Helmet Fitting
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
I think that the truth is, unless you are in a club that has a dress code of some kind, nobody really cares about your fashion choices while riding or what kind of helmet you wear or whether you wear one or not. You are just some anonymous guy passing through on a motorcycle. That's not to deny that we all are influenced by peer pressures of some kind when it comes to appearances. But it's taking it to extreme when worrying about whether or not the style or design of helmet you actually prefer to wear , or not wear, clashes with an image you want others to see.
Just my two cents.
Just my two cents.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3,823
From: Florida
I think that the truth is, unless you are in a club that has a dress code of some kind, nobody really cares about your fashion choices while riding or what kind of helmet you wear or whether you wear one or not. You are just some anonymous guy passing through on a motorcycle. That's not to deny that we all are influenced by peer pressures of some kind when it comes to appearances. But it's taking it to extreme when worrying about whether or not the style or design of helmet you actually prefer to wear , or not wear, clashes with an image you want others to see.
Just my two cents.
Just my two cents.
Last edited by Rains2much; Aug 22, 2023 at 03:54 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,242
Likes: 3,262
From: west Michigan
I think that the truth is, unless you are in a club that has a dress code of some kind, nobody really cares about your fashion choices while riding or what kind of helmet you wear or whether you wear one or not. You are just some anonymous guy passing through on a motorcycle. That's not to deny that we all are influenced by peer pressures of some kind when it comes to appearances. But it's taking it to extreme when worrying about whether or not the style or design of helmet you actually prefer to wear , or not wear, clashes with an image you want others to see.
Just my two cents.
Just my two cents.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 536
Likes: 488
From: Ontario,Canada
"No Face, No Case"....
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3,823
From: Florida
some helmet manufactures only make 2 or 3 shell sizes. They stuff more or less padding inside to make it fit different size heads. Sometimes that she’ll size is really big with lots of padding and you look ridiculous while wearing it. Like a FarmVille character or the great Gazoo from the flint stones.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
My only real thought on this issue is that I just always assumed that if someone is going to spend money on a helmet, they are doing so for a safety reasons and not to make a fashion statement. I guess you can have both. But choosing a helmet based on appearance might limit your options and you might end up with a helmet that doesnt fit your head profile properly. This could actually make it dangerous in a crash as it could break your neck if it twists and it isn't secured all-around. If safety is the reason for the helmet it has to fit properly and be the right choice for your head profile.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,242
Likes: 3,262
From: west Michigan
I have a small circle of family/friends that I ride with at times. It's a mix of no gear and gear. But the issue never comes up. I don't give it any thought.
My only real thought on this issue is that I just always assumed that if someone is going to spend money on a helmet, they are doing so for a safety reasons and not to make a fashion statement. I guess you can have both. But choosing a helmet based on appearance might limit your options and you might end up with a helmet that doesnt fit your head profile properly. This could actually make it dangerous in a crash as it could break your neck if it twists and it isn't secured all-around. If safety is the reason for the helmet it has to fit properly and be the right choice for your head profile.
My only real thought on this issue is that I just always assumed that if someone is going to spend money on a helmet, they are doing so for a safety reasons and not to make a fashion statement. I guess you can have both. But choosing a helmet based on appearance might limit your options and you might end up with a helmet that doesnt fit your head profile properly. This could actually make it dangerous in a crash as it could break your neck if it twists and it isn't secured all-around. If safety is the reason for the helmet it has to fit properly and be the right choice for your head profile.
As for helmets, I wear a Shoei FF; my 3/4 and Half helmets are long gone. A 3/4 helmet did save my life in a collision with a car many years ago, although I did suffer facial injuries.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 4,417
Likes: 3,823
From: Florida
I have a small circle of family/friends that I ride with at times. It's a mix of no gear and gear. But the issue never comes up. I don't give it any thought.
My only real thought on this issue is that I just always assumed that if someone is going to spend money on a helmet, they are doing so for a safety reasons and not to make a fashion statement. I guess you can have both. But choosing a helmet based on appearance might limit your options and you might end up with a helmet that doesnt fit your head profile properly. This could actually make it dangerous in a crash as it could break your neck if it twists and it isn't secured all-around. If safety is the reason for the helmet it has to fit properly and be the right choice for your head profile.
My only real thought on this issue is that I just always assumed that if someone is going to spend money on a helmet, they are doing so for a safety reasons and not to make a fashion statement. I guess you can have both. But choosing a helmet based on appearance might limit your options and you might end up with a helmet that doesnt fit your head profile properly. This could actually make it dangerous in a crash as it could break your neck if it twists and it isn't secured all-around. If safety is the reason for the helmet it has to fit properly and be the right choice for your head profile.
Now with all the safety talk behind us… it’s still gotta look cool to me. If it doesn’t the search continues. I’m not gonna wear a dorky helmet that cost $900 or $90 period. I want it all or I don’t want any. So “that Dude” who pulls up beside you looking like a power ranger can talk about safety all he wants.. He’s still a dork cause he coulda had nice protective gear that also looked cool.
You know what else might break your neck wearing the $900 helmet that is fitted? Some of these new plastics or materials in these high dollar helmets have tested to be so rigid that they cause neck breaks over the fiberglass budget ones… sometimes higher potential of brain damage because they don’t give…That’s right, there are a number of studies that leave it completely inconclusive as to if these higher standards above ECE are better. You know who says they are better? The people who sell them… you know who believes them? The people who buy them. Fortnine and a few others did some in depth reviews… left me not wanting the higher rated helmets. ECE is all I need.
Last edited by Rains2much; Aug 25, 2023 at 01:38 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
The helmet/gear debate is always unending. It's usually a prime winter topic but comes up occasionally in the summer.
Same applies in other venues. I ski in the winter and the same things are debated, except its always debated in the summer on the ski forums. Helmet or no helmet? Hip pad or no hip pad ? What DIN to set your bindings so you don't tear your ACL but also don't pop out of the bindings? Which helmet won't give me a bobblehead? My personal opinion is always the same - whatever floats your boat.
Only time I jump is when someone is asking a legit question about safety gear or helmets and wants sincere advice or feedback related to the subject of gear/safety.
Same applies in other venues. I ski in the winter and the same things are debated, except its always debated in the summer on the ski forums. Helmet or no helmet? Hip pad or no hip pad ? What DIN to set your bindings so you don't tear your ACL but also don't pop out of the bindings? Which helmet won't give me a bobblehead? My personal opinion is always the same - whatever floats your boat.
Only time I jump is when someone is asking a legit question about safety gear or helmets and wants sincere advice or feedback related to the subject of gear/safety.