Comments on: Old Man Update: Helmets

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 22:23:09 +0000

Mr. Riepe: I buy the expensive organic peanut butter, you know the kind, open the lid and there is an inch and a half of peanut oil you have to mix in before you can spread it on your toast.

And I buy Oscar Meyer hot dogs too. Only the best.

Just so you don't feel too bad -- I'm 6'3" and 200 pounds and my doctor is telling be the same thing. The world has weight issues.

If I do dump the scooter on the ground I will consider titling the post "Just to Make Riepe Happy".

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 22:19:54 +0000

Aurelio: I've never tried a flip up. Somewhere in my head I have convinced myself their safety rating isn't as good as a full face helmet. Is that true?

Conchscooter: I went into the dealership with HJC on my mind. I had read a review of helmets and an HJC was the second best rated helmet of 20 reviewed.

But I am happy with my Shoei.

And I am so glad I can make you feel like a rebel. Makes owning the Triumph that much richer.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 22:16:49 +0000

Orin: I wasn't too upset that the helmet cracked because, as you point out, it was past it's expiration date.

Just came back from a cold, windy ride and the breath guard continues to be amazing.

Chip: The Shoei is snug. I tried the next size bigger but it was too lose. The proper size pushes my cheeks in!

By: Jack Riepe

Jack Riepe — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 04:27:47 +0000

Dear Steve:

After reading this post I have determined you probably buy the cheapest brand of peanut butter too. I have been experiencing increased back pain, and was ready to point the finger at the weight of my Nolan helmet. So I brought it to my orthopedic guy and asked his opinion. He dragged me to a mirror in his office, pointed at my ass and said, "Shave 140 pounds off that and say good-bye to back pain."

I got the best sales pitch for a Nolan helmet. I slammed my head into a car hood, and then the ground. The helmet didn't crack. I walked into my dealer's and said, "I'll have another Nolan, please."

I must confess I thought you wrre going to say you dumped the bike when I saw the helmet on the ground.

It's a great motorcycle blog that ends with, "So I spent more money," as opposed to "When the ambulance finally arrived..."

Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads

By: Conchscooter

Conchscooter — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:52:16 +0000

I love reading about your carefully considered riding life. You make me feel like a wild, cavalier rebel with my HJC Korean internet purchases.

By: Aurelio

Aurelio — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:56:07 +0000

For those who of us who prefer a flip up, the AGV Miglia sports the same weight as the Qwest with excellent fit and finish, not much more road noise and it costs considerably less. Also, I’ve yet to have it fog up in the colder weather.

By: Chip

Chip — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 13:29:03 +0000

Coincidentally, the Shoei Qwest has been getting rave reviews over here in Europe. I’ve tried one on myself really like the Shoei’s snug fit. The fact that it stayed fog-free for you in that weather is convincing me even more to get one.

I might just “accidentally” drop my helmet one of these days…

By: Orin

Orin — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 02:12:37 +0000

A 5-year-old helmet would be due for replacement in any case. The materials helmets are made from get, for lack of a better term, stale. Less able to absorb impacts.

In my racing days I wore Shoeis. At the time they were a "value" brand, being much less expensive than the Simpson and Bell helmets most people used.

I like the breath guard. "Fog-free visor" is a phrase right up there with "I love you," "the check is in the mail," and "it's on back-order." I want my next full-face helmet to have one.

__Orin
Scootin' Old Skool

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:27:11 +0000

RichardM: I didn't really think the breath guard would work but was thrilled that the guard and accompanying ventilation features of the helmet worked perfectly.

I used to hold my breath at stops to keep from fogging up and when it is really cold when I would crack the visor open I would often get ice inside.

So here's hoping the Shoei has solved most if not all of that nonsense.

By: RichardM

RichardM — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 23:24:17 +0000

Not having the visor fog up would be great. In colder weather, I end up riding with the visor cracked open all the time to clear the fog. I looked at several Shoei models last summer but wasn't really in the market for a new one.

Richard