'Feminine' Helmets for Women

My friend Christina asked me for some recommendations for cute styles of helmets for women. These are the rec's I sent her, all of them are Mid-High End helmets, because as you know, I'm not going to recommend a low end or just any helmet. I know what you're thinking. Why on earth is that helmet almost $600? Is it the flashy graphics? The sparkly paint? Not really. A combination of weight, advanced shell materials, construction and the research/development that went into the helmet. Some like Shoei and Arai are handmade in Japan, not on an assembly line in China.

It's like buying a Honda Civic vs. a Ferrari. They're both cars, but made in an entirely different way, with different functions, features and guidelines. Everything is like that in the world of motorcycle apparel manufacturers. Each company does things a different way, in different countries, using entirely different methods to create a product. Some cost more to make, some cost less. The question is, "What's your head worth"?

Many of the helmets, including Shoei and Icon are on sale at Revzilla right now. The RF1000 is being replaced by the RF1100, as well as the X-11 which is being replaced by the X-12. Arai's Quantum 2 is also being replaced with a new version.

http://www.revzilla.com/womens-motorcycle-helmets?partner_site_id=115

Listed in order of High End to Low End Styles:

1) Suomi "Spec 1R Extreme Flower" $550

colors: varies

2) Arai "Profile Riptide", $567 color shown: Lady

3) Shoei RF 1000 "Flutter", $350

colors: white/pink, blue/white, white/silver

4) Shoei RF 1100 "Sylvan" $450

colors: black-silver, black-pink, white-bronze/brown

5) Shoei TZ-R "Vogue", $375

6) Shark "RSI Karma", $300

colors: white/red, matte dark grey/blue, black/silver

7) Icon "Mainframe Regal" $330

(8) Icon "Bombshell GoGo" $300

colors: black, blue, pink

9) Scorpion EXO-700 "Black Dahlia" $220

colors: black, white

Arai and Shoei Helmets on Sale

Arai's and Shoei's never go on sale, but Revzilla is having a blowout on select styles: Quantum 2's: http://www.revzilla.com/arai-quantum-2-helmets?partner_site_id=115

For less than $400!! Perfect for those of you have a small, round head shape, and smaller from front to back.

Multiple Shoei's on Closeout: http://www.revzilla.com/shoei-closeout-helmets?partner_site_id=115

Perfect for those of you with oval/egg shapes, and shorter from ear to ear. RF1000's for less than $400!! And a couple under $300! Insane.

Arai, Helmets + Fit

Please watch this awesome video with Jay Leno and Bruce Porter regarding proper helmet fit. Bruce Porter has worked with Arai for many years and has extensive knowledge on helmets and is one of the nicest people you'll ever meet!

I was lucky enough to meet with him at the Chicago Motorcycle Show last weekend. He spent 5 minutes with me showing me the easiest way to remove the face shield. I know Arai is notorious for having this system, but when it comes down to purchasing your helmet, Fit has to be the 1st priority. If it doesn't fit you, how's that going to protect you?

The 1st video is Bruce and Jay. The 2nd is an Arai video on youtube demonstrating removal. I also found it much easier to have the helmet in front of you facing Away from you as well, if you're not wearing it when swapping out the visor.

Helmets and IMS San Mateo December 12-08

Helmets.

My good friend, Brian has written a great post on helmets, with a lot of useful information for those of you who are shopping for a new helmet, or are debating whether or not you need a full face helmet. And some interesting insight from someone who's been riding for a while.

http://mylifeatscuderiawest.blogspot.com/2008/11/gear-helmets-and-what-you-need-to-know.html

The only other thing I'd like to add to his post is that you should always try on as many helmets as you can. Even if you can't afford the $500 Arai, you need that frame of reference. Once you know what a good, perfect fit is, then you know what you need. So if you can't afford the Arai, find the $200 helmet that fits *almost* as good as that Arai. The same goes for gear. Try on everything, figure out what is supposed to fit and where, and then shop for the less expensive piece of gear that fits *almost* perfect.

And, yes, white won't automatically save your life either. Don't put all your eggs in one basket!

IMS

So it looks like this year at the San Mateo IMS, I'll be doing a couple of things. Friday will be Ladies Night, with the IMS offering a 50% off coupon for Friday night. (I noticed that the coupon says Sunday, although the title and fine print say Friday) I'll be giving a 25 minute seminar on gear, specifically focused towards women motorcycle riders. I'll also be hanging out in the Welcome Center at the Women's Info desk. I always love talking to women who are thinking about getting into riding and hope to help everyone in any way I can.

There will also be a new area called the "Hub", which is a presentation stage. There's going to be quite a few speakers, covering topics like off road riding and motorcycle insurance. I'm thrilled to be here as well. I just hope people show up to hear me talk! On Saturday and Sunday I'll be speaking to an audience of potential riders, interested in hearing about what they should be wearing while riding. I'm thinking of covering some general topics such as:

• How to dress from head to toe
• General tips when shopping for gear
• How your gear should fit

I just hope I can squeeze these all into 15 minutes. There's going to be a 10 minute Q-A afterwards. I need to write up some notes, because if I start rambling there's no telling when I'll stop. I can talk for hours about gear!

I hope to see you there. :)