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Helmets 2001
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2004 (Jan . . . September) Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Barbara, My thing as I get older is, that I notice that more times, the problem is not so much with our own riding expertise, as it is other motorists that can cause us so many problems. So I like the extra protection. Still, I believe it should be a choice! – Mama In response to Barbara and the helmet issue: IMHO, as a citizen, not a subject, laws are supposed to protect me from the unlawful actions of others. They are NOT to protect me from myself. Upon reaching the age of majority, it should be (and IS in the state where I live) my choice as to whether to wear a helmet or not. Please don't start in with "what it costs society". That argument can be used to "ban" almost any activity that someone else thinks is "dangerous". – Rant Mode Off, Dave Williams, NRA Life Member and Curmudgeon Emeritus (note from Mama: some day I'll happen along on a website dedicated solely to this subject! It's a never ending source for consideration and one that I'm glad to know we are free to discuss at any length.) In response to Dave who responded to Barbara about helmet issue: In Australia we definitely have helmet laws. People have reiterated several reasons why helmets are a good idea, the main one I can think of is Rhino Beetles! We have these giant beetles that fly around in many parts of Australia, can you imagine getting whacked in the face by a beetle that is 1 inch across and up to 2" long, and has two very sharp "rhino" horns on the front? Not to mention all the other kamikaze bugs that go flitting across the highway. It's not a good look coming back from your trip spitting dead bugs out. :) Other considerations for me is the simple fact of what all that sun and wind can do to your skin. I like my youthful wrinkle free look (I'm 31) and work hard to keep it, a full face helmet is a strict requirement, with a nice tinted visor. Don't wear it for yourself, wear it because of all the other lunatics on 4 wheels!! Regards, – Marion, ShadowPuss (note from Mama: and I thought Wisconsin's state bird -- the mosquito -- was bad! Good thoughts here. Thanks for another viewpoint!) Monday, January 19 In response to Marion, wearing helmets, and Rhino Beetles: Marion, do you actually know someone who's been injured by a Rhino Beetle? Give me a break. There are more Rhinoceros Beetles in the USA than there are over here. I'd be more worried about copping a cockatoo in the face myself. The arguments for and against wearing helmets is endless. Strangely, it doesn't bother people who don't wear them if other riders do. But it sure seems to bother people who do wear them that others do not! – Kevin (note from Mama: ok, I'll admit I didn't look at a picture of the Rhino Beetle when postings the response, but below is a pic for those who are curious! Ugly things, and now that I've seen a pic, I realize I've seen them around my own back fields here in Nevada. I certainly wouldn't want one of them whapping me in the head as I fly down the road at goodness knows what speed, and without a helmet -- but I'm not sure what the calculated likelihood would be! Still, I think the point is that if this or any other flying bug/debris/ect is a concern for a rider, than a helmet does offer a measure of added protection, above and beyond the other concerns. The freedom of choice is not always our to say -- depending on where you live and ride -- and this will always be a cornerstone of debate.)
Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Cuteo, Tuesday, January 27 For Cuteo who is looking for a nice looking helmet for S/XS sizes: Just wanted to share with Cuteo, that both my husband
and I have HJC helmets. For Cuteo, who is looking for a S or XS full face helmet. Check out HJC helmets. I have the CL-33, but they make several other models. You can usually find them on sale. Try http://www.helmetsetc.com – Li in Florida (note from Mama: thanks for including a website to check out!) To Cuteo who is looking for a smaller helmet. I don't know if a flip-face is an option, but I did notice in my recent browsing that a company called Jarow (Jarow Website) says that they use one size shell for their Medium through Larger sizes and a smaller shell for the S/XS sizes. This particular helmet has gotten good reviews. Surely some of the other manufacturers do likewise. Personally when I can get the dollars together, I'm going for the Jarow. – Cindy (note from Mama: thanks for the review -- it sounds promising!) More for Cuteo who is looking for a nice looking helmet for S/XS sizes: I noticed that you are getting a lot of emails about different kinds of helmets and the benefits of half face versus full face. Here are some things I thought might be of use: Up until about ten years ago a lot of helmet manufacturers made helmets in different outer shell size's. That was good, if you had a small head, a half face helmet didn't make you look like the Alien in the Bugs Bunny cartoon. Now however, in the never ending search to cut costs, the majority of manufacturers use only one size shell (Large) and fill it full of extra padding as the size's go down towards extra small. That's why so many helmets look really big when you put them on. Half face helmets in particular are starting to look really silly on a lot of people who don't have larger heads. On the subject of safety it's really quite simple; if you want the best protection, wear a full face helmet. A number of ladies have said they like the openness of the half face but feel it compromises