Cold Weather Riders

[txknight67]

OK. It is getting a wee bit chilly here in the panhandle of TX and in the last month I have gone through two face shields which I pretty much attribute to the cold. Some of the small plastic pieces in the hinge area broke off.

My question is, what is a good full face helmet that will hold up in cold weather? As in possible single digit cold weather and definitely in the teens. I currently am using a KBC. Not sure of the model.

Any other cold weather gear tips would be extremely helpful as well as finding something that will stand up to 70mph winds while providing thermal protection is proving a bit difficult.

 

[speedster200]

txknight67 what size is your broken BRP helmet? I will be able to get it warrantied. I couldn't remember your helmet size. BRP also has snowmobile helmets. I'm going to look into them for the anti fog problems were having riding in the teens. BRRRR but fun.:yikes:

 

[txknight67]

txknight67 what size is your broken BRP helmet? I will be able to get it warrantied. I couldn't remember your helmet size. BRP also has snowmobile helmets. I'm going to look into them for the anti fog problems were having riding in the teens. BRRRR but fun.:yikes:

Can I change the size? If I can I could use a medium. The small puts pressure on my forehead and two points on the back of my head that get annoying in the heat, but I still liked the helmet until it started coming apart.

Maybe those Fog City inserts? And you're right, BRRRR but it was a blast. In more ways than one.:roflblack:

I just realized who you are.hyea: Or at least I think I did.:roflblack:

 

[speedster200]

I'll try to change the size. Bring the helmet to the shop when you can. I know BRP will call for it back.:2thumbs:

 

[txknight67]

Will do. Should be able to do that tomorrow.

 

[NancysToy]

Can I change the size? If I can I could use a medium. The small puts pressure on my forehead and two points on the back of my head that get annoying in the heat, but I still liked the helmet until it started coming apart.

I don't want to be discouraging, and it is great that the dealer has stepped up to try to get this warranteed, but what you need is not a larger helmet. You need a different helmet. Helmet shapes differ, and you need one that fits the shape of your head. Pressure points like this are a classic sign of the wrong shape helmet, and the leading cause of wearing too large a helmet for maximum protection. I made this mistake once, and ended up being unconscious for four hours after the helmet slammed into my head. For the most part, the wrong shape of helmet means switching to a different brand. In some cases, especially Arai helmets, a different model will have a different shape. When you try a helmet on, wear it around the shop for at least 15 minutes, and be very aware of pressure points. If you feel them now, they'll be worse on a ride.

 

[frank3]

Helmet size/shape

I'm in the market for a new helmet and have a long narrow head. I have yet to find a brand that I didn't have problems with feeling like it was pressing against my forehead and back center of my head. Any one out there recommend a helmet that is long and not soo wide?:dontknow:

 

[Mr Safety]

Chicago Riding

I just rode last sunday and it was 38 degrees out. I wore a facemask with foam lined goggles to keep the cold out of my eyes and a half helmet and was very comfortable and warm. Round trip about 80 miles. :yes:

Of course today the Spyder is parked because it is 2 degrees with a 20 below wind chill

 

[Arachnid]

I have a lined hoodie I've been wearing under my helmet and leather jacket which keeps me really worm. It is one of those that has the sweat shirt inside and a weather proof outer shell. I am using an open face helmet with a full face shield.

Mike

 

[3wheeldemon]

I second Scotty. Try the Arai helmets, the Vector is great for rounder head shapes, the Corsair V is better for elongated shapes.

3WD

 

[sabunim5]

www.webbikeworld.com has a great archive and information section on helmet types, weights, head shape etc. and it is a great place to start researching. Once you have it narrowed down; do as Scotty says and go try one on. Fog City shields will solve any shield fogging problems you are having. As I recall, the faceshields on Scorpion helmets are known for having particularly good anti-fog properties. Scorpion helmets make the BRP helmet. Look for something called a "gator" for your cold issue. It is made of wetsuit material. It covers your neck and the part of your face that is not covered by the helmet. I regard it as the next step up in cold protection from a balaclava. I wear glasses and a balaclava will fog my glasses in a heartbeat, but I can ride fog free all day with a gator. :thumbup:

 

[Roger]

Helmets

As Scotty stated i made that mistake, about ending up with a helmet to big so i purchased a kbc which seemed just fine but the screws for the shield had warn out quickly so then i bought a shorty helmet which looks a little weird but dose the job i will get a fullface helmet of good quality when i start riding again. opcorn:

 

[tatt2r]

OK. It is getting a wee bit chilly here in the panhandle of TX and in the last month I have gone through two face shields which I pretty much attribute to the cold. Some of the small plastic pieces in the hinge area broke off.

My question is, what is a good full face helmet that will hold up in cold weather? As in possible single digit cold weather and definitely in the teens. I currently am using a KBC. Not sure of the model.

Any other cold weather gear tips would be extremely helpful as well as finding something that will stand up to 70mph winds while providing thermal protection is proving a bit difficult.

how cold does it get in texas???? i've ridden in minus zero degree weather and never broke a faceshield..... had ice on a few but never broke one...

 

[jnt]

I'm in the market for a new helmet and have a long narrow head. I have yet to find a brand that I didn't have problems with feeling like it was pressing against my forehead and back center of my head. Any one out there recommend a helmet that is long and not soo wide?:dontknow:

Frank - Schuberth and Scorpion both are oblong. Work for us. The new distributor for Scorpion is a long-time rider.

