SuzukiSavage.com /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Newbie helmet question /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1147834483 Message started by bacon13 on 05/16/06 at 19:54:43

Title: Newbie helmet question Post by bacon13 on 05/16/06 at 19:54:43 I just bought an 87 Savage and am new to bikes.  I am borrowing a helmet from a friend for now but am wondering what is the most popular helmet people use? The one I am borrowing is a KBC TK-410, FWIW. Thanks....I love this site! Great info exchange.

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by stock87 on 05/16/06 at 20:02:48 What you should do is go to your nearest dealership and have them fit you with a helmet, I prefer a full face helmet and I have one which was custom fit for my head.

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by shawn_b on 05/16/06 at 21:00:03 i have an Icon Alliance it is fullface it helps keep the bugs out of your  ;D shawn

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by WD on 05/16/06 at 21:15:14 A 1998 "Buco" style police half shell or a 2005 G-Max half shell. I do have a 1968 Buco police 1/2 helmet color matched to the bike, but it doesn't fit well. Also have a year unknown Vega 3/4 helmet, that will be color matched when I figure out what color I'm going to paint the bike this time. It will never be worn, I'm a 1/2 helmet or no helmet type of rider. -WD

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by guitarsr4girls2 on 05/17/06 at 05:53:31 I don't know if there's a most popular kind of helmet, just because there are SOOO many different helmets out there and everyone has different taste. I use a Biker's Choice Skid Lid, which is just a half helmet, and it's DOT approved, so it's good in every state. I think it's similar to the helmet that you've been using, if that's the half-helmet model, but it doesn't have a visor, which doesn't really bother me b/c I've never used one, but if that's one of the features you're looking for, then a skid lid probably isn't for you. Other than that, I love my helmet and wouldn't trade it for anything. It took me forever to decide on that one and I have no regrets.

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by azjay on 05/17/06 at 10:26:40 we have bell shorty helmets, and afx full face helmets. i like the full face in the winter, and on long highway rides. i prefer no helmet or a shorty in in the city and short rides. i chose the afx full face, because it had the best periphial visibility of all that i tried, it fit very well, it is quite light, and it wasn't too expensive, $ 70.00-80.00 if remeber correctly. i bought mine from a shop in OKC, and i bought my wife's from: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by cigaro on 05/17/06 at 10:35:17 I've got a Harley Davidson half helmet, which looks really cool and has a visor, but cost twice what every other normal helmet costs because it's a Harley (and I'm a fool) and I was in a hurry to get a half helmet and the zook dealer here didn't have any. The one thing that I DO really like about this helmet is that I bought a 'half' shield' that attaches to the helmet, screws on, and makes putting on the helmet or scratching my face really easy despite wearing glasses, which makes most full face helmets impossible, unless you're willing to bend 400 dollar glasses. This mini shield allows air in, yet protects against flying objects and getting teary from windspeed. I don't see many people using these, maybe they're perceived as dorky looking, but I think they're absolutely great. The only drawback will be getting it scratched.

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by olscout99 on 05/17/06 at 11:23:13 This doesn't really answer your question, but I found it pretty interesting reading. More expensive and name brands don't always mean the best helmets apparently... some of the cheaper ones may do a better job than the high buck jobs. Check out this link: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/index.html The helmet I'm currently wearing is this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-89-DOT-OPEN-FACE-MOTORCYCLE-SCOOTER-HELMET-HELMETS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6749QQitemZ8065544185QQtcZphoto Got it off of ebay for a reasonable price before I did the BRC. It's OK, but hindsight is I'd have either gone ahead and upgraded to a full face (more protection) or gone to a half helmet (skid lid). This one is a 'tweener' and I don't know that it's a whole lot better than a skid lid.

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by MISS_SALLY on 05/17/06 at 11:46:01 Just like Cirago Eyeglasses need to be protected.. I wear a chrome half helmet with a flip up shield. Check out the "Jafrum store" on Ebay

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by Ed_L. on 05/17/06 at 11:47:04 Just about any DOT or Snell approved helmet will give you protection. A full faced is better than a 3/4 or shorty. The drawbacks with a FF is it gets hot in the summer, is heavier and is harder to get off and on.  The higher priced helmets are made of exotics like carbon fiber and weigh a lot less which is a plus. The most important thing about a helmet is that it fits without giving you any headaches and that you wear it. Head on down to you local motorcycle dealer, ask questions and try on a bunch, make a day of it and hit all the dealers in the area. Find one that fits and take it from there. Luck with it :D

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by Savage Librarian on 05/17/06 at 12:38:12 I'm with everyone else on this one.  Try them on first.  As many as possible.  Find which one works best.  At that point it becomes worthwhile to  look online and see who has the best deal for you.  A lot of times you can order one a lot cheaper than buying it from the shop.   I've bought all of my helmets online without trying them on...not necessarily the best way to go, but I've gotten lucky with it so far.   My shorty is a half helmet from jafrum.com My FF is a modular Zeus from traxms.com Remember, bright yellow and white are supposedly the most visible (and thus safest) colors to go with.  Not necessarily what you decide to do, but it made a difference in what I bought (for my modular helmet, anyway).  I suppose that for all of us, it's a matter of balancing the scales between safety and cool, and we each use different methods that suit us.

