Helmet Protocols

aap1966 · aap1966's Garage

In Australia we have compulsory helmet laws. The BMW Club of Queensland is having an ongoing debate in it's newsletter about whether we should be expected to remove our helmets in shops, petrol stations, etc. Responses range from "Hey, why not?" to foam at the mouth "When they prise it from my cold dead hands..." type stuff.
What do you guys (and gals) think?

Rattus · Rattus's Garage

I like to take my Helmet off at gas stations etc... so I don't mind. I think a flip-up helmet would be alternative if you wanted to keep it on?

Skippy · 07-31-2005, 04:11 AM

I take it off in regular shops but not at the petrol station.Taking it of at the petrol station is to time consuming and iritating to me just for walking in and out of there for a minute to pay(where do I put it while getting my wallet in and out of my pocket and that kind of stuff).All petrol stations over here have stickers witch say you should take it of but I never do and I never got any remarks over it.If they will make remarks I won't go there again.In normal shops I don't think it's very logical to walk around with your helmet on and therefore you could apear a bit suspect so I think in there everybody should be taking it of.

Doogie Howser · 07-31-2005, 04:28 AM

My wife and I work at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Security has a new rule, that if you are wearing a full face helmet, you have to pull into a special lane, and take off your helmet. This is so they can verify that you are who is pictured on your badge to enter the area.

I question whether this has helped increase security, or simply compromised rider safety. Lots of guys used to wear full face helmets now don't....they switched to either flip-up or open face helmets because they don't want to deal with the hassle at the gate in the morning.

I was all hott for a Schuberth S1 full face too...until they made that rule....I guess I'll stick with my Nolan for now.

foobeemer · 07-31-2005, 05:35 AM

Gas stations? No way...one more thing to drop while I'm trying to fill up...I already have gloves, keys, tankbag......I always take my lid off going into stores and such. I think that would really freak people out if I appeared in the produce section fully geared up picking over whatever it is I forgot for dinner. The other day when I got stopped going into Manhattan by a NYS trooper I figured he would make me take it off, but he didn't.

Moybin · 07-31-2005, 07:44 AM

Since I use a Nolan N100 and am thinking of going to the HJC Sy-Max it goes like this:

Short stops, like for fuel, just flip up the helmet. If I have to go inside to pay, just leave it flipped up. Since I live in a no-helmet-required state most people just look at me like I'm a freak, which I take as a compliment living only 150 miles from the Home of the Harleys.

Longer stops, the helmet goes in a saddle bag.

So, when are you folks in Oz going to vote your firearms back into the hands of the public? Or are you guys a socialist nation for time eternal now? Just wondering since Hilbillery Clinton will be running on a confiscate-all-the-guns platform, even if she never says it out loud. Wondering if I should be looking forward to a life as a criminal. At least I'd have more rights than I have right now.

ExarKunONe · 07-31-2005, 10:11 AM

I usually dont if its a quick trip in and I dont have to talk to anyone. Its sad that more people dont speak motorcycle. I figure if theres an earthquake I've got better chances with my helmet on.

mrschendel · 07-31-2005, 10:31 AM

I pay at the pump, but if I do a little shopping helmet is off, I have a full face helmet

RoLoo · RoLoo's Garage

...be a nice guy (or gal) and remove your helmet...
...most of the time you also sound better with your helmet removed...
...not this "hmpffff hmmmpffff"...

...I try to be a nice guy...

Ron.

gdobler · 08-01-2005, 05:02 AM

Ditto mrschendel.

lemec · 08-01-2005, 05:31 AM

I have paid for gas at the counter a couple times with the helmet on, but usually, any time I'm going into a retail business, I remove it, I think it's courteous.

ErricZ · 08-01-2005, 05:48 AM

I too pay at the pump but I take it off to go into stores. If I'm just running into a place, tho, I've left it on without a word from anyone.

