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Thread ID: 98947 2009-04-14 00:29:00 Motorbikes convair (13650) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
764786 2009-04-15 21:26:00 Wow, I wouldn't spend less than $500 on the helmet alone! (Unless Shoei or Bell are making quality helmets at bargain basement prices these days!!)

Rule of thumb: if you have a head worth $20, buy a $20 helmet.

The only place you will find a $20 (safety rated) helmet is on Trademe or a garage sale - with possible hidden damage.

Just because it is a Shoei does not mean it is the safest helmet.
Compare brands and models here: http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

You will find, for instance, an HJC helmet can have a higher rating than a Shoei but costs less than half. Bell helmets appear to be the best although I have not looked at all the results.

Shoei push their helmets with advertising and in-store promotions, which adds to the purchase price. They ARE mostly excellent quality and they DO have street credibility / top fashion marks, but then I doubt if Harley riders would not - understandably - give a cr*p.

The bottom line is that you do not need to spend $500 or more on a helmet to meet NZ safety standards. But if you accept the Sharp safety ratings and also want high status in the fashion dept, then a mere $150 or so will not cut it.
Strommer (42)
764787 2009-04-15 21:37:00 Can you get a german ww2 helmet like the bikies have with safety sticker inside it? prefect (6291)
764788 2009-04-15 22:37:00 Can you get a german ww2 helmet like the bikies have with safety sticker inside it?

Metla will know!

For a complete contrast to German WW2 helmets, try these (www.oddee.com).
Strommer (42)
764789 2009-04-16 05:16:00 Although I agree to some extent about the "fashion" comment, I disagree that you get the same standard of safety from a $20 helmet as a $500 helmet. The cheap end range meets the safety standards. The more expensive exceeds the safety standards (more often than not).

There is a world of difference between a polycarbonate shell $20 helmet with a 2ml perspex visor and a $500+ fibreglass and kevlar jobbie with a 3ml or 4ml scratch-resistant visor.

$20 helmets aren't really realistic though are they, so I'll jump to $150 which is about your low end helmet sold through your average bike store, From what I have seen the NZ/international standard is so high that you are garenteed a quality helmet and when tested the more expensive helmets generally fared no better then the cheap ones.

I personally wouldn't buy a (new) $60 helmet off Trademe but only because I have my doubts they genuinely passed the safety standard, I wouldn't touch a second hand helmet with a 600 foot pole, But then again my helmets are in shocking state, its time I bought another, I'm thinking sub $200, Not a fan of flashy helmets.
Metla (12)
764790 2009-04-16 05:25:00 And any colour, so long as it is black! :D johcar (6283)
764791 2009-04-16 06:58:00 Can you get a german ww2 helmet like the bikies have with safety sticker inside it?

Unfortunately they are modern replicas so probably work better.
PaulD (232)
764792 2009-04-16 07:33:00 Seems appropriate for this thread... johcar (6283)
764793 2009-04-16 10:22:00 , but TYRES (pretty important if you want to keep the foot pegs from being damaged by the road) are - or were - about 4 times more expensive over the same distance a car travels (considering the fact that you only have two to buy, and they only do a small percentage of the distance that a car tyre will).
When I had my Z1 900 in the mid seventies, during the summer I could chew out a back tyre in 3 weeks and I didn't drop blackies.
mikebartnz (21)
764794 2009-04-16 10:24:00 Good points. Wearing protective clothing while motorcycling is a must, unless you do not value your skin and like staying in hospitals. With helmet, figure to spend at least $500.

If your commute is not too far, bicycling is the way to go. Then again, cyclists usually only wear helmets for protection...
It amazes me how many people I see riding with no protective gear eg. jandals, no jacket. Silly buggers.
mikebartnz (21)
764795 2009-04-16 10:31:00 When I had my Z1 900 in the mid seventies, during the summer I could chew out a back tyre in 3 weeks and I didn't drop blackies.

Good bikes I had a Z900A4 (detuned Z1). I must have been a nana rider my Continental rear tyre lasted a year.
prefect (6291)
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