Let’s talk retro style helmets

storm42 said:

Hi Rob, I went out in my Bell Custom 500 the other day and found it a bit sweaty when the sun came out, Do those SS grids allow air into the helmet?

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Yes, apparently they do. I say "apparently" because I actually don't find it any cooler than the other Cromwell.
Both are okay for me in summer - usually 34-36C.

speirmoor said:

http://www.pacto-store.com/pacto-carrera-master/
More like full retro than retro style. I read about the owner whos a helmet fanatic in CB Feb '16 issue. I can scan if anyones interested

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Yes please

robs ss said:

Yes, apparently they do. I say "apparently" because I actually don't find it any cooler than the other Cromwell.
Both are okay for me in summer - usually 34-36C.

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Thanks Rob, I have been out in both my Shark and Arai FF since and the are both cooler than the Bell for me, who would have thunk it.

Voodooo said:

Yes please

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Old thread that deserves re-introduction! Inspired by ND2020 who posted pics of his awesome bike (yes I’m jealous) and this lid! Jury is out for me ND, but different demograph/style I suppose. Also, how’d you lose your fingers; does it make clutch operation difficult?!



My riding buddy got rear-ended by a young female driver recently, which saw him head-butting a concrete curb and destroying his V4S Ducati rocketship! He was not at fault however has been left ‘holding the can’. No video footage available although there was a roadside cam. So badly screwed over was he, he’s taken it to court. He’ll probably lose cos’ he’s a smelly reprehensible biker!

Lessons reinforced for me: Always wear a top quality lid; make sure your insurance is appropriate; capture any carnage if you can!

Bought this lid last week - still in the box but I’ll let you know how it goes. Put it on, internal camera starts rolling. Take it off, camera stops. High end carbon smart helmet. I’m guessing most manufacturers will head in this direction. External mounted cameras and intercoms will likely be phased out (look at what happened to M. Schumacher) indeed, they are illegal in some Aussie states as they are classified as helmet modifications! Who knew!

Still want a smokin‘ open face’n’goggles for my CR though. Contradiction I know!!

This smells like a gear thread to me! You got any new gear we might be interested in?

trident sam said:

Shoei make a good one with an integral visor that retracts into the top of the helmet.
I do agree though that Davida helmets are decent.
sam

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I’ve got the Shoei one. I’d recommend it.

Interestingly, more reading has revealed that some Aus states (NSW in particular) are moving in the opposite direction to my comment above. Currently illegal to mount external devices on your helmet in NSW, but moving towards legalising - what do I know!

Fast Eddie said:

I’ve got the Shoei one. I’d recommend it.

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Which one, J-Cruise?

BritTwit said:

Which one, J-Cruise?

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No the JO.

The J Cruise has a true full face covering visor, whereas the JO has a half visor.

But to be honest I normally wear goggles instead as both of the above still allow some air leakage into my eyes and following eye surgery last year my right eye is super sensitive to that. Especially in the cold.

The JO visor is fully retractable so can be used with visor or goggles.

Are Davida still making the Classic? I didn't see them on their site?

In the 90s I bought my two-tone to match my gold and black 74 Commando. For a long time it was my go to helmet.



These days I mostly wear my Arai.

I bought an open faced Bell...but I look like this fella from Super Mario when I wear it.

I assume it's 'modern' rules and regulations, but most new open face lids seem to be way more padding than shell, making them look disproportionally large.
Shame.....

EstuaryBoy said:

I assume it's 'modern' rules and regulations, but most new open face lids seem to be way more padding than shell, making them look disproportionally large.
Shame.....

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I know that many feel the same.

But IMHO it’s a small price to pay. If you’re gonna wear a helmet… may as well wear one that works.

After all, it’s not as though we’re all style icons in any other aspect now is it ??

Many years (decades) ago I had a "small" shell silver Davida beautifully lined in leather. It looked the part.

But despite Davida's sales brochure that people crossed deserts wearing them, I found it rather sweaty.

At the time I had a wife (still have the same one !) and small children (now grown up and left home)

IIRC the Davida was certified to a Scandinavian safety specification and not to CE or BSI.

There was talk at the time that insurance companies might not pay of if death or injury was incurred
while wearing a helmet not specified to CE or BSI. So I decided to change.

As per the replies above helmets to CE and/or BSI have more expanded polystyrene (?) to absorb
impacts to meet the latest standards, and thus have bigger shells.

I had an Arai Freeway classic for a number of years as it would seem I have an Arai shaped head
rather than Shoei and I think I was happy with that.

I cannot remember why I changed to a Bell Classic (?), but have one of those now.

Both the Arai and the Bell are far less sweaty and thus more comfortable that the leather lined Davida.

Definitely not a style icon, but I was fashionable in "grunge" well before and well after "grunge" became
fashionable.

Fast Eddie said:

No the JO.

The J Cruise has a true full face covering visor, whereas the JO has a half visor.

But to be honest I normally wear goggles instead as both of the above still allow some air leakage into my eyes and following eye surgery last year my right eye is super sensitive to that. Especially in the cold.

The JO visor is fully retractable so can be used with visor or goggles.

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I had surgery a few years ago for a detached retina, and my right eye is also sensitive to the air stream. My full face helmet does a great job of reducing that problem, and still have good venting. However, I also have a Nolan N20 which I use on Sunday "leisure" rides. The Nolan is much lighter than the full face unit, and much more comfortable too. But the Nolan is 10 years old and looking ratty, so I have been considering another open face helmet.

I've looked at the Shoei J-Cruise which is open face but with an external shield and an internal pull-down visor. Never had a helmet like this so not sure if the internal visor would be enough to keep most of the air stream off my eyes.

Fast Eddie said:

I know that many feel the same.

But IMHO it’s a small price to pay. If you’re gonna wear a helmet… may as well wear one that works.

After all, it’s not as though we’re all style icons in any other aspect now is it ??

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Style icons?? We try... oh we try

Just draw the line at looking like something I usually see carrying a bucket on carnival day!!!

(PS: I've got 'black caps, so it ain't like I'll be going fast)

BritTwit said:

I had surgery a few years ago for a detached retina, and my right eye is also sensitive to the air stream. My full face helmet does a great job of reducing that problem, and still have good venting. However, I also have a Nolan N20 which I use on Sunday "leisure" rides. The Nolan is much lighter than the full face unit, and much more comfortable too. But the Nolan is 10 years old and looking ratty, so I have been considering another open face helmet.

I've looked at the Shoei J-Cruise which is open face but with an external shield and an internal pull-down visor. Never had a helmet like this so not sure if the internal visor would be enough to keep most of the air stream off my eyes.

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Let me know how you get on with it.

I bought some new goggles to use with the Shoei and they’re really good. Seal tight to the face and great visibility. And photo chromatic lenses too.

A bargain for someone…

I’ve always bought Arai lids - guess I have a pretty regular (Arai like) intermediate oval dome and have always valued the quality. Wanted something more period appropriate for the CR this time though, as my last Arai reached its 5/6 year lifespan. I chose this awesome lid and was just about to order it when my riding buddy had his big off and I changed direction. Would still really like one of these in my gear for the black/gold CR.

Stephen_Spencer said:

I’ve always bought Arai lids - guess I have a pretty regular (Arai like) intermediate oval dome and have always valued the quality. Wanted something more period appropriate for the CR this time though, as my last Arai reached its 5/6 year lifespan. I chose this awesome lid and was just about to order it when my riding buddy had his big off and I changed direction. Would still really like one of these in my gear for the black/gold CR.

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I have an Arai head, and Bell never has fit me, ever.