nfb: riding helmet

[Mike71]

i am going to be purchasing either a CBR600RR or a katana 636 or a GSX-R 600...one of those havent really decided yet all of them are 04 models 0 miles..but i need a helmet so i was just wondering if anyone here had some good places to get helmets



also any advice is very very welcome since this will be my first helmet =) and i am a little thrown back by the prices in the store...although if i have to pay 500$ then i have to pay it i am not that worried about it since it may save my life one day

oh while were at it...jackets to i want a really good riding jacket with the protection sewn in and all that

thanks for the help guys =)

[wolfdogs]

that head piece will be the most important accessory purchase of your bike...... dont skimp on it. shop for it online.

i paid 347.00 in 1987 for and Eddie Lawson III (yamaha) and i still have it for keeps sake.... its a collectors lid now. i gave up riding in 1993. too many stupid people in this area where i live.

i had a factory modified yamaha fj1200 at the time..... what a bike..... awesome. Michelin sponsored me with free tires...i was the test bed for that size bike with 16" tires, thier new radials during that time period..... boy...those were the days......

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Get the best you can get. They probably all do by now but in case they don't make sure it has a vent above and below the face shield.

Oh and carry a napkin in case you sneeze while wearing it. Man.

I wired a built in radio in mine. I pulled the insert out, unwrapped the cloth around the ears and inserted little speakers in it. I Velcroed a little FM radio to the side of the helmet. It was very enjoyable. I never listened to it loud.

BTW I like the Interceptor better. http://powersports.honda.com/motorcy...delId=VFR800A4

[Mike71]

10k is a little more then i want to go...if i went to 10k i might aswell just buy a ducati =) im still thinking about that one..they had a nice stripped down type ducati there

[formula14.18]

why not an R6 brand new 8000 or slightly used 6 to 7 thosand

[Mike71]

post some specs of the R6..i have not made my mind up in the slightest yet..i know that i have about 2 months before ill have the 2.2k for the down and the helmet gloves boots ect.

[MN6WS6]

www.linkamerica.com is where you should get leathers. Full race leathers for less than $250.

As far as helmets go, the more you pay, the more you spent, not the safer you are. Vega makes a DOT and Snell approved helmet (the safest you can get) for only $100. Shoei and all the other guys ride on their name, the stickers they put on the helmet, and who signed it (Troy Lee, etc.) If it's DOT and Snell, then it's safe. Anything above that is stuff like EPS in the chinbar, removable interior, wind noise reducing, and name recognition. By the way, the Vega has the EPS, removable interior, and is quiet. Stick a Shoei emblem on it and nobody will know the difference.

I personally have a KBC TK8 that I picked up off ebay for $90 because it had a chip in the paint. I also have a Zeus flip-front helmet that I use for around town (not Snell approved so I don't race with it). I got it for less than $100 on ebay, because it had a 1/2" scratch just in the clearcoat.

I also have a TK8 for sale, once again picked up on ebay because of a slight scratch. I'll sell it to you for $75 shipped, if it fits.

Finally, don't get a Katana. If you want to be able to ride whenever you want and have little to no service issues, get a Honda. If you like visiting the shop but want to beat everybody at the races (as in GP races), get a Suzuki. I can't recommend Yamaha or Kawasaki because I've owned both and both spent more time torn down than they did on the street. My Honda has never seen the confines of a dealership since it left it.

[wako29]

Originally posted by MN6WS6
www.linkamerica.com is where you should get leathers. Full race leathers for less than $250.

As far as helmets go, the more you pay, the more you spent, not the safer you are. Vega makes a DOT and Snell approved helmet (the safest you can get) for only $100. Shoei and all the other guys ride on their name, the stickers they put on the helmet, and who signed it (Troy Lee, etc.) If it's DOT and Snell, then it's safe. Anything above that is stuff like EPS in the chinbar, removable interior, wind noise reducing, and name recognition. By the way, the Vega has the EPS, removable interior, and is quiet. Stick a Shoei emblem on it and nobody will know the difference.

I personally have a KBC TK8 that I picked up off ebay for $90 because it had a chip in the paint. I also have a Zeus flip-front helmet that I use for around town (not Snell approved so I don't race with it). I got it for less than $100 on ebay, because it had a 1/2" scratch just in the clearcoat.

