Painting a helmet white. : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

Ken R · 01-25-2007, 11:12 PM

I'm convinced. A rider wearing a white helmet is more visible to motorists. I've seen plenty of examples of this. You always notice a motorcyclist wearing a white helmet a mile away. White helmets attract attention.

I'd like to paint a couple of my helmets bright snow white. But, they have the DOT tag on them that is supposed to always be visible, right?

Carefully mask it off and paint? Or can a new DOT sticker be bought and applied after I paint?

Ken

O.K., fire away.

route66paul · 01-25-2007, 11:41 PM

Live dangerously, take a chance! Peel that sticker off and paint, run w/o it. It will do the job. Most leos understand these things.

1bdBagr · 01-26-2007, 02:16 AM

You could always paint it Flourescent Yellow or orange if you REALLY want to stand out. Seriously, though, you could add some reflective white vinyl strips (get it at a local sign shop) and make it really stand out at night. As far as the DOT sticker, don't sweat it. The cops know a LEGAL helmet when they see one.

FXR2 · 01-26-2007, 11:38 AM

I don't have a scientific explanation, but the literature that came with each helmet I've ever had stated not to paint the helmet. Something about paint reacting with the shell material to weaken it. Of course, if the white paint means you don't get hit by a cage, then who cares if it weakened the structure?

On the other hand, getting hit by a cage isn't the only way to tumble off, so you'd want it to be as strong as designed.

And the same literature I've read also said to not apply any decals or stickers, and I've always had at least one sticker of some kind on my helmets.

Just something to think about. I'm a big believer in white helmets, myself. Not the most stylish, but the most effective. Maybe you could just buy a new, white helmet?

route66paul · 01-26-2007, 01:02 PM

They don't want you to paint the helmet because they want you to buy a new one. If you are painting for looks it will be fine, if you are bondoing and covering up dings, get a new helmet.

toybox99615 · 01-27-2007, 01:47 PM

If you really want to be seen you should check out the traffic yellow helmets by a few of the manufactures. A couple of years ago I observed a friend who had been catch it for buying one. I got a pretty good lead on him and then I pulled over in a place to be able to see when he would come around the turn I had just made. He was a least a mile behind me when I first saw him. It was an overcast day and you could not see most of the colors helmets other bikers had on. That traffic yellow helmet stuck out above anything else on the road. Not a great color for looking pretty but it sure make you visible.

mboogiemanusa · 04-03-2007, 10:48 PM

I run with a HJC white half helmet with a removable leather ear flaps. It was half off to a comparable black helmet when I purchased it because most bikers want to make the "black" helmet fashion statement. There is an additional benefit to wearing a white helmet - beside greater visibility to cagers, whenever I have to lane share on the freeway, cagers see a headlight and white helmet in their rear view mirror and move over to make room. White 1/2 helmets are sometimes mistaken for hiway patrol officers at first glance. I would just buy a new white helmet - to much energy to paint a helmet.

nessus · 04-04-2007, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken R

I'm convinced. A rider wearing a white helmet is more visible to motorists. I've seen plenty of examples of this. You always notice a motorcyclist wearing a white helmet a mile away. White helmets attract attention.

I'd like to paint a couple of my helmets bright snow white. But, they have the DOT tag on them that is supposed to always be visible, right?

Carefully mask it off and paint? Or can a new DOT sticker be bought and applied after I paint?

Ken

O.K., fire away.

If safety is what you are after you should buy a new white helmet.Any helmet manufacturer will say not to alter in any way a helmet.This includes painting.

Cameltoehunter · 04-04-2007, 03:35 PM

White is also cooler temp. wise IMO...

FlaFatBoy · 04-04-2007, 07:12 PM

I'm with ya on the visibility. For long rides I use a white Shoei J-wing (3/4). Prolly should wear it all the time but ya know...the image and all.

Ride Safe
Randy

mtairy biker · 04-05-2007, 04:23 PM

if you really want a white one just buy one it will be better than a painted one

Ken R · 04-06-2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtairy biker

if you really want a white one just buy one it will be better than a painted one

Well, lessee.
I have a dark gray AGV helicopter-style helmet, a silver Harley 2003 Anniversary 3/4 helmet, a blue/gray graphic full face helmet, a half-shell "parking lot" helmet for slow-speed skills practice, and two more helmets for my wife ( a silver and a blue/gray graphic full face).

I can start collecting white helmets now.

BryanL · 04-06-2007, 05:49 PM

Hell it won't matter what color helmet you have, they still won't see you. I rode through town yesterday with a 3'x5' American flag flying on the back. Stupid a-holes still turned in front of me.

nhrafan43 · 04-07-2007, 08:28 PM

Ken, why worry about the sticker, Texas is a lid free state, the only time the DOT sticker would be in question would be in a state with a helmet law, but I would pay the $5.00 for the helmet exempt sticker to put on your tag, this would cover you in the helmet free states.

Nicky

Misterb · 04-07-2007, 08:58 PM

Yeah, people will notice you from a mile away, but will it make them more or less likely to run into you because they're so busy laughing their a$$es off?

Can you say "training school escapee?" Make sure to wear an orange vest and a pair of checkered pants to complete the look.