their safety; the perfect solution to this is something which I've noticed does not seem to have caught on in the states: a motocross/off road helmet. They are much lighter than a lot of full face helmets, have good side vision and the chin piece is further away from your face. You can choose to leave the peak in place, cut it down some or simply remove it altogether. To those who don't think they are as safe as normal road helmets; if the best motorcycle riders in the world are wearing them in the Paris to Dakar Rally I don't think most people are going to have a problem if they come off while wearing one. As with a half face just add sunglasses or on cold days slip on the goggles that are made for them. (This may be too claustrophobic for some). The motocross helmets are a good combination between a half face and a full face, and they come standard with much cooler graphics than most road helmets as well. All this from a guy who had a helmet exemption for many years. And if you want to check out some really cool helmets: And if you want to check out some really cool helmets: http://www.craft-helmets.de/. – Kevin (note from Mama: wow, some of those helmets on the site you provided a link for are truly great -- makes me want to get one and then go out and get a bike that will live up to the image!) Friday, January 30 Added thoughts from Kevin to Cuteo who is looking for a nice looking helmet for S/XS sizes: I'm a pratt, the whole point of my story on helmets and I forgot to write the most important bit. (It was 03.00hrs here) Because a lot of kids and younger people ride dirt bikes; off road helmets DO come in smaller shell sizes. So if you have a small head it's ok because there is not so much padding as found in the road helmets. AND if you like the smaller shell size but still prefer an open face you can often remove the chin piece altogether. Or do what Terri did when she found one she liked; with a bit of careful bolt cutter snipping we actually cut the chin off and used a file to sand the side bits into a curved shape. Glued the rubber border back on, presto, half face helmet! Hope this gives your readers some new thoughts on helmet options. Quick thought: If the larger road helmets have lesser inside padding than the smaller sizes, are riders with big heads being ripped off in terms of extra shock absorption and protection? Later – Kevin (note from Mama: yeesh, now I have to add "head" exercises to my gym routine!) Friday, April 2 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Susie, If you didn't find my Hair Smush page (officially, the Riding Gear -- Helmets, Goggles and Hair Smush page), take the time to read through the later postings as there are lots of letters and responses on the subject! – Mama Monday, April 5 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
No Name, Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Newbie, My thinking on night riding is that you use clear goggles only! Anything else impedes your ability to clearly (!) see vehicles, etc. Colored lenses are for day riding and come in a number of shades as different people like to "color" their world differently and glare/sun is cut down better in blue or grey or yellow depending on your personal taste and eyesight. Sounds like interchangeable lenses would give you an opportunity to test your own preference! – Mama Monday, April 19 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Jeffrey, Wednesday, April 21 For Newbie who is exploring goggle options: My husband and I recently purchased visors with a mirror finish. They really aren't darker, just reduces the glare. No more need to wear ill fitting "shades" since I can't seem to find any that fit me! We were out the other A.M. before daylight and the visors did not darken they just minimized the glare from headlights...something I welcome! – Rhonda from Springfield, MO (note from Mama: thanks for the input on this subject -- it's greatly appreciated and sounds like a real winning combination!) Wednesday, April 28 Dear
VTwin Mama,
Here are a couple of pictures of my helmet. It is the Fulmer Modus AF-M. I purchased my helmet locally. – Angela in Jacksonville, FL Dear
Angela, Sunday, May 9 Dear
VTwin Mama: Dear
Denise, Tuesday, June 8 Dear
VTwin Mama, I tie a 1inch wide bandana around my head, for two reasons. One, it keeps those little pieces of hair that escape from my helmet, from beating me to death. (they really do hurt, it feels like pine needles hitting you in the face) and secondly it keeps my hair in a stand up position. When I remove the helmet, I run my fingers thru and if need be spritz a little water on my head and there you go. Not beautiful. but okay. The longer you ride in a day the flatter the hair gets so the next step is finger fluff, spritz, and then push it back with a visor. After 10 hours on the bike, forget it. Just put a cap or hat on and go for it. I always wear the bandana tie regardless of which of my helmets that I wear, Full, 3/4, half, or none. I live in Florida, their law says okay to go w/o. But one thing that I learned a long time ago. Fashion goes out the window when it comes to serious riding. You do what you have to do to stay cool, dry, comfortable, warm, and safe. Personally I would not have it any other way. This is a great site, and has some wonderful information. You go girls. – Ckknfla Dear
Ckknfla, Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
RM, Wednesday, June 23 Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Carmen, The only article
or product source I found online that mentions the word “feminine”
was from mainland China, and the translation might be a bit fuzzy at best.
