[KamikazeBikr]

I'm starting to get into downhilling.....


so its probably smart to start with a good helmet.

I already got some cool Oakley MX goggles for eye protection.
My goggles have clear lenses so what do you guys do when its bright out???
Anyone where sunglasses under there goggles?

Anyways is it smart to look for used helmets???
What features should I look for and what price range?
Thanks!

 

[konabiker]

I'm starting to get into downhilling.....

so its probably smart to start with a good helmet.

I already got some cool Oakley MX goggles for eye protection.
My goggles have clear lenses so what do you guys do when its bright out???
Anyone where sunglasses under there goggles?

Anyways is it smart to look for used helmets???
What features should I look for and what price range?
Thanks!

do a search. someone posted a similar question a while ago. about the used helmets, i would stay away.

 

[Evel Knievel]

The Bell Bellistic is at Supergo for cheap.

 

[Tracerboy]

I agree with both Kona & Evil. Stay away from used helmets, you never know exactly how hard somebody has landed on their noggin. 2nd, get either the Bell Ballistic or the 661 Comp. I've used both, and while the Bell is a good helmet, the 661 offers better protection; just my 2cents.

 

[KamikazeBikr]

How is this deal???
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product.aspx?i=HE606A00

MUCH cheaper at Jenson than Supergo....
Should I go for it!

Thanks

 

[Master_Jako]

how bout a giro madmax? they look killer and air out good too...

 

[Tracerboy]

Hey, if it fits your melon, that's one of the best deals I've seen on a full face! Go For It!

 

[DownHillFast]

Giro Madmax

Have one, love it. Picked it up for $99 at Superblo....Ballistic felt good too, just didn't seem like it had enough vents....

how bout a giro madmax? they look killer and air out good too...

 

[Master_Jako]

Have one, love it. Picked it up for $99 at Superblo....Ballistic felt good too, just didn't seem like it had enough vents....

yeah, i love mine too...its just a great helmet...i think they now sell em on jenson for $89--im to lazy to check...

 

[SHIVER ME TIMBERS]

Never buy a used helmet.....here is another helmet but a little more dough

http://www.beyondbikes.com/bb/ba/asp/Cc.HEL-661/ab/items.htm

Goggles....On sunny days I switch to black lenses or dark blue. Early mornings, late evenings, or dark foggy conditions I use the yellow lense. I have heard the rose is a good choice too.

 

[tgreathead]

try ProRider

When I was looking for a full face I wanted to make sure it was a good helmet for a good price. I wanted it to be Snell certified so I could trust it with my head so I checked Snell's website. There are very few full face helmets that are up to Snell's current standards, and almost all of them started at $150. But I found one that was $50 and had Snell's approval. It's made by a no-frills company in Washington called ProRider. They mostly make helmets for schools and camps but also sell to independent buyers. I got the ProBMX helmet and it's been with me for a few months now and I have nothing to complain about. Some of the colors are a little bold, but I just got black and peeled the stickers off. The picture is of the chrome one, and don't worry, all those rainbow stickers peel off real easy.

They also make a Downhill helmet (when I asked customer service they said it's basically the same helmet with a few less vents for more coverage).

Here's the one I got ([url]https://www.prorider.com/pro/probmx.htm)[/URL]

 

[Master_Jako]

that helm looks pretty good matter a fact...i lik shiny tings

 

[ryanc44]

I'm in the market for a full face myself and it's coming down to finding a helmet that fits correctly. Not many LBS or "superstores" have many full face models to try on, so I'm almost left to just gamble on what "should" fit. This Prorider looks like a worthy candidate- snell certified and the price is right...

So how's the fit on that helmet? I have a large (and very round) melon and seem to have a hard time finding helmets that fit right. I'll do the head measurement thing tomorrow if I can find a tape measure, but I'm always a bit leary when companies have sizes like S/M and L/XL... How about google clearance? Any problems there?

Here's the one I got ([url]https://www.prorider.com/pro/probmx.htm)[/URL]

[/QUOTE]

 

[tgreathead]

I took a chance on the sizing because I was literally exactly on the line of S/M and L/XL so I decided I'd rather have it slightly tight than slightly loose. The sizing on the S/M was perfect for me. The ventilation has been very good, especially compared to my friend that uses his motocross helmet. The outer dimensions are slightly bigger than other full faces. I tried on the Bellistic once and noticed it's pretty streamlined, but I wanted Snell. It's about the same size as a Troy Lee helmet, and compared to all the other guys on the mountain it looks like the same size. Somewhere on the site they give sizing instructions and the customer service was extremely helpful.

On top of that, you get free shipping on any full face!! That sealed the deal for me.

I haven't actually used goggles with it. I wear glasses so I have to wear my prescription sunglasses anyway. Below is a pic of the Pro JR BMX. It's the same shape but smaller. You can see the back has a cone shape to it so I don't know how goggles would fare. If you like, I'll take a picture of me wearing it so you can see the dimensions.

--Taylor

 

[ryanc44]

Thanks Taylor,

I saw the sizing instructions on their site and will try to dig out the tape measure tomorrow. How's the weight? The site says 36 oz. which doesn't seem like much- I used to ride motocross so I'm used to having my head feel like a bowling ball... The only helmet I've actually been able to try on at an LBS was the Bell Bellistic- I tried a large and it felt like my head was in a vise (yes, my head is that big...) Well, I'm still going to do some research, but this helmet is now a top contender (goggles might be an issue with that pointy back...)

