We grow them pretty big here is Illinois farm country. They are also one of the reasons I wear a full face helmet!
I understand about helmets. About 1968 or so my oldest brother decided to rebel. While our dad was away at work, my brother really painted up his room. It was a real work of art, complete with neon paint, black light, etc and wise sayings written on the walls. One of them was something along the lines that there is no greater thrill than meeting a large German grasshopper face to face on your Hog at 70MPH.