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by Guido on 05/17/06 at 14:58:14 White KBC TK-8. Full face with front and side slide vents that exit throught the top and back. Snell and DOT. Two visors. One clear, one dark. Inexpensive and easy to change. Pinstiped to match my ride. I prefer the full face even though it takes more time to put on and is a little warm in summer. I wear prescription glasses. It would be easier to wear a shorty or half. But you never know when you might need the full face, and I hate bugs in the teeth!!! :P

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by Steve530 on 05/17/06 at 15:53:27 I personally have a Nolan N100E modular helmet. Sort of mid-priced. The flip-up part is very smooth and the latches are very solid. I don't think that anyone as yet mentioned HJC.  They  make some nice, inexpensive helmets.

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by Trippah on 05/17/06 at 16:05:45 hi=3/4 helmet JHC/JRC here. Glasses make full face tough to put on comfortbly.  If you are new to riding, a full face for extra protection could make sense.  OR just be a pain in the butt.  Not sure the small skid lids are worth wearing other than appease the law. Helmet threads are like oil threads..enless choices and options :D

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by bacon13 on 05/17/06 at 16:25:52 Thanks all for the input. I now have lots of info to look over.

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by starmom on 05/17/06 at 16:59:21 I just bought my bike and also bought a scorpion 700 full face.  it has a swirly pattern or black, white and reflective silver ( I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW IM THERE) I wear rx glasses that go darker in the sun, transitions lenses, i tried on many helmets with my glasses, havent had it long but so far so good. Like the others have said, i agree with trying on many and deciding what is comfortable for you and legal in your state.

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by Dynobob on 05/17/06 at 18:36:08 starmom wrote: I just bought my bike and also bought a scorpion 700 full face. The Scorpion helmets are very popular. They are quiet and have a modest price tag. The small Jafrum helmet mentioned has also gotten good user reviews on another site I read. By all means try on helmets at the dealer, regardless of where you get your helmet. They are all shaped differently and only a few will fit you right. I use a full face Arai. Expensive but worth it to me. Check out Shoei and HJC. They make nice helmets too. If you want a full face I don't think you can beat Scorpion for the price.

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by LeeRider on 05/17/06 at 20:35:14 Shoei RF-1000.  Full face helmet.  Nope, it's not cheap, but it's excellent.   Investing in top quality protective gear that might save my butt (or head....same thing at times!) is a high priority for me.  As my instructor told us, "Cars have bumpers and fenders and airbags...all we've got is protective gear, so make it the best you can afford...get a cheaper bike if you have to, but get good gear"

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by 911radioman on 05/17/06 at 22:35:50 I own two HJC helmets, a CL-14 and a CL-5.  Just bought a Nolan X901 on clearance from Dennis Kirk, and its a sweet helmet as well.

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by Savage_Rob on 05/18/06 at 05:49:46 I have an HJC AC-3 3/4 helmet and a Scorpion EXO-400 full-face helmet.  I like them both for different reasons.  I have been very impressed with the Scorpion helmets... especially for the price.  Whatever you do, try them on first.  In fact, walk around the store with it on for a bit to see how it feels.  Different makes/models fit different shapes of heads better/worse than others.  Get the one that's right for you.

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by Tammi on 05/18/06 at 06:26:14 Another Scorpion helmet owner checking in. I have the EXO700 full face and like it a lot. I wear prescription glasses, and it's a bit of a pain to have to take them off each time I take the helmet off or put it on, but the glasses do fit fine once I put the helmet back on. In other words, there are no pressure problems with the helmet padding around the temples and ears. I second the idea offered above about trying on lots of sizes and models at a bike store or dealership. Fit is extremely important. Once you find a model and size for you, order it online and save some money. And don't feel bad about "using" the dealerships in this way. They will have plenty of opportunities to screw, er, use you in return! Cheers. Tammi

Title: Re: Newbie helmet question Post by taylorkh on 05/18/06 at 13:51:13 I have a Shoei RJ Air open face helmet.  It is DOT and Snell M2000 rated.  I tried one at a local dealer (they were not very customer oriented when I was looking at bikes last year so I didn't feel too bad when) I ordered it from http://www.helmetcity.com/  It is quiet comfortable but a little loud when I open the air vents for flow through cooling - at least I am not familiar with the sound of wind rushing THROUGH my helmet.  It was $198 delivered.  About $40 less than getting it locally. I must compliment helmetcity for their service.  I ordered it on a Monday about lunchtime, went and fetched my new '06 S40 with my truck, put it in the garage.  The helmet arrived at lunch time Wednesday in the Big Brown truck.  I had asked them if they had any faster shipping than the free standard 3 day.  The sales lady determined that she could send it UPS ground from TN to NC in 2 days and it would cost less than 3 day air shipment. Ken p.s. in the old days it was easier - if you wanted a good helmet you went down to your local dealer and purchased a Bell - period.  It you had a $20 head you purchased something at K-mart.  There are a lot of choices out there today although none made in the USA that I can find.  Proection and comfort are the keys.  Try before you buy.

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