Whether or not you are legally required to wear a helmet is a matter of state law. Each state has different requirements, with some states requiring you wear a helmet if you are over 18, over 21, or if you do not have medical insurance.
Do I need to wear a helmet? In states with a helmet law, yes. Depending on the state law, you may be cited and it may or may not be a moving violation. In states without a helmet law, the choice is yours to make But it will interfere with my hearing! If it covers your ears it will reduce your hearing ability. But it's too heavy! A 5 pound helmet on your head becomes a 300 pound object upon impact. The neck is the weakest link on the human body. Wearing a helmet may save your life in an accident, or it may cause injury. That is why the choice should be up to each rider.
In the UK you must wear a motorcycle helmet when using your motor bike on a public road or highway (the rules are different when use is on private land). If you have an accident on a motorcycle and you are not wearing a helmet - you are still likely to receive compensation if the RTA was not your fault, but the amount of compensation will be reduced as you will have been seen to have contributed to your own injuries - this is known as contributory negligence. See the related link for an explanation of contributory negligence.
