Sierra
The ones I've tried on are so huge and heavy---I get a headache from them and I feel like I look ridiculous. After many close calls with spacey drivers on cell phones or drugs, I have gotten to the point where I won't ride my bike until I get a helmet. So any name brands and model #'s that you could suggest would be greatly appreciated.
Answer
Personally, I think people not wearing helmets on their bikes look like idiots.
If you have only tried helmets from places like Wal-Mart or Target, they are pretty heavy and uncomfortable, from my experience (had to buy a helmet in a rural area on a camping trip when I forgot mine--it was all that was available).
If you go to a bike shop or a place like REI, you can buy a decent helmet for under $50 and a really nice helmet for under $100. Giro and Bell are the two biggest companies (actually, it is the same company now). Specialized makes some nice helmets as well, and a few other companies, too.
I recommend buying one at a place you can try it on. Different brands fit differently. Some fit round heads better, others fit oval heads better. Some come in different sizes, some are universal with a ratchet on the back to tighten or loosen. If you have been getting headaches, you might be wearing a helmet that was too tight or was pinching somewhere, or it was both and too heavy as well. Occasionally my helmet will pinch a little during a ride, I think my head swells a bit or something. I unclick the ratchet in the back one notch and it is just fine.
Try on a bunch of helmets. You should barely be able to feel it. I have three helmets right now. One cost about $30, a Giro Transfer for everyday commuting. One cost $100, a Specialized Aurora--It sometimes pinches a bit if I don't adjust it just so, but it is pink, so I wear it. And one cost about $135, a Bell Sweep, I got it on sale and have never actually worn it--a spare for when I need to replace one of the others. All are comfortable, but surprisingly, the $30 is most comfortable.
Personally, I think people not wearing helmets on their bikes look like idiots.
If you have only tried helmets from places like Wal-Mart or Target, they are pretty heavy and uncomfortable, from my experience (had to buy a helmet in a rural area on a camping trip when I forgot mine--it was all that was available).
If you go to a bike shop or a place like REI, you can buy a decent helmet for under $50 and a really nice helmet for under $100. Giro and Bell are the two biggest companies (actually, it is the same company now). Specialized makes some nice helmets as well, and a few other companies, too.
I recommend buying one at a place you can try it on. Different brands fit differently. Some fit round heads better, others fit oval heads better. Some come in different sizes, some are universal with a ratchet on the back to tighten or loosen. If you have been getting headaches, you might be wearing a helmet that was too tight or was pinching somewhere, or it was both and too heavy as well. Occasionally my helmet will pinch a little during a ride, I think my head swells a bit or something. I unclick the ratchet in the back one notch and it is just fine.
Try on a bunch of helmets. You should barely be able to feel it. I have three helmets right now. One cost about $30, a Giro Transfer for everyday commuting. One cost $100, a Specialized Aurora--It sometimes pinches a bit if I don't adjust it just so, but it is pink, so I wear it. And one cost about $135, a Bell Sweep, I got it on sale and have never actually worn it--a spare for when I need to replace one of the others. All are comfortable, but surprisingly, the $30 is most comfortable.
good starter sports bike?
drum_stick
i'm going to buy a motorcycle next year so i started looking at bikes. i want to know what bikes are good to start with (i'm 5'9'' and 120lbs) so far i've been looking and the kawasaki Ninja 250r
Answer
Everyone recommends the Ninja 250. It's an okay bike but understand a 250 can't do highway speeds all day. So if your plans include long trips at 65 mph or above (more than a few exits on the highway) you'd want something bigger. The 250 is all the motorcycle you will ever need under 50 mph or so.
If you plan to do some 'touring', you want at least 500cc. 650 would be better. It's not the power you're worried about, it's the weight. A heavier bike is a little harder to manage, especially at first. But a 500 or 650 is not that much bigger and heavier.
You want to start with a used bike. Something 5-10 years old, old enough to be depreciated but new enough that you can still get parts. I would say any of the Japanese mfgrs are good. Suzuki GS500 or SV650. Honda 599 'Hornet'. Kawasaki Ninja 500 or 650. (Yamaha has bikes in this category too but I forget the model nos.)
You want to be able to sit on a bike with both feet flat on the ground. At 5'9" this shouldn't be a problem, but the only way to tell is to actually sit on the bike. Every bike has a little different relationship between seat, handlebars and footpegs, and if you sit on a few you'll find some much more comfortable than others.
Save room in the budget for a helmet, jacket and gloves (at a minimum). The MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) class is money well spent.
Everyone recommends the Ninja 250. It's an okay bike but understand a 250 can't do highway speeds all day. So if your plans include long trips at 65 mph or above (more than a few exits on the highway) you'd want something bigger. The 250 is all the motorcycle you will ever need under 50 mph or so.
If you plan to do some 'touring', you want at least 500cc. 650 would be better. It's not the power you're worried about, it's the weight. A heavier bike is a little harder to manage, especially at first. But a 500 or 650 is not that much bigger and heavier.
You want to start with a used bike. Something 5-10 years old, old enough to be depreciated but new enough that you can still get parts. I would say any of the Japanese mfgrs are good. Suzuki GS500 or SV650. Honda 599 'Hornet'. Kawasaki Ninja 500 or 650. (Yamaha has bikes in this category too but I forget the model nos.)
You want to be able to sit on a bike with both feet flat on the ground. At 5'9" this shouldn't be a problem, but the only way to tell is to actually sit on the bike. Every bike has a little different relationship between seat, handlebars and footpegs, and if you sit on a few you'll find some much more comfortable than others.
Save room in the budget for a helmet, jacket and gloves (at a minimum). The MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) class is money well spent.
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