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Post by Jarlaxle on Apr 7, 2013 15:35:59 GMT -5
Well...I go for my M.O.S.T. new-rider course in 2 weeks (the 19th, 20th, 21st). For that, aside from buying gloves, I can get away with stuff I have...Dickies Industrial Wear work pants, either a sweatshirt or one of the safety (hi-vis) shirts from work, and they have brain buckets.
But, I need gear. I need a jacket & a helmet. I looked at a local MC shop, I looked at online shops...and now am totally confused. So, I'm looking for suggestions.
Helmet: It has to be at least a 3/4 face model, full face is also fine. I tried a couple of modular helmets, all of which I found very heavy. I do not need headphones, a heater, intercom, Bluetooth, a coin-op ear-massager, or any of the other stuff--I want a HELMET, not an entertainment center. I want any color except black or white...high-visibility yellow or traffic-cone orange would be preferred. The helmet MUST accommodate my glasses.
Jacket: MUST be hi-visibility, either yellow or orange, with reflective striping. Must be lightweight & vented. I'm 5'10" and about 245lbs, so it should be available in a 2XL or an XL-tall (or XL-fat).
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Post by marshalldillion on Apr 7, 2013 15:50:13 GMT -5
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Post by prodigit on Apr 7, 2013 16:32:31 GMT -5
For a helmet, the only thing you need to know is it needs to have a DOT or SNELL logo on it.
If it has passed DOT or SNELL regulations, you can be fairly sure that the helmet is upto specs.
From there on, you can just browse by price, or by your personal preference.
I bought 2 helmets on amazon for below $35, and one is good for upto 40MPH, the other is good for upto 80MPH.
Beyond that, they will start to pull a lot (wind drag).
Both of them are good helmets.
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Post by Jarlaxle on Apr 7, 2013 16:36:26 GMT -5
Thank you!
I almost had a stroke when I found a helmet I liked & saw it was damn near $450. I'm just leery of ordering online...I need to try it on first, especially having glasses.
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Post by domindart on Apr 7, 2013 17:43:31 GMT -5
The best thing to do is go to the store and try them on. They should fit pretty snug but not give you a headache after about 15 mins. I have both a Arai full face and a 3/4 silver Dot approved helmet I spent 40 dollars on. I love both!  |
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Post by prodigit on Apr 7, 2013 18:00:09 GMT -5
Usually you pay more for lightweight helmets, helmets with little wind drag, and wind noises.
You could also pay extra for vented helms (the helmets that feel cooler in summer), or especially helmets that the windshield don't fog, they are a lot more expensive.
If you live in a cold environment, and don't want to pay the $$$ for anti-fog helmets, you can always open the visor 1/4 of an inch. It'll allow enough air movement to prevent screen fog.
You also pay more for blue tooth capable helmets, those with built in speakers and mic.
A 1/2 helmet is the least safe helmet, because the helmet only protects you from bird droppings, or the sunshine at noon. It won't protect you in a fall.
A 3/4 helmet is significantly safer, especially in a back fall. It'll protect the back and sides of your head.
A full face helmet protects you the most, as the most delicate part of your head is your face, and both full faced helmets, and modular helmets are the only ones that protect you there.
Cheap modular helmets usually weigh a lot (are heavy).
That being said, if you're running a 4 stroke 50cc scooter, most helmets will be fine.
If you're running any bigger bikes, going at speeds above 45MPH, you will want a helmet that's not too heavy, and preferably a full faced helmet.
Statistics show, that most mopeds and 50cc scooters have the most accidents, however they are the least grave. The higher the cc's usually the higher the top speed, the higher the percentage of really bad and dangerous accidents.
IMHO, a 3/4 helmet is good enough for a 50cc. Seeing that statistics show that there are very little accidents on those bikes involving permanent facial damage.
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Post by jeepsteve92xj on Apr 7, 2013 18:51:20 GMT -5
Leatherup.com is one place I shop. Get a cloth measuring tape like from a fabric store for measuring your head.
I prefer 3/4 for any weather, full face fogs and gets warm in very cold or very hot weather.
A snowmobile helmet for cold and a modular for the rest of the weather.
I have several different gloves, depending on the weather.
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Post by domindart on Apr 7, 2013 18:54:41 GMT -5
Get the store employee to measure your noggin and go from there.
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Post by skuttadawg on Apr 7, 2013 19:45:14 GMT -5
www.cyclegear.com has many goodies as does Amazon . I bought a few balaclavas , a bungee net and decals from there . Have a LEd flashlight and some extra tools under the seat like pliers , a small metric socket set . Get waterproof gloves with a lil sleeve , CycleGear has boocoos to pick from . Leatherup has lots of jackets .
