Helmet thoughts

[old slider]

Hi chaps, Just thinking about the last time I rode a motor cycle on the road, twas 1974, I came back from overseas and the Govt introduced compulsory helmets, I sold my bike and just stuck to racing for a few years.

I had ridden bikes for yrs enjoyably helmet free, Im now back, nearly 40yrs later and hate the noise and feeling of restriction with a helmet. Whats the least amount of helmet allowed these days?

Was curious as to whether Head injury rates for motorcyclists had decreased since this law was introduced iin 1974? Going by current ACC charges, apparently injuries are still high despite their being far less motorcycles on the roads today.

[slofox]

Hi chaps, Just thinking about the last time I rode a motor cycle on the road, twas 1974, I came back from overseas and the Govt introduced compulsory helmets, I sold my bike and just stuck to racing for a few years.

I had ridden bikes for yrs enjoyably helmet free, Im now back, nearly 40yrs later and hate the noise and feeling of restriction with a helmet. Whats the least amount of helmet allowed these days?

Was curious as to whether Head injury rates for motorcyclists had decreased since this law was introduced iin 1974? Going by current ACC charges, apparently injuries are still high despite their being far less motorcycles on the roads today.

I'd never ride without maximum helmet protection. Despite also starting out in the "no helmet" days like yourself. Turned out I quite like having my brain intact - what's left of it anyway.

In answer to your query re injury rates, lookee here...http://esciencenews.com/articles/2008/06/12/head.injuries.increase.after.motorcycle.helmet.law .repeal

[Banditbandit]

I'd never ride without maximum helmet protection. Despite also starting out in the "no helmet" days like yourself. Turned out I quite like having my brain intact - what's left of it anyway.

+1. I too started before helemts were compulsory ... Now I would never ride without a full face ... I have totalled two helmets instead of my face and I am happy with that statistic ..

[nonie]

I too, started off in the no helmet days but always wore one anyway Seemed like a no brainer to me!!. Nowadays I might not have all the fancy doo dahs on my bike but wear the best quality full face helmet I can afford. Might not save my life but at least I will have a fair chance of keeping the grey matter where it belongs.

[Tigadee]

If you don't intend to wear a helmet, could you please tick 'Yes' at the question about if you would like to donate your organs?

Thank you. :yes:

[old slider]

In answer to your query re injury rates, lookee here...http://esciencenews.com/articles/2008/06/12/head.injuries.increase.after.motorcycle.helmet.law .repeal

brilliant bit of info, thanks, I will give my new open face Zues to the grandkids to play with and try looking for a helmet that dosent drive me mad.

[slofox]

brilliant bit of info, thanks, I will give my new open face Zues to the grandkids to play with and try looking for a helmet that dosent drive me mad.

A helmet that fits well makes a big difference. Fit is everything.

[Tigadee]

brilliant bit of info, thanks, I will give my new open face Zues to the grandkids to play with and try looking for a helmet that dosent drive me mad.

If you've got a big noggin, like XXXL, HJC is the brand you should look into. They make helmets that fit the rider with a bowling ball for a head...

There's an affordable brand called HLD (I think) which makes very quiet helmets.

I also highly recommend ear plugs, as they reduce the wind noise to a level where you realise how much of a distraction and how draining the wind noise is. Riding is much more enjoyable once you get used to wearing ear plugs, and you save your hearing too, something you'll never get back once it's gone... I just got these (http://www.trademe.co.nz/home-living/luggage-travel-accessories/travel-accessories/auction-562381317.htm) and they are amazing - soft and pliable like most foam plugs but more effective at blocking out noise [as effective as the silicon putty ones I've now stopped using].

The silicon putty ones are really good because they are so dense, but they lose their adhesiveness after a few months' use, no matter how you try to mold them onto your ear. so they often end up dropping out as soon as you put on your helmet. These Howard Leight ones block out as much noise as the silicon ones but are easier to wear and store like regular foam plugs.

[old slider]

If you've got a big noggin, like XXXL, HJC is the brand you should look into. They make helmets that fit the rider with a bowling ball for a head...

There's an affordable brand called HLD (I think) which makes very quiet helmets.

