Does Your Choice Of Motorcycle Helmet Say Something About You?
Over the years, things in my life have changed; a lot. I’d like to think that as I’ve grown older, I’ve learned quite a bit, hopefully become somewhat wiser, experienced life’s ups and downs and generally lived the life that I wanted, to the fullest. However, what is important to me now may not have been so important to me years ago and vice versa.
This came to me a little while ago as I passed through a small space where we keep the bikes and much of our motorcycle gear. A part of the garage that we lovingly call “The Shrine”. While there, I was hit with a revelation (pun intended) of sorts that over the years, perhaps my motorcycle helmets said something about me. For some reason that resides deep in my subconscious, I’ve kept almost all of my motorcycle helmets as well as many of Kim’s. Seeing them all sitting there lined up on the shelf, they spoke to me. You’ve changed, you’ve abandoned us!
They may be right. What was the single most important thing to me when I was younger was high speed performance. My fear of death or injury was practically nil. I can recall pavement escapades that today seem like insanity. Nowadays, high speed performance is not nearly as important to me. I now know when I fall off, it takes longer to heal and it really hurts! My focus is more on the ride itself and what happens during it, than going from point A to B as quickly as possible. Pavement riding, once the sole realm of my motorcycle riding is now secondary, and riding the gravel or woods is what really burns in me.
So as I stared at the helmets on the shelf, they spoke to me without speaking. Sleek, solid black Simpson Bandits in different versions cloaked with dark visors reminiscent of Darth Vader glared back at me. Several Arai RX series helmets adorned with factory racer replica colors practically screamed high RPM. The ones with the deep scratches from falling off during the years that I was competing in road racing told a story of excitement and falls. Then there were the helmets painted to my specs based upon my somewhat bizarre sense of humor; including one with an attached 18″ black braid of hair which contrasted with my bald head. Finally there were the visor-less dirt bike helmets and helmets designed specifically for adventure riding.
As I stared at them, I think they had a story to tell. They told me that my life had changed and my priorities were different. Perhaps they also reflected the importance I’ve assigned to taking things as they come instead of trying to catch a glimpse of life fueled with adrenalin at warp speed.
So do our helmets say something about us, or was that shrine driven revelation merely a dream?
![20140115_125449[1]](https://ride2adventure.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/20140115_1254491.jpg?w=367&resize=367%2C275&h=275#038;h=275 "20140115_125449[1]")
Oh, yeah; one other thing. My current helmet is a fluorescent “Don’t Run Me Over” yellow. What does that say?
Ride2Adventure – Shrink the planet one ride at a time.
Ride2ADV 
Haha,I like the story and pictures of your motorcycle helmet museum ! We also got a peek at your past lives and ambitions. Your last helmet says simply that as you’ve gotten older you have become wiser.
LikeLike
January 16, 2014 at 11:52 pm
Thanks Willy, I certainly have gotten older!
LikeLike
January 19, 2014 at 2:49 pm
…and wiser. Don’t sell yourself short.
LikeLike
January 19, 2014 at 3:17 pm
(What’s the pun?)
LikeLike
January 17, 2014 at 1:25 am
Vincent, the pun was between using the word “shrine” and following it up with a revelation. I guess it wasn’t so clear.
LikeLike
January 19, 2014 at 2:51 pm
Mike, I got the pun. You were clear enough.
LikeLike
January 19, 2014 at 3:12 pm
The yellow helmet says “I still have faith in the people around me despite years of evidence that tells me different”
All the others say you have plenty of storage space and haven’t had to move for a few years.
Nice artwork on the film themed helmet.
LikeLike
January 17, 2014 at 2:14 am
Thanks for the post Glenn. You are absolutely correct that we haven’t moved in quite a while, but I’m not sure about how much storage space we have left. Glad you enjoyed the film helmet.
All the best,
Mike
LikeLike
January 19, 2014 at 2:58 pm
love the bart simpson/matrix helmet!
I had to reread a few times, bc i thought this was about ‘whether to wear a helmet or not’ ; so i was looking for that and never found it.
On that note, i don’t wear one unless req’d by state law, or will be on busy road, cold out, etc. I know its not the smartest thing, but i feel i have better vision and awareness, especially peripheral vision, w/o one. And i ride a cruiser, so not going as fast as you on your sportbikes.
Back to your point, all of my helmets are black. and I have a cherry red one for any ladies that want one to ride with. I have every sticker there is, but only a few on one helmet, i might offend someone or come off like a jerk.
Oh and I think your past helmets are like artwork with historical value to you, since they represent time(s) in your life; you should display them as such.
LikeLike
January 17, 2014 at 6:43 am
Thanks for your post Stuart. This is such a hot topic and I am amazed at the amount of attention it is getting. All the best,
Mike
LikeLike
January 19, 2014 at 2:54 pm
Well Mike it sure says lots about you!! Nice helmets that are not being used!! Would love to see the one with the pony tail, next time we get out!!! Fredo
________________________________
LikeLike
January 17, 2014 at 9:11 am
Yup! I’ll let you wear the old Simpson with the braid if you wish.
LikeLike
January 19, 2014 at 2:51 pm
Yes, me,too, I would like to see you on a picture wearing the one with the braid.
LikeLike
January 19, 2014 at 3:22 pm
Reblogged this on Two Wheeled Life and commented:
Great post. I was just thinking the same thing myself the other day
LikeLike
February 23, 2014 at 7:33 am
I was just thinking the same thing the other day. Now though, I’m into the matte black with mirrored visor phase.
LikeLike
February 23, 2014 at 7:37 am
It’s funny how our taste in helmets changes over the years doesn’t it Marg! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment and to reblog this post! We really appreciate it.
All the best,
Mike and Kim
LikeLike
February 23, 2014 at 4:28 pm
Excellent post! The same could be said about so many things in life (cars, tattoos, works of art, etc) but this one really speaks to how we change. I’ve worn the same helmet for the 6 years that I’ve been riding and since it was compromised in the wreck, will be shopping for a new one. Other women take friends to shop for bridal gowns, my friends and I are going on a helmet shopping trip (any excuse for fun, right?) 🙂
LikeLike
February 23, 2014 at 8:25 am
Hi LB,
Thanks for the excellent comment and you are right, it could be said for many things. Thanks for bringing them up.
As for Kim and I, we’ve been helmet shopping together for years!
All the best,
Mike and Kim
LikeLike
February 23, 2014 at 4:27 pm
Well, I wish I could afford an Arai! Or Shoei! But I love these helmets and all the humour on them!
LikeLike
February 23, 2014 at 11:39 am
Motorcycle helmets are enormously important. It’s nice to see so many comments.
LikeLike
February 23, 2014 at 4:53 pm
ha…ha
It’s really fun to wear these kind of helmets. And I liked the backside of yellow one most.
LikeLike
April 7, 2014 at 2:35 am
When you older, your helmet will be simple 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 5, 2016 at 11:51 pm
In my case, you are right John. I presently wear an Aria XD-4 in hi-viz yellow and no designs. Thanks for your comment!
LikeLike
November 6, 2016 at 11:44 am