What's your helmet choice and why?

[olddog]

Hi,Second post.  After a lot of looking and test fitting of all the Top helmets, I finally settled on a helmet marketed by SparX of Burbank CA
a very cheap  helmet, why because the fit for me was perfect, they pass the DOT, Euro, and Aust standards, washable liner come with ear plugs and a holder for same built into the helmet. They also offer a helmet replacement Free if you have a accident and return the helmet to them ( I hope to never use this service ) they have air vents in the helmet and visor the same as ARAI, may not suit all as it is made China ( what isn't these days )....................Pete     OLDDOG
Sorry can't post the website due to this being only my second post, but I am sure if you google the brand name you will find the web site.

[montmil]

Hey, OldfPete     Believe you can post links anytime after joining. At least I thought so. I'm not too compuKer literate, but...

To post a website address in the response box:

 Â    1.  Highlight the entire site info at the top of the vendor's page, then choose "Copy".

http://www.bmwr65.org/   example-this is what I copied.

 Â    2.  Peck out whatever you have to say and when/where you want to insert the link info click the "Globe" icon at top-right of your response box.

http://     example-this is what will show up.

 Â    3.  Click the cursor, that little moving vertical bar thingy, dead center between the url brackets.

 Â    4.   Hit paste on the tools bar and you're golden.
http://www.bmwr65.org/   example-this is what you'll get. Fini

Monte

PS: You may use the Test Zone category to try out posting links, photos, whatever. If you goof up, no one cares as we all do so occasionally. You can even delete the test after you've tried...whatever.

[Bengt_Phorqs]

I think one factor we overlook when selecting a helmet is bad weather.  Ever tried to wear an open face helmet while riding in the rain?  The water will not only cover the face shield but will also cover the inside of the face shield. You can wipe off the front but can't do much for the inside.

[flongr65]

I have a Davida "old style" with the aviator goggles, (very cool looking for a classic bike rally but not too save I'm sure) but recently purchased a Nexx. The Nexx X60 Vision w/ a half shield looks similar to a Cromwell or MOMO but less expensive and quite good looking and retains the classic cafe racer look. DOT certified.

[Ed Miller]

I think one factor we overlook when selecting a helmet is bad weather.  Ever tried to wear an open face helmet while riding in the rain?  The water will not only cover the face shield but will also cover the inside of the face shield. You can wipe off the front but can't do much for the inside.

My HJC Symax II leaks a bit down the inside of the visor when I ride in much rain.  It sucks, though at least it doesn't fog up because I have a Fog City in it.  It may be because there's so little wind behind the Windjammer to blow the rain away; I don't usually ride the Triumph in the rain so I haven't tested that yet.

[Bengt_Phorqs]

My HJC Symax II leaks a bit down the inside of the visor when I ride in much rain.

Had an opportunity to ride seven hours in the rain one day on our last trip and had zero leaks in my Symax II.  However, sometimes the chin piece can be hard to lift which is extremely aggravating.  I think that the adjustable windshield on my R1100RT had a lot to do with deflecting the rain and made the ride bearable.

[nhmaf]

As for visors on helmets to help with the sun - I really like the stick-on tinted sun visor film for motorcycle helmets - I bought one at the West Bend rally and another one at the Johnson City rally.  They are reusable many times over, but I wanted another for my 2nd helmet.   They don't do a lot for keeping the inside much cooler, but they are DEFINITELY good for driving into the sun and cutting glare.   You just stick em on the inside of the windscreen after wetting them with water and dish soap and let dry for a little while.   To remove, just peel off and reapply as before.

[aussie]

I have a Davida "old style" with the aviator goggles

Ahh to be able to legally wear one of these fine helmets....I know that in terms of protection, they leave a lot to be desired, but - oh man - boy do they look cool!

I have 2 Shoei's - the one I usually wear is the TZ-1. I don't find any wind noise, is comfortable and provides as much protection as you would want.