I also highly recommend ear plugs, as they reduce the wind noise to a level where you realise how much of a distraction and how draining the wind noise is. Riding is much more enjoyable once you get used to wearing ear plugs, and you save your hearing too, something you'll never get back once it's gone... I just got these (http://www.trademe.co.nz/home-living/luggage-travel-accessories/travel-accessories/auction-562381317.htm) and they are amazing - soft and pliable like most foam plugs but more effective at blocking out noise [as effective as the silicon putty ones I've now stopped using].

The silicon putty ones are really good because they are so dense, but they lose their adhesiveness after a few months' use, no matter how you try to mold them onto your ear. so they often end up dropping out as soon as you put on your helmet. These Howard Leight ones block out as much noise as the silicon ones but are easier to wear and store like regular foam plugs.


Thanks, I think. Nah, medium seems about right for my sizing, I think I will go back to using a full helmet, Trying to find a half helmet for town and around use without getting bad turbulance/noise seems a problem.

[BMWST?]

Thanks, I think. Nah, medium seems about right for my sizing, I think I will go back to using a full helmet, Trying to find a half helmet for town and around use without getting bad turbulance/noise seems a problem.


its not the helmet that causes the turbulence..what sorta bike ye cruisin?

[old slider]

its not the helmet that causes the turbulence..what sorta bike ye cruisin?

Hi BMWST? Recently purchased a 99 W650, The problem maybe the last road bike I tootled around town was in 74 and helmets wernt compulsory..:lol:

[mulletman]

Turbulance (if any) prolly commin off the mirrors on the kwaka suggest bar end type,

CC riders Bell helmet had a flash photochromic (?) visor, darkens in bright light and lightens when it gets dark, saves carrying two visors or buying a helmet with a internal dark flipdown and clear outer like the one i recently bought......:D

[old slider]

Turbulance (if any) prolly commin off the mirrors on the kwaka suggest bar end type,

CC riders Bell helmet had a flash photochromic (?) visor, darkens in bright light and lightens when it gets dark, saves carrying two visors or buying a helmet with a internal dark flipdown and clear outer like the one i recently bought......:D

I think your right about the mirrors, thanks for your help.

[Moi]

If you have not yet purchased your new helmet I'd suggest you visit the Sharp helmet safety site - http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/ - very good advice about helmet fit and size and the safety level of helmets.

I used their information before I purchased my latest helmet - bought a Caberg Duke.

Cheers

[leathel]

I just changed helmets from a base model HJC? (pulled the sticker off) to a Shoei XR 1000 and it is definitely quieter, and it has 2 visors, 1 tinted 1 clear, handy setup, just a used trade me deal and it actually fits well, Still will get an open face for popping up to town on these hot days....

Only problem with a quieter helmet is I can now here the induction/ Exhaust noise of the bike :P

Getting rid of the screen stopped a lot of turbulence (you know the bike I have Ice) but winter may see that go back on :) I fitted a tool bag as high as I could which lifted the air hitting my body without the battering air I got around the screen, being an upright riding style bike every bit helps.

Did that make sense?? who cares :P

[p.dath]

Go get yourself some cheap ear plugs.

At 100km/h, it takes about 15-20 minutes before permanent hearing damage starts. You wont notice it to begin with, but you will after 20 years of riding.

[Pwalo]

Go get yourself some cheap ear plugs.

At 100km/h, it takes about 15-20 minutes before permanent hearing damage starts. You wont notice it to begin with, but you will after 20 years of riding.

Yep good advice. Can't imagine riding without a full face though. When I was punted off by a car some years ago my HJC was flattened on one side, the chin bar was cracked, and the visor was gouged. Apart from a mild concussion I was ok (well apart from the broken bones, stretched tendons, etc).

[Mushu]

I have a LS2 384iron or something, great helmet internal visor, good fit and nice and cheap (I didn't go to buy a cheap helmet I wanted Shoei but they don't fit)
Although after a year of daily use its starting to show its age. The padding coming away from the shell and the fit is beginning to deteriorate, for the price though you could replace it yearly.

Also I use the in ear type ear phones, if you get good fitting ones they work quite well as ear plugs and plugged into the cell phone I can listen to music and know when someone is trying to get hold of me (I usually don't worry about checking it till I stop but if it rings a couple of times I can pull over and return the call)

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