The last time I had to go to traffic court, seat belt violation, I pled guilty with an explanation. I told the judge that I had the best of intentions and I never had so much as a warning before. It was just a misunderstanding. What he did was give me a prayer for judgment . Nothing on my records and I paid the court cost. That is like a hundred bucks or so.
If worst comes to worse face it, you did know better than to ride a motor bike without the proper helmet. Don't get me wrong, I ride with with no helmet, but I expect one day to get stopped, but I haven't so far.
Sometimes you have to just fess up to it and pay the piper. I know it's a chicken salad law, but so is the seat belt law.