 What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 46
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 46 |
Ive been told to only buy the full helmets since i am literally just starting to ride. But I really like the the half helmets too. I wouldn't ride on the highway for a while so Im not really as worried about high speed bug collisions.
But at the same time I want to be safe, what do you recommend?
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
There is little doubt that a full face helmet provides better protection in a crash, low speed or otherwise. But there are peripheal arguments dealing with impaired vision, hearing and heat. My reccomendation is to wear a full helmet the first year you ride. And for God's sake, wear some protective clothing also. A helmet will protect your head, but you'll wish it didn't if you get the kind of road rash that is possible wearing shorts and t shirt. 80% of all cycle accidents happen the first year of riding. After your first year, try a half shell if you want. And your'e always going to want another helmet for somebody else somewhere down the line anyway. By the way, I have spent the most of 30 years riding without a helmet, but never advocated it. I wear a half shell now, because of the comfort level for me.Good luck to ya!
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 244
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 244 |
I would go with the full face as well. The field of vision is excellent and I find you can hear better with out all the wind noise in your ear. Something to consider is a modular - Shark Evoline, Nolan, HJC, etc all make helmets that you can pull up to talk or even cool yourself. The evoline is interesting in that you can pull it all the way back and ride with it open, something that you can not do with other modulars. Wear your gear and take a safety course if you can. It will illuminate the responsibility you now have for you your own skin. Something the cagers will not do for you.
05 BA, Goodwood Green, Chevy605 pipes , ai removed, Freak kit, K&N pods, 145 main/42 pilot / 3 turns out, bags and screen
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 14
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 14 |
I bought a Shark helmet - Evoline. The cool thing is that it has both - full faced and half- aka flip-up helmets.
Maybe it is not the real feeling riding a Triumph, but you have both options
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,459 Likes: 1
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,459 Likes: 1 |
I would go full face, and you dont need to be going that fast to get a bug or some dirt in your eye, most important is that it fits your head, different makes have different fitting.
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 95
Member
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Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 95 |
The HJC Sytec full face has an internal sun visor. I have one and like it.Also wear earplugs. The wind noise will damage your ears. I wear textile padded Kevlar pants jackets and padded gauntlet gloves. I wear Johnny Rocket breatable pants and a mesh jacket that has liners you can take out for summer.I have a Triumph Integra and another top brand. Leather is too hot. Never ride unprotected..Google motorcycle cornering for some excellent free basics online.
2008 BA, Ageon Blue, roadster shield, light bar. tach, big bags, square engine guard, short sissy with rack. All Triumph parts. No mods.
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 147
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 147 |
I bought this one and have been very pleased.  http://www.hjchelmets.com/prdc_fs3.htmIt came with a flip-up faceshield (which I use) and the detachable visor.
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 497
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 497 |
I went full face and still prefer them most of the time. I recommend buying
a set of ear plugs too. Be it full face or half shell wind noise hits nearly
100 decibels and I for one want to be able to hear as I grow older.
Last edited by Rev; 07/13/2009 1:58 PM.
If there's nothing wrong with me,
maybe there's something wrong with the universe!
-Dr. Crusher
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,689 Likes: 21
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,689 Likes: 21 |
Get a cheap helmet so you don't damage a good one when you fall off. Nothing more aggravating that digging holes in a high $ helmet.
Get DOT get what you like. 1/2 helmets work just fine. There is absolutely no well premised empirical data to determine fatality rates per helmet style. Snell IMHO is way to hard and will rattle your brain while breaking your neck. I would stay DOT.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
I went full face and still prefer them most of the time. I recommend buying
a set of ear plugs too. Be it full face or half shell wind noise hits nearly
100 decibels and I for one want to be able to hear as I grow older.
........WHAT?
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
Get one that fits snug and one you will wear. I have a 1/2 helmet I wear most of the time but have a HJC 3/4 shield with pop up tinted visor for traveling and wintertime.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
I went full face and still prefer them most of the time. I recommend buying
a set of ear plugs too. Be it full face or half shell wind noise hits nearly
100 decibels and I for one want to be able to hear as I grow older.
Then I got to thinkin' no... no, I WANT to be able to hear stuff out there. That's a BIG part of staying safe. Ear plugs inside an enclosed helmet is IMHO not a great idea.
Psst! It's pretty quiet in there... Didja hear me? Hello... anybody in there?
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,610
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,610 |
Ear plugs in a full face helmet make a ride much more comfortable for me - cuts out just enough wind noise. Have not had a problem hearing anything so far.....
