Power Kite Forum

helmets!

arkay - 17-3-2010 at 06:36 PM

What helmets are people using? I've been using a K2 crossfire for the beach (a snowboard helmet). Works great for the sand, but wondering if it's sufficient for the playa...

Seems the otehr hard helmet options are skate, motorcycle, or motocross...

ripsessionkites - 17-3-2010 at 06:38 PM

any helmet is better than no helmet

youll be fine using that, and ive seen a lot just use a bicycle helmet

every time i get EJECTED on the playa i just roll away a bit, however I went with a full face helmet so i never scratch up my baby face.

highazakite - 17-3-2010 at 06:40 PM

The best looking helmets for me are paraglider helmets , the keep your chin off the ground when ya go over the front and your buggy is riding you. and they have a wide field of view way more than a motocross.
all opinion based off no real exp.

Hardrock - 17-3-2010 at 06:41 PM

I'll be watching this also.

I have a skateboard helmet that I hate. It's the most uncomfortable thing I've ever had on my head.

Wait a minute, I might need to rethink that!!!;)

Kamikuza - 17-3-2010 at 06:44 PM

I got the ProTec for puddling around and the erm other one for when I get serious :lol:
Coming from the bikes - anything that happens at speed and you don't have chin/full face protection ... you're just asking for big trouble. All the heroes I see here with the open faced helmets and the "Look at me!" visors just baffle me :no:

arkay - 17-3-2010 at 06:44 PM

paragliding helmets are cool, but tre spendy!

I've got some local reccomendation that the fly full mx helmets are good for the price. http://www.flyracing.com/products/race-wear/helmets/kinetic or the trophy 2. Wondering if it's worth picking one up, though they're the same price anywhere so I can always get one down there too :)

indigo_wolf - 17-3-2010 at 07:49 PM

Giro G10 snow helmet and ESS goggles (a long time ago someone put a rock through my glasses, monkey brain reflexes are the only thing that saved the eye, so I tend to be a bit paranoid about the eyes).

However, I am leaning towards something with a chin bar.

Two points:

  1. We spend hundreds... sometimes North of a grand on kites (even on used kites), but we grouse about helmet pricing (granted there are full boat Bell Stars, Arai's, etc.... but there's also lots less expensive out there that's still pretty top shelf).

  2. I think the case for lack of peripheral vision is overstated. A lot of the newer helmets have good peripheral vision and... well... err...umm... your head swivels. How many people aggresively (I mean REALLY aggresively) check sight lines when buying a new car ( with a considerably higher price tag) and heavily weight that in their buying criteria??

FWIW: We are currently in the time window where a lot of 2009 helmets are being VERY HEAVILY discounted... (ie 30% to 70%).

ATB,
Sam

Helmets

powerkiter82 - 17-3-2010 at 07:50 PM

I alternate between a SixSixOne skateboard helmet(very comfy and light)and a HJC motocross helmet(when its colder). Plus I wear either motocross goggles or safety glasses(gotta protect the peepers too).

macboy - 17-3-2010 at 07:54 PM

I've got a Giro snowboard helmet for the winter, a Shred Ready H2O helmet for the water and a G-Maxx MX full face lid for the terra firma. I wear the snowboard helmet year round (kiting and mountain biking) because the Tune Ups speakers sound the best of all of them ; )

Kamikuza - 17-3-2010 at 08:33 PM

Giro, that's the other one I got!

indigo_wolf - 17-3-2010 at 08:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Kamikuza
All the heroes I see here with the open faced helmets and the "Look at me!" visors just baffle me :no:


Are you referring strictly to buggies here? The visors are removable..... in some states, removal is a requirement. ;)

ATB,
Sam

Kamikuza - 17-3-2010 at 08:44 PM

No no bike helmets ... the J-riders, when they have helmets on at all, like to wear these open faced helmets with a huge visor - so everyone can see their face and how cool they are riding a bike :rolleyes:

I know in the US that visors or at least eye protection on bikes is violently enforced :crazy: had mates who've been ticketed for opening the visor at a stop light!

-mj- - 18-3-2010 at 03:06 PM

Bern makes some very nice ones, no full face though.
I also have a Dirt fullface for speed runs, comes for about $ 100,- , most Bern models have a similar pricetag.
Mostly I use my Bern because when landboarding I usually fall backwards as I'm always leaning back into the wind.

silvereaglekiter - 20-3-2010 at 02:27 PM

any one know a good online site for getting a new full face lid

heliboy50 - 20-3-2010 at 05:20 PM

I got a full face MX helmet off of e-bay for less than $50 shipped. Of course $50 helmet = $50 head.....:puzzled:

indigo_wolf - 20-3-2010 at 05:27 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by silvereaglekiter
any one know a good online site for getting a new full face lid


Full Face or MX?

Did you have a brand preference? price range?

Last two questions are because some of the online retailers skew towards one brand or another.

