The Hodaka Club Forum

My Arai open face helmet with removable roost protector has aged out, so I have to find a new helmet. It looks like Arai no longer makes a helmet with the roost protector option, so the field is wide open. At the risk of opening a topic somewhat akin to the "favorite oil" question . . . does anyone have any advice regarding a good choice of helmet to meet the AHRMA standard (DOT or Snell M2005 or equivalent) in an open face design?

Thanks,
Ed

I have not seen any open face helmets with a removable roost protector being offered. As for brands I would focus on Arai or Shoei. A cheaper choice would be Bell. I also do not think that any open face helmets are being made for off road riding and therefore will be heavier than a quality MX style helmet.
Dale

Ed,
You might look at some of the Trials helmets. Some are very light (carbon) but expensive. I bought one made in Spain, beautiful and light , but the hardware was lousy.
Sterling

I have a Euro trials helmet that I love; very light, nice high-cut in rear for movement... but NOT certified to US swtds, therefor not "legal."
Bob

Wow, I was not aware that the removable roost mouth guard helmets were no longer available. I guess I better take good care of my AFX flat black helmet with the Hodaka label on the back.

While it is always a good idea to take good care of your helmet (whether your head is in it or not), AHRMA rules now require that your helmet be no more than 5 years old. So your helmet's age is a consideration too. Um, helmet age has ALWAYS been a significant safety consideration . . . but now it is a part of the AHRMA rules. Let's be careful out there.

Ed

Not good information, but I remember an old bell helmet ad that said if you have a ten dollar head buy a ten dollar helmet. Safety is very important. Sure is neat seeing comments, ideas and suggestions. Clarence

Hi Ed. Thought I would throw in my two cents worth on your search for a new helmet. Not familiar with a roost protector?? I bought a new dual sport helmet late last year after much research. Never been a fan of full coverage helmets but I needed a helmet for adventure riding on a BMW GS. Check out Revzilla.com helmet reviews, very helpful. I ended up buying a Nolan N43 Trilogy. Many set up combinations with this helmet. Not sure if this is what you need but it fit the bill for me under $300. Sending some pics for you to look at. I really like the Nolan strap. Very quick and easy to use. Cheers.

Hmmm, interesting helmet -- but the information came a bit late. I've already ordered a Shoei.

Ed

An astute friend who is somewhat better at comprehension when reading the rule book noted that the 5 year age limit for helmets seems to be limited to the helmets required for Road Racing and Dirt Track. So I re-read the rules . . . and I think he's right.

Still, my "old" Arai was originally manufactured back in 2004 . . . so mayhaps a new helmet is a good idea any way. So I won't lose any sleep about having already ordered a new Shoei helmet.

Ed

Ed, If I buy your old helmet, upon wearing it, will I finally be able to "snick" my shifts?
East Coast Hodaka Junk Yard Association pension fund manager
Mike Perrett

Camman wrote: I needed a helmet for adventure riding on a BMW GS.

Off subject, mini hijack. Look forward to talking some GS stuff at Hodaka Days if your there.

Mike, I am absolutely positive that if you make the necessary sacrifices to purchase my old helmet . . . you will indeed be able to snick your shifts when you put it on. Naturally, a helmet offering such "powers" won't sell for peanuts (hence the comment about "sacrifice" - you may have to get a second job in order to pay off the helmet). NOTE: My confidence is so high regarding the transferable powers of the helmet, that I can offer a life time, half-your-money-back guarantee that you will suddenly be snicking your shifts while wearing the helmet.

Let me know if you are interested in my low interest financing plan.

Ed

Hey Ed, you selling any "Rubber Side Down" helmets? - I could sure use one! Or maybe a "Rubber Side Not-Stuck-On-Gate" helmet?
I've got cash and am ready to invest!
-Laurie

While the helmet does contain certain "Keep the ruber side down." strengths - there have been notable failures in that regard. So, no, I don't think the helmet could help in that regard.

It has also exhibited a STRONG tendency toward back-of-the-pack starts - though rarely due to hanging up on the start gate - so no help there either.

Sorry 'bout that,

Ed

I am a hard core full face helmet guy here. When I augered in and broke the collar bone, the other point of contact was my face (right side). Anything less that that full face could have been a real problem for me for sure... Walked away with that part of the body unscathed at least... I do have a 3/4 Helmet for Trials though....

I just ordered a new Acerbis Helmet, at 1250grams it is lighter then the $500 Fox V4 Carbon, and only $250 retail here in oz.

Plus it matches your bike Hilly! My that bike looks familiar!

This was an old post about getting a new helmet. If the helmet is •DOT and ECE-22.05 certified, will it be acceptable for the AHRMA ISDTRR event?

