for 12 years. I remember in my beginning class the instructors told us, "you are always practicing out there; you never arrive!" I think about that when I ride. So ride safe and I hope we all have the opportunity to ride for years to come. This may touch another nerve or two, but I think earplugs lessen one of our most needed senses. I need all of my senses to survive. Sincerely, – Cecilia Eckerson (note from Mama: you have shared important background information which helps us see your viewpoint more clearly. You also reiterate a strong message about the education of cage drivers and the need for more people to actively lobby for this . . . it's a crucial point on which you are passionate. It's clear through the number of letters that have been recently posted that helmets can make a difference, but false security is a dangerous thing as you noted. You sparked an interesting discussion and by no means will the issue of helmets ever end. That's ok, the point is to keep talking about it . . . it's what helps all of us become more informed riders. It's possible we'll hear more viewpoints on the use of earplugs as well!) Monday, October 11 For Shani who shared thoughts on losing an ex to Judy: I
would like to thank Shani who offered her insight into the emotional
ramifications of how the breakup of my relationship paralleled hers to
some degree. I have done a lot of
thinking about all of that and what she said makes a lot of sense.
I am doing better now, and have even gone on a couple of rides now
since his death. They were
enjoyable rides. I just wish summer
wasn’t over. I guess it’s time
to retire into the garage and start wrenching on my Vintage bikes in
earnest! Monday, October 11 More for Judy who has a strong message about novelty helmets after losing a loved one: G'day Judy. I was saddened when I read your post about Al mate...my condolences. We both posted almost identical articles at the same time in regards to Cecilia and her 15mph comments. You're like me...a professional rider, someone who weighs up the risks involved and takes the appropriate safety precautions. You know the old adage...you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink...that's how it will always be with riders and safety equipment. I am hoping that our letters have at least made some people re-think their options in regards to helmet safety. That's really all we can do matey. Ride safe Judy. All the best, – Kevin (note from Mama: I'm sure the entire series caught a lot of peoples attention and that's good. There's more to come.) Monday, October 11 Dear
VTwin Mama, She is right that no one wakes up one morning and decides that today is the day they take out a rider. I had someone turn into me and they where at fault but I did not wish them put in jail. Riding a motorcycle is my choice and the dangers well known to me, so had I chose to drive my car that day instead I would have filled out the police report and walked away. Instead, I had to spend the next few weeks in the hospital. No one should be unduly punished for my actions and I still ride now so they didn't take away my passion; we just had an accident. Then with the helmet, I agree, you should really think before you wish for something because it may sound like a great idea but from past experience with laws, I would wonder just where will it all lead? Again, your site is perfect and I will continue to read daily. – Jamie Dear
Jamie, Tuesday, October 12 Hi
Petra, To this day I thank Mother Nature, the Goddess, the Gods, the powers that be - whatever - for the wet forecast because 2 hours into our trip we met disaster. A car pulled out in front of us (we were on separate bikes with him in the lead) and my husband, Gary, broadsided the car at about 60mph. Sure, the helmet did nothing to prevent the numerous insults done to his body, but it preserved his brain. This I know just from looking at the helmet itself. It was only a half helmet, but it served its purpose well. The visor was ripped off and all the damage was done to the front - just where the frontal lobe is in the brain. If not for Mother Nature my husband could have possibly died from brain trauma; more likely he would have just survived as a vegetable. I may not be a very religious person, but I am superstitious - call me crazy, now I wear a full face helmet EVERY time I get on my bike. I long to ride without it if only for a day - but I won't. I like what Kevin said about buying a $10 helmet for a $10 head. I have way too much to live for and I spent way too much money in school to scramble my brains and loose the job and life I love so much. This is my decision for me - I choose to wear a helmet and as much as I'd like to see others do the same . . . well that's their decision and really none of my business. Well, actually it does become my "business" later when I arrive