Topic: Helmets... Is DOT marking enough??

[spotty]

I would never ride w/out a helmet even if it was legal, I've been headfirst thru a windscreen after losing control of a sidecar (are you ever in control on one of those things ?) and I would without a doubt have been killed even without the nasty polycarbonate helmet I was wearing, I've come off a pushbike and would have spread my brains all over the pavement without the legally required helmet.
the first day I was riding (over 35 years ago) I didn't think I really needed to actually do the strap up and when I fell off for the third time that day the helmet came off too....always done the strap up nice and tight since then (also don't wear dark sunglasses at night on unlit streets, you won't see that corner coming up, i didn't)

[spotty]

I've always found this to be an interesting read:

https://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/MotorcyclistHelmets.html


More money does not necessarily translate to better protection.

I agree. Some of the cheaper helmets in those tests were better than the Arai, but cost less than half the dollars. Of course, if the only helmet that is comfortable has a big price, it's better to bite the bullet than to suffer. I had a helmet that pinched my ears against my head; after 2 hours it felt like my head was being clamped in a vice.

this too, had a couple of tight helmets and after a while all you can concentrate on is the headache not the actual riding. unfortunately you don't get to test ride a helmet for a couple of hours, it all goes on what it feels like in the shop, you don't find out til later, best to bite the bullet and throw out your nice new helmet.

another tip - don't put your helmet on the mirror while you're parked up, it will compact the polystyrene foam inside the helmet denying you that little bit of cushioning when you come off, I know it doesn't sound like much but any space your head has to move inside the helmet is a bad thing, also the poly is compacted and therefore has less cushion to absorb energy into.

[Sam Green Racing]

nice to See you again Sam....  i've missed our occasional conversations

Nice to see you also Keith and now you know why I have not been as active on here of late. Although we are friends on Facebook, we would only get to know we were talking about one another if we high lighted our names so that it went into the notification function. It might be an idea to ask Glenn, the forum owner could this sort of function be added to the forum as it's very rare we get to read every post that comes up new on a daily basis.
I was still active in Land Speed Racing right up to having the accident on the Drag Strip in Virginia.
Just a few weeks before it, I set a new British LSR on an Electric bike at just over 100mph, it was my last success on two wheels and can be found here on Wikipedia in the last chapter of Historical Records.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_land_speed_record

Regards Sam.

[madmtnmotors]

If the only helmet that is comfortable has a big price, it's better to bite the bullet than to suffer. I had a helmet that pinched my ears against my head; after 2 hours it felt like my head was being clamped in a vice.

Exactly. I was on the verge of giving up on motorcycling altogether    just from the headache pain of wearing a helmet. I read about the long oval head form from Arai, found an Arai Profile (predecessor to the current Signet long oval model) on closeout for more than 50% off. Quite a leap of faith to spend $300+ on a helmet without even trying it on! Arai cheek pads can be ordered in different thicknesses for those heads that fall in between sizes. I went with the 2X (the largest they make) and the thinnest cheek pads available. Imagine my relief when I tried it on for the first time and found my head cradled with even pressure all around. As stated earlier, with the proper fitting helmet, I have spent up to 12 hours in the saddle without any of the ill effects that I was suffering from with a poorly fitting helmet. The joy of riding had returned! I am currently on my second "long oval" Arai (Signet) and may soon be shopping for my third. 

The older I get the less tolerant I am of pain that can be avoided. I believe that stems from the ever increasing age related pains that I can not avoid! 

[J-Rod10]

I've always found this to be an interesting read:

https://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/MotorcyclistHelmets.html


More money does not necessarily translate to better protection.

I agree. Some of the cheaper helmets in those tests were better than the Arai, but cost less than half the dollars. Of course, if the only helmet that is comfortable has a big price, it's better to bite the bullet than to suffer. I had a helmet that pinched my ears against my head; after 2 hours it felt like my head was being clamped in a vice.

I like them for a few reasons. They fit my head better than anything else, they are light weight compared to most others, the wind noise is minimal, and they have superior ventilation compared to most.

[KeithTurk]

Good to hear your okay....  I've been pretty quiet too... did just run 237mph in Australia for the 7th 200mph club hat...  ( and no I don't wear hats )

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The Arai Signet-Q is now on closeout as its being replaced by the Signet-X. Plenty of great buys out there now on it! (I've got the same lid, Wilbur  )

Damn!! Time to look!

[BomberMann650]

[72 yellow]

My question to you would be, how many brains do you have and can they be replaced.

Buy the best helmet you can afford because when needed the extra money doesn't mean jack squat. It could be the difference between life as you know it or life as a veg.

As for me I prefer a full face helmet, I never could understand why someone would wear one of those goofy eggshell half helmets.

Everyone one on this forum should remember what happened to SOHC Digger and the price his family is paying for him riding without a helmet.