Yeah, I'd like to see the dimensions of the helmet on your head. You have me a bit concerned when you said it's slightly bigger than other FF helmets- considering I'd have to get the largest size I'd probably look like the Jack in the Box guy... But then again that's how I looked back in my dirtbike days with my Moto4...

I took a chance on the sizing because I was literally exactly on the line of S/M and L/XL so I decided I'd rather have it slightly tight than slightly loose. The sizing on the S/M was perfect for me. The ventilation has been very good, especially compared to my friend that uses his motocross helmet. The outer dimensions are slightly bigger than other full faces. I tried on the Bellistic once and noticed it's pretty streamlined, but I wanted Snell. It's about the same size as a Troy Lee helmet, and compared to all the other guys on the mountain it looks like the same size. Somewhere on the site they give sizing instructions and the customer service was extremely helpful.

On top of that, you get free shipping on any full face!! That sealed the deal for me.

I haven't actually used goggles with it. I wear glasses so I have to wear my prescription sunglasses anyway. Below is a pic of the Pro JR BMX. It's the same shape but smaller. You can see the back has a cone shape to it so I don't know how goggles would fare. If you like, I'll take a picture of me wearing it so you can see the dimensions.

--Taylor

 

[tgreathead]

I just noticed that you live in LA and ride at Kenter. Do you hit the Whoops or just ride the area? I've been going to Big Bear quite a bit lately and doing some local urban but haven't been up to the Whoops in a few months now. I've never actually tried the doubles but I think I will next time I go...

Here's some pics of the helmet on. I have noticed that it looks even smaller when I'm all geared up. If you have questions about the sizing I suggest you call ProRider, their customer service is awesome.

--Taylor

 

[ryanc44]

Sorry OP - Thread Hijack...

I've ridden Kenter twice (I live right down the street from it and never even knew it was there until a few months ago...) From the gate at the top of Kenter I just ride up to the cement wall and come back down through the whoops a few times, then stay down where the bigger doubles are. I've only been up there twice- and only hit the very, very small doubles so far. I'm working up to the larger set of 4 right before the canyon jump (haven't tried that either.) I'd like to ride the general area a bit more, but my friends are only interested in jumping so I usually just hang around the whoops.

I just go into DH/FR a few months ago after 6 years of XC riding (I have many years of MX/dirtbike experience.) I just bought a new bike and went up to Mammoth about a month ago- that place is nice. I was hoping for more jumps and stuff, but chainsmoke and velocity made up for that. I haven't gone up to Big Bear yet- how does that compare? I notice you're in the LA area also. Where do you usually ride? Have you found anything even remotely similar to the Kenter Whoops?

Thanks for the helmet pics- that doesn't look overly big or anything. It looks a lot better in your pics than it does on the website... I'll give ProRider a call- I definitely want to get a decent helmet before I attempt the big doubles or the canyon jump at Kenter...

BTW- I might be heading up to Kenter this Saturday morning- if you see a guy on a White MC Sin that's me...

 

[tgreathead]

Big Bear's fun. It's got some very decent DH runs but the big compliant is that it's pretty sandy in some parts. I ride the DH runs and some of the more aggressive XC runs. The XC runs I take are mostly ridden by people taking them more technically, whereas my buddy and I like to bomb the whole rocky run. It's always fun to see the weekend warrior's faces when I blow past them before they have a chance to turn and see me coming

There are very few DJ spots on the westside that I know of. My buddy just discovered a spot near him that I haven't seen yet, and I'm told that there's quite a few spots in the west Valley. I was getting frustrated because I get off work around 7 and it's dark around 8 so I don't have time to make it to the whoops, so I've been doing a lot of urban lately. I live right by UCLA so I head up there at night cause everything's lit.

I probably won't make it up on Saturday but possibly Sunday...

 

[ryanc44]

I'll take the sand over the volcanic shale at Mammoth... Big Bear sounds decent- I get mixed reviews from people so it's hard to tell. I'd like to get up to Big Bear once before the season ends- we'll see...

I currently work out in the West Valley, so if you find out about some spots feel free to share. Not that I'd want to ride right after work in this heat, but it's good to know where the spots are... I tried to get up to Kenter after work last week, but by the time I got home and got ready and drove up there it was already after 7- I got two full runs in and pretty much had to call it a day- I came out right as they were locking the gate... I'm not much of an urban rider (falling in the hard dirt is bad enough- can't imagine concrete and asphalt), but there are times when I just want to ride in my neighborhood and cruise- jump off curbs, roll down stairs, etc. I'm about 4-5 miles west of UCLA. Are there good drops and stuff at UCLA where you won't get hassled by the school police? I've ridden my bike down to the beach (SM,Venice, the Marina) and all that- I try to keep my eyes open for good hits and stairs, but nada.

Have fun on Sunday...

 

[Dartman]

I've got a used one of these...

Here's an inside pic after I landed on top of my head...

Seriously...

Buy a new one and replace it when you crash. It's a really nice helmet for not a lot of jack. About $125. It saved my skull.

Mike