Helmet color

[DaveInPenna]

Safety-related websites and my MSF Basic Rider Course strongly suggest buying a white helmet as opposed to any other color. Both local stores don't stock any white helmets because they said "white never sells." I'm not crazy about the color either but I'm trying to lean more toward safety rather than fashion.

What are your thoughts? Any of you wear white helmets?

Dave

[VinS]

I think white is more visible.....if one is actually looking. There in lies the problem, most car drivers are too busy talking on cell phones, fiddling with a map or messing with their Tom Tom to look out for any traffic let alone motorcycles. That said I am not sure it makes much difference what color your helmet is.

I do not know of any definitive studies that show a safety increase with any color.

There was a great debate over the best color to put on fire trucks about 15 years ago. For technical reasons Lime Green and White were deemed ideal. The problem was that neither color was recognized by the public as a fire truck color (red has been the traditional color) and there were the same or slightly higher number accidents. Go figure.

I think the bottom line is that we should make ourselves as visible as possible and maintain a high level of defensive driving. IMHO.

PS I wear a white helmet (Simpson Voyager).....it was the last helmet I had from when I raced stock cars.

[Badrocks]

I wear the Bell Drifter Metzger Replica. It's sorta white.
Bell Helmets - Bell Drifter Helmets

[herk]

delete

...

...

....

....

[Badrocks]

Originally Posted by herk

I wear a white full face helmet.

White is supposed to be a danger color to animals - it gets their attention.

JMK.

That's why there's camo on my helmet. Animals can't see me!

[Daren]

I had this helmet in white before I upgraded to my Shoei:
Scorpion EXO-700 Scorpion Motorcycle Helmet :: New Enough, LTD
(sorry, don't know how to imbed images)

The graphics on the back are amazing, and I like the matte finish.

[gameovergt]

Get Your Motorcycle GEAR at The Iron Pony: Looking for MOTORCYCLE CLOTHING? We sell MOTORCYCLE ACCESSORIES, ATV ACESSORIES, MOTORCYCLE STUFF, MOTORCYCLE PARTS CATALOG, MOTOCROSS, MOTORCROSS GEAR

what I just got!

[Box Call]

I think the "onlyest" thing that would help us scooter folks would be to have strobe lights put on top our helmets. The cagers are talking on cells, text messaging, putting on makeup....you get the drift. Bright lights might help (along with a missle launcher on the front fender).

[S.D.Willie]

Originally Posted by Box Call

I think the "onlyest" thing that would help us scooter folks would be to have strobe lights put on top our helmets. The cagers are talking on cells, text messaging, putting on makeup....you get the drift. Bright lights might help (along with a missle launcher on the front fender).

strobe light? how about certain bikers wear a disco ball over their head?

[Box Call]

My head already looks like a disco light when I put Skin So Soft on it!!!

[SixFiveOh]

This is my truck. I have people pull out in front of me on a daily basis. I have no idea how they could possibly miss the BIG FRIKIN WHITE TRUCK, but they do. We've come to the conclusion that the truck is cloaked and they really can't see it.



What's the point? Just this. People in general pay little to no attention when they drive. The color of your helmet isn't going to help if they are not looking at you. So get what ever color you want and wear the darn thing everytime you ride. It just may save your life some day.

[Big Ed]

Originally Posted by herk

I wear a white full face helmet.

White is supposed to be a danger color to animals - it gets their attention.

JMK.

Wouldn't stake my life on that one. My brother drives an ambulance, and hit a deer while his lights and siren were on.

Animals are stupid.

[pat0021]

I buy white helmets mainly to help reflect the heat.

[Mandachan]

My husband has a silver, black/white one. I have a red, silver/black one.


My bike more then makes up for it since it's Kawasaki green.

And honestly when I see a motorcyclist on the road - the LAST thing i'm looking at is thier helmet, i'm looking at the bike. Since I only started riding recently - I can say that's generally what the population who does't ride tends to do.


That's just what *I* would do.


And SixFiveOh - My friend was telling me how her big freakin red van was hit and flipped - by a guy who said he didn't see her at a 4 way.

Yeah, people just don't pay attention really.

