lrd@druri.UUCP (05/02/84)
A couple of thoughts on the current helmet discussion in this group...
For those of you who (like me) need a resolution to the conflict
imposed by the desire to gain the protection of a full face helmet,
but have to struggle with eyeglasses, check out the BMW system helmet
at your local BMW dealer. Not cheap (list ~$185), but less than many
other premium helmets and discounts are available at some dealers.
The entire faceplate of this helmet is hinged, so the helmet is put on
and taken off in the same manner as an open-face helmet, without the
need to remove your glasses. Once on, the faceplate swings down and
locks into position. The visor ("windshield") then operates as in any
full-face helmet, but easier than most -- one hand moves the visor to
any of several positions where it is held in place by a ratchet
mechanism. There are a couple of poitions that allow for fairly
complete weather protection with small amounts of air flow to minimize
fogging. There are removable things that velcro around the neck
opening, front and rear, to allow you to seal the helmet for cold
weather riding, or increase ventilation for hot weather. The entire
faceplate is removable, and accessories are available to convert the
helmet into an off-road configuration, or it can be used as an open
face helmet. I would advise against mail-order until you have tried
one on; the sizes tend to run a little on the small size, but there is
a very wide range of sizes available (hat sizes, as opposed to S, M, L).
A word (or several) about helmet standards (I am an instructor,
certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, and I keep up to date on
new developments in this field). The DOT standards were updated not
too long ago, and require more stringent tests than before the change.
Effective January 1, 1981, all helmets sold for road use in this
country must now pass these tests, and must bear, in a legible manner,
the month and year of manufacture. Other standards (ANSII, Snell,
etc.) are optional. I would not hesitate to trust my life to a helmet
meeting the new DOT requirements. Snell has been updated from Snell-75
to Snell-80. I called the Snell Foundation and spoke to Dr. George
Snively (shortly before his death) and inquired about the differences
between the 75 and 80 standards. The 80 has a test for jaw protection
on full-face helmets, a flame retardant test, and an additional impact
test with a device shaped like the roll bar in a car; the differences
are more significant to auto racers than to motorcyclists. The major
factor in accident survival is NOT which standards the helmet meets
(assuming that all current helmets meet DOT standards), but whether or
not you are wearing a helmet.
If the above statement is true, what does increased cost get for you?
Not significantly more protection -- that is generally agreed upon by
the experts. Your extra bucks will buy one or more of the following:
Possible better fit. The more expensive helmets generally are
manufactured in finer gradations of sizes (6 7/8, 7, 7 1/8,...) instead
of just S, M, L...
Comfort. Plusher lining materials, more comfort padding, etc.
Convenience features. Visor latching mechanism, ease of visor
replacement, better buckle or D-ring arrangement, anti-fog features,
etc.
Looks. Quality of finish, graphics, color choice, etc.
A caution -- if you are going to custom decorate your helmet, and if
the helmet shell is one of the heat injection molded plastics (such as
most Navas, for example), be SURE that the paint you are using, or the
adhesive on the decals or reflective tape is safe for that type of
plastic and is not of the type that will cause the bonding agents in
the helmet shell to break down. Nava, for one, sells a line of paints
that are safe for any helmet. This caution does not apply to the type
of shell construction that consists of woven layers with a bonding
agent -- "fiberglass" or Kevlar types (fiberglass and Kevlar are
registered trademarks) such as used by Bell, Simpson, and other
manufacturers.
Ride Safe
L. R. DuBroff
...ihnp4!druri!lrdrusty@sdccsu3.UUCP (Rusty Wright) (05/14/84)
another thing for us hapless four-eyed saps to consider when dealing with helmets and eyeglasses is to buy an extra set of glasses that can be easily put on and removed with the helmet on. the disadvantages are (1) the additional cost of the extra glasses, (2) i've never had any glasses that optically matched my other glasses when they were both the same prescription. maybe it is more difficult to do them "right" when they are dealing with the coke-bottle bottoms i have to wear.