Alright, let’s talk about them German-style motorcycle helmets. You know, the ones that look kinda like them old-timey soldier hats? Yeah, those.
What are these German-style helmets anyway?
Well, they ain’t nothin’ too fancy, I tell ya. They’re helmets, for your head, when you’re ridin’ them loud motorcycles. Some folks call ’em “Stahlhelm” style, which I guess means “steel helmet” in some foreign tongue. They got that kinda round shape, you know, like a bowl almost, and they sit kinda high on your head. Some cover your whole face, some just the top part. It all depends on what you like, I reckon.
Now, I ain’t no expert, but I seen a whole bunch of ‘em. Some are shiny and new, some look like they been through a war or two. You got your plain black ones, your shiny chrome ones, and some even got fancy paint jobs on ‘em. Flowers, flames, skulls… you name it, they probably got it. It’s like them young folks say, “to each their own,” right?
Are they any good? I mean, for keepin’ your head safe and all?
Well, that’s the million-dollar question, ain’t it? Look, anything’s better than nothin’ on your head, that’s for sure. If you go flyin’ off that motorcycle, you gonna want somethin’ between your noggin and the ground. These German-style helmets, they’re made of tough stuff, most of ’em. Some are DOT approved, which means they passed some kinda safety test. That’s what the fella at the store told me, anyway. But you gotta make sure it fits right, you know? Too loose, it ain’t gonna do you no good. Too tight, and you’ll get a headache bigger than a watermelon.
Where can you get yourself one of these helmets?
- First off, you can go to them motorcycle shops. They got all kinds of helmets there, these German ones too.
- Then there’s the internet, that there world wide web thingy. You can find just about anything online these days, helmets included. Just gotta be careful who you buyin’ from, you know? Lots of folks tryin’ to sell you junk.
- And sometimes, you can even find ‘em at flea markets or swap meets. Used ones, mostly, but sometimes you can find a good deal. Just make sure it ain’t been dropped too many times, you hear?
But here’s the thing, you gotta be careful.
Not all these helmets are legal everywhere. It’s like them laws about speed limits, they change from place to place. Some states, they say you gotta wear a helmet that covers your whole head, not just the top. Others are more, I don’t know, relaxed about it. So, before you go buyin’ one of these German-style helmets, you gotta check your local laws. Don’t wanna get yourself a ticket, now do ya?
What kinda German-style helmets can you get?
Well, like I said, there’s all sorts. You got your basic half