Designing a new helmet, could use feedback!

[chewie123]

Hey guys,

I'm an industrial design student working on my thesis - which is a new style of motorcycle helmet and Im trying to do some research right now. My idea is to bring back some of the awesome helmet styles from the 70's that have been pushed aside for new "crotch rocket" styles, but keep all the improvements in materials/safety. If you have a minute to take a quick survey I have put together it would be much appreciated. Pass it on to anyone that rides!!!

Click HERE for the survey.

Also any thoughts/comments on this design idea are welcome.

Thanks a lot guys, I love this site, has helped me a lot through the years.

c

[CatatonicBug]

Good luck! To me, a combination of safety (see picture below), comfort (ventilation is a BIG one) and price are what matter to me.

Be sure to check out the "Blowing the lid off" article if you haven't already. Definitely some good stuff.

My helmet (G-Max GM68) has 8 front vents, and 4 exhausts, but I still have to crack the visor a bit to prevent fogging in the winter, and to allow me to breathe in the summer. Of course, having a big windshield in front of me prevents a lot of the wind from hitting my helmet, so I can't get too upset about that.I do like the fact that it has a built-in LED blinker (4 settings; on, slow blink, fast blink, and off) on the rear of the helmet. It runs on a single AAA battery, and is actuated by a push-button switch in the middle of the light.

A mesh chin-dam is really nice, and cuts wind noise. In this modern time, I do wish more helmets had a built-in bluetooth stereo setup. I think that might raise the price quite a bit though.

This picture is what convinced me that no matter what the other types of helmets might offer, full-face is the only way to go.

[IMG][/IMG]

[psycoreefer]

I don't get the questions about the helmet, jacket, and pants "matching" the style of the motorcycle.

I don't think a rider wearing a full face looks "out of place" on a chopper and I don't think I could say (with the exception of maybe graphics) based on a picture of a helmet, jacket, or pants, alone what style of bike a rider rides.

I suppose there are sterotypes - Harley's and skull cap type helmets for example but I wouldn't say that a skull cap matches a harley....

[CatatonicBug]

I don't get the questions about the helmet, jacket, and pants "matching" the style of the motorcycle.

Well, you don't often see a zip-splat rider wearing a set of chaps or a leather jacket. More often, they tend to wear textiles. One question though is, what is meant by "style"? Is it a matter of colors, graphics, or fabrics, or is it about the design (full-face vs skull-cap, or chaps vs overpants)? You can get many different "styles" of chaps too...

[chewie123]

psycoreefer - youre right, the word "style" is kinda vague, but catatonicbug is on the same level as my thinking that by style i mean guys on sport bikes wearing kevlar instead of leather and guys on cafes wearing a vintage leather jacket. A lot of guys dont care about what the helmet looks like and dont even think about it "fitting" with their bike im finding out, but some do. Basically im trying to figure out if guys that ride vintage bikes like us would be interested in having the option to buy helmets that look like they are from that era such as these - im not saying i want to design a helmet with a flaming panther on it, but the vibe of the helmet is there.

[chewie123]

also, - definitely doing full face - my idea started by noticing almost all "vintage style" helmets are open face. so graphics/subtle details are going to be a big factor.

also i want to draw inspiration to make new forms that people havent done

[chewie123]

also, - definitely doing full face - my idea started by noticing almost all "vintage style" helmets are open face. so graphics/subtle details are going to be a big factor.

also i want to draw inspiration to make new forms that people havent done - like turning this into a full face.

[CatatonicBug]

FYI - you can't use a link to a facebook page to post a picture here. Facebook requires that the viewer be logged into facebook to see all content. You can copy the picture to a free hosting site like photobucket and link to there though.

[Pat Kelly]

I started full-time riding in the late 70's. I painted my helmets and bikes to match.
21st century, I get my XS1100 after several years with no bike. I wanted a plain, full-face helmet. Couldn't find one. They all had "graphics". I ended-up painting the bike to tie-in with the helmet graphic.
My current helmet, an older Shoei, has black and grey graphics that look ok on the MNS. I bought it with these considerations (in order of importance to me):
-fits my odd shape head
-expensive, full-face, quality helmet
-that was on sale because it was 3 year old model
-black/grey looked ok with the MNS, not that conserned with looks on the E

-my jacket (depending on weather) is blue Joe Rocket mesh, black Frank Thomas textile, black leather, blue denim.
-also have black Joe Rocket mesh pants and black leather chaps.

[motoman]

Pat.......sounds like you can dress for ANY occasion, even riding.

[chewie123]

CB - yeah, shouldnt have tried to put the link to that sorry, here is the ic i was talking about here.

[Ivan]

My perfect helmet would be one that extends below my chin a bit, with a wind guard, has GOOD and CONTROLABLE ventilation, and has enough areodynamics that my head doesn't get slammed around in windy conditions. Also Bluetooth would be nice. I don't get why bluetooth for motorcycles costs several hundred bucks, but you can buy a bluetooth headset with stereo earphones for $45 at Best Buy. The set to set intercom feature is merely a software change.

There is no reason that a helmet with all the above couldn't be had for $150 or less, except that manufacturers know people will spend $1000 on a Nolan.

[DGXSER]

I agree the aerodynamics have to be there to keep the helmet form feeling like it is going to rip your head off your shoulders riding at 90 mph on a windy day.

I will also say that if I ever do ride again, no way would I ever do it without a full face helmet like the HVC model I had on. I will again state that IMO, that helmet saved me form major facial reconstruction (yeah, I know a lost opportunity ), major brain damage, and possibly form neck injury. As bruised and broken as my entire right side is, it is astounding I did not injur my back or neck in the process. Even thouhg I did not brake my hip, the right hip and half my back was one huge bruise and swollen so much I told people my left hip was my Eddie Murphy hip and my right hip was my Nutty Professor hip. Yeah I digress yet again. But Full Face is the only way I see for riding.

[DJinNH]

For those who like to talk to other bikers.

[LoHo]

I used to always wear 1/2 or 3/4 helmets...then I read an article about how many bikers hit the road chin first. Since then, I've stuck pretty much to full face hats. If you'd like to get rich, figure out a way to get full-face protection without a full-face helmet.