CHEAP HELMETS FOR CHEAP HEADS

So, what the heck is a novelty motorcycle helmet?  Stated concisely, it’s a very cheap helmet.  Typically, it’s styled to look like a “half helmet” which is also called a “shorty.”

By the way, even though “half helmets” provide considerably less protection than an open face or full face helmet, they are legal and certified.  In other words, just because a helmet has a brief profile, does not mean it’s a novelty helmet.  (It’s how the thing is constructed that determines whether it is intended to protect a rider’s head, or not, in the event of a crash).

NOVELTY HELMETS ARE NOT LEGAL AS MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

Novelty helmets are not legal as motorcycle head protection in US states that require riders to wear a helmet.  Some novelty helmets even have disclaimers stating that the helmet is not intended for street use, or that it is not meant to be used as safety equipment, or that it is for display purposes only.  As well, novelty helmets may have no labeling at all.

Making matters more interesting, some novelty helmets even have bogus “certification,”  such as a DOT (Department of Transportation”) sticker.  Typical novelty helmets are so pronouncedly cheap and insubstantial compared to a real motorcycle helmet, that it’s hard to imagine a rider being fooled by such a ruse.  If you buy a helmet from a reputable dealer or online store, novelty helmets are clearly sold as a “novelty.”

Novelty helmets simply present an “appearance” that the rider is wearing a certified crash-protection motorcycle helmet, to avoid receiving a citation from authorities.  (In states and countries where helmet use is mandatory, it’s pretty obvious when a rider is “not” wearing one.)

NOVELTY HELMETS DO NOT PROTECT A BIKER’S HEAD

These cheap helmets are not manufactured with the energy-absorbing liners that protect a rider’s brain in the event of an impact.

In some motorcycle cultures, a novelty helmet may reflect a rebellious “in your face” reaction against a mandatory helmet law.   I’m not making a statement on whether mandatory helmet laws are a good or bad thing, but if you are going to wear a helmet at all, why not benefit from the intended purpose of the thing in the event of an unplanned get off?

In my mind, novelty helmets are analogous to the Tshirts that say “I’m with Stupid,” except in this case I imagine a red arrow pointing from the novelty helmet to the wearer’s head.

AVOID THE FOLLOWING NOVELTY HELMETS FOR RIDING:

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DON’T BUY DIGITAL TIRE GAUGES

Now, don’t get me wrong: I don’t think any motorcyclist can have too many tire gauges.

However, I have owned a few “digital” tire gauges, and I have tossed ‘em out and gone back to the tried and true “non-digital” (analog) versions.

Now, with all due respect to the digital tire gauge pictured  here (I have not used this one), I don’t recommend them.  I believe these digital gauges are designed solely to sell more gauges rather than to serve as useful motorcycle tools because their batteries just don’t last that long.

What I do like about these things is the ability to read more precise increments of tire pressure. 

DIGITAL TIRE GAUGE BATTERIES WILL FAIL

What I definitely do not like is that the batteries die way too fast (or the two I’ve used were defective).  The last thing you need is to have a gauge NOT working when you need it. 

The non-digital gauges NEVER have battery failures.

In conclusion, you can never go wrong giving a tire pressure gauge as a motorcycle gift, but I prefer the non-digital kind, even if the digital kind are more “modern” and “cool.” (Non-Digital Air Pressure Gauge for Tires)

Click on the following link to see all the different kinds of tire gauges – digital and non-digital (analog).

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SEEMS HARLEY DAVIDSON LETS ANYONE MAKE THEIR BOOTS

Bikers needs boots. Harley Davidson sells motorcycle boots. Lot’s of ‘em.

To fully capitalize on the big Motor Company’s name, they license the use of their logo to all kinds of manufacturers to make all kinds of Harley merchandise. And it’s obvious that some of them are soley for gifts, ’cause they sure ain’t for riding.

Click the links for men or women’s Harley Davidson boots and trod through a supply of footwear from the truly functional, to the thoroughly not practical.

You will find superb boots for motorcycle riding, as well as some ugly ones (you’ll see).

But if you know you are looking for Harley Davidson footwear that is GENUINELY “NOT” suitable for motorcycle riding, then click below on “GENUINELY BAD HARLEY DAVIDSON RIDING FOOTWEAR.”

HARLEY BOOTS FOR MEN AND WOMEN

♦ HARLEY DAVIDSON BOOTS FOR MEN

♦ WOMENS HARLEY BOOTS

♦ ♦ GENUINELY BAD HARLEY DAVIDSON RIDING FOOTWEAR

If you can’t figure out why the last items are NOT a good idea for riding a Harley, you shouldn’t be riding one….

REVIEW AND COMPARE HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLE BOOTS

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NEW RIDERS DO ‘NOT’ NEED HELMET SPEAKERS

Motorcycle helmet speakers make a bad gift for new riders.

WHY?

Well, a little background first: I’m a long-time, old-fashioned, long-distance motorcycle rider. I’ve lived through two serious motorcycle crashes and I’ve grown to respect the rudiments of safe riding.