I also have a TK8 for sale, once again picked up on ebay because of a slight scratch. I'll sell it to you for $75 shipped, if it fits.

Finally, don't get a Katana. If you want to be able to ride whenever you want and have little to no service issues, get a Honda. If you like visiting the shop but want to beat everybody at the races (as in GP races), get a Suzuki. I can't recommend Yamaha or Kawasaki because I've owned both and both spent more time torn down than they did on the street. My Honda has never seen the confines of a dealership since it left it.

well said about the helmets.
I remember an old helmet ad that I have always remembered and loved:
"Some people wonder if their helmet is important.
Well, it depends on what you carry in it."
My dad professionally raced motorcycles for about 13 years, and I went to just about every event since I was old enough to do so. Pretty much the only requirements for the helmet was that it was in good condition (it couldn't be bashed in from like an old crash) and that it was a newer version of Snell. For jackets? My dad has the Fieldsheer riding jacket, and it is very well vented with a removable liner that he puts in when it gets a little cold out. It has very good protection for what it is, and is actually pretty comfortable. You don't want full leathers if riding on the street. Its to much of a PITA. Also, Joe Rocket sells a similar jacket to his that is basically the same thing.

also, pretty much all of the Japanese bikes are very reliable, but I have heard some amazing reviews on the new GSXR600. The Hondas are very nice, and would probably be my choice (either that or the GSXR because I know pretty much everyone at the local Suzuki shop and get a BIG discount on parts and their bikes) if I were just going to ride on the street. The 600s are plenty fast, no need for the 1000s and all, especially if you aren't all that experienced. And I haven't ever heard of any reliability issues of the GSXRs, especially the newer ones. Oh, and have you ever driven one? Its amazing to take one to its 16.5k redline

[MN6WS6]

The most important thing when buying a motorcycle, especially a sportbike, is making sure you are comfortable on it. If you're cramped, then you're concentrating on your pain or trying to get comfortable, instead of on riding. A 600 is entirely too small for me, and besides that I started on an 850 so I wasn't about to go down when it was sportbike time. Bottom line, the Honda is the most comfortable 600 there is. I have a buddy of mine that was debating between an F4, ZX7R, R6, or a GSXR600. He sat on all 4, and the Honda was the only thing he could get comfortable on. He's 6'4", and that's a whole lotta man on an F4. If you're smaller then another bike may suit you better. You're best bet is to actually get to ride one first. You may like the way it feels on one, but it may handle like crap. So make sure you know what you're getting into when you buy one. You certainly don't want to buy it then get rid of it in 2 months for something bigger.

I swore up and down I'd never wear textile suits, because leather is the only thing that will save you from rash. I recently bought one, a Joe Rocket Razor, and it looks to have plenty of padding and thick material to handle what I need it to do. I've worn full leathers on the street, and still do when I know I'm gonna be out doing stupid stuff, but the reality is you should wear it all the time. Unfortunately, the chances of heat stroke in 95 degree weather are much greater than the chances of crashing, so sometimes I'll bypass the leather pants and just wear the jacket.

[Mike71]

i havent made a decision at all yet..still need to get the lic. so i can test drive the bikes =)

this thing will also be driving ALOT! lol like probably 4-5 times a week weather permiting..so it needs to be reliable..but if it is down i still have a car

[Jeff_in_Atl]

I had 32,000 miles on my interceptor when I sold it. I never had anything fail or break. The only thing it went into the shop for were tune-ups.

A friend of mine bought a Cow ZX7. Bragging about how fast it was bla bla bla. It died on him 3 times. He took it in and they couldn't find the problem. Well the problem was some ignition part was relying on a chassis ground and since the frame was painted green, it couldn't get it through the paint. It was relying on the screw alone. He ended up putting a star washer between the part and the frame and it never did it again.

BTW one day we were riding, he was in front of me, he nailed it, I nailed it and crawled up his butt. My 86 V4 Interceptor with 30k miles on it was faster than his 90 something ZX7 with a couple of thousand on it.

I know everyone has their favorite bikes out there.

[wolfdogs]

Originally posted by MN6WS6
www.linkamerica.com is where you should get leathers. Full race leathers for less than $250.

