Helmet Brand?

[ricle41]

O.K. I've got the trike. Waiting for riding weather. On my two wheeler I thought I was invincible and rode locally without a helmet and toured with a mid-priced open faced helmet (don't even remember the mfg)

A laydown under 35 mph with that helmet and I fractured the C-2 vertabrae and nearly killed myself. Now, I'm a lot smarter and know I want not just a helmet, but a good one. Been researching, but there are too many choices.

Anyone willing to help educate me?

[Martin64]

I run "name brand" helmets like HJC, KBC, Shoei. HJC is a good "middle of the road" helmet, decently priced and good quality. But I recommend going to a shop and trying on different makes and models and getting something that fits correctly and is comfortable and go from there. Different helmets fit differently and everyone has a unique dome.

[jimjel]

I have a Nolan Flip face N102 (I think) and a Scorpion EVO 900 Transformer Flip face which is convertible to open face. I like them both very much.

[Nauga Mok]

One of the best tips on helmets is don't get one online unless you have tried that brand AND model on before. The sizes vary so much, trying to go by size is almost impossible. For example, in a Bell Mag 8, I wear a "medium", Scorpion EXO & Fulmer modular, I need a Large. In HJC (Harley Davidson), I need extra large. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the sizing. You MUST try 'em on to get the right fit. Wear it arround the store for 20 - 30 min. While one thats nice & snug at first could give you a headache after wearing it a while. Something REALLY strange was when I tried to get another EXO, I could NOT find one that fit right. As to brand, I look for those that are SNELL rated as well as DOT. SNELL has a higher standard than DOT, so to my way of thinking, a SNELL rated skid lid is better. Make SURE the SNELL rated helmet says DOT as well. There are a few "LEOS" who don't know about SNELL ratings. Almost all SNELL helmets today are rated both ways, but they haven't always been.

NM

[tis]

It's a personal preference, I have three different style helmets, full face,open, & the style with a detachable leather neck warmer. You have to make sure it fits right & that it fits comfortable with no restriction's.Most of the time I'll wear the 3/4 open face with the shield, all helmets are snell & DOT approved.......

[mpolissky]

I have a pair of Shoei Multitec modular helmets that we use on highways and long rides. We also have a pair of Shoei RJ Platinum-R open face helmets that we use for local rides. Both my wife and I love the fit, feel, ventilation and balance on both models and to us we feel that Shoei definitely worth the $$$.:wtg:

[ricle41]

Thanks, everyone. Since I am somewhere between financially challanged and poverty, I like the Shoei I have seen, but the price gives me chills. I found some online at discounters with better prices, but as was stated, you really need to try them on.

Thanks to this crummy weather, I have plenty of time to look around so I appreciate the advice while I shop.

[ricle41]

Thanks Comanche for the story and pics. I now am convinced that a really good helmet is a daily requirement for me.
I was on an easy ride through some moderate twisties, when I hit gray pea gravel that had washed out onto the pavement. At 35 mph in the middle of a switchback, the bike was out from under me in seconds and I was slammed down hard on the pavement. My moderate priced openfaced helmet was destroyed, and I sustained five broken ribs, punctured lung, broken collar bone, fractured left shoulder and a fractured C2 vertabrae. Flown to the spinal trauma center in Wichita, KS where they were totally surprised that I was not dead or paralyzed.
Unbelievable that such a simple accident could do that much damage. I had on full leathers, eye protection and the highway patrolman said I did nothing wrong, and yet I paid dearly for it.
As soon as I can get to a larger dealer, I'll spend a lot of time trying on helmets and researching their protective abilities. The Shoie has been my main interest with the research I've done so far. I am a strong advocate for safety gear everywhere and all the time.

[BoomBoom61]

I work in emergency and have seen a few bike accidents and they try to bring the helmet to the hospital to see what part was damaged so we know what to look for in head injuries..I find that Shoei seemed to hold up the best..BoomBoom

[Saltywheels]

Have worn Shoei for a really long time now, thru numerous lay-downs & many many track days. Recent convert to trikes & the Shoei was right there. Wifey uses a full face HJC & loves it. I also have one, but a 3/4. Treat yr self to the Shoei. Got an Arai on a whim & regret the extra expense.

