New to Texas and first time on this site. Picking up my brand new '06 1300S this Saturday in Arizona and driving the 1,100 miles straight back to Houston. Had no idea about this exemption thing, I saw bikers riding without since here so assumed no helmet law. As the judge always likes to say, ignorance of the law is no excuse so maybe saved myself a ticket, thanks for posting. I usually ride with a helmet anyway but it's always Murphy's law that gets us.