Friendly reminder re: helmets

[Hellzie]

Its very easy to say that if someone was wearing a helmet, or a better helmet, or a better fitting helmet that they would have survived an accident. But helmets have never really met their promise.

Ride like you dont have a helmet on. drive safely, choose the best safety gear you can afford. But don't believe a helmet is magic.

The graph is MZ motorcyclist deaths. The introduction of helmets correlates with a big increase in death rates. And the rate never came down.

Its up to you to decide how important you think helmets are. But dont over rely on them.

I didn't say that he would have survived I said that he might have survived. What I'm trying to say is if you're going to spend money on safety gear, and bother wearing it, at least make sure it fits properly.

Totally agree that helmets aren't magic and not to rely on them. They are and should be treated as your last line of defense.

[Maha]

It also correlates with a sharp increase in motorcycle registrations.

Mid 70's = petrol shortage = carless days = more people looking for a cheaper way to get around = motorcycle sales go through the roof = an influx of new bike riders on the road = an increase of motorcycle related accidents.

[davereid]

Mid 70's = petrol shortage = carless days = more people looking for a cheaper way to get around = motorcycle sales go through the roof = an influx of new bike riders on the road = an increase of motorcycle related accidents.

Yes all true.

There are absolutely a wide range of reason why motorcycle death rates went up, and I am sure that increased motorcycle use was amongst them.

But the reality is that helmets are wonderful in protecting you from bumps, scrapes and abrasions. For that reason alone they are worthwhile. But they aren't magic, they are just another tool.

[MSTRS:Me]

Mid 70's = petrol shortage = carless days = more people looking for a cheaper way to get around = motorcycle sales go through the roof = an influx of new bike riders on the road = an increase of motorcycle related accidents.

Also - m/c insurance premiums were less than cars, rego was cheaper and so was ACC component. The helmets were crap...and so was any sort of 'proper' gear. A 'Fonzie' jacket was about it.

[jellywrestler]

Mine fits fine, but its getting a bit old now

How do you know it does? Not singling you out but I'd lay money that at least half of the Motorcycle Accessory Sales Staff in NZ don't actually know how to tell if a helmet fits correctly.

[Maha]

A 'Fonzie' jacket was about it.

Ayeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

[Big Dave]

The graph also roughly correlates with motorcycles going from <50 to 100+ horsepower.

[willytheekid]

Good Thread!

Helmets...its where we store our brains! (That simple really)

I just had to replace mine, I got a blow out on the rear tyre and had to push the bike 3k to petrol station...unfortunately...the bloody helmet was dragging on the rear tyre!

The edge of the tyre cut right though the AGV's outter shell!...result = $350 AGV helmet in the bin!
Had work mates etc tell me whats my problem?...its still good!...just a small cut, she'll be right!

F that!...its rooted and in the bin!

Got a loverly new LS2 Blade (with inner visor) ...got one thats a bit to small for me, so once its inner padding has "moulded" to my lumpy head, it will fit perfect!

Gotta keep ya potatoe safe people...helps stop the drooling on the keyboard and petrol tank

[placidfemme]

I have spent the day in court, and for anyone that's been to court for the reason of giving a witness statement, you'll know you have a fair bit of time for personal reflection while you wait.

About a year ago I was witness to a slow speed car vs motorcycle crash during evening rush hour in Auckland's CBD. At first, it seemed like a minor collision, but unfortunately it didn't end that way. Although the rider was ok after the accident, his condition deteriorated in hospital where he suffered brain damage due to a burst artery. He passed away a week later.

Although there were several other (avoidable) factors that lead to this unfortunate accident, one that might have meant his 3 young kids still have a father and his wife still has a husband is if he'd been wearing the correct sized helmet. So let this serve as a gentle reminder, please make sure your gear is fit for purpose. If you're unsure, ask someone who knows what they're talking about.

Well said.

I work in the industry and obviously sell helmets, it's really hard sometimes, you tell the person the helmet is a perfect fit, and after some time the padding will compress to the shape of their face and become more comfortable, but so many people don't listen and insist on buying the next size up, it is so frustrating. Even worse are parents who want to buy MX helmets for kids, and again insist on buying larger sizes so the kid can "grow" into it so they don't need to buy another helmet so soon. Which frustrates me even more, as a parent, surely you would rather pay more and more often to ensure your childs safety?

It is a hard one, the best we (as in the industry) can do is to inform customers as much as possible and hope they listen.

[jellywrestler]

I work in the industry and obviously sell helmets, it's really hard sometimes, you tell the person the helmet is a perfect fit,

where did you get your training on how to correctly fit helmets?

[Swoop]

just had to replace mine,

F that!...its rooted and in the bin!

Hopefully you cut off the chinstraps before binning it. Make it definately unusable just in case someone believes "she's good mate!"...

[nerrrd]

I've not had much luck finding helmets that fit my XL head; the closest I've come is a Shoei (fine front to back, but too much room side to side) and a Givi (which was too tight front to back, I ended up having to knead the polystyrene with the back of a spoon and lightly sand it in places - now it fits really well, but I've probably reduced it's shock-absorbing abilities in the process.)

It's probably a pipe dream, but I wish they could do with heads something similar to what they do with feet when you buy running shoes - scan the shape of it on some kind of machine so they know which helmets suit which head.

Or failing that some kind of malleable inner lining that moulds to the shape of your skull and then hardens into the right shape (maybe just from the heat coming off your head while wearing it?) Some kind of "smart" material using nano-thingys. Then have the polystyrene on top of that.

[Hoarn]

This is one of the few instances where having a huge noggin helped. I had to get a 3XL HJC, nothing else would fit that I could find in NZ, and even then it's only really comfortable now after 6 months or so. I totally would have fallen for getting a bigger helmet if I'd had the choice, glad I didn't.

While looking into this I came across an article that also talked about there being 5 different common head shapes, and that these were as important as basic size for determining fit, I won't look for it, I'm sure it's here somewhere already.

Actually, here it is http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...helmet-faq.htm

[jellywrestler]

I've not had much luck finding helmets that fit my XL head

should be able to buy inserts to alter the fit, not sure whether the NZ Arai importers care enough to provide back up though

http://www.racevisors.co.uk/category...ine-parts-arai

[GingerMidget]

How do you know it does? Not singling you out but I'd lay money that at least half of the Motorcycle Accessory Sales Staff in NZ don't actually know how to tell if a helmet fits correctly.

To be fair, it fits ok. But I wouldn't want to rely on it, which is why I'm adding an AGV helmet to my lit of things to buy. Gloves are being bought tomorrow morning, cos I can't find mine. They may have been put in a safe place. Like my dads garage.