Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Darth Loo-knee on 22 June 2008, 01:28:19

Title: Crash Helmets....
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 22 June 2008, 01:28:19
This may sound a daft question but don't all crash helmets have to pass certain tests?
If so wouldn't a £80 helmet do the same job as a £400 helmet?
I am wanting an Arai Chris Walker Replica but the thought just crossed my mind :-?
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: PaulW on 22 June 2008, 01:33:40
They have to pass certain tests yes, but just like everything else, you pay for what you get...

Cheap helmets are usually made out of fibreglass, more expensive made from a kevlar/carbon composite kinda thing...

I paid £150 and got myself a Caberg Justissimo GT.  Main reason, wanted the flip-up-front, and also something which would last a good while!

Fibreglass helmets have a life of about 2 years or so, the kevlar/carbon ones can last about 5 to 7 years, although if you have a knock, or even just drop the helmet on the pavement, your still best replacing it...
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 22 June 2008, 02:03:04
I am looking at getting a Yamaha Thunderace as since they first came out I have been in love with them.... believe they are a great all rounder that never got the acclaim they deserve... also like the Thundercat but want the daddy ;D
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: stuart30 on 22 June 2008, 07:37:25
Quote
I am looking at getting a Yamaha Thunderace as since they first came out I have been in love with them.... believe they are a great all rounder that never got the acclaim they deserve... also like the Thundercat but want the daddy ;D


Good choice mate...loved them when they came out,looked different too all the other clones.

Mind you saying that i did like the RF900"s styling too and ended up buying a TDM850 so i do like different looking bikes. ;D

Lid wise ive always preferred shoei...found them too be the best fit and look good with a reasonable price tag.
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: Andy B on 22 June 2008, 09:19:19
Quote
.....
Lid wise ive always preferred shoei...found them too be the best fit and look good with a reasonable price tag.

Mine's a Shoei too (my bike's TDM too  ;)) I found that different makes of helmet the same size all seemed to have a completely different fit on my head.
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: albitz on 22 June 2008, 10:12:41
a new government test was introduced recently,as the old acu gold sticker system had become completely discredited.so far the results have shown that an £80 helmet is safer than a £500 helmet.what this tells us i am not quite sure tbh,it could be that the tests are not very reliable ? i would buy a reputable make within my budget. btw loo-knee nice to see someone who appreciates the great chris walker. :y
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: TheBoy on 22 June 2008, 10:35:09
I use a Shoei, all fully fitted with my Autocom headset/mic (I NEED my tunes and the phone ;)).

Helmets isn't a place I would skimp on.

Certainly, stickers and the like were known to shorten the life of the fibreglass types.

Whatever you go for, treat it with utter respect as if it was finest crystal.
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: Andy B on 22 June 2008, 10:43:48
Quote
a new government test was introduced recently,as the old acu gold sticker system had become completely discredited.so far the results have shown that an £80 helmet is safer than a £500 helmet.what this tells us i am not quite sure tbh,it could be that the tests are not very reliable ? i would buy a reputable make within my budget. btw loo-knee nice to see someone who appreciates the great chris walker. :y

I read a test of various helmets in magazine a little while back. It was suggested that perhaps some of the cheaper helmets were being designed to pass specific tests, but that overall they may not neccessarily be better than more expensive helmets. Having said that, is a £500 Arai really that much better than the rest? My Shoei was about middle price at around £200.
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: Richie London on 22 June 2008, 10:58:31
Quote
This may sound a daft question but don't all crash helmets have to pass certain tests?If so wouldn't a £80 helmet do the same job as a £400 helmet?
I am wanting an Arai Chris Walker Replica but the thought just crossed my mind :-?

i also heard a couple of yrs ago that if you put stickers on them it invalidates the gaurantee as some of the resin in stickers weakens some materials after time. wether that is true or not i do not know

Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: Richie London on 22 June 2008, 11:02:50
Quote
I use a Shoei, all fully fitted with my Autocom headset/mic (I NEED my tunes and the phone ;)).

Helmets isn't a place I would skimp on.

Certainly, stickers and the like were known to shorten the life of the fibreglass types.