[jlb]

All mine (3/4, 1/2 & modular) are HJC. I haven't actually ridden with the 1/2 helmet (dealer gave it to me when I bought the m/c) but will probably only use that one while running around locally.

I just wanted to suggest that you check out the modular helmets. Love mine & it's the only thing i've worn since I bought it last year. I think the main reason I like it is because I can flip it open at lights, gas stations, etc. Good luck finding what works best for you.

janetb

[TrikerDawg]

Thanks for all the info, it has been a help. Don

[alienhunter]

oh boy take pick so many the higher price is not always the best ,they can save you i use one its a law in my state if it wasnt i wuuld not good luck:yes:

[Ozarkryder]

First off, I'll start by saying that I do wear a helmet both on the bike and the trike. I have a 1/2 helmet, but the main lid is a KBC 3/4 (or jet, or open face, or whatever it is in your area) that is both DOT and Snell certified.

I noticed that the stories of the helmet saving folks noggins (I have more than one, also) involve 2 wheelers. They are inherently unstable, and sand oil, gravel and what have you can be disastrous. One of the reasons some people trike is the safety aspect. Don't hear about someone laying down a trike anywhere as near as often as on a bike. On a trike, if you come off it, there is a whole lot more going on than laying it down like a 2 wheeler. It would be more like coming out of a Jeep without doors. I would feel much safer riding our trike without a helmet than my Harley.

That said, I wear a helmet when I ride, but not always for the right reasons. When it is 98° and 85% humidity, the air would feel good through my hair, but the music and intercom come through the helmet system. I do feel more secure with the brain bucked on, though.

[sprt220]

I wear an HJC Carbon Fiber full helmet that's real light and the price is not at all like Shoei or Arai. I went to Helmet Harbor's web site and they test all kinds of helmets and have videos of their results. Just a thought. I found my helmet on e-bay brand new for $300.00 instead of $500.00. If you have the time I would look on line and by all means go to shops and try on all the brands and models you looked at. Sizes are all different. Ken

[ricle41]

Another note on sizing. I have been looking and trying helmets for over a month. I've been to 7 dealers that sell helmets, and have spent so much time wearing their wares that they think I am stealing them.
The sizing charts may be a place to start, but they are only that. My head has been measured by myself and several others to be 24" around which with some brands is an XL and a few XXL. My head really is pretty much between sizes with most companies.
The chart says if this happens you should purchase the smaller size. But I have not found this to be correct yet. I have found Nolans for example, that the XXL is defintely too big, and the XL gives me a headache in 15 minutes. I am probably going to end up with a helmet that fits, and not because of the price. Expensive and cheap helmets are all in this catagory. I have not yet tried on a helmet that I thought fit well enough to be safe. Note; a helmet that fits too loose can be as bad as no helmet at all.
Oh well, I'm sure there is a helmet out there for me. Perhaps there is treatment to shrink a fathead. Great advice on this thread. Thanks

[ricle41]

"Oh, and waiting for the weather to get nice. Its 74 and sunny here in Central Texas today. Maybe a move is in order."


Thanks Comanche, I get enough of that from my brother South of Fort Worth. But I get back at him when it rains for a week straight and he can't get off his acreage!

[Old Goat]

[B]Well I can see you are getting a lot of good advice so I will not repete a lot of this But I would like to tell you to go to a place that sells a lot of helmets and don't just leave them on the shelf for long periods of time as they have a life span of 5 years ... I know that there are guys that have had them for longer but they run the risk of the helmet being not as good as new. I hope you also find one that fit SNUGLEY as they tend to break in just like shoes and Jocks (maybe that was too much information) Any way I can tell you how to srink your head at least my wife says I shrink mine buy placing my head up my a--. Sorry that is just what she said. Don't give up on finding the right one. It is a real joy to wear one that fits and protects you at the same time. [/B:yes::yes::yes:]