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Post by DaveC on Apr 7, 2013 20:46:57 GMT -5
Www.ironpony.comGot one right down the street I'm wearing a full face flip up modular. $135 I'm a helmet fenatic Getting hit by a GMC truck while riding a Goldwing or a scoot is still gonna hurt. Best protection is a full face. How much is your head worth? Prodigit I agree with ya on the full face, but disagree on the 45 mph thing I say a guy drop a Triumph rocket at 1 mph and get serious head injuries, ( woman stopped quick at a orange light. He stopped and fell over. No helmet. Cuts and concussion, while virtually stopped.) I was doing 30 when I got hit. So glad I had my full face on. Saved my life, but not my leg. What about the boots that cover the ankle?
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Post by yelloscoot on Apr 7, 2013 22:21:34 GMT -5
I will second that with Leather Up. Have dealt with them. Good phone service, prices and selection. Nice mesh jackets with all the protection you want...great for Summer. Helmets, gloves, boots........... www.leatherup.com/ |
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Post by skuttadawg on Apr 8, 2013 2:09:52 GMT -5
You can get a decent FF helmet like a GMax Platinum like mine for 100 or so as well as many others . Irs cheaper to buy a helmet than plastic surgery . I wiped out on a motorcycle running  MPH it tore up my leather coat and helmet and if I had not been wearing I would look even more skeery LOL . Wow an Arai for 40 bucks ? The faceshields cost 80 bucks and some Arais cost 900 . Only use a DOT helmet as if it does not have atag is a novelty helmet with little protection . A Snell certified helmet is much safer and better made but costs more than some can afford . My helmet is so snug its like its taylored for me . It does suck to put on my eyeglasses with a balaclava on as sometimes I wear glasses over glasses for sun and nightime with yellow tint . I also have fake Oakleys . A modular helmet you can put it on with your glasses on rather than needing to remove them as I do . I bought an oddbal brand modular at the flea market but it feels like its wimpy and would break on impact where a one piece would be much stronger . If you have the cash check out Shoei brand of helmets and make sure if you get a FF that it has plenty of vents as it gets unreal hot in the summer . I am wanting to get a 3/4 aviator style so I can breathe better with it as I have health issues and sometimes fog up the faceshield when its cold or humid even with antifog treatment . In the peak of summer its so hot that I am looking at skateboard helmets since they have way more vents and stronger than dorky bicycle foam helmets . I would prefer to buy from a B&M store so I can test fit a helmet instead of having to deal with a hasle of a return if needed . I like how mine has a snap instead of having to lace the D rings which come undone where a snap it stays together . When I was a pup forgot to fasten the chinstrap on my dirtbike and hit a bump causing the chin section to be in front of my eyes preventing me from seeing so I hit the brakes to fix it |
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Post by jeepsteve92xj on Apr 8, 2013 8:32:31 GMT -5
I hate getting a mile down the road and realizing that extra wind noise is the chin straps slapping the helmet cause I forgot to lace the D-rings.
I've never had D-rings come unlaced on their own. Snaps would be nice since I have a beard that can get cinched up in the chinstrap.
I always have some glasses on - HD safety sunglasses, or clear safety glasses. If the visor is getting fogged I can raise it and not have an issue with wind and debris in my eyes.
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Post by rockynv on Apr 8, 2013 22:25:59 GMT -5
Leather Up has a decent jacket the Xelement Silver Ignitor which provide good year round protection having a removable liner and CE Level 3 Armor including back protection. They have semi matching Xelement over pants for reasonable cost too. The includes the zippered attachement to secure the back of the jacket to the waist band of the pants to give you a wedgy er I mean to prevent the back of the jacket from riding up exposing your backside to the pavement in the event of a fall. Prices on the Xelement are better than most others for the protection they provide and the do have light colors more appropriate to hot summers/southern climates.
Cycle Gear has the better helmet exchange policy especially handy if you have a Cycle Gear store not too far from you. Their Bilt line of gear comes with a 5 year warranty while their Sedici gear is guaranteed for life. I bought a pair Sedici summer gloves when they were on sale for $30 and they should be the last pair I will have to pay for. When the 5 years is up on my Bilt winter gloves I will probably replace them with Sedici.
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MPH it tore up my leather coat and helmet and if I had not been wearing I would look even more skeery LOL . Wow an Arai for 40 bucks ? The faceshields cost 80 bucks and some Arais cost 900 . Only use a DOT helmet as if it does not have atag is a novelty helmet with little protection . A Snell certified helmet is much safer and better made but costs more than some can afford .