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Author Topic: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?  (Read 10721 times)

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BEIST

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Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« on: January 18, 2016, 10:45:37 AM »

Bought my brother a white Bell EVO modular helmet. Not sure if he really digs it? I told him the "old school" Harley guys use to all wear white helmets. He said he had never seen any Harley guys ever wearing a white helmet.

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turn_key

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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2016, 11:03:31 AM »

Just looked at Harley's white helmet the other day and thought it was cool.. although I really want the matte black 1/2 with the speaker pockets, I wouldn't mind the white one  :nixweiss:
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2016, 11:17:23 AM »

I guess it depends on area since many states don't require a helmet, then you have folks who worry more about fashion then function or safety. White helmets for visibility to others if that is your concern and you don't mind admitting you wear a helmet.... :huepfenlol2:
Other people want to color match the bike and in my area black seems to be a popular helmet color for a long time.
Sometimes other things come into play such as military base regulations in this area too.
Others use the helmet as a place to mount small stickers all over so you have a hard time telling what the original color of the helmet was.....  :huepfenlol2:
Then you have the other extreme where the rider uses a lime green or orange Hi-Viz color helmet.
To each his own I feel.............
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2k

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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2016, 11:49:23 AM »

The only thing I can add to what VaE said is that white shows dirt & scratches much more readily that black. Of course if its serious road rash, you probably don't remember anyways.  :soapbox:
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2016, 12:04:15 PM »

I saw a painter around her somewhere who does some wicked paint jobs to match the bike paint.  That white helmet might make a good canvas.

Just what every CVOer wants.   8)

Cheers,

M
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2016, 12:37:35 PM »

Bought my brother a white Bell EVO modular helmet. Not sure if he really digs it? I told him the "old school" Harley guys use to all wear white helmets. He said he had never seen any Harley guys ever wearing a white helmet.

Old school Harley guys never wore helmets. 

Just how old is old school that you refer to?  I've been riding since the late 60s and I don't ever recall seeing anybody with a white helmet with the exception of one member on this forum.  However, many law enforcement agencies motor officers wear white.
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2016, 01:11:55 PM »

I do have a white helmet, hangs on the wall in a bag, wore it on my GL1800 :coolblue:
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2016, 01:46:06 PM »

I started riding with a white helmet back in the 60's, then in the 70s white again was the color. Then came the Electraglide in 2000 and we had color matched to the bike 1/2 helmets, to look cool. That lasted about a year then I got a black 1/2 helmet then a gray one. In 2002 I went with white 3/4 helmets for me and Susie,
we still have them. Two years ago I bought a new 3/4 gray one and that is my primary helmet. Not looking to be cool just safe and comfortable. Oh we are a freedom of choice state here in SC. I did ride for a while without a helmet but finally got smart enough to ware one whenever I ride. My Choice!
Mike
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2016, 01:57:27 PM »

Old school Harley guys never wore helmets. 


What qualifies old school?
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2016, 02:04:02 PM »

This is an example of where a gift card always works
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BEIST

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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2016, 03:50:22 PM »

Thanks for all the responses! When I said "old school" I was referring to when I started riding 40 years ago on the east coast. Come to think of it, the helmets I remember were those white police type half helmets and I only saw them in Maryland where you still are forced to wear a helmet. Most of the Harley guys that I've seen riding in Pennsylvania and Deleware over the years have never worn helmets - that's why the white helmets from Maryland stuck in my mind.

I'm exchanging the white helmet for this white and black one that will better compliment his 2016 Amethyst & Purple Black Licorice bike. Might try to get some purple touch up paint from HD and have somebody pinstripe it to match.

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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #11 on: January 18, 2016, 04:14:49 PM »


Well, I must be a bit older than the other respondents but I certainly remember white Bell helmets being very common in my younger days.  I never paid attention to what the Harley guys wore versus what anyone else wore, so I can't confirm or refute the idea that Harley riders used to wear them.  But if you were to dig into the Bell archives and inquire about color choices back in the 50's you might find that white was very heavily represented.  I've always been partial to either black or red btw, but even in the late 60's when I bought my first skid lid there were plenty of white helmets on the display racks.

2k, as someone who has owned many black cars over the years, I have to disagree with your statement that white shows dirt and scratches more than black.  Black shows every tiny bit of dust and every smudge or swirl, not to mention scratches.  On the other hand, white or other light colors tend to hide dust and light scratches, at least until you get up close.  People who don't want to wash their cars often (and by hand) tend to go for white and light tan, definitely not black.

