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Helmets
- rayellis
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I have signed up for the motorcycle safety course and I will need a helmet. Since, I still have a ways to go on my restoration of my KZ750;I have not purchased one yet. I will be training at a Harley dealership and riding a Buell Blast ;so that's why I will need to start looking and trying a few for good fit.
Anyway, don't really know what I like yet but seem to be more into retro helmets of the same era as my KZ. Like some of the German helmets and saw a few on the Z1 movie that were interesting. Open face seems to be more appealing but open for suggestions.
Here in Louisiana we have to ware a brain bucket but this state changes it's mind often. It was only a few years back that you did not and few years before that you did. Make your mind up!
Thanks
Ray
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- testarossa
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- Attack life, it's only trying to kill you.
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I'm a full-face guy for lots of reasons. Bugs, rocks, rain, cigarette butts, wind, cold, don't try to lift off your head at speed, face protection, etc. They definantly take some getting used to the first time around, but are worth it in my mind. Make sure that the helmet is properly fitted. My .02.
1978 KZ1000 A2 Click--->Build Thread
2004 ZX-10R
2007 Harley Sportster 1200
2020 Harley Street Glide Special
Angola, IN
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- 9am53
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- homebrew, and some bbq
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'84 GPz900r
'71 CB350
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- timebomb33
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1973 z1 2-1974z1-a,2-1975z1-b dragbikes1015cc+1393cc, 1977kz1000,1978kz1000,1981kz1000j, 1997 zx-11, 2000 z12r,1428turbo nitrous pro-mod and a shit load of parts thats all for now leader sask.,CANADA
I THINK MY POWERBAND BROKE
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- loudhvx
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I have dumped once, and without my fullface helmet I would have had no teeth and a wired jaw. I got a Fulmer helmet for my first one, and it works great and as mentioned it saved my face. I will be getting a more expensive helmet next simply because the cheaper ones let in more wind noise at highway speeds.
Same here. If I didn't have a full-face, I'd have no face.
Currently use a KBC Tk-7. It was cheap but rated pretty high. It happens to fit me really well, while some others didn't. It's all sort of up to the shape of your head to get the right fit.
Cost is not always about the safety. Some helmets are more expensive because they have more features for comfort and convenience. You can get a cheap helmet that's just as safe, but maybe not as well ventilated etc.
So far, lucky in Illinois that there is no helmet law. I wear one pretty much all the time, but I'd be pissed if I HAD to. We do have the seat belt law, though.
1981 KZ550 D1 gpz.
Kz550 valve train warning.
Other links.
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- RonKZ650
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321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
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- 650ed
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1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- RonKZ650
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321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
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- N0NB
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- Blue handles better
Inevitably you will be directed to an article published by Motorcyclist magazine a few years back that purported to demonstrate that Snell certified helmets were no safer and were in some case worse than DOT listed helmets. Unfortunately, the article betrayed an ax to grind and in the mean time no one else has come forward to corroborate the claims made in the article. Whether one agrees with the article's conclusions or doesn't the fact remains that to display the Snell sticker, the manufacturer must submit representative samples of the helmet model to the Snell Foundation for testing. A helmet with a DOT sticker is "self certified" by the manufacturer and not a third party. Do keep that in mind when helmet shopping.
Like others, I chose a full face helmet and use an HJC that was a nice balance between comfort and price and Snell certification. As I don't have windshields or fairings on my bikes, having a full face helmet has saved me from a facial injury from airborne objects on several occasions.
Nate
Nates vintage bike axiom: Riding is the reward for time spent wrenching.
Murphys corollary: Wrenching is the result of time spent riding.
1979 KZ650 (Complete!)
1979 KZ650 SR (Sold!)
1979 KL250 (For sale)
1994 Bayou 400 (four wheel peel )
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- ditchdriver
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1982 kz 550 ltd
Grand Forks, ND
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- csrjoe
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- MentalMike
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- God Bless America!
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I've gone from wearing Simpson's (Made in USA) to Bell, Arai, KBC, Shoei, HJC and a few others I forgot. I'm now back to wearing a Simpson Outlaw which I love.
As stated above, no matter what helmet brand you choose, make sure it's at least a DOT certified helmet and not simply one with a sticker on it. Secondly, if you find one that is also Snell certified, your that much better off. Snell testing standards are stricter than DOT's.
Here are some links:
www.smf.org/
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/pedbimot...etid/pages/page2.htm
I swear to God, it's like I live in a trailer of common sense, and stare out the window at a tornado of stupidity.
1976 Kawasaki KZ900
1978 Kawasaki KZ1000A
1978 Kawasaki KZ650 C
1984 Kawasaki ZN1100 LTD
1985 Kawasaki ZX900A2 GPZ (2)
1985 Kawasaki ZL900 Eliminator
2013 Kawasaki C14 Concours
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