Helmet Question

[mtatv]

I recently purchased a new atv...My first atv. I see that most folks wear motocross style helmets...Are they heavy or obtrusive when riding? I would think that they would wear on your neck after awhile. I'm an avid mountain biker and have a mtn. biking helmet...do you think that would be sufficient. All I do is trail riding, no crazy high speeds, just the occasional bursts here and there. Should I bite the bullet and go motocross style or do you think my bike helmet is sufficient protection?

thanks

[TIMe2Ride]

Hi MTATV and .

I definitely don't recommend that you use the bike helmet!

Motocross helmets may look bulky, but most are lightweight and do a great job of protecting your face from branches and other hazards on the trail. DOT certification is the minimum I'd endorse - Snell2000 is highly recommended. It's a higher standard in helmets.

There are a lot of places I encourage saving a buck, but a helmet isn't one of them. Pay for the more expensive, better fitting one.

Enjoy your new

[BIGCATDAVE]

Aside from the obvious protect your noggin stuff, some organized ride areas require them. Plus, when you are snaking your way through the woods, it's much nicer to have a low branch bounce off your helmet than rip your hair out.

[speedyquad]

i would not wear the mb helmet...nor an open face helmet...i have taken too many rocks and branches to the face to know i would never ride without a full face helmet...

they are light and you never notice they are there...

as far as price goes, buy a $20 helmet if you have a $20 head...

[Mudsmyname]

NO WAY !!! Get a Snell / Dot Approved fullface MX helmet, go Carbon Fiber if you worried about weight- Google them!!
Its your head, people spend 10 Grand on an ATV, then $100 on a cheep helmet, I would get a Shoe or Arai get a $250.00 to 400.00 one its your head!!!

I have had a bad wreck and my helmet saved me, its Carbon Fiber, I Think its a BRP, and love it, get alot of coments about it!!!


Enjoy and Ride Safe with Full Riding Gear!!!!Its the only way to ride in my book!!!!

MudsMyName

[kaw700vforce]

There is no such thing as " just trail riding " Trees, rocks, etc.. Mudsmyname makes a great point. spend a ton of money on a machine but throw some change at a helmet.. Just the wrong thing to do.. Get the full face and hopefully you will never have to thank us for the advice..

[mtatv]

Well, It didn't take long, but THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANK YOU!!!!! I came to my senses after reading the above responses, went down to my local atv store, purchased a full faced motocross helmet on Saturday morning. Went "trail riding" on Saturday afternoon. Somehow, not sure, kind of blacked this part out, I zigged instead of zagged, or hit the throttle instead of the brake, not sure, but...I ended up going over a 10 foot cliff, we'll call it. The atv broke two 5 inch round trees on the way down and proceeded to land on my HEAD!!!!!!!!!! I was pinned under the atv until i could muster the strength to slide out from under it. Amazingly NO damage to the atv, but even more importantly, I walked, or shall I say limped away. A couple of riders came by afterwards and helped me pull my atv out from its predicament. The headlights were on the ground, rear tires trapped bet/w two trees, basically standing on it's face. A 600 lb atv landed on my head, among other parts of my body. Honestly, if it wasn't for you folks I would not be here typing this response right now.

I owe you people my life, seriously, had I not posted this topic, had you guys not responded, I would be dead or at the very best paralyzed. I will NEVER ride w/out a helmet again!!!!

THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY WHO RESPONDED, THUS SAVING MY LIFE!!!!!!!

[BIGCATDAVE]

Glad you came out alright.

Wrecks like that are why I never ride alone.

[Mudsmyname]

WOW Glad to hear our comments did not fall on Deaf Ears!! Now throw that helmet away, CUT THE CHIN STRAPS and put it on a shelf for a learning memory !

You only get one good wack and your helmet is no longer safe, SO PLEASE REPLACE IT !!! I know It dosent make sense, but again TRUST ME!!! Its Soundness has been compromised, and it would not work correct next time , again - Please REPLACE IT !!!!!!

Glad your ok, tuff for a first ride, but you have learned what takes some years!!! I learned how important a good helmet is on my third ride w a new bike, fliped it, bike hit my head , and I got new helmet the next day!!!! Ask someone in a Motercycle store if it should be replaced, Im sure all on ATR will agree!!!!

Enjoy and ride!!!

MudsMyName

[speedyquad]

glad to hear you walked away...and like mud said...replace the helmet...it will not keep you safe again