Helmets

[Jamers!]

Ok, so its comming close to when i get my bike, and im still uncertain about a few things. Helmets, whats the deal with the different types. Ive been debating the full face sport looking helmets and the chin bar dirt biking style. For a Ninja 250R rider, what seems more practical. The local store guys pointed me to an uber expensive sport helmet. Just wondering what you guys and gals think about certain types and what you might reccomend.
Thanks


JWF

[polarelf2003]

Get a $10 helmet for a $10 head. However, I know that I wouldnt shell out $400 for an Shoei at this point in my life because I'll probably drop the darned thing and be out $400. Those really expensive hemlets are very light and not very noisy - I must admit. I have an HJC CL-14, which runs about $120. I'd def go for a full faced because they offer better protection. I'd probably go for a sportier looking lid rather than the chinbar type, but that's just me.

[Kal]

The main thing you are looking for, apart from how it fits, is an approved sticker. In the UK its the Federation of Motorsports in the US I understand that it is dot or Department of Transport sticker.

If it has that it is type approved for use and should keep your skull and face intact in the event of an accident.

Brand new type approved Helmets start at about £30 here, thats about $50 in US money. Anything else you ar payng for over that is just gravy.

Personally I've become very attached to my face and wouldnt wear less than a fullface lid now. I would expect that a Road helmet to have better aerodynamics than a 'Crosser style lid and that might make a difference at higher speeds but I've never worn a Crosser lid so thats pure conjecture on my part.

[NCRonB]

The different types offer different levels of protection. A full-face offers the most (the whole head). A Ninja 250R is a sporty bike, and full-face helmets are just the style for that. I wouldn't let style compromise protection, though. I'll wear a full-face no matter what I ride.

Go to a dealer or gear shop and try on as many helmets as you can to find one that fits you well and is comfortable. A helmet can't protect as much as it should if it doesn't fit and if it isn't comfortable it could actually cause an accident by distracting you. There is a sticky thread on this forum about how to fit a helmet properly.

There are many good full-face choices in the $100-$200 range if you can find one that fits you well (HJC and Scorpion are two that come to mind). The really expensive ones may offer more comfort, better venting, a quieter ride, or something else you like, but those extra dollars don't buy better crash protection.

[Shiv]

In my Super Wal-Mart they have a motorcycling section now with all sorts of cheap helmets. (DOT and Snell tagged).

So you may wanna check in there. It surprised the crap outta me when I found it.


Main thing to look for is if it has a DOT sticker on it. It will always be on there (I don't think you can even peel it off, it's like ingrained into the helmet) and I believe it will always be on the back of the helmet as well.

Another thing to look for is the Snell sticker. It's not required (the DOT is) but it just shows that the helmet has passed that many more extra tests in keeping your head safe.

There's another sticker you can look for but I forgot it. It didn't seem like a very major one like DOT and Snell though. Maybe someone else can fill in the blank.

[Lion_Lady]

Most important is FIT! Read the "Helmet Fit Guidelines" sticky.

If you aren't getting any help in a mc shop, then print out the helmet fit guidelines and take them with you.

For your first helmet especially, it is important to try on the helmet you intend to buy. That means going into a shop, trying on several and buying the helmet that fits. Yes it will be more expensive than going online, but it is worth it.

P

[cb360]

Another thing to look for is the Snell sticker.

If it has the Snell sticker that's the one I'm not buying.

[Shiv]

Why's that?

I've only heard good things about having the Snell sticker (more strenous testing, higher guidelines, better construction due to passing the tests).

[Mag7C]

I read an article in a magazine ("motorcyclist" magazine I believe) that said snell certified helmets really don't do much more than the DOT only ones. You're paying extra for a helmet that has been put through very specific tests that realistically don't come up during a bike wreck. It's not a bad thing to be snell certified but I wouldn't make that a deciding factor when finding your helmet. At least that's what I got from the article.

Mine is DOT only because it's a flip-up and SNELL only tests the fixed full face. It's very comfortable and was reasonably priced ($230). Nolan 100E.

[cb360]

I just read the motorcyclist article and the follow-ups on the snell ratings. I agree with their (the article's) findings and I know they don't have an ax to grind as they went out on a limb to publish their findings which alienated many advertisers. I think Snell uses bad science and the shells of their helmets are too rigid. NOTE - I do not think Snell certifies BAD helmets. I think the majority of their testing is solid and goes on great products... HOWEVER, based on my layman's analysis of helmet testing I think I have a better chance - however small it is - of coming through an accident without a debilitating brain injury while wearing a DOT helmet rather than a Snell/DOT helmet. I do not advocate tossing a perfectly good Snell helmet - they are good helmets and if I had one I'd wear it. If I were looking for a new hat I'd avoid Snell because I think they are a bit less safe maybe AND because the rating usually makes the helmet cost a bit more without adding anything safety-wise.

I'm just giving my opinions here - if your absolute favorite helmet is a Snell, go for it - it will be a good lid. I just enjoyed following this controversial story because of the delicious irony of a company being found to be certifying helmets which may actually be less safe than the supposed 'lower' qualification when the aforementioned safety company has no reason to exist other than putting their safety stickers on helmets.