Friendly reminder re: helmets

**James Deuce** · 28th February 2012, 18:31

I like wearing my helmet backwards. It's helped return my complexion to the youthful one I had before I lost it first on The Apennine Way.

**Shadows** · 28th February 2012, 18:32

Originally Posted by Big Dave

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

That was my argument if anybody came back with the question why the death rate has decreased more slowly than the registration rate but I couldn't find a graph to show it

**Mom** · 29th February 2012, 05:25

Originally Posted by MSTRS

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.

I will have you know that some of us were really "cool" and had a Line 7 suit

Originally Posted by willytheekid

Good Thread!

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

Cutting the straps off first though eh?

**TimeOut** · 29th February 2012, 06:47

Originally Posted by Mom

I will have you know that some of us were really "cool" and had a Line 7 suit

Wern't they the bees knees

**MSTRS:Me** · 29th February 2012, 07:49

Originally Posted by Mom

I will have you know that some of us were really "cool" and had a Line 7 suit

The original hi-viz...

**placidfemme** · 29th February 2012, 08:35

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

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

Personally I had my helmet fitment training with one of the Shoei guys from Japan a couple of years back, have also been to a few different supplier conferences and product displays, also had the French team from Shark do demonstrations and the methods are the same as Shoei.

**Edbear** · 29th February 2012, 08:46

Originally Posted by Mom

I will have you know that some of us were really "cool" and had a Line 7 suit

eh?

Or an old Army Greatcoat with the steel capped boots.

**willytheekid** · 29th February 2012, 08:59

Originally Posted by Mom

Cutting the straps off first though eh?

Who said I didn't? (I also smashed the shell and diassembled inner as well...I tend to pick these tips up after 30yrs riding mom)

-when you assume...

**Hellzie** · 29th February 2012, 12:19

Originally Posted by placidfemme

Personally I had my helmet fitment training with one of the Shoei guys from Japan a couple of years back, have also been to a few different supplier conferences and product displays, also had the French team from Shark do demonstrations and the methods are the same as Shoei.

Awesome - any tips? And I want to know where you work for when I'm next in need of a helmet.

**jellywrestler** · 29th February 2012, 12:22

Originally Posted by placidfemme

Personally I had my helmet fitment training with one of the Shoei guys from Japan a couple of years back, have also been to a few different supplier conferences and product displays, also had the French team from Shark do demonstrations and the methods are the same as Shoei.

great, any idea what percentage of sales staff in NZ shops selling helmets etc have had similar training.
It's not a dig, i've over hte years seen quite a number of people getting assistance incorrectly in shops

**Maha** · 29th February 2012, 12:54

Originally Posted by placidfemme

Personally I had my helmet fitment training with one of the Shoei guys from Japan a couple of years back, have also been to a few different supplier conferences and product displays, also had the French team from Shark do demonstrations and the methods are the same as Shoei.

And the demonstration consists of putting a helmet on and doing it up?...I understand that is difficult..

**jellywrestler** · 29th February 2012, 13:05

Originally Posted by Maha

And the demonstration consists of putting a helmet on and doing it up?...I understand that is difficult..

that's where you're so wrong, in trying them on correctly you don't do them up...

**placidfemme** · 29th February 2012, 13:39

Originally Posted by Hellzie

Awesome - any tips? And I want to know where you work for when I'm next in need of a helmet.

It all depends on what type of helmet you are going for, full face or open face (and in my books fitment for flip-ups is the same as fitment for open face). Personally I always encourage full face helmets, I try not to be pushy or to flood the customer with horror stories, but I hate open face helmets, at the shop I work at now we don't even stock open face helmets.

Ideally you want to go to a shop where they stock at least 3 different brands. Every brand has the shells and interior padding/construction in different shapes (which explains why you hear people say things like "I have a Shoei head"). When you try the helmet on you want it to be a really nice snug (even on the tight side) type fit, ideally it will squash your cheeks in, once the helmet is on one method is to have someone else hold the helmet (hands by where your ears would be inside the helmet) and you shake your head while they hold the helmet still, this shows how much movement you have side to side (remember there is always the chance of your helmet gripping the road through friction when you come off, if you have movement this could risk neck injurys and possibly even the helmet coming off), also while the helmet strap is done up you want to pull the chin part of the helmet up and down and check for movement. This is the easiest method, but just one of many.

Tight = Good (If you have the right helmet for your head shape the tight helmet should not put pressure on your forehead and have little to no movement to the sides or up or down) - Remember the padding will compress a little and mould to the shape of your head, if you buy one that is too big it will only get bigger)
Money - You DO NOT need to spend a lot of money to get a good helmet (check out http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/) As an example, Shoei's, Arai's etc can range from between $599 to $1400, but some of them only have a 3 or 4 star rating, whereas you look at the brand "V-CAN" as a $100 - $199 helmet and they are rated with 5 stars. Don't get me wrong the more expensive brands are great (I have a Shoei head!!), but more important than brand and cost is fitment.

I work at Bay MC in Napier, a bit of a mission to get a helmet I think

**placidfemme** · 29th February 2012, 13:43

Originally Posted by jellywrestler

great, any idea what percentage of sales staff in NZ shops selling helmets etc have had similar training.
It's not a dig, i've over hte years seen quite a number of people getting assistance incorrectly in shops

Hey I have no idea at all sorry. I know that some of the suppliers hold product seminars where the rep's from the home countries of products (like the French with Shark and Ixon), but not very often, and most times the bike shops have to pay for employees to attend, which means usaually only one parts person can go as they still need staff in the shop as these are always on weekdays during normal business hours.

However, my best advice regarding this, is speak to your local shop and ask them to ask their local Whites Rep (in Auckland I think it is Paul Murphy) to give the staff a demonstration as all the Whites Reps have incredible training and are more than willing to share this experience and knowledge with shops to then pass onto customers.