Literally Streetwear: Motorcycle Helmets (recs please)

[b99flick]

I recently bought a 650 Vstar Custom (chrome and black) and now need a helmet. I think I want either full face or modular for protection, as I have a hard time seeing a half helmet doing a great job protecting the head, neck, face etc. I know that they pass DOT, but still...

I am thinking somewhere in the lower- middle price range. Perhaps something like the Scorpion EXO-400. I have heard good things about their Everclear faceshields. Please share your helmet experiences. Thanks, -B

 

[onion]

Check out Borsalino helmets. They are an Italian hat company who make vintage inspired helmets. I like this one personally:

 

[Marcus Brody]

I've had two low-medium priced modular helmets. The first was a Fulmer, which I never wore too much. What I have now is this Seven Zero Seven modular. It was about $200 on sale and I rather like it. There's a decent amount of wind noise at speed but not too bad. Ventilation seems to be adequate if not spectacular. I haven't spent much time in expensive helmets, though, so I can't give a comparison.

 

[Busa Dave]

There are two kinds of riders those that have gone down and those that are going down. Buy the best because when you need one to save your skull only the best will do!! Wear leather as well preferably with armor.

 

[Marcus Brody]

Also, those Borsalino helmets are awesome, and less expensive ($265) than I imagined. I wonder where I could find one to try on...

Edit: I just called their NYC showroom and found out they aren't sold (or approved for sale) in the US.

 

[kiya]

Don't wear anything but a full face helmet.
I highly recommend Shark, it's a French company and is the fastest growing helmet company in the world beating out all the others in recent tests.
Their new Evo-Line is insane, all the convenience of a modular helmet but with the safety of a non-mod.

 

[Ludeykrus]

For when one is serious about streetwear...

 

[Marcus Brody]

Originally Posted by kiya

Don't wear anything but a full face helmet.
I highly recommend Shark, it's a French company and is the fastest growing helmet company in the world beating out all the others in recent tests.
Their new Evo-Line is insane, all the convenience of a modular helmet but with the safety of a non-mod.

What gives it the convenience of a modular?

 

[alexwgoody]

didn't Margiela do a collab. with some helmet designer? That would be cool to look at.

 

[Renault78law]

I love the MOMO Design helmets. The Borsalino is sweet too. Don't know if they are DOT approved, but they are certainly sold here, I've seen some on the street. Don't worry too much about the DOT approval, so long as it passes the European standard.

What city do you live in and what kind of riding do you plan on doing? I wore a full face helmet but would consider less protection if I were just putting around the city.

edit: MOMO apparently make full face helmets too, though I have never seen one. Worth looking into, they make the coolest looking helmets I've seen, and they're not the Ricky Racer aesthetic.

 

[lowrider]

Bottom line: it's all about the fit. Everyone's head shape is different and what fits me well may not fit you. Go to a local motorcycle shop and try on every brand. Oh yeah, I've crashed 5 bikes and have always messed up the front of my helmet. Get a full face only.

I say go with Arai or Shoei as I'm sure between them you'll find a helmet that fits you well.

 

[onion]

Originally Posted by Renault78law

The Borsalino is sweet too. Don't know if they are DOT approved, but they are certainly sold here, I've seen some on the street. Don't worry too much about the DOT approval, so long as it passes the European standard.

I'm not sure if they are DOT approved or not. I am positive however, they meet European standards.

 

[CharlieAngel]

1) www.newenough.com is your friend
2) **** "fashion": This is your head and your face. Google motorcycle accidents, half-face, etc. Don't **** with this. Once you see a picture of someone wearing a half-helmet face sliding across the highway (or, rather, what's left), you'll see what I'm talking about.

Having said that, I have 2 helmets, both "cheap" HJCs: 1 is a flat matte black full-face that is great looking (and matches my flat black bike), but I can't wear my glasses with them (can't wear contacts, either). The other is a flip-up helmet, and it's gloss black. If it were flat black, I'd be happier, but thems the breaks.

I'm a flat black and earthtones kinda guy. I'd love to see a full-face similar to the brown vintage leather above, although I think it has the potential to be a disaster.

 

[b99flick]

Originally Posted by Renault78law

I love the MOMO Design helmets. The Borsalino is sweet too. Don't know if they are DOT approved, but they are certainly sold here, I've seen some on the street. Don't worry too much about the DOT approval, so long as it passes the European standard.

What city do you live in and what kind of riding do you plan on doing? I wore a full face helmet but would consider less protection if I were just putting around the city.

edit: MOMO apparently make full face helmets too, though I have never seen one. Worth looking into, they make the coolest looking helmets I've seen, and they're not the Ricky Racer aesthetic.

After posting I realized that I forgot to post my location-- I'm in Texas, so riding conditions are, at the moment, hot and humid as you would suspect 50 miles in off the Gulf. I do like that Shark Evoline and the Seven Zero Seven modular. If they ops of these helmets can share the air flow of the helmet's venting system, that would be a great help.

 

[Marcus Brody]

Originally Posted by b99flick

After posting I realized that I forgot to post my location-- I'm in Texas, so riding conditions are, at the moment, hot and humid as you would suspect 50 miles in off the Gulf. I do like that Shark Evoline and the Seven Zero Seven modular. If they ops of these helmets can share the air flow of the helmet's venting system, that would be a great help.

I have the Seven Zero Seven modular and the airflow seems good, if not great. I lift the shield up about a centimeter (one click) and that makes it very good. It hasn't gotten Texas hot here yet, though. I haven't used a real high end helmet to compare it to, but I've yet to be hot this summer (aside from sitting in traffic).