Motorcylce helmet..

spwuinmk67 · May 2006

I'm picking up my first motorcycle in the next week or so, as soon as the kid gets back to me. About how much should I look to spend on a decent helmet? Anywhere special I should look, besides any local bike shops?

danger boy · May 2006

do most states require helmets for riding a motocycle?

Next door to me. in Eye Duh Ho, they don't require riders to wear helmets. I find that very interesting myself.

beardog03 · May 2006

fullface...2-250...they can get spendy
open face...150-2

besides safety, you get what you pay for as far as comfort.....remember your head will be in this thing for hours at a time...

do your homework, and take your time choosing...

congrats on the bike...

Spawndn72 · May 2006

Never buy a helmet without trying it on. Aria's fit differently than Shoei's etc. I have an Aria that has removable pads, which I like because I can remove them and WASH them. Helmet stink after a while.

Dennis Gardner · May 2006

U don't kneed know stinkin' helmet!!!! Freedum is wear its at baby!!

Signed...........Gary Busey

MrNightly · May 2006

danger boy wrote:

do most states require helmets for riding a motocycle?

Next door to me. in Eye Duh Ho, they don't require riders to wear helmets. I find that very interesting myself.

Kansas only requires eye protection. But I wouldn't ride without one for the sheer logically standpoint. 80 mph and a bug hits ya... major headache. :cool:

Dennis Gardner · May 2006

MrNightly wrote:

Kansas only requires eye protection. But I wouldn't ride without one for the sheer logically standpoint. 80 mph and a bug hits ya... major headache. :cool:

Man, 80 MPH.....a couple months off the force and you're breakin' laws left and right!!:D

MrNightly · May 2006

Dennis Gardner wrote:

Man, 80 MPH.....a couple months off the force and you're breakin' laws left and right!!:D

Nah, its all good. 'Sides, the limit around here is as fast as you can ride, if they can't catch ya

Kiddin'.. of course :rolleyes:

bobman1235 · May 2006

To get something really comfortable you could spend upwards of six hundred for a full-face. And if you're wearing anything but a full-face, you better at least have your organ donor card filled out.

spwuinmk67 · May 2006

I'm planning on going full face. But I just wasn't sure what I should pay for something decent. I've had a bike helmet save my life twice, so I'm definately wearing on a motorcycle. Plus NJ requires it.

cfrizz · May 2006

Did the doctors & you ever get your brain working right after you smashed it sans helmut on your horrendous motorcycle crash? I know I haven't seen you in any films lately!

Best of luck/w your recovery!:)

Dennis Gardner wrote:

U don't kneed know stinkin' helmet!!!! Freedum is wear its at baby!!

Signed...........Gary Busey

Beekyman · May 2006

I have had good, comfortable service from HJC helmets. I believe they are a good value for the dollars spent and out of all the manufacturers out there they seem to fit my pumpkin sized gourd the best!
I too have pondered the full face versus 1/2 helmet debate and since I now own both, I feel most secure (not comfortable in 80 degree plus weather) in the full face helmet. The 1/2 helmet is better in hot weather and offers better peripheral vision but can tend to get flighty at higher speeds. I were to own one helmet it would be a full face type.
Look for a helmet with a DOT/SNELL rating as they are rated to higher standards and tolerances. If you value what you keep in your noodle, dont skimp on the price of your helmet.
Have fun!!

dorokusai · May 2006

Nothing says I want to be your friend more than an authentic German WWII motorcycle helmet.

McLoki · May 2006

You definately have to try on whatever you get. plan on about $150-$250 for a good lid. Look for DOT stamp (they all should have this) and a Snell 2005 stamp. (may be a Snell 2000 stamp - they only update every 5 years).

Like the old bell helmet add used to say - "If you have a $10 head, protect it with a $10 helmet"

Michael

masanz1 · May 2006

I personally like helmets from Arai. The vent systems work good and they are comfortable. Don't forget good leathers or at least a good leather jacket with armor.

nesticle · May 2006

I second the German WWII helmet.

keith allen · May 2006

Four years ago I started wearing KBC helmets,I had read an article and it basically stated they were the most bang for the buck,rank high in all test,great comfort too!

bobman1235 · May 2006

Arai's are the only ones that fit my gigantic head correctly. Figures they're also the most expensive. Retail (which I paid NOWHERE near) the helmet I wear goes for like 600 bucks.

McLoki · May 2006

I wore HJC helmets with good success. I did, unfortunately, test mine in a 400 foot horizontal flight landing in a wheat field. No head or neck injuries at all. (knee, shoulder, wrist were not as lucky (all dislocated or broken) - lung and aorta were bruised.)

Michael

daniel_paul_ · May 2006

I have an HJC. They are the cheepest fully compliant helmet you will get. It is as safe as they come for about $200. I have used a ton of helmets and I think they are definately less comfortable then the $500-up ones. Less soft and more itchy. Mine vents great though. This is SO important!!!

I would not get a colored or tinted visor. They do not work at night. Use sunglasses.

