GOT HELMET?
1 - 20 of 29 Posts
I wear a full face MX helmet when I got riding. If I'm plowing snow I don't wear a thing. I've thought about going half helmet for the slow cruises or work parties that I do with my ATV club. For agressive, faster paced riding, I'll always wear a full mx helmet.
G
Guest
·Full face MX in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Full face snowmobile in the winter. I usually don't wear a helmet around my cousin's property but if I know we are going off property I will throw one on.
Joined
·
157 Posts
The review crew and I were on a ride last summer the rider up front was on a very minor down grade his front tire hit a rut and over he went. If he didnt have a helmet on we would of had to carry him out. We were going 5 MPH. Anything can happen at any time better safe than sorry.
I've got about a dozen helmets now. I need to quit buying new quads that then need a color coordinated helmet. I've got lime green helmets from the Kawasaki's I've had, orange helmets to go with the KTM dirt bikes, red helmets for the Honda's I've had, and a few shades of silver/black. Here's a picture of the wall of my garage, with a few of the helmets hanging on hooks. Thats about half of the helmets I have, LOL.
![]()
Of all the different brands I've owned (Thor, GMax, Z1R, Fly, AFX, Nolan) I must say that Z1R makes the best helmets, followed by Thor. AFX seems to be the lowest quality. One thing I like the most about the Z1R helmets is that they are lighter than other brands, which eliminates fatigue on the old neck muscles on long rides.
I always wear a helmet. I've grown up desert racing dirt bikes, and have pretty much accepted the fact that you never see another dirt biker without a helmet on. You just don't see it, ... ever. A helmet has literally saved my life probably three times over the last 35 years that I have been off road riding. So it was a surprise to see many ATVers that do not wear helmets. I remember one ride I did on Paiute Trail in Utah, where I did the entire 275 mile main loop in one day. I encountered lots of other ATVers on the trail on that long ride. I was the only ATV rider that day that was wearing a helmet. Thats pretty sad if you ask me.
3TV
Of all the different brands I've owned (Thor, GMax, Z1R, Fly, AFX, Nolan) I must say that Z1R makes the best helmets, followed by Thor. AFX seems to be the lowest quality. One thing I like the most about the Z1R helmets is that they are lighter than other brands, which eliminates fatigue on the old neck muscles on long rides.
I always wear a helmet. I've grown up desert racing dirt bikes, and have pretty much accepted the fact that you never see another dirt biker without a helmet on. You just don't see it, ... ever. A helmet has literally saved my life probably three times over the last 35 years that I have been off road riding. So it was a surprise to see many ATVers that do not wear helmets. I remember one ride I did on Paiute Trail in Utah, where I did the entire 275 mile main loop in one day. I encountered lots of other ATVers on the trail on that long ride. I was the only ATV rider that day that was wearing a helmet. Thats pretty sad if you ask me.
3TV
Joined
·
2,036 Posts
I couldn't agree with that statement more 3TV. And the sad thing is, the sport will be critized each and every time someone gets hurt because they weren't wearing a helmet. There was a horrible accident last week right up the road from me. A 13yo boy was riding a moped and went to make a turn and a minivan plowed him from the side. The minivan was going to pass the moped and the two met just as the youngster made the turn. The impact knocked the young man about 300 yards into my buddies yard. Luckly my other friend was next door who is a full time fire fighter. He immediately removed the kids HELMET, cleared his airway, and started breathing for him. After the helicopter left the scene it became very apparent that if that young man had not been wearing that HELMET my friend would not have had the opportunity to breath for him. The young man lived, after having a hole drilled into his noggin to releave the pressure. While this isn't an ATV accident, it proves point and case that a helmet can greatly increase your odds of survival if you take a blow to the head. I'll get off the soap box now.3TV said:
BTW 3TV...nice collection of helmets! :headbang:
Joined
·
1,822 Posts
I just ordered one of these Arai vx-pro3 helmets in black frost. Should be here Friday. Can't wait.
