"at 60 MPH a helmet won’t do anything" - some motorcycle riders

[jfk1110]

In 08 the front tire on my 01 Dyna wide glide blew at 70+... Not exactly sure but I cart wheeled and skidded god knows how far and slid to a stop one foot from the guard rail post. Lost half a pound of ass meat, turned my pants to assless chaps, ripped my right boot off and the right side of my t shirt was gone..

My helmet had the mark of Zorro on it from front to back, ear to ear....Not nice to think what it took to make it look like that...Aside from roadrash on half my body.I shattered my right index fingers middle knuckle!!!!!
Not to bad considering!!!!!!!

The funny part was my buddy and I were debating whether or not Vermont had a helmet law!!! We had just.crossed Lake Champlain on A ferry and.thankfully we decided to leave em on!!!!!
Could only imagine what my cranium would look like now with out that brain bucket!!!!!

You never know....Better safe than mangled....

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

I apologize for flood-posting, but it's a good topic.

Something else to think about when picking out a lid...

Try on as many as you are able, and from different reputable brands.

There ain't nothing worse than a compression headache from a poor fitting helmet.

Your cheeks are gonna be squished, and it feels weird when you try to talk wearing one and bite your inner cheek. But that's ok, it should be snug in that area.

If the helmet is comfortable you will wear it more often.

It is also a good idea to carry visor cleaner. It's annoying to have bug splatter in your field of vision, and that is definitely gonna happen.

I also try to be gentle and take good care of my lids like @AntDog mentioned.

They not only can save your life, but are also expensive.

Another biggie is to always look for the DOT logo. They have to pass specific tests to earn that. Even better is the Snell logo. Not many are Snell certified - they have to pass even more involved testing for that certification.

Excellent info in these two posts.

I myself have been down a couple times in my riding time. Full gear and full face Shoei’s allowed me to walk away both times. I haven’t ridden in 10 years…but sometimes the urge pops up to ride again.

 

[donnord]

Hit the deck on a bicycle twice where the helmet saved me, no going more that 20 mph. Hit the deck on my K1200 at higher speed and the helmet did its job. Truth being told the leathers with pads saved me from a broken hip, as got pitched over the bars into the air and landed on my hip, at least I think that how it took place. My fault, blew a turn going too fast. Had to wear a helmet when I raced my Vette but hated it, I am pretty tall and the roof was too short. Have had to wear a HANS device once in a race car and HATED that thing, but it probably does save you. Fortunately never had to find out.

 

[Danke42]

Whoah.

 

[bikerector]

Whoah.

I used to be all about funky helmet designs like that.

I do wonder if the tail has some aero advantage, stability or noise wise.

 

[mbkr]

I was unaware that Alpinestars made helmets. My experience is that they make quality gear, so I'd assume the design has purpose and isn't just for looks. At least until somebody with personal experience with it says otherwise. I've been wearing their boots for years.

 

[Danke42]

I used to be all about funky helmet designs like that.

I do wonder if the tail has some aero advantage, stability or noise wise.

You get cleaner airflow when in a racing tuck. But on the street it gets funky when you shoulder check. For the street the spoiler will swap out for something smaller.

 

[EngrSorenson]

I used to be all about funky helmet designs like that.

I do wonder if the tail has some aero advantage, stability or noise wise.

it probably reduces the turbulent area behind the helmet, which will reduce drag and I'm sure to some degree, noise from the turbulence.

That said, it's probably all negligible for most uses.

or the street the spoiler will swap out for something smaller.

Is it really a spoiler? Spoilers increase drag in favor of downforce. This seems to be an aerodynamic surface to prevent drag.

 

[Danke42]

Is it really a spoiler? Spoilers increase drag in favor of downforce. This seems to be an aerodynamic surface to prevent drag.

I guess I would say I'm using the term spoiler in the pavement terminology of "spoiling" undesirable air flow. You do get a lot of buffeting around your helmet at speed so getting rid of that turbulence is a plus.

Unrelated note; downforce is becoming a huge feature on race bikes. Fins and wings everywhere. I think it would be tricky (but maybe not impossible) to factor the rider and gear into the downforce since because you'll move around so much during a race.

 

[MolokaiRider]

That Shoei I recently purchased has been great so far.

Low wind noise, comfortable, light, and great visibility.

I had two Suomy lids (Italian and not cheap) that were as comfortable but the inner liners fell apart after two years. Don't mind the junk inside, I stopped wearing this one years ago.

The Shoei feels like it's put together on the inside a bit better.

 

[Danke42]

That Shoei I recently purchased has been great so far.

I was a Shoei guy for a long time (Eddie Lawson fan). Having switched to Arai it's tough to go anywhere else now.

 

[bikerector]

it probably reduces the turbulent area behind the helmet, which will reduce drag and I'm sure to some degree, noise from the turbulence.

That said, it's probably all negligible for most uses.



Is it really a spoiler? Spoilers increase drag in favor of downforce. This seems to be an aerodynamic surface to prevent drag.

At freeway speeds, which I used to do a lot of, the noise can be quite annoying for long rides. The bike I rode had no windscreen or fairing, which didn't help.

 

[bikerector]

I was a Shoei guy for a long time (Eddie Lawson fan). Having switched to Arai it's tough to go anywhere else now.

Never tried an arai, I liked my shoeis a lot. It will be a while before I get a bike again since they're not so good for carrying kids.

 

[Danke42]

Never tried an arai, I liked my shoeis a lot. It will be a while before I get a bike again since they're not so good for carrying kids.

Sidecar. Kids love them! Moms not so much.

The think I know about Arai and I don't know for sure about Shoei is that different Arain models fit different head shapes so you have to try on a bunch of them to find your ideal fit.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Sidecar. Kids love them! Moms not so much.

The think I know about Arai and I don't know for sure about Shoei is that different Arain models fit different head shapes so you have to try on a bunch of them to find your ideal fit.

I found this with Shoei as well.