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BILT Helmets

just don't wear it to commit a crime (it will be easy to track you down, as there are only so many BiLT retailers).
 
They're kinda a crapshoot. Read the reviews on the cyclegear.com site, some of them are decent some aren't. I have the adventure (not the discovery), which was ok for $99 except for the visor bolt the fell out on one side, and the visor that cracked on the *other* side.. apparently they suffer from the Goldilocks problem when it comes to bolt tightness. Peak also wasn't really removable (left a big hole in the top of the helmet).

That was just on the first long ride so who knows how much fun it could have been in the long run... I just returned it. Too bad coz it fit well enough.
 
Hi! Debbie Downer here to poop on your parade.

1. Helmets do work to protect folks from head injuries, but don't make you safe, or even that much "safer."

This chart compares crash data per VMT between passenger vehicles, motorcyclists with helmets and motorcyclists without helmet.

attachment.php


The difference between a $75 helmet and a $750 helmet probably wouldn't even show up.

Why am I writing this? Because I want you and others who read this thread to know that if you can't accept the risk of riding with a cheap helmet (or no helmet), you probably can't accept the risk of riding with an expensive helmet. The question is, when you take a passenger, is the passenger fully informed of the risks of riding? Is it fair to let him or her ride without fully informing them?
 
250gpracer said:
This is the specific helmet I'm considering... I think it's called the "explorer discovery"

41nM7tEh2GL.jpg
Click to expand...

I was thinking of getting their off road helmet for upcoming trip to Pakistan. link

Hmm but one you posted is not much more expensive and has a full shield, does it also have the tinted visor?
 
250gpracer said:
This is the specific helmet I'm considering... I think it's called the "explorer discovery"

41nM7tEh2GL.jpg
Click to expand...

Is it for the street? Because that visor thing is really weird, and it looks like the wind would just up and grab your head and sort of fling it around on your neck a bit once you got up around 60mph or so...

As for quality/safety... it meets DOT standards. If it's a really good fit on your head, then it's going to do its job. Where it will fall short, is with things like weight, wind noise, ventilation, etc.

stangmx13 said:
how about a chart that shows the chances of dying from a head injury in those 3 situations?
Click to expand...

Or, maybe even worse, surviving with TBI (traumatic brain injury). I can't imagine having to take care of Josie for the rest of her life because she crashed without a helmet, and "survived"... but can't take care of herself at all any more...
 
I have the BILT Adventure helmet.

Seems quality enough. Regular riding with it since June, no issues so far. Works as intended, even the little sun shade.

YES, if your going over 80 mph, you can feel the wind on the visor. Its what I call the "natural speed limit". Same effect as riding a naked bike. You CAN go faster, but extended periods wear you out.
 
Gabe said:
Hi! Debbie Downer here to poop on your parade.

1. Helmets do work to protect folks from head injuries, but don't make you safe, or even that much "safer."

This chart compares crash data per VMT between passenger vehicles, motorcyclists with helmets and motorcyclists without helmet.

attachment.php


The difference between a $75 helmet and a $750 helmet probably wouldn't even show up.

Why am I writing this? Because I want you and others who read this thread to know that if you can't accept the risk of riding with a cheap helmet (or no helmet), you probably can't accept the risk of riding with an expensive helmet. The question is, when you take a passenger, is the passenger fully informed of the risks of riding? Is it fair to let him or her ride without fully informing them?
Click to expand...

That chart is too complex. Can you simplify it?
 
BiLT helmets aren't novelty helmets; they're D.O.T. approved & tested lids. No one can predict the severity of their next get-off, but if you ride aggressively having an "known commodity", Arai, Shoei etc..it's just one less thing to think about.

I couldn't find any statistics on cheap helmet deaths, just the novelty "turtle shell" type.

I think nearly everyone here knows a lot of these under $200 helmets are the same, just re-branded: BiLT, Fly, AFX, HJC, O'Neal, Speed & Strength, Z1R, LS2.
 
Last edited:
enki said:
Waiting for the arai fascists to weigh in....
Click to expand...

I've been wearing Arai helmets for years. A good quality lid isn't so much a function of price as it is of fit, assuming you've got a "real" helmet (DOT and not one of those idiotic "novelty" helmets). A full face DOT helmet with proper fitment is going to do the job. The more you spend, though, the better the comfort level.
I personally don't wear a cheap helmet because they aren't comfortable. They're noisy as hell, only vent effectively in the dead of winter, and weigh as much as a small child... which I don't want wrapped around my head while I'm riding.
 
i would not be caught dead in a bilt bucket.

they only pass the minimum requirements for the dot.


failed snell testing.


.
 
I have a BILT Explorer Adventure Helmet. It fits really well and it's what I put on my head.
For street I have a Shoei, it's actually not as good a fit as the BILT
I had a pretty major crash in 2008, had blood coming out of ears, eyes, nose, and mouth. That was an Arai but the fit was all wrong.
Try on helmets, find the one that fits right, then look at the price tag.

My :2cents
 
I'm going to get one for the adventure to Pakistan. I'm not taking my Arai.
 
packnrat said:
i would not be caught dead in a bilt bucket.

they only pass the minimum requirements for the dot.


failed snell testing.


.
Click to expand...

So nowhere did I see that they failed Snell testing after spending about 15 minutes googling it... I did see that they never submitted their helmets to Snell. I also saw statements that they were in the process of getting ECE certification.
I'm not a fan of Snell... I don't think their testing relates to "real world" motorcycle crashing. As I recall, they were started to test car helmets, where the helmet can slap back and forth against roll bars, and a really rigid outer shell is more beneficial. ECE testing is different, and I think more valuable/effective at rating motorcycle helmets. Interestingly, Snell has revised their standards as of 2010, to be more in line with the ECE testing.

And if I had to choose between a good-fitting BiLT helmet, or a poor-fitting Arai helmet, I'd take the BiLT.
 
JimE said:
I'm going to get one for the adventure to Pakistan. I'm not taking my Arai.
Click to expand...

Yep, same here. I am debating between that adventure one or cheaper one where you need goggles. Hmm maybe someone here can offer their opinion on which one would be better. It's basically just for the trip and will go on craigslist after.
 
I'm going with one that has a faceshield. I can toss it if I need to. Better to have it and leave it up than not have it and wish I did. Such a small thing.....
 
Hold a Bilt and a Shoei. Look at the shield hinge system and compare. Checkout the gell coat and plastics. I'll buy a 400$ helmet to protect my skull any day. Save the Bilt stuff for gloves or light duty jacket.
 
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