helmet with dreadlocks?

[eternalfrost]

i am looking into getting my first motorcycle which ive been wanting to do for a long time. one thing i am worried about is i have dreadlocks and wondering how a helmet will work.

it adds about an inch or so all the way around on each side of my head

would a XL one of those 'shorty' or 'german' styles be the best bet?

[Uesque]

i am looking into getting my first motorcycle which ive been wanting to do for a long time. one thing i am worried about is i have dreadlocks and wondering how a helmet will work.

it adds about an inch or so all the way around on each side of my head

would a XL one of those 'shorty' or 'german' styles be the best bet?

I'm thinking your best bet would be to visit a motorcycle shop and start trying them on.

[Mr_Cynical]

I have exactly the same problem, i need to find a helmet that will fit over my dreads.

I spoke to a guy in a motorbike shop yesterday about this, and here's the bit you might not like (i know i wasnt too happy about it!): the dreads might have to go. i've got a big enough head without the dreads, and i'm gonna have a lot of difficulty finding a helmet to fit my oversized bonce.

I suppose what it really boils down to is this: Which do you want more? a motorbike, or dreads?

I love my dreads, I really do. but if it's a choice between a hairstyle or a bike, I know which way I'm gonna go.

Your best bet is to go to a bike shop and talk to them, try some helmets on and see what happens.

[Ringo]

I suppose what it really boils down to is this: Which do you want more? a motorbike, or dreads?



Bingo!

[cecilbdml]

I feel obliged to add this...

If there's any preparation used to create the 'dread' look, it might not be the best bet to go around putting helmets on. It's the same thing if you wear hair gel or mouse. You don't want to share that with the next person who might try that helmet on.

One option that wasn't discussed, was to move to a state that doesn't MANDATE helmet use. That way, you won't have to make that choice, and can let the 'locks flow in the breeze unhindered!:cool:

[pintslayer]

I feel obliged to add this...

If there's any preparation used to create the 'dread' look, it might not be the best bet to go around putting helmets on. It's the same thing if you wear hair gel or mouse. You don't want to share that with the next person who might try that helmet on.

One option that wasn't discussed, was to move to a state that doesn't MANDATE helmet use. That way, you won't have to make that choice, and can let the 'locks flow in the breeze unhindered!:cool:

Right. And then some paramedic can try and sew your dreads back on by the side of the road.

[olds_cool63]

This thread is a joke, right?

Nuff said.

olds_cool63
Custom Sportbike
Custom Cruiser
BOTH metric!

DON'T be a SQUIDIOT! :cool:

[Schneiderman]

I've seen a rider with long dreads sticking out from under his helmet...

Unrelated to the fact that he had dreads, but he was an above-the-law kind of guy... he used to race his bike through traffic just to toy with the cops. He was a good rider but not good enough, he got himself killed in a cop chase.

[cecilbdml]

Right. And then some paramedic can try and sew your dreads back on by the side of the road.

Um...that can happen with or without a helmet, if the rider's skills stink. And the point of the post was to offer options, not try to be a smart-aleck.

Since everyone's head and hair are different, and since helmet designs fit the head differently from brand to brand, it's always a good idea to start with the basics and move from there. Unsure how that got misconstrued.:confused:

[stuco]

Sorry, but unless you are a rastaman, you don't need to have dreadlocks. I am even a "hippy" myself and I think they make white people look silly. This is my opinion and I mean no offense, just being honest.

That being said, I imagine if you MUST keep your dreads, you should be able to find a helment that fits over them. It will probably be a little unconfortable though.

[pintslayer]

Um...that can happen with or without a helmet, if the rider's skills stink. And the point of the post was to offer options, not try to be a smart-aleck.

Since everyone's head and hair are different, and since helmet designs fit the head differently from brand to brand, it's always a good idea to start with the basics and move from there. Unsure how that got misconstrued.:confused:

Dude, he said he was buying his first bike...don't tell him not to wear a helmet. C'mon...or were you kidding about moving to a non-helmet law state? If so, I apologize. My bad.

