HELMET ADVICE

[someone]

I am new to riding and have just bought an LS2 flip up helmet, it fits my head quite well with no obvious pressure points, but it seems to be a bit tight around the chin. Is this something I need to be worried about, or will it be ok once the helmet has broken in?

 

The chin strap or the helmet padding? But yes to both.

The padding will compress because it is foam, and that is what it does. Whether that will be by enough to become comfortable depends on how too tight it is to start with. If it is bearable when tight then it should become okay.

On my helmet (Caberg Duke) I had to loosen strapping to the chin strap as much as possible to be able to fully engage the quick release connector. But over time even this has need tightening back up a little too.

[kingmunky]

I've always used HJC helmets and haven't had any issues - usually around the £200 mark so I'd expect the quality to be high anyway but I don't think I'd be comfortable spending any less. General helmet advice, spend as much as you can reasonably afford - it's the only thing protecting you from brain damage or death. I cringe when I see these £50 helmets on display, there's surely no way they can match the build quality of higher priced competitors.

This link, albeit two years old, gives you the 10 cheapest 5* SHARP rated helmets available, gives you an idea of what's available. I still wouldn't buy the cheapest ones though. https://www.visordown.com/motorcycle-top-10s/top-10-cheapest-5-star-sharp-helmets

 

They all conform to the same safety standards. The expensive ones just feel better quality and have nicer interiors and better quality visor mechanisms, and are typically lighter and last longer.

The 5year rule is a myth.

 

I wouldn't say it's a myth and just dismiss it like that, I mean, lids are plastic at the end of the day and plastic does break down and deteriorate due to exposure and UV rays over time so while most helmets, properly cared for, would last in excess of 5 years - would you really want to take the risk of one under-performing when you need it most? So many variables to take into account, I'd always feel better replacing than second guessing the condition.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

I have a Duke - not the Duke 2 version though. I'm happy with it. The mechanism for the flip front is solid and easy to use even wearing winter gloves. The pinlock certainly reduces misting though in really cold weather I crack the visor slightly at lights. I only wear plugs for motorways as I don't find it excessively noisy. I wear photochromic glasses so I don't use the sun visor that much but it's easy to slide down. Occasionally I've struggled to get it back up first time.

Edited June 19, 2018 by Mississippi Bullfrog

[Joeman]

 

They all conform to the same safety standards. The expensive ones just feel better quality and have nicer interiors and better quality visor mechanisms, and are typically lighter and last longer.

The 5year rule is a myth.

 

I wouldn't say it's a myth and just dismiss it like that, I mean, lids are plastic at the end of the day and plastic does break down and deteriorate due to exposure and UV rays over time so while most helmets, properly cared for, would last in excess of 5 years - would you really want to take the risk of one under-performing when you need it most? So many variables to take into account, I'd always feel better replacing than second guessing the condition.

 

Have a read of this from a guy who knows pretty much everything you need to know about motorbike safety gear..

https://www.themotorbikeforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=953836#p953836

 

 

But I still buy expensive helmets because I like the way they feel

[geofferz]

I do get the sharp thing. But Fort nine (who I respect immensely) destroy a lot of helmets and suggests that a kevlar / carbon fiber or mix is stronger and more abrasion resistant than polycarbonate or non-descript thermoplastic which I feel must be true. And that typically more expensive visors take more stone chips (simulated by bb pellets) than budget ones. I dunno.

[Bender]

I do get the sharp thing. But Fort nine (who I respect immensely) destroy a lot of helmets and suggests that a kevlar / carbon fiber or mix is stronger and more abrasion resistant than polycarbonate or non-descript thermoplastic which I feel must be true. And that typically more expensive visors take more stone chips (simulated by bb pellets) than budget ones. I dunno.

 

I think the difference with sharp is the impact testing data from inside the helmet where your head lives, I would agree an the kevlar/carbon would sustain more damage without snapping into large sections which thermo plastics will, they will also disperse and absorb impact where thermoplastic will just be bending

I would not rule out the sharp tests though, they have some expensive lids with very bad test data from side impacts especially.

[kingmunky]

 

They all conform to the same safety standards. The expensive ones just feel better quality and have nicer interiors and better quality visor mechanisms, and are typically lighter and last longer.

The 5year rule is a myth.

 

I wouldn't say it's a myth and just dismiss it like that, I mean, lids are plastic at the end of the day and plastic does break down and deteriorate due to exposure and UV rays over time so while most helmets, properly cared for, would last in excess of 5 years - would you really want to take the risk of one under-performing when you need it most? So many variables to take into account, I'd always feel better replacing than second guessing the condition.

 

Have a read of this from a guy who knows pretty much everything you need to know about motorbike safety gear..

https://www.themotorbikeforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=953836#p953836

SmartSelect_20180619-193205_Chrome.jpg

But I still buy expensive helmets because I like the way they feel

 

Yeah fair enough, that's just sitting in the open for 3 years though, not being used over the course of 5+ years like was mentioned. Not denying that helmets have gotten strides better over the years but if it's a polycarb helmet I still wouldn't feel as comfortable with using it beyond 5 years. Each to their own though, we all do what we think is necessary to keep our brains inside your skulls.

[someone]

I would agree an the kevlar/carbon would sustain more damage without snapping into large sections which thermo plastics will, they will also disperse and absorb impact where thermoplastic will just be bending

 

What is the difference between absorbing and bending?

[Guest]

My helmets are usually getting pretty tired after the 3-4 year mark anyway so I can't ever invisage running one longer than that. I'm as well getting a new one for the cost of replacing the visor or padding.

[Bender]

I would agree an the kevlar/carbon would sustain more damage without snapping into large sections which thermo plastics will, they will also disperse and absorb impact where thermoplastic will just be bending

 

What is the difference between absorbing and bending?

 

It can only bend so far till your head starts to take the pressure regardless of what is between you and the shell, carbon composites fracture and disperse the energy better over a greater area.

I have no issues with plastics I have one, but that's because I couldn't afford the carbon equivalent which was another 400 notes, I got the safest I could afford, when funds allow I will however be getting one.

[Gerontious]

This is one of those times where our former myth buster and authority on helmet safety, is sorely missed.

[Slowlycatchymonkey]

My helmet is a perfect fit on my head but always been too tight on my cheeks- yes I’m expecting some carry on comments for that sentence

Thing is it’s a year old and it’s still uncomfortable. I wondered if there’s a way to stretch it without stretching the rest of the helmet, any ideas? Or should I give up?

[JRH]

My helmet is a perfect fit on my head but always been too tight on my cheeks- yes I’m expecting some carry on comments for that sentence

Thing is it’s a year old and it’s still uncomfortable. I wondered if there’s a way to stretch it without stretching the rest of the helmet, any ideas? Or should I give up?

 

What helmet is it. Some makes e.g. shoei sell cheek pieces separately and in several sizes for each size of helmet to make the fit just right.

[Slowlycatchymonkey]

It’s a cheapish Frank Thomas and sadly the linings fixed

I wondered if some damp/wet newspaper and a bit of pressure might work?

[Joeman]

It’s a cheapish Frank Thomas and sadly the linings fixed

I wondered if some damp/wet newspaper and a bit of pressure might work?

 

Put a balloon inside and inflate it to squish the cheek pads. Leave it like that all the time youre not wearing it.

[Slowlycatchymonkey]

It’s a cheapish Frank Thomas and sadly the linings fixed

I wondered if some damp/wet newspaper and a bit of pressure might work?

 

Put a balloon inside and inflate it to squish the cheek pads. Leave it like that all the time youre not wearing it.

 

Worth a try thanks.