Kinda harsh there dude -- I agree it appears to make sportbike riders look dumb but that's only to ignorant peeps. I mean to me it makes Ben look dumb ... not the guy that's wearing $500 of gear.

I don't think just because he wasn't wearing a helmet that it "serves him right" to be in a crash. I literally cringe when I see peeps riding around in tank top, shorts and sneakers. Never have I wished a crash on them -- maybe a big bug at 85mph would push the point home a bit but I doubt it In the end we all have to decide for ourselves what is appropriate to wear while riding a bike ... and in the event that you do crash you will ALWAYS be happier with more protection than less.

 

well said chain....i wish all riders accident free rides....even the squids out there.....evey time someone wrecks, 10,000 more boyfriends/husbands have to have that same tired conversation with their significant other; and every one like this that gets the cooler talk and air time as this did, causes the general public to view us differently...and i for one don't want any extra trouble with our 4 wheeled roadmates...its already challenging enough out there; if he'd of had a lid on, maybe it wouldn't have become such a big deal, but since he didn't and he was riding a sport bike, people are saying that he was engaging in hazardous behavior....that's not the kind of press the sport bike community needs; i wish ben and any one else unlucky enough to have been in a recent accident a full and speedy recovery; if you had some fault in the accident, i hope you lived and learned, and if you were just unlucky, then I still hope it changes your perspective on how dangerous it can be, even if you are the best of riders.

 

Ben is a big guy and is in great shape. He had to be cruizing at least 35 to 45 mph. Who knows how much brake he was able to grab before impact. There is a lot of factors that are in affect in this incident that allowed him to live. Out here in AZ people that are wearing their helmets in the same wreck are not here any more. Big Ben should really be thanking GOD that he is alive and with such minimal injuries. I just can't believe that they are saying that he might be ready for opening day!?

I like Big Ben and I'm glad he is alright. If he gets back on the bikes I hope he wears his helmet and maybe even talks with communities about riders wearing their helmets.

One thing is for sure, Big Ben can take a hit!

 

Luckily for me all the bike accidents I had were before the sportbike came into my life...but...all of them I had, including a face first road dive over the handle bars, wouldn't have been any different wearing a helmet. Now I know he was riding a big bad busa and most sportbike riders wear full face lids, but what if he had been on his harley or chopper? Then the brain bucket style helmet would've done virutally nothing in this aspect. Just like for me on earlier falls. Now I wear my helmet 99.9% of the time these days and will tell anyone else to as well, but just because you're not doesn't mean you are stupid or careless (IMO). Some helmets, although completely legal and DOT approved will save nothing in his type of accident. The real bad thing about this incident is he was a Steeler hero and it caught a lot of media attention making sport bikers and all cyclists look bad.

 

ya that really sucks he crashed. the fact of the matter is theres alot of haters out there, and even if he was wearing a helmet they would still call him wreckless and irresponsible. not much you can do about that. it sucks he had to crash tho, cuz it DOES attract alot of negetive feedback. i can care less about which states require helmets and which states dont. here in cali you have to, but i dont see why you wouldnt want to? its like drying in a car and turning your air bag off... you CAN do it... but why would you?

 

Due to this crash there was a big article on the local paper's website and all the comments so far have been "helmets kill" and "helmets only protect you under 15 mph" and "helmets cut your vision and hearing" That's what you get for living in a harley-infested image machine like the Quad cities. Just had to vent.

 

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ran an article and it quoted the Michigan governor. Apparently they have a helmetless legislation trying to be passed. This is what she said.

The Michigan Legislature voted to do the same last week, but Gov. Jennifer Granholm promised a veto. She announced her planned veto yesterday after hearing about the Roethlisberger accident, but said she would have done so anyway.

Even though she doesnt say it did, I think the Roethlisberger crash impacted her decision. Now I am not saying that helmetless laws are the way to go. Im just pissed that just because Roethlisberger is a football player he has this much pull with people. If it was me or you or anyone else in that wreck no one would give a sh*t. I just hate how he is bringing so much negative press to motorcycles just because of his ignorance.

 

I just love how the google ads are all for helmets on this post.

Seriously though, I'm sick of hearing people rant (not here) about how dangerous motorcycles are, to the point of someone would have to be a moron to ride one. I don't know the specific of this and really don't care. Just pisses me off how the media sensationalizes things. Why don't I hear about some of the idiots I see on bicycles riding on the expressways?

 

-- Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to be cited for failure to wear a helmet, not having a proper license at time of his June 12 accident.

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Just thought I'd post this...looks like he didn't have a license....

 

He is very lucky. Ive had a friend get injured alot more seriously going less speed wearing a helmet. I always wear ALL my gear ALL the time. I am impartial to the helmet debate given I dont expect everyone to have to wear a helmet, yet I prefer to always wear mine. Its a choice. I agree with Chain that not wearing one you are more aware of your surroundings, it does up the risk factor though. I have 3 kids and I take the precautions necessary to come home to them alive and healthy everyday... Now that being said, I think that it is just plain ignorant to say that if an individual is married with kids, a ceo of a fortune 500 company, or a pro football player that he shouldnt be riding a motorcycle! Consider that statement! I consider my position on the motorcycle I own as something I am much happier in life possessing. It is my stress reliever, strapping my helmet on even just ridng down the street to the video store is relief enough from 9,8, and 2 yr old kids, as well as a get away from lifes other hassles. Its a requirement in my life and I find it to be the liberation I need! So to state some ppl should or should not own a motorcycle for one reason or another I feel is not a proper stance to take. Now the license thing is another subject, but I also am guilty in my existance of riding without one, yet have one now. It was a lapse in judgement for such a high profile person to ride without a license if indeed the accounts of him not having one is true. Just my rants!