Motorcycle Helmet Recommendations?

AndYota · 08-26-2008, 08:19 AM

Like the title says.

I'm purchasing my first bike next week, a 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 800, and wanted to know what riders out there liked by the way of helmets. I know my head isn't something to be cheap about, though I don't really think I need to spend $400 to protect myself. I need to buy a good jacket too, and I m wondering if I can get protection comparable to leather with the newer padded textile units. Thanks in advance.

Andy.

***waskillywabbit*** · 08-26-2008, 09:53 AM

I rode for years but quit due to safety on the road and having a family but I always bought the best helmet I could afford. My uncle had a motorcycle shop and sold Kawasakis and Harleys here in Tuscaloosa before Harleys went crazy expensive, and he had a sign on the wall.

"If you have a ten dollar head buy a ten dollar helmet."

I had a Bell full face Moto 3.

spdjnky · 08-26-2008, 11:19 AM

Arai helments are the best in my opinion, but $$

HJC are really comfortable Go Elbowz

Scorpion <-- I have never had one on but Mat Mladin wears one in AMA Superbike

all three make full face helmets to "cruiser" style helmets but whatever you do don't go really cheap...you only have one head!

saitotiktmdog · 08-26-2008, 11:50 AM

Get a good hjc that is comfortable and that will be the best bank for the buck. Arai and Shoei are good helmets but they are more like luxery or performance helmets. Ligher then most hjc and at one time were way better. But some of the high end hjc are getting close. I hate arais simply because they do not fit my head. People with smaller heads seem to like arai. I prefer Shoei. At leas that was my experience from the five years I worked at a bike shop. Fun fact- there was a study done a few years back that said you were better of getting a helmet rated at lower speed because it has softer foam in it. Reason being because if you get into a wreck at 150 plus or heck even 80 to 90 regardless if you are wearing a helmet you FUBARED.

StuntManFox · 08-26-2008, 11:52 AM

Safety gear is nothing you want to skimp on man.. Pavement is a gigantic body sander.. As far as my reccomendations.. HJC makes an affordable well constructed helmet.. As far as leather or textile.. Its my understanding that leather offers more protection than textile jackets. What ever you purchase make sure it has some built in padding in case you tumble down the street... Watch out for "cagers" and gravel.. keep the shiny side up.

surf4runner · 08-26-2008, 11:53 AM

HELMET LAWS SUCK!

i like arai.
very comfortable and many models have vents to allow cool air in.

4Hummer · 08-26-2008, 12:51 PM

This is what I wear and Love it

Best helmet I've owned so far.

Dual Visors (inside one is tinted, Almost like a fighter pilots heads up display Need rocket switches on my bike)
This way you don't need a tinted visor for day and another for night.

Remember those old Air Jordon Nike Shoe's with the Pump to increase the pressure inside the shoe, This has one for the helmet.. Pump it up to fit your face nice and snug. Theres a round thing you press to add air under that flap

T-1000 · 08-26-2008, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Hummer

This is what I wear and Love it

Best helmet I've owned so far.

Dual Visors (inside one is tinted, Almost like a fighter pilots heads up display Need rocket switches on my bike)
This way you don't need a tinted visor for day and another for night.

Remember those old Air Jordon Nike Shoe's with the Pump to increase the pressure inside the shoe, This has one for the helmet.. Pump it up to fit your face nice and snug. Theres a round thing you press to add air under that flap

That is a pretty sick helmet....fighter pilot helmets only have one piece of glass actually, just a tinted one. You either have that or nothing.

Hayes · 08-26-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndYota

I know my head isn't something to be cheap about, though I don't really think I need to spend $400 to protect myself.

you just went washy here. Your head is the last place you want to skimp. As stated above, buy the best helmet you can afford. And I paid 300 for a mid-level helmet, is 100 bucks a huge difference.

AndYota · 08-26-2008, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayes

you just went washy here. Your head is the last place you want to skimp. As stated above, buy the best helmet you can afford. And I paid 300 for a mid-level helmet, is 100 bucks a huge difference.

and i will definitely not skimp on the protection. I don't trust local drivers at all. Thanks for the tips, now all I have to do is try on a bunch and decide which fits my slightly huge melon.

