Owners of cruisers more often than others choose equipment in accordance with the canons of the style that has developed during the development of motorcycle culture on public roads. The position of the motorcycle, the nature of the ride and lifestyle push bikers to choose certain equipment. Moreover, manufacturers do not offend this segment and offer a huge selection of models, both leather and textile. Motorcyclists haggle. Adherents of true labor consider combined models if it is too hot in the skin, but still look back at the role created over decades.
So, what is offered to the modern cruiser owner?
Motorcycle helmet
Open helmets are associated with cruisers, but during the rapid development of the motorcycle industry, many motorcyclists switched to using integrals and modulars. We discussed open helmets in the article: Everything you need to know about open helmets.
One way or another, there are motorcyclists on the roads who use authentic helmets instead of helmets, just to avoid being stopped by traffic police for lacking even minimal protection.
Modulars are beneficial to cruiser owners because they can raise their cheeks without taking off their helmet, drink coffee at a gas station, or tell stories to a friend at a traffic light.
Why do I primarily recommend modular for cruisers? Because the owners of heavy road motorcycles are, as a rule, very different people, so their helmet should be multi-faceted. A biker should feel comfortable wearing it quietly through the city streets, and go on a long journey with pleasure, and give it a blast like a ghost rider. In addition, the modular is remotely close to open helmets. You lift the visor, you are left with the built-in glasses, the wind blows on your face.
“Motorcycle helmet with built-in goggles, pros and cons”
If you are in doubt about the design of the helmet, in any unclear situation, the integral is definitely a safe choice!
Which motorcycle helmet to choose?
Buying a motorcycle is a joyful event for a future biker.
But he should think about his protection and equipment. A helmet is the most important part of motorcycle equipment and should be purchased responsibly. It happens that a motorcyclist gets blindsided by the assortment presented in stores, and he gets confused about what kind of “germak” he needs. In the article we will give a number of tips for choosing that will definitely come in handy. Let's get started!
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Deciding on the type
Motorcycle helmets are divided into five main groups:
- integral (“full face”). The most popular type, chosen by both ordinary motorcyclists and regulars of high-speed racing. It is a one-piece configuration that fully protects the pilot's head, with a visor. Each equipment brand produces integrals in different price categories. Additional options are also available: ventilation, cheek pads, breathing deflectors. Ideal for road users (CB 400, Bandit 250) and sports (Yamaha R6, Honda CBR 954rr).
- modular (“transformer”). The type where the visor - the visor and the chin part - rises up. It is taken by travelers on motorcycles due to its convenience: you can carry on a conversation, quench your thirst, etc. The disadvantages are increased weight and poor sound insulation. The protective properties are quite high. Suitable for motorcycle tourists (BMW R1200GSAdventure, KTM1190Adventure Honda NC750X)
- open (“3/4”). It is a regular motorcycle helmet with a large visor or visor, but without a visor. It has a reduced level of safety, as the product manufacturers warn about. The jaw will be the first to be damaged in a fall. It is bought by drivers of maxi-scooters (Yamaha Majesty250, BMW C 650 GT), regular scooters and mopeds (Suzuki Sepia 50, Honda Dio 50)
- half (“nut” or “helmet”). Covers only the top of the head, leaving the entire face and jaw exposed. It has low protective functions because it does not completely protect against the consequences of an impact. Despite the existing fastening, in the event of an accident it often flies off or rolls to one side. When traveling, it will not protect your face from flying gravel, dust, sand or insects. It happens that bikers complement the “nut” look with wide glasses with a thick elastic band. This model is sought after by chopper riders because it fits the motorcycle class (Shadow 400, Yamaha XVS 650, VTX 1800)
- motocross. The choice of every off-road vehicle fan: from ATVs to crossovers. Distinctive features: an extended forward visor that protects from dirt, splashes and tree branches, and a protruding jaw. The color is bright and noticeable. Motocross helmets also have an improved ventilation system to ensure good air flow. Ideal for tandem with an enduro motorcycle (Suzuki Djebel 200, KTM 500 XC-W, Yamaha TT-R 250).
From what materials?
This is an important design feature that affects the strength of this part of the equipment and the cost. There are two main groups of materials: composite and thermoplastic. Carbon is added to composite specimens, which provides less weight and increased impact resistance. The covering is made separately or in layers from fiberglass, carbon fiber and Kevlar. "Germak" made of thermoplastic is less durable and resistant to deformation, its weight is 300 grams more than the composite one, and the cost is significantly lower. But don't chase the low price. If a motorcycle helmet made of thermoplastic is not solid, it may break faster. Remember that the lighter the product, the less impact there is on the upper spine during an impact in an accident. A heavy “germak” made of thermoplastic will be inconvenient on a long trip or in tourist traffic. Experienced bikers know that spending money on a helmet made of composite material is completely worth it.
