Half helmet! Aiii! Fun but stupid.

[Steam]

Today I wore a tiny half-helmet.
MADNESS! FUN!
It is like riding without a helmet. (And that is about as much protection you will have in a crash too, none.)
If you have not worn one before or have never ridden without a helmet I highly recommend trying one out just for fun. It's an experience.

First off I couldn't see much because at 50kph my eyes were streaming from the wind. A bug went in my mouth.
Then I put on sunglasses which didn't help at all, but upped the coolness quotient a little.
Everything was VERY NOISY, and I noticed noises I hadn't heard before of my bike at speed.
Some dudes at the lights gave me the thumbs up because I was riding the Apocalypse at the time.
In the supermarket carpark a kid waved at me "Hi Mister" and his mum said "Hush" and pulled his arm. Honestly!
I did rather look like a sinister gangster though, in my black leathers and half helmet and sunnies and the Apocalypse.

It is basically a pushbike helmet certified for use on a motorcycle, how they can be legal I have no idea. This one is a FFM for $90 from Big Bore Bikes in Blenheim.
Do it!

[crshbndct]

heheh

once took a scooter thru burger king drivethru with 2 mates on the back (at about 3 am) all wearing those things (or similiar shit we had found under a rubbish pile/in the back of a shed/elsewhere (cant remember properly))

[gijoe1313]

That's madness! Of course I heartily approve! :lol:

Hmmm ... now where can I get a Fallschirmjager type half helmet certified for motorcycling use? :scratch:

[ZeroIndex]

Today I wore a tiny half-helmet.
MADNESS! FUN!
It is like riding without a helmet. (And that is about as much protection you will have in a crash too, none.)
If you have not worn one before or have never ridden without a helmet I highly recommend trying one out just for fun. It's an experience.

First off I couldn't see much because at 50kph my eyes were streaming from the wind. A bug went in my mouth.
Then I put on sunglasses which didn't help at all, but upped the coolness quotient a little.
Everything was VERY NOISY, and I noticed noises I hadn't heard before of my bike at speed.
Some dudes at the lights gave me the thumbs up because I was riding the Apocalypse at the time.
In the supermarket carpark a kid waved at me "Hi Mister" and his mum said "Hush" and pulled his arm. Honestly!
I did rather look like a sinister gangster though, in my black leathers and half helmet and sunnies and the Apocalypse.

It is basically a pushbike helmet certified for use on a motorcycle, how they can be legal I have no idea. This one is a FFM for $90 from Big Bore Bikes in Blenheim.
Do it!

I bought one of those when I was doing mail delivery... rode with it on going home from Boyd Honda on my GPX (a while ago now).
As soon as I got home, I took it back and returned it. One reason: Really, really noisy, and that woulda screwed my ears up... I got mine for like $60 i think... it was the flaming FFM one...

[dogsnbikes]

Today I wore a tiny half-helmet.
MADNESS! FUN!

I did rather look like a sinister gangster though, in my black leathers and half helmet and sunnies and the Apocalypse.

It is basically a pushbike helmet certified for use on a motorcycle, how they can be legal I have no idea.
Do it!

keep it black and your in with the village people or
just paint it blue and white get yourself a gold star and you could get a job on CHIPS:innocent:

[scumdog]

That's all I wear helemt-wise (apart from skull-mask) in the warmer months, bought it in Arizona (It's a H-D item) and it has a zip-on padded neck-cover.
Almost like no helmet (boy my neck gets a beating from the wind when I start wearing the full-face again).

NEED ear-plugs as the wind going over the webbing chin-strp sounds like a cut compressor hose.:yes:

[ZeroIndex]

That's all I wear helemt-wise (apart from skull-mask) in the warmer months, bought it in Arizona (It's a H-D item) and it has a zip-on padded neck-cover.
Almost like no helmet (boy my neck gets a beating from the wind when I start wearing the full-face again).

NEED ear-plugs as the wind going over the webbing chin-strp sounds like a cut compressor hose.:yes:

so that's what the really loud noise was...

[Macktheknife]

Used to call them 'Bone-domes' when I started riding. I would never wear one myself, I've seen what happens when you come off in one of those.

[sunhuntin]

i want one!!! i already wear an open facer, but wore a half-lid while in canada, and i loved it!! i never noticed the wind, but my ears did get cold when riding at midnight.

[Crisis management]

Hmmm ... now where can I get a Fallschirmjager type half helmet certified for motorcycling use? :scratch:

Well, I've got one of them genuine WW2 helmets that Dad "borrowed" off one of the opposition.....

I can't find any Snell rating on it tho! :angry:

[gijoe1313]

Well, I've got one of them genuine WW2 helmets that Dad "borrowed" off one of the opposition.....

I can't find any Snell rating on it tho! :angry:

Gah! I don't think I'm game enough to "borrow" one off the oppo back in those days! Your Dad must have been in Crete?

[MyGSXF]

Can't say I would advocate the use of said helmet out on the open road.. purely for the lack of safety, factor :oi-grr:

But.. I sure as hell CAN see the bloody funny humour of wearing it whilst riding Apocalypse!!!! :yes: (which looks ferkin awesome BTW!!!:Punk: ) That scene at the supermarket would have been ferkin HILLARIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

The poor mum would have been SHITTING herself!!!!!!!!!!!!! :shutup:

[Steam]

skull-mask...

Where'd you get that? I have seen bandanas / bits of triangular cloth printed with skulls on Trademe for $30, is there a better option?

