Illegal Helmets

Stovepipes · 13 Sep 2015 at 23:20

I wear a 4XL helmet, that's the only size that fits so I don't have much choice in the way of helmets. My first AFX helmet didn't fit well which I didn't realise until I hit motorway speeds, thankfully my second helmet a HJC one fit well but after a recent accident it was out of stock in the UK and had to import it from Italy.
Both helmets were ECE 22.05 so legal but other 4XL helmets tend not be so if I want a modular one, which I do, it'll only be DOT certified. I'm just wondering what the consequences would be if I went down that route as it's entirely possible I may not have any choice but to in the future?

Has anyone ever been pulled over for a helmet check, what about insurance?
As for safety I'd have to take my chances or potentially give up the bike.

Macwhite97 · 13 Sep 2015 at 23:47

Just to start off this thread.

I've never known for someone to be pulled over and have their helmets checked. I assume the police would consider that a responsibility of the rider?

I know a family member of mine use to wear a Drag Racing helmet on his bike with no certifications or stamps whatsoever and he had a few accidents

I think to be perfectly honest it's completely up to you. If you're willing to put your faith into a helmet then go for it. Then again it's never ever wise to skimp on safety especially when it comes to motorbikes.

Stovepipes · 14 Sep 2015 at 00:11

Macwhite97 said:
Then again it's never ever wise to skimp on safety especially when it comes to motorbikes.

Yeah I wouldn't choose to but then again it's entirely possible that at some point I either chose to go with a US DOT certified helmet or give up riding in the UK.

Macwhite97 · 14 Sep 2015 at 00:15

Stovepipes said:
Yeah I wouldn't choose to but then again it's entirely possible that at some point I either chose to go with a US DOT certified helmet or give up riding in the UK.

Giving up riding :eek:

In my own opinion, as long as the helmet has at least been safety certified for road use. Even if it's American DOT that should be okay. Yes it might not be valid for UK roads but it's still going to do the same job if you come to needing it.

Macwhite97 · 14 Sep 2015 at 00:22

Also next thing to check is SHARP safety website. Have pretty much every helmet on there. Will give you a good idea. Punch in your helmet, will come back with the safety results.

Stovepipes · 14 Sep 2015 at 05:40

Macwhite97 said:
Giving up riding In my own opinion, as long as the helmet has at least been safety certified for road use. Even if it's American DOT that should be okay. Yes it might not be valid for UK roads but it's still going to do the same job if you come to needing it.

Hopefully.
It gave me a bit of a shock when I couldn't find a UK supplier for my helmet, I did a bit more of a thorough search and there are a few suppliers about but it did make me wonder what exactly would I do if it stopped being manufactured altogether.
Doesn't seem like a sensible idea to buy another ill fitting AFX one so at that point it's illegal or no biking.

Macwhite97 said:
Also next thing to check is SHARP safety website. Have pretty much every helmet on there. Will give you a good idea. Punch in your helmet, will come back with the safety results.

My Helmet isn't listed on the site.

Macwhite97 · 14 Sep 2015 at 10:04

You got any other helmets in mind? I'm sure there's plenty of others in the UK. Unless you've got your mind set on a specific one?

tom_e · 14 Sep 2015 at 10:11

Macwhite97 said:
You got any other helmets in mind? I'm sure there's plenty of others in the UK. Unless you've got your mind set on a specific one?

That go up to 4xl? Don't bet on it.

Sports bike shop don't even have it listed on their size selections.

^JP^ · 14 Sep 2015 at 10:20

4XL, what size is that in cm? I guess you head measurement is 68-69cm?

I have a friend who works for a big European motorcycle store, I can ask him for a list may be.

What style of helmet are you looking for?

Stovepipes · 14 Sep 2015 at 16:03

^JP^ said:
4XL, what size is that in cm? I guess you head measurement is 68-69cm?

I have a friend who works for a big European motorcycle store, I can ask him for a list may be.

What style of helmet are you looking for?

Surprisingly measuring my head it's not that large, I make it about 64cm, but since around 2008 I've ordered the largest helmets I could find online and not a single one of the various 2XL or 3XL brands would fit.
The Last one I tried was the Nolan N44 Classic, which would have been perfect for me, but I couldn't even get it past my hairline. I tried a 3XL open face one to see if I could sorta slip the back of my head into it and that didn't work lol. Recently I was gonna try the Icon Airmada but I just can't be bothered anymore.

As for type I'd quite like a flip-up/modular helmet or a motorcross/dual sports style.

Yaayuh! · 14 Sep 2015 at 16:30

Get one custom made:

Stovepipes · 14 Sep 2015 at 17:02

Rossi~ said:
Get one custom made:

If there was an option to do this I actually would. I mean I can't get a bicycle helmet, can't go skiing either and have always had issues getting specs that don't dig into the side of my face. I happily pay up to a grand for a custom helmet but the option doesn't exist.

^JP^ · 14 Sep 2015 at 17:04

Pretty sure Bell will do a 3D scan of your head but that is in the USA.
Must be somewhere in the UK that will do it also.

I will ask my mate tonight about it and get back to you.

wazza300 · 14 Sep 2015 at 17:07

could wear a turban?

if you can import that hjc one from Italy then that should be fine,they still have to pass certain safety tests,buying from china id be more wary

the police can have you if they want to,it depends I suppose,ive never been pulled for a helmet though but ive never rode around with a dodgy looking one

Stovepipes · 14 Sep 2015 at 17:22

wazza300 said:
could wear a turban?

I could but I'd rather be safe and it's getting cold too.

wazza300 said:
if you can import that hjc one from Italy then that should be fine,they still have to pass certain safety tests,buying from china id be more wary

Yeah I already owned the exact HJC so knew it was ECE 22.05 but what concerns me is that at this point it's my only real option and if it were to become unavailable I'd be screwed. I too wouldn't trust anything to do with safety coming from China. It's probably manufactured there but you don't buy it from there.

Anyway I've just ordered a 3XL Icon Helmet, it's pretty much the last 3XL helmet available in this country that I haven't tried. I'm not holding out much hope it'll fit but I suppose I have nothing to lose while I'm waiting for my HJC to turn up.

cyclops12 · 14 Sep 2015 at 17:45

You tried Simpson? They go up to your size.
http://www.simpson-helmets.eu/

Stovepipes · 14 Sep 2015 at 18:32

cyclops12 said:
You tried Simpson? They go up to your size.
http://www.simpson-helmets.eu/

Thanks never heard of them, are they road legal?

Edit Had a look on the site and I think these are for track use mainly in cars. The few motorcycle specific helmets they have are open face, Dot approved only and not in my size.

cyclops12 · 14 Sep 2015 at 18:52

Stovepipes said:
Thanks never heard of them, are they road legal?

Edit Had a look on the site and I think these are for track use mainly in cars. The few motorcycle specific helmets they have are open face, Dot approved only and not in my size.

Most are for both bike and car use, I didn't check the link sorry, they used to be illegal here in the UK but that changed years ago.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2003/october/road-legal-simpson-lids-for-the-uk/

Do a search for them.

cyclops12 · 14 Sep 2015 at 18:59

My older Bandit.

image upload free