The lighter helmets will not strain your neck as much. 3 hours with the wind beating you in the face kills your neck.

daniel_paul_ · May 2006

You will find the best prices on line. Do some research. some of the places are crap. If the price is really cheep check into them. I,and tons of others, had serious problems with Helmet Planet. I do not think they are around any more.?.?

I am in the Ocean City area. Unfortunatly the roads are to flat and strait in south jersey. West and north of Philadelphia has great country road.

sucks2beme · May 2006

Dennis Gardner wrote:

U don't kneed know stinkin' helmet!!!! Freedum is wear its at baby!!

Signed...........Gary Busey

Just read this thread this morning, and one of the guys comes in. Seems he had to dump the bike to avoid a car coming over into the turn lane last Friday.
He had the helmet. Unfortunately, they had to put his right arm back together with a lot of hardware. Wear the protection. The other guy is always trying to kill the motorcycle rider.

Ricardo · May 2006

HJC is a great helmet; comfortable, low noise, relatively light, decent ventilation; I got my full face for $150 (CL-15); got a tinted visor for $25 more. (as someone said, don't ware it at night

).
There are other options out there; just make sure it FITS; don't buy it on the web unless you have gone to a store and actually tried it.....

Full face IMO is the right choice; gets warmer in summer, but you don't have the bugs torpedoing your face and they are safer.

myork · May 2006

I have owned 3 HJCs and my newest helmet is a KBC that I got online for $180 (www.helmetcity.com). You definitely DO NOT have to spend alot of money to get a high quality helmet.
What you are paying for with Shoei and Arai are creature comforts - better venting, removable/washable cheekpads, composite shell construction, and the name of course.

There is a report that the MSF publishes every year, and HJCs are always at the top when it comes to passing the safety tests. You would be amazed to see how low the high $ helmets place on the list.

But always try on a helmet before you buy, the sizing and padding are off between manufacturers, and even models by the same manufacturer. A little snugger when new is always better as it will loosen up as it breaks in. If it is a full face you also have to check for chin/forehead clearance as there is no standard for front to back measurements.

I agree w/ HTrookie - full face is the only way to go.

There was a picture on rotten.com a few years ago of a biker who was wearing a skull cap, and his lower mandible was torn off in the accident.
Extremely gross and disturbing to see a guy sitting upright on a hospital bed, looking straight into the camera, with absolutely no lower jaw, just his tongue hanging down... I think he lived that way.

Polkapops · May 2006

I have an HJC half helmet and a Nolan full face. Can get the HJC for under
$100 practically anywhere. The Nolan ran like $180. Nice quality and comes
with an anti-fog shield. Also has a one-handed control to lift the chin guard
if you need to speak with someone at a stop light etc. Very happy with both!

opus · May 2006

McLoki wrote:

I wore HJC helmets with good success. I did, unfortunately, test mine in a 400 foot horizontal flight landing in a wheat field. No head or neck injuries at all. (knee, shoulder, wrist were not as lucky (all dislocated or broken) - lung and aorta were bruised.)

Michael

Man, fast new sport cars and wild bike wrecks. You are the Clark Kent of Club Polk. Mild mannered by day and a rebel wild man at night. What else do you have to share?:D

labrat · May 2006

When buying helmets fit is much more important than brand. It seems that each of the manufacturers use a slightly different shaped form so some may find HJC more comfortable while others will prefer Shoei. Just make sure you wear it for a good long time in the shop before you buy it. It should be quite snug, should move your scalp and hair when you move the helmet, but it shouldn't leave any red marks after the extended try on period. Just remember you may be riding for hours at a time so just because it is comfortable for the first few minutes doesn't mean it is not going to be irritating after an hour or two.

As for ratings, make sure it has a DOT rating but don't get too excited about Snell unless you are planning on riding at racing speeds. Since the Snell rating specifies multiple blows to the helmet, it must have denser EPS (Expanded PolyStyrene) that does not crush as easily and will not protect quite as well for a single lower speed impact.

Scott

McLoki · May 2006

opus wrote:

Man, fast new sport cars and wild bike wrecks. You are the Clark Kent of Club Polk. Mild mannered by day and a rebel wild man at night. What else do you have to share?:D

I am sworn to never divulge my secrets. (unless alcohol is involved...

)

Michael

SKsolutions · May 2006

I do the skid-lid, brain-bucket, splat-hat type, but don't much exceed 90 mph. I've had the full-face, an found that only the Arai (480$) fit my mishapen noggin. I had to try on about 10 full-faces before I found one that I wasn't looking out the cheek vents.

I would also say that for around town (Boston), the the half-lid provides much better visability. Even the half's need to be DOT to have any protection. In MA, the Staties will yank you over and tag you for your lid being fake/novelty/non-DOT.

sucks2beme · May 2006

Here in Texas I see idiots in bandannas, shorts, tee shirts and sneakers.
Helmets are few and far between. First dump they take will take a lot of super glue to put them back together.
Seems every 50 year old guy has to buy a big ol' Harley, put on some loud pipes, and wake up the neighbors late at night or early in the morning with their bike. The bikes cost more than their kids college education.
A little viagra is cheaper, and only keeps a couple of people awake.:D

Motorcylce helmet..

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