Why I wear a good helmet.

**Lou Girardin** · 9th June 2005, 08:24

Erik makes some good points. There's far more to helmet protection than just the materials used. Racers wear certain helmets for many reasons including it's aerodynamics, weight and sponsorship deals. Ther's no doubt that a Shoei or Arai is a better lid than $100 type, but the only way to say one saved you in a bin and another wouldn't have would be to duplicate the accident and try both.

**Sparky Bills** · 9th June 2005, 08:48

Theres nothing like a good cumfy helmet!
Ive got an Arai RX7, before then a Shoei XR900, for racing I use a new Shark RSF2 race, yarda yarda yarda..

Will never go back to a cheapy.
When you try an expensive helmet you will never go back.
Even if you have trouble finding coin, Its well worth the wait!

I dont understand the people who skimp on helmets..
Let face it, Its only your head aye!?
You dont really need that, do you?

What really pisses me off is people coming in wanting helmets for their kids,
"I dont want to spend very much on them, do you have any crashed second hand ones out the back?" You'd think they would want to protect their kids from injury wouldnt you?
You'd be surprised how much i get that.
I know that people have their own views, this is just mine and in no way am I trying to put anyone down.

**White trash** · 9th June 2005, 08:56

Originally Posted by Sparky Bills

I know that people have their own views, this is just mine and in no way am I trying to put anyone down.

Pussy!

**Sparky Bills** · 9th June 2005, 08:58

Originally Posted by White trash

Pussy!

Just covering my own ass

**vifferman** · 9th June 2005, 09:19

Originally Posted by White trash

A polycarbonate (plastic) helmet would've broken, I'm sure of it. Although the pics don't show it, the back of the helmet has a big patch wear the fiberglass has begun to delaminate after a massive impact.

.... and I'm sure you're wrong.
Way back, probably before you were born, there was quite a bit of controversy surrounding the introduction of injection-moulded (polycarbonate) helmets. (I'm sure the KBers that started motorcycling in or before the 70s will remember "Polstar" helmets, and the flak they got from other manufacturers). The basic premise was that the polycarbonate helmets tend to absorb the impact to some extent by elastic deformation, whereas the GRP / mixed composite helmets tend to dissipate the impact by spreading it over a larger area. The nett result is that plastic helmets can come away from an impact with barely a scratch on them, whereas a GRP one will chip, crack, shatter, or whatever. The positive aspect to this is that a plastic helmet can withstand the minor daily knocks from mishandling, without it effectively compromising its impact resistance.

But what of our heads? :spudwhat:

Who knows - apparently you can't find out much from the Interdweeb.

From a personal point of view, I've only ever knocked my head while wearing a polycarb helmet. It was a low-speed impact (falling off as the bike came to a stop) but it fugging hurt! The impact was just near the side of the visor opening, so there wasn't much in the way of padding, what with all the plastic bits, strap-retaining hardware, etc., but I had mild concussion for a few days. The helmet? You couldn't really tell it had taken a hit.

This really shook me up, and has made me determined that any helmets I buy have good internal shock-resistance, regardless of what the shell is made of.

But there must be a very good reason why the top of the line helmets are composite, rather than injection-moulded, otherwise the manufacturers would just slather polycarb helmets with fancy graphics and extra features, rather than go for the composite shells.

**Quasievil** · 9th June 2005, 09:22

I just brought me a new Shoei X1000 (green) and it cost me $750.00 its the most expensive Helmet I have ever brought and at this stage the worst, my ears are so fucken sore from pulling the fucking thing of that my ears will look like a front rowers very soon, whats with that.

Ive taken the padding out and tried it and its still hurts !! the helmet opening width is just to damn narrow, never had this problem with any other helmet Ive owned