Buy by size!
Choosing the wrong equipment reduces all equipment protection to zero. An example that is too loose provides proper fixation and can shift position upon impact. Too narrow - it is inconvenient and will press.
The first step is to measure your head circumference above the ear with a measuring tape. Every more or less well-known manufacturer of motorcycle helmets has a sizing table. Note: the values in the table are different for each company; they do not coincide.
for example, the dimensional grid of the icon company:
Motorcycle jackets
- Only a leather jacket made from mammoth skin! Thick enough to stop an armor-piercing projectile!
If you ask people on the streets about the cliché clothing/equipment of a cruiser biker, you will definitely hit a jackpot of 3 points: open helmet + bandana + biker jacket.
It’s worth looking back once to understand that in ancient times, when the motorcycle fraternity was something dangerous, unattainably attractive and isolated from the insipid life, motorcycle equipment was not widespread as a separate type of protection. A thick leather biker jacket was chosen by bikers as the most logical outerwear, capable of equally successful protection on the road and off the motorcycle.
The brutal look consolidated all the delights of tanned leather. A huge number of real leather jackets were made to order based on acquaintances, carefully and for a specific person.
In modern times, manufacturers have not been able to ignore the topic of leather jackets. Now there are motorcycle jackets made as close to the style as possible, but with the inclusion of protective inserts. Complies with European safety standards.
"Icon 1000 - the ultimate level of style and quality"
“Icon Timax – feel like a dark knight”
- I don’t want your modern jackets, I’m for the old school! Smoke, stench, fire, so that your hands are covered in oil up to your elbows, so that your beard blows in the wind and your leather jacket is as thick as the skin of a rhinoceros, says a faithful representative of the biker fraternity.
In that case, brother, take the turtle and wear it under a real leather jacket. It might not be quite the style, but it’s definitely better than giving up an arm or a leg to the asphalt. In addition, a turtle in combination with a leather jacket is a more than worthy option.
Important: first buy a turtle, then look for a leather jacket so you can immediately try it on for protection! There are so many stories when people first buy a jacket, and then try to squeeze into it along with the protection and then cannot fasten it! First the protection, then the jacket.
Chopper helmet - choosing the right one
Motorcycling has always been a highly traumatic sport. For this reason, the quality of the athlete's passive body protection plays a very important role in the event of an accident. It is the chopper helmet that serves as a guarantee of his safety in the event of an accident on the highway.
Types of motorcycle helmets
Depending on the type of riding, preferred speeds, as well as the image of the athlete, a certain type of helmet is selected.
- integral - a helmet for lovers of high speeds;
- modulator – a device that provides reliable head protection;
- a half-face helmet is a lightweight version of a helmet, but has high protective properties;
- helmet - a road helmet, mainly intended for bikers and creating a certain image of its owner.
Integral helmets
Motorcycle helmets of integral design, or as they are also called “full face”, are a high-tech rigid structural form of passive protection with the most developed protective functions. Helmets of this type are individually adjusted to the size and shape of the athlete’s head and are recommended for high-speed driving conditions.
You can find many brands of manufacturers of this type of product on sale, but I would like to highlight Shark motorcycle helmets, which are used by professional racers.
I would especially like to emphasize the quality of the material used in the construction of the helmet. To prevent allergic reactions to artificial materials, this manufacturer’s helmets use exclusively natural ingredients as fillers.
Helmet modular
The modular design of the motorcyclist's head protection device differs from the integral one in the ability to raise the lower part of the helmet's chin, which is quite convenient for daily use. This is an exclusively travel device that reliably protects the entire head and cervical vertebrae during sudden movements.
Half-face helmet
The half-face or open type of helmet has certain qualities, but due to the lack of chin protection, it is significantly inferior to the two previous designs in terms of functionality for preventing damage to the motorcyclist’s head.
Helmet - helmet
A helmet is the least suitable device for protecting an athlete from accidents. Head safety when using this helmet is not ensured at the appropriate level, and the use of this design is not recommended due to its low protective ability.
Other motorcycle helmets are also produced by industry. These include encrudo helmets, cross helmets and some other types designed specifically for a certain type of motorcycle competition.
Motorcycle helmet safety
Initially, when designing any motorcycle helmet, the goal is to maximize the absorption of the energy of an athlete’s head impact in the event of an accident.
To protect its citizens, each country develops its own safety standards for motorcycle helmets. It is currently impossible to find a helmet in Europe that does not comply with the ECE 22-05 standard introduced in 2000. American markets are saturated with products that meet DOT requirements (FMVSS 218) and the Snell M2000/M2005 standard is used as an additional guarantee of product quality.
