That first helmet was a full face helmet and HAD A HARLEY LOGO ON IT!

True story - when I got my MC license way back in 1992 the instructor ran us through the skills course. This was in CT, no idea how other states do it. One skill... we had to ride towards a line at I think 20 mph or so and the instructor would put one or the other arm in the air and we had to avoid that line on the side he indicated. The only rider to dump his bike was on a harley. Taking a license test on a harley, maybe not terribly smart. I did it on a crotch rocket, also not the best.

I've landed on my head twice in my life while bicycling and damaged my helmet both times. Would have had a nice gash in my head the last time from the rocks I landed on but ... didn't. A helmet will not save you from a speeding car or a nuclear blast but there are plenty of things it is good for.