| Author | Message | ||
     Loose_cannon_1203cc |
I want to get a german style or half helmet for the neighborhood riding but I don't know where to go or what website to visit to get a good one. I want something with some decent padding for a comfortable fit. Any suggestions anyone? | ||
| Kdan |
Just get the cheapest one you can find...They're not any good for anything but looks anyway. I think JC Whitney still sells them. None of them are DOT certified and most say "for novelty use only" inside. Just if you crash you will likely die, or worse, be a turnip. But hey, some of my best friends are turnips! (Message edited by kdan on April 22, 2006) | ||
| Leftcoastal |
Yer kiddin', RIGHT? Just on the off-chance you may be serious: (this is my OPINION and should no way be construed as the view of anyone else but Al Keaton, currently residing in the L.A. area) Why in the F--- would you want to get a freaking German style (you mean NAZI, I assume) helmet for riding a motorcycle? I see them everyday and have yet to see a rider wearing one that didn't make me go "What is that idiot THINKING?" I'm sure every one of the Nazi helmet boys think they are definitely One Major Baddazz, and no one to be trifled with, now that they have aligned themselves with one of the most evil, hate-filled, suppressive and anti-freedom and personal liberty groups in recorded history. That sure equals the joy and sheer exhilaration of motorcycling, now, doesn't it! Just so you don't think I'm a 'safety- er, well- Nazi' if you will, I moved to CA in 1978 from NY mainly for it's (then) lack of a helmet law. If you were alive and living in Germany in that time, and held the sense of freedom and rebellion that inspired most of us to take up motorcycling, Don't you think you would be required to join the multi millions that were anhillated so they could control the rest? PLEASE go ahead and find that half-helmet if you have to, Maybe even a DOT unit that might be of some use if you get too exuberant and sail off. If you get that Nazi helmet, and I see you go by wearing it, even if you are really a great guy -mentor to high school kids, a whale saver with a heart of gold that supports the SPCA, the church of your choice and borrows money to give it to charity, I'm still gonna think you are an IDIOT, with some kind of challenged penile size issues that he's trying to overcome! But like I said, that's just my suggestion, like you asked. AL (Next rant yet to be scheduled - please consult your local listings) | ||
| Diablobrian |
If your full face helmet isn't comfortable then it doesn't fit properly. | ||
| Essthreetee |
Maybe you could borrow his...  "I zee nutting!!!!!!!"  | ||
| Aldaytona |
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, I do believe the Germans wore that style helmet during the 1st World War as well, long before the Nazi party. Someone always has to bring up the Nazis. Rants can be fun and even informative if they are correct. After reading that I'm wondering WHO is the bigger idiot. BTW, I do happen to know some extremely tough individuals who wear that style helmet, they just aren't too cerebral. | ||
| Rafartist |
If it makes you feel any better, I like the look too, and one is in my near future for around town riding and the local bike night. Get off your horse and take a history class. BTW, I want one of those spikes for the top too!  And if you wanna talk safety, I'll bet you took the reflectors off you bike didn't you. I dont care what kind of helmet you have on when someone slams you in the side or the rear end and you go flying into a nearby oncoming car, I think the cars are gonna win and your melon will get squished like a too ripe peach in the bottom of a grocery bag. Oh, and no matter that we dont have a helmet law in DE, I wear one ALL the time. | ||
| Percyco |
Aldaytona you are correct, that style helmet was used in WW1 also (no Nazis then). Those helmets were worn by WW2 Nazi SS troops but also worn by the regular german army which were not Nazis. The regular army were common soldiers that in most cases could not stand the Nazis or that idiot Hitler but had the misfortune of being led by that political party. That style helmet is still used today by soldiers and police in European countries ( I think Spain is one). Being a Civil War historian it irritates me when the Confederate flag is associated with hate groups. When I see the Confederate flag I think of the thousands of brave young AMERICAN soldiers that fought and died for thier country and states. Anyhow.....just an example that some historical items have more than just the modern political correct meaning. Heck....maybe I will wear a 7th Cavalry hat on my Buell like Custers. Will I be an American hero or a person that murdered thousands of innocent native Americans ?????? PS I wouldn't ever wear one of those novelty helmets on my melon ! | ||
| Danny_h__jesternut |
Say isn't that German helmet verrry similar to a much older design? Something like the Roman solders wore way back during the dawn of time? Jest with out the feathers on top? I have one of those Roman styles, jest haven't used it in ages. Its jest a helmet for heavens sake? | ||
| Leftcoastal |
