Saving face

[AtomJohnny]

In this case not a matter of self-respect or honour but that thing that hopefully peers out from behind a visor.

There have been a number of discussions on the merits of wearing helmets although it is rather tempting in sunny environments to go with just a pair of shades. I for one am guilty of enjoying the wind in my hair and suffering sunburn the next day. I've even endured some large bugs that hurt on impact and managed to dodge the odd stone flicked up in my direction.

The other day, while on a 355 km (220 mile) drive, I had a rather sobering experience. On an open country road, as I over took another vehicle, I collided with a bird. I've had close calls with birds before but at this particular time I was concentrating on the vehicle being passed and a small bridge coming up in our path. Some of these small bridges are like hitting a speed hump and can cause the car to fly like a bird momentarily.

I estimate the impact speed to be getting close to 100mph. It made my head rock backwards a bit but the helmet and visor stood up well. It would have been a far different scenario had I not been wearing the helmet. Despite it being a small bird I'm sure I'd have ended up more ugly, if not KO'd and ruining the car.

So my advice, unless you are driving very slow around town or have a window screen, is to always wear your helmet or paintball mask. Also make sure your passengers are suitably protected as well.

[Dbwy]

I've always thought it was risky to not wear a helmet without a windshield. A friend of mine has no windshield, and I have to admit its a lot more fun without a helmet...but one instance like this and your in big trouble.

I hate wearing a helmet (even when I had a bike), but in my opinion, it's just not worth getting injured without one. My car has a windshield, and I'm very happy that I got this option. I guess you can say its a good happy medium.

Im glad you were not injured, hopefully this post will allow people to think about it more and make changes as they see fit...

[FourFather]

Good advice, AtomJohnny. Thanks for passing on the story-perhaps a situation no one had previously envisioned.

[atom ant]

Image appears......... John Travolta on a Harley going down the highway in "Wild Hogs". Black crow strikes face.... feather hanging out of mouth.....

[bolus]

I train every morning by shooting a frozen dove into my face out of an air cannon at 70 mph. I am prepared.

[McFred]

I learned very early on that high speeds and June Bugs in the Spring make for painful motorcycling.

Helmets are a good thing from angry hornets to HV road debris.

Glad to hear you're alright, Johnny.

[Norm]

I got a hornet through the open visor which got me to straighten up and the wind slammed my visor shut. Good times ...

Glad to hear that you are OK John.

[AtomJohnny]

Thanks all. I think the bird fared far worse than I did. Have notice a cover off one of the helmet air vents is missing so the force of impact wasn't my imagination. Considering I've also had a bird smash the headlight protector on my car last year, I think the visor stood up very well.

The need to always wear a helmet has got me looking at their weights. What do you think on a carbon fibre one Bolus? It would save on frozen pigeons.

The one I was wearing is 1610gm (3.5lbs). Or I guess there is always paintball masks?

[RandyLamp]

This is the helmet my brother was wearing when he and my Atom went through a 5 strand barbed wire fence.





Check out the scarring on the seat and roll bar...





I never drove the Atom without a helmet after that.

[AtomJohnny]

I remember that. His accident has to be as good a reason to wear one as any. Unfortunately the "it will never happen to me" demon gets the upper hand too often.