Triumphrat

HAP

Followed a HD into a gas station and we ended up sharing a kiosk. He was a little younger, late 50s and already gray. We didn't say much til his helmet fell off the seat and rolled toward me in that loop, loop way uneven things roll.

I picked it up and noticed it was a leather covered, HD Nazi war helmet replica. An exact copy and of course No DOT stamp. Not one of those shorty replicas or wanna be helmets that at least had a touch of lining. Just a helmet with a hard hat web in side.

It was obvious this helmet wasn't bought for safety but for fashion and simply because it made the poser think he was cool.

Why is it that some are drawn to a helmet design that is so tied to the death and destruction in the last century? And why wear a hard hat type helmet any way whilst riding your scoot?

hlmiskelly

What is really puzzling to me is the current trend around here for black riders to wear the Nazi style helmets, especially younger black riders on high performance sport bikes.

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When walking, walk. When riding, live!

2009 Bonneville Std - Arrow 2-1 exhaust, Hagon shocks/springs, B/C aibox removal kit, custom paint, fly screen, bar end mirrors, custom Baldwin seat, Lucus style lights

Lasermax

Funny. I've noticed those helmets too, and I especially enjoy the chrome ones.
Maybe it helps give them the sense that they're warriors, soldiers at war with their enemies on the road, their chosen battlefield. And, lets face it, out here on the streets of metro Detroit, that's exactly what it is.

Bloody Knuckles

It's a "rebel" thing. You wouldn't understand.

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1996 Thunderbird -- RaceTech fork springs, Ricor Intiminators, Unrestricted carb rubbers, Corbin seat, Norman Hyde M-bars, StainTune Exhaust.

spank86

Assuming you mean Nazi helmets and not old school ww1 german ones perhaps it's because they were the best helmet in ww2 and what the US and several other armies modeled their helmets on for quite some time (and I think they still do but I'm sure we've got some military personel on here who could say better than me).

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Baltobonneville

Did his bike have tassels, a gremlin bell, and a big American flag flying off the back?

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Marty
2005 Bonneville Blue 790cc, AI removed, Staintunes RC, Uni filter, no snorkel, 118/40/NBZT "Thruxton" needles/1 shim/3 turns, tachometer, Ikon 7610s, Ricor Intiminators, Dunlop GT501s, D9 gauge panel.

Bloody Knuckles

Yes, I have read that the German WWII helmet was the model of future helmet design because it protected the head better.
But a superior war helmet does not equal an adequate riding helmet.

It's a "rebel" thing.

In the 60's my old man wore a WWII German helmet with a pickelhaube attached.
EDIT: He rode a Triumph.

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1996 Thunderbird -- RaceTech fork springs, Ricor Intiminators, Unrestricted carb rubbers, Corbin seat, Norman Hyde M-bars, StainTune Exhaust.

SnakeEyes814

Being the best helmet from WWII, which was 70 years ago has absolutely nothing to do with why they are now worn today by "rebel" motorcycle riders.

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Bloody Knuckles

Seriously, what is up with TASSELS? Are they daring someone to grab them and cause a wreck?

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1996 Thunderbird -- RaceTech fork springs, Ricor Intiminators, Unrestricted carb rubbers, Corbin seat, Norman Hyde M-bars, StainTune Exhaust.

ride4321

I can't even begin to fathom why those guys wear crap like that.

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"Don't you know there ain't no devil, it's just god when he's drunk. "
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