[sunhuntin]

steam, dont bother with those triangles. ive got one that doesnt fit right. the velcro needs to be moved so its tight and wont slip.

instead, i get a cheap second hand skivvy, wash it and then cut the neck out, with a decent length remaining in the front and back for warmth. i roll that up over my face, and then do the strap up over the top.

[Steam]

instead, i get a cheap second hand skivvy, wash it and then cut the neck out, with a decent length remaining in the front and back for warmth. i roll that up over my face, and then do the strap up over the top.
Thanks for the tip. I've got a similar thing already, a fleecy Neck-sock which I can pull right up to my eyes.
But I do so want one with a skull on it!
I rang the costume shops but they're all out of skulls, I'll have to wait until they restock and then have a look.

[KLOWN]

looking good ! I'm glad i don't own one though. When I had my off the front of my full face helmet took a beating (i slid on my face) i would have no face left if i were wearing one of them

[Steam]

When I had my off the front of my full face helmet took a beating (i slid on my face) i would have no face left if i were wearing one of them
Yep, here's a picture from "Proficient Motorcycling" showing where most impacts happen... sobering for half helmet / shorty helmet wearers. Still, they do look cool...

[surfer]

I wear a half helmet with a zip on bit. The zip on bit does cut a lot of the noise out. To keep the wind out of my eyes a tight fitting pair of sunnys or clear safty goggles work well. Otherwise the risk of a bug in the eye could be the last thing to be seen. Yes, having an open mouth equals swallowing bugs, so close it.

I did wear the half helmet for a while without the zip on part that goes over the ears. I have to say the noise was unbearable and I was concerned about noise damage to my ears; so I wouldn't recommend it.

I used to wear an open face helmet. Having a tight fit between the helmet and cheeks keeps the wind noise down otherwise your hearing may suffer with this as well. I had an off whilst wearing the open face helmet in which the side of it took the impact. My noggin was ok.

I do wear a full face helmet when it rains as the rain feels like needles being pushed into the skin on my face as I scoot along. However, I feel claustrophobic inside a full face helmet and less aware of my environmnt. I do accept that they offer better protection and are better for me. I ride a cruiser style bike and I don't ride like a hoon. My choice is my choice.

I remember a long while ago being on the back of a bike without a helmet, it was fun. Then the law changed and everyone wore helmets. I have also ridden without a helmet and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[sunhuntin]

surfer... very good post.

i also wear an open face lid, and have had one off as well. my head was fine... i dont actually think the helmet got damaged at all, but replaced it anyway. i wear it in all weathers, but i do keep a neck thingy [see previous post] in the bike for when the weather does get bad.

when i get some spare cash, ill get a half lid for summer. what brand is yours, surfer? i like the zip idea.

[Waylander]

Just sold mine with my brother's scooter. To be honest I'de rather go without the helmet thn one of those again. Kept trying to fly off my head.

[scumdog]

Where'd you get that? I have seen bandanas / bits of triangular cloth printed with skulls on Trademe for $30, is there a better option?

Yep, the type I have is made from wet-suit material and cut & stitched to match the contour of your face, it covers from forehead to chin.

It stops bugs whacking you so hard, keeps your forehead/nose getting sunburnt and keeps your face warm when wet.

The bad news? I bought it in Sturgis - wished I'd bought 50 'cos I've had heaps of people wanting to buy it.

[The Lone Rider]

anyone know of where to get one in CHCH or should I go fishing? :D

I want the ladies to all recognize me when I'm on the bike, but I do admit I'll be nothing worth looking at even more so if I off the bike and myself while wearing that helmet.

[skidMark]

I bought one of those when I was doing mail delivery... rode with it on going home from Boyd Honda on my GPX (a while ago now).
As soon as I got home, I took it back and returned it. One reason: Really, really noisy, and that woulda screwed my ears up... I got mine for like $60 i think... it was the flaming FFM one...


that gpx was the mightiest 250 in the tron ya know

[surfer]

surfer... very good post.

i also wear an open face lid, and have had one off as well. my head was fine... i dont actually think the helmet got damaged at all, but replaced it anyway. i wear it in all weathers, but i do keep a neck thingy [see previous post] in the bike for when the weather does get bad.

when i get some spare cash, ill get a half lid for summer. what brand is yours, surfer? i like the zip idea.

Brand is THH, most bike shops will stock them. I think it cost somewhere between $60 to $80.

[surfer]

surfer... very good post.

i also wear an open face lid, and have had one off as well. my head was fine... i dont actually think the helmet got damaged at all, but replaced it anyway. i wear it in all weathers, but i do keep a neck thingy [see previous post] in the bike for when the weather does get bad.

when i get some spare cash, ill get a half lid for summer. what brand is yours, surfer? i like the zip idea.

Oh yeah, so you don't get a helmet that flies off when you are moving fast, make sure you try a few different brands on so you get one that sits snugly on your head. The sides should have no gap otherwise you will get 'wind rush' which can potentially damage your ears. Don't be put off by the blank face from the sales assistant if you mention this as a concern, just means they know squat.

[jrandom]

I discovered last weekend that half helmets and balaclavas make Number One Son run up, point and say "Ooooh, look daddy, that's a SCARY man!"

The gentleman (and I use the phrase very loosely) wearing the Tribesmen patch was mildly amused.

[CM2005]

Thanks for the tip. I've got a similar thing already, a fleecy Neck-sock which I can pull right up to my eyes.
But I do so want one with a skull on it!
I rang the costume shops but they're all out of skulls, I'll have to wait until they restock and then have a look.

there's a skull ski mask on tardme at the mo'