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SPECIAL DEALS Current Deals and Coupon Discounts at Online Shops!
Helmets 2001
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2008 Hi Petra, I have a new problem and searched your website but did not see this exactly. For the entire month of February I had no car and moto-commuted through cold and wet weather. It was a great feeling of self-reliance to do without the car. Toward the end of the month I began to feel an uncomfortable skin irritation on the back of my neck... under my hair, down where the helmet does not cover. I still have the problem two weeks after getting my car back and riding the motorcycle less. Maybe it's not the helmet but the jacket collar, or something in the air. The only thing that soothes it is rubbing alcohol. I've tried anti-fungal, cortisone cream, plain lotion-- all of which made it burn worse. Hydrogen peroxide-- no reaction. It doesn't act like helmet itch, and there's no problem anywhere that's covered by the helmet. Has anyone else had a similar problem and found a solution? Thanks and best wishes, – Sarah Dear Sarah, So, I'm thinking the reason it happened is the constant wear and a possible allergy to something in the jacket, which was heightened by the cold and wet weather. My guess is that a visit to a dermatologist will be needed to get to the bottom of all of this ... and a proper recovery. – Mama Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Diane, Anybody have other suggestions? – Mama Wednesday, May 28 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Anon, Dear VTwin Mama, 1. Helmet hit the pavement once, then I tumbled on grass. The helmet
looks ok to me (there's a 1"x2" scratch, paint scraped off), but
I don't know if it's still structurally sound. Do I really need to buy a
new one? Dear
SSH, I doubt there is anyone on the planet in a public forum that would advocate that the helmet is ok. Any time a helmet hits pavement, structural cracks could have happened. It did it's job though, so retire it and get a new one. Consider it one of the best investments ever made! If you want just a simple patch on your jacket, and don't have a specific leather company in your area that caters to motorcyclists, then I would head to the local shoe repair shop. You want something of durable thickness, not just a thin leather "looks good" thing one might find in a craft supply store (i.e. it should be at least 1.2 to 1.4mm thick). The shoe repair shop might also be able to sew that in for you professionally at a very small cost. Most alterations shops don't handle leather, but call ... you might be surprised to find one that does. If you do it yourself and it's a bit raggedy looking, then depending on location of the rip, consider getting a nice flag patch or something similar to go over it! – Mama Tuesday, June 3 For SSH who low-sided the bike and the helmet hit pavement: Most manufacturers want their helmets back that have endured any kind of shock/hit so they can evaluate their product. Some offer financial incentive. You should be able to go the manufacturer's website and get more info. Regardless, any helmet that takes a hit needs to be replaced. – Ajax on Aero (note from Mama: aha ... an interesting comment on possible evaluation incentive ... one that I did not know about!) Monday, July 7 From Jordan who was getting a lot of wind buff at helmet level despite the windshield: I took a 6.5 hour trip, some Interstate, 64 east over the Blue Ridge Application Mountains. Breathtaking ride. Working with this problem I think I have found the solution. I noticed my helmet was not true to my cap size so I put a nice foam padding in the back and a small amount in the side. On my trip I left the windshield raised as high as it would go and then adjusted it as low as it would go. It works. Hope this will save some aggravation and a lot of windshield adjustment to some ... lol. – Jordan, aka Wind Rider (note from Mama: aha ... the old helmet doesn't quite fit one's head shape fix! Causes more problems because when we try them on in a store, them seem to fit perfect, but then little gaps cause helmet tug that easily tires the rider. Thanks for reporting back on this issue!) Dear VTwin Mama, He took me out and bought me an RSA helmet and I now have all the gear! However, the part I dislike very much is that when we ride over uneven road surfaces ... it feels as if my brain is being shaken in my skull. It is a very unpleasant sensation. Does anyone else experience this sensation and is it potentially dangerous? Can I do anything to remedy it - apart from staying off the bike. By the way I am in my fifties. Many thanks, – Elizabeth P. Dear Elizabeth, Uneven roads always jolt both rider and passenger, but the passenger doesn't have the exact same experience because you don't have your hands on the controls and don't feel the motorcycle take the bumps and feel that translate to the overall movement of the bike. It's like being in a car as a passenger in that it's more intuitive when you have your hands on the wheel then when you strapped in the right seat. Helmet fit is often trickier than most of us realize and I think is what is contributing to your shaken brain feeling. I would head to the local dealerships, take that RSA helmet with you, and try other ones on. It could be that the RSA is not a perfect fit. Since you've been riding for 2 months now, you'll be able to do a good comparison. You may also find, after trying others on, that you just need a bit of padding at the forehead (like a bandana or even a foam insert glued in). One clue ... when you're traveling at higher speeds, are you getting more pull at the chin strap ... that truly indicates air is getting up under your helmet and that could be at the cheeks or the forehead. Dangerous? I think anything that makes a rider focus on a comfort issue rather than the road detracts from the ability to be a proactive rider ... and well, the overall enjoyment! If you type in "proper motorcycle helmet fit" into a search engine, it will bring up a number of excellent sources of information for you to consider. The other top ways to more firmly seat yourself in the pillion position is to consider switching to passenger floorboards (if the bike you're on has foot pegs) and adding