[trini4747]

WoW lets not make this a race thing my Caucasoid brothers. Dreads stared in Egypt but they were also worn by early English and Germanic tribe. So lets drop our Eurocentric views and get real, this county is a melting pot. Look I’m a Rasta so trust me, just put a do-Rag over your hair and make sure its tight. This will cut down head surface space and also make it easer to take you helmet off and on, Black man out!!!!!!!!!!

[kitty kat]

A friend of mine has 'big hair', not dreads but his hair does make his head size a lot bigger. he usually wears a bandanna or similar over his hair, to compact it slightly. The tip is to try loads of different makes & styles of lid, you will eventually find one that fits you perfectly.

[rexmitchell]

Ive seen people with dreads wearing helmets all the time. Have you seen any players in the NFL? I know the helmets are different but the concept is the same. Keep it clean guys, don't want to close the thread. Lets keep it about helmets and dreads!

[Olivia Chillia]

I fail to see how this is about race. *puzzled*

I'm no motorcycle expert, but I know a thing or two about long hair. Hair can change the effective shape and size of your head depending on how it is worn. For convenience, you'll probably want to be able to reproduce the placement of your hair, perhaps by wearing a do-rag or similar. This will make it easier to compare the fit of different helmets, will protect the helmet liner from hair product transfer, and make it easier to get the helmet comfortable the first time every time.

[trini4747]

what U can't real, One guy was telling the other he should cut his dreads cause he is white, now what the F don't U under stand?

[happymiles4me]

The advice to go to shops and try helmets on for proper fit is definitely the answer. Once you find a helmet that fits don't be shy. Keep it on in the store for at least 15-20 min minimum as you may find that althought it fits hot spots on your head can develop which will make it uncomfortable on long rides. Happy hunting.

[nerys]

The desire for something trumps the need for something. The purpose of life is to enjoy the life hence why there are even motorcycle to begin with. If someone wants dreads it is not relevant if they are needed appropriate or anything else. Is there life there hair there choice I support it.

As for helmets I have no doubt once can be found thats compatible. Keep looking.

[baltimoronian]

I have dreads and when I started riding, I had the same problem and I found this forum doing a search for a solution to this problem seeing as though i'm now in need of a new helmet. I went with an HJC because it fit the best, but the selection was limited to only a couple options anyway. The salesman in the store also suggested the option of cutting off my dreads, or cutting them on just the sides, both are things that I still can't bring myself to do but he made a very good point:

The purpose of the helmet fitting properly is so that it doesn't slip around on your head in the case that you go down. But if you do wreck, the dreadlocks that are requiring you to wear a helmet 1 or 2 sizes too large will likely shift, tear, smash, whatever, and the helmet will act accordingly, possibly foregoing the protection that it was originally intended to provide. The other thing that I noticed with dreads is that they tended to push the front of the of the helmet towards my chin which wouldn't be good in a crash either.

Anyway, the last time I picked one out I tried a few xxl/xxxl helmets on in the store to accommodate for my big a** head+dreadlocks. I bought the HJC one and lived with it but since 3 years have gone by, including one wreck where the helmet did make contact with the ground (minor scratches, but still), I'm looking for a new helmet and am back in the same boat.

[PhayzR]

I have been riding for a while, and have recently begun dreading my hair, and have wondered the same thing...

I found some useful advice on this subject:

1. Wear a wool cap underneath - Depending on how mature your dreads are, this could help to knot up the roots underneath your helmet, and will reduce the strain from pulling the helmet on over it.

2. Wear a Dew-Rag / Underarmor Skull Cap - Easy to buy, and they are nice and slick, so the helmet slides on and off easily over the dreads. (You will look like a tool when you pull your helmet off in public if you are a white guy though)

3. Line your helmet with satin - Probably the best idea. Its semi-permanent, and you donw have to worry about one extra step when prepping for a ride. In addition, you dont look like a tool when you pull your helmet off, lol. Just get some satin and spray adhesive, remove the visor, then line the helmet with the satin. Throw the visor back on when its dried, and you are good to do.


Regardless of which step you decide to take, you will have to get a helmet that fits snugly over your head, otherwise it wont do you much good in an accident. Hope that works well for you!

[Peepers]

You could do it cool running style and just find some one to bash the helmet down onto your head over the dreads...

[davidap]

XL i would think