As far as helmets go, the more you pay, the more you spent, not the safer you are. Vega makes a DOT and Snell approved helmet (the safest you can get) for only $100. Shoei and all the other guys ride on their name, the stickers they put on the helmet, and who signed it (Troy Lee, etc.) If it's DOT and Snell, then it's safe. Anything above that is stuff like EPS in the chinbar, removable interior, wind noise reducing, and name recognition. By the way, the Vega has the EPS, removable interior, and is quiet. Stick a Shoei emblem on it and nobody will know the difference.

I personally have a KBC TK8 that I picked up off ebay for $90 because it had a chip in the paint. I also have a Zeus flip-front helmet that I use for around town (not Snell approved so I don't race with it). I got it for less than $100 on ebay, because it had a 1/2" scratch just in the clearcoat.

I also have a TK8 for sale, once again picked up on ebay because of a slight scratch. I'll sell it to you for $75 shipped, if it fits.

Finally, don't get a Katana. If you want to be able to ride whenever you want and have little to no service issues, get a Honda. If you like visiting the shop but want to beat everybody at the races (as in GP races), get a Suzuki. I can't recommend Yamaha or Kawasaki because I've owned both and both spent more time torn down than they did on the street. My Honda has never seen the confines of a dealership since it left it.

ive had two Yamaha bikes, an fz600 and the fj1200. niether went in for any warranty work or service while i owned them .........
ive had 5 yamaha 4-wheelers........the last two i raced....never had a problem with em.........

bikes are like cars..some people said they would never own another f body cause it broke down so many times when it was new.... some people have f bodies that have never broke down....

[Tundrahog]

Don't skimp on a helmet...Saved me many times. Mainly racing bikes when I was younger.

Saved me last year when I got tossed off my snowmobile. My head did hit a tree. Helmet was scuffed and my head/neck was hurting. Noting a few cocktails didn't fix when I got back to the lodge.

[wako29]

Originally posted by MN6WS6
The most important thing when buying a motorcycle, especially a sportbike, is making sure you are comfortable on it. If you're cramped, then you're concentrating on your pain or trying to get comfortable, instead of on riding.

SSOOOOOOO true. Totally forgot to mention that, thanks. Yea, a lot of bigger dealerships will allow you to take the bikes for a little test ride, even if its around the block, you should be able to get a good feal as to how you sit on it.

and definetly do like what Tundrahog says and DO NOT skimp out on a helmet. I really can't count all the ways a helmet has literally saved either my life or a friend's. I got thrown off my dirtbike in the woods doing about 45mph, slid about 30ft and hit a tree on a kind of angle with my head. Yea, I sat on a log for like 5 minutes before I stopped seeing little birdies, but that was the most recent time it saved my life. One of my best friends who professionally roadraces had his rear brake lever break and had it dragging for like half a lap. Well, he took a corner doing an honest 60mph, and the lever just stuck in the asphalt. Just STUCK there. He go thrown off, and landed head first. His helmet just cracked in half. He got a messed up leg, a few broken ribs, punctured lung from the rib, and got unconscious from I guess everything (he says he doesn't even remember falling). His head never got a bruise, cut, NOTHING. Helmets save lives. Anybody who doesn't wear one when riding a motorcycle at any kind of speeds is a damn fool if they don't wear a helmet.
I said "at speeds" meaning you don't have to wear one when driving the thing from your front yard to the back yard to work on it . You guys get what I mean.

Oh, and sorry for the long post and story about my friend and all. Its just a personal experience that I always like to share because it is a real even that happened and he is living proof that helmets do an amazing job and save lives.

[MN6WS6]

I'd buy a helmet first, then worry about a bike. You can die of head injuries from as little as a 5 MPH crash. Don't ever believe those Harley guys that say "aww, hell, helmets just block my vision, takes away from my freedom, if I fall I can protect my head with my hands". That is the biggest line of BS I've ever heard in my life. When you fall, what's the first thing to hit the ground? Your hands. Why? Cause you're trying not to fall, which is programmed in our brains from birth. Besides that, what's more likely to protect your head, skin and bones, or 4 layers of plastic with impact resistant foam that's over 2 inches thick specifically designed to protect your head?

Here's the order or purchases:

1) Helmet
2) Jacket
3) Gloves
4) Boots
5) License
6) Insurance
7) Motorcycle