Speedtrip

Very good video on getting helmet sizing right.


Jay Leno's Garage

motowebmaster

What we need is some "boutique" shops where we can pick out the style we like and build in liners, cheekpads, and such

It was a good video, made me think about the size. I'm currently using a XL and it seems "worn out"

Speedtrip

Makes me wonder too. I've never tried on an Arai thats the correct size for my head measurment that fit me. I went into a local bike shop last week looking at lids and for the first time the sales guy asked about changing the pads so that one would fit me right.

SidecarFlip

Before I got into snowmobiles, I was a go to the store, try it on and buy it persoan as well. Snowmobile helmets are a bit more advanced than bike helmets because they have to function in extreme temperatures, provide impact protection plus be fitted with a well engineered ventilation system that keeps the shield from icing from your breath and at the same time, keep your head warm. When it's cold, you loose the most heat from the area above your shoulders so all that has to be engineered in.

Typically, a good sled helmet is in the 500 dollar range and up. I have an HJC fullface I wear on the bike. I bought extra liners, cheek pads and side pads so when thyy get sweaty and dirty, I can snap them out and wash them. When it's below 50 I wear a sled helmet on the bike plus I wear a balaclava that covers my head, shoulders and covers the open area below my chinstrap. The sled helmet has a designed in electrically heated double pane shield so it won't fog. You just plug it into your power outlet, they only use a couple watts plus the shield seals against the helmet really well so there is no air leakage and no wind noise.

When it's cold outside I also wear a 2 piece snowmobile suit, jacket and bibs. You can go out and spend hundreds on cold weather riding gear that's motorcycle specific and still not get the cold weather protection, ease of use and body armor you can get with a much less expensive snowmobile suit. Besides, most snowmobile suits are gaudy as hell and have scotchlite reflective panels all around so they are very conspicuous as well. My jacket is Thinsulate with CE approved armor in the elbows, double zpiiered with a velcro windflap and a tall collar, lots of velcro pockets and even a place for a tether kill laynard. The bibs are also thinsulate with CE armor in the knees, double zippered and set up so if you have to take a leak, it's a zip away....nothing worse than pissing your pants while you are fumbling around trying to get your bibs undone....

The electrically heated bike specific garments are really nice...but expensive. You can ride in about any temperature gradient with a snowmobile suit and no electrically heated garments. They are well designed and very warm.

I do the snowmobile gloves as well. I have a pair that are thinsulate again, with leather palms and fingers and extra insulation on the top side of each finger....something that no motorcycle glove provides. They also have Kevlar armor on the top side. I would suggest heated grips on the bike however, as blood flow to yoyr fingers is limited so they will get cold.

If I can ride a sled in -45 actual and not get cold, a trip on the bike is nothing...with the right gear.

Speedtrip

[quote=SidecarFlip;1157]
double zippered and set up so if you have to take a leak, it's a zip away....nothing worse than pissing your pants while you are fumbling around trying to get your bibs undone....



Does this happen often Flip?

SidecarFlip

Lets put it this way. Almost. Not on a bike. On a sled. When you gotta go, you gotta go,

The Prophet

Sidecar,

I couldn't agree more on the aftermarket cold weather gear... or any gear for that matter.

Tons of great cold riding stuff to be found for reasonable prices at sporting goods stores, hunting outlets, even good ol' Walmart. Money saved can be spent on the bike, or on the trip, or whatever.

I too try to ride year round. There is an eerie silence and unique atmosphere in the cold, what with the blaring white of the snow, leafless trees, highlighted pines and evergreens, frozen rivers and lakes, etc. Just as long as you don't push the safety limits, and make sure the streets and roads are plowed, it's a good ride (what ride isn't?). It rotates the lubricants (in the bike!) and charges up the battery (in the bike AND you) as well. Snowmobile clothing is great for these rides, just remember to "go" first!

I do wear a full face helmet for the obvious safety reason, but also to block the cold winds, etc., and I also wear a jacket with shoulder, back and elbow protection. Just layer underneath, and a 4-6 hour ride in sub 40F weather is very do-able. A balclava hat is great under the helmet - toasty warm!

Great post.