with my ambulance and . . . my partner (at work) likes to say that it "thins out the herd." Don't get too angry at that - he's only partially kidding. Driver Education is an awesome idea, but I'm not going to hold my breath. As long as it's still legal to talk on your cell phone, apply makeup, shave, read the newspaper, etc. in the car we will always have problems with inattentive drivers. Cops do what they can and can ticket a person for inattentive driving. The only problem is that they aren't everywhere and can't see everything on the road at once AND they're always labeled the bad guys for trying to keep us ALL safe. (Remember that the next time you get pulled over for speeding, or failing to yield, or failing to stop at a stop sign, or failing to signal a turn . . .) I may be jaded, but I think we live in a society where no one wants to take responsibility for their actions. If you don't believe me look at how profitable lawyers are. Don't get me wrong, everyone deserves representation, but when someone is clearly in the wrong why don't they just own up to the mistake and apologize? Sure it doesn't make it all go away - but it does lend peace of mind. We recently settled our case (2 years after the crash). I didn't care about the money - I would gladly give it all back and remain in debt living from paycheck to paycheck if only Gary could go back to the way he was before the crash. But we can't and the settlement will come in handy when he has to retire from his job early (he's a cop) because the consequences of his injuries inhibit his ability to do his job. It's a small department - no desk jockeys there. The best part of the whole day's proceedings at the settlement was at the very beginning. The guy who caused the crash was there and expressed his regrets (his lawyer wouldn't let him say the word "sorry"). It made a big difference. Now Gary has been able to let go of some of his anger (he no longer wants to break the guy's legs so he can see what it feels like to go through 18 months of PT). Just taking responsibility for almost killing my husband helped me too. I was so P.O.'d when I found out the guy only got a $150 ticket for failure to signal turn - THAT'S IT! Anyway, I could ramble all morning (I've had enough coffee!) but I won't. Be good, be safe! – Jennifer Dear
Jennifer, I'm glad to hear that Gary's day in court was satisfactory (to the extent that it could be) and you've shared a viewpoint from first-hand experience that rings with clarity and truth. I'll point out again a posting on the formation of B.A.D.D. (Bikers Against Dangerous Drivers) and also urge those interested in getting involved to check out the ABATE organization. – Mama Tuesday, October 12 More for Judy who has a strong message about novelty helmets after losing a loved one: First, my sincere condolences to Judy. Al sounds like a person who has had and will have a lifelong impact on those who knew him. Second, I had to do a double-take when I first read it; her ex-husband and I were born on the same exact day (Dec. 6, 1961), so that was a little unnerving. Third, I think I understand the issue from both sides. I understand the opinion that wearing a helmet could be considered a personal decision--that is, one can make an informed decision whether to do so. However, driving a car and riding a bike are privileges currently controlled by the government. That's a fact. Thus, short of changing those overarching laws, the government has the right to dictate to those using such vehicles how they conduct themselves. Further, one could argue that the government has the right or even a duty to try to keep healthcare costs and insurance costs down. I believe wearing helmets--even on a bicycle--do that more often than not. I've personally had at least two experiences in which I would have been seriously injured were I not wearing a helmet. I walked away from one; was ambulanced away from another with minor injuries). Yes, they were low-speed incidences. But if those could have left me seriously hurt, I'd hate to think about what traffic-speed accidents could have done to me without a helmet. All this said, I don't judge people who ride without helmets. A few of the folks in my regular riding group ride without them while some wear novelty helmets and others, like me, swear by their full-face helmets. I respect that in PA, with our no-helmet law, it is a rider's right to choose. As long as people ride with respect for others and defensively (not showboating), I'm happy to ride with them. But I'll keep wearing mine. We all take an informed risk by riding; I just want to decrease the risk of injury for myself, to whatever extent I can. Enjoy the ride, – Bryna (note from Mama: I agree that many of us can see both sides of the issue but ultimately we have to choose for ourselves how we wish to proceed if the state we are riding in gives us that choice. And we also choose to what degree of advocacy we want to participate in depending on our individual viewpoint. All I seem to be able to add at this point is that for many, many years I rode without a helmet and supported efforts to keep it that way, but since moving to a mandatory helmet state have only ridden once without one . . . yes, in a legal state! Talk about feeling like we're on a fencepost!) Hi