a backrest if one isn't there already. – Mama Sunday, August 31 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Sarah, Thursday, September 18 Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Toni Ann, Dear VTwin Mama, One thing that has contributed to our tremendous success is the fact that we listen to and learn from our customers. This is particularly true of our Chix eyewear. Although the wants and needs of women who ride are quite diverse, there are some common features that we are all looking for in sunglasses and goggles. First and foremost we bring to our customers eyewear that protects the eyes from sun, wind and debris. Equally as important, we offer eyewear that fits well and is comfortable. These are the essential elements for any type of riding sunglass or goggle. Then the fun part begins...the style and bling! We have found that women who ride all want a little something different in eyewear fashion. Some are looking for a simple, traditional wrap and others want a little sparkle glistening off their sunglasses as they ride into the rally. This is precisely why when you look at our website you will see such a wide range of sunglasses for women. As you prepare for the road ahead, remember to protect your eyes with quality eyewear. – Patty Popovich, Owner, Pacific Coast Sunglasses Dear Patty, In looking through the wide-range product line, I'm seeing prices range from $10.95 to $19.95 ... nice! I'll also point out that there is a women's special goggle product ... and for my men readers, there is certainly a lot of selection for you to consider (including four goggle lines!). – Mama Wednesday, October 1 Pacific Coast Sunglasses Review and Contest! Dear Readers, Thursday, October 2 Dear VTwin Mama, I cannot tell you how liberated I feel! Whoo hoo! Of course I'm being very respectful of my bike and the road. I am very new at this and haven't even been on the freeway yet but it's coming. I do have a question for you; as it's still hot here in Texas, I initially bought an open face half helmet but have had to cut rides short due to very watery eyes. I've since ordered a shielded helmet - they did not stock my size - but I wondered if a windshield helps with the wind in the eyes issue? With winter coming I think the shielded helmet will be fine but am thinking it may be way too hot come next summer. I believe I've read that the windshield height should be below eye level - does that reflect wind from your face as well or just your body? Now, if you say you recommend a shielded helmet for all weather and all times, I'm perfectly ok with that too - after all, you are "the" VTwin Mama!! Thanks for all of the great information thus far! Best, – Rhonda Dear Rhonda, It's excellent to ponder the watering eye problem as it's ultimately a distraction. Start with my recent review of sunglasses and goggles from Pacific Coast Sunglasses ... compare what you're wearing now and see if a change in the eyewear won't solve the problem ... I found a pair that really makes a difference to me ... as I wear contacts and that gets touchy really fast! I too switch between a 1/2 and 3/4 helmet w/shield depending on the weather, flying bug population, type of ride, etc. Some will advocate that only a full face helmet is correct for maximum protection and if you're really looking to take all the wind out, then that's the ultimate solution. But yes, riders in the deep south know how hot that can get in the summer months. Windshields are very fickle on directing wind. The majority of riders agree that one shouldn't be looking through a windshield (major bug splat and road grit will lessen the clear view and require frequent stops for cleaning) ... rather, over it. It'll block the direct hit to the body, but depending on the design (a loose term) wind can swirl from around the side edges (if it's too narrow) and underneath the lower edge of the windshield and get in one's face. Then you would need to add deflectors to the bottom edge to solve that problem. I'd start with eyewear and work your way up from there! – Mama Monday, October 13 Sunglasses/Goggles Contest Winners Announced! Dear Readers, The actual odometer reading on my bike Bumblebee at the conclusion of the Pacific Coast Sunglasses test and review was 20,677. The winners of the 10 pairs of sunglasses and goggles are: 1st prize: Liz (20678, +1) I will be contacting the winners one at a time, in the order of their winning entry, to select from the available prizes! Update Tues 10/14 ... if you are interested in reading what women have to say about eyewear fit, please visit this page on the VTM Message Board ... it has those entries plus the comments I received by email. You do not have to be a registered member of the board to read this thread! – Mama Monday, October 27 For Diane who wears contacts with sunglasses and full face helmet and still gets dust in her eyes: I wear the hard or gas permeable contacts. I don't wear a shield, I have a windshield. I bought some fishing glasses at Wal-Mart for a little over $9. They have a mirrored lens, great glasses! Don't have any problem with dust! – Anonymous (note from Mama: interesting ... I agree that sporting gear besides the motorcycle stuff can often times offer up a solution!) Dear VTwin Mama, Dear Kelli, Friday, December 19 More for All Knotted Up who is battling long hair that tangles easily: I have hair to my waist and ride with my husband. I have found that Israeli Tiechels are big scarves that you can tie your hair up in and they work great. I pull my hair up and tie in a little bun and put the Tiechel around it all and tie at the base of the neck like a large dew-rag. My hair looks exactly the same as it did when I left the house...straight and smooth and you can get your fingers through it when you get to where you are going. – A.C. (note from Mama: a very interesting solution that can really keep very long hair manageable! ) Wednesday, December 24 For Kelli who was wondering if helmet ponytail additions really stay in place: I made my own and it has stayed on with me going 70+ on the interstate.
Just make sure you have a good suction cup. I love it! My boyfriend sees
more of the reactions than I do since he rides behind me. He says mostly
women react.
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