[Mr Kevin]

This is what google provided.

HELMET LAW TN Code annotated. Section 55-9-302. Crash helmet required for driver and passenger — Exceptions. —

(a) The driver of a motorcycle, motorized bicycle, as defined in chapter 8 of this title, or motor-driven cycle, and any passenger on any of these, shall be required to wear either a crash helmet meeting federal standards contained in 49 CFR 571.218,

or, if such driver or passenger is twenty-one (21) years of age or older, a helmet meeting the following requirements:

(1) Except as provided in subdivisions (a)(2)-(4), the helmet shall meet federal motor vehicle safety standards specified in 49 CFR 571.218;

(2) Notwithstanding any provision in 49 CFR 571.218 relative to helmet penetration standards, ventilation airways may penetrate through the entire shell of the helmet; provided, that no ventilation airway shall exceed one and one-half inches (1 ½″) in diameter;

(3) Notwithstanding any provision in 49 CFR 571.218, the protective surface shall not be required to be a continuous contour; and

(4) Notwithstanding any provision in 49 CFR 571.218 to the contrary, a label on the helmet shall be affixed signifying that such helmet complies with the requirements of the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the Southern Impact Research Center (SIRC), or the Snell Foundation.

(b) This section does not apply to persons riding:

(1) Within an enclosed cab;

(2) Motorcycles that are fully enclosed, have three

(3) wheels in contact with the ground, weigh less than one thousand five hundred pounds (1,500 lbs.) and have the capacity to maintain posted highway speed limits;

(3) Golf carts; or

(4) In a parade, at a speed not to exceed thirty (30) miles per hour, if the person is eighteen (18) years or older. [Acts 1967, ch. 45, § 2 (T.C.A. (supp.), § 50-944); Acts 1976, ch. 758, § 2; 1979, ch. 247, § 10; T.C.A., § 59-934; Acts 2000, ch. 606, § 3; 2005, ch. 430, § 1; 2005, ch. 459, § 1; 2006, ch. 535, § 1.]

This law sounds like the same passed by congress which was adopted by 40 states so far. Looks like the interpretation of "fully enclosed" varies from state to state.

 

[Mr Kevin]

Tanom Motors launched a 3 wheel Suzuki Hayabusa that comes standard with a hard top and glass windshield. They claim that in 45 states you do not need a helmet because it is fully enclosed. It does not have doors and looks like a T rex. I guess all we need for the Slingshot is a Slingshade and safety glass AS1 windshield to make it fully enclosed.

 

[wjfyfe]

Tanom Motors launched a 3 wheel Suzuki Hayabusa that comes standard with a hard top and glass windshield. They claim that in 45 states you do not need a helmet because it is fully enclosed. It does not have doors and looks like a T rex. I guess all we need for the Slingshot is a Slingshade and safety glass AS1 windshield to make it fully enclosed.

Good, go buy a Tanon then! What part of this placard did you not understand when you purchased your SlingShot?

if you do not want to wear a helmet then why in hell did you buy a MOTORCYCLE alternative, conceived and marketed as an alternative MOTORCYCLE!! We do not want a hard top, or a glass windshield which will require wipers and then what, airbags? bumpers? doors? roll up windows? Why don't you people that want these things just go out and buy a Miata, or a Fiat, or some other similar AUTOMOBILE already on the market, and leave the SlingShot alone?!?!?!?!?!



OK, I may have woke up this morning a lil cranky!

Bill

 

[Mr Kevin]

Good, go buy a Tanon then! if you do not want to wear a helmet then why in hell did you buy a MOTORCYCLE alternative, conceived and marketed, as an alternative MOTORCYCLE!! We do not want a hard top, or a glass windshield which will require wipers and then what, airbags? bumpers? doors? roll up windows? Why don't you people that want these things just go out and buy a Miata, or a Fiat, or some other similar AUTOMOBILE already on the market, and leave the SlingShot alone?!?!?!?!?!

OK, I may have woke up this morning a lil cranky!

Bill

Bill,

Good morning to you. I am not advocating for anything other than a Slingshot. There seems to be lots of confusion on the helmet law. Personally, I will wear one whether law or not. Getting down to the bottom of this law which is being interpreted differently throughout the U.S., I was merely pointing out the term "fully enclosed" and what it truly means. From my reading, if you put a glass windshield on the Slingshot, you do not need wipers, defrosters, doors or side glass. Being classified as a motorcycle, those elements are not required. Just a seat belt, a roof and front glazing. Not a big deal and it was meant to be informative for those wishing to ride open air without a helmet.

 

[wjfyfe]

Yea, I apologize for being so damn cranky, but I just do not understand why if these folks do not want to wear a helmet, then why did they go out and purchase a vehicle that prominently displays that it is a motorcycle??

Bill

 

[Mr Kevin]

Yea, I apologize for being so damn cranky, but I just do not understand why if these folks do not want to wear a helmet, then why did they go out and purchase a vehicle that prominently displays that it is a motorcycle??

