anyy reason not to get the new modular helmets? I wear glasses, they look like a good idea.

are all the popular helmets created equal when it comes to vertical field of vision?

any features or brands to avoid, or to focus on?

A word of advice, try a helmet on, and even though you look stupid, sit there with it on for 5-10 minutes. You'll be amazed at how you'll discover some cause pressure spots that can hurt and others don't.

Virtually all helmets sold at reputable dealers meet the same requirements (DOT and Snell), so one is not necessarily better than another but the best are typically from Shoei, Arai, and Bell.

Oh, and by modular helmets, do you mean the ones that have the front portion flip up? If so, I have a buddy with one and he likes it. They are very common in Europe with police agencies. I think it's for the maximum protection, but then they can flip them up so people can see the cops entire face when they are stopped.

yes, those were the ones I was referring to. They look like a great idea.

I was hoping to find more helmets in brighter safety-type colors. There aren't nearly as many as I thought there was going to be. No biggie.

I guess I'm naive, but it never occurred to me that they would have salesmen in motorcycle stores that didn't ride motorcycles !

I personaly like the shoei helmets, they are not the cheapest but they are DOT and SNELL Approved, I have the RF-1000, I have always gone with a full face helmet in the past, perhaps because I used to race but its just what Im used too, but I will admit I have been thinking about the flip up face helmets.

And yes try the helmet on and leave it on for awhile, also I suggest taking it off and putting it on several times as well, because the sore spots that H750 is talking about may not happen the first time you put a helmet on, it may happen the second time, it depend on several things such as how much you pulled the helmet apart to put it on, so that the cushions are or are not pressing against your ears or perhaps the cushion folds your ears some each time, also when the helmet is on move it around a little and make sure that you can see well and try to make sure when fitting that its on and turned and angled the way that it would be if you were on a bike and riding.

But again, take the class before you buy any thing.

Regards,
Don

Even if you dont buy a helmet here, stop by Cal Bike BMW in mountain view, and ask to talk to their helmet expert at the parts counter..he takes fitting seriously.

You'll learn how to properly fit a hemlet anywhere else if anything.

And always remember, a biker prepares for the crash, and dresses for it everyday.

Like in airplanes, 90% of my pre-landing checklist is preparing for the go-around, NOT the landing.

Fujiwara tofu rocks!

Stella

Stella

That's the truth, i've had some splats on my full face helmet that would have been ugly on a bare face.

I got a question for you. I'm looking for hi-viz motorcycle jackets and maybe even suits, and there seems to be very few if any offerings in blaze orange or safety orange. I've seen some red stuff, and I've seen those yellow hi-viz products, but personally I think those are only best for low-light conditions. I have other plans for low-light visibility.

Yeah, I know, orange is ugly and way un-cool. But while I may be entering my male menopause phase, I'm far beyond the need to look cool on the road. Especially when I'm moving so close to the road at freeway speeds.

and why not even one major helmet maker makes a bright orage street helmet, i can't figure.

i hav been googling for days like a mofo, and have come up with little. I hvan't been hitting bike shops yet, waiting until I finish the MSF course to start doing that.

Don't know that I've ever seen, but maybe one, orange m/c helmet. Boat guys use them so they can be seen in the water. You could have one custom painted. There are lots of helmet painters around (albeit many expensive, like Troy Lee). Troy Lee paints all of my helmets(since my race car days), but at >$650 just for paint that's pricey. Maybe a solid orange would be inexpensive?

Still recommend you go to a cycle store and talk to the sales staff.

Here's another question --

Some accounts say that, when putting the bike down at speed, good textile m/c jackets tend to slide more than leather jackets, and that the tumbling causes most of the broken bone injuries.

Any comments?

The issue is far deeper than just a leather jacket. Protection on a bike is a system that works together with each individual component.

Fujiwara tofu rocks!

But as a first time rider, get a used one, the odds are that once you ride for a few months to a year you will then want a different bike any ways.

