A Look at Different Helmets for a Harley Rider

[@steves2837]

I grew up riding without a helmet. When California passed the helmet law, I bought a novelty helmet. This worked fine for many years. When I turned 50 I decided to play it safe and bought a HD half helmet that was DOT approved. One day on a long ride the wind came at me at an angle and got past my windshield. It caught the edge of the helmet and pulled hard. At the end of the day, I lost vision in one eye. The next day the blood clot went from my eye to my brain. I had a massive stroke and lost the use of my left side. Two weeks in ICU and after a lot of rehab I’m back in the wind. What I want to share is that DOT helmet had a metal ring sewn into the strap at the Y on the right side. That metal ring crushed my right carotid artery. This caused the blood clot and stroke. If I had stayed with the novelty helmet I would still have full function of my left side. For now I ride with a carbon fiber polo style helmet or my Schuberth modular if it’s cold.

[@DKCustomProducts]

Wow, that is crazy. Glad you are back in the wind, and what happened to you is good info for anyone looking at a helmet to make sure that it fits well and does not have any chance of doing that.

[@rickbecker3239]

I live in a compulsory helmet state so I compromise function with comfort and wear a white modular helmet. The LS2 brand I wear was affordable and allows the bar to flip all the way back so it can be worn as a 3/4 helmet. This helmet model also provides for good weather protection when needed and better bluetooth coms with my passenger and other riders. That's my helmet story.

[@DKCustomProducts]

Thanks for the info, appreciate the input!

[@ronlynch7744]

Man this is a good topic. I started with a HJC in 1994 , damn heavy. So I switched to a half helmet non DOT for 23yrs. Then when test riding a Road Glide the dude said you can’t ride with that helmet. I went into the Harley Dealer and bought a Harley half helmet. 😎👍🇨🇦

[@DKCustomProducts]

Yeah, heavy helmets suck.

[@bigbob16]

Had a new rider try on one of my helmets...he liked how it fit and bought the same one and size online...after getting it he complained it didn't fit him...explained that mine was broken in and he will have to do the same with his...it's been my experience that all new helmets have to go through a breaking in period to feel completely comfortable

[@DKCustomProducts]

Thank you for your comment...really good add that we completely forgot to put in the video. 👍

[@lunathewolf3346]

I usually wear a half helmet but recently bought a full face(Shoei).I thought it was ok until I needed to spit while riding. Wish I would've gotten a modular instead.

[@DKCustomProducts]

😂👍😂

[@darwinandoe1003]

Since I live in a state (Nevada) that has a Helmet Law I wear a helmet. However, around town I wear. Harley half helmet with a built in pull down partial shield. But, when I go on full day or cross country ride I wear a Shoei Full Face modular belt with blue tooth to listen to my music. I like the flexibility that a modular gives me in dealing with various weather conditions (wind, dust, rain, cold, etc.). 99% of the time I ride with the shield flipped up and the interior sun shield pulled down. However, the only time I fill up the modular front while riding is when I take a drink out of my water tank bag. Lol. If I wanted the modular front flipped all the time, I would ride with a 3/4 helmet. When the modular is down I imagine that I am at a drive in movie theater watching the world through the big screen. Wow, I just showed the world how old I am. :)

[@DKCustomProducts]

Thanks for the comment and your insight. 👍

[@paulhood7316]

Keeping with the theme of" it should be a choice , just like a seat belt or underwear,"( because you'd have to be obtuse not to recognise the inheherent dangers of two wheels of any kind) for adults of leagal age that choose to operate . Having said that , really looking at the type of testing that goes on with the various dot , snell, etc FIM takes into consideration the type and number of impacts to the helmet in testing modeled after the type of crashes that professional superbike racers have and the softer the helment while tumbling the less injury to the cranium is sustained by energy absorption

[@DKCustomProducts]

Thanks for the comment. Lots of good stuff. 👍 "Choice" "softer the helmet while tumbling the less injury to the cranium is sustained by energy absorption"

[@Ken-wu6hr]

I have a HD 3 pc. I’m really thinking about a HD white 1/2 helmet & I’m looking at the Simpson module for Interstate long trip. I want D rings. My bike is Blue & black. I want cooler white for Texas sun. & it’s brighter.