again Mama! But I had to just offer some input about ear plugs (Cecelia brought this issue up). I have an uncle (age 61 next month) who rode motorcycles from about 21 years old until he was in his early 50s and couldn't ride anymore due to health problems. When I say he rode a motorcycle, I mean that it was his ONLY form of transportation, he bought his first 4-wheeled vehicle in over 30 years just a few years ago. His only regret in riding is that he did not protect his hearing. He is now completely deaf in one ear and has acute hearing loss in the other. He has constantly encouraged me to use my ear plugs when riding, and for the most part I do. Not only do they protect my hearing, but they also help prevent mental fatigue on very long rides (cut down on the constant wind howl that can just wear you out mentally). I do not feel that wearing ear plugs lessen my abilities to ride safely, I have many other senses that HAVE to take over regardless of ear plugs or not due to so many noises bombarding that one sensory organ (the ear). On a recent 4000 mile trip I was extremely thankful for those earplugs and in fact, would pull over to put them back in if I forgot to at a fuel stop. But like the helmet issue, this is a personal decision. But knowing someone who has lost a great deal of his hearing, to the point of reading lips (we must look at him when speaking to him), and feels that the noise from riding had an impact, it confirms my decision to wear them. Ride safe, – Tracy Dear
Tracy, To Tracy who shared her astute observations about wearing earplugs while riding: Uh-oh... I have to chime in on another issue. I wanted to second Tracy's comments that wearing earplugs prevents hearing loss associated with riding (if you believe you need "all your senses" for riding, then you'd better keep yourself from going deaf!). The fatigue-prevention factor is also really important. It must be more valuable to have a fresh brain than unplugged ears! I wore earplugs on my recent trip and found myself to be surprisingly fresh, even after a 500 mile type of day; previous to my discovery of earplugs, I'd be pretty dazed after a day like this. The main thing I really wanted to say is that it is important to shop around! Buy a bunch of different types of earplugs and try them out until you find something that is comfortable and still allows you to hear the sounds around you. A good, properly fit pair of earplugs won't drown out all the sound - you can still hear the engine (though less sharply) of your bike and cars approaching from behind. The first pair I tried was awful - they resulted in dead silence! Now, I have three of four pairs that I like. I think the word you want to look is "attenuated" when seeking earplugs that will still let you hear the world around you. Anyways, there's a lot of variety out there, so if you're serious about being able to hear, there is a plug for you! – Marina (note from Mama: uh-oh . . . I think I'm on the verge of learning something! Thank you for noting that, like eating liver, if the first try isn't to your satisfaction, then don't give up on the concept! From your description, the wearing of earplugs can be entirely beneficial without "giving up" an important sense. I know I noted that my visual clues were most important, but hearing is also one and you have taken the myth that "plugging up" doesn't mean not hearing. Thanks for sharing!) For Marina and her view on the use of ear plugs while riding: Boy, do I agree with Marina and her response to ear plugs. I love her comment that if you think you need your hearing to ride, you should protect it. Nicely said. I don't normally remember to wear ear plugs, but I did this past weekend. My sis and I took a ride on Saturday. Normally, I lead when there is a group, but since it was just the two of us, I asked her to lead. With her in the lead, I didn't have to wonder if she was keeping up or having any problems. Well, she is real proud of the nice after-market pipes she just bought. Between the cold, the wind and the pipes, let me tell ya, I've had more comfortable rides! On Sunday, we were all heading out for a Harley group ride (no noise there!), so I decided I wouldn't put myself in the same position again. I wore the ear plugs and stayed comfortable all day. They didn't shut out all noise by any stretch of the imagination, and the noise I did hear was more