Crash Helmets

[eddie11]

Is it cheaper to buy good quality crash helmets in Thailand

or bring from the UK?

I know you can buy very cheap ones there but not very

high standard.

[PeaceBlondie]

Bringing one good helmet from the UK, where there are a lot available and you'll know it fits, is better. If your head is XL, you may not find a decent helmet in Thailand, or you'll be paying UK prices.

Saying that a 400 or 300 baht helmet is 'not very standard' is classic understatement.

You needn't pay 200 quid or more for a Shoe or Arai, but 100 quid is the minimum for a decent full-face helmet. Make sure it'll fit in your luggage, and you might want to bring an extra face-shield.

[pyros]

Bringing one good helmet from the UK, where there are a lot available and you'll know it fits, is better.  If your head is XL, you may not find a decent helmet in Thailand, or you'll be paying UK prices.

Saying that a 400 or 300 baht helmet is 'not very standard' is classic understatement.

You needn't pay 200 quid or more for a Shoe or Arai, but 100 quid is the minimum for a decent full-face helmet.  Make sure it'll fit in your luggage, and you might want to bring an extra face-shield.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Unless your head is the XL type ( difficult to get in LOS ) there is no need to buy 1 at home and bring it over . You can find decend quality helmets in LOS for less than back home . The Arai and Shoey helmets which you buy back in UK for 100 to 200 pound , well that are about the types they sell in LOS for 1500 to 2000 bath . Sure , a helmet for 400 bath doesn't get you that quality , don't crash with these ones ( actually never fall , with or without helmet but ) because they are just maybe a littlebit better then not a helmet at all . From 800 bath up , you see the quality rise by huge amounts and these types are also the types you find back home but for bigger prices . Check out some different types in the shops , look at the inside for the type of shock absorbant , in 400 bath helmets , well there isn't one . Go higher and you find a nice inner layer and a good standard type shock absorbant . Look around , some decent types around ...

[Boatabike]

Actually this is an interesting subject and one that anyone riding a motor cycle should take a few minutes thinking about. As far as i can tell the only information on if the helmet is quality or not is the price tag. Does anyone have any reliable info that is based on the actual quality and safety of a helmet here in Thailand? For people not living in Bangkok about the best choice you get is at the nearest Tesco Lotus, the motor cycycle shops stock some right crap, The odd Honda shop seem to have the CBR helmet, is this a quality lid or just a shiny advertising gismo? Any advice from someone who really knows there stuff on this subject could be a life saver! A known brand from back home is something i have never seen out here in the sticks, are they available in Bangkok?

Do you know that if it has a brand name on it that it is in fact same quality as back home etc. etc.

Edited May 30, 2005 by Boatabike

[wilko]

Just a thought on the subject of crash-hats in Thailand...

Whilst driving along Sukumvit ,Sri Racha the other night, I noticed a silhuette of a motorbike just to my nearside rear. No headlamp at all - at least that is what I thought until he drew up next to me at some triffic lights. I then realised that the reason for no headlamp was that to be more comfortable he had taken off his crash helmet and had placed it in front of his lit headlamp completely obscuring it ...

[JSixpack]

Actually this is an interesting subject and one that anyone riding a motor cycle should take a few minutes thinking about. As far as i can tell the only information on if the helmet is quality or not is the price tag. Does anyone have any reliable info that is based on the actual quality and safety of a helmet here in Thailand? For people not living in Bangkok about the best choice you get is at the nearest Tesco Lotus, the motor cycycle shops stock some right crap, The odd Honda shop seem to have the CBR helmet, is this a quality lid or just a shiny advertising gismo? Any advice from someone who really knows there stuff on this subject could be a life saver! A known brand from back home is something i have never seen out here in the sticks, are they available in Bangkok?

Do you know that if it has a brand name on it that it is in fact same quality as back home etc. etc.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

IMO the best of Thai helmets isn't very good. They're cheap of course. I brought mine from home and I'm glad I did.

For shops in BKK see:

http://www.geocities.com/bkkriders/shops/index.html

Decent selection of imported helmets at (email for model/size):

Paddock Proshop / Helmet House Shoei Helmets, visor replacement, jacket (Taichi Leather, Gore-Tex), gloves, tank bags, cross stuff and Accessories.

