Is this perforated vinyl on my motorcycle helmet illegal?

March 28, 2007 7:33 PM

Would this perforated vinyl on my motorcycle helmet be illegal in any states? (I live in Phoenix, AZ) It's perfectly see through and doesn't hinder my vision any worse than a tinted visor.

Would this perforated vinyl on my motorcycle helmet be illegal in any states? (I live in Phoenix, AZ) It's perfectly see through and doesn't hinder my vision any worse than a tinted visor.

http://thebuffalonetwork.com/skull_helmet.jpg

I got really nervous whenever I would see a cop, but seeing this website boosted my confidence.

http://www.helmetguy.com/gallery/motorcycle

What do you all think? Would a cop harass me about this?

posted by stlboi to law & government (16 comments total)

Would a cop harass me about this?

In general, if you're asking yourself that question, the answer is probably yes. Whether or not it's illegal, those things look like they'll definitely attract police attention. Disclaimer: This is my first time seeing these helmet graphics, so I have no direct experience.
posted by knave at 7:47 PM on March 28, 2007

For all x, expect the police to harass you about x. Particularly if you are on a motorcycle. Even if it is perfectly legal.

Which is to say, you may not have to give up the visor, but be prepared to have a very polite discussion with a cop if he decides to stop you. He may just be trying to find out if you are the new troublemaker in town, or might even think your helmet is cool. The more you deviate from normal, the more likely police are going to bother you. Motorcycles aren't very normal, and skull helmets are a big red flag.

If you get in the offcier's face, you will certainly have trouble, even if the visor is legal. If you are cool and relaxed, the cop might let you off without even a warning, even if it is illegal.
posted by b1tr0t at 7:49 PM on March 28, 2007

I've seen the vinyl on bus windows, but never on the windshield.

Will the cops harass you? Undoubtedly. It even may be legal, but having to go to court every time you get a ticket may take the fun out of having an admittedly cool helmet.
posted by Marky at 7:52 PM on March 28, 2007

I've never seen helmets like that either but there is probably a law about something restricting or impeding your vision. Even if there's not a specific law I imagine a cop could give you a hard time under the guise that it's unsafe. You might subsequently be able to prove that it's not actually unsafe and doesn't limit your vision. It sounds like potentially more hassle than I'd be willing to expose myself to.

But if you like it and want to ride that way go ahead, unless you can get clarification that it's truly illegal. If you ride safely and otherwise follow road rules I'd guess a warning would be the worst that might happen.
posted by 6550 at 7:54 PM on March 28, 2007

Just a little more info because I feel where this is going.

I am a USAF veteran, 27 year old married man with 0 trouble with the law. The most I've ever been in trouble is a speeding ticket. I am not a trouble maker or looking to cause trouble.

I'm just an art student who works in a sign production shop who has access to a lot of vinyls, and my creativity comes out at times.

Just a little more info about myself before someone wonders if I'm starting a new skull gang or something. :)
posted by stlboi at 7:57 PM on March 28, 2007

Safety and common sense aside, I say go for it. In my experience bikes get pulled over for 2 or 3 reasons; speed, recklessness and/or just plain stupidity-which this may or may not fall under.

Isn't AZ a helmet-free state anyway? I wouldn't worry about it. But let me know if you get hassled.
posted by snsranch at 7:57 PM on March 28, 2007

If I was a cop I would definitely pull you over and check it out. If I had *any* doubt about it I would escalate it. Imagine the shit I would be in if I let you go and you ran into a kid.

You would probably consider this hassle.
posted by unSane at 8:03 PM on March 28, 2007

Maybe the thing to do is get an old Honda F3 and a new set of unpainted fairings. Then design some new graphics for the bike itself.

Stick with a plain helmet - it will be less likely to get stolen.
posted by b1tr0t at 8:07 PM on March 28, 2007

from http://www.fastfreds.com/helmetlawmap/az-helmet-law.htm

emphasis mine:

Arizona's current helmet law:
Section 28-964.

Motorcycles; all-terrain vehicles; motor driven cycles; equipment; exception; prohibition

A. An operator or passenger of a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle who is under eighteen years of age shall wear at all times a protective helmet on the operator's or passenger's head in an appropriate manner. The protective helmet shall be safely secured while the operator or passenger is operating or riding on the motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle. An operator of a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle shall wear at all times protective glasses, goggles or a transparent face shield of a type approved by the director unless the motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle is equipped with a protective windshield. This subsection does not apply to electrically powered three wheeled vehicles or three wheeled vehicles on which the operator and passenger ride within an enclosed cab.

---

so yeah...transparent means clear.
posted by taumeson at 8:09 PM on March 28, 2007

I would think transparent meant at least see-through and at the most completely translucent. Which this perforated vinyl is made specifically for. Sticking it on glass without blocking vision. I've been driving around with it on for about 3 weeks now, including two rain/wind storms and clearly seeing/evading objects on the road without strain.
posted by stlboi at 10:06 PM on March 28, 2007

That's a pretty cool helmet.
If a cop hassles you you could try letting them wear the helmet if they have the right size head. Or you could just take off the visor and let them see through it. Hopefully you have a quick release face shield. If you're nice about it and enthusiastic about showing the cop, you'll probably do better than arguing.
posted by captaincrouton at 10:16 PM on March 28, 2007

Keep it in your bag of tricks for bike nights and events where you aren't on public roads. Riding on public roads with something like this is bound to cause you hassles.

If I were a cop, I'd pull you over because its dangerous (or appears to be dangerous) and its cool looking.
posted by fenriq at 10:17 PM on March 28, 2007

Is this perforated vinyl on my motorcycle helmet illegal?

Don't know.

What do you all think?

I think it's basically a mask with all the interesting creative expressive potential that masks have.

Would a cop harass me about this?

Yes of course if they see you. But maybe you got a marketing strategy there or at least a good art-related story to tell at job interview time. Start a pool with your friends. How many times can I go to school before getting stopped? Blog it. If you don't get pulled over right away, keep upping the design ante. Try getting the cops' attention with black and yellow diagonals or really huge eyes or something. When and if you get pulled over be nice and tell 'em it's an art project.
posted by scheptech at 10:56 PM on March 28, 2007

taumeson, the first line of your quoted law only states for those "who [are] under eighteen years of age."
posted by yeti at 10:39 AM on March 29, 2007

I can't believe that there are still cops that aren't too jaded to actually hassle people over the overly ubiqioutous "Hot Topic" aesthetic.

Honestly, in this day and age I can't imagine one wasting the time to stop someone over a novelty graphic.

Put me in the "ride with no worry" camp.

Dig the helmet, BTW.
posted by sourwookie at 3:52 PM on March 29, 2007

I'd like mine done with the likeness of the green guy in 'Mask', thanks :-) (but not sure if it'd bother my vision)

I like the concept, but I'm not in to skulls. I agree that a cop would probably make a bit of hassle, and there's some great advice here that explains how to handle that moment.

How do you apply pigment (paint?) without plugging the holes?
posted by Goofyy at 11:08 PM on March 29, 2007