Attorney who fought Florida helmet laws died in motorcycle crash while not wearing one

If your question is whether it is safer (and smarter) to ride with a helmet, the answer is yes, it is safer. I don't always were chaps or motorcycle pants, but I ride wearing boots, long pants, a motorcycle jacket with pads and at least a 1/2 helmet, more often a 3/4 ( a full being with a chin guard).
My wife bumped a curb and high sided her bike, probably wasn't going 15 miles an hour. Her head hit the sidewalk hard enough to crack her helmet. Because she was wearing a helmet, chaps and a motorcycle jacket, she walked away from that minor crash with nothing but a scraped hand and some bruises.
In my opinion, you don't really have much experience riding until you have at least 10,000 miles on two wheels. But even experienced riders crash, often not their fault, but they crash. The right gear can save your ass.

I am a lofelong motorcycle rider who used toteach the MSF Course. I can definitely say that helmets save lives. To me this is no different than making folks in cars wear seatbelts. I am sorry this guy lost his life but play stupid games and you win stupid prizes!!!

I made a promise to my wife and grandkids that I would always wear my helmet. I will occasionally ride a couple of blocks to get gas without one. Sometimes you have to feel the wind in your hair (or dome). On the road I wear my helmet, either a jacket or leather shirt, long pants and chaps (unless it to hot) and boots. Years ago part way through my EMT training our instructor died in a motorcycle accident not wearing a helmet. As an EMT I have see the adverse effects of not wearing a helmet on a bike or a seatbelt in a vehicle.

Have fun, ride safe and always remember "you are never lost, just exploring new roads"