44 What gear's available? Helmets
Description
This article is from the Australia Motorcycles FAQ, by Cameron Simpson cs@zip.com.au with numerous contributions by others.
44 What gear's available? Helmets
There are two types of helmet shell currently available: resin-based
composites and polycarbonate.
Resin-based composites (such as fibreglass, kevlar/carbon
fibre etc.) helmets use a coarse-weave cloth and resin
construction. They used to be considered the toughest
helmets, though with the advances in plastics technology
that may have changed. They are generally heavier than
polycarbonate helmets. The range of composite helmets
includes the Shoei RF200, [...]
Apparently, fibreglass helmets are more impact resistant
than polycarbonate, and can in some cases spring back into
the original shape without any *apparent* damage.
Polycarbonate helmets are considerably lighter than
composite helmets. The shell is basically injection-moulded
plastic, and some polycarbonate helmets still have the
moulding seam down the centre of the helmet. Polycarbonate
helmets include the Laser, most (all?) Boeri helmets, [...]
Tests have shown that polycarbonate helmets slide better
than fibreglass on bitumen, thus reducing the possibility of
whiplash.
Manufacturers:
Shoei RF200 ($low -> $high), RF700, TR50 (?), XR-8, [...]
Arai Quantum ($low -> $high), Giga [...]
Vemar [...]
Boeri [...]
Laser [...]
AGV [...]
Bieffe [...]
Nolan [...]
BMW (System III) [...]
John Tserkezis <jt@iform.com.au> remarks that graphics will
bump the price of a helmet significantly (on the order of
$200) and supplied the following information from an article
in the March 1998 issue of _Two Wheels_. Prices will
accordingly be current as of about the start of 1998.
AGV $low- Clarion,
Strada, Arc,
ArcSupersport
$med- Q3
ARAI $med- Classic-R
$high- NR-3,
Quantum-E, RX-7RR3
AXO $med- RR1, RR3
$???- ZR5 (I
believe this one to
be in the $high
range, but just)
BELL $low- Starlite, Mag
Ltd
$med- Legacy,
Streetstar
BIEFFE $low- B4 Scatto,
B12, B12R, Pole
Position Classic,
Pole Position
$med- 3 Sport, BR15
BMW $high- System Helmet
III
DAINESE $???- Ergon
(although I believe
it to be in the $low
range)
ELDORADO $low- EXR/Classic,
RXR
F.F.M $low- Speed, AXE,
$med- Endor,
Superbike
GP HELMETS $low- J300
HJC $low- FG3K
$med- CL-11, LT-12
HARLEY-DAVIDSON $low- RPM
$med- Pacesetter
LAZER $low- Dragon, LZ5,
Orlando
$med- Falcon
MDS $low- Skema
$med- BK
NOLAN $low- N27,
N40/Trend,
N60/Trend, N70
$med- Elan, N90GP,
N92
SHOEI $med- S3, RJ101V,
RFR
$high-
RF700/Python/Heat,
RF800(98), RF800 Jag
(98), X9, XS-P (98)
THN $low- T-380, T7,
T791
YES $low- JET-
Thermoplastic,
Vision, JET-TR1
$med- Diablo
Touring, Diablo
Scacchi, Diablo
Carbon
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