"Best" Helmet - and Kevlar Jeans...

[Deso27]

Ok post 2 - (after passing Mod 1 Friday)
When I get my own helmet - I want to get the best I can...I am sure there will be a lot of opinions - but looking for some/any strings do's and don'ts...Will be getting some for of cruiser bike - ie I am not a speed demon...and looking at everything open face, closed and flip (schuberth seems to continually crop up) - any recommendations appreciated...

Kevlar jeans - like the idea as opposed to leathers - and again anyone who has experienced the good or the bad please do offer up any advice...

Thank you guys/gals...

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Helmets, buy the one that fits you best. /thread.
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My Flickr

[Nash GT]

If you are going to spend half decent money on any gear put it on a helmet, get a good reputable brand and make sure is a good comfortable fit.

I'm not keen on open faced helmets but then again that's personal taste
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Suzuki GSF600N

[pinkyfloyd]

[MC]

The most expensive helmets aren't always the best, check out the SHARP website for a general idea (general as they don't test all models).

Only Kevlar jeans I've owned are Oxford K Jeans, they seem alright for £45, not crashed in them so dunno how well they hold up*

* kinda hoping I won't have to find out
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Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[notbike]

Use this when you're buying a helmet. inb4 helmets a helmet.

https://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

Regardless how much difference it makes, I'd rather it have 5 stars than 1, just for my peace of mind if anything else.


Edit: Fuuuuu MC beat me to it

[pinkyfloyd]

[MC]

I'd rather have a 5 star lid that fits than a 1 star lid that fits
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Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
Honda XR-125L '04

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[notbike]

Yeah course it's gotta fit lol but that was already said

[wr6133]

Kevlar jeans

Forceriders (£30) on eBay have CE armour and crash well (tested a few times this year). I wear these most of the time.

Draggin (100-160+) ones I have don't have CE armour. Kevlar is thicker than the cheap ones (probably thicker than needed), outer material is well made and stitched. I think though you are paying a lot for a label, I don't wear mine often.

Hornee (£100-ish) somewhere between Draggin and Forceriders in quality. My wife likes them as they do better female shaped cuts than Draggin.

Helmet - They all pass 22.05 so buy what you like and fits properly if that costs £40 or £200 it doesn't matter a whole lot. My skull is intact and I've never bounced off the ground in anything that cost more than £80.

[MC]

[pinkyfloyd]

SHARP do not just test for protection, they include comfort, noise reduction, lightness etc.

Added to that, every real crash is different, the SHARP test is generic, they run a helmet through a specific set of tests but it is no way near a real world test of a helmet. The only way to test how a helmet performs is to send it down the road with a head in it. Not by bouncing it off various surfaces or rubbing a sanding belt over it.

A 3 star helmet can gain an extra star for lightness, for noise reduction. Will that be better than a 4 star one that has lost a star because it is not as light or comfortable?

It's a minefield. Get one ECE22:05 rated and make sure it fits. I do not rate the star test and would not rely on it when it comes to choosing a helmet.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Doomsnite]

I'd go for a helmet with an internal sun visor if I was buying again... hate having to carry my sunnies round or wear them when its dull in the hope sun may pop out at some point... End up crushing them somewhere. Hoping Santa will get me one!
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Triumph Street Triple-R
Sold: Honda Hornet CB600F-Y / Yamaha YBR125

[MattEMulsion]

Buy a helmet that is primarily comfortable and fits, but generally speaking though the more you pay the better the helmet. Cheaper helmets tend to be heavier, more noisy and have less features such as vents etc.

As for kevlar jeans I have a pair of Redroutes, although I am not sure if they are still made now? Anyway I have no complaints with them at all.
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Yamaha YZF-R6

[Rogerborg]

[TallPaul_S]

[Val]

as all guys mention the good fit is important, in order to have perfect fit the shape of your head and the helmet insulation are very important.

Different people have differently shaped heads, mean more oval or more circle see here:

https://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-shapes.htm

I prefer:

MT Revenge Limited Evo Blue/White

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/108841

Note most of the jeans has kevlar only on few places for 360 degrees full coverage kevlar jeans I like John Doe Kamikaze

https://shop.ridejohndoe.com/uk/d2005-kamikaze-jeans-lightblue.html
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Adrian Monk: Unless I'm wrong, which, you know, I'm not...
Yamaha Fazer FZS 600, MT09, XSR 900

[Val]

[FlightRisk]

Regarding open face helmets: a large bumblebee has a surprising amount of heft at 40 mph. I know this from out on the bicycle. For this and other reasons I wouldn't recommend one on the motorbike if you value your face!

Similarly I wouldn't go for a flip-up lid as it's a weak point and what's the point in sticking a helmet on your head that has an inherent weak point?

Stick to the main brands like Shark, Arai, Shoei, HJC, AGV, Schuberth. (Any other good ones?)

Fit is key, it should be snug but not pressing in any areas because that will annoy the hell out of you after an hour or two and distract you.
Remember the padding will squish and loosen up after a little bit of use so go for the size that's snug and squishes your cheeks like a big leather clad hamster.
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Honda CB500S

[JP7]

[MattEMulsion]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[Ali in Austria]

Kevlar jeans are very appealing from a comfort perspective and on the ones I tested in anger the Kevlar did what it claimed to do. The downside not mentioned in the advertising blurb were the nasty friction burns I received as the Kevlar conducted the heat nicely to my skin.
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A Petrol Head in The Alps
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[Val]