How come Harley davidson bikers do not have to use the same helmets as a street bike?

I mean they are going to hit the ground the same way.

Why do sport bike riders wear shorts and flip-flops?

It's called personal choice.

Uh, somebody's confused. A harley not a street bike?
It's sure not anything else.
A motorcycle helmet is a motorcycle helmet.
It doesn't care what you're riding.

Most times, I don't wear a helmet.
When I do, I pick from the same ones I had before I got a Harley.

Oh yeah, when I did hit the ground, it WASN'T the same way.

Added: the latest HD Motorclothes mailing features full-face helmets, in case anyone was interested.

I ride a cruiser, a honda VTX 1300, I own 4 helmets and I do really like using my 1/2 helmet with cycle glasses, but I just normally just cruise around not that fast. Honestly if I rode a more of a sport bike, I would probable wear a more full face helmet. I think I would just start going places (out in the open and away from traffic) where I could take the more leaner corners. Me personally would want to stretch it, whether on the track or somewhere away from other traffic. You know if you had a muscle car, you would want to test it now and then, same thing with bikes, you have different styles meant for different things, but your going to protect yourself different driving in a sedan around town then you would a high speed sports car testing the limits. Cruiser Bikes are more for enjoying the open road with the wind in your face. BUT please don't ever confuse me with someone who rides for looks instead of riding for the sake of riding

there's no "have to" you can wear a beanie on a crotch rocket if you'd like.... you'll look like a dork, but you can do it, your choice

i can wear a full faced on my harley if i'd like... and i actually do on crappy weather days

It is unfortunate that riders choose a helmet based on the type of motorcycle they ride. You should choose a helmet that fits right and offers the highest level of protection that you are comfortable wearing.

I live in Connecticut and most bikers actually choose to go without a helmet. It is very sad. I don't think there is any study that says that no helmet is safer than a DOT helmet.

It's a conspiracy for purposes of organ donation. The best organ donors are healthy young men who die of massive brain trauma. Their brains are gone, they are 'brain dead' but their brain stem is still working so they're lying there, breathing, their hearts still beating while they cut out the organs for re-use. Grisly to think about, I know, but many many lives are saved this way. One stupid M/C rider can save the lives of 20 people! We're talking heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, corneas, bone tissue, skin, etc.etc.

If you think about it, a young jerk who dies in a M/C accident because he refused to wear a proper helmet, the part of him he's destroying is the only part that doesn't work!

they wear street legal helmets for their state. Some of this is dealer driven. Harley dealers tend to sell the "Half shell" helmets as in "enjoy the freedom" and "your the tough biker" looks. I notice victory does this also.

All states the have helmet laws require the helmet to be DOT approved, It's up to the rider to choose the level of protection. I ride with a full face Arai when I'm on my CBR954RR and a shorty or beanie when I cruise my Harley.

This depends on what state your in and in Texas, to ride without a helmet you have to be insured for a certian amount and you are required to display a tag that shows you are exempt.

People that ride street bikes dont have to wear a certain type of helmet either... Its just, how badly to you want to keep your head when you hit the pavement.

As far as "have to", here in California, the law only states it has to be D.O.T. approved.

First off, they are all street bikes. I assume you are speaking of the half-helmet. It is legal to wear this type of helmet on any bike as long as it meets DOT standards.

What type of helmet to wear, or not to wear one at all, is the rider's choice

I dont wear a helmet!

B/C they think they're cool

For some reason those ridiculous beanies and motorcycle hats count as helmets. While I think it should be a rider's choice what kind of helmet he wants to wear or even if he wants to wear a helmet at all, it is a fact that half of all bikers are of below average intelligence....and they love riding harleys and they love wearing beanies instead of a helmet that might actually offer some protection.

If you ride a motorcycle that offers real performance you have to wear a real helmet. If you ride a bike with half the performance you can get away with half a helmet I guess.

they are the angles but some are dumb and big headed and they get hurt and killed just for being a bit dumb