new helmet time

[mckitterick]

Riding home Monday night from the University's motor-pool car-park, I figured it was not only time but well past time to buy a new helmet. Why, you ask? Because I could pretty much not see anything through the scratched and pitted shield. That in addition to its having saved my head a couple of times by giving up chunks of itself to various road surfaces. Plus it kinda smelled like bears hibernated in there. Oh, and I have to wear a balaclava to keep the decomposing foam from sticking to my scalp and face.

It's only now gotten cold enough in Kansas to require wearing a full-face helmet, so I'd forgotten just how bad the old Simpson was getting. But the weather isn't getting warmer any time soon. So, yeah, it was time to retire my beloved Arai DS "Darth Vader" helmet.

What did I order? How about a lightweight, full-carbon-fiber sexy thang:

Click the image to see the specs.

Being a bargain-shopper, I made an offer far lower than their list price - and they accepted it! Within days, I'll have my new helmet. Woohoo!

I looked all over teh intarwebs to find a photo of what my dying helmet looks like, to no avail (it's rather, um, vintage). It was really cool, with giant openings for the eyes and an "I'm your father, Luke," vent on the chin. I suspect it'll become part of a Halloween costume at some point, because it's not really good for anything else.

Later!
Chris

Comments

[normalcyispasse.livejournal.com]

I have two. One is an HJC CL-SP; I don't like it very much because it transmits a lot of wind noise.



My other is a KBC VR-1X Performance. It's quieter and more snug and it conforms to ECE 22.05 (generally regarded as a little better than Snell). It's still noisier than I'd like, though, and I really envy the ventilation, fit, and light weight of nicer lids.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

I really like the design and layout of the KBC.

Here's hoping my new Joe Rocket will fit just right.

[normalcyispasse.livejournal.com]

Mind if I ask how much you paid for it? I've had my eye on that noggin-cap, and I'm in the market for a new lid; I'm looking to buy in early November (last day of the CycleWorld International Motorcycle Show in PHX).

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

You can find 'em all over eBay right now for about $300 plus shipping (what I paid). That's a whole lot less than retail. Never thought I could afford a full carbon-fiber helmet, but these discounters make it possible.

[normalcyispasse.livejournal.com]

I do like it a lot. I also like the AC-12 Carbon, and I've test-fit one (but not test-ridden):



The good thing about the HJC and KBC? They cost me less than $100 each.