> Sometimes I forget the USA centric nature of forum until I read riding without helmet is legal... :0

It varies by state; this is one of those occasions where the federal government leaves it up to each state to mandate as they please. You might be surprised to learn that Georgia, a deeply Republican (i.e. anti-regulation) state, has strict requirements for motorcycle safety including mandatory helmets for any vehicle classed as a motorcycle.

Republican has come to mean more "anti-authority" with respect to regulations, and not even necessarily less, but just less ones which hurt private profits. It does not really any longer mean 'against ones which hurt individual liberties.'

Riding without a helmet is not universally legal in the US.

In the past there was pressure from the federal government on state governments to enact more universal laws about wearing helmets. Now many states only require that young riders wear helmets and a handful don't have any rule. Here is an overview with a map, too: http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/laws/helmetuse/mapmotorcycle...

Thanks! Appreciate the further info! :>

On the other hand, if one is in need of an organ donation, moving to one of those states might be a good idea