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The Motorcycle Helmet Thread

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,082
Location
London, UK
I have a multitude of open face helmets , collected over the last 25 years.

I've long been tempted to pick up a few old school, open faces just for decor, though I suspect that She Who Must Be Obeyed would not be happy unless or until we can afford a place big enough that they could stay in my mancave.... ;)


Looks like a style very popular with people who keep a scooter for city riding. Very Italian. I saw some of these in Beijing recently. There seems to be no helmet law there - though you rarely see a 'real' motorcycle, most two wheelers there are now electronic scooters, ridden on the road.... in cycle lanes.... up the footpath.... without insurance or helmets! I have notice a few helmets starting to happen there, though bizarrely it's pushbike helmets I see most....

There’s just way too much road safety data on motorcycle accidents they have complied over the years that show the vast majority of bikers hit the front of their face in an accident and with the way car drivers ignore motorcyclists here in Sydney or should I say, how much attention they pay to their phones while driving.....it’s just not worth it even though I prefer an open face helmet.

I'm coming from the same place. TBH, I'm surprised open face helmets are still legal to wear in the UK (not least as it's much easier to spot than, say, a Gringo which is not UK road legal). I'm sure it'll change soon. I think the best alternative is a motocross style... (WEirdly, I had a dream the other night involving motocross helmets. Someone was doing a lofi, Netflix backed series based on MadMax, and I was hired to advise them on costumes. Fun dream.....).

My compromise is the Shoei Neotec 2 modular helmet. Full face but you can lift up the front for when stopped at lights etc. flip down sun visor which I love plus I have the integrated Bluetooth comms system from SENA and it’s great.

b214767fc135e54b6e9f5352cb3cb836.jpg


Not vintage looking but functional and safer, I guess that’s where I draw the line.

I remember when my dad first got back into bikes twenty-five years ago or so. Flip fronts were very new and expensive and only one or two firms did them. Now, of course, they're everywhere! They're especially popular with riders who wear glasses for all the obvious reasons.

NH is a no-helmet state. However, massively growing traffic volumes with unreasonable, self destructive and inconsiderate drivers resulting is numerous motorcycle accidents is encouragement enough to wear full head coverage and armored coverage as well.

I remember when I was first in India in 2010, seeing signs everywhere in Bangalore saying "Be safe, wear helmet", and every main road being almost fully lined with stalls selling helmets of whatever quality (who knows!). No helmet law - then or now, afaik. It would be interstingt to see somewhere where everyone wore a helmet because they thought it sensible rather than through legal requirement. Here in the UK when they brought the helmet law in in 1973, 80% of motorcyclists were already wearing them (the opposition arguments were largely based on personal liberty, but they lost, largely to the argument that irresponsible young (usually men) motorcyclists were causing huge cost to the health service (if they survived) and otherwise needed to be protected from themselves).


The field boots and breeches look fantastic. I'm toying with the idea of replicating a similar look with a shorter pair of Helstons boots and a pair of leather gaiters, worn with some repro Brit WW2 motorcycle dispatch rider's BD trews (kevlar underneath, natch) - perhaps a look best for Winter, though!
 

lina

One Too Many
Messages
1,054
Location
Washington DC
Looks like a style very popular with people who keep a scooter for city riding. Very Italian. I saw some of these in Beijing recently. There seems to be no helmet law there - though you rarely see a 'real' motorcycle, most two wheelers there are now electronic scooters, ridden on the road.... in cycle lanes.... up the footpath.... without insurance or helmets! I have notice a few helmets starting to happen there, though bizarrely it's pushbike helmets I see most....

[/QUOTE]

It does feel more like a scooter helmet than a motorcycle helmet. I feel slightly vulnerable in it, but am only going to wear it for low key, non-highway rides, when I need some relief from the DC heat in my regular helmet. It's stickered with both DOT and ECE approvals, though honestly I have my doubts about that...
 

felix03

One of the Regulars
Messages
124
Location
Castro Valley, CA
LS2 Citation and Biltwell Gringo for me. The LS2 is one of the very few helmets made in the US for a long oval head, and it fits me well. I like the looks of the Gringo, but it doesn't quite extend down as far as I'd like -- the bottom of my chin is exposed.


