motorcycle vs scooter helmets, is there a difference?

dentheman · 05-15-2010, 04:22 PM

I am looking at helmets on-line. I like the design of the HCI 16 with its retractable sun visor, but some sites list it as a motorcycle helmet while others describe it as an 'Italian style scooter helmet'. Is there a difference, or is it just a play on words? I know not to buy a helmet without trying it on first.

Water Warrior 2 · 05-15-2010, 05:33 PM

It is a DOT 3/4 helmet. Wear it on a bike or scooter. I personally prefer a full face helmet for the added crash protection so just don't fall on your face. Better yet don't fall.
There are other helmets with internal sun visors that are full face or modular style on the market that are not overly expensive. I can't tell you what to wear but please be aware that many accidents involve a face plant.

dentheman · 05-15-2010, 05:54 PM

I have been looking, but don't see many with that retractable sun visor that still allows the clear visor to stay down. Do you have any recommendations of others I should look at?

mrlmd1 · 05-15-2010, 05:55 PM

Sunglasses.

dentheman · 05-15-2010, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlmd1

Sunglasses.

I already wear eyeglasses and don't have prescription sunglasses. That flip down sun visor just seems so much more convenient to me. But it does bring up the question whether the eyglasses will get in the way of the visor. EDIT: I don't care for the helmets with graphics.

New GZ250 · 05-15-2010, 06:28 PM

Mine has a sun visor, but is full face and not cheap. There are many out there, just spend some time researching. I won't wear anything but a full face helmet, want to protect the front of my head, not just the back! Price doesn't mean much, as long as it is DOT approved, fit and comfort and ease of use for the sun visor are important things to consider. Also I won't order online until I tried one on to my liking, without trying it on it is just a gamble is you truly would be happy with it! I tried many on, cheaper and more expensive, I went with the one that felt the best.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... elmet.aspx
:popcorn:

Sarris · 05-15-2010, 06:44 PM

Some Nolan helmets have a retractable tinted shield behind the clear. Google "Nolan Helmets"

I have a Nolan 3/4 helmet (a really good product) that I use in the winter, but mostly I use a DOT police style 1/2 helmet.

patrick_777 · 05-15-2010, 10:06 PM

It's not just Nolen. Scorpion and Shoei have them too. If you buy last year's model, then you can pick them up pretty cheap.

dentheman · 05-15-2010, 10:32 PM

Thanks for the inputs. I did more searching and found a few, including full faced, but I am a little concerned full face will get too hot in the west Texs summers. Aren't they all DOT or Snell approved? I ask because both my bicycle helmets are ANSI approved and I know a bicycle helmet cannot even be sold in the US unless it is approved by ANSI or perhaps some other testing Lab.

I still like the HCI 16 - style, visor, and especially price are important considerations - if it will fit. I don't need one with communications built in and don't want to pay for something I don't need.

Water Warrior 2 · 05-16-2010, 03:17 AM

Go to webbikeworld for some excellant product reports with real world results. HJC also makes some good helmets with interior visors. You might also consider the suggestion of sunglasses. Clip-ons for your present glasses or even transition lenses next time. Experience has taught me to get the stuff that works best and not settle for an almost good enough item.

05-15-2010, 04:22 PM	#1
dentheman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 629	motorcycle vs scooter helmets, is there a difference? I am looking at helmets on-line. I like the design of the HCI 16 with its retractable sun visor, but some sites list it as a motorcycle helmet while others describe it as an 'Italian style scooter helmet'. Is there a difference, or is it just a play on words? I know not to buy a helmet without trying it on first. __________________ 2007 Shadow Spirit 750 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-15-2010, 05:33 PM	#2
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: motorcycle vs scooter helmets, is there a difference? It is a DOT 3/4 helmet. Wear it on a bike or scooter. I personally prefer a full face helmet for the added crash protection so just don't fall on your face. Better yet don't fall. There are other helmets with internal sun visors that are full face or modular style on the market that are not overly expensive. I can't tell you what to wear but please be aware that many accidents involve a face plant.
	0

05-15-2010, 05:54 PM	#3
dentheman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 629	Re: motorcycle vs scooter helmets, is there a difference? I have been looking, but don't see many with that retractable sun visor that still allows the clear visor to stay down. Do you have any recommendations of others I should look at? __________________ 2007 Shadow Spirit 750 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

05-15-2010, 05:55 PM	#4
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: motorcycle vs scooter helmets, is there a difference? Sunglasses.
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05-15-2010, 06:28 PM	#6
New GZ250 Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Palo Alto, CA Posts: 297	Re: motorcycle vs scooter helmets, is there a difference? Mine has a sun visor, but is full face and not cheap. There are many out there, just spend some time researching. I won't wear anything but a full face helmet, want to protect the front of my head, not just the back! Price doesn't mean much, as long as it is DOT approved, fit and comfort and ease of use for the sun visor are important things to consider. Also I won't order online until I tried one on to my liking, without trying it on it is just a gamble is you truly would be happy with it! I tried many on, cheaper and more expensive, I went with the one that felt the best. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... elmet.aspx :popcorn:
	0

05-15-2010, 06:44 PM	#7
Sarris Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: New Port Richey, Florida USA Posts: 1,348	Re: motorcycle vs scooter helmets, is there a difference? Some Nolan helmets have a retractable tinted shield behind the clear. Google "Nolan Helmets" I have a Nolan 3/4 helmet (a really good product) that I use in the winter, but mostly I use a DOT police style 1/2 helmet. __________________ Prudent riders live longer than moron riders.
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05-15-2010, 10:06 PM	#8
patrick_777 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 1,763	Re: motorcycle vs scooter helmets, is there a difference? It's not just Nolen. Scorpion and Shoei have them too. If you buy last year's model, then you can pick them up pretty cheap. __________________ ]I am hiding in Honduras. I am a desperate man. Send lawyers, guns and money. The shit has hit the fan.
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05-15-2010, 10:32 PM	#9
dentheman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 629	Re: motorcycle vs scooter helmets, is there a difference? Thanks for the inputs. I did more searching and found a few, including full faced, but I am a little concerned full face will get too hot in the west Texs summers. Aren't they all DOT or Snell approved? I ask because both my bicycle helmets are ANSI approved and I know a bicycle helmet cannot even be sold in the US unless it is approved by ANSI or perhaps some other testing Lab. I still like the HCI 16 - style, visor, and especially price are important considerations - if it will fit. I don't need one with communications built in and don't want to pay for something I don't need. __________________ 2007 Shadow Spirit 750
	0

05-16-2010, 03:17 AM	#10
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: motorcycle vs scooter helmets, is there a difference? Go to webbikeworld for some excellant product reports with real world results. HJC also makes some good helmets with interior visors. You might also consider the suggestion of sunglasses. Clip-ons for your present glasses or even transition lenses next time. Experience has taught me to get the stuff that works best and not settle for an almost good enough item.
	0