[Barry]

Are Open face helmets are not legal down under ?

I wore a second hand open face in the early 70's.  Had the full face been invented by then ?   If it had they would have been much too expensive anyway.

By the late 70's I'd got a full face and in the early 80's I bought a Griffin Clubman like the racer boys used. It was Best helmet I ever had and I kept it for 14 years.

Coming back to motorcycling more recently I bought a new full face. Can't tell you what it is because I found it to be noisy and claustrophobic and don't use it any more except maybe in the depths of winter.  

I went back to a Kevlar open face and find there is much less wind noise and I just enjoy riding more being in touch with the elements.

Yes I know it's not safe by current standards but to tell you the truth I can't come to terms with this modern body armour approach. Before long We'll be kitted out with air bags.  Then we'll all feel invincible and be liable to take more risks. Where will it end ?

I did the speed  thing on a Z900 when I was younger and now prefer to ride much more moderately; safe in the knowledge it's going to hurt if I fall off.  It focuses the mind.

I will surely change my tune if I ever fall on my face but until then I'll enjoy my motorcycling.

[nhmaf]

They actually already sell a self-inflating suit (personal airbag, if you will)
made out of a durable, puncture and abrasion resistant material for motorcyclists who fly off their bikes.   It is triggered electronically by a tether to the bike and results in one instantly looking a bit like the Michelin Man.   I've seen them advertised and read about the testing, but I've yet to see anyone wearing one.    

[Bengt_Phorqs]

When Theresa got her R1100R she sold her Honda CB450 to a young guy she worked with.  He came over to ride one time and had one of the inflatable suits.  Looked just like the Michelin Man and hadn't even inflated it yet!

[aussie]

Are Open face helmets are not legal down under ?

Open face are fine - I was talking about the pudding basin helmets - sorry I should have been a tad clearer.

[msbuck]

They actually already sell a self-inflating suit (personal airbag, if you will)
made out of a durable, puncture and abrasion resistant material for motorcyclists who fly off their bikes.   It is triggered electronically by a tether to the bike and results in one instantly looking a bit like the Michelin Man.   I've seen them advertised and read about the testing, but I've yet to see anyone wearing one.    

In the MotoGP race yesterday, when Lorenzo had his get-off, his 'air-bag' went off.  I was wondering what was up with his suit until the commentators spoke up about it.  Michelin Man, indeed!  He unzipped his leathers pretty quickly once he was up and about.

[msbuck]

I will surely change my tune if I ever fall on my face but until then I'll enjoy my motorcycling.
 

Yep, having a broken zygomatic arch will cure you!  Been there, done that.  Now it's only full face for me.  It is more claustrophobic, but I've seen the pavement as I bounced along the road, and I was glad I had it!

Sometimes the thought of putting on all that gear keeps me from riding...especially on those really HOT days.  I love that image of throwing on a shorty helmet, throwing my leg over the bike and taking off...so simple and freeing.  None of that for me anymore.  Sigh...

[DeeG]

Open face are fine - I was talking about the pudding basin helmets - sorry I should have been a tad clearer.

Friend of the spouses shows up at spouses shop the other day on his old airhead (R75 i believe).  He's wearing this 'pudding basin' helmet that looked like it was covered in gray duct tape.  Then I took a closer look at it.  It was a gray fiberglass bucket that was lined in cork and had beat up leather ear covers and a snap strap that hung down about 2" below his chin.  I asked him where his goggles were as the helmet looked just like something out of the 30-40's that the racers would wear.  Apparently he's had this helmet since the 60's when he lived in Europe.

Says the helmet is very comfy, especially when its hot out.  But since the WA State Patrol is cracking down on 'illegal' helmets, his cousin is bringing him a new Schuberth C2 from Belgium (along with a C3 for the spouse).  Which cracks me up, because DOT no longer certifies the Schuberth helmets.  

I'd love to have a new C3, but at around $600, I can't afford it.