[DammitMike]

Originally Posted by Box Call

I think the "onlyest" thing that would help us scooter folks would be to have strobe lights put on top our helmets. The cagers are talking on cells, text messaging, putting on makeup....you get the drift. Bright lights might help (along with a missle launcher on the front fender).

GMAX GM68S Helmet - webBikeWorld

here ya go.

Originally Posted by Mandachan

My husband has a silver, black/white one. I have a red, silver/black one.


My bike more then makes up for it since it's Kawasaki green.

And honestly when I see a motorcyclist on the road - the LAST thing i'm looking at is thier helmet, i'm looking at the bike. Since I only started riding recently - I can say that's generally what the population who does't ride tends to do.


That's just what *I* would do.


And SixFiveOh - My friend was telling me how her big freakin red van was hit and flipped - by a guy who said he didn't see her at a 4 way.

Yeah, people just don't pay attention really.

The thing about your helmet is that it sits much higher than the bike and more in a drivers line of sight, so it may stick out more than your bike in funny situations like cresting a hill or when a driver is checking their mirror and your bike is below the mirrors view.

Also, being a motorcyclist makes you more alert of other motorcyclists on the road. That shiny kawi green ninja might catch your eye but to a non-rider they might miss it as they oogle over that red mustang in the other lane.

I picked up my white Icon Airframe because I was able to get it much cheaper than any of other Airframe colors that matched my stuff. I have a black bike, black jacket and white helmet and my friends say that it sticks out in their mirrors like a sore thumb and that they can pick me out from a mile away. I feel like a black helmet would cause me to blend in much more with traffic. So, while my white helmet might not help me avoid someone who is paying no attention whatsoever, it definitely isn't hurting my visibility.

[jbsmd]

I don't think anyone really notices your presence, much less your helmet. About the only one that would even care what you are wearing is another rider, whether they are in their car or riding.

[Q-Smitty]

Personally if I were gonna get a white helmet, I'd go with the Scorpion EXO-700 with scorpion graphics. Its one of the few white helmets that actually has graphics, but if they aren't your particular cup of tea... then I've got no other suggestions.



EDIT: My bad, I didn't realize Daren had posted the same idea.

[Uthor]

If you're looking for visibility, get an orange helmet. Tell me it doesn't pop out at you in this picture:

[rokket]

Originally Posted by VinS

I think white is more visible.....if one is actually looking. There in lies the problem, most car drivers are too busy talking on cell phones, fiddling with a map or messing with their Tom Tom to look out for any traffic let alone motorcycles. That said I am not sure it makes much difference what color your helmet is.

I do not know of any definitive studies that show a safety increase with any color.

There was a great debate over the best color to put on fire trucks about 15 years ago. For technical reasons Lime Green and White were deemed ideal. The problem was that neither color was recognized by the public as a fire truck color (red has been the traditional color) and there were the same or slightly higher number accidents. Go figure.

I think the bottom line is that we should make ourselves as visible as possible and maintain a high level of defensive driving. IMHO.

PS I wear a white helmet (Simpson Voyager).....it was the last helmet I had from when I raced stock cars.

is it not an offence to drive while talking on a cell phone in the U S ? here in europe ! if caught you would get a fine and points of your license may be 500€ fine !! makes sense you are distracted and i am sure you would not want to hit a biker or let alone any one else !!!

[VinS]

Originally Posted by rokket

is it not an offence to drive while talking on a cell phone in the U S ? here in europe ! if caught you would get a fine and points of your license may be 500€ fine !! makes sense you are distracted and i am sure you would not want to hit a biker or let alone any one else !!!

Yes, it is an offense in many states but most of the cell phone laws are not enforced. In CT drivers have figured that out and go about talking on their cell phones with wanton disregard for the law and safety of others. I recently read an insurance company report that stated as much as 50% of all accidents are caused by distracted drivers.

Do I have a cell phone? Yes, I do but while driving it is turned off and stored in my glove box. I cannot imagine that a phone call could be so important as to be worth the risk that it brings while driving.

Unfortunatey, people seem to care so little about others that they have no problem with the risk they present by driving while distracted. I have heard many say that if they have an accident the insurance will take care of it. Guess they do not understand insurance cannot bring back a life or get an injured person out of a wheel chair.

Sad, very sad.