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Wodan, I have worn Bell helmets for 50 years. Bell Magnums with the Bell full face that I used for dirt tracking, (very small cut out for your vision. I have many old Bells hanging in the garage. Currently wearing a carbon fiber 3/4 Bell Custom 500, like it very well.
My only issue I have with it, the leather inside the helmet sweats.
They were great in the old days. White, black or orange, wasn't it?
Do they still make their own? I'm glad to see the hipster element appreciate their simple, pure shape. I really don't go for all this "Transformers" style angular design stuff.
I think Bell sold the half-helmets for horse riders or microlight pilots or something. I don't think they were meant for bikers (not enough temple protection, probably), but they fitted like a glove.
Originally Posted by bad tappets
Some full face helmets are designed/tuned for sport bike style riding with a low fairing/windscreen; where your head pointed down a bit more. Those types of helmets just don't work well when your sitting straight up on a touring bike.
Interesting suggestion, definitely worth considering. Seems logical. I wonder what the fix would be.?
A few years ago, a number of manufactuers were trying to sell rear entry, strapless helmets. I don't think they took off. I've never seen any.
Before that, there used to be a few companies that would make them to measure. I suspect the professional racers still have them made that way.
I find most helmets these days are made for round soccer ball shaped head, not your (my) longer, thinner "nordic" shape of head, the one with a bump at the back for extra brains that Himmler would have loved. (Boy, if this post going to get me in trouble with the political correct crowd).
I guess this is because they are all made in the far east.
The trouble is, skulls aren't symetrical leading to unsupported gaps, and pressure points. Try taking a plaster cast of face/head to see the difference, it's surprising.
I wish someone would offer a made to measure, injection molded service.
....."I find most helmets these days are made for round soccer ball shaped head, not your (my) longer, thinner "nordic" shape of head, the one with a bump at the back for extra brains that Himmler would have loved.".......
Peculiar. My carbon fiber helmet is too narrow for my Cro-Magnon head. They must have made it for you. Both the Mrs. and I have trouble finding helmets that don't put too much pressure on the top-sides of our heads.
I could not find a picture of a cro-magnon quickly, but it seems like the neanderthals all looked like Vin Diesel.
If you think about it, feel the top of your heads and then flip over every helmet in the shop. I think they make helmet like they make car (and bike) seats, a "feel good" factor for the showroom, feels like hell on the road after a few miles. I don't know how many head and jaw shapes there are, but I'm sure it's more than the usual 5; XS, S etc ...
I could not find a picture of a cro-magnon quickly, but it seems like the neanderthals all looked like Vin Diesel.
If you think about it, feel the top of your heads and then flip over every helmet in the shop. I think they make helmet like they make car (and bike) seats, a "feel good" factor for the showroom, feels like hell on the road after a few miles. I don't know how many head and jaw shapes there are, but I'm sure it's more than the usual 5; XS, S etc ...
It's probably wise to not make too many comparisons between modern man and neanderthals - recent thinking is that the two merged into one! If your forebears are European, then simply buy a European helmet. Mrs B and I have worn Schuberth for many years, they are great!
Interesting. We are almost there then. I had a thought that in this world of 3D scanners, lazer cutters, CNCs and so on, all the technology must be aligning.
I mean, if they can CNC out an exhaust port, sure they could cut the insides out of a styrofoam egg to fit.
Let's face it, your head does not grow any more once you reach legal bike riding age*, why not have a last of your head and helmets made to fit it like good shoes? If you're spending 8 or 12 hours a day inside it, you want it to be comfortable.
Interesting article about making "softer helmets" to meet standards in European market.
I think 'better fitting' would also be quieter which, to return to the original question, is also highly valid health and safety issue, e.g. a number of helmets I tried on did not have adequate padding below and around the ear for me, like the old Bells did.
They were wide open to wind rush noise.
(* bad news is for ageing guys, apparently your nose and ears still do)
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