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Corporatemonkey
Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 12:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I guess they are keeping their email scam profits for something valuable.

http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/nigerian-m otorcycle-riders-using-pumpkin-helmets.htm

A new law in Nigeria forces motorcycle riders to wear helmets when riding their bikes. According to the new law, all motorcycle riders and their passengers must wear a helmet. Some 4,000 riders die in Nigeria every year, and the government passed the law to try to reduce this number.

But the local motorcycle taxis are the problem. Motorcycle taxis in Africa are very popular. Traffic is always very dense, and hailing a motorcycle taxi is a cheap and fast way to get to your destination. However, according to the angry taxi drivers, passengers either steal the helmets, or they cast an evil spell on the helmet, causing the wearer to lose consciousness, so they can be easily robbed. ("honest dear, I did not go drinking with the money, I was robbed after someone cast a spell on my helmet....").

So, in order to have something on their head that looks like a helmet, the motorcycle taxi drivers have resorted to calabashes, a dried pumpkin shell. Though quite strong, no way will it protect anyone in an accident.



The local Police are taking a hard line against these illegal "helmets", impounding the motorcycles and the "helmets". The owners are then asked to explain in court why they think the pumpkin will save their lives... So far 50 motorcycles have been impounded in Kano.

Before anyone remarks that the photo is not a pumpkin, it isn't! It has nothing to do with the story.....(the photo was nicked from MasMoto.net)
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No_rice
Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 12:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

different source then the one i read, but a funny story either way

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/427457.html?1231370879

*plus i cant get your link to work*

(Message edited by no_rice on January 08, 2009)
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Corporatemonkey
Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 12:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

My bad : (

The blogs site just went down, it should be back soon.
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Krassh
Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 01:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Some 4,000 riders die in Nigeria every year

4,000 less Nigerian money scam emails?
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Malott442
Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 07:09 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm leaving that one alone : )
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Rex
Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 11:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

they should put a DOT sticker on the back.....rex
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Rex
Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 11:46 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If I am not mistaken, Arizona has a new law for 2009. No plates around the license tags, and no plastic covers over the plate. Hides details from the photo cameras, I guess. rex
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Hughlysses
Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 12:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You know though, a melon or pumpkin might actually be a semi-effective "bio-helmet". Think about it, hard on the outside (about like fiberglass), mushy on the inside (about like foam). I'm sure it's better than nothing.

OTOH, can you imagine the funk odor after wearing that in 90 deg. F/99% RH heat for a few months?
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Miamiuly
Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 01:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

they should put a DOT sticker on the back.....rex
I was thinking FDA Approved.
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Oldog
Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 01:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I posted a comment lifted from a government site related to why this is going on, it was removed..
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Hughlysses
Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 04:06 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey, this gives me an idea for the custom paint job on my new $500 Arai....
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Oldog
Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 04:08 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Hey, this gives me an idea for the custom paint job on my new $500 Arai....



A melon for the melon? }
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Skinstains
Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 11:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

They should come on next years HHR. They would fit right in.
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Froggy
Posted on Friday, January 09, 2009 - 12:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

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