The stats above were gathered in the state of Michigan, USA, where helmet laws have recently been relaxed . The study was carried out over a three-month period. In the first month, 80 percent of riders involved in crashes were wearing a helmet

year I finally gave in, with the stipulation that he take a safety course and buy a good helmet and riding gear. Two months later, Chris was in a crash and suffered several broken bones and a concussion. The hospital bill was more than $60,000.His

surface that, on the whole, is excellent, but with a few bumps thrown in. Leathers and helmets on (er, motocross or road lid?) boots done up (same dilemma) and away we go.Thirty miles of chaos later the road behind is covered with black lines from

at the time did the business on me for warm-up at Misano. I walked into garage with my helmet on and visor down and did warm-up, but then on the slowing down lap I pulled alongside Freddie Spencer and flipped visor up. He just freaked and almost ran off track

, several cups of tea and a blast in the country. The Street Rod's a long bike, but thanks to the sat-forward riding position you forget there's several feet of motorcycle behind you. I'd be surprised if Harley's test team wear full-face helmets because

the whole world how this bike made it from the drawing board to the final production machine. Again a ride on an RC8 was tantalisingly close, but again my helmet stayed in the back of the car. So now is my time.Turning the key in the ignition the chunky