Both Lucky and Red mentioned helmets recently, and it reminded me of something I go through every spring: The search for the perfect helmet. Currently I have a basic black no-frills Bieffe full-face as my cold weather/long distance helmet, and an even more basic M2R half helmet as my around-town lid. I'm not crazy about the M2R, I bought it because it was the cheapest thing in the shop at the time, and the Bieffe has seen better days (especially after I loaned it to Adam when we went kart racing, and he chucked it across the room during a shouting match with an official regarding "excessive contact".) The problem is twofold: I can't decide on a style (I don't like the lack of protection half helmets offer my oh-so-pretty face, but I feel claustrophobic in full-face helmets) and two, I'm cheap (have you seen the prices on some of these things?!?) But, here are the ones currently being considered:
Simpson Outlaw Bandit
-Probably my favorite as far as looks go, the main drawback is price: $400+ for one of these. Needless to say, that's not gonna happen. However, it is the closest I can get to the coolest helmet of all time:
-Another alternative I found lately are Craft Helmets, which have the look of the Outlaw, and are offered in more finishes:
Craft RX-6
Craft RXX-3
-These are a little more reasonable, at around $250 apiece. Still a bit pricey for me, and I like to try helmets on before buying, and they are almost impossible to find in the states (apparently they are big in Europe, but anyone willing to ship to the USA wants almost $100 shipping).
KBC Wolf
-The KBC Wolf is another contender, especially since you can find them for around a hundred bucks since they are being closed out. The main problem is that I like the "Black Chrome" finish the most, and of course that one is impossible to find. Also, I would have to buy a mirrored visor for it, so that's another $40. The sad thing is I used to have one of these - my parents won one as a door prize at a bike show and gave it to me. I had several newer helmets at the time and needed the cash, so I sold it on eBay.
Nolan N42
-The Nolan N42 is the only open-face model I've come across that is in the running. It's decent looking, and the separate tinted visor is a nice touch - it could solve the problem I have with the glasses/contacts issue (I don't have prescription sunglasses, so if I know I'm going to be on the bike all day I'll wear contacts, but I don't care for them.) I have goggles that fit over my glasses, but they tend to fog up and look stupid. (I'm due for an eye exam, maybe I'll just spring for a set of prescription goggles and be done with it).
The likely conclusion is that I won't buy any of these, unless I get an amazing tax return or find a killer deal somewhere. Anyone who has any experience/opinions with any of these of any others you think I'd like, speak up...
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6 comments:
I got a M2R full face (MR11 model) for $90. It's a good lid for the price. But it is made for people with skinny faces, same thing with Euro helmets it seems. My friend just got a Davida Lunar flip-up helmet but he had to pay big $$$ for shipping. It's a damn nice lid though. Lazer has some cool lids to but once again, they're from Europe.
Another cool helmet you might like is the Simpson GS3-MX w/visor. It's techincally a dual sport helmet but it reminds me of a storm trooper.
http://www.onewheeldrive.net/images/stories/Products/Annoncements/SimpsonHelmets/SimpsonGS3-MX.jpg
here you go!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Star-Wars-Tie-Fighter-Deluxe-Helmet_W0QQitemZ6617692189QQcategoryZ99970QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
maybe you could put a pudding bowl style helmet inside of it!
Whoa, that Simpson is pretty cool - the white would even match my bike. I know some pretty talented airbrush artists here in town, I'm betting that if I took a Craft or a Outlaw to them they could make it look pretty close...
I've got a Shoei... something or other. I love it.
Lady Luck just got an HJC that's a whole lot like the Nolan. It was only $70, and she likes it a lot.
Buy a helmet that is 1)safe 2)comfortable 3)quiet 4)well-vented 5)cool looking 6)in your price range. In that order. You can find killer deals if you get last years flavor of the month. I have a Rossi rep AGV X-vent which is the all time #1 poser helmet but it is safe quiet and very cool when all the vents are open. I got it on a close out. It's my 2nd AGV and despite the Rossi paint it's a very good helmet. Check out the Snell foundation btw.
Hey man, check out the Roof Boxer V. It's hands down the coolest looking helmet on the planet, and you can ride with the face open if you like. It's big $, but well worth it.
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