If I were to carry an extra helmet on my motorcycle (scooter), what would the best choice? Is there a “one size fits many” model?
Peace,
mangeorge
Moved to IMHO.
samclem General Questions Moderator
Thanks, sam. I’ll pick one up tomorrow.
Bubble wrap and duct tape?
Couldn’t find any that meet the DOT requirements.
Medium should fit most people with the minimum of discomfort either way.
My guest helmet is a large, because I wear a medium myself. In the event that my passenger has a smaller head than I do, I can wear the large and they can wear the medium. If I didn’t already wear a medium, I’d get one as a guest helmet.
[Obligatory Safety Weenie]
Of course helmets are designed to work effectively when they fit properly. If the helmet is too snug or too loose it might not provide adequate protection.
[/OSW]
(Honest Question) Is a malfitting helmet better then no helmet? Would the rider be more likely to wind up with neck injuries due to a malfitting helmet?
Without searching for an answer I can only guess. My guess is this: That one is more likely to suffer severe head trauma from not wearing a helmet than he is to suffer a neck injury from an ill-fitting helmet. So I would guess that ‘a’ helmet is better than not wearing one at all. Given the choice, I would wear (and have worn, in circumstances) the wrong-sized helmet.
I have a HJC Medium 3/4 helmet that goes on the back of my Honda Elite 150 in case I pick up unanticipated passengers (usually the best kind ;))
Medium sounds good.
I’m looking at (okay, I’m sold on) a red Burgman 400, with that cavern under the seat, and I gotta put something in there. 
Okay, that’s settled.
Now, can you get helmets with a built-in speaker that won’t interfer with my ability to hear traffic and such? I might want to use my GPS.
Better yet, can someone reccommed a site that can answer my questions?
I’m actually pretty excited about this. 
There are lots of kits that allow you to build speakers and microphones into the helmet, I think they all look a bit clunky though. I’ve tried riding with earphones, but my helmet is a very snug fit and it’s a pain trying to get earphones in there and I could not hear anything as soon as speed got over 70-80 mph. It also meant I couldn’t ride with earplugs and as I’d rather like to still be able to hear when I get older, I’d very much prefer to use them.
On a Burgmann, you sit protected behind a rather large windscreen, so it might not be a problem at all.
For the ultimate in gadget coolness you can get the Dainese Airstream Bluetooth helmet http://www.dainese.com/eng/articolo.asp?cat=&nome=AIRSTREAM_Bluetooth�&articolo=1835480 . Possibly you could use that as speakers for your GPS too, if it supports bluetooth headsets. I think that would be the ultimative sollution if it’s loud enough to hear even with earplugs in place.
Thanks, svrider. That does look cool, but my old tomtom gps doesn’t have bluetooth. I have been looking at the Navigon 7100, which does.
I couldn’t find a price for that helmet, but they have a store not too far from here.
I’ll check some of the other makers too.
BTW; What is a “sv”, that you ride?
Aha, googled it. One of these, I’ll wager. Cool. 
Thanks again,
mangeorge
mangeorge, yup, one of those indeed. To be precise an '06 Suzuki SV1000S.
You can get earplug speakers. I’ve seen them at motorcycle shows and I know people who use them. I’ve heard good things about them as well, as in people using cell phones with them. Granted this is on a bike with lots of wind protection. Don’t most helmets come with a place for speakers? I know the last few HJC helmets that I’ve had did. I have some flat speakers that fit behind a small pouch that works well.
The other day, I met my sister-in-law’s neighbor as he pulled up on the bike I want to own - an FJR 1300. As I was drooling over it, he offered me the opportunity to ride it if I wanted to. I told him I’d love to, but that I didn’t have my gear with me. He said, “Well, I’ve got a helmet you can use if you want.”
I just laughed and laughed, as my head is a monstrosity and no normal human being would have a spare helmet my size. But it was really nice of him to offer. And no, I’m not kidding about my head size. The last time I went helmet shopping, I was in the XXXL sizes.
Back in the day the dealer would give you a helmet when you bought a new motorcycle.
After the dealer and I come to an agreement on my scooter, I’ll hit him up for one. Nothing fancy, just one to wear until I find exactly what I want.
Nice helmets are expensive, startiong at 400 to 500 bucks!
Crazy Danes, zipping all over the countryside on their little motorbikes.
I read that somewhere a while back. I paraphrased, of course.