Gotta rise out of you guys, huh? I personally NEVER claimed not to be an idiot, and the fact that I can no longer speak due to biting off my tongue (I seemed to have left it in one of my cheeks!) proves that premise. It's your head, your bike, your little self-created style, wear what you want! I have attended lots of Harley type of events, and by god, it's Halloween there EVERYDAY! 1203 - You may want to borrow someone's half lid and try it before you buy one, I can't wear mine when riding my Buell as the combination of riding position and airflow tries to tear it off my (apparently empty and devoid of historical accuracies) head. The best safety equipment is rider proficiency and awareness of one's environment - all the helmets and reflectors in existence cannot override their lack. So let's all get on our high horses, don our Nazi helmets, and go ride off and kill us some of those damnable rebel Indians! We can leave on the reflectors so the Holocaust survivors can see us when they escape from their geriatric wards and run us down with their Coupe de Villes. Film at 11 Again - just my OPINION. AL | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Fact 1: The helmet you mention, worn by the Wehrmacht, and before them the Reichswehr, has nothing to do with political affiliation. It was actually a protective helmet ahead of its time -- it was also very efficient for its era. It was 30+/- years old when the German Army invaded Poland in 1939. Wear what you want, wear nothing if you're good with it, live with your decision(s.) G2 | ||
| Old_man |
A German helmeted rider on a Firebolt???? | ||
| Cochise |
I wear a German helmet from time to time, I rode it mostly on the 'Bolt, and some times on the lightning. | ||
| Swampy |
The Nazis are Coming!, The Nazis are Coming, was the cry in Lansing, Michigan. I watched with great intrest as all the crowd control fences were installed on the Capitol lawn and around the buildings and churches of down town Lansing, Friday afternoon. Funny how the the entire city was turned upside down buy one bus load of Nazis. The funny part about it was a buddy and I were driving around downtown at lunch time and every corner we stopped at my buddy was crying from the window "The Nazis are Coming!" I was a little embarrassed at first, but got to thinking how stupid it was for all the money spent making preparations to accomodate(protect) this obscure political group. What some people won't do to become an accepted member into part of a group. (Message edited by swampy on April 23, 2006) | ||
| Crusty |
Is it cooler to wear a pink Buell hat or a chrome pseudo-German helmet? Hey, Loose_cannon; there's one on ebay for short money. Personally, I wouldn't be caught dead wearing either, but it's your head, and your decision. A helmet is a lot like a condom; it's definitely a lot safer to wear one, but it feels a lot better not wearing one. | ||
| Jon_s |
You may indeed have your historical facts in order, but the truth of the matter is that had the regime been a peace loving, humanitarian cause, you guys wouldn't be caught dead wearing this on your head. Wouldn't fit the bad-ass image that you're trying so hard to project. You want cool in a novelty helmet, get a Davida. http://www.davida.co.uk/type.php?id=classic | ||
| Hans |
Maybe the german helmet is older than the Nazi`s: It became a symbol of the Nazi Germany. Just as the swastika that is originally a much older symbol. And what to think of the combination of swastika`s and German looking helmets on a motorbike. Come on: That helmet is only a way to stir the pot: "Pour épater le bourgeois." Times are changing and the German helmet has lost its dreaded symbol function somewhat. There was a lot to do here about the Dutch entrepreneur who made thousainds orange plastic replicas of that helmet, to wear at the coming world soccer championships. Germany is our biggest rival for that title and you can`t irritate your opponent enough, specially when they are German. "Soccer is war", said one of our famous soccer trainers. And in war and in love everything is allowed, as my old grandma said. However: This orange helmet is just as tasteless as the bikers helmet. Apart from that: Did you ever notice that there is almost no room for brains under the biker's replicas? There has to be a strong correlation between wearing such an helmet and the lack of thinking power. Hans | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Jon, I totally agree with you. If an image is the issue, someone would ride a rat Harley dripping oil and a Nazi helmet. In the late 60's a helmet law was enacted in many states. Many riders in Rhode Island and Massachusetts protested by wearing their helmets backwards! If I were concerned with coolness and image, I would wear a Davida type or an Owen (very popular in England's cafe scene) with RAF goggles. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Newfie's got a cool half helmet, if I can find & resize the pic I'll post it Personally I think people wearing the old "coal bucket" helmets look like complete dills, but whatever floats your boat. (Message edited by Mr_grumpy on April 23, 2006) | ||
| Indy_bueller |
