Helmets?

I've seen a few.
Mark

One of my good friends has a 883 Sportster upgraded to a 1200 and he always wears a full-face helmet.

JR wrote:

While on the subject of helmets................has anyone ever seen a HD rider wearing a full face helmet ?
I dont think I ever have. Is there some law which says it's uncool ?

My brother (Harley rider) used to hear a full-faced. But for some reason, he got an old-school open-face helmet. You know, the non-vented, open-face, snaps for a plastic visor, harldley padded. He couldn't quite bring himself to get a beanie... but its just as bad... I guess its to be cool...

Once I saw a V-Rod rider with a full-face, but that's about it....

Mark Wing wrote:

Get a good one that fits right and wear it. You never know when you'll need it to save your life.
Mark

I agree Mark, mine was a AGV, worked great and did it's job. A helmet is a personal choise of design, color, etc. Always wear it, as you can see by our pic's we are still here today because of them!!

Almost hate to "go there" on this, but the 'Wing-man' (Mark Wing) makes a goooooooooood point: find a comfy one that you will wear and wear it.
I've been in the industry since I was a kid (literally) born into a bike shop and I hate to preach, but after years of helping people get the 'right' bike, 'right' helmet, 'right' tires, or whatever, and after having read a ton of stuff and having experienced as much as I possibly could over 39 years of riding and racing ... it seems to boil down to this: buy one that you will wear and f-ing wear it. Studies haven't proven that any helmet is more protective than any other; except that the one on your head does better at protecting your head than the one strapped to the back of your seat...for some strange reason...:blink:

My moto (it's old school, so some will recognize it) is "Got a $10 head?...wear a $10 helmet." :lol: And I always personally recommend not skimping on (1) tires and (2) helmets...just my thoughts.

del

JR wrote:

While on the subject of helmets................has anyone ever seen a HD rider wearing a full face helmet ?
I dont think I ever have. Is there some law which says it's uncool ?

I see the same few HD and metric cruiser riders every day during my commute that wear full face helmets.

Everyone one in the club my wife and I belong to own cruisers (Hondas, HD's, Kaw's, etc.), yet my wife and I are the only members that always wear full face helmets (one other member will wear his when he's on the freeway, but will switch to his "beanie helmet" on surface streets. Guess it makes flirting easier? :huh:)


BadKaw:

The "$10 head" was an ad by Bell helmets from back in the day when I worked at a Kawi dealer. Funny (yet oh so true) stuff! :laugh:

HEEEEEEY! Somebody remembers! Cool! :lol:

RetroRiceRocketRider wrote:

JR wrote:

While on the subject of helmets................has anyone ever seen a HD rider wearing a full face helmet ?
I dont think I ever have. Is there some law which says it's uncool ?

I see the same few HD and metric cruiser riders every day during my commute that wear full face helmets.

Everyone one in the club my wife and I belong to own cruisers (Hondas, HD's, Kaw's, etc.), yet my wife and I are the only members that always wear full face helmets (one other member will wear his when he's on the freeway, but will switch to his "beanie helmet" on surface streets. Guess it makes flirting easier? :huh:)

The fact that you guys do see some HD riders with full face helmets is telling me that US riders must be a bit more safety concious than those up here. I have never ever ever seen a full face helmet on a HD rider. The norm is one of those ridiculous little beanies.

I guess I probably need to chime in here. Here in Kansas I see several; they're still strongly out-numbered by the helmetless, but I've sent several thru my MSF-based rider training and of those who have taken my class most wear some form of helmet. But the shop owner and his wife are helmet wearing people. Good for the industry, those two (they've graced the cover of Motorcycle Dealer News...like it matters, I know, but I think it's cool).

Anyway, they're not all fashion-before-functionposers...just most of 'em, eh? :lol:

JR wrote:

The fact that you guys do see some HD riders with full face helmets is telling me that US riders must be a bit more safety concious than those up here. I have never ever ever seen a full face helmet on a HD rider. The norm is one of those ridiculous little beanies.

Well, I wouldn't go that far in saying that we're all safety concious here in the US. I'd say about 95% of the cruiser riders I see are wearing the minimalist "beanie" helmets. The ones who wear full face helmets are the ones who catch my attention, becuase it's completely out of the norm.
Not every state has a helmet requirement law, so the stats for "X" state vs "Y" state will vastly vary also.

For example, here in Calif (primarily So Calif for this particular example) the helmet law has been in effect for roughly about 20 years. Since most drivers/riders here are more concerned of what they drive/ride and how they look (think Hollywood), safety is rarely factored into the equation.

HD and other cruiser styled bikes create the vision of being rebelious, wild and free ("Wild Hogs" unfortunately has added to this mystique).
So in keeping with the rebelious image, cruiser riders defend being "told what to do/wear" by going the extreme and wearing the most minimal thing they can get away with - DOT approved "beanie" helmets.
There are a few in our club who wear the novelty (non-DOT approved) helmets since they can be bought for less than $30, and I know there are thousands of other riders out there who do the same.
I imagine these are the same riders who as kids rebelled against their parents when told to eat your veggies because they're good for you, and sit up straight or you'll ruin your posture. :whistle:

It all comes down to choice.
And my choice is to always wear a full face helmet, regardless if it looks like a basketball on top of a toothpick. :laugh:


I know I totally ran away from the orignal subject matter concerning helmet fitment, and I appologize. :S