Anything else that linked the words (hush, don’t say them too loudly)
motorcycle and feminine was actually on bicycle riders. Sigh. That said, you may be up for getting
copies of the free catalogs offered by the big aftermarket houses, like J&P
Cycle. Next, attend every big rally you can with the sole intent of
studying what women are wearing and then, if you have to, knock down a
woman off her bike when you see something you like so you can talk to her.
Sigh. Thursday, June 24 For RM who has fine hair and the traditional hair smush problems: I have the exact same hair as you it sounds like (it’s a bummer huh!). I have a little portable cordless curling iron called a Braun Style Shaper. It is pretty small, and will fit into a fork bag or something. It runs on butane energy packs, so you have to be careful about leaving it in temperatures above 120 degrees for an extended time. I take it for camping type overnighters. It helps put SOME body back into your hair. I usually just keep a bandana on my head or something for around town riding. Have fun in Sturgis! – dij (note from Mama: ok, I vote to cover it up with a stylish bandana!) Saturday, June 26 For RM who has fine hair and the traditional hair smush problems: I have the same problem!!! I don't know if I can make it through this "trying to grow out for a pony tail phase" or not! I have recently been trying to use a doo-rag/doo-wrap under the helmet, and it helps some. At least it keeps some of the shorter pieces of hair from whipping in the face! I have bangs and those are what is really the problem. What I try to do is take one hand and rake it through the hair, front to back and use the other hand to position the 'doo-rag' over the head. I then put it on the forehead where I want it, then kind of "stuff" the hair on the sides up underneath it, behind the ears. It then ties in back. The hair doesn't look too bad when it comes off. The problem is though after about one time of removing the helmet, the doo-rag comes off with the helmet every time! I am in the process of trying to solve this problem though; a lady I work with is an excellent seamstress and she is working on a pattern that will use elastic, not ties! We think that maybe if it was more form fitting, it wouldn't come off, and you don't have to hassle with tying it all the time to keep it tight!! I hope it works! She is also going to come up with a version that will come down over the ears (for when I wear the half-helmet) and will have small slots for my riding glasses to go through over the ears! Hopefully she will have a 'prototype' ready in a week or so! This hair thing shouldn't be such a hassle! If this doesn't work then everyone will just have to look at my 'helmet head' and know that I proudly wear it as a symbol of riding my own! P.S. Thanks Petra for all of your efforts and hard work! – Another VTwin Mama in Kansas with fine/straight/flat hair! (note from Mama: I'm intrigued by the possible new solution and would love to see pictures when seamstress friend works it out -- if it's truly useful, then we good feature it on one of my pages if she wants to sell them!) Dear
VTwin Mama, I have a problem that I have not seen anywhere. I hope you or some of you other ladies can help with. I have very long very light eyelashes. I have to wear mascara or it looks like I don't have any lashes at all. My problem is my lashes rub on the inside of my sunglasses and goggles, causing mascara smear on the goggles. What can I do to prevent this. I have foam on the glasses to keep the wind, dust etc. out of my eyes is there any way to increase the distance between the goggles and my eyelashes? Thanks, for a great site! – Valerie Dear
Valerie, For Valerie whose long lashes cause problems with riding goggles and such: My lashes aren't very long, but I always hated it when mine would brush against my sunglasses. This is a very expensive fix, but check out http://www.flipopen.com/ This is an awesome helmet from Italy and I absolutely love mine. Gone are the sunglasses and goggles! Plenty of room for lashes and no more sunglass vibration! Also perfect for anyone with corrective lenses. Check it out! It's a little pricey at $300-325. I had to drive an hour and a half to find a dealer who carries this helmet; only one dealer in Wisconsin. Wouldn't trade it for anything and would definitely buy another! – Jennifer (note from Mama: ah, a solution from first hand experience -- the best kind -- thank you!) Thursday, July 29 From Valerie whose long lashes were a problem with goggles: Thank you Jennifer for your suggestion. I will look around for that helmet when I get to a state that requires helmets. I did come up with a fix. I figured that the goggles were not very expensive and if I messed them up I could get some new ones so I bought some fun foam from my local craft store then very carefully took off the foam that came on the goggles and made a pattern. then glued the new foam to the goggles. I had to double the thickness and cut a few vent grooves in the foam so that it would breath some and it worked it gave me just a couple of millimeters of room so my lashes do not rub on the lenses anymore. No more Mascara smears YEA! – Valerie (note from Mama: this is so VTwin Mama sister smart!) Wednesday, August 11 Dear
