Automotive Addicts

Since 1958, the Joint stock Japanese company Shoei has been producing quality motorcycle helmets. The company’s roots go back to the discovery of Kamata Polyester in 1954, when the first helmets were produced mainly for the use in the construction industry. 1960 marked the year when Shoei’s founder, Eitaro Kamata began manufacturing helmets for the motorcycle racing sector.

Headquartered in Taito, Tokyo, Japan, the factory produces each shoei motorcycle helmet to meet the Japanese Industrial standard which includes guidelines for classifying and numbering. The Honda Motor Company adopted the Shoei helmets as their “genuine” helmets in 1965. This very much increased the popularity and availability of the Shoei motorcycle helmets. Due to expansion, the currently operative factory in Iwate was built in 1989. Continue reading ‘Shoei Motorcycle Helmets – Product of the Year’ »

Apart from the DOT motorcycle helmets safety standards, there is another helmet regulation body in the USA named SNELL. DOT sets the minimum standards for motorcycle helmets which are to be used on public roads. Snell helmets on the other hand set the voluntary standards for non-profit and private organisations which use auto racing helmets in their events. Snell helmets undergo testing whereby they are pressed against a steel edge anvil which simulates a guardrail edge to determine impact severity. The Snell organisation usually buys Snell helmets for lab testing as part of follow up testing certification.

For female motorcyclists, there are special women helmets available in the market. These helmets are quite different from men helmets in that women helmets are slightly smaller. The women helmets are also designed to have more appeal but with all protection considerations intact. Women helmets come in more appealing colours such as polished purple and bright pink. The main point in women helmets is that they should not hinder the lady from flaunting her feminine aspects while dotting the same. This also means that sex appeal is a major consideration when designing women helmets.

Women helmets normally come in small, medium, large and extra large sizes. Out of the choices of women helmets, one should choose one which rests tightly on the forehead. It should also be tight enough not to allow the thumb to wedge in between it and the forehead. The helmet should not in any way restrain the neck. Of all women helmets available, choose one which does not fall off the head easily or shift unnecessarily. The helmet should not restrict your field of sight both forward and side to side. Women helmets should allow for the woman to put on glasses and should be light in weight but with all the necessary protection intact.

Flip up motorcycle helmets, also known as modular helmets, are a hybrid of the open face and full face helmets. Flip up motorcycle helmets when closed resemble a full face helmet with a chin bar. In this type of helmet, the chin bar can be tilted upwards or even removed to allow for access and thus resemble the open helmet. With flip up motorcycle helmets, one can eat or drink or even have a conversation without having to unfasten the chinstrap or removing the helmet altogether. It is typical for police officers. Many flip up motorcycle helmets manufacturers design this helmet to be worn in the closed position while riding since the tilting chin bar is only a convenience feature. It is advised that one should avoid riding with the chin bar flipped open for safety reasons.

There are several options available to the growing bike riding enthusiast. There is help though. The following tips will help to point a newbie in the right direction. Hopefully you may come to enjoy motorbike riding like so many people in this world.

The hint of light-weight oil, the rumble of the seat, the slight hint of octane scent lingers in the air as you slip on your motorbike helmet. You have got your motorbike boots on, and a rain suit packed on your motorbike baggage rack. You ease the clutch out slowly and rev the throttle barely, gliding forward, like a giant self propelled ice skate. Continue reading ‘Tips For A Motorcycle Beginner’ »

As a bike rider, you’re no doubt already aware that the safety of you and your motorcycle is of course paramount. Therefore, you conduct frequent check ups and repairs on your motorbike, exercise alertness when out riding, have the security of thorough motorcycle insurance coverage and wear correct protective apparel. Most critical of all when it comes to protective wear is of course a good quality helmet, which will help to protect you against possible head injuries as well as safeguard your head and face from the wind, cold, insects and flying objects.

It is a legal requirement to wear a helmet, but for your own protection it is not adequate to don simply any old helmet. Accidents are sadly a very genuine possibility regardless of how carefully and sensibly you ride, as demonstrated by Department for Transportation statistics showing 21,550 reported bike casualties in 2008, and in the event of an accident your helmet could be the difference between life and death. Thus, it is imperative that you outfit yourself with a regulation helmet that is in excellent condition and fits properly. Continue reading ‘Importance of a Good Quality Motorcycle Helmet’ »

Since 1958, the Joint stock Japanese company Shoei has been producing quality motorcycle helmets. The company’s roots go back to the discovery of Kamata Polyester in 1954, when the first helmets were produced mainly for the use in the construction industry. 1960 marked the year when Shoei’s founder, Eitaro Kamata began manufacturing helmets for the motorcycle racing sector.

Headquartered in Taito, Tokyo, Japan, the factory produces each shoei motorcycle helmet to meet the Japanese Industrial standard which includes guidelines for classifying and numbering. The Honda Motor Company adopted the Shoei helmets as their “genuine” helmets in 1965. This very much increased the popularity and availability of the Shoei motorcycle helmets. Due to expansion, the currently operative factory in Iwate was built in 1989. Continue reading ‘Shoei Motorcycle Helmets – Product of the Year’ »