Open: 9:00 - 19:30

Sunday Closed 169/84 Ratchadapisek Rd., DinDaeng, 10320 map

(next to Entertainment Plaza's, just north of trafficlight Prachasuk junction, left side)

Subway: Huai Khwang, exit #4, 150m northward

Tel 02-692-7000-5, 02-692-7006

Fax 02-692-7007-8

Email: [email protected]

GPS: N13.78065/E100.57372

[duke69]

I ride a Ducati 998 here in LOS (not the only one ), so here my 2 pennies:

1) Buy a good quality helmet in your home country. because also the Shoei or Arai here are too cheap (sometimes) and I do believe they are fake.

2) If you go to a serius bike dealer the Arai and Shoei (or AGV) cost same of Europe, so the cheaper ones are defective ones or fakes.

3) If you fall @ 80Kms per hours with a Ducati 998 or with a scooter, it's the same hit. Remember this.

4) The difference between a quality helmet and a non quality one is not the life .... it's only the wheel chair.

Buy a good one, being expensive you will take much more care of it (than a cheap one) and at the end it will last much more and result cheaper (cheaper than buying 2-3 crappy ones).

ps. I have AGV for myself

[wilko]

Sounds like pretty sound advice Ducky69 -

People have very strange attitudes to crash helmets here. One farrang told me he didn't go far enough or fast enough to wear one.

So we have to conclude that everything around where he lives is padded - statistically you are more likely to come off near your own home than anywhere else.

As for speed - if I walked passed him with a lump hammer over my shoulder and accidentally clipped his head, I wonder whether he'd rather have his hat on or not.

A crash hat is little use in a high speed head on impact, however it is invaluable in protecting you against the glancing blows that would otherwise result in serious/fatal head injuries. These can occur at very low speeds – walking pace even (or standing still if someone runs into you!). Driving without a hat for any distance at any speed is completely insane.

The quality of Thai hats and the way the law is enforced concerning the wearing of them seems to indicate that the authorities either don’t care or have no understanding of why hats should be worn. Fining someone 200 baht and then watching them drive off wearing an unstrapped piece of plastic crap is a cynical waste of time

[duke69]

..... a good quality helmet in LOS cannot be cheaper than 8-10,000 baht.

Don't play with ur life!!

Another little trick I use to do (most bikers in Europe do), keep inside your pocket always a little card with:

Name/Surname/age

blood type

tel/address

if you are alergic to some medications

(.... and this is common practice in Europe)

Only for LOS:

(write in this card both in English and Thai that if you're down in an accident, not to move you, to wait for the ambulance ......).

The hige difference between the west and LOS is that if I find a biker down on the road I first check his shoulder pocket (in the jacket) for the "instructions" and I will never move the biker ..... here in Thailand you must manage to give the first one stopping to help you that card (which might save you from a wheel chair).

No matter whether is a 200Kmiles bike or a vespa, I had a friend (I have a friend, since he is still my friend and happily alive) who lost a leg in a stupid low speed accident with a scooter ....

[JSixpack]

Is it cheaper to buy good quality crash helmets in Thailand

or bring from the UK?

I know you can buy very cheap ones there but not very

high standard.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Consider bringing more than just a helmet. A light breathable rainsuit, for example; waterproof socks, gaiters, serious moto boots like Sidis, perhaps waterproof; a lightweight mesh jacket w/ armor, draggin' jeans; summer gloves etc.

Not that very many people wear such. (Of course, most just wear a 150 baht helmet if any and flip-flops.) Just depends how safety conscious you are and how much rain might inconvenience or bother you during the rainy season.

[eddie11]

Thanks for all the replies.

I think I will bring a couple of decent lids from UK

( better safe than sorry)

[duke69]

Thanks for all the replies.

I think I will bring a couple of decent lids from UK

( better safe than sorry)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

a little tip: when you fly and may be your luggages are already overweight or more than 2, how to bring the helmets??

Simple: you declare the helmets as sport gear (like golf clubs) and they do not count in terms of weight and pieces of bags.

It's a "small" extra that all flight companies use to grant to traveller with passion for sport (snowboard, sky equip. golf equip, surf board all travel for free).