Whatever you go for, treat it with utter respect as if it was finest crystal.

i must of missed this somehow lol. so it is true about stickers then.
i know i left duck tape on a door for a week and it had changed the colour of the paint slightly
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: Andy B on 22 June 2008, 11:09:07
Quote
.....
Certainly, stickers and the like were known to shorten the life of the fibreglass types.....

I thought it was OK to put stickers on GRP lids, & it was the old polycarbonate lids that suffered. :-/  :-/
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: Lazydocker on 22 June 2008, 11:30:44
It's down to your peace of mind really... Personally I'm of the opinion that a cheap lie is cheap for a reason! I believe the most noticeable thing would be noise and comfort!

And don't forget some ear plugs... The constant wind noise at speed can have resins effects on your hearing!
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: Elite Pete on 22 June 2008, 12:01:45
Many many years ago I used to ride around with an open face helmet which was chromed with chrome tape :o
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: mantahatch on 22 June 2008, 12:48:30
Quote
They have to pass certain tests yes, but just like everything else, you pay for what you get...

Cheap helmets are usually made out of fibreglass, more expensive made from a kevlar/carbon composite kinda thing...

I paid £150 and got myself a Caberg Justissimo GT.  Main reason, wanted the flip-up-front, and also something which would last a good while!

Fibreglass helmets have a life of about 2 years or so, the kevlar/carbon ones can last about 5 to 7 years, although if you have a knock, or even just drop the helmet on the pavement, your still best replacing it...


Oh dear, does that mean my 1982 motocross helmet which was never street legal should be replaced ?
Nah I like the authenticity of 1983 bike, 1982 helmet 1977 leather jacket.

Mike
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: bedders on 22 June 2008, 12:52:32
When I returned to motorcycling last year, I did a lot of research into crash helmets, and came to the conclusion, rightly or wrongly, that price is not necessarily a factor where safety is concerned.
In the end we imported a pair of Bell open  faced (can't bear to be enclosed in a full face) with the full clear flip up visor. They are comfortable, quiet & a reasonable price.
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: stuart30 on 22 June 2008, 13:33:39
Quote
Quote
.....
Lid wise ive always preferred shoei...found them too be the best fit and look good with a reasonable price tag.

Mine's a Shoei too (my bike's TDM too  ;)) I found that different makes of helmet the same size all seemed to have a completely different fit on my head.


Hmmm im getting the urge too buy another bike,wife and boys will be gone in a few weeks so its only right i treat myself too something  ;D

Might start looking at an older TDM or maybe a Africa twin/super tenere...now wheres my bike trader. ;)
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: Andy B on 22 June 2008, 13:35:56
Quote
.......Might start looking at an older TDM or maybe a Africa twin/super tenere...now wheres my bike trader. ;)

Go for it! :y http://www.autotrader.co.uk/BIKES/bikes.jsp  :y
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 22 June 2008, 14:06:35
Just buy a Turbun...much cheaper than a helmet
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: Field Marshal Dr. Opti on 22 June 2008, 14:19:08
Lazydocker is dead right about .There are a lot of old deaf bikers out there.Pardon.
Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 22 June 2008, 23:05:16
Quote
a new government test was introduced recently,as the old acu gold sticker system had become completely discredited.so far the results have shown that an £80 helmet is safer than a £500 helmet.what this tells us i am not quite sure tbh,it could be that the tests are not very reliable ? i would buy a reputable make within my budget. btw loo-knee nice to see someone who appreciates the great chris walker. :y

He is a nice guy too :y My brother in laws mate is his best mate ;) He has all the sticker Walker has Roast Beef etc etc...
Now Chris Walker and alot of racers have stickers all over there helmets so they must be safe to put them on there helmets...

Title: Re: Crash Helmets....
Post by: Lazydocker on 22 June 2008, 23:08:08
Quote
Lazydocker is dead right about .There are a lot of old deaf bikers out there.Pardon.

Unfortunately I get it in the ear [size=8]excuse the pun[/size] all the time about it because my wife is a Hearing Aid Audiologist!!!  ::) ::) ::)