Motorcycle Helmet Law

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Nocturnity

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Hi Guys

Does anyone here know what the specific laws are relating to motorcycle helmets? Spoke to a guy this morning who mentioned that your ears have to bee covered.

Does anyone have some links that says exactly what your helmet has to have?
 
The helmet has to be approved by the SABS, and only approved helmets should be on sale.

What criteria SABS use, I don't know, but I'd guess it has more to do with impact testing than how much of your head is covered.
 
Yes, AFAIK your ears do have to be covered...
Helmets like Harley Davidson bikers like wearing (so called "piss pots" :p) are not really legal AFAIK..

I have a couple of "traditional" Vespa helmets that I wore for ages, never had a cop complaining about them.. - they do have ear covers but they're just simple leather flaps...
 
Damnit! I wanna wear my pisspot!!! I want someone to show me where in the legal system it says what rules there are relating to helmets. A traffic officer pulling me over and telling me I can't wear it isn't good enough...
 
Just remember that in the event of a crash I think as much as 80% of all spills when wearing non full faced helmets end in horrible jaw injuries.
 
CrazyMadMan said:
Just remember that in the event of a crash I think as much as 80% of all spills when wearing non full faced helmets end in horrible jaw injuries.
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Ditto.

A pisspot might look cool, but I don't want to take any chances, and will wear a full-face helmet.
 
Coming from someone who has had a broken neck from head butting the road at 180. Get a good brand name full-face helmet... ...and always use it.


and NEVER EVER try to ramp a traffic circle...
 
Nothing cooler than riding on an open road with a pisspot, bandana over the mouth and a pair of shades, doing no more than 130... That said, I got this: http://www.powersports4less.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=WPS 72-5212

Haha! Russ, some dude totalled his bike on a circle around the corner from me just the other night. It's stupid to "open up" in a heavily populated area, especially if you've had a few! Some people just need to learn the hard way...
 
Nocturnity said:
Nothing cooler than riding on an open road with a pisspot, bandana over the mouth and a pair of shades, doing no more than 130... That said, I got this: http://www.powersports4less.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=WPS 72-5212

Haha! Russ, some dude totalled his bike on a circle around the corner from me just the other night. It's stupid to "open up" in a heavily populated area, especially if you've had a few! Some people just need to learn the hard way...
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eheh. aint funny man, stung like hell. ;) hehe. I also like riding without a helmet but even the risk of a low speed crash can kill you. I wont put a bike in first without strapping on a good lid.
 
http://www.flamesonmytank.co.za/helmets.htm - Check the diagram at the bottom of the page.

I've met tar 3 times in my riding life - 2 were slides where the helmet never touched down, the third was impact centric and the helmet was the first and main thing to hit the road. Anything less than a full face not only would not have protected me, but probably would have done damage to me.

And if you wear a full face (or any other helmet for that matter), for goodness sakes please fasten it properly. Not so long ago I stopped with a medic friend of mine on the way home at the scene of an accident to attend to a biker down. He hadn't fastened the helmet and it got ripped off his head and went rolling down the road. On inspecting the helmet (full face) I observed that the helmet was performing as designed until it got ripped off. It had taken the impact correctly and was functioning as planned during the time his head was sliding on the ground (until it popped off his head). Needless to say they had head trauma from the incident.

The loss of the helmet is probably what did the most damage to them, followed by the damage done due to no riding jacket, gloves, pants and boots - pretty much in that order. And just FYI - that was from getting bumped off a Jonway 125cc. Start increasing the size and speed of the bike and you'll understand the term "all the gear all the time".

It may be hot as Hades with it on (especially in Durbs) but if you don't wear it, you're taking a chance. I'll admit that I have ridden with less gear than I should on a handful of occasions, but I always felt uncomfortable and nervous with it and knew I would deserve what happened to me if something went wrong.
 
Nocturnity said:
Does anyone have some links that says exactly what your helmet has to have?
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All the law states is this:

Quoted from: http://www.transport.gov.za/library/regulations/1999/roadregs00.html

Compulsory wearing of protective helmet in respect of motor cycle

207. (1) No person shall drive or be a passenger on a motor cycle, motor tricycle or a motor quadrucycle, or be a passenger in the side-car attached to a motor cycle, on a public road, unless he or she is wearing a protective helmet--

which is specially designed for use in connection with such cycle; and
which fits him or her properly and of which the chin strap is properly fastened under the chin.
(2) The driver of a motor cycle, motor tricycle or motor quadrucycle shall ensure that any passenger in or on such cycle who is younger than 14 years, complies with the provisions of subregulation (1).
 
Kalvaer: That's my point! I know that law and there's nowhere where it states what helmets may or may not be worn.

Dange--Russ: Nice pot!

kwmf: I'm well aware of the safety concerns and I agree that protective gear should be worn at all times. I guess the feeling of the wind on my face and the rumble of a big twin underneath is just something I can't do without. It's the dream of "freedom".
 
Nocturnity said:
Kalvaer: That's my point! I know that law and there's nowhere where it states what helmets may or may not be worn.

Dange--Russ: Nice pot!

kwmf: I'm well aware of the safety concerns and I agree that protective gear should be worn at all times. I guess the feeling of the wind on my face and the rumble of a big twin underneath is just something I can't do without. It's the dream of "freedom".
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Getting a hummer from twins while wind is on your face, say whaaaat?

Can't talk like that. this is a family forum ;) :D :D :D
 
Nocturnity said:
Kalvaer: That's my point! I know that law and there's nowhere where it states what helmets may or may not be worn.
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Well it does state that you have to wear one.. But only that it hsa to be "strapped" under your chin. I haven't heard of any change to that law.

Oh and Dange--Russ... That is just to funny! :D
 
I think there should be no laws regarding the wear of helmets.

Those schmucks stupid enough to compromise their safety should go the Darwin way.

We anyway have to many people on this planet. Let's call it survival of the fittest.
 
Dange--Russ said:
Coming from someone who has had a broken neck from head butting the road at 180. Get a good brand name full-face helmet... ...and always use it.
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Hmm.. well helmets are not designed to protect the neck you know.. :o

I agree about a using quality full face helmet though.. mostly they look better anyway IMHO.. ;) (although certain style bikes are better suited with open face helmets).

Dange--Russ said:
and NEVER EVER try to ramp a traffic circle...
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Lol :D I've done that a couple of times on my Vespa... :o Wouldn't ever try it on my bike though.. :eek:
 
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