VFRDiscussion ARCHIVE / READ-ONLYREAD-ONLY

Simpson helmet anyone?

6 posts Started 20 May 2006 Last recovered post 21 May 2006 Wayback Machine snapshot 24 Oct 2006
#1 Hobie1dog Thread starter
I went to Simpson world today in Mooresville, NC ( home of NASCAR) and tried on most of the helmets they had on display. I came across a website that an avid cyclist has and he mentioned that the Simpson Bandit (pig nose model) that was so popular in the 80's, was the most comfortable and quiet helmet he had ever owned.

It was very comfortable and I would assume it would have to be very quiet as there are only 3 slits on each side of the cheek area for air to come in.

Has anyone owned on of these to tell me about the noise levels at highway speeds?
#2 DougFromIndy
Yes, I can tell you about Simpson Helmets and maybe sell you mine if interested , it is a 7 1/4 in black called an OUTLAW, it looks like the Bandit/s bandit but is Specifically designed as a motorcycle helmet and not a car helmet, it has 3 lines at top to reduce wind buffetting and has been wind tunnel tested, shields are $45 each in many options and very thick. simpson helmets are expensive and come in white, costs extra for black and now I see you can order these in many colors, see Behrants ??? just got catalog behrents is like Jegs, I crash-tested mine while stunting on supermoto and slid face first on asphalt, helmet took the hit amazing well with only scratches, and believe me while looking at the road going by 3 inches from your face an expensive helmet is worth every penny. What I dont like about it, small eye port, limits your perif vision, and shild rubs against paint and scratches. I bought a Vemar and like it fit wise/venting, vision is good but SO noisy, lots of whistling. My advice is try a SUOMY/shoei or arai and factor in price of shields plus availability when deciding, thanks DOUG
also the euro safety standard is better for lower impacts/ie street than Snell, AGV also good, wear what Rossi uses
#3 cornercarver
I had a Bandit that I wore in the 80's. I thought it was great until i went down. The helmet provided good pretection but I replaced it with an Arai and have never ridden another brand at length. The Arai is much quieter. I would rate the Arai w/o earplugs at approximately the same sound level as the Simpson with ear plugs. I had to have the helmet and loved the Darth Vader looks but there are much better helmets for motorcycle riding (noise and weight wise).

I don't really care about wearing what The Doctor wears because they pay him a butt load of money to show their product but wear what fits you and what you feel comfortable in.
#4 Hobie1dog Thread starter
cornercarver, May 20 2006, 10:26 PMI had a Bandit that I wore in the 80's.  I thought it was great until i went down. The helmet provided good pretection but I replaced it with an Arai and have never ridden another brand at length.  The Arai is much quieter. I would rate the Arai w/o earplugs at approximately the same sound level as the Simpson with ear plugs.  I had to have the helmet and loved the Darth Vader looks but there are much better helmets for motorcycle riding (noise and weight wise).

I don't really care about wearing what The Doctor wears because they pay him a butt load of money to show their product but wear what fits you and what you feel comfortable in.



I did read an interview with Bill Simpson about a year or so ago and he was really unhappy with what they had done with the helmets and the company after he sold it.


I cannot find an AGV dealer anywhere near me and I've owned them before.

Thanks for the input on the noise levels. I am going to try an OGK most likely next because they are the lightest helmet out there(not including the BMW carbon model at 2lbs,2ozs and costing 1200.00) weighing in at 3lbs. 1 oz. I have talked to several owners of OGK's and they all love them.
End of thread · 6 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 24 Oct 2006