heightened because it was coming in clearer. The only problem I had was communication, I had to get my husband to speak up when we were stopped at signs or lights. Give them a shot -- what have you got to lose? – Michele (note from Mama: well, some might argue that what you have to lose is an important sense that clues us in to our surroundings. Still, there have been enough postings arguing that this isn't the case if the ear plugs are chosen correctly. So, I would advise riders to use caution trying something like this out for the first time, but give it a test run if noise has been a problem.) For Tracy and Marina on the use of ear plugs while riding: I use a headband or a folded scarf for ear protection and mostly from wind. I've been riding for 12 years and haven't gone deaf, yet. It could be good genetics, I suppose. – Cecilia (note from Mama: I always wear a scarf like you (with my half helmet) as it does a wonderful job of shielding the wind. As to noise abatement, well, I rarely ride with a group, so noise has never really been an issue for me except when I'm going on a charity run with hundreds and hundreds of other riders . . . and then it's soooo loud that I'm not sure if ear plugs could even drown out that! And I kinda like the rumble then, but of course, it's not all the time!) Monday, October 18 For Michelle's input on the use of ear plugs while riding: I had to say .....I'm with Michele on her eval of ear plugs. I never knew the difference, always riding with a group of Harleys (God love 'em), now I have the Honda Valkyrie and started using earplugs to drown out the Harley noise......Walla.....got from point A to point B as fresh as a daisy! I could still hear the Valk to shift, but the annoyance of the wind and riding behind Harleys was minimized so that I could hardly believe it. Earplugs are worth a shot and you can get cheap flesh colored ones at Wally World or Walgreens. I like not being rumdum.....give 'er a shot! Happy riding! – Sparkle (note from Mama: another satisfied user . . . thanks for sharing!) Tuesday, October 19 For Cecilia on ear plugs, hearing and genetics: My uncle's 83 year old mother is still alive and hears just fine, as does his 58 year old sister (my mother). And at 41, I have no problem hearing either. So I really don't think genetics had anything to do with his hearing loss (neither do the doctors). And neither of us completely blame motorcycling, but he does feel it had an impact. I worked in an industrial plant for over five years and hearing protection is a huge issue. When you are taught the damage that is done to your hearing by the constant bombardment of noise, you learn to adapt to the use of ear plugs and even welcome them in time. And as others have said, they by no means block ALL of the noise. This is a personal choice in many areas. As I've researched this issue, I've found it amusing that many of the really hard-core, long distance riders advocate the use of ear plugs, and now after using them myself, I can understand why. Ride safe, – Tracy (note from Mama: well I know I'll be trying them on my next Toy Run . . . a good testing ground to see the impact . . . so many Harleys, so much "sound"!!) Thursday, October 28 More input on the use of ear plugs while riding: Hey, Mama, the new web page is looking good. I wanted to respond to the earplug issue. The husband wears earplugs when he rides his Dynaglide. He already has tinnitis from a job with noisy machines and doesn't want any further damage. He can still hear what he needs to hear to be a safe rider. Last weekend I hit another milestone by riding to Biketoberfest in Daytona with husband and friends for the day. Wonderful to be on the road with so many riders, all being safe and considerate (we left before happy hour). Only one time did I feel I didn't "ride my own ride" merging onto a four-lane highway with the group at night after a really fast head check. Sometimes I have a hard time distinguishing distances with headlights approaching, but the group was being cautious so I went ahead. I took the Triumph and she got lots of attention, mostly from riders who used to have one. The more I ride, the more I enjoy her. My first choice may turn out to be the right bike for me after all. Big thanks again for your encouragement. Regards, – Sarah (note from Mama: thanks for input on ear plugs and glad you like the new look of the VTwin Mama website. Your newest milestone is a doozy . . . and I am soooo proud of you and glad to hear that you and the Bonny Triumph are becoming one with each other! Sounds like you did just fine with the night merge to highway heck, but you might want to consider adding some night riding practice in a more controlled environment, i.e. roads and areas you already know well. Just a thought!) |
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