Check with your airline, the only hassle is that probably you have to check them in in a different counter and fill a form in which you ease the company from responsability.

..... same for music instruments

[gburns57au]

you can buy all the protective gear you want...but nothing replaces common sense riding techniques....Most people in Thailand have accidents due to speed or alcohol and bad driving/riding practices.

A helmet is a must as it protects your head against the road if you come off....but if you turn in front of a truck...a helmet wont help you much.

Probably the hardest thing to learn is how to react when you do come off....most people tense up in anticipation...it is much better to try and stay loose and flow with it.

[Thaicoon]

I Bought a superb open face helmet of E-Bay, top quality all custom painted cost me 65.00 GBP, now i know my helmet, and lets hope this one does not go missing, it is an original Harley Davidson Helmet, superb. and well made.

[The Gentleman Scamp]

Probably the hardest thing to learn is how to react when you do come off....most people tense up in anticipation...it is much better to try and stay loose and flow with it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Easier said than done, but I agree, it's the same as having a fall when you're drunk, you're less likely to sustain injury if relaxed.

[Darknight]

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessori...ar/fliphelmets/

[eddie11]

Thanks for all the replies.

I think I will bring a couple of decent lids from UK

( better safe than sorry)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

a little tip: when you fly and may be your luggages are already overweight or more than 2, how to bring the helmets??

Simple: you declare the helmets as sport gear (like golf clubs) and they do not count in terms of weight and pieces of bags.

It's a "small" extra that all flight companies use to grant to traveller with passion for sport (snowboard, sky equip. golf equip, surf board all travel for free).

Check with your airline, the only hassle is that probably you have to check them in in a different counter and fill a form in which you ease the company from responsability.

..... same for music instruments

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not a problem as I am bringing a container

[PeaceBlondie]

One morning, knowing that I'd be picking up a bike in southernmost Mexico, I went to the parts store and bought the best helmet she had that fit me. Picked up the bike, stopped by the sporting goods store to buy fingerless leather gloves. Clerk was too busy, so I went down the road, wearing the helmet of course (you buy it FIRST).

To avoid a truck that was blocking my way, I braked and slowed to less than 20 kph. I fell, hitting the pavement three places on the helmet - any one of which might have given me brain damage for life, if not killed me. Because I wasn't wearing gloves or long sleeve jacket, I lost the epidermis on many square inches of my entire left palm and both forearms. My skin still has some scars, but we can assume the (fairly cheap) Mexican helmet saved my life (or proper use of my brain).

In contrast, in Thailand: my best student was sitting at a traffic light, with the cheap helmet in the basket, when he got rear-ended by a truck. He died from brain injuries, but he was going zero miles per hour until he started falling to the ground. Gravity accelerates at 28 feet per second per second - you hit the ground really, really hard.

[kayo]

drive a segway

[Thaiboxer1]

Is it cheaper to buy good quality crash helmets in Thailand

or bring from the UK?

I know you can buy very cheap ones there but not very

high standard.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The best Thai helmet brand I've seen are :

INDEX MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

MODEL 811 FULL FACE

It's supposed to be North American DOT SAFETY APPROVED.

http://www.indexhelmet.com/

Sells for $1100 @ Carrefour and various bike shops.

Can anyone verify just how safe these helmets really are?

I'm skeptical about the DOT APPROVED although their website states it, yet somehow, they've left it off their helmets...

[JSixpack]

Is it cheaper to buy good quality crash helmets in Thailand

or bring from the UK?

I know you can buy very cheap ones there but not very

high standard.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The best Thai helmet brand I've seen are :

INDEX MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

MODEL 811 FULL FACE

It's supposed to be North American DOT SAFETY APPROVED.

http://www.indexhelmet.com/

Sells for $1100 @ Carrefour and various bike shops.

Can anyone verify just how safe these helmets really are?

I'm skeptical about the DOT APPROVED although their website states it, yet somehow, they've left it off their helmets...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, I also think it's the best Thai brand. If I wore a Thai helmet, it would be an Index.

As for DOT, you know that manufacturers determine for themselves whether a helmet meets the DOT specs, right? It's based on the honor system.

[pyros]

Is it cheaper to buy good quality crash helmets in Thailand

or bring from the UK?