ATB,
Sam

WELDNGOD - 20-3-2010 at 05:36 PM

here


http://www.jensonusa.com/store/sub/229-Helmets.aspx

silvereaglekiter - 20-3-2010 at 05:39 PM

No real brand preference but I am leaning toward something DOT rated. Looked on Ebay but that gets back to the "How much is your head worth" question.

Kamikuza - 20-3-2010 at 06:13 PM

newenough.com ... great service! Don't think they have much in off-road helmets though ...

indigo_wolf - 20-3-2010 at 06:46 PM

Kam's already got you newenough, so I'll add:

The Bell Store

Motorcycle Closeouts

ATB,
Sam

bigkid - 20-3-2010 at 07:03 PM

It is Spring at the local Motorcycle shops, at least here, and they have the annual move out the old stock sale. I got a 350.00 motocross helmet for 99.00 and the color matches my buggy. Might be worth looking into, I like to try on the helmet to make sure it fits, not all fit the same.

silvereaglekiter - 20-3-2010 at 07:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bigkid
It is Spring at the local Motorcycle shops, at least here, and they have the annual move out the old stock sale. I got a 350.00 motocross helmet for 99.00 and the color matches my buggy. Might be worth looking into, I like to try on the helmet to make sure it fits, not all fit the same.


That's kinda what I did today most of the closeouts were all open face shorty helmets.

Hardrock - 20-3-2010 at 07:12 PM

Hmmmm, I wonder!!

http://greenville.craigslist.org/for/1642956847.html

indigo_wolf - 20-3-2010 at 07:28 PM

I would tend to think definitely now. No chinbar frame, so impact on the shield would shatter it.

ATB,
Sam

nocando - 21-3-2010 at 01:07 AM

I use a mountainbike fullface because I already had one, ok light good protection

more user friendly than mx helmets

heliboy50 - 21-3-2010 at 05:27 AM

Hmmm... Just looked at my e-bay special and it is DOT approved. I figure $50 helmets are better than none. I honestly worry more about smearing my tattoos across the ground anyway. Those hurt and they cost a lot.:evil:

rocfighter - 21-3-2010 at 05:49 AM

I'd worry more about your head. My trauma cost me about 6 years of my life and over 2 million in medical and rehab. Thanks for insurance continuation boss. He kept me on for free till I was able to function again. And I was not at work when it happened.
Tatts can be cool. But dead sucks.

heliboy50 - 21-3-2010 at 06:02 AM

I guess I'm shallow then. Sorry for your rough time, roc, but my work is my life and it tells my story. My hyde is the only thing that I have that not even the Gov. can take away. I don't get "tatts" for the trend value. I get tattooed because it is part of who I am. Me and my crappy helmet are going to shoot for 50 mph at NABX and leave a skid mark in my buggy seat.:o

EDIT: Off color jokes are one of my strong points and saying things for shock value gets me through a lot of thankless work days, BTW.

rocfighter - 21-3-2010 at 06:48 AM

Hey man I do understand your veiw. Please don't be offended. Just giving another look at it from another angle.
I have many friends with the same works . And many are great.
I also like the jokes for the same reasons. Good luck with the Skudd marks and wear an extra pair of shorts for the big one!!!

heliboy50 - 21-3-2010 at 07:28 AM

Hey- Irish tempers burn out even faster than they they flare. It's all good. I gotta' shop for helmets cheap any way- I have an XL head with an XS neck. Apple on a stick.:lol: The one I got is a GLX if one were to look.

Hardrock - 21-3-2010 at 02:32 PM

Well I went with a bike helmet today. Bought the GIRO Rift.

I can't tell I'm wearing it. At least it be on my head. The skate helmet gets handed down.

Might have to get another for buggy or board when I get that advanced.

silvereaglekiter - 28-3-2010 at 06:46 AM

this is what I went with hopefully being modular will help waring glasses

320349472_o.jpg - 53kB

silvereaglekiter - 28-3-2010 at 06:48 AM

It matches the buggy to

320349419_o.jpg - 65kB

Hardrock - 28-3-2010 at 07:03 AM

That is one sharp helmet. Looks awesome.

I used the GIRO Rift (bike helmet) yesterday. Not the protection you have there, but man its easy to wear and cool with the 24 vents.

Had it on 4 hours straight, never took it off.

I would certainly feel safer on wheels with that drop down face and chin guard. Real nice, haven't seen one before.

erratic winds - 28-3-2010 at 07:26 AM

I can't recommend sierra trading post online ENOUGH for steals of deals on protective gear.
Got my Giro "remedy" full face helmet for 79$ instead of 139. Designed for MTB, works great for snowboarding as well.

Keeps my teeth in my face and my face off the ground during my numerous NUMEROUS falls.


I've also been wearing 661 "ankle biters" after slamming the board into my ankle a few times when falling...considering getting rid of those and moving straight up to hockey shin guards.

arkay - 28-3-2010 at 07:31 AM

the drop down chin guard is cool, but it would rip the gopro off your helmet ;)