I can't beleive that no one has mentioned the fact that the kevlar helmet that is used by our armed forces today is very similar looking to the old german helmet. There was some controversy when that was introduced as well. It turns out that the design provides optimum balance between protection and usability. It has not a damn thing to do with political ideology. On the flip side, those that wear that style helmet for riding do so either because they KNOW that the Germans used that style, or that "rebel" elements in the biker world have worn them. Hence donning the helmet is an attempt to shock and/or offend people. I wore the modern kevlar helmet when I was in the Army. I would not wear anything like it now because people equate it with the Nazis, and I detest facists of either left or right ends of the political spectrum. People relate the german style helmet to facism just like people equate the confederate flag to slavery. There is no real connection between them, but people BELIEVE there is. Therefore, to those people, the connection becomes real, true or not. My point? Perception is reality. Regardless of weather or not that perception is true. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
"My point? Perception is reality. Regardless of weather or not that perception is true."  AL | ||
| Oldog |
Cannon: Try a HJC full cuverage the Symax is nice dont worry about what any one else thinks in the end WHEN the innattentive cager places you in harms way, your knoggin is protected, like our buells, form follows function leave the relics in museam(sp) and the novelties in the store, demonstrate YOUR intellegence wear a proper helmet or not, your head from the porch the Ol'dog | ||
| Buellin_ri |
Indy Bueller - I was going to point out the look of todays kevlar helmets. I didn't want to stir the pot.  | ||
| Newfie_buell |
   I started wearing this one about two years ago and absolutely love it. My wife says that the difference between an open face and closed face helmet is either a closed or open casket funeral. | ||
| Newfie_buell |
It is DOT Approved but not Snell. | ||
| Statik |
here is a link to 137 of them. http://motors.search.ebay.com/german-helmet_W0QQfromZR40 | ||
| 1313 |
Wear what you want, wear nothing if you're good with it, live with your decision(s.) Very well put! Let those who ride decide. When I used to live in a state that a helmet wasn't a requirement I would wear my fullface helmet about 99% of the time I was riding my Buell. On my Harley's back then I only wore a helmet when it was either cold or raining. Now that I live in a redneck state where helmets are mandatory (pretty good idea if you've ever seen some of the locals) I wear my full face helmet 100% of the time on the Buell and a DOT legal German style half helmet when I ride my V-Rod and the weather is warm enough (like today!). I couldn't have put it any better than this: Wear what you want, wear nothing if you're good with it, live with your decision(s.) Someone once said "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, no matter how wrong it may be." 1313 (Message edited by 1313 on April 23, 2006) | ||
| Loose_cannon_1203cc |
Okay I see I started up a storm with this topic. I don't give 2 s..ts about the nazi's. Personally, anyone who believes their garbage deserves a horrible death. I like the style. The topic did say german/HALF helmets. So again if anyone knows some good and cool looking HALF helmets places to check out let me know. Rafartist, YES I did take the reflectors off. I see it the same, if a car hits me one way or another I'm done. Hopefully my casket will be open. Percyco, YES the spanish do wear a similar helmet ( coming from a spanish person himself ). Hey Newfie, Where di you get your half, that's tight. Goggles make the package kid. I didn't bothering fully reading all of these cuz most were stupid. I'm glad you guys all know your history. If anyone was calling me an idiot, up yours! Anyone who actually helped answer my question, thank you. By the way I just moved out to San Diego from NJ. Anyone in the area wanna go for a ride. No political talk though, just motorcycle riding. | ||
| Diablobrian |
I will always wear a full face when I ride, but that is my choice. Here is a starting point for you. http://www.designerhelmets.com/ The Europeans have all of the cool 1/2 ans 3/4 helmets. I dig a couple of the Roof Helmets, but i wouldn't trade the function of a full face for the style points. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
Newfie - Did you have that paint job done or did the lid come that way? If that was any cooler, you could keep your ice cream in it! Loose - Get yourself a Davida helmet if you can (they can be a bit pricey I think) they look really good with that Brit cafe racer panache (sp?) Glorysales dot com has them in Hollywood. (note to custodians - if that link denotation is a problem to the board, please pull it and accept my apologies-Al) Plus some of us history-impaired and idiotically opinionated old motorcyclists won't be forced to jump to any additional ill-conceived and unwarranted PERSONAL OPINIONS as to your state of idiotness or non-idiotness. Of course, (gawd, will this EVER end?) that just MY opinion. AL |