VTwin Mama, I wear a women's size 18/20. Bike jackets seem to run smaller compared to regular jackets. It is hard to find jackets, etc. for plus size at an affordable price yet have some decent quality to them. Men's jackets will fit around the rump then they are huge across the shoulders and the sleeves are endless. I like the www.womanbiker.com jackets but can't afford them. What can you tell me about the jeans with Kevlar in them as opposed to leather chaps/pants? When I first started riding at age 10 my Dad made us wear jean jackets, boots, gloves and jeans. I have always just worn a jean jacket but with what I've been reading and the traffic has picked up in my area I'm looking for more protection. Also, what do you recommend to put on your helmet shield outside to help with rain and inside to help with anti-fog? With the humidity lately, I've been having some real problems riding at night. Lastly, is there some type of log book for your motorcycle on repairs, oil changes, etc. that you can buy or a program for on your computer? Thanks for your help. Appreciate your input. – Pam from Central PA Dear
Pam, Leather is often bought for looks, but the fact is that a GOOD leather jacket is worth it's weight in gold. It boils down to the thickness of the cowhide used. If you ever see a "die-hard" Harley rider, you'll note that their leather jacket looks like it weighs a ton. That's because it's made to truly protect and can take a road skid with the best of them. The sportier textile jackets are nice, but without the Kevlar, they offer no more protection than a thin "look at me" leather jacket. It's the Kevlar that saves your own skin. True, the sportier versions with Kevlar are more lightweight than good thick cowhide, so a liner can be added and this is nice. Thick cowhide will keep off winter blasts, but summer riding is different. That's when most switch to a good thick cowhide vest. Less protection, but the chest and back are still covered (one more layer the road has to chew before getting to your skin!). Price. You always get what you pay for, so if you need to wait a little bit to save up to get the jacket that is pricier but you perceive to meet your requirements, it's well worth it! I just saw someone today scramble from underneath a fallen bike (he looked ok as I was zooming by), but it really hit home that you just can't replace quality . . . ever . . . So, the pants follow the same thinking pattern. Thick cowhide or Kevlar offer protection. As to helmet shield fogging, there are a ton of products on the market (think snorkel/diving masks) and you need only go to a search engine to find these products! Riding at night is best done with clear goggles in my opinion, rather than a face shield, even a clear one, although I'm not opposed to it. Less "look around" restrictions, but good protection. As to motorcycle maintenance software, I really couldn't find anything useful and would advocate getting the maintenance/service manual for your year/make/model bike and starting an Excel spreadsheet. You sound adamant about precise upkeep, so make sure to get the factory manual versus the aftermarket version (it's about $60 at www.repairmanuals.com rather than the $20 aftermarket version, which is good . . . ) But that's just me! Readers, any thoughts here?! – Mama Dear
VTwin Mama, I had never ever worn even a half helmet, I just finished (successfully! yay!) my Motorcycle Safety Course and licensing, and the requirement for their liability insurance is full face helmet with visor. I admit I was VERY nervous about the helmet (fear of claustrophobia, limited peripheral, lack of sound, boobleheading due to weight . . . ), but HONESTLY . . . I LOVE it! I am trying to convince my husband to wear one instead of the novelty helmet. When you are learning I think is the best time to put one on. You are so busy learning and paying attention to everything else that you don't notice it (get a GOOD fit with venting!) -- even is 38 celc weather on blacktop all day it was not so bad. In fact my boots bothered me more, so I switched form my expensive Harley riding boots to a hiking boot with no heel (thanks Harley, grrr). I felt safe, soft, comfortable and protected. And I got a mirrored visor so it looks kewl, hehe. I chose to buy a good quality helmet that should last me 5-10 years and surely can save my face. During my course, one find lady took a big tumble and did crack her face on the pavement, wearing her full face -- so she was rattled, but unhurt. My friend, two days after graduating her course earlier this year, wiped out and cracked her head wearing a beanie. She had brain trauma and amnesia . . . and now is afraid to ride. My aunt slid across a lawn on her bike, broke her jaw even wearing a half helmet, and ripped her knee wide open on GRASS. It's not even an option to me anymore -- ro ride with anything else. I've even insisted in some nice protective gear too, which I find really comfortable and comforting. Ride on Ladies! – Fawn in Canada Dear
Fawn, Weird example: I remember reading
about an accident where the woman had NOT worn her seatbelt, and because
of it, they surmised that it was the main reason she survived in good
shape. That’s not what the odds would predict. So, should you go around