I know you can buy very cheap ones there but not very

high standard.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The best Thai helmet brand I've seen are :

INDEX MOTORCYCLE HELMETS

MODEL 811 FULL FACE

It's supposed to be North American DOT SAFETY APPROVED.

http://www.indexhelmet.com/

Sells for $1100 @ Carrefour and various bike shops.

Can anyone verify just how safe these helmets really are?

I'm skeptical about the DOT APPROVED although their website states it, yet somehow, they've left it off their helmets...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know about them but i do know something about the approvements and marks on helmets ( and other stuff ) . Many times they have to pay for every label where they put the sign on . If they are not sold in the country where the sign is brought , most off the times , companys don't use them . In Thailand , i don't think a helmet needs a mark at all , so they can save a couple off bath on the sign ( leaving it out that is ) . Furthermore , if they handle the sign , many times the restrictions and testing is harder , because every item needs to confirm on the procedures . If somebody finds a failure on 1 of these criteria , they can complaint and so the company can loose the right to use the sign completely . For ex. if they export the helmets to US , and in US that sign has to be on , well all these helmets have a stricter testing criteria so they are all well within range . The other other , doesn't really mean they are worse ( can be , but doesn't have to be ) they are just not tested so long and hard or different to match the criteria .

[JSixpack]

One morning, knowing that I'd be picking up a bike in southernmost Mexico, I went to the parts store and bought the best helmet she had that fit me.  Picked up the bike, stopped by the sporting goods store to buy fingerless leather gloves.  Clerk was too busy, so I went down the road, wearing the helmet of course (you buy it FIRST). 

To avoid a truck that was blocking my way, I braked and slowed to less than 20 kph.  I fell, hitting the pavement three places on the helmet - any one of which might have given me brain damage for life, if not killed me.  Because I wasn't wearing gloves or long sleeve jacket, I lost the epidermis on many square inches of my entire left palm and both forearms.  My skin still has some scars, but we can assume the (fairly cheap) Mexican helmet saved my life (or proper use of my brain).

In contrast, in Thailand: my best student was sitting at a traffic light, with the cheap helmet in the basket, when he got rear-ended by a truck.  He died from brain injuries, but he was going zero miles per hour until he started falling to the ground.  Gravity accelerates at 28 feet per second per second - you hit the ground really, really hard.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Excellent post that says it all. Accidents might well happen so fast and be so unexpected that there’s no time to react. You’re on the ground in an instant. You hit, you skid, maybe the bike lands on top of you. On that occasion, the more safety gear you’re wearing the better. "Dress for the crash, not for the ride."

My neighbor’s Thai wife does wear a helmet (a Safety Met her farang hubby bought for her and insists she wear) but she used to smile at me for routinely wearing hiking boots and a jacket--and gloves for longer trips--when I go out on my bike. She would wear shorts, T-shirt, and flip-flops. But after she crashed half a block away when a soi dog ran out in front of her, she understood perfectly. It took quite a while before all the skin grew back and she stopped limping.

[duke69]

As for DOT, you know that manufacturers determine for themselves whether a helmet meets the DOT specs, right? It's based on the honor system.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

sorry

sorry

sorry

............

But the international specs are not based on honor system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are independent laboratorie which test these helmets before granting a certificate and they keep testing from the shelves on a sample base severel times every year.

Competitors matching the requirements will keep an eye on that, so that they might spot a manufacturer producing not good quality stuff.

The problem of Thailand is that a serius shop will be selling you a real helmet with a true specs, a small shop will have an ARAI for sale @ 2000 baht, fake ARAI and FAKE SPECS.

But this is a CRIME also in BKK!!!

Your head is inside that helmet and if you are thinking to buy ARAI for 2000 baht, then your brain was already damaged before buying that helmet!!!!

I see many people posting BS, with no eperience nor expertise at all, just willing to post something and hidden by the nickname giving wrong advices and writing totally wrong things.

This is pretty common on TV, probably is the side effect of the Viagra in the morning.

Let's give this guy a fair advice, he has to put his head inbside that helmet. a 65GBP helmet purchased on Ebay might be a deal or a fraud, since custom painted HD helmets are generally dangerous for a real accident:

1) you don't know which kind of paint has been used, and the wrong paint will totally screw the helmet making it stiff and no more protective anymore

2) Was this helmet a regular one or not?? Which brand/safety mark was carrying??

