Brain Buckets, what do you use?

[911boost]

There has been a fair number of motorcycle threads here, so I thought I'd throw this for us to mull over (and since I don't think Obama or McCain have a strong stance on helmets so this shouldn't degrade to a politcal discussion).

My first helmet (when I got back into riding) was a Schuberth like this one:


It was pretty noisy, and not that comfortable, so I sold it.

After trying on numerous different brands, and types, I came to the conclusion I have an Arai head. My current one is similar to this, while it isn't an RX-7 Corsair, it is a Signet GTR, I couldn't find any pictures online, and my digital camera is dead. It looks very similar to this one:


I do also have a DOT approved half helemt, a Fuhlmer, but to be honest, it makes my head look like a mushroom cap. Its pretty comfortable though, and unlike those "skull cap" fake dealies, this does offer some protection:


Lastly, my dirt bike helmet. I have an HJC that is a couple of years old. I really like this helmet, as the lining is removable and washable and wasn't that expensive, since I do have a habbit of needing to replace the offroad helmets. It looks like this:


I need to get some pictures of my bicycle helmets on here, since there are lots of riders on here. I have a Bell that was a tribute to someone that has an eagle on it (bought back in '98 or so), and the whole Reebok pump thingy, and a Giro that is blue and yellow and has barbed wire graffics. I still wear them, as I have never taken a bad enough dig to warrant replacing them.

Bill

[nostatic]

Shoei RF-1000, bright yellow

I like visible

[911boost]

I thought you put bags on the GS... What did you get?

[Rick Lee]

I have two Scorpion Exo-700's, one for the wife, which gets almost no use, and one in my size. Though the shells are all the same size, so I can just buy another pad kit if I want to take over my wife's helmet. With the sun in AZ I think I need to go with a white helmet next time. I've seen some stuff on ADVrider.com that suggests the $700 Arais offer no more protection in a crash than the cheapo Scorpions or HJC's. I think I want an HJC concept/flip-up next, depending on noise.

[911boost]

I have read that too Rick. To be honest though, the noise on my flip up Schuberth was horrendous and I couldn't stand it. The Aria just fit my head the best, trust me, I tried on a ton, since I had made a mistake buying the Schuberth, I didn't want to make it twice.

[Teutonics]

I too have the Arai Signet shaped head. Nothing else fits right.

[Shawn 357]

I got a Fox V3 Pilot for dirt biking and it breaths well and is light

[Rot 911]

Arai.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by BSiple

I thought you put bags on the GS... What did you get?

Picked up the vario side cases last weekend...brilliant expandability design. That shot was before the purchase. To be honest I just run the top case most of the time as I don't like the extra width in the back while lane splitting. I pop the side cases on if I need to haul more stuff or if riding 2-up and we want to be able to lock away our gear on the bike while out and about.

Got the g/f a Scorpion last weekend as she had been using my Bell track helmet. Jury is still out as every head is different and different brands fit different people. Shoei works for me.

[Rick Lee]

I like the look of running with no cases on, but the cases have spared me more damage or pain on a few tipovers. Pretty sure I would have nearly broken my left ankle in a parking lot tipover if not for the left side case. Of course, had i just put my helmet on my head to move the bike across the parking lot rather than try to balance it on my tank bag with my chin while pushing off the center stand, I'd have not dropped it. Yup, my only injury due to no helmet was a twisted left wrist.

[flatbutt]

I've been in a Schuberth C1 for some time. Noisy and heavy. I'm hoping to get something tasty at the MotoGP in Indy.

[Seric]

HJC full face, but next skid lid will be an Arai full face.

[RPKESQ]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Shoei RF-1000, bright yellow

I like visible

I too use a Shoei RF-1000, because it fits the best for me. Fit is everything in a helmet both for comfort and safety.

BTW, want to know how to reduce your chances of being involved in a accident by 20+%? Wear a white helmet.

[911boost]

I agree Rick, my Jesse bag's saved my GS some damge as well.

[Uber-fanatic]

Currently a Shoei RF-1000 in gray. I've owned 3 HJC's (one for me, one for the wife, and one for the kids), and never really found any fault in them, and thankfully have avoided real-world testing of there capabilities in a crash... I'm saving my pennies for Arai, although I've always wanted the Shoei Picotte 3 in orange for some reason. I'm not normally that flamboyant...

[svandamme]

[Tim Hancock]

HJC for the street and my old trusty Bell Moto 4 for offroad (have gone thru several removable/washable liners on that one). I would not turn down a $700 helmet if someone gave me one, but I feel safe enough with any modern DOT/Snell approved full face helmets.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by BSiple

I agree Rick, my Jesse bag's saved my GS some damge as well.

There was a guy from Tucson on ADVrider.com who got into a pretty bad wreck on his Adventure that would have meant a leg amputation if not for his Jesse bags. The stock BMW cases aren't nearly as strong, but they do provide some protection.

Another guy on ADVrider had his wife on the back and hit a donkey at hwy. speed up near the Grand Canyon. They both walked away from it. But then he posted photos of how his riding gear had fared in the wreck, slamming Olympia and swearing he'd never buy their stuff again. What a tool. He was lucky to live and he walked away with minimal injuries and gets all mad at his gear. I don't care how many thousands I have into my gear. If it saves me in a hwy-speed collision with a large animal, I'll cheerfully throw it away, buy more and thank God to be alive.

[TerryH]

I don't think enough importance is placed on helmet ratings. From the outside helmets all look about the same, but construction and materials have evolved over the years. That helmet you bought 10 years ago may still look like new, but it's not going to protect you like the most currently rated SNELL approved version. SNELL 2005 or maybe 2010 is out now for motorcycles.

Most drag tracks won't allow you to run a car or bike without a properly dated SNELL approved helmet.

DOT stamped helmets might be okay for paintball, but I wouldn't bet my brains, or my families, on those letters alone.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by TerryH

I don't think enough importance is placed on helmet ratings. From the outside helmets all look about the same, but construction and materials have evolved over the years. That helmet you bought 10 years ago may still look like new, but it's not going to protect you like the most currently rated SNELL approved version. SNELL 2005 or maybe 2010 is out now for motorcycles.

Most drag tracks won't allow you to run a car or bike without a properly dated SNELL approved helmet.

DOT stamped helmets might be okay for paintball, but I wouldn't bet my brains on those letters alone.

I agree. I wouldn't wear a helmet that's out of date. But two helmets of the same SNELL or DOT date and rating can still have several hundred dollars in price difference. Is one realyl safer that the other? Or is it more a matter of style and comfort?