Jerry
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #12 on: January 18, 2016, 04:20:38 PM »

White makes you look like a cop in the review mirror of course with a Bagger!...*L
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #13 on: January 18, 2016, 04:38:21 PM »

Gentlepersons,  this is what "old school" Harley guys wore.  Circa early 1950's.  That's my Uncle Jay on the left.   :coolblue:
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #14 on: January 18, 2016, 04:39:41 PM »

Old school Harley woman, my Aunt Mary, same period:
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #15 on: January 18, 2016, 05:33:06 PM »

I never had a white lid.  Don't remember any riding buddy every having one either.  Saw them on motor cops but don't recall seeing them on guys on Harley street bikes.
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #16 on: January 18, 2016, 05:48:50 PM »

I had a white 3/4 that I used to wear.  here in the south, it was a lot 'cooler' (literally) than my black helmet.
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #17 on: January 18, 2016, 05:57:51 PM »

Never owned a white helmet, yes they are cool.  Luckily come from a state that we have that choice.  The only thing that I can really remember about white helmets is that is was a signature helmet of the Hells Angels back in in late 60's - 70's.
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #18 on: January 18, 2016, 06:13:26 PM »

I had a white 3/4 that I used to wear.  here in the south, it was a lot 'cooler' (literally) than my black helmet.

Amen to that....I ride with a guy that has a 1/2 white helmet and while riding in Florida, sunny upper 90s....he said it was days like this is why he has a white helmet.  I was amazed how much hotter my black helmet felt.

My next helmet will be white.
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #19 on: January 18, 2016, 07:32:29 PM »

Started riding in mid 60's. (1950 Pan Head)  Here in PA there was no helmet law or motorcycle license. (Notice no helmet) Only available helmet from the HD dealer was a police helmet which was white.  Wish I still had it just of old time sake. 
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #20 on: January 18, 2016, 07:36:06 PM »

I wear a white HD half helmet.  My original was purchased on sale when I had my pearl white softail and folks often moved out of my way mistaking me for a motors officer. Nice to be a bit different at times.
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #21 on: January 18, 2016, 07:57:08 PM »

I wear a white HD half helmet.  My original was purchased on sale when I had my pearl white softail and folks often moved out of my way mistaking me for a motors officer. Nice to be a bit different at times.

 :2vrolijk_21: :2vrolijk_21:
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #22 on: January 19, 2016, 12:29:01 AM »

Wow old photos brought back memories.
Here is a shot of my Uncle Bill and my mother on his Harley in the 1960's. That bike was the first one i got a ride on too.
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #23 on: January 19, 2016, 07:44:50 AM »

Not  trying to be funny or disrespectful....  as  a  kid going to parades,  I  remember the shriner's  wearing white helmet's

  that  was mid to late 80's
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ultrarider123

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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #24 on: January 19, 2016, 08:23:36 AM »

I've had a mixed color helmet at times with the primary base color of white.  Never a completely white helmet....although, nobody much cooler than this individual with a white helmet.... :2vrolijk_21:

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ultrarider123

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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #25 on: January 19, 2016, 08:25:16 AM »

Gentlepersons,  this is what "old school" Harley guys wore.  Circa early 1950's.  That's my Uncle Jay on the left.   :coolblue:

Greg, my guess is nobody much messed with uncle Jay....
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #26 on: January 19, 2016, 09:21:14 AM »

I've had a mixed color helmet at times with the primary base color of white.  Never a completely white helmet....although, nobody much cooler than this individual with a white helmet.... :2vrolijk_21:
Simpson helmets. Interesting designs that also come in black  ;D
« Last Edit: January 19, 2016, 09:22:54 AM by Trapperdog »
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porthole

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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #27 on: January 19, 2016, 09:33:03 AM »

Surprised it took this long  :nixweiss:


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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #28 on: January 19, 2016, 09:38:10 AM »

Bought my brother a white Bell EVO modular helmet. Not sure if he really digs it? I told him the "old school" Harley guys use to all wear white helmets. He said he had never seen any Harley guys ever wearing a white helmet.

That's a nice gift!  If he doesn't want it, I'll accept it gladly...   :)
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #29 on: January 19, 2016, 07:19:10 PM »

Wow old photos brought back memories.
Here is a shot of my Uncle Bill and my mother on his Harley in the 1960's. That bike was the first one i got a ride on too.

Those are the helmets I remember! :2vrolijk_21:
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #30 on: January 19, 2016, 07:26:38 PM »

i use a white helmet at times. Black & white motor officer version
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #31 on: January 29, 2016, 11:38:16 PM »

Been wearing a white helmet since the early 70's. Started wearing white ones after I damn near passed out wearing a black one on a desert run.
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #32 on: January 30, 2016, 09:40:56 PM »

I love my white helmet
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #33 on: February 06, 2016, 08:31:16 PM »

I have more black helmets than I care to admit. I now have a white modular because it is cooler than black helmets here in South Texas and most of all I'm a lot more visible to motorists.
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #34 on: March 01, 2016, 09:46:33 PM »

My helmets have always been white.  A friend said I look like a Q-Tip on a Ultra.  LOL
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Re: Don't Harley guys wear white helmets anymore?
« Reply #35 on: March 02, 2016, 08:23:10 AM »

I should be so lucky to resemble a Q-tip.  With my orange jacket (matches my inferno orange Softail Convertible) and white helmet, my teenage daughter thinks I look like a zit going down the road.  I don't get mad, I just get even.  She probably won't be allowed to date until she's 35.
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