not wearing your seatbelt? Probably not! Thursday, August 19 For Fawn on the subject of helmets: I too wear a full face helmet. A Vega with a flip front and I love it. I just recently bout a mirrored shield for it and I love it except when you have to ride at night. The visor being darkened is too dark to wear down while riding at night. I had to ride home about 60 miles with no face shield down and my wind screen doesn't do much for bugs. ICK. What a ride -- I had to stop 1 or 2 times to wipe the bug guts off my glasses -- hehe. So lesson learned -- I need saddle bags and put my clear face shield in the bag!!! For Megthered on sporty riders who wear a helmet but not much else: I choose to wear a helmet (it's also a law here in Georgia). My father had a wreck on his bike. Had he not been wearing his full helmet, he would of done some very very bad damage to his face and head. The impact marks of his helmet showed me that the helmet did it's job. Had he been wearing a half helmet, his ear would of been gone. But like you said, it's your choice. Now I DO ride in jeans and I have both summer and winter riding jackets (summer jacket has body armor in it). Now, there have been some really, really, REALLY hot days here in GA where I have gone out in just jeans, boots and a T-shirt. But I have seen what Road Rash and what they call De-gloving looks like. There is NO WAY I'd ever ride a motorcycle in a skimpy tank and shorts. But people choose to ride in what they want, but like Mama said, once they hit ground, it's gonna be an experience they will never forget. I guess they forgot how bad a scraped knee feels from falling off bikes as a kid. Stay safe and have fun riding. – Tara (note from Mama: you've shared some very real consequences of riding without the correct riding gear . . . a useful reminder to all riders.) Dear
VTwin Mama, Dear
Vivian, It's possible that input has already been received and posted on my Helmets/Goggles/Hair Smush page, but it's late at night and I'm too tired to scroll through the whole thing! So, I am hoping readers will share specific makes/sites that would answer your question (or repeat a past message to help out a weary VTwin Mama)! – Mama Thursday, September 9 For Vivian who is looking for correct glasses/goggle solutions: What ever you get, make sure they are Polarized. Helps cut down on the glare . Also might want to check out Sunglass Hut . . . they have been coming out with a lot of new styles and even have the goggle style. – Tara (note from Mama: hmmmm . . . that's interesting as one can find that shop in just about any mall! Thanks for the input.) Saturday,
September 25 Dear
VTwin Mama, I
found this website by doing a Google search on “Novelty Helmets.”
Because
many HD and cruiser riders seem to feel that either no helmets, novelty
helmets or the minimal sizes of DOT helmets are appropriate as a style to
match their types of bikes, I want to relate to you what it can mean in
consequences to your families, friends and loved ones when you make
choices about your safety while riding. On
September 3rd, my ex-husband was riding on WA State Route 14 in
the Columbia River Gorge toward After she
left my house, she called back an hour later.
They’d just received word he was being Life-Flighted to We found
out what had happened; a car
made an unsafe pass on this 2-lane highway.
He was an expert rider, having competed in Desert and Ice Racing in
his earlier years, among other exploits.
To avoid a head-on collision, he ran off the road and laid
his bike down. That probably saved the cagers' lives. He was
wearing a novelty “fashion statement” excuse for a real helmet, one of
those chrome-colored German war shells.
Yeah, it looked really cool with his customized ’98 Fat Boy. It
went with it really nice. He
fully bought into the bad ass image mystique that some HD and cruiser
riders seem to think is paramount to the whole experience of riding…what
crap! The neurosurgeons
got us together for a meeting a few days later.
They explained how the entire force of the impacts were transmitted
directly to his brain.
The force was enough to split apart his frontal lobes.
That was only his secondary brain injury.
The lack of lower, rear protection caused a basal skull fracture
damaging his brain stem. The
swelling, which can never be totally controlled,
further caused a stroke in the more severely damaged rear area
which, after 3-4 days, rendered him brain dead.
He died immediately after the decision was made to turn off life
support. I will
always be haunted by the sights I witnessed that week at Harborview.
My own personal anguish, and that of his family.
I am only able to tell this after reluctantly obtaining a prescription
from my doctor to keep my emotions in check so I can function normally.
My point,
of course, is when you all make choices about your safety, think about
this: Dear
Judy, For Judy who has a strong message about novelty helmets after losing a loved one: I am very sorry for your loss. I believe in a situation like that it was a no win situation. Perhaps we can get the helmet manufacturers involved in paying for programs to help car drivers be more aware and also accountable for their actions. Laws need to be made to give these cage drivers jail time for running us over! They are using their vehicles as weapons to say the least. And the old verbiage, "I didn't see you," just doesn't cut it. – Cecilia (note from Mama: an interesting idea . . . or perhaps starting a campaign encouraging helmet manufacturers for more coverage on non-DOT novelty helmet dangers.) |
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