Motorcycle Gear & Information

One of the reasons I’ve consistently used Shark helmets is their utilization of Formula One technology. For instance, Shark helmets have incredibly thick visors. The RSX and RSR2 models reportedly measure 3 mm thick, by far the thickest in the industry.

Another unique characteristic of Shark helmets is the crumple zone. Essentially, the makers of Shark designed the helmets so the impact force of an accident would be dispersed away from the wearer’s head. The crumple zone absorbs a lot of the force. For this reason a Shark helmet will appear much more damaged than other brands after an accident. In reality, the more beat up the helmet appears, the better protected the rider was upon impact.

In memory of their son Wyatt, John Barto and family are raising money to equip every Motocross racer with a custom-fit Arai helmet, the best money can buy.  They believe that if Wyatt had been wearing such a helmet two years ago, he would’ve survived the accident that took his life.  The Bartos have started the “Foundation 529″ charity, which has to date given away over 40 helmets and 10 neck braces.  And this charity targets young kids who don’t have the means to purchase appropriate riding gear.

The Bartos know the value of a good helmet.  Please don’t let your kids ride in a hand-me-down helmet or the cheapest one you can buy.  Start them off, day one, with a helmet that will protect their head in case of a crash.  The reality of Motocross is that crashes do happen, accidents do occur.  Even if you don’t obtain a free one from Foundation 529, invest in a helmet that will leave you with no regrets.

One of the nation’s leading helmet manufacturers provides advice to riders on helmet fit.   Every Shoei helmet should be tried on before purchasing, but this can be done at your local motorcycle shop, and once the proper size is determined, return to your favorite on-line source to purchase the helmet at often much lower than retail prices.  Shoei recommends measuring your head and buying the helmet size that most closely matches your head measurement.

Things to consider are whether the lining fits snugly around the head on all sides.  Does the top pad connect with the top of your head?  Do the cheek pads connect with your cheeks?  Can you move the helmet side to side or up and down easily?  If it moves too much, you probably need a smaller size.  And lastly, fasten the chin strap or the chin retention system and then try to push the helmet off by rotating it to the front and to the rear.  If the helmet moves in either direction, the helmet is too big or the chinstrap is not adequately tight.

No helmet can protect against every foreseeable issue you might face, but taking the proper steps in buying and fitting your helmet will give you maximum protection.  Thanks, Shoei, for step-by-step advice!

Entry level, yes; but Shoei quality too!  The 2011 Qwest helmet from Shoei is available in three new designs, the Sprite, the Bloodflow and the Airfoil.  What sets the Qwest apart from other Shoei helmets is the quietness of the ride – up to 60% quieter than the helmet it replaces in Shoei’s line.  All that, and the Qwest includes the patented Shoei visor system found on their top-of-the-line models.

The Qwest’s design improves aerodynamics, which reduces noise.  The Qwest comes in seven helmet sizes and four different shell sizes, sure to fit every rider.  Weighing in at just under 1400 grams for a medium size, this helmet reduces neck strain.  And the Qwest boasts the latest Shoei technology in ventilation, with lower air intakes and larger top vents all repositioned, and two new rear vents to expel hot air.

Test the Qwest today – a better entry-level helmet you’ll not find!

Attention sports and touring riders!  Shoei has developed the XR1100 just for you.  With eight new graphics patterns, you’re sure to find one you love.  And the XR1100 sports a new visor mechanism that is “wind-free” due to the self-adjusting suction seal.  The Shoei visor system provides a wider vision field with maximum clarity in all weather conditions.

Shoei has always focused on rider safety and rider comfort, and the XR1100 is no exception.  Shoei has redesigned the ventilation system to include a negative pressure feature with extraction technology which guarantees the explusion of warm air, regardless of the speed.

Come and test drive a Shoei helmet today.  You won’t be disappointed.

The most-advanced helmet construction to date from Shoei or any helmet manufacturer is launched in the 2011 X-Spirit II, popular with Superbike racers and Shoei’s MotoGP.

Shoei builds this helmet with safety in mind – as they do all of their helmets.  But the new technology consists of six layers of outer shell made from ultra-strong fiberglass and carbon, and an inner lining with double-duty shock absorption.

Shoei includes a new design of the ventilation system, based on their wind tunnel testing, which gives riders maximum comfort without creating buffeting for the rider no matter which direction his head is turned.  The color selection is hard to beat – come a test drive a Shoei helmet!

20 new models, 13 new designs, replicas and colors – Shoei is pulling out all of the stops this year!  During the past year and half, riders have been testing the X-Spirit, the XR1100 and the Qwest, and these helmets have not only attained a 5-star safety rating, but they are tremendously popular with riders.

Test-drive a Shoei helmet , and you’ll never settle for anything less – they’re that good!

The 2011 full-face Vector 2 from Arai Helmets boasts great improvements over the Vector.  Arai has adopted the larger, wider peripheral vision from the Corsair V, and they have improved the ventilation in the helmet by redesigning the helmet vents.  Arai continually searches for safety improvements, as well as rider comfort.  Another add-on is the now-fully-removable liner.  This liner is washable, which keeps the helmet fresh season after season.  To improve the fit, Arai has incorporated peel-away layers on the cheek and temple pads so every rider can adjust the helmet to their head and face with no additional purchases.  The Vector 2 – Arai’s entry-level helmet – is now better than ever!

It’s barely 2011 – only eleven days into the new year – and the news is full of motorcycle-related deaths.  The simple truth is this:  If you ride, you need to be protected because you are not going to win in a contest with a vehicle.  The basic protection begins with a helmet that’s approved by DOT and Snell.  A helmet sized to fit you – not a hand-me-down or a garage sale bargain.

In addition to the helmet, leather gloves, leather pants and jacket, and leather boots protect your trunk and your extremities as good as anything can.  There is nothing like the feel of the open road underneath you, but don’t risk the danger of riding without a helmet.  Ride smart, ride protected, and ride for life!

If your helmet has saved your life, you probably have the Snell Memorial Foundation to thank. SMF is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1957 that sets a high quality standard of safety for helmets. The foundation is named after William “Pete” Snell, a popular sports car racer, who died in a racing accident when his helmet failed. Snell’s death inspired his friends, scientists, and physicians to form SMF to promote research and education, as well as testing and development standards for helmets.

Snell has standards for bicycle helmets, equestrian helmets, harness racing helmets, and motorcycle helmets, to name a few. The safety standards set by Snell are more stringent than those set by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the American National Standards Institute. SMF updates its standards every five years and conducts rigorous tests before giving Snell Certification. Helmets given Snell Certification are viewed as the best for safety, such as Arai helmets. All Arai helmets sold in the U.S. meet or exceed the safety standards set by SMF.