Triumphrat

Two-Bit · 04-07-2012, 04:33 AM

I own a Fulmer V2 helmet and was considering buying a Bell Custom 500 helmet. Both helmets say they are DOT approved, but the Bell is a lower profile helmet. I avoided the Biltwell helmets because they say they are just a novelty helmet. Do you think that the Bell is up to par with the Fulmer as far as safety goes?

Irishguy · 04-07-2012, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Two-Bit

I own a Fulmer V2 helmet and was considering buying a Bell Custom 500 helmet. Both helmets say they are DOT approved, but the Bell is a lower profile helmet. I avoided the Biltwell helmets because they say they are just a novelty helmet. Do you think that the Bell is up to par with the Fulmer as far as safety goes?

I would think that anything Bell made was as good, safety wise, as anyone's similar type helmet. By the way Biltwell makes a DOT helmet too, as does Rockhard.

I would imagine all DOT helmets have to pass the same tests to get the DOT certification.

Silverado57 · 04-07-2012, 07:21 AM

FWIW I had a Fulmer that was a piece of junk and a Bell that was excellent quality.

PixMan · 04-07-2012, 09:55 AM

If you actually want head protection, look for SNELL approval along with DOT.

Department of Transportation testing is a joke. Look it up. Plus, the DOT stickers can be had at any Harley swap event.

Two-Bit · 04-07-2012, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PixMan

If you actually want head protection, look for SNELL approval along with DOT.

Department of Transportation testing is a joke. Look it up. Plus, the DOT stickers can be had at any Harley swap event.

I don't see any opened face helmets that are SNELL approved. I know I'll probably be missing my jaw in the name of looking cool some day.

TIE-Pilot23 · 04-07-2012, 07:29 PM

Biltwell makes a DOT 3/4 helmet too...the "Hustler"...
I recently got the Fulmer v2...I didnt like the chrome trim around the Bell and Biltwells...

I also tried on the Davida Speedster...it fit small and the leather liner had a seam right in the middle of your forehead (ouch)...
...the Fulmer had a black trim and a goggle strap...Ive worn it the past 600 miles and its been fine...the only thing I dislike about it are the visor/shield snaps...

PixMan · 04-07-2012, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Two-Bit

I don't see any opened face helmets that are SNELL approved. I know I'll probably be missing my jaw in the name of looking cool some day.

Fair enough, you're likely correct on the SNELL certification not extending to any open-face, 3/4 style or half-helmets.

Personal choices. I'm sure there's a fair number here who wear no helmet at all. Myself, even though I travel through Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire (all states with no mandatory helmet law for adults), I'd feel absolutely uncomfortable and totally unprotected even going to the corner store without my Arai Signet Q on my noggin.

Arai does make two open face helmet styles, BTW. They are among the best you can buy if that's what makes you comfortable. One style uses snap-in face shields, the other uses their quick-change system. I love those on my full-coverage helmet. I can change the faceshield from a tinted to a clear while its on my head and I'm sitting on the bike, with gloved hands.

http://www.araiamericas.com/default....wilight-silver

Two-Bit · 04-08-2012, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PixMan

Fair enough, you're likely correct on the SNELL certification not extending to any open-face, 3/4 style or half-helmets.

Personal choices. I'm sure there's a fair number here who wear no helmet at all. Myself, even though I travel through Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire (all states with no mandatory helmet law for adults), I'd feel absolutely uncomfortable and totally unprotected even going to the corner store without my Arai Signet Q on my noggin.

Arai does make two open face helmet styles, BTW. They are among the best you can buy if that's what makes you comfortable. One style uses snap-in face shields, the other uses their quick-change system. I love those on my full-coverage helmet. I can change the faceshield from a tinted to a clear while its on my head and I'm sitting on the bike, with gloved hands.

http://www.araiamericas.com/default....wilight-silver

I live in Iowa where there isn't a helmet law either. I am a bald SOB and couldn't imagine not wearing a helmet. The Fulmer has a styrofoam thickness added to it that I'm not sure if the Bell has. I like my Fulmer and it fits well, but was just wondering how the Bell compares.

PixMan · 04-08-2012, 07:26 AM

I'm curious if you've ever tried on a higher-end open face helmet, such as the Arai or Shoei brands. I find the difference in fit, finish, ventilation, overall comfort and noise levels of the better ones (which can cost 3 to 4 times more than the low-tech Fulmer & Bell) to be exceptional and well-worth the expense.

Many years ago when Arai was just getting started, their advertisements in the motorcycle magazines was something like "Got a $10 head? Wear a $10 helmet." It wasn't such a politically correct way of selling, but they did (and still do) have a point.

It took me a few years to step up from a Fulmer, to an HJC and then to an Arai. I just couldn't see the difference in helmets to justify the huge jump in price. Now that I have started using them, I could never go backwards. It's just so light, comfortable, cool and well built that I couldn't be happier. No, I'm not a stock holder (they are still a private, family-owned company), just a happy customer.

Two-Bit · 04-08-2012, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PixMan

I'm curious if you've ever tried on a higher-end open face helmet, such as the Arai or Shoei brands. I find the difference in fit, finish, ventilation, overall comfort and noise levels of the better ones (which can cost 3 to 4 times more than the low-tech Fulmer & Bell) to be exceptional and well-worth the expense.

Many years ago when Arai was just getting started, their advertisements in the motorcycle magazines was something like "Got a $10 head? Wear a $10 helmet." It wasn't such a politically correct way of selling, but they did (and still do) have a point.

It took me a few years to step up from a Fulmer, to an HJC and then to an Arai. I just couldn't see the difference in helmets to justify the huge jump in price. Now that I have started using them, I could never go backwards. It's just so light, comfortable, cool and well built that I couldn't be happier. No, I'm not a stock holder (they are still a private, family-owned company), just a happy customer.

I've never found an Arai helmet that fits me. A lot of the other brands don't fit right either. The only full face I fount that fit was the Scorpion. I like the vintage look though.