Recommendations on half helmets?

[Jeffsmountainauto]

Its getting hot out here in California. Would like to find a decent half helmet to wear in this weather before i bake my brain any further. The local bike shop has very little to offer. What helmets do you guys prefer? Why?

[ringadingh]

One that fits good, although in reality a half helmet gives very limited protection when you need it.
I know that the hot weather makes wearing helmets uncomfortable, but its nice to get up off the road and still have a face if you ever do go down.

[Top Cat]

I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending any half helmet to anyone.
Just put a strap on one of your wife's tupperware bowls and use that.
Saves you money and has about as much protection.

[Boscoe]

3/4 helmets are somewhat better.

Read an article that showed that the majority of hits will be below the line from the ears to the chin- an area that 1/2 helmets offer NO protection.

[cactusjack]

Geez guys, I'm sure Jeff is intelligent enough to decide for himself if he wants a half helmet or not. He didn't ask for personal safety opinions, he asked for suggestions on half helmets.

Jeff, proper fit it what matters most. I would find a shop that has a decent selection of helmets and try them on. Helmet shapes and sizes vary, so do head shapes and sizes. If you have a Cycle Gear store in your area, they usually have a decent selection.

I live where it is blazing hot 5 months of the year and I probably have a half dozen half helmets. My Scorpion EXO-100 is very comfortable and has a pull-down half shield. I also have an H-D helmet with a pull-down shield that I wear a lot as well. HJC makes Harley helmets and you can find them in H-D dealerships (with the HD logo) or in other shops without the logo and for probably less dinero.

[Jeffsmountainauto]

This is all good info. I have never worn less than a full helmet before, but, the older i get, i find the heat less tolerable. Its going to be 102 degrees here on Saturday and will probably stay like that through the summer. I've got to do something to cool my dome, other than not riding. So, is the suggestion a3/4 helmet, or what would be best to keep my head cool. Thanks again.

[Jeffsmountainauto]

EXO-100 does look good. Safe you think?

[cactusjack]

I'm sure the EXO-100 is as good a half helmet as you can buy. This time of year, when it's above 100 degrees every day, and in the 80's or 90's at 06:30 AM when I go to work, I prefer to be comfortable. Some guys prefer to be bundled up with a leather jacket, full face helmet and leather pants or chaps. I'm not one of those guys. I acknowledge the risks and accept them, or i wouldn't ride in this heat.

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Geez guys, I'm sure Jeff is intelligent enough to decide for himself if he wants a half helmet or not. He didn't ask for personal safety opinions, he asked for suggestions on half helmets.

I'm sure he is intelligent enough to decide also, BUT the more opinions and facts one has, the better decisions one can make.
As I stated, I have never owned a half helmet soooooooooooo, I just threw out there my concerns about them.
You been here long enough Scott, you know how this forum works
Questions asked will get answered but sometimes you have to wade through some opinions, advice and ball bustin as well.

[cactusjack]

Oh, so you have never actually OWNED a half helmet, have you? That's like asking a tea totaler what brand of bourbon tastes best.

[Monkeyman]

I have a Scorpion EXO 100 like CJ. It's very comfortable. With the zip in neck collar in place, it's good down to about 40*. With a separate neck sleeve to cover part of your face, you could ride down to about 20*. I also have a Bell Mag 9 (3/4 with a faceshield) I wear most of the time as I have dry eyes and can't stand the wind in them. The Scorpion is a great helmet but it DOES give you mushroom head. If I were to buy another 1/2 lid, I'd seriously look at the Bell Pit Boss. Same DOT rating (which doesn't really mean alot) but less mushroominess.

[stretch]

EXO-100 is what I use also. Great helmet for hot weather.

[Jeffsmountainauto]

Trying to find a place thats close to my local to try on an EXO. Looks like a well built helmet

[MarkG]

I wore a 3/4 helmet for several years and switched to a full face when I started touring for more weather protection. After wearing it in hot and cold I would never go back to the other helmets. The full face helmet actually protects me from the heat and I am not nearly as uncomfortable with the blast furnace air going around my face. The outside of the helmet and my gear can be hot enough you do not want to touch it. On the inside it is still uncomfortable and miserable but it beats having my skin that hot.

That said, I believe the helmet has to be comfortable and every head is different. I understand the Scorpian EXO series is a good helmet, even though none of them are large enough for me. When asked, many riders will tell you the safety factors of a 1/2, 3/4, or full face helmet had little to do with their decision. They chose the helmet solely on fit and comfort. Although Boscoe and a couple of the other guys are correct, face and chin protection should be considered when buying the helmet. My wife is a good example, none of the full face helmets fit, the best one for her was a 3/4 helmet made by HJC. Another guy came into the store while we were shopping and tried every brand and type, settling on the 1/2 helmet because it fit him the best. I walked out with a really comfortable modular full face.

You may have to drive quite a distance getting to a helmet shop, the closest one to me with a good selection is 40 miles away. Don't just try it on and immediately take it off, unless it obviously is too tight or loose. Leave it on your head for a while, shake it around, bend over, turn your head to look behind you to see how it feels. Ignore the salesman other than to keep him talking to you with inane conversation while you are wearing the helmet for several minutes.

The myth being too hot wearing helmets and gear is subjective more than real. Each person has their own comfort level and nobody will be the same. A good article for hot weather riding can be found at http://www.soundrider.com/archive/sa..._youre_hot.htm

As I get older it isn't necessary to prove how tough I am or keeping up with the latest style. A bad sunburn or windburn along with the hot pavement down here that is 195 degrees is not something I want to experience.

[fammdw]

I've got a brand new EXO-100 that I bought on impulse and I've only worn it once. Bought an extra shield with it when I got it. If anybody is interested I wouldn't mind selling it for $110 shipping included to the continental US. Size Large - Black. Smoke shield and Blue Mirror Shield.