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Okay, after 42 helmet-less years on two wheels and the only mishap being a laydown on loose gravel in a long-ago moment of youthful exuberance, I have nonetheless arrived at a point of common sense (albeit kicking and screaming all the way lol,) and decided that maybe I've tempted fate long enough and should pop for a quality skidlid to improve my survival chances against the idiot 4-wheelers infesting the highways these days.
I'd like to say this decision is a result of the great wisdom that comes with age, but, not having seen any of said wisdom thus far
, I'll say it's more likely due to the number of close calls I've managed to avoid as a medium-haul trucker averaging 2300-2800 miles a week thru the midwest. I can say for a fact I've managed to avoid a number of accidents, by being a *seriously* defensive driver, that would have been serious or even fatal (for the 4wheeler, not for me), where the auto driver "didn't see me."
This is pretty amazing, consider my rig consists of two 13' 5" tall 28-foot long pups, connected by a roughly 10-foot converter gear, stuck on the back of a day-cab type freight tractor. In other words, I'm as long as a small ranch house, and, *somehow* PEOPLE DON'T SEE ME!!! So I'm thinking if drivers can miss something that huge, a guy on a motorcycle is a mere flyspeck in comparison size-wise, and without the near-invulnerability of a 40-ton rig wrapped around me, I'm startin' to feel kinda ... well ... *vulnerable* out there.
All that said, I started researching motorcycle helmets, and have decided on one, but since 95% of you guys are experts (compared to me) at wearing helmets, I wanna tell you what conclusions I came to and ask for any/all suggestion or criticisms anyone wants to offer. ANY and all feedback appreciated, since my noggin's kinda precious to me lol ...
I decided I should find a full-face helmet that met European ECE 22.05 standards, not just Snell, and certainly higher than plain DoT. Here's a webbike world excerpt I used:
These helmets are both Nexx' which seems to offer the best comination of protection and comfort although like I said *ANY* suggestions/alternatives appreciated. It's a little pricey:
Open face helmets ? get open face helmets for scooters and motorcycles from nexx-usa.com which conveys comfort, design, style, versatility and safety. - Open Face Helmets | Motorcycle Helmets | Scooter Helmets
or maybe, to save a little $$:
Open face helmets ? get open face helmets for scooters and motorcycles from nexx-usa.com which conveys comfort, design, style, versatility and safety. - Open Face Helmets | Motorcycle Helmets | Scooter Helmets
I found a few others that were Ece/Dot certified but in every case they were 1-3 pounds heavier.
Sorry, this got to be a kinda long thread but I was trying to be clear on things. If you guys think my reasoning is sound that's great, or if ya think I'm on the wrong track please lemme know why. Thx guys/gals ...
I'd like to say this decision is a result of the great wisdom that comes with age, but, not having seen any of said wisdom thus far
This is pretty amazing, consider my rig consists of two 13' 5" tall 28-foot long pups, connected by a roughly 10-foot converter gear, stuck on the back of a day-cab type freight tractor. In other words, I'm as long as a small ranch house, and, *somehow* PEOPLE DON'T SEE ME!!! So I'm thinking if drivers can miss something that huge, a guy on a motorcycle is a mere flyspeck in comparison size-wise, and without the near-invulnerability of a 40-ton rig wrapped around me, I'm startin' to feel kinda ... well ... *vulnerable* out there.
All that said, I started researching motorcycle helmets, and have decided on one, but since 95% of you guys are experts (compared to me) at wearing helmets, I wanna tell you what conclusions I came to and ask for any/all suggestion or criticisms anyone wants to offer. ANY and all feedback appreciated, since my noggin's kinda precious to me lol ...
I decided I should find a full-face helmet that met European ECE 22.05 standards, not just Snell, and certainly higher than plain DoT. Here's a webbike world excerpt I used:
It also says:A major benefit for U.S. riders is that the ECE 22.05 standard does not directly conflict with the DOT standard. Limited testing shows that ECE qualified helmets will also meet the demands of FMVSS 218. Of course, not all DOT helmets will meet ECE 22.05 because the European standard does require testing at higher velocities than DOT.
Another advantage of the ECE 22.05 standard is the requirement for mandatory batch testing of helmets before they are released to the riding public. What this means to the consumer is the quality of the helmet in meeting the ECE 22.05 standard is assured by a mandatory sample testing of every production of helmets before they leave the factory, not with random testing performed after thousands of helmets with unknown quality are delivered to the dealers.
I also factored in comfort/light weight. I know myself; if the thing is heavy, hot, and sweaty, I won't wear it. and the best helmet in the world is no help sitting home in the garage.Helmets certified to the ECE 22.05 standard are approved for competition events by AMA, CCS, FIM, Formula-USA and WERA and are chosen by nearly every professional motorcycle racers competing in world championship road racing, motocross and off road events, including the ultimate sport of Moto GP. Helmets that are certified to both DOT and ECE 22.05 offer the highest level of realistic protection with the added benefit of light weight for day-long comfort and rider performance.
These helmets are both Nexx' which seems to offer the best comination of protection and comfort although like I said *ANY* suggestions/alternatives appreciated. It's a little pricey:
Open face helmets ? get open face helmets for scooters and motorcycles from nexx-usa.com which conveys comfort, design, style, versatility and safety. - Open Face Helmets | Motorcycle Helmets | Scooter Helmets
or maybe, to save a little $$:
Open face helmets ? get open face helmets for scooters and motorcycles from nexx-usa.com which conveys comfort, design, style, versatility and safety. - Open Face Helmets | Motorcycle Helmets | Scooter Helmets
I found a few others that were Ece/Dot certified but in every case they were 1-3 pounds heavier.
Sorry, this got to be a kinda long thread but I was trying to be clear on things. If you guys think my reasoning is sound that's great, or if ya think I'm on the wrong track please lemme know why. Thx guys/gals ...