2 questions inside

[Genestho]

Your brain is like a blob of jelly, it floats around inside your skull.
When you impact your head the effect is, that the brain will bounce backwards from impact point and impact again at the opposite side of the skull.

As per the universal laws of motion; when the skull stops suddenly, the brain continues forth having its own collision within the skull.

Obviously get the best helmet for you that you can afford with approved safety ratings, no helmet will make a difference to brain to skull impact, although some helmet liners are designed to slow the skull/brain impact down - and a good 'shell' can absorb some physical impact, and could prevent your head being intruded by pointy things.

[Highlander]

I think subconsiously what we ride affects how we gear up. It shouldn't but it does.
Look at all the comments about gearing up no matter how long the ride. Surely it should be the same with gearing up no matter what the ride. (if possible keep replies to that last comment out of the gutter )

In NZ we have potholes, rough surfaces, uneven surfaces, road markings, cats-eyes that would hurt like hell, signs, fences, ditches, wire barriers, livestock and all manner of other road users to smash into.

The better the gear (if you do come a cropper) and the more defensively you ride the better your chances of surviving your ride the first place.

They used a statistic at the first defensive driving course I did, I don't remember the percentage, but it was something like 65 - 70% of accidents occur within 5 km of "Home" for one of those involved.

[actionjackson]

Who else can say that they are the same as in wear next to nothing when they just pop down the road,
the one that gets me is jandals on a bike but in saying all this I'm sure cyclist can go 50km on a bike and they don't wear a full faced helmet and full gear

[Toaster]

They used a statistic at the first defensive driving course I did, I don't remember the percentage, but it was something like 65 - 70% of accidents occur within 5 km of "Home" for one of those involved.

Interesting you say that because "home" is where most accidents occur. Period.

Dang dangerous them houses! Safer out on the roads!!

[skinman]

I used to be a cyclist & my best speed was 80km (downhill) could make 50 on the flat with a bit of effort.
I found that when I went from a 50cc to a 250 that the $100 helmet was horrible, wind noise, shake and heavy. Very quickly got a slightly better one but still wish had really bit the bullet & got a much better helmet. Still, should need a new one in a year or so.

[Smifffy]

I agree don't equate price with quality.

I have the lid the dealer sold me when I bought the bike, it wasn't their cheapest, but it wasn't much more. It has all the ratings etc, now I think I'd like something a bit lighter and quieter.

Tempted by the Shoei Qwest. I have a cordura jacket, which I'd like to upgrade to leather as and when finances permit, and leather trou. A good pair of boots is also essential IMO and I have two pair, that are also comfortable as hell when off the bike.

[PrincessBandit]

Price is not the most important issue of helmets - a cheaper one can save your noggin as competently as an extremely expensive one. However when I compare mine (my first, a relatively cheap FFM) and the one I have now (a comparatively much pricier Shark) they simply don't match up in terms of comfort, noise level, visor quality etc.

As for other gear riders wear, I must admit there are times when on a hot hot day I dread putting on the leather pants (I get friction burns above my knees from where the liner and armour rub) due to getting sweaty and swollen. (Yes, girlies do sweat...) and there are times when I've only worn them because when it rains I hate climbing onto a wet saddle and riding with a wet bottom.

The only crash I've ever had where my bike and I slid down the motorway I was wearing a pair of white dress jeans (the only piece of non-ATGATT apparel) and they got ripped open all down my right leg. Interestingly enough though I had no injuries to my legs despite the jeans not being kevlar ones. I really can't explain why that happened, but the state of my clothing - including my leather jacket, gloves and boots - as I got to my feet was a graphic picture of what the road could do to uncovered skin. My helmet didn't look particularly damaged other than road rash but I was not going to ever wear it again after that impact.

How much you pay for your helmet is up to you, but ensuring it is the proper fit is probably the most important thing. Too tight in some spots and it will be uncomfortable, even painful after a while; too loose and well, the consequences of having one come off in the event of an accident is not pretty.