Attachments
Joined
·
2,036 Posts
Ok...I'm jealous Buster!! I wanted a solid colored helmet in flat black so bad!! I couldn't find one anywhere!! Ended up with the Fox V2 High Noon. Mostly because I wanted to try fox to see if they are worth all the hype they get. So far the helmet is great other than being a bit too snug. I'm hoping the more I wear it the better it will feel?BusterW said:
3TV...I'm glad you were wearing that helmet too!
OK Question. How snug should a correct fitting helmet be? Mine came in yesterday and I tried it. It was real snug. the cheek pads acutally pushed up against my cheeks and forced them somewhat upward. I know helmets will loosen over time but this seemed a bit tight just around face area. I am thinking of returning and going up a size.
Joined
·
1,822 Posts
Well, with the Arai I ordered, I went just by their measurement chart. Naturally, my jug was just in between 2 sizes si I chose the larger of the two. the Arai XL cuts off at 24 inches and the XXL starts at 24 3/8. My head is 24 1/4 so I went up to the XXL. I fiugured I would rather it be slightly loose by 1/8 inch that slightly tight by 1/4 over the max in a size range. Worst case, I pull the strap.
Thom, if yours is pushing your cheeks up, it either means you have a really chubby face and/or you undersized the helmet. Is it tight around your forehead? Did you measure your head with a string and refer to AFX's size chart? Here's their fitting guide and size chart to help you out.
Honestly, the Arai was a lot more money than I wanted to spend but a couple of things played into it. For one, it's a kick ass helmet with kick ass reviews. It has great ventilation from what I've read and is supposedly extremely protective and comfy. On top of all that, they had flat black which I particularly wanted so I can stop this helmet matching game I do.
The last helmet I bought was for my shifter cart and was an AGV. Retail was $509. Didn't wanna spend that money on it but chose it for most of the above reasons, protection and comfort being the highest. Honestly, that's the most comfortable helmet I've ever worn and was part of the reason I chose the Arai for my off-roader. Hopefully will be equal or exceed the AGV. If it does, it was worth the price to me.
Buster
Thom, if yours is pushing your cheeks up, it either means you have a really chubby face and/or you undersized the helmet. Is it tight around your forehead? Did you measure your head with a string and refer to AFX's size chart? Here's their fitting guide and size chart to help you out.
Honestly, the Arai was a lot more money than I wanted to spend but a couple of things played into it. For one, it's a kick ass helmet with kick ass reviews. It has great ventilation from what I've read and is supposedly extremely protective and comfy. On top of all that, they had flat black which I particularly wanted so I can stop this helmet matching game I do.
The last helmet I bought was for my shifter cart and was an AGV. Retail was $509. Didn't wanna spend that money on it but chose it for most of the above reasons, protection and comfort being the highest. Honestly, that's the most comfortable helmet I've ever worn and was part of the reason I chose the Arai for my off-roader. Hopefully will be equal or exceed the AGV. If it does, it was worth the price to me.
Buster
Thanks Buster.
I did measure with the tape I was right in the middle range of the size chart for AFX. I even called Motor Cycle Super Store to see where there customers are ordering. They say that AFX is usually true to size. Helmet fits good around ears but a little snug on head but real tight on cheeks. I am going to try a large and see how that works. I reall y like the looks and weight of it so I will try it. If to loose it goes back and I am back to drawing board.
I did measure with the tape I was right in the middle range of the size chart for AFX. I even called Motor Cycle Super Store to see where there customers are ordering. They say that AFX is usually true to size. Helmet fits good around ears but a little snug on head but real tight on cheeks. I am going to try a large and see how that works. I reall y like the looks and weight of it so I will try it. If to loose it goes back and I am back to drawing board.
As long as it fits around teh head comfortably that's what matters. Cheek pads will break in some, but they are snug to keep the helmet from shaking around. Trying on helmets is like trying on new sneakers to some extent. You make sure they fit right, but they will "break in" too.Thom said:
Well I ordered the large and sending the medium back. This is the problem I see with mail order helmets. The styles you like are never at the dealers. They carry the same ole styles you see all over. Unfortunately if the large does not fit I will end up in that route.
1 - 20 of 29 Posts
