Wearing a Helmet

[rockbottom]

Even leaving safety completely aside, this is why I wear helmet. After making the mistake of staying for the torturous closing ceremony of the BMW MOA national rally, I rode home along Susquehanna River, the last hour in the dark. This was my helmet when I got home. I suspect the Harley people who passed me sans helmet had swallowed a full four course insect dinner by the time they got home.



(And just for the record, this is my "over 90s degrees" helmet--most of the time I wear a full face Arai).

[Bigg-Brother]

Just few days ago I found dead bee inside the vent, right in the chin guard... It really made me think...

[rockbottom]

I few weeks ago I had a bee get inside mine. Luckily I was able to stop and get it out before it stung.

I wasn't so lucky Thursday--riding to rally, I took a yellowjacket up the sleeve and I didn't know it was there until it stung. It's now two days later and my arm still itches and is swollen, so I'm thinking the stinger is still in there.

[Tarmac]

My Dad, old time Brit bike guy, used to ride with a 3/4 helmet and goggles. When I was 16, he looked at my full faced helmet and said "Son, you not a real motorcyclist till you can identify 10 insects by taste alone."

[redwing]

the last hour in the dark.

Nasty lookin' stuff. Bugs are a real nuisance. Some bugs are so large I feel them hit my jeans. I have had to stop and clean bugs off my shield because to continue the ride was not safe...I nearly couldn't see the road. A fellow rider advised me twilight (sunrise..sunset) is the worst or best time for bugs. I'm often on the road at twilight...poor planning for me.

And although this might be off topic... bugs are a good source of protein.

Robert

[ammolab]

bugs are a good source of protein.

Robert

You know Robert...some of the bugs say the same thing about US!

[dbrick]

Many moons ago, I drove across Texas in the early fall. The dead bugs were so thick on the front of the car that it drew flies when I stopped for gas.

[ka5ysy]

I few weeks ago I had a bee get inside mine. Luckily I was able to stop and get it out before it stung.

I wasn't so lucky Thursday--riding to rally, I took a yellowjacket up the sleeve and I didn't know it was there until it stung. It's now two days later and my arm still itches and is swollen, so I'm thinking the stinger is still in there.

Sorry to hear your sting. The good news is that if you were stung by a yellow jacket there is no stinger in. Yellow jackets,wasps, hornets etc. All have barbless stingers. Only honey bees will leave the stinger in after they depart.

Yellow jacket stings hurt anytime. Aspirin, Tylenol etc. Will ease the pain. You might also go be a drugstore and pick up a pack of "sting kill" pads to keep on the bike. They work well.

Something to watch for is any discoloration around the wound site, tight chest feel or anything feeling strange. This might indicate you are developing an allergic reaction that can become a medical emergency. My mom developed an
allergic reaction after being stung several times over an extended period. The final sting developed an anaphylactic reaction and I had to get rid of my beehives as they posed a deadly risk to her.

[angellr]

I few weeks ago I had a bee get inside mine. Luckily I was able to stop and get it out before it stung.

I wasn't so lucky Thursday--riding to rally, I took a yellowjacket up the sleeve and I didn't know it was there until it stung. It's now two days later and my arm still itches and is swollen, so I'm thinking the stinger is still in there.

Sorry to hear your sting. The good news is that if you were stung by a yellow jacket there is no stinger in. Yellow jackets,wasps, hornets etc. All have barbless stingers. Only honey bees will leave the stinger in after they depart.

Yellow jacket stings hurt anytime. Aspirin, Tylenol etc. Will ease the pain. You might also go be a drugstore and pick up a pack of "sting kill" pads to keep on the bike. They work well.

Something to watch for is any discoloration around the wound site, tight chest feel or anything feeling strange. This might indicate you are developing an allergic reaction that can become a medical emergency. My mom developed an
allergic reaction after being stung several times over an extended period. The final sting developed an anaphylactic reaction and I had to get rid of my beehives as they posed a deadly risk to her.

They also pose a risk for me as well - Epi-Pens are your friend - it goes with me on my trips.

[Gatuso]

I suspect the Harley people who passed me sans helmet had swallowed a full four course insect dinner by the time they got home

What!!!!!!!!! some Harleys passed you!!!!!, Sir you ride a BMW so act like it............just kidding ride at your own pace.

Lates.

[rockbottom]

I suspect the Harley people who passed me sans helmet had swallowed a full four course insect dinner by the time they got home

What!!!!!!!!! some Harleys passed you!!!!!, Sir you ride a BMW so act like it............just kidding ride at your own pace.

Lates.

It was after dark on a deer infested road. Doesn't normally happen. I got stuck behind a gaggle of about 10 of them last month. When I got to a straight away, I passed the whole bunch. I figured there was no danger because it wasn't like they could have caught me even if I made them mad.

[redwing]

bugs are a good source of protein.

Robert

You know Robert...some of the bugs say the same thing about US!

We all part of the food chain. I guess that's ok... it better be..can't fight it.

I need a camera to post a picture of my helmet's shield when it gets caked with bugs. Now I got a good reason.

Robert

[ka5ysy]

I suspect the Harley people who passed me sans helmet had swallowed a full four course insect dinner by the time they got home

What!!!!!!!!! some Harleys passed you!!!!!, Sir you ride a BMW so act like it............just kidding ride at your own pace.

Lates.

It was after dark on a deer infested road. Doesn't normally happen. I got stuck behind a gaggle of about 10 of them last month. When I got to a straight away, I passed the whole bunch. I figured there was no danger because it wasn't like they could have caught me even if I made them mad.

Nice tactical maneuvering : Using the HD's as deer traps !. Gotta love it

[SteelD]

I was on a tour with a group of riders in the States last year and was wearing a Nolan Airflow helmet to keep me cool. A bug got into the top vent and made it's way into my hair. I couldn't pull over else I would lose the other riders and they knew the way to the overnight stop - I didn't. I had to suffer mile after mile of something wriggling about in my hair under the helmet until we came to our stop and I ripped my helmet off to get rid of whatever it was. I had bever before felt so relieved to get a helmet off!