As for the standardization of products in our country, our markets are saturated with products that meet the requirements of ECE, DOT and Snell, but Russian specialists are more favorable to the ECE standard.
Checks for compliance with established standards are carried out using control equipment specially adapted for this purpose, in which the helmet is given a given acceleration until it comes into contact with a support that has certain physical properties that simulate real conditions. Data received from an overload sensor placed in the padding of the helmet being tested is recorded by instruments and then analyzed for compliance with established standards.
Only a certified helmet is allowed into retail sales.
In most cases, a person’s life itself depends on how reliable a chopper helmet is, and no test can fully guarantee complete safety. Therefore, in this sport, the human factor always plays a decisive role, and his life depends on how the athlete is able to calculate his abilities.
Please note: our company will provide you with pleasure from your vacation and will relieve you of worries about your own car and a safe return home. Today, ordering a sober driver on www.voditelcity.ru is absolutely easy. Welcome!
Video: Which helmet to choose?
Motorcycle pants
Modern motorcycle pants and jeans are akin to space developments: they do not burn in fire and do not sink in water. Or rather, the composition of the materials is such that you can find models that have a decent level of moisture protection and also have Kevlar inserts. Mighty Kevlar, how many legs have you saved already? How many injuries have D3O inserts mitigated? Modern motorcycle pants must have, if not protective inserts themselves, then gaps under them or a knee pad. This is important so as not to walk around later like Dr. House, with a cane and dependence on painkillers.
Cruiser owners live an active city life, so even motorcycle jeans are on the list of interesting models for them.
By the way, an extremely rare element of protection on the road, but still a living one, is chaps. This is not an option for everyone, but for cruisers it will be appropriate. They don’t ride sportbikes wearing chaps.
“Motocaps - what are they and who needs them?”
Motorcycle helmet color. Matte or glossy?
Many motorcyclists choose equipment that matches the color of the vehicle. But bright colors are safer: a pilot in such a “germak” will be visible on the road, even through several rows of traffic. Lighter shades accumulate less solar heat, making driving easier on a hot day.
As for whether to choose a matte or glossy finish, this is a purely aesthetic question. Note that dirt, fingerprints and dust are more visible on the matte model.
Moto gloves
The topic of fingerless gloves is the scourge of injured hands. By the way, do you know how to identify a biker at first glance who has short, fingerless gloves? The daredevil’s hands have a very peculiar tan, because the gloves do not cover the entire hand. Let's add chapping of the skin and wild injuries during a fall. Still want to take risks for a brutal look? What element of protection is most abundant on the equipment market? Gloves in some stores can be tried on until next season.
Ideally, have several options for gloves: short and long. Short ones are suitable for hot weather, and long ones cover the jacket sleeve and protect your hands in harsher weather. The choice is really huge.
Buy by size!
Choosing the wrong equipment reduces all equipment protection to zero. An example that is too loose provides proper fixation and can shift position upon impact. Too narrow - it is inconvenient and will press.
The first step is to measure your head circumference above the ear with a measuring tape. Every more or less well-known manufacturer of motorcycle helmets has a sizing table. Note: the values in the table are different for each company; they do not coincide.
Here, for example, is the size chart of the ICON company:
Don't rush to go to the checkout and pay for your purchase. Calmly put on a motorcycle helmet and stay in it for 5-10 minutes, turn your head, tilt it in different directions, up and down. Jump on the spot several times to make sure that the purchase does not fly off or change position. It should not press hard or cause pain; the inner lining should gently fit the face. See if the view is wide and if objects from the side are clearly visible. When choosing between two pieces of different sizes, take the smaller one.
Motorcycle vest
Motorcycle clubs will throw a rag at me if I don’t remind me of such a wonderful and equally traditional type of protection. Motorcycle vests are different. For the most part, cruiser owners replace their jackets with them in the summer. Not every vest is equipped with a sufficient level of protection, but this is the same story as with open-face helmets. Tribute and respect to culture. A leather motorcycle vest designed in style, with all the required stripes confirming your status in the group - you can’t go anywhere without it. Even if you are a lone wolf, vests look natural on cruisers.
“Motorcycle vests - how much do you know about them?”
Hip bag
In case the backpack is too rich a gift that goes out of style. And in general, when instead of a backpack, panniers have long been installed on the bike, which means that a backpack is no longer very necessary. A hip bag comes in very handy if the capacity of your pockets has reached the limit. It looks interesting, doesn’t ask for food, and doesn’t interfere with driving.
“Motor trunks, what do you need to know about them?”
PS Cruiser owners are usually very careful about how the equipment fits with the motorcycle. When purchasing gear, be sure to consider fit. The anatomical cut will show itself in all its glory only when the protection is matched to all the little details of your riding style and the features of the bike.
