Topic: Fighter-pilot style helmets

[Uncle Ernie]

I've been noticing these more and more. Some of them seem outrageously expensive, MOMA and Cromwell, especially.  I have to say that the Cromwell looks like it's really well made... I don't think they're here in the 'States.  Any of you English guys (blokes?) have any experience/opinions?  I'm wondering if the wind would be directed right up into your eyes with those shields.  Can the shields be taken off in order to use goggles?  How's the fit, etc?

[Klark Kent]

these do look cool, but for that money 250 - 300 (#s or lbs. i dont have that squiggly L thing on my keyboard) you could get a better helmet.  but it may not look as good with "ice man" written on it.

-KK


# Safety Standards – The helmet has full European ECE R22-05 approval.
# Shell Construction – In an industry first, the shell is made from a mix of special ultra-light brushed finish stainless steel and polycarbonate composite. The steel upper shell provides truly exceptional performance in the ECE impact tests without additional strengthening being required in the impact areas. The ECE impact test measures the force transmitted to the brain in 1 millisecond and allows a maximum reading of 275g. In tests the Cromwell Spitfire measured only 150g, an exceptional and class-leading performance.
# Shell trim – Trimmed in the finest Italian leather which is hand-stitched. This leather trim has been treated to make it water repellent and stain resistant.
# Lining – Durable yet luxurious washable, anti-bacterial, anti-allergenic lining complements the genuine leather trim.
# Visor – Lexan wrap-around with anti-fog coating. The sliding visor mechanism is unique to the Cromwell range.
# Fastening – Double “D” ring with genuine leather tab. Nylon chin strap with genuine leather chin pad.
# Weight – Extremely light at only 950 Gram.

Colours

Imperial Blue

Jaguar Green

Polish Black

Smoky Grey

[Klark Kent]

hey i just noticed the colours- you dont see too many polish blacks these days.  i say go for it.

[Einyodeler]

Ooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Ooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!  I want this one !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

[cbjunkie]

b'eh...that helmet is a perfect mouthful!

hey, KK - how bout a link to that fancy-shmancy cute little helmet up thar...?

[Raul CB750K1]

All that cash and you're still gonna lose your jaw when you crash. No thanks

Amen.


Momo brand helmets has become here a fashion accesory, specially among the trendy Ducati monster owners.


Raul

[MrZxp]

(#s or lbs. i dont have that squiggly L thing on my keyboard)

Sorry, don't have anything to contribute to the thread per se - just a tip on inserting non keyboard characters. If running Windows XP (maybe all flavours of Windows?) most often you will find in your START->PROGRAMS->ACCESSORIES menu a utility known as "Character Map". (It is located here: %SystemRoot%\System32\charmap.exe on your hard drive).
Simply click on it and either select the character you want or once you have found the one you want press and hold ALT key and type the 4 digit code associated with that character, then release the ALT key. For example in the Arial font the british pound sign is ALT+0163 = £. Go ahead, try it in wordpad or some such other program! 
Cheers, Phil

[Jonesy]

for that money 250 - 300 (#s or lbs. i dont have that squiggly L thing on my keyboard)

You mean "£"? Hold down the ALT key and type 156. Realease the ALT key and £ will appear.

Oops.. just read the previous post. But, from what I found, 156 works too..

[Klark Kent]

CBJ:  http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-CROMWELL-SPITFIRE-HELMET-HELMETS-ALL-SIZE-COLOURS_W0QQitemZ140021231766QQihZ004QQcategoryZ72278QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

all you smart asses helpful pc users: 156 0163 (yes i held down alt)  i used to work on a pc and know about that great system of alt + some numbers = some symbol.  I now work on a mac and do not think there is an equivalent system.  it doesnt even work in Word for mac.  the good news is you all knew what i meant anyhow. 
-KK

[Gordon]

Klark, try this:  "Pounds".

Works on every computer, and even on old manual typewriters!

[Klark Kent]

Thanks Gordon,
but my problem started when writing pounds, lbs. and #s mean the same thing as pounds- but only the squiggly L makes it known you are talking about british money and not weight.  smart ass remarks are not gonna get uncl;e ernie the info he needs... but it sure is fun. 
in the spirit of that

I've been noticing these more and more. Some of them seem outrageously expensive, MOMA and Cromwell, especially.  I have to say that the Cromwell looks like it's really well made... I don't think they're here in the 'States.  Any of you English guys (blokes?) have any experience/opinions?  I'm wondering if the wind would be directed right up into your eyes with those shields.  Can the shields be taken off in order to use goggles?  How's the fit, etc?