Bill

I guess because they want to look like a star. Little do they know, people are interested in the Sling and not them.

 

[wjfyfe]

I guess for they want to look like a star. Little do they know, people are interested in the Sling and not them.

Perfect, Kevin, Perfect, thanks for making me smile!

Bill

 

[EjFord]

Perfect, Kevin, Perfect, thanks for making me smile!

Bill

Bill, every once in a while we all got to be a little crankyyyyyy ...

Slingshot = MOTORCYCLE --- Lets not have any more RULES confining us. Follow the rules where you ride.

Hell I got a 'seat belt' ticket while driving the Slingshot...plate clearly shows MC.....please don't ask why he stopped me. Gladly excepted the $25.00/no points ticket.

 

["The Ghost"]

When I get my ticket for no helmet in the SS and it's coming for sure, I will pay it. I made my mind up before I bought it that I would not be wearing a helmet unless forced to or when racing or otherwise participating in what I perceive as risky driving.

Yep, I knew and understood that it was classified as a "motorcycle" years before I bought one but I also realized that the only reason for that was to skirt the rules and regulations for cars so they could keep the SS fun and affordable.

We own a Solstice GXP convertible and I can assure you that in a roll over you would fare much better in the SS than in the Solstice but there is no helmet requirement for it. I suppose everyone has their own convictions and has to sleep with their own decisions. I won't put anyone else down for their choice to go with or without. Let's ride!

 

[cotten]

I enjoy what I enjoy, and as long as it doesn't endanger or inconvenience others, I prefer letting others enjoy what they enjoy. I will let it go at that. When I get cranky, it is time for me to go push that red button in the center of the dash.

 

[Billy]

I just purchased a Slingshot. I live in Knoxville. I would like to know if there has been any clarification on this issue? Dealer said helmets not "Required" but they recommended a helmet. Let me know what's the latest.

 

[Mr Kevin]

I just purchased a Slingshot. I live in Knoxville. I would like to know if there has been any clarification on this issue? Dealer said helmets not "Required" but they recommended a helmet. Let me know what's the latest.

Get a helmet to protect your coconut. Flying debris and rocks really hurt when they smash into your face on the interstate.

 

[Billy]

Makes good sense.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[EjFord]

I just purchased a Slingshot. I live in Knoxville. I would like to know if there has been any clarification on this issue? Dealer said helmets not "Required" but they recommended a helmet. Let me know what's the latest.

Welcome to the World of Slingshot Insanity... the helmet laws are very confusing state to state. In general the latest is wear a helmet in TN. As in most cases it's up to the 'Leo' and your interaction with him.

 

[jvandal]

Looks like the law has decided that helmets are not required in Tennasee in a Slingshot!

We went with Trent to court and the judge appeared to already have prior knowledge of the issue and promptly dismissed two different Slingshot riders that had got no helmet tickets!

There was no discussion, but this ruling does establish a precedence and can be shown as the interpretation that Helmets are not required in Slingshots in Tennsee!

Great ride and good results! What more could you ask for!

Can I get a copy of any and all paperwork you received? My court date is Sept 20th, in Blount County.

 

[jvandal]

Looks like the law has decided that helmets are not required in Tennasee in a Slingshot!

We went with Trent to court and the judge appeared to already have prior knowledge of the issue and promptly dismissed two different Slingshot riders that had got no helmet tickets!

There was no discussion, but this ruling does establish a precedence and can be shown as the interpretation that Helmets are not required in Slingshots in Tennsee!

Great ride and good results! What more could you ask for!

Can I get a copy of any and all paperwork you received? My court date is Sept 20th, in Blount County.

 

[Duffy]

To all Tennessee SS riders. I have verify with Tn state of safety and homeland. Slingshot riders don't have to wear helmet but must wear seatbelt.
Please review Tn code Ann. 55-9-302(a). This data was also confirmed by Tn highway trooper and a memo is being sent out to all troopers. I have a copy of memo/email. I was told to copy and keep with me just in case local police don't understand the code. If anyone wants a copy of these strings of these emails send me message with your addy and I will forward
starting Saturday I am going without. I will keep you all updated but don't foresee any issues

Could you send me the email/ memo so I can keep it with me. Thanks Doug

 

[bosshossjy]

Could you send me the email/ memo so I can keep it with me. Thanks Doug

could you possibly send me a copy as mylocal mcminn sheriff are saYING HIGHWAY PATROL TELLING THEM SLINGSHOTS REQUIRE HELMETS

 

[bosshossjy]

[email protected]

 

[EjFord]

could you possibly send me a copy as mylocal mcminn sheriff are saYING HIGHWAY PATROL TELLING THEM SLINGSHOTS REQUIRE HELMETS

This tread is over a year old and not much activity on this site. I don't have the info you need but if you google state laws for motor cycle helmets you should probably find what you need. From state to state lot of 'gray' area in these laws. Several of us from Indiana were riding thru TN 2 years ago and were stopped (state police) and we were asked to put the helmet on, we did and had a nice visit with the officer.