 

[SethO]

I second Scotty. Try the Arai helmets, the Vector is great for rounder head shapes, the Corsair V is better for elongated shapes.

3WD

that is what i have, better than my shoei and the best i have used, put a fog city insert in it, as for the cost,WHAT IS YOUR HEAD WORTH??

I have found them on sale on the net for 250 for solids and 300 for graphics.

 

[txknight67]

I don't want to be discouraging, and it is great that the dealer has stepped up to try to get this warranteed, but what you need is not a larger helmet. You need a different helmet. Helmet shapes differ, and you need one that fits the shape of your head. Pressure points like this are a classic sign of the wrong shape helmet, and the leading cause of wearing too large a helmet for maximum protection. I made this mistake once, and ended up being unconscious for four hours after the helmet slammed into my head. For the most part, the wrong shape of helmet means switching to a different brand. In some cases, especially Arai helmets, a different model will have a different shape. When you try a helmet on, wear it around the shop for at least 15 minutes, and be very aware of pressure points. If you feel them now, they'll be worse on a ride.

I am worried about that. I was thinking I would try a medium anyway because My Lady and I both have the same model KBC helmet and hers is a small and mine is a medium and I noticed the medium fits on my head a little differently than the small. Those differences, when carried over to the BRP helmet might fix those pressure points. I hope.

I too am very worried about getting too big a helmet due to horror stories I have heard. I have an uncle and a brother that both rode extensively and had many stories, thankfully not from personal experience.

 

[txknight67]

www.webbikeworld.com has a great archive and information section on helmet types, weights, head shape etc. and it is a great place to start researching. Once you have it narrowed down; do as Scotty says and go try one on. Fog City shields will solve any shield fogging problems you are having. As I recall, the faceshields on Scorpion helmets are known for having particularly good anti-fog properties. Scorpion helmets make the BRP helmet. Look for something called a "gator" for your cold issue. It is made of wetsuit material. It covers your neck and the part of your face that is not covered by the helmet. I regard it as the next step up in cold protection from a balaclava. I wear glasses and a balaclava will fog my glasses in a heartbeat, but I can ride fog free all day with a gator. :thumbup:

I got a neck tube that does the same thing as the Gator, but I still fogged. The BRP helmet face shield fogged bad for me. The original KBC face shield, with a little help from Vari-Clear would stay fog free. These replacement face shields however, even with the Vari-Clear like to fog. I'll have to try those Fog City inserts.

 

[txknight67]

www.webbikeworld.com has a great archive and information section on helmet types, weights, head shape etc. and it is a great place to start researching. Once you have it narrowed down; do as Scotty says and go try one on. Fog City shields will solve any shield fogging problems you are having. As I recall, the faceshields on Scorpion helmets are known for having particularly good anti-fog properties. Scorpion helmets make the BRP helmet. Look for something called a "gator" for your cold issue. It is made of wetsuit material. It covers your neck and the part of your face that is not covered by the helmet. I regard it as the next step up in cold protection from a balaclava. I wear glasses and a balaclava will fog my glasses in a heartbeat, but I can ride fog free all day with a gator. :thumbup:

Thanks for the link. Wish I had this before I bought the first time.:shocked: Will do some more research before I buy a replacement.

 

[txknight67]

how cold does it get in texas???? i've ridden in minus zero degree weather and never broke a faceshield..... had ice on a few but never broke one...

This has happened both times in the 20's and the plastic hinge pieces are fine when I inspect the helmet before I leave work or home, and then when I get to the other place, some of them are separating from the face shield. I had one separate completely as I was leaving work and had to deal with a leaking face shield for 40 miles on a chilly night. When they break, they don't come completely off the helmet, they just start creating gaps around the seal.

 

[woodz428]

how cold does it get in texas???? i've ridden in minus zero degree weather and never broke a faceshield..... had ice on a few but never broke one...

I had to wonder myself. I used to ride all winter long on 2 wheels and never had a faceshield break. That is in 10"+snow and so cold I had to break the ice off the throttle to get it to turn. I used to use Bell exclusively and changed to a Kevlar Bieffe and have used them since. Had at least 12 of those with their changing faceshields and never had any break. I still have several new ones I purchased for spares, of course the helmets they fit are no longer available. But the fact that I have a growing collection of different Bieffe faceshields illustrate how little they need replacement for anything.
By the way, I switched to Bieffe when Bell saleman was in the dealership and I was getting ready to order a new Bieffe because I liked the idea of the Kevlar. The Bell salesman said, after I asked if they were going to offer one, they just buy those Snell stickers and put them on, they DON'T meet Snell standards. When I asked why, if Bell knew that Bieffe was doing that, they didn't file a complaint or do some advertising stating such...he had no reply. I've bought Bieffe since, although as a bike tech since 1969 I have tried many types over the years, I have always been happy with the fit and wearability of the Bieffe. If I only bought a helmet every 5 years or so,I may feel differently, I don't know. But when you take your helmet on and off 4-5 times and hour for tests, every couple years is long enough.
Sidenote;Bell is now owned by Bieffe. Payback is hell. All facescreens are susceptible to plastic deterioration over time, I imagine that in Texas that is accelerated by the summer temps/heat. The aging from the sun may have more to do with the failure than the cold. It just occurred when it was cold.