Helmets - The thin line between life and death

You learn the good habits only when the bad habits screw you over. This fits to the T in case of riding around without a Helmet(yes, i used a capital 'H', that's how important it is). It probably takes a very personal experience to actually make you think about using the Helmet for it's actual worth.

I'm lucky enough to not have any grim incidences to actually persuade me to use this absolutely necessary piece of equipment. The realization dawned on me quite early... I remember my dad coming home a little late, with quite a few stitches on his forehead above his eye, this is sometime during middle school when you always wonder what purpose that piece of shell-shaped thing serves on his head.

And then when you top it off with a personal experience that i have put down in these posts before, you seriously thank the person who introduced this simple concept of protecting your head while on the move...

You go ahead and splurge on a spanking new 2 wheeler, yes you can show off this nifty little piece of machinery, top speed, acceleration, cornering, braking (mileage even :P).. But have you ever thought of showing off your Helmet? What a wonderful day it would be when we huddle around in the parking lot and instead of ogling over a gorgeous R1 or Gixxer, we actually appreciate a SHOEI or an ARAI or even a well made VEGA... Appreciate the design, the graphics (go ahead be a little shallow, nothing wrong with it), the removable and washable inner-lining (wash that darn thing if it's dirty, that's why the provision), appreciate the optimum sound and wind blocking ability, appreciate the air vents that keep you cool inside..

I did say go ahead and be shallow about the graphics, but not so shallow that you go in for a half-face Helmet so that you can wear your brand new sunglasses. Think about it, whats gonna happen to you if you crash, would you be fine with a half scarred face??? And then there are those who say the half face helmet suits their so called cruiser bikes, to these people a big _l_ from the bottom of my heart.

And now to the geniuses who don't realize the purpose of those 2 separate straps that seem to have a mechanism to come together in a buckle, hmmm, i wonder why they have straps for Helmets.. An unstrapped Helmet, wow, what were you thinking, that if there is a crash the Helmet would defy inertia and snugly sit on your head, no, it would just fly off your head and roll around on the road just like your head which is probably doing the same.... So you rich kid with the SHOEI, buckle your helmet straps, else your brain will go kablooey..

Wear your Helmets even if you are just riding up to the next lane to get some curry leaves. Wear them so that your jelly is not splattered on the road and not to avoid the fine (bribe) to the traffic cops. You don't have any excuse for not wearing it, because you cannot give an excuse about lying in the hospital in a coma, not to yourself and not to the loved one's who are waiting for you to come to...