Did anyone invest in a DOT helmet and riding jacket?

Helmet Fit

Be sure to read the sizing and fit recommendations by the manufactures. If it isn't a snug fit, you head will bounce around like a BB in a basketball.

I tossed a "Half Shell" helmet that I bought in the 60s last year. The fiberglass seemed as sound as when it was new. Likewise the hard foam also seemed to be in good shape. The soft foam pads though were toast.

The half shell didn't really offer much protection for me when riding my trail bikes, but at least the family would have most of my head to bury. )

Old heads don't bounce much, but young ones also aren't bullet proof. I have a friend in his 40s now. He was injured around 20 years ago in a motorcycle accident. Due to brain damage the only job he has been able to keep is a super market stocker on the swing (10PM - 6AM) shift. Nice guy but his life was for ever changed for lack of proper protection.

I have scars and screwed up joints from my days of TB riding. I now have elbow, wrist and knee pads as well as the modular full face helmet. The hard insert in wrist bands scream loud to me as many times the heel of my hand hit the ground / rocks first followed quickly by a knee.

Good luck and be safe, then enjoy the freedom of MB riding.

Jim
 
Your head weighs a lot more at 30 mph due to inertia.

A good DOT helmet starts at $ 50 for a half helmet.

Thats a minimum.
 
I wear the Tourmaster Jett jacket ($80ish new)
and the HJC Symax Helmet (flip up),
with bug eye mirrors just under the visor Oh, and Fox motocross gloves

I've been in a pretty bad crash, and had almost no road rash.
Just a broken arm from the way I landed
(arm outstretched, so I broke the radial tip from compression)
No jacket would have saved me from that.

All in all, I was VERY happy I was wearing all my gear.
I love armored jackets like the Jett that don't look "too much" like a motorcycle jacket, but still has reflective piping and CE approved full armor.
 
just got my snell helmet

Just received my helmet. Very comfortable and reasonably priced. Quality is good for the price.

I paid $49 on ebay. The vendor is 123gohelmet and I would recommend him. I measured my head as recommended, but the first helmet was too small. Since he is in a neighboring city, he made the exchange in person. Very good customer service.

I believe helmets are a must, everybody please wear one!
 
Im wearing this now. Its my dads old helmet he use to wear when he had a gold wing. Its a bit big and looks a lil funny on my but it saves my head and i can go faster now as the wind isnt in my eyes.
 

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This is the helmet I bought, from the same seller. I was satisfied with the quality and price. The comfort level is great, quality looks true for safety purposes, and ok for workmanship (had to re-glue the liner back in the chin piece, but the flip joints look long-wearing. Shipping was 1 day at no extra charge (from Houston to Dallas suburb). http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Full...QQitemZ380206456368QQptZApparelQ5fMerchandise



I bought a Kylin helmet from Ebay for $50 shipped. It has a flip up full face and plastic visor (fogs up on moist days, good it has about 10 detents to fight that). It is DOT motorcycle road helmet. The chin-up button does not scratch my chin (very relieved, this is why I bought this helmet).

It was well worth it because I get more respect from motorists, and if I am ever downed by a dog, it will be harder for them to get my neck or face! Loose dogs are a real problem in TX. It is wise to carry any weapon you can legally posess and deploy!

I am getting one of those bright yellow visibility vests.
 
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White DOT Approved helmet? Absolutely!
Leather work gloves from Home Depot? Absolutely!
Blinding yellow bicycling jacket? Absolutely!
Lights and lots of high-visibility reflectors all around for night riding when I start riding at night.

A good helmet when you are going to hit concrete is good protection. Cheap helmet is cheap protection. (How much is your brain worth?) Give up a few vices or girlfriend's dinners for a couple of weeks and get good gear. Be seen!

I may look goofy when I ride, but 99% of all cagers give me extra room when they see me and law officers ignore me. I don't mind flying; it is the instant launch and instant stop of an accident that I really am against.

MikeJ
 
i had a boss in st. louis was formerly a cop in chicago for 10 years, he was a tough little cuss & a great co-worker, and i learned he was worth listening to.

the subject of safety gear came up when i snagged a bicycle for the summer, and again during a brief love-affair i had with a honda 750-4 automatic...ooh baby that was a cool bike...

both times, he said the same thing...

"you only look stoopid with all that sh-tuff on until you get on the bike, then you look smart."

when i found out i was gonna do 30mph+ on a bicycle, i knew i was gonna have to be xtra smart about this one...DOT, goggles, gloves, long sleeve denim (minimum), long pants, boots...and i had bought it all before i'd even decided on my first kit.

speakin' of bicycle, don't forget to build smart, too :)
 
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