Anyways, if you absolutely *must* have an orange helmet, you can always have it painted, right ? So that's one possible solution to your helmet dilemma.

As for high visibility clothing, I'm sure you can find orange stuff out there. But like I said, I don't think orange motorcycle gear is exactly in high demand. Perhaps it reminds people of county jail jumpsuits or roadside workers. I just don't know. I do know that Joe Rocket has a lot of day-glowish stuff, you might wanna check them out if you're into that style.

Now if you're willing to go with other colors, you're certainly going to have a much easier time . And if you'd like, I can inbox you the names and locations of 4 different local shops that carry clothing. I'm always hesitant to publicly post people's names and businesses on this site but would be more than happy to privately inbox you the info.

And finally just for fun, if I were to dress you for a ride at night it would go something like this...

*Levis
*Boots or sneakers
*Beanie (to keep your melon x-tra warm)
*Thermal top (bottoms too if it's really cold)
*Hoodie
*Heavy Dickies jacket with padded, quilted lining
*Mechanic gloves
*Clear murder 1's
**Full-face**

That's it, nothing fancy. Cheap stuff but it does the job. But the most important thing is the helmet. Half-lids and German helmets with a skeleton face mask may look cool but that full face will save you, while looking "cool" will not. And as far as looking "cool" goes...how cool does someone look when they're missing teeth, a nose and chin ? Right. So if somebody wants to poke fun and talk sh*t, I'd tell them to mind their own head and you'll mind yours. At least at the end of the day you'll have one.

~Stella

It will affect how pressure in the helmet is distributed should you wreck...with new areas getting more, and may areas getting less.

Proper helmet fitment has nothing on under it.

Besides, it aint cold in a helmet, even when its "cold" out.

Mechanic gloves?

http://www.415clothing.com/shopMain.do?categoryId=607&parentCategoryId=600

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/37/1738/ITEM/Joe-Rocket-Suzuki-Mechanics-Gloves.aspx

E4us, I'm not sure why you think beanies are a bad idea.
Thousands of riders wear them with no problem...under a half-lid that is. I got the full-face mixed up with the half-lid on that one. My bad.

As for half-lids, baseball hats do fit well underneath them and so do beanies. Actually, if I'm wearing one the beanie seems to make it fit even better. And yes, it *does* get cold unless you're wearing a fullface. Like numbing cold which is why face masks work well since your face is exposed. Have you ever worn one on the freeway at night ? Wasn't your face like a block of ice when you got home ? But whatever, it's already been established that he's going to wear a fullface for safety so it really doesn't matter.

Also, I've only been around bikes for 20 years and I don't know much. I'm sure you know more and can give him better advice.

~Stella

>
>E4us, I'm not sure why you think beanies are a bad idea.
>Thousands of riders wear them with no problem...under a
>half-lid that is. I got the full-face mixed up with the
>half-lid on that one. My bad.
---
Because a helmet has to fit properly, additional clothing under one changes it's pressure points.

When you need your helmet the most, it has to be fitting properly or the protection it adds, is compromised.

Its your head...

********************

Okay, tell that to everyone who wears them. Better yet, maybe you should call up that shop and tell them that those gloves are no good for riding. I'd love to hear what they tell you in return. Oh, and since they are so unsuitable, could you please post a link or pic of something that is and gets your stamp of approval ? You appear to be an authority on this and OMG was asking for help. It shouldn't be too difficult either as there are literally 100's of styles to choose from. Of course though, my example had to be wrong.

********************
>>
>>E4us, I'm not sure why you think beanies are a bad idea.
>>Thousands of riders wear them with no problem...under a
>>half-lid that is. I got the full-face mixed up with the
>>half-lid on that one. My bad.
>---
>Because a helmet has to fit properly, additional clothing
>under one changes it's pressure points.
>
>When you need your helmet the most, it has to be fitting
>properly or the protection it adds, is compromised.