Andy

08-26-2008, 08:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
AndYota Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Albuquerque, NM; Former NW Montana boy. Posts: 507	Motorcycle Helmet Recommendations? Like the title says. I'm purchasing my first bike next week, a 2002 Kawasaki Vulcan 800, and wanted to know what riders out there liked by the way of helmets. I know my head isn't something to be cheap about, though I don't really think I need to spend $400 to protect myself. I need to buy a good jacket too, and I m wondering if I can get protection comparable to leather with the newer padded textile units. Thanks in advance. Andy. __________________ ------------------------------------------------ Driveway occupants: 1994 4Runner SR5 V6, 186,000 and going strong. 2007 WRX Wagon, the baby. 1988 Grand Wagoneer, the new patient. ------------------------------------------------

08-26-2008, 09:53 AM	#2 (permalink)
*waskillywabbit* Sponsoring Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 11,507	I rode for years but quit due to safety on the road and having a family but I always bought the best helmet I could afford. My uncle had a motorcycle shop and sold Kawasakis and Harleys here in Tuscaloosa before Harleys went crazy expensive, and he had a sign on the wall. "If you have a ten dollar head buy a ten dollar helmet." I had a Bell full face Moto 3. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC www.myspace.com/wabfab 6th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, May 22-25, 2009 WabFab Off-Road Salvation Army Online Kettle

08-26-2008, 11:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
spdjnky Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kentucky Posts: 189	Arai helments are the best in my opinion, but $$ HJC are really comfortable Go Elbowz Scorpion <-- I have never had one on but Mat Mladin wears one in AMA Superbike all three make full face helmets to "cruiser" style helmets but whatever you do don't go really cheap...you only have one head! __________________ 1986 4Runner Automatic rebulit 22re OME leaf springs BJ spacers Edelbrock IAS shocks 31x10.50 Pro comp Mud Terrains

08-26-2008, 11:50 AM	#4 (permalink)
saitotiktmdog Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 449	Get a good hjc that is comfortable and that will be the best bank for the buck. Arai and Shoei are good helmets but they are more like luxery or performance helmets. Ligher then most hjc and at one time were way better. But some of the high end hjc are getting close. I hate arais simply because they do not fit my head. People with smaller heads seem to like arai. I prefer Shoei. At leas that was my experience from the five years I worked at a bike shop. Fun fact- there was a study done a few years back that said you were better of getting a helmet rated at lower speed because it has softer foam in it. Reason being because if you get into a wreck at 150 plus or heck even 80 to 90 regardless if you are wearing a helmet you FUBARED. __________________ 1994 toyota 4x4. 22re turbo (sds em4, intercooler, steedspeed manifold, garrett t3) 4 inch procomp stage two lift. ARB bull bar and warn winch, Quick lock rear, tru trac front 31x10.50 firestone destination MT, 5.29 gears Planned mods. , T-case gears, ditch ifs Beware the groove

08-26-2008, 11:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
StuntManFox Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 80	Safety gear is nothing you want to skimp on man.. Pavement is a gigantic body sander.. As far as my reccomendations.. HJC makes an affordable well constructed helmet.. As far as leather or textile.. Its my understanding that leather offers more protection than textile jackets. What ever you purchase make sure it has some built in padding in case you tumble down the street... Watch out for "cagers" and gravel.. keep the shiny side up. __________________ 1994 4Runner SR5 4x4 5 speed Rolls on 31X10.50x15 meats on Aluminum Rally wheels Inhales through a K&N Exhales through a Flowmaster 50 Series Bumps sounds through JL Audio speakers Sees all at night with retardedly big foglights Future plans OME Rear coils Body Lift Bud Built Skidplate Marlin Crawler rear bumper TJM Front bumper

08-26-2008, 12:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
4Hummer Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 1,986	This is what I wear and Love it Best helmet I've owned so far. Dual Visors (inside one is tinted, Almost like a fighter pilots heads up display Need rocket switches on my bike) This way you don't need a tinted visor for day and another for night. Remember those old Air Jordon Nike Shoe's with the Pump to increase the pressure inside the shoe, This has one for the helmet.. Pump it up to fit your face nice and snug. Theres a round thing you press to add air under that flap __________________ Michael 1991 4Runner 22RE. CHOP www.obsessiveoffroadclub.com Last edited by 4Hummer : 08-26-2008 at 12:53 PM.

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