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

stays on almost all the time.
pain in the butt to take off, unplug, zip, turn switch, etc.....

if i pay inside the gas station, i'll flip up the black face shield.

places i've learned (from the look of horror) NOT to walk into wearing a helmet:

the inside of the bank (very unappreciative).
any las vegas casino (some of those old guys sure move fast!).
mom & pop liquor stores, 'specially at night.

however, the inconvenience is off-set by the amusement i get when people see me suited up, helmet on, and ask:
"Are you riding a motorcycle?"

the response is always:
"Hell no, i'm a really lousy driver and the DMV makes me wear all this stuff."

JonyRR · 08-01-2005, 10:21 AM

'mom & pop liquor stores, 'specially at night.'

Even BEING in one of those after dark, for any reason, at any time makes me super cautious. I'd wonder about someone walking in a place like that with a FF helmet on.

here in 'Merika, we don't have the same tradition of the bad guys doing things like assaination whilst on a scoot. (Columbia sure does, though. there are places in South America where you'll get 9MM air conditioning for wearing a helmet on a motorcycle)

I usually use a gas card at the pump, as I hate walking in and paying whilst suited up as much as the clerk is freaked out by the guy in the space suit with the helmet and no visible eyes.

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

yep.
two things that make me giggle at the drive-up atm, which i frequent often whilst wearing a full face and black shield:

#1. there's braille markings on the keys. it's a drive-up.

#2. the little camera shoots my "headshot" right after in punch in my pin.
all it grabs is a headshot of a full face helmet with a black shield.

not to hi-jack a thread...but...
while we're on the subject, how come so many of these friggin' fast-food drive-thru joints WON"T let me use my motorcycle?

what the hell is that all about?

no kiddin', next time you use your car ask them...they don't like it.

why?
how many bad guys on motorcycles have actually robbed a mcdonalds for a big mac and fries? even a super-size?
i don't get it.

JonyRR · 08-01-2005, 03:04 PM

'while we're on the subject, how come so many of these friggin' fast-food drive-thru joints WON"T let me use my motorcycle?'

where? in Kali-land? do they have a sign?
I use my CB350F often as a big-mac getter since the womenfolk at my shack are usually involved in the esoterics of Avon distribution and such and can't be bothered for a pedestrian purpose like a burger or beer (or white zin) run...

I read a story about, I think Medellin, Columbia...helmets are ILLEGAL inside the city limits. The federales want to see your mug...

ExarKunONe · 08-01-2005, 05:24 PM

I go through the drive through on the bike all the time too, no problems. they dont seem to like a bycycle though. I love when you go inside wearing all your gear, take off your helmet, walk to the counter and they ask you "Will this be for here or to go..."

bradzdotcom · bradzdotcom's Garage

exar~

the correct response to that question is:
"tell ya what...you decide.....surprise me."

jony~
once again you come through just in time dude!
here i was packed and ready to do a Medellin to SoCal blitz with my touring bags and every other available bike/body cavity stuffed with premium cocaine.

dang....now what am i gonna do with the rest of my week?

ps: dude, you don't mind if i forward the calls from mr. rodriguez to your cell phone and refer him to your actual physical address, do ya, 'cause i'm guessin' he's gonna be a tad tweaked about me cancellin' based on your tip and all.....

ErricZ · 08-03-2005, 12:45 PM

Yeah, I can't imagine what goes through the mind of some people who, after seeing you in a riding jacket and helmet, still ask you if you rode today. I give a similar answer of "No, I like to drive my car in this stuff!"

Der peeps! No wonder they don't see us out there! Clueless on land as well as on wheel.

I have never been turned away at a drive-up ATM, bank line or Fast Food joint whilst on the scoot either. The Fast Food Hotties usually hoot and holler at the hot biker when I show up in the line.

BMW Atlanta · 08-03-2005, 06:06 PM

FYI,.............In Georgia it is against the law to enter any business establishment wearing anything that conceals your identity (ie Helmets and face masks). I have heard horror stories of cops apprehending some poor guy who couldnt pay at the pump and went into the gas station real quick to pay for his gas and get on his way.