Stewart
.......
"It's outside your field of expertise."
"Poppycock normally is."
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 529
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 529 |
Full face all the way. Zero problems. Nothing more to say.
2005 America, green/gray, gutted stock pipes, tall sissy bar w/ luggage rack, Saddleman's dual touring seat and Tourmaster saddlebags (and sissybar bag).
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,500
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,500 |
Somebody said half-helmets work just fine, and it's true for the parts of the head they cover. There is a pretty important piece of your head that remains out there to get crushed, scaraped, and peeled from the skull!  I saw a head injury map posted on another forum that mapped where motorcyle related head injuries occured. I can't find it now, but a very large pertage of the injuries (30-40% maybe) occured in the areas of the chin, jaw, and nose.  Lot's of guys have ridden for years with no helmet at all, and are still here to tell us about, but why would you chance it especially if you are new to riding? 
Learning from my mistakes... again and again.
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,537 |
My vote is 3/4 helmet. I rode with a 1/2 helmet for several years, than bought a Scorpion EXO-200. I gave away the 1/2 helmet, it felt like a bobblehead and I like the lack of windnoise. These style have the option of a full shield for cooler weather. And of course they are much safer. Quote:
I bought this one and have been very pleased.
http://www.hjchelmets.com/prdc_fs3.htm
It came with a flip-up faceshield (which I use) and the detachable visor.
Al
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,883
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,883 |
Quote:
Somebody said half-helmets work just fine, and it's true for the parts of the head they cover. There is a pretty important piece of your head that remains out there to get crushed, scaraped, and peeled from the skull!
+1 to that. Fullface is the only way to go in my opinion. I love the look of the half helmets, but I like my nose and jaw.
Maybe that makes me
~Brent
~Brent
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"Nothing you can be is more terrible than what I am." ~ 2007 Black Speedmaster!!
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,362 |
If you're asking "What sort of helmet?" the best answer is "How much of your head do you want to protect?" If you don't like your head, don't wear one at all and chances are you'll have a whole new and interesting head to keep you entertained sooner or later.
As Astaren pointed out a helmet's useless if you've ripped the skin off your hands and can't remove the helmet, or taken a foot off and can't walk over to pick it up again. Jacket, jeans (you can get jeans with kevlar in them from bike shops), boots with ankle support, and gloves all make sense.
There's folks who'll decide you're uncool for wearing protective gear, but you'll look a lot cooler than them when they're all stitched back together, missing a few bits, and eating their steak through a straw.
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 Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
I always liked full-face helmets. They help you keep your teeth. 
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
I agree with Satxron. Buy a medium priced half helmet, DOT approved. Observation is most important for a beginner and full helmets can limit periferal vision, you don't need the distraction. If you decide on a full helmet in the future shop around, make sure it fits correctly, is comfortable and you don't have to turn your head 180 degrees to see behind you. A ill fitting full helmet with poor vision is a distraction and will wear you out. You won't wear it and is a waste of $.
If you are handsome like me and Satxron chics will appreciate a half helmet.
Seriously, welcome to the club, pay attention and be safe.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240
Oil Expert
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Oil Expert
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,240 |
Quote:
Ive been told to only buy the full helmets since i am literally just starting to ride. But I really like the the half helmets too. I wouldn't ride on the highway for a while so Im not really as worried about high speed bug collisions.
But at the same time I want to be safe, what do you recommend?
A full face helmet is a lot more than just a crash helmet. It is a "system" that provides the crash protection, as well as eye protection, but even more importantly - weather protection.
You get a much better sense/feeling of security wearing the
full face that is going to have a way positive effect on
your confidence in your own riding ability. None of us want to feel "too comfortable" out there, but the more comfortable you are - the more secure you are in knowing that you have one less thing to worry about - the better you are going to ride, and the fewer mistakes you are going to make on the road.
I can ride confidently in the rain, or even in a cloud of dust blown up unexpectedly from the wind or a car ahead....because my full face protects me.
Field of vision (peripheral) should not be limited with a well-fitting high quality helmet.
I would encourage you to hit the highway, too. Do not be afraid. Hit a good road for a nice ride in the country, and get comfortabke riding! You can't just say your not going to do it - things happen, and you may find yourself having to ride at highway speeds even though you did not intend to! Be ready!
