Helmet Preference

[snuffcityrider]

And, they're off! lol

Time for a group hug.

 

[RoadVenture]

Scorpion EXO-700

I use a full face at this time it is a Scorpion EXO-700. I think they have a newer version of the same helmet out now with a "new and improved price" (i.e.: higher)

 

[Paul Hyland]

Kbc

You can see it in my album, I'm one of those guy's who lived In a mandatory state and grew up knowing you have to were a helmet and every time I saw someone without one I would ask myself why would you ever ride without one.
But know that I live in a you chose to live or die state I'm one of those fools you see without one most the time. I know it's not excuse but the heat is so bad down here I just can't stand wearing one. I see guys in full leathers and full face helmets on a 98 degree day and can not see how they do it.

The only time I where a helmet is to and from work and road trips were I have to get on a major highway.

 

[wilbur-t]

I wear a Vega modular in the cold and have switched to a full open face from a 1/2 helmet for hot weather. Keep the snap on shield with me for rain. After being cut on seven times in the last 2 months for pre-melanoma spots, including 3 times on my right ear, I'm keeping my ears out of the sun from now on. I also have an old leather jacket that I cut all the lining and pockets out of for more ventilation, and I now wear it always, even in 98 degree heat.

 

[3ngin33r1]

Personally I'm more comfortable with a helmet that meets current Euro standards than one that has Snell certification.

When around town (35MPH average) I wear a half shell. If I'm going to hit the interstates, I wear a Simpson Outlaw Bandit.



The US version meets DOT and Snell, if euro standards are your preference, the euro version meets all 3 standards. Only difference in the design between the US and Euro versions (as far as I can tell) is the Euro version has a larger visor opening, does not have the anti-buffeting at the top and it's called the ECE Bandit. There is a ECE Super bandit version that has added ventilation.

The US Outlaw Bandit does not meet ECE standards and is not legal for road use in Europe. As far as I know, the only reason is because of the visor opening, not impact test results.

I love my Simpson helmet. It was hard to find anyone local that carried them, which I don't understand, Simpson is a US company but they carry foreign made helmets that cost the same or more than any Simpson model. I walked into several shops and they had never even heard of Simpson (does no one watch auto racing anymore?)

I had to go to an auto racing supplier (who knew exactly who Simpson was) to try on their helmets and figure out the sizing then I ordered it online from Tiger Tom Pistone for just under $500 with 2 visors (clear and smoked) and a zippered carrying bag.

My previous helmet was a Shoei X-Eleven. I loved it but like all Shoei helmets I've owned in the past, it fogged up easily. The Simpson only fogs up in heavy rain. In any other weather, I can wear it all day long and it's as comfortable as can be with no fogging. This is most likely due to the design of the chin area of the helmet protruding out further than other "normal" round or oval shaped, smooth front helmets. I guess that's why The Stig can wear his Simpson Diamondback all the time...

The helmet is big, bigger than any other helmet I've worn. It's packed full of foam and padding. Side by side with the X-Eleven on a table, it is noticeably larger but weighs very little. It was surprising when I first put it on that something so large weighed so little.

I have little to no buffeting with this helmet and the first time I turned my head at freeway speed to do a lane change, I tightened my neck muscles in anticipation of the air blast but there was nothing.

The straps are high quality and easy to take on and off with gloves on. My only complaint is that there is no snap to hold the tail of the strap once you have it on and it just hangs, flopping in the breeze. Only reason I can see why they had no snap was so they wouldn't compromise the integrity of the strap by putting a riveted snap through through the middle of it but there are other ways they could have taken care of that problem.

The visor clips down and it stays down. There is a single tab on the visor that goes over a pin on the front of the helmet, locking it. Opening the visor isn't that hard but it did take some getting used to. The downside is that you can't easily crack it open if you get hot and there's not an in between setting, it's either locked down, or up, sort of, it doesn't like to stay up on its own and wants to be closed. This could be annoying in hotter climates as the only ventilation is in the chin. It will rest on the pin though leaving a 1/2" gap for added fresh air but a big front gust could flip the visor all the way up.

As I mentioned, when it's hot, the helmet is hot if you're not moving. Stop and go is a ***** if heat gets to you easily. This is probably why they built the ECE Super Bandit but that helmet is not available state side directly from Simpson.

They also have half shells and 3/4 shells and a couple of other full face helmets. I would definitely check out Simpson if you're in the market for a new lid.

Simpson Helmets

Scroll down to the bottom of the page, most of their helmets are for auto racing, the motorcycle versions are at the bottom above the pole vaulting helmet (no clue).

It doesn't have all the whiz-bang features that a lot of full face helmets have, no vents in the back of your head or clips and snaps or moving parts. The only thing that moves or can be adjusted is the visor. When I first looked at the visor, I thought my vision would be impaired but I feel that I have the same, if not more visibility than I did in the X-Eleven.

All helmets have their pros and cons but this Simpson is the only one I actually feel the safest wearing.

 

[fastfreight]

Caberg dealer?

"I found a dealer in MD (I think) and I had them ship me two sizes of the same Caberg model. Yea, they charged my credit card for both, but I turned the second one that didn't fit around the day I got it and my card was credited before the billing cycle flipped."

Greenbaron, do you still have the name of that Caberg dealer? Info I found on the net said their U.S. distributor went TU and no one has them anymore. I owned one when it was called Jarow and I really liked it, especially the internal sun visor, which is very useful for local riding conditions. I see others have that feature now too.

 

[Pig9r]

I had this one by Givi on my list for when it's time for replacement.

Givi X.01 Helmet - webBikeWorld

 

[damaged]

Most deaths on a MC happen at around 27 mph...My hat is full face all the time, I cant control the cagers at any speed.

 

[goodfellow]

yes, I agree...

Damaged said:" I cant control the cagers at any speed."

now,ain't that the truth ?!!!!! cagers can be maniacs at any time......


greg

 

[RocketDaryl]

we defy tHE CAGERs! we defY THE CAGERS! WE DEFY THE CAGERS!