I can guarantee you that wind will be sucked up under the face shield.  i get a nice draft under my full face at speed, why would this be different and not moreso.  and they definitely seem like boutique pieces for folks that i hope never need them to perform.  steel outer shell is interesting on the cromwell, but for some reason does not seem like it would do anything to outperform the best polycarbonate helmets that can be had for less money.  wish they had a DOT comparison instead of the british test numbers.  but what do i know, i dont make helmets ijust wear them and hope they work if i ever need them to.  despite the price it would be hard to put my confidence in these albeit very stylish lids.
-KK
and if you guys don't lay off I may have to get my friends involved...

[Jeff]

Here's one for $110:
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?store=Main&productId=prod660978


Jeff

[cmorgan47]

jeff, i love having you on this forum. 

you pimp dennis kirk all the time (for obvious reasons) but you're a little like a professional buyer for all of us.  you know their stock so well and can instantly point us in the right direction.

[cbjunkie]

as my dad recently pointed out to me, the English scoff at our DOT/Snell rating...

the owner of no less than 8 helmets (mom is a regular passenger) he finds himself helmet shopping in the U.K.

now i know where punk came from...

[Uncle Ernie]

Thanks, Jeff. I've seen the AGV (I used to work at a bike shop)- a bit too "Tom Cruise" for me. I have a Davida, but it's on the round side and after 50 miles I get a hot-spot on my forehead.  It's nuts, but I wouldn't mind considering a Cromwell if I knew it would fit better than a Davida.  I have an e-mail in to Cromwell, but businesses in England and Australia seem to have a hard time (lack of interest?) in returning my e-mails.

[cmorgan47]

why did you have to start this thread?
do you have any idea how much i want that momo fighter helmet now?

here i thought i'd be happy with a simple bell and perscription aviator goggles, but now that i know those momos and cromwells exist, there's no way.

plus it's reinforcing the idea in my head that _everything_ is cooler in england.

[cbjunkie]

ha-ha - yeah, just try to get your driver's liscense...that'll cure the "cool" factor right off...

[cmorgan47]

ha-ha - yeah, just try to get your driver's liscense...that'll cure the "cool" factor right off...

i don't get it.  the CC limit?  is it harder?

except, i guess, for that part in "long way round" when the camera guy blows it.

[supersport_CB400F]

ha-ha - yeah, just try to get your driver's liscense...that'll cure the "cool" factor right off...

He couldn’t afford a bike in England, let alone get a licence 

[Jeff]

jeff, i love having you on this forum. 

you pimp dennis kirk all the time (for obvious reasons) but you're a little like a professional buyer for all of us.  you know their stock so well and can instantly point us in the right direction.

Hahaa, if I wasn't an enthusiast myself and didn't enjoy hanging out here, I wouldn't shamelessly pimp DK. I visit here on my own accord (just ask my wife ), and no one at work has ever put me up to pimping DK. I won't shamelessly pimp DK unless someone asks for something that we happen to stock. I won't ever let it get to be like spam, and if it does, feel free to let me know and I'll stop. I can quickly get to photos and stuff by using our site (because I know where to find it, and because I geek out at this stuff), so it makes my replies quicker. If it gets a sale for DK, then that's great.

For what it's worth, if I have experience with an item and I think it's a piece of crap, I won't hesitate to call it such, no matter if it comes from DK or not.

Also, if the SOHC4 rulers don't like the shameless DK pimping, I'll stop.

Jeff

[Buber]

Hmmm, I DO have an original, test pilot helmet, and just for fun and for stupid looks I drive it sometimes, but to be honest (in my opinion) - an ax-hammer is never good axe nor good hammer. Bike helmet is differentand for different purposes.
That said, I DO think about buying this sometime in spring

http://www.uhma-bike.pl/akcesoria_foto.php?id=11593

Airoh TR1, and you can have it with the chin protector or remove it when you like. And it has a retractable sun shield....

just a thought.....

[Jeff]

Hmmm, I DO have an original, test pilot helmet, and just for fun and for stupid looks I drive it sometimes, but to be honest (in my opinion) - an ax-hammer is never good axe nor good hammer. Bike helmet is differentand for different purposes.
That said, I DO think about buying this sometime in spring

http://www.uhma-bike.pl/akcesoria_foto.php?id=11593

Airoh TR1, and you can have it with the chin protector or remove it when you like. And it has a retractable sun shield....

just a thought.....

That thing is so cool!

Jeff

[Buber]

AND not expensive, AND well made. AND you can have it as a jet (chin removed) or full face (chin in place). AND it gets very good reviews - unlike similar ROOF BOXER.
Let me see if i can post the picture 

[cbjunkie]

yeah, but don't you think it's just a little silly to ride a 30 year old bike with a helmet that looks like it belongs in a B-1 bomber?

[cmorgan47]

yeah, but don't you think it's just a little silly to ride a 30 year old bike with a helmet that looks like it belongs in a B-1 bomber?

no.