i distance myself from any group, or loudmouths with an agenda, whether they think they are saving the world, or not.

 

I don't put much faith in the DOT sticker because there's no enforcement system in place for DOT compliance when it comes to helmets. The DOT can issue a recall, but they don’t have the power to enforce it, unless things have changed in recent years. DOT stickers are placed on helmets through the honor system by the helmet manufacturer and DOT stickers have also been known to be counterfeit. There are plenty of helmets on the market today that were sold with DOT stickers that failed DOT testing, unbeknownst to the consumer.

You also can’t trust brand names because prominent brand names (including Arai, Troy Lee, Simpon, KBC, Bell, Bieffe, O’Neal, Shoei, etc) have had helmets fail DOT testing for various reasons in the past several years. If you look at the 2006 testing data, you could say that all the Arai helmets tested by the DOT failed and that would be accurate, but another fact of the matter is the DOT only tested one Arai helmet in 2006, the Arai Profile. The Arai Profile was sold in stores and online with the DOT sticker even though it failed DOT testing. In fact, numerous brands and models of motorcycle helmets have been sold in stores and online with DOT stickers when in fact they failed DOT testing. This should tell you just how sick the system really is. I bought my first Arai helmet in the early 70’s and I know they’re usually great helmets, but it’s best to do more research than simply trust a sticker if you want what’s best for you head when it comes to protection.

The last published helmet testing from DOT was October 1st, 2005 through September 30th, 2006. During this time for their 2006 testing cycle, the DOT tested 40 helmets. 19 of those 40 helmets failed.

Years ago when I started looking into this issue, I found plenty of helmets sold in stores and online that had failed DOT testing. I contacted management at those stores to tell them they were selling helmets with DOT stickers that were truly not DOT compliant because they failed DOT testing. I provided them with proof and contact info through the DOT. All of the stores I contacted continued to sell these helmets without any changes or notifications to consumers.

These are some of the reason why I do not simply trust the DOT sticker by itself.

 

I missed that thread... There was someone that was starting to get pinned under the van, but they pulled her off the bike. I dont really completely agree with the bike riders, but the man shouldn't have run them down like that either

 

A agree, one wrong doesn't make the other wrong any more right.

Same thing with this incident with motorcycles.

What would I do if placed in either circumstance... hopefully keep a level head, but I can't gurantee 100% that I could or would.

I thought Dirt Bike Dave was just making the observation of the same people taking different sides under similar circumstances.

Rebels with out a cause or rebels with a cause don't matter, both are rebels doing the same actions for different reasons. Reason does not justify actions.

 

I'm definitely not endorsing these goof ball's behavior on their bikes, but there's a side to motorcycle riding that Many wouldn't understand unless you've actually Rode (Really Rode, and not just posed around).

You see, Cars Suck when you're on your bike. They don't see you, they cut you off, they pull out in front of you, they try to Kill you. It's basically a Battle between You and the cars. Especially in big cities or congested areas.

Cars kill your friends that ride. Cars give your friends Tramatic Brain injuries. Cars break your arm and then don't have insurance to cover your medical expenses. Yea, not Every accident is the cars fault, but Many are.

Honestly, the same thing happens on Bicycles. Cars buzz by you when there's plenty of room to pass. Cars throw stuff and scream at you for no reason.

It comes to the point you just want to say Screw it. Go ahead, pull out in front of me and I'm gonna put my Boot through your window. or say NO. Today the Road is Mine, I'm not gonna let you go by. Kiss my A$$. You killed my friend, today you're gonna slow down and Pay Attention to the Bikes out there. Whether your doing a critical mass ride, or hogging up a highway on your crotch rocket.

I don't do these things, but if I had no self control, I can see why some do...

Just another point of view I guess. I know most of you really won't understand....

 

But they weren't demonstrating or protesting... they were blocking the road so they could do stunts...

It's quite stupid. What if one of the stunters had crashed? Is that line of 10 bikes slowing the traffic going to stop them all from running the guy over? no... it then becomes a mass pileup.

They were displaying reckless disregard for their own lives and others.

 

Freeway glory stunt pulling bikers = idiots.

 

Most decent helmets also have a Snell safety standard sticker.
At some point you have to trust the standards and hope they work and save you when needed.

 

. . without a doubt. But running them off the road isn't the best action. It would only take a few seconds to call 911 and report the incident. How some here can't comprehend that is amazing.

 

Oh good lord... lets not turn this into a DOT vs Snell or what equipement is superior debate. I'm gonna lose it!!!

 

True. Those actions are equally idiotic.

 

I'm glad someone else can understand this. I won't ride sport bikes on the road for the simple fact that I know how stupid people are in automobiles. It's not worth my life. I've seen too many people die or get seriously hurt because of someone being a idiot. I have a friend who was going the speed limit down a road heading into Daytona. No special event, just out for a ride. A car turned in front of him that had red arrow. He ended up slamming into the car and dying at the scene of the accident. The cop had the ***** to write a deceased person a ticket. .

 

Pretty much the same thing if you've ever tried to ride a bicycle in the city somewhere