IMG_3279.JPG
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draws

Practically Family
Messages
553
Location
Errol, NH
Nice Helmet and I see what you mean. Reminds me of my first Bell helmet in the early 60s where I had the same problem with my chin being exposed. Kind of a classic look though. What early riding day memories.
 

lina

One Too Many
Messages
1,054
Location
Washington DC
LS2 Citation and Biltwell Gringo for me. The LS2 is one of the very few helmets made in the US for a long oval head, and it fits me well. I like the looks of the Gringo, but it doesn't quite extend down as far as I'd like -- the bottom of my chin is exposed.


View attachment 121380 View attachment 121382

That’s good to know about the LS2, cause I definitely have a hatchet head and it is the rare helmet that works for me. I’ve never actually had a full face helmet, but I may try this one.
 

felix03

One of the Regulars
Messages
124
Location
Castro Valley, CA
That’s good to know about the LS2, cause I definitely have a hatchet head and it is the rare helmet that works for me. I’ve never actually had a full face helmet, but I may try this one.

The other one I know of is the Arai Signet Q. It fit me like a dream but I wasn't prepared to spend $800 for a helmet
 

Edward

Bartender
Messages
25,082
Location
London, UK
Davida have just over the last couple of weeks released their first closed-faced helmet, the Koura (an African, if memory serves, word for Hyena; apparently their European offices are based in a territory where Reservoir Dogs was released under a title that translates as The Hyenas, and this relates to a quote from the film made by one of the guys on the design team at a particular meeting - "Let's go to work.").

davida-koura-fullfacehelmet-MotoressArtbnr2.jpg


The metallicish silver/grey version has a bit of a Rocket Man look to it imo. An earlier look to it than the revivived Bell Bullit or Premier Trophy styles, despite being entirely new. Seems to be priced about the same level as the Bell. DOT and ECE approved, though I can't find a SHARP rating.
 

lina

One Too Many
Messages
1,054
Location
Washington DC
Update,,,both Harley & Honda went & made way for a triumph speed triple R,,,best decision I ever made :)
Congrats! Just yesterday a guy pulled up next to me and my Moto Guzzi at a stop light on a Speed Triple - had never seen one up close i don't think. Looked cool, and looked pretty fast... Enjoy.
 

felix03

One of the Regulars
Messages
124
Location
Castro Valley, CA
Congrats! Just yesterday a guy pulled up next to me and my Moto Guzzi at a stop light on a Speed Triple - had never seen one up close i don't think. Looked cool, and looked pretty fast... Enjoy.

Which Guzzi you got Lina? I have a 2010 V7 classic and I love it
 

lina

One Too Many
Messages
1,054
Location
Washington DC
Which Guzzi you got Lina? I have a 2010 V7 classic and I love it
I've got a 2015 V7 Racer, which is very fun to ride! (@technovox has the same model, a year or two earlier.) I confess that I unexpectedly loved the "blingy-ness" of the chrome tank and red frame the first time I laid eyes on it. I wouldn't have thought it was my style, but it was. And at 53 I am not the ideal cafe racer rider, but having fun on it nonetheless.

guzzi racer.jpg
 

felix03

One of the Regulars
Messages
124
Location
Castro Valley, CA
I've got a 2015 V7 Racer, which is very fun to ride! (@technovox has the same model, a year or two earlier.) I confess that I unexpectedly loved the "blingy-ness" of the chrome tank and red frame the first time I laid eyes on it. I wouldn't have thought it was my style, but it was. And at 53 I am not the ideal cafe racer rider, but having fun on it nonetheless.

View attachment 121681
Very nice! Ride safe
 

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