And as obvious and rudimentary as this next statement may be, it can be missed by someone who is NOT a rider, who may be buying speakers as a gift for someone who is a biker: Motorcycle riding is very different from driving a car, van, SUV or truck. Per force, it require a much greater degree of defensive motorist attention than in any other vehicle.

NEW RIDERS DO ‘NOT’ NEED DISTRACTIONS

And a motorcyclist, particularly a NEW or inexperienced rider, does not need anything to distract him or her while learning the ropes of handling a motorcycle, keeping safe, and having lots of fun at the same time.

Now, I’m of the opinion that even an experienced rider does not need helmet speakers, which I’m guessing would put me in a minority.

Sure, helmet speakers are an integral part of rider communication systems (rider-to-passenger and rider-to-rider) and for this application, they can be quite useful – for an EXPERIENCED rider. Regardless, even for an experienced rider, they could still prove distracting.

EXPERIENCED RIDERS UNDERSTAND THE RISKS

However, typically, an experienced rider knows what he/she is getting into and is willing to assume a slightly higher risk potential, for the advantage of better communications with a passenger, or other riders, which can prove to be quite beneficial. But it’s worth emphasizing that an experienced rider is in a better position to successfully take on that risk, and who would probably minimize chat and use the equipment only for more vital points of information exchange.

Put the same equipment on a new rider, who may already be over-intoxicated with throttle power, who has never had to radically swerve to avoid a driver cutting him/her off, who doesn’t know the limits of the machine’s braking potential, and who hasn’t tested his/her motorbike control under stress, and ANYTHING that can distract the rider can mean bad news. ESPECIALLY, if the speakers happen to be jamming some invigorating tunes with the volume maxed so loud that the rider is out of touch with the immediate environment.

HELMET SPEAKERS MAY REDUCE RIDER SAFETY

So, in simple terms, WHY do helmet speakers make a bad gift for new riders? Because they have the potential to reduce ANY rider’s safety.

But wrapped around the ears of an INEXPERIENCED rider, they have a much greater potential to reduce his/her safety.

I’ll get off my soap box now, knowing full well that the sales of such helmet speakers will probably continue to enjoy greater and greater success….

Safe Riding!

IGNORE THE FOLLOWING MOTORCYCLE HELMET SPEAKERS:

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WHICH ARE THE WORST MOTORCYCLE SUNGLASSES?

Not all sunglasses are suited for the rigors of motorcycle riding.

What makes good biker sunglasses?

For riders duly affected by the concerns of fashion, “looks” and the right designer name may be the most important factors when it comes to selecting their sunglasses.

But what about protecting a biker’s eyes?

Well, if protecting a rider’s eyes is important, these “Shutter Sunglasses” in the photo would be the worst, since they don’t even have lenses to block the wind.

FOUR PURPOSES OF BIKER SUNGLASSES

The main purpose of sunglasses for motorcycle riders is to:

1. Protect the eyes from wind, insects, particles of dirt, etc.
2. Increase rider comfort, particularly for long sunny days in the saddle
3. Reduce ultraviolet radiation on the eyes
4. Reduce sun glare from reflective surfaces

Having said all that, motorcycle sunglasses that cover a broader section around the eyes would better protect a rider from flying debris and bugs – which may conflict with the fads of fashion if the current fad is narrow glasses.

Also, motorcycle sunglasses that are shaped and constructed to offer as wide a peripheral vision as possible aid the general safety of a rider, since being aware of, and seeing as much as possible around one, are key to a rider’s survival.

MOTORCYCLE GOGGLES

If that seems like too many things to be concerned about when shopping for motorbike eye protection, then realize that most sunglasses are bad choices for motorcycles.

What would be better, at least for a rider who is not wearing a helmet and face shield, would be MOTORCYCLE GOGGLES.

Motorcycle goggles are attached with an elastic band and are also sealed around the sides of the eyes, which offers the best eye protection in terms of keeping wind and stuff out of the rider’s eyes while staying securely attached when turning one’s head.

Motorcycle goggles have been prevalent in the dirt bike world forever, and they used to be common in the street rider world several decades ago.

So, oddly enough, if you happen to be a street rider (probably an eccentric one at that) who rides an old motorcycle (or a new retro-bike), you would serve yourself quite aptly, from a safety perspective, by wearing goggles, and you would even look fashionably retro chic.  (Just bear in mind that street goggles and motocross goggles do have a different “look”).

MOST ANY SUNGLASSES CAN BE WORN BEHIND A FACESHIELD

Of course if a rider is wearing sunglasses behind a face shield, then the protection from debris and bugs in the air from the sunglasses is moot, since the shield will be the primary line of defense.

On the other hand, if such a rider is not wearing a face shield, then he/she will also need to ensure that their sunglasses will not fly off when turning their head to check traffic before turning or changing lanes.

Heck, even “Shutter Sunglasses” – which have NO lenses (top photo) – could be worn behind a faceshield.

The good news is that if you buy a biker the wrong kind of sunglasses as a motorcycle gift, they would still serve fine for more pedestrian circumstances, such as walking around looking at shiny motorcycles outside on a sunny day.

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