What is a good light Skid Lid helmet to get,just for use driving around town.

 

"Skid lids" are just that - be careful. If the "lid" is to protect your "skid", fine. If it's to protect your head, it won't. At the conclusion of the NJ State H.O.G. Rally in Wildwood, NJ this past weekend, a biker had to dump his bike late Sunday afternoon to avoid an accident. I was sitting in a diner across the street from where it happened and saw the whole thing. The car that cut him off was definitely to blame - the driver claimed he didn't see the motorcycle. The biker was only going about 20 mph at the time but sustained serious head injuries and was hauled away in an ambulance. What was he wearing? A skid lid, of course. Since most accidents happen near home and "just around town" why would you even consider a skid lid for "just for use driving around town"? I'm only thinking of your own well being. I don't believe in helmet laws because the government has no business legislating against our freedoms, but at the same time in my 43 years of riding I've always worn a good helmet - I think that much of my head and life. Think twice before wearing a skid lid. Walking away from an accident like I saw beats what actually happened...

 

I would have to agree on this one. My girl and I both wear full face (flip-up style) helmets and I'll never wear anything else. I don't do this because I am worried about my riding skills, I do it because I worry about the cagers' skills. You never know what those silly bastages are gonna do next and I'd rather walk away and a better helmet gives me a better chance of doing so. With that said, to each his own. we just worry about our brothers and sisters out there.

 

I don't know what your defination of a skid lid is, but I wear a DOT helmet that's lightweight and comfortable. It's made of CarbonFiber and Kevlar, and I love it. I've had a lot of similar helmets that were similar in style, but twice the weight and I didn't really like.
Oh, my helmet is made by Nexl Sports.

 

Beware the D.O.T. label as being meaningful because I have seen the labels for sale in many places. The idea being that you could have a WWI german infantry helmet and stick on the D.O.T. label to fool the cops (and state inspecions - if you have them). I am only saying this for your own protection. A lot of helmets being sold have the sticker and advertise D.O.T. approval but could NEVER pass the test (it is your head we're talking about).

The Snell Foundation exists only because Peter Snell was killed by a head injury when wearing a helmet when no standards existed. As far as definition of a skid lid, if you've got a helmet with at least 1" of EPP foam between your head and the shell, you may be alright (amount of coverage, i.e., 1/2[skid lid], 3/4, flip-up, full-face, etc. up to you).

I came across a D.O.T. website that listed the approved helmets about a year ago (makes and models) and I will see if I can relocate it. I thought I had bookmarked it but can't find it now, so I guess I didn't. Again, I personally believe people should be able to do what they want when it comes to helmets, but if you're wearing one that you think is one thing and it's not, you should also have that information. I will post the link here if I can find it again. Trust me, I am not trying to make anyone wear anything - I only want them to be wearing what they think they are. We all know Indian Larry was wearing his choice...

Be safe.

 

Daytona is a good 1/2 helmet. DOT and lightweight and not as pricey(sp) as a carbonfiber. Tim

 

The Nexl helmet I mentioned is DOT. That said, I've heard of issues w/ the Snell rating as well.

I'd be interested in some "Real World" data - but I don't think we're going to see little Lab Mice wearing little helmets and getting dropped on their heads.
That'd **** PITA off.

 

Will a helmet protect you in a Highway crash, at highway speeds? Yes, it will keep help you, but at high speeds, in heavy traffic, you are probably going to have more than just head injuries.

But, way too many times people die from closed head inuries, in the low speed crashes, that happen while the driver is just running to the store. And being as how most crashes occurr in town, it is foolish to NOT wear one.

But, here I am, the pot calling the kettle black. I am an Accident Reconstructionist, and should be the one up on the pulpit preaching the gospel of "wear a GOOD helmet". BUT.....many times, when I am just running down to the local quickie mart, I don't wear mine, which btw is only a DOT 1/2 helmet.

It should be an individuals choice if they wear a helmet. Just be mindful of the risk you are taking.

 

Buy a $50.00 helmet if you only have a $50.00 head !!!

 

I was going to go out for a ride right after I read this but I think I have something to add.
I'm new here but have over 35 years of high performance racing under my belt.
I've always bought the best safety equipment I could afford...helmets, firesuits etc.
I always taught my kids the same thing and they bought good stuff.
Then one night after work my son decided to join the boys for a few drinks.
He got pretty loaded and climbed in with another drunk for a ride home.
Never did find out all the details but he ended up falling out of the truck.
His foot got stuck in one of those bent chromed pipe running boards and he fell out backwards and smashed his head on the pavement at 60mph.
He then got drug for quite aways until he hit a cement guard rail with his outside leg. This blew his femur right through his ***...smashing his leg/pelvis to bits in the process.
We had to fly 600 miles to Vancouver to see him in the General Hospital.
I was absolutely stunned when I saw him.
He was in a deep coma. His eyes where bugged out like two golf *****. His head was so swollen up that his scalp was split open like a lightning strike...kinda all over.
He had tubes and wires sticking out of him all over.
He was wearing a diaper (remember this part) and the crap was running out of him...if it wasn't my kid I couldn't have stood the smell.
By a miracle he survived but his recovery was long and he is no longer the "tough as nails" man he used to be.
His head is kinda wonky looking now...bigger on one side than the other and will always look like this.
His split scalp never healed up right and it looks weird too.
His eardrums burst from the impact and he can only hear a small amount from one ear.
His eyesight is screwed in one eye but he had two so one still works.
He still has headaches 6 years later.
Ya...that sucks that the guvamint wants us to wear helmets...or does it?
So go ahead and wear a crappy helmet. Enjoy your diaper[sm=badidea.gif]
Russ