NEW OWNER OF 07 ITALIA!!! WHAT HELMET SHOULD I GET? JUDY TN.

[gecko999]

I WANT ONE THAT LOOKS WELL WITH THE SCOOTER BUT ALSO WANT ONE THAT IS SAFE!
MY FIRST SCOOTER SO ANY INFO WILL HELP!
JUDY / CHATTANOOGA, TN

[Leeroy Jenkins]

I recommend a Hi-viz full face helmet.

The helmets of thousands of accident victims (dead and alive) have been analyzed. The following diagram shows how often the helmet was hit and where. All those numbers add up to 100%. Notice the chin area (under the visor) gets creamed more than any other part of the face. The following diagram shows that 45.3% of impacts are in areas not covered by a 3/4 helmet. What does this mean? Wear a full-face helmet!



If I had an your bike and wanted to match the scoot.

I like the Icon airframe. You could paint it the same color as your scoot or just leave it white.



From icon:


The Icon Airframe helmet represents the pinnacle in modern helmet design. The Airframe is equipped with multiple safety and comfort features, developed through exhaustive lab research and real world testing. Premier manufacturing processes assure that the Airframe meets the highest quality and safety standards in the world. When fitted properly, the precisely engineered Fiberglass/Dyneema/Carbon Fiber composite shell and energy absorbing dual-density EPS liner greatly reduce the possibility of head injuries in the event of an accident. To keep you focused on what's ahead of you the Airframe is fitted with Icons new Proshield. Not only is the Proshield available in a variety of tinted styles with side plates for more graphic real estate, it features the Prolock shield lock system to keep your shield locked down. Even during those 150mph head-checks. We know people come in all shapes and sizes, so why not helmets? The Airframe is available in XXS-3X with interior parts that are interchangeable across the entire size range for tailoring just the right fit. Additionally, the HydraDry moisture wicking material used throughout the interior comfort liner and extensive venting system combine to produce the industry's most ventilated and comfortable helmet. Available in 22 different colorways your going to want one of each...seriously.

* DOT & SNELL M2005 approved
* Fiberglass, Carbon Fiber/Dyneema shell for strength
* Removable molded breath deflector reduces shield fogging
* Oversized intake and exhaust ports
* Removable chin curtain
* Quick-change fog-free proshield with sideplates
* Removable molded breath deflector reduces shield fogging
* Removable Hydradry moisture wicking liner
* Secure shield locking system

Also may I recommend, Wiki helmets. Really cool self tinting shields. Kinda like "transitions" glasses

Video the explains the tech
http://link.brightcove.com/services/lin ... d909937467
wiki's site.
http://www.wikidesigns.com/

Wiki HQ is not to far from nooga, they are based in Suwanee, Ga

[gt1000]

I agree with Leeroy. The most important thing is to find one that fits properly tight without hitting any nasty pressure points. Measure your head with a tape measure and then start with the size closest to your measurement. Try on oval shapes and round shapes to find the shape that fits your head the best. If you're anything like me, your helmet size will be a full size smaller than your normal hat size. Once you find the models that fit you can start looking at styles and colors.

Arai has a good fitment guide here:

http://www.metricbikes-superstore.com/H ... helmet.pdf

[Leeroy Jenkins]

oh yeah, congrats on ur scoot from another TN buddy rider.

[ellen]

Yup, I always tell people to buy the one full face or modular which best fits your head. And don't buy online without first trying the model on for the correct size and fit!

[gt1000]

I like the looks of both helmets that Leeroy has pictured above but I probably would not buy the Icon. Why? Mainly because of all those aero vents sitting on the helmet's surface. In my experience, this much stuff hanging off the outside of the helmet does one thing really well: it creates noise. Since most stores won't take a helmet back once you ride with it, this is not a chance I'm willing to take. I like my helmets as quiet as possible so I look for smooth exterior contours with the fewest surface gimmicks. That's just me though. Lots of folks think helmet noise is a low priority.

For all I know the Icon is as silent as my favorite helmets but I won't risk it.

[jmazza]

any reviews on that wiki? Or anywhere to buy shields that do the auto-tint thing (specifically for a KBC helmet!!)?

[gecko999]

I'M GOING HELMET SHOPPING TOMMOROW(SAT)
I'M DYING TO RIDE MY NEW SCOOTER BUT ALSO REALIZE I WANT AND NEED THE RIGHT HELMET!

I THINK I AM GOING TO LOVE MY ITALIA. I LOOKED AND TRIED OUT MANY DIFFERENT SCOOTERS BUT WAS SOLD ON THE BUDDY'S IMMEDIATELY. I AM SHORT AND PETITE AND LOVED THAT THE SEAT WAS LOWER AND MY FEET ACTUALLY COULD TOUCH THE GROUND.
THEY ARE JUST THE PERFECT FIT FOR ME!

THANKS FOR THE CONGRATS ALSO! IT NICE TO KNOW THERE ARE OTHERS IN TN RIDING SCOOTERS. I DON'T SEE MANY HERE IN CHATT.
MAYBE I CAN GET SOMETHING STARTED HERE IN THE SCENIC CITY!

SCOOTERBUG

[ysofisonly50?]

I WANT ONE THAT LOOKS WELL WITH THE SCOOTER BUT ALSO WANT ONE THAT IS SAFE!
MY FIRST SCOOTER SO ANY INFO WILL HELP!
JUDY / CHATTANOOGA, TN

looks well with buddy italia ? "Davida Helmet" & aviator goggles.
safe? Arai, Shoei, HJC, KBC, Icon, Shark, & any w/ Snell cert. & gota be full-face.
congrats on your new toy.

[ericalm]

Hey, gecko, welcome to the forum.

"Which helmet?" is kind of an age-old and oft-discussed and debated topic on forums. Unfortunately, unless something with bright, busy graphics is your idea of "looks good," the options usually fall into 2 categories: less safe/better looking and more safe/not as good looking. A lot of new riders—including myself when I started—have the notion that you need less of a helmet to ride a scooter than for a motorcycle. Or that a 3/4 helmet provides "enough" protection.

It's really up to you to decide how much protection is "enough" and how much risk you're willing to take. But a crash can do a lot of damage to your face at less than 30mph, so don't make any concessions simply because you're on a scooter.

After riding with a 3/4 helmet for a couple years, I've switched to a modular helmet (the Vega Summit II). Reading about the experiences of others in crashes (and after having a crash of my own) eventually convinced me to go with more protection.