*********************

I just said, "my bad" in reference to the beanie/full-face combo. It was a typo in a list of gear. Gosh.

However, I'd be interested in seeing anything you can provide which supports your "pressure point" theory in regards to wearing a beanie under all helmets. Because I'm really not believing it. I'm very aware of pressure points and helmet fitting but please show me something that says wearing a beanie is not only warm, comfy extra padding but instead downright dangerous.

But really, a half-lid/beanie-style helmet is not exactly safe anyways so what's the difference ? OMG has already made the wise decision to wear a full-face so it was basically a non-issue. Why are you making it one and going on about pressure points ?

Also, if you've ever read my posts you'll know that I am not the argumentative, drama-seeking type. In fact, this is the closest thing to an argument I've had in the three years I've been on Redbook...and I honestly can't believe it's happening over something this ridiculous.

And finally, I would normally back out of a thread if I saw it going in this direction. But OMG invited me into this conversation by directly asking me for advice. I'd like to return the focus back to him and it would be great if I didn't feel like you were picking my posts apart and attempting to discredit everything I have to say.

Stella

Why is this MY problem stella? Why are you yelling at me for pointing out the obvious..mechanics gloves are -not- acceptable riding gloves. Just because some people do it, doesnt mean they'll have any fingers left on that stump if they drop the bike on to the concrete either.

I see this at some MSF classes, where someone wants to argue about using improper methods or gear use, because someone SELLS it at a motorcycle shop.

>However, I'd be interested in seeing anything you can
>provide which supports your "pressure point" theory in
>regards to wearing a beanie under all helmets.
---
SFI, DOT, and SNELL testing standards would be a great start for you stella. Most of these standards organizations specifically state, that the use of any accessory in or with the helmet invalidates all representations of safety, compliance, or function WRT their certification. Even the painting of some helmets, can harm them.

You need me to google those? Your squid friends are not the experts..neither am I, which is why I rely on experts.

Remember, I work on an EMS crew at a race track...we're _pretty familiar_ with how safety gear fails when its put to use. We see a lot of it.

Not surprisingly, a lot of these failures are on bike track rental days where people have ill fitting helmets and end up concentrating pressure on certain parts of the skull or jawbone in an incident. At times, some have had their helmets slip off halfway in a crash, because of the skullcap underneath allowing room around the lower part of their face..to rotate. This is especially prevalent on bicycle riders when they drop..not much holds it on, and raising the shape of the helmet off the head with a cap gives it the leverage to remove itself upon impact. The 'head form' is the area inside the helmet at which very specific safety testing is performed. Head socks/caps alter the head form fitment dramatically. This is measured about 40mm from above your eyebrow, to 40mm above your ear lobe, and straight to the back of your skull from there.

Everything above that imaginary line, is life critical in helmet fitment, use, and testing.

Check the helmet instructions as well, they clearly state NOT to wear anything under the helmet for these reasons.

A cap under a helmet, even a very thin one...raises it off your head, and reduces protection for any point under the level about the top of your ears. The same can be said when the inner liner has flattened out, and the helmet now rides too low on your head. A properly fitted helmet fits best on about day 20 of owning it, and goes slooowwwwlllyyy downhill from there as the polyfoam slowly collapses and degrades from time, its use and oils from your body. This is why a brand new helmet out of a box today with a Snell2000 date, isnt acceptable for race use. They age.

Forehead, upper and lower jaw, temple...they all have less protection, a higher G load impact because your head has room to accelerate INTO the helmet on impact instead of testing on the helmet padding.

A properly fitting, properly vented (for your comfort) helmet is not too hot in summer, or too cold in winter.

Now..the throat socks, are not bad at all, but they dont interfere with the helmet either.

PS: What bike do you ride?

Now I'm just waiting for your next thread titled, "What MC should I prospect for ?"

Stella

They work great for picking up tools..

Fujiwara tofu rocks!