I would never buy an helmet air brushed on Ebay (may be to keep in a crystal cabinett yes), because later on I'd have to buy a wheel chair on Ebay, and shipping costs will kill my deal!!

[JSixpack]

But the international specs are not based on honor system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You're probably thinking of Snell. As I said regarding DOT:

http://www.bmworlando.com/pages/services/tech/faq/helmet.htm

"DOT Approved Helmets

How can you tell a helmet is DOT approved? Typically a sticker on the rear of the helmet with the letters "DOT."

How does the DOT monitor compliance with FMVSS 218? Would you be surprised to learn it's based on the honor system? Yes, you read that correct. The government relies on the manufacturer's word that the helmet was tested and passed!"

Now of course stickers etc. can be fake as well. So, yes, you could have a fake fake DOT sticker on a fake Index helmet, for example.

Edited May 31, 2005 by JSixpack

[mpdkorat]

Probably the hardest thing to learn is how to react when you do come off....most people tense up in anticipation...it is much better to try and stay loose and flow with it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Easier said than done, but I agree, it's the same as having a fall when you're drunk, you're less likely to sustain injury if relaxed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is always better to come off when you are drunk. I have done it a few times and I’m convinced it saved my life on at least two occasions.

I bought a helmet in Lotus for 249 baht. I dropped it the other day while trying to put it on (I was sober). The helmet split in two; do you think this helmet was a fake/copy?

[Thaiboxer1]

But the international specs are not based on honor system!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You're probably thinking of Snell. As I said regarding DOT:

http://www.bmworlando.com/pages/services/tech/faq/helmet.htm

"DOT Approved Helmets

How can you tell a helmet is DOT approved? Typically a sticker on the rear of the helmet with the letters "DOT."

How does the DOT monitor compliance with FMVSS 218? Would you be surprised to learn it's based on the honor system? Yes, you read that correct. The government relies on the manufacturer's word that the helmet was tested and passed!"

Now of course stickers etc. can be fake as well. So, yes, you could have a fake fake DOT sticker on a fake Index helmet, for example.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Gosh darnit....I'm ordering a real helmet from back home immediately!

[Thaiboxer1]

Probably the hardest thing to learn is how to react when you do come off....most people tense up in anticipation...it is much better to try and stay loose and flow with it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Easier said than done, but I agree, it's the same as having a fall when you're drunk, you're less likely to sustain injury if relaxed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is always better to come off when you are drunk. I have done it a few times and I’m convinced it saved my life on at least two occasions.

I bought a helmet in Lotus for 249 baht. I dropped it the other day while trying to put it on (I was sober). The helmet split in two; do you think this helmet was a fake/copy?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

$249 baht for a helmet??? I eat dinners over here for more than that!!!

[mpdkorat]

Probably the hardest thing to learn is how to react when you do come off....most people tense up in anticipation...it is much better to try and stay loose and flow with it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Easier said than done, but I agree, it's the same as having a fall when you're drunk, you're less likely to sustain injury if relaxed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is always better to come off when you are drunk. I have done it a few times and I’m convinced it saved my life on at least two occasions.

I bought a helmet in Lotus for 249 baht. I dropped it the other day while trying to put it on (I was sober). The helmet split in two; do you think this helmet was a fake/copy?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

$249 baht for a helmet??? I eat dinners over here for more than that!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You must be one of those rich farangs

[duke69]

Probably the hardest thing to learn is how to react when you do come off....most people tense up in anticipation...it is much better to try and stay loose and flow with it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Easier said than done, but I agree, it's the same as having a fall when you're drunk, you're less likely to sustain injury if relaxed.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It is always better to come off when you are drunk. I have done it a few times and I’m convinced it saved my life on at least two occasions.

I bought a helmet in Lotus for 249 baht. I dropped it the other day while trying to put it on (I was sober). The helmet split in two; do you think this helmet was a fake/copy?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

$249 baht for a helmet??? I eat dinners over here for more than that!!!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You must be one of those rich farangs

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

For such a quality of helmet you just wasted 244 Baht, when I want to ride with lower protection I just use a 5 Baht condom on my head ...... it fits perfectly