I am eyeballing a few AFX helmets at the Motorcycle Superstore website.

Yes, AND it must have been manufactured within 60 months. There's a "born on" date on every helmet - be sure it's within the timeframe.
(Funny how some new helmet sales and "deals" will feature a helmet produced more than 5 years ago...)

Hey Ed, Did the helmet replacement thing last year for the ISDTRR in Oklahoma last year. Being a old Bell dealer and being saved by one several times, I do have my loyalties. I checked out all the half a grand ones and finally bought a Bell MX-2 which was Snell 2010 rated for about 200 bucks that has served me well ( dinged both sides in two crashes at the RR.) You probably do need something with a chin bar unless you're set in your old ways.

My biased opinion---

Maxie

PS--I did see these for about $120 one year old (48 months legal vs 60), We old people do the math!

OK Ed, I am interested in your old helmet so I can finally "snick" my shifts. Let me know what you bottom dollar is. After that is established, I will deduct the "back of the pack" characteristics and perhaps we can agree on a selling price.
ECHJYA pension fund manager
Mike Perrett

Well, this is all news to me. You mean I can't do my "vintage dude" living history impression any more? Seriously though, this sits rather uneasily with me. Yes, "it's for our own good." And no, no one wants to see anyone hurt. But where's personal responsibility in this? I always thought that we motorcycle types--especially the dirt bike crowd--were more about personal liberty--that, and jumping at the chance to help a fellow biker. I prefer to think we're smart enough to know what's best for ourselves, and that sometimes even private organizations like AHRMA can cross the line with dictates that are "well-intentioned" but intrusive. Isn't five years an arbitrary number? Why not three? Why not one? Why not seven, or any other year someone chooses? Why not decree that all riders wear an exoskeleton, too (you wait--someone is going to think this is a good idea)? That would enhance safety.

How about something like," a helmet without cracks, holes, duct-taped repairs, and the chin strap is mostly there?" The five-year rule makes me wonder how on earth I survived all those years of desert racing when I was practically run over by the big-bores from a cold start on the way to the smoke bomb. I wouldn't change any of those memories for all the race gas in China.

Forgive me for throwing this stink bomb into an otherwise jovial repartee'. I'll go away now.
Bill in VA

Good points Bill, hope you’re doing great!

You know, when I read your post, my immediate reaction (devil’s advocate is a vice of mine), was to say, “Hey, AHRMA’s in a tough spot.” There’s consensus among all helmet manufacturers (CYA and marketing) that a helmet’s protective benefits decrease after five years. Granted, this is five years of regular use - sweat, wear, weather, drops - all contributing to degradation of the internal materials. Helmets and other protective gear are a historically integral part of the sport. AHRMA kinda has to move with the industry on this.

I don’t think it’s the worst thing in the world to have folks wearing decent stuff on their heads.

Last AHRMA race in Louisiana, a friend of mine had his head run over during a race - resulting in a nasty looking face by the end of the day. Would it have mattered if he was in a new helmet or a sacked out 30 year-old open-face helmet? Seems like the modern helmet did it’s job.

If he had ended up with severe injury, would it have been AHRMA’s fault? Of course not. But if I ran the organization, I’d feel better having made the effort that he was required to use the best reasonable head protection. So I’m inclined to cut AHRMA some slack on this rule.

However; I’ve spent many years competing on 1,400 lb horses, harassing 800 lb heifers, both moving upwards of 30 MPH with sudden and radical changes of direction. Do you see helmets in these competitions? Nope, just cowboy hats. Having been thrown, fallen on, and involved in various other wrecks, did I ever consider donning a helmet (required in every other equestrian event). Hell no. My defense? None. Other than personal choice, tradition, blah, blah. Basically no defense. So, full disclosure: consider me a hypocrite when it comes to mandating protective gear.

Now here’s my PSA of the day:

One other thing happened at the Louisiana race: I see guys sporting the old Hi-Point type boots - I admit, they are cool-looking and vintage. Probably lots more comfortable than modern boots. So this one guy goes around a corner during practice - slow speed, dabs his Hi-Point foot and the bike goes down - boom, dislocated and fractured ankle. Very nasty injury requiring surgical repair.

Here’s whats funny: I hung out with this guy on and off the rest of the weekend (on his crutches) - you would not believe how many guys came by and had the SAME thing happen in their Hi-Point boots (ALL of them swear by modern boots now).
I’m NOT suggesting that AHRMA start mandating modern boots, but it did illustrate a good point - maybe the new stuff is worth using!

Wow Bill, Jofa mouth guard--I'm impressed! It's been a long time since I wore one of those. Check the picture on the right. I guess that shows my age.
You're bringing back old memories---Thanks!

Maxie

PS----I still have all my teeth thanks to that device!