Motorcycle helmets

[EweSheep]

I bought two helmets, one for hubby and one for daughter, both are DOT certified full face helmets. Both of them sweated but the padding can be washed. Bought helmets from a supplier out in Chicago, it was cheap on Ebay and saved hubby's bacon twice when he slide his bike into loose gravel. Besides a few scrapes and one bruise, nothing broken. His helmet suffered a few scrapes. His was a WOW helmet and daughter was AFX.

Hubby's motorcycle is a Honda Goldwing Aspencade. No racing bikes nor want any LOL!

I hate the thought of my head slamming on the concrete. I had a head concussion when I got thrown off from a horse, sliding down from railroad inbankment and slammed into mulberry tree....I never did remember that day at all. Nothing. All I know I woke up in the hospital and not knowing what happened until my Mom told me what/where she found me at home, neighbors talked about me walking the horse home, shaking my hand...I know NOTHING.......that is what a concussion can do to me and it scared me. From then on, I am wary about riding horses without a helmet, now I am much older, I can not take the falls as easily and longer recovery time.

As many of you suggested a full face helmet. Thanks! I will go that direction! AND drink alot of water whenever it is very hot.

 

[EweSheep]

I did check out the motorcycle place and they only have AFX DOT approved helmets in black or gray. If I wanted a different color, I would have to order it special. Prices ranging from $89 for a beanie and up to $500 for racing helmets.

 

[OldGuy43]

Full face always. The graphic below shows the results of a German study as to what part of the helmet takes what percentage of the hits in a accident. You will notice the chin bar is by far more the most likely to get hit.



Also, never ride without the shield fully down. I was once riding on a 4 lane city street, speed limit 40 mph and a rock from a gravel truck on the other side of the street hit my face shield and cracked the polycarbonate full length.

A few more hints:

• Never ride without one.
• Always strap it on firmly.
• Never buy a helmet without trying it on. Your more likely to wear a helmet that fits the shape of your head as well as being the right size.
• The most expensive helmet is not necessarily the best protection.
• If you are in an accident and the helmet takes a hit - REPLACE IT! They are not tested for multiple impacts.

Forget the stickers. The adhesive may weaken the shell of the helmet.

I started riding in 1957. Trust me.

 

[JohnSWA]

I ride in Arizona and always wear a full face. Most new full faced helmets have vents to circulate air even though it's hot, it's better than nothing. I'd rather look uncool with the rest of the crowd, then join the crowd at the funeral of a fellow rider. Ride safe, my friends!

 

[OldGuy43]

One more hint. Always wear a helmet, but ride like you don't have one. A touch of paranoia while riding is not a bad thing. Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't out to get you.

spelling correction

 

[sumi]

One more hint. Always wear a helmet, but ride like you don't have one. A touch of paranoia while riding is not a bad thing. Just because your paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't out to get you.

You reminded me of my golden rule when I was riding still. I used to tell myself the moment I put my helmet on, I became invisible to motorists. So I behaved accordingly. It saved my bacon more than once, when motorists didn't notice me on the bike and nearly mowed me down!
Some clever guy started this "Think Bike" campaign. I often see bright yellow "Think Bike" stickers on cars and road signs here. To remind motorists to look out.

EweSheep: I'm with you on the helmets for horse riding. I went riding with a novice once. Her horse took off, she fell, the horse stepped on her head. She had to get airlifted to hospital for emergency brain surgery and nearly died. She recovered completely, but it was a nightmare for everyone involved and could've been prevented by her wearing some protective headgear.

 

[thaiturkey]

I always wear a full face helmet. Not just the crown of you head is exposed to hard surfaces.

We have a law here requiring bikers to wear helmets. Police set up road blocks at the same old places once in a while to check but the rest of the time few people bother to wear one. Most bike riders here are brainless anyway. Kids are allowed to ride without a licence until they are 15. No-one takes lessons. The test for a licence is a joke. They have no concept of the relationship between time, distance and velocity. They wander from lane to lane, cut blind corners, carry loads in such a way that they cannot have proper control of the bike .......... think of the most stupid thing a bike rider could do and they do it here.

This is a scene that we see every day, all day.

 

[chickened]

I always wear a full face helmet. Not just the crown of you head is exposed to hard surfaces.

We have a law here requiring bikers to wear helmets. Police set up road blocks at the same old places once in a while to check but the rest of the time few people bother to wear one. Most bike riders here are brainless anyway. Kids are allowed to ride without a licence until they are 15. No-one takes lessons. The test for a licence is a joke. They have no concept of the relationship between time, distance and velocity. They wander from lane to lane, cut blind corners, carry loads in such a way that they cannot have proper control of the bike .......... think of the most stupid thing a bike rider could do and they do it here.

This is a scene that we see every day, all day.

scary but funny. I never ride without my brain bucket.

 

[OldGuy43]

One more thing that I've learned over the years. Don't waste (That's right, I said WASTE!) your money on a Snell certified helmet if you are a street rider. I finally found my link to an article that tells you why. It's long, but if you have enough brain to worry about your brain you'll take the time to read it before plunking down your money.

http://www.westcoastweasels.com/archives/PDF/Blowing_the_Lid_Off.pdf

 

[EweSheep]

Wow I didn't know of all the tests and Snell is one of the worst ones to be graded for helmet safety! Thanks for the information.


EEEK! That picture above with multiple family members on one motorcycle, with that young child, OMG! So dangerous!

Hubby always wanted those neon orange or yellow jacket to wear while riding a bike.
Right now he is doing the veteran services that the bikers get together for funerals or "coming home" party for our boys and girls coming home of ANY wars. Last week, he did the tribute to a WWII long lost veteran that was found, his plane was half buried into the ground when the pilot crashed.