Modern Vespa

We need.....I think......a new wave to communicate to the helmet-less riders around us.



Lately when I see a rider without a helmet on, instead of "The Wave", I have been knocking on the top left side of my helmet twice in their general direction.



After having a helmet-less accident of my own, it just makes me cringe when I see a rider without a helmet.........how fast something at low speed can happen and change your life forever.


So, last Fall a car pulled out in front of me while I was going about 35. 10:30 at night, beautiful weather, short ride.......no helmet.

I usually wear a helmet but since it was a short ride, one of the last warm evenings of the year, etc, etc, excuse, etc.

Long story short, the driver was cited with failure to yield, fortunately has plenty of insurance, and I ended up in the hospital overnight with a pretty bad concussion, soft tissue damage to my left foot, a newly relocated tendon in my right hand, various bumps, scrapes and bruises.........and a fractured cheekbone with road rash over the left side of my face with a sweet black eye.


Back on the bike after three weeks on my butt......ever ride while carrying a crutch? (my left foot was hurt.....and my right hand was hurt.......crutching was not the easiest)

I started noticing how many people on bikes just don't wear a helmet. Granted, i was never all the gear all the time, but I always had gloves and long pants at least.......and USUALLY a helmet.........always always now!





edited to add.....I put this in Not-So -Modern because I was....and am, on a 1980 P200.

The wave I would give you:

Why would you do that?

Seems a bit harsh in response to someone giving a shit, but that's just me I guess?

Mags might be mad 'cause you violated the posting rules. Or he might be mad because he has a different political notion about this than you do, and doesn't like people telling him what the rules are.

I did not see the helmet issue in the rules, sorry all!

Although, I wasn't even really considering the issue of actual laws, just the experience of hitting the pavement face first after almost 30 years of 10,000 + miles per year with zero accidents made me realize what a difference a helmet makes and how quickly an opinion can change. Heading towards the ground I actually had time to think about the fact that I wished I had my helmet on.

Not all of us need a law to tell us to do something smart.

Knocking on the helmet is more of a friendly reminder that things can change without notice, not an admonishment or hostile gesture in the slightest.

I would think you were trying to warn me of a speed trap.

I appreciate the concern pauly. Thanks for trying to make people aware of how things can change so quickly and to share your experience.

I do that one on every day with nice weather, ruin a nice days spin for the poor fuckers

why would ya gve a fuck what someone else is wearing while riding ...ive seen a lad with an open face come off n not a pretty site ... but it was his choice to wear what he liked
fuck em n dont try to be a road nazi

The reason people give a F!@k is because they care and should not be knocked down for ones concern for humanity. Besides the people who do get a head injury and have to be taken care of by the government for the rest of their life , and have some loved one wiping their butt forever because they wanted to look cool .

Literally yesterday's news.

Yes, kind of surprised at the level or ire here in response to someone just trying to help. Maybe it's an age thing.

You should just drop this and walk away.

I usually give them the Okey-Dokey Artichokey or the K, Bye.

Don't try for a high five. Hurts

I do like the new wave! a big 'ole fuck you bird. That's how we do it Texas style. lol I do wonder if the Harley Guys would wave back finally?

^ awesome wave Astro!
Right back at you

Yes, yes I really does.

ya not wrong there

yesterday I saw a huge fat woman eating donuts. I mimed a big stomach with my hands, and she started shouting at me and waddling after me waving her finger. don't know what her problem was, I was just concerned about her poor heart...

I hate wearing a helmet, but I do it cause I want to live a little bit longer. Last month I got in a wreck driving a 2011 VW Jetta going 35 and I feel like my neck is never going to heal, so I can just imagine how I'd be feelin if I was on the scoot, lidless.

i wear a helmet cos i ride a vespa ........ and its law

worst is to watch people without eye protection(at least 5 to 10 a day) and they also do not have helmets.... I do not understand how going 50 mph something does not get in your eyes

Ummm...sorry...but no it's not. 30 years, over 300,000 miles and you don't know basic riding hand signals? That's what I would think too. Nice to know that some people are familiar with riding signals

Or the reason why it is a banned topic.