[@DKCustomProducts]

Awesome, it sounds like it will be a cooler and better seen! Thank you for commenting! MB

[@davemagee]

Hey guys down here in New Zealand we have no choice but to wear a Helmet its law I had a Bell Rouge when I had to drop my bike grated the rim and damaged my nose and chin and got knocked out love half helmets but after that I got a Modular helmet . All the best from NZ 🇳🇿 Ride free

[@DKCustomProducts]

I did not know that about NZ. Thanks for sharing. Glad you're back in the wind! 👍

[@paulhood7316]

full transparecy? i ride with a lid when weather conditions deteriorate or when in a state that requires it . full face modular go have it fitted ( if they will in D variant)

[@DKCustomProducts]

As do many folks I know...one thing is sure, it is much more enjoyable!

[@jeffreycarroll5920]

One thing I’ve always questioned about helmets…….. How many motorcycle accidents are caused because a person wearing a helmet was vision Impaired or hearing impaired ? Not sure there have ever been studies in this.

[@DKCustomProducts]

Good point. There are more than a few people that say that helmets, especially full face helmets, limit their field of vision, making them feel less safe.

[@sgteduardo2146]

I agree here. Wearing a full face helmet I feel sort of trapped. Head movement is limited. I’m a guy who rides with his head on a swivel. Personally, I hate the full face, and I wear prescription glasses. I’m going to try a 3/4 Biltwell Bonanza with goggles over my glasses.

[@talkingrock7011]

I can hear it already but we wear a half helmet all but in the winter then we wear a full face on our Tri Glide

[@DKCustomProducts]

A very popular strategy. 👍

[@MrMdandnor]

I have a modular hemmet. Often open. Closed in rain and high speeds

[@DKCustomProducts]

That is the nice thing about modular, you can do either.

[@brentchugg1399]

I've ridden for many years and have had differing opinions of helmet use, usually riding without. Then, I took a job with Harley-Davidson corporate - "The Motor Company" as we called it - and I got very exposed to tons of data and science about safety. I left the Motor Company a couple of years ago, but hasn't changed my viewpoint. I don't get on a bike without a helmet. Ever. Same as the "loud pipes save lives" argument that people make - the data just isn't there to support that. Data shows it's about visibility.

[@DKCustomProducts]

Yep, SEE & BE SEEN- kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmqwiYqkgddjqtk kzbin.info/aero/PLb3bvZgbH92-ODiIWqsy5xMSrmW_Ag91B

[@paulbronnenberg2075]

I HATE wearing any kind of helmet ! But as I got older and lost all my hair the bugs hurt less with a helmet on!

[@DKCustomProducts]

I hear ya! 👍

[@bajarvcouple]

Great info.

[@DKCustomProducts]

Thanks for watching!

[@garywilliams4205]

LIVE IN A HELMET STATE NC I STILL RIDE WITHOUT IT

[@DKCustomProducts]

They just don't enforce it there?

[@theosid5099]

sure is more enjoyable without a helmet but falling off while riding or getting hit without a helmet no thanks. always a helmet especially if someone is waiting back home

[@DKCustomProducts]

And that is the reason that Many have for wearing a helmet.

[@talkingrock7011]

And now we want a Sena for communication

[@DKCustomProducts]

Over the years I have asked Mary if she wants any kind of communication device...she has always said "we talk enough, we don't need that". lol

[@jamesmeredith2713]

Harley doesn’t make helmets ,, we have 3 , HJC , LS2 and I can’t remember who made the 3rd one ,, they are all different,,

[@DKCustomProducts]

True that about Harley...he should have said Harley branded. 👍

[@JohnSmith-qs5fg]

May as well wrap yer head in bubble wrap. Helmets are only useful at speeds of 40mph or lower. Snell is a standard for AUtTO RACING!! where you have other safety features to protect you, it has no business rating motorcycle helmets. 🤑

[@DKCustomProducts]

I hit the ground at about 70 mph, and scraped the back of my helmet...would I have scraped my head if no helmet on? Dunno. But glad it was the helmet that got scraped up and not my head. Not sure how hard my head hit, but no concussion. Nolan Modular DOT.

[@GeemailMailboxx]

A modular helmet can add to the riding enjoyment, because when some idiot cager is on your tail, you can launch a huge gooey snot rocket 🤮 at their windshield and casually throttle away. 🤭🤧

[@DKCustomProducts]

I've never tried that.