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In Harley Guide Blogs

By Julie Lawrence OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Julie Lawrence

Published Aug. 30, 2008 at 1:19 p.m.

Tags: harley-davidson, harley fest, helmets, bikers, nanakusa

I was out of town during Harley's 100th Anniversary bash five years ago, so this weekend is my first real introduction to the festivities. I don't ride so I wasn't a part of the collective rumble, but I did go out last night and it was pretty cool seeing our city celebrate two things it does better than anyone else: motorcycles and summer festivals.

Wisely assuming it to be a terrible idea to bring a vehicle into Downtown last night, we hopped on the 15 bus to get to Nanakusa, 408. E. Chicago St., for dinner. We'd never eaten at the Japanese restaurant before and were surprised to see the first menu item, The Wisconsin Roll, included chunks of bratwurst.

Our waitress quickly informed us that was their Harley special for the week: Bratwurst sushi. And why not?

We sat in the small, separate room where you remove your footwear and dangle your legs down into cut-outs in the floorboards to create the effect of sitting on the floor without actually having to sit cross-legged. We faced the large picture windows that look out onto Chicago Street and it was interesting feeling so quiet and isolated -- Zen? -- in opposition to the constant parade of rolling thunder passing by the restaurant.

But as I gazed out upon the moving masses, I couldn't help but notice that almost no one was wearing a helmet. Men, women, wild young things and older cool riders alike; almost all took to the streets sans head protection.

Bandanas, yes. Helmets, rarely.

After we finished our meal (and I know I'm likely one of the last Milwaukee sushi lovers to dine at Nanakusa, but if you've never been, it's unlike anything else you'll find around here. All of the interesting new flavor combinations our waitress suggested made it a downright educational eating experience) we headed, by foot, to Hotel Metro, 411 E. Mason St., for drinks.

I took this opportunity to watch the bikes bustle around Water Street and further confirmed that the majority of Harley's 105th Anniversary attendants were not bothering with helmets, despite the insane traffic and abundant beer.

I know it's not a law in this state -- and many states -- to wear one, and I don't necessarily think there should be. It should be a rider's choice. But, I'd like to hear from some of the riders as to why they choose not to protect themselves, if not all the time, but at least during this week's wild ride?

It's strange because most local riders I see from day to day wear helmets. So, is this just a festival allowance?

Just curious.

5 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by slg367 on Sept. 2, 2008 at 7:15 a.m. (report)

This is a personal choice, no different then not wearing a seat belt, and belts have done damage to unborn children, so you decide. also, shaving, texting, eating, drinking, changing CD's, talking on the phone, smoking, road rage, loud music, surfing, cruising, hanging out sun-roofs, performing sexual acts, LOOK WHAT BIKER'S are up against!!!!

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Posted by haaz on Sept. 1, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. (report)

Even if the persons would have survived the crashes if they weren't wearing a helmet, the fact that they were not wearing a helmet also means that they very likely would have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). We've been hearing more about TBIs as more soldiers come back from Iraq with TBIs inflicted by roadside bombs. But the fact is, TBIs can happen to anyone. They come from falls, bad car crashes... anything where your head gets a very sudden and powerful whack causes a brain injury. Boxers used to be known for having mild brain injuries that slurred their speech and motion. Football players still can have them. According to Wikipedia (which is always right), "The most common causes of TBI include violence, transportation accidents, construction, and sports. Falls account for 28% of TBI, motor vehicle (MV) accidents for 20%, being struck by an object for 19%, violence for 11%, and non-MV bicycle accidents for 3%. TBI is the third leading injury to result from child abuse. Half of TBI incidents involve alcohol use. The first-to-last line is sickening, about TBIs that stems from child abuse. But the last line, alcohol, is dead on. To be honest, I had a TBI thanks to a drunk driver who thought it would be fun to crush my car with his giant Chevy Taho SUV. I survived it, but I lost an eye, and later my marriage. And you know what? If I had been wearing a helmet, it wouldn't have been nearly as bad. Of course we don't wear helmets in cars, which makes my supposition ridiculous. But maybe we should. And if you value your eyes, your face, and most of all, your brain, you should wear one any time you get on a motorcycle or a bicycle. Yes, the chances are that nothing will happen to you. But when the day comes, it could save you. And yes, I do ride motorcycles -- Yamaha, not Harley.

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Posted by elnmajic on Aug. 31, 2008 at 9:04 p.m. (report)

Do a bit of research, Google is your friend here!. One of the reasons many States and Insurance companies have backed off the helmet issue, the added weight of the helmet tends to snap the necks of the wearer causing more damage especially at low speed accidents. I lost 2 friends over the past 30 years caused by wearing a helmet, where they would have walked away if they didnt. There is a reason the saying, let those who ride decide is relevant, Julie might consider relevance to personal rights prior to blogging about something irrelevant.

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Posted by steffek on Aug. 30, 2008 at 5:31 p.m. (report)

It is a story like this that makes me wonder how this person is writing for onmilwaukee dot com. Did the writer JUST move to Milwaukee a month ago, or was sheltered from the outside world for all her life?

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Posted by sbukosky on Aug. 30, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (report)

Several reasons why they(we) don't wear helmets. 1. It ain't cool looking. 2. It ain't cool, as in helmets are hot and sweaty. 3. It resticts vision and hearing. (I own a full facer, among several) 4. It irks people who are the anti-Harley image. (sushi eaters fall into that group) 5. If someone says I gotta wear one, it makes me rebel and not wear one. 6. If I gotta explain it...you won't understand it.

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