Im sure it will be good in a crash but comfort so far 1 outta 10

**Fluffy Cat** · 9th June 2005, 09:39

All helmets have to meet the same requirements sort of.Different standard do different tests the snell test is different to the British Standard etc.Also the number of helmets submited for testing by the makers again are different by standard,ie 4 helmets per batch or testing every 2 batches etc.
The tests may use different weights and angles for impacts.And the amount of energy passed through the helmet is measured on sensors.
The tests give an impression of how the helmets will perform over a given range and as such the testers and makers give you a disclaimer that the lid can not protect in all circumstances etc.
One of the probs in the late 80s early 90s was that helmet shells were in fact to hard.And were not breaking enough.It is a good thing that in certain types of impact,the shell delaminates as this action absorbs/slows down the deceleration ot he brain.A bit like a hard boiled egg when struck on top with a spoon.The next stage is the poly foam inside the shell,this is designed to further reduce deceleration of the brain some are single foam and others use dual density foam ie Giro mtb helmets.
The end effect is to slow down the deceleration of the brain.
There are a lot of variables involved in mc head injuries and helmets are subject to great forces.Similar type impacts on similar helmets produce different results ie delamination or just heavy scuffing.
So long as the helmet meets the standard a certain amount of protection is hoped for.The price of the helmet will not improve the level of protection you will however probably get better fittings ventilation and paint.
Once a helmet has suffered an impact it should be chucked in a bin.
If it still looks good for use smash the fuck out of it with a 9lb hammer till it looks less good then chuck it in the bin.This prevents some other poor sod from using it.
Please do not sell the lid on.Baaad!.
The problem is,the shell may look good but has delaminated under the paint or has cracked.
The foam liner even in seemingly small crashes will have compressed rendering its absorbsion qualities greatly.
So helmets are once use disposable items smash em then bin em.Price does not improve crash protection.
Me.in my line of work i have seen a few.

**ManDownUnder** · 9th June 2005, 09:44

Originally Posted by White trash

I walked from this huge hit with no more brain damage than normal.

GOOD GOD! Call the Medics.. We have a miracle here they need to see. No brain but it LIVES IT LIVES!!!!

(actually points all taken.)

**White trash** · 9th June 2005, 09:50

Originally Posted by Quasievil

I just brought me a new Shoei X1000 (green)

What kinda homo buys a helmet to match his bike?

**Beemer** · 9th June 2005, 09:53

I have tried quite a few different helmets and for me the Shoei ones are the best for fit, comfort and protection. My husband just bought a new Arai one and he raves about it, reckons it is the most comfortable helmet he's ever worn. I have tried Arai but they don't feel comfortable to me, but then I've also tried a couple of dearer Shoeis that just about ripped my ears off too! My Nolan adventure helmet is the worst, after about an hour's wear it feels like someone is pressing just in front of my ears - we've tried removing padding there but nothing makes any difference. It's fine for up to an hour, but any longer and I can't wait to remove it.

Hey Quasi - did you try the helmet on before you bought it? If my ears were almost ripped off each time and it felt so uncomfortable, I would have been looking for another helmet!

I certainly wouldn't be keen to wear a second-hand helmet unless I knew its history because it's just not worth it. Besides, they mould themselves to your head so unless your head is identical, it would never be as comfortable. If you're not prepared to buy a decent helmet (and I'm not saying the less expensive ones aren't any good) then you shouldn't be riding. I'd rather have second hand clothing and splash out on a good helmet than the other way around.

**Quasievil** · 9th June 2005, 10:32

Originally Posted by White trash

What kinda homo buys a helmet to match his bike?

the same kinda Homo that buys a bike and a leather jacket to match his homo work mates

**Lou Girardin** · 9th June 2005, 10:36

No shortage of guys who'll drop $40,000 on a bike and buy a $60 open face matt helmet.
Image ya know!

**Quasievil** · 9th June 2005, 10:36

Yeah I treid it on, but as ya know when you try a new Helmet on its always tight. Im going to fix it tonight by cutting slots in the side of the helmet to allow my ears to slot in. Should work a treat !

**White trash** · 9th June 2005, 10:37

Originally Posted by Quasievil

the same kinda Homo that buys a bike and a leather jacket to match his homo work mates

Actually, dickhead, my Jacket is nothing like my work/flatmates. Mine was grey, his is blue.

My bike is also nothing like his. My one has a tinted screen, loud pipe and a shitload of grazing to the right hand side.

I suggest you get your facts straight before slinging mud around Mr Evil. Although, the amount of verbal effluent that spews from your vocal tract would make that pretty difficult, wouldn't it.

**Ixion** · 9th June 2005, 10:38

Originally Posted by Quasievil

Yeah I treid it on, but as ya know when you try a new Helmet on its always tight. Im going to fix it tonight by cutting slots in the side of the helmet to allow my ears to slot in. Should work a treat !

Ya big blouse, don't ya know that ya can't go cutting bits out of your lid. Do what a proper biker would do. Cut yer ears off. Problem solved.