That full face helmet that I bought with my bike was one of the most important decisions I ever made. That, and riding 90 miles and back to see my Dad on Father's Day the first weekend I had the bike. I got caught in the rain after back on the Houston I-610 Loop on the way home that very afternoon, and while traffic had slowed to a crawl, a cager tried to get in my lane with me, in the rain, and I had to ride the lane divider line to keep from getting hit or hitting the car next to me in the other lane. All with about 300 miles on the new bike!
I credited the helmet right then with allowing me to be able to concentrate on riding, and not having to worry about rain in my face, or rain in my eyes, avoiding tragedy.
You'll never learn how to swim without jumping into the pool.
Ride safe! And welcome to the Club!
Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
A good modular helmet that won't break the bank at $125 delivered http://www.compacc.com/p.cfm/c/1201002/p/14035Extra shields cost $20 I've had one for 3 years. No complaints. Is it as lush, protective, quiet and comfortable as a $500 helmet? Not likely, but it's good 'nuff for a po' boy like me.
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 46
Greenhorn
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OP
Greenhorn
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 46 |
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,726 |
Scorpion makes a great helmet and that is a very good price - best I've seen for that helmet. I checked out the EXO200 as I was looking for a 3/4 shield helmet. I ended up buying the HJC with the inner sun visor primarily because it fit my head a little better. They are popular helmets so I would go somewhere and try on before buying.
Bob
2005 America, 904cc - sold. 2014 Trophy SE.
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 95
Member
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Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 95 |
I love my HJC full face non modular with the inner visor. Put the 1 inch dark band at the top of the visor. You can tolerate a low sun then.
2008 BA, Ageon Blue, roadster shield, light bar. tach, big bags, square engine guard, short sissy with rack. All Triumph parts. No mods.
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 170
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 170 |
My opinion is wear one if you arent willing to take the risk of dying. But then again, riding is a risk. You take all the precautions that you want, it is your choice. My choice is none or a half non-DOT helmet, but that is my choice and my risk to accept. There are arguments for both sides, all valid. It is a question of how you want to ride and feel.
Today is Thank a Soldier Day. Please celebrate all day long.
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
My argument in such situations is.... why temp fate?
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5
Complete Newb
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Complete Newb
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5 |
After wearing a Bell Mag8 and an AGV Blade I bought a Shoei J Wing. It is a night a day difference. It is exceptionaly quite compared to the other two and also very light and comfortable. Be prepared for some sticker shock at a little north of 300, but very well worth the money IMO.
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
Try this one.I bought a Z1R helmet earlier this year to replace my Icon that performed so brilliantly in my crash this past January. Motorcyclist magazine did a helmet comparison test and Z1R helmets transferred the least amount of G-force to the head of any helmet tested. Even Arai and Shoei! And the price is around $100. Fit and comfort are great. 
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,630 Likes: 7 |
The only drawbacks to the full helmets (I have a flip front modular) are that in summer they can get a bit warm, they may fog up a bit when it's cold and the sound is deafening when I start yelling at the idiots on the road  The advantages are that they give you superior protection from bugs, rocks etc, they are warmer in cold weather, they give you improved protection in a crash and the cagers have a difficult time hearing what you're saying about them. Vision is not really a factor, I have excellent peripheral vision and it doesn't bother me at all. I can still hear the others on the road (except for those D*@n hybrids) Plus I covered mine in reflective tape so it really lights up at night.
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,689 Likes: 21
Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 7,689 Likes: 21 |
As a beginner you should not wear one. If you fall off, you will scratch it up. Any DOT that is comfortable for you. Helmet opinions are so varied there is no right answer. A full faced helmet will be safer for you.
I try to aggravate one person a day. Today may be your day.
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 Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 67
Member
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Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 67 |
Depends on how good you look and how you would like to look after the fall
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 734
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 734 |
Who ever told you full face is wise.
Pretty simple IMHO, in case of a fall, I WANT MY TEETH. 35% of helmet hits are in the lower chin area.
Plus Full Helmets make riding so much more enjoyable (bugs, wind, etc.). The Scorpion's you mentioned are nice. Find it locally and try it on first.
---------------------
- 2007 Triumph Tiger
- 1982 Yamaha xj650 Magnum
- Previous 2004 Triumph America
- Previous 1973 Triumph Bonneville T140V 750cc
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Re: What helmet should I get as a beginner?
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8
New Tires
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New Tires
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,028 Likes: 8 |
This is interesting, I just wonder how many of us commenting have both a full face or open face or half helmet or two or all the above and why?
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken
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