Fighter Jet Helmets For Motorcyle Riding?

I could swear I've read that using a fighter jet helmet for riding motorcycles is a bad idea, but I can't put my finger on where I saw it.

The reason I'm asking is that there's someone on Ebay who's selling what appear to be Chinese flight helmets for use with motorcycles.

Link to Ebay auction

The guy's Ebay store is here and the link to his user account is here in case the item goes away.

So what's the real deal on this - is it really worth using a flight helmet (even if it costs more than the $20 they want for this one) on a motorcycle?

I'm attaching a couple of pics of the helmet so everyone can see what I'm talking about without going to Ebay.

Thanks in advance !

parrothead wrote:even if it costs more than the $20 they want for this one) on a motorcycle?

I would be pretty skeptical that you could get one for $20 that offers much safety protection. I think having a military pilot’s helmet is more of a fashion statement, at least in regards to motorcycle riding.

Actually for motorcycle riding I would prefer a fairly decent helmet with a chin guard and a superior visor. Otherwise I might be like you and go on the cheap side or go without any helmet at all. Though I think in most cases it is safer to ride with a helmet, in some instances I prefer to have my ears in the open as not to hamper my hearing because I have better situational awareness, however if you do get in an accident you might regret not having the helmet.

Brain damage, jaw damage and facial scars are a significant risk while riding a motorcycle.

The only time instance/mishap that I had that I was glad that I was wearing a motorcycle helmet was I was riding along and I didn’t see a dove that was on the road because it was the same color. The approaching motorcycle scared the Dove and it flew up and hit me in the face. Thankfully I was using a visor and safety rated sunglasses at the time. The visor gave enough that it hit my nose and it slightly hurt but there was no significant harm to me. However the impact was significant enough that it killed the Dove. If I hadn’t been wearing a visor and helmet combo, I would’ve likely had significant facial injury and possibly blinded.

When I was young and very poor I used to get cheap helmets for five dollars. My friends used to joke “a nickel helmet for a nickel head“. They would ask if I wasn’t afraid of brain damage, I jokingly replied “do you think you could tell any difference if I received brain damage“?

In the accompanying photo the identity has been obscured to protect the guilty, er a innocent. ,)

Note that the photograph helmet and flight suit was real but it just was as a joke, notice that there is a more appropriate helmet for a motorcycle in hand

The only open faced helmet I would think about riding with is the Roof Roadster. It meets European ECE R22-05 safety standards. Of course for dragging knees and toes I'll stick with my Arai that meets Snell standards.

That cheap commie toy is rated to sit on a shelf.

Thanks for the replies, guys !

Just to be clear, I'm not considering riding with that helmet on Ebay, and actually I don't ride at all - yet. I was just shocked that someone would put this helmet out there as a motorcycle helmet without any sort of safety standard (SNELL, ANSI, etc.) and that anyone would buy it as anything other than a piece for a Halloween costume or a shelf decoration

I'll stick with JR on the Arai for hard riding and I'm happy to spend lots of $$$ on something to protect the small amount of brain matter I have left!

My wife got one of those Chinese helmets for me over a year ago, only in black. Actually they are not too bad of a helmet, all things considered(especially for only $30.00). China is probably not as strict about DOT helmet laws though. Then again, those little skull caps and german helmets that the "cool" bikers here use must be more protective- right?

As far as brain buckets go make sure you have a SNELL or ANSI. They are the best.......never use a flight helmet.

Purplehaze wrote:As far as brain buckets go make sure you have a SNELL or ANSI. They are the best.......never use a flight helmet.

Not necessarily. They are much denser foam than a DOT (non-Snell) helmet. A Snell helmet will dissipate much less energy than a straight-DOT helmet, and in turn your head will be cushioned less.

Refrence:
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearb ... index.html

What’s wrong with this photo in the concerning safety?

ATC wrote:

Purplehaze wrote:As far as brain buckets go make sure you have a SNELL or ANSI. They are the best.......never use a flight helmet.

Not necessarily. They are much denser foam than a DOT (non-Snell) helmet. A Snell helmet will dissipate much less energy than a straight-DOT helmet, and in turn your head will be cushioned less.

Refrence:
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearb ... index.html

Great link. Superb article.

They're prime candidates for the #1 Worst Case of Road Rash wearing those clothes(or lack thereof). Their footwear is totally unacceptable for bicycles, let alone motorcycles. Lastly, the towel is dangerously close to the rear wheel and the exhaust- either way, it spells doom coming soon!

ATFS_Crash wrote:What’s wrong with this photo in the concerning safety?

ATC wrote:

Purplehaze wrote:As far as brain buckets go make sure you have a SNELL or ANSI. They are the best.......never use a flight helmet.

Not necessarily. They are much denser foam than a DOT (non-Snell) helmet. A Snell helmet will dissipate much less energy than a straight-DOT helmet, and in turn your head will be cushioned less.

Refrence:
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearb ... index.html

Great link. Superb article.

It demonstrates the desire of people to win a Darwin award and lose weight at the same time.

Very good criticism StolichnayaStrafer. However you and asiatrails, apparently didn’t notice the major safety concern that I had in mind: because neither of you specifically mentioned it. I too missed a significant shocking safety concern when I first saw this photo.

Care to try again? Anyone have any other concerns to voice and answer my challenge?

Other than the little kid who is probably in the safest place between two well padded objects?

WOW!!!

I didn't even SEE the little kid! Probably suffocating too!!!

If you’re going to ride around with training wheels at least you can sound cool and look somewhat cool.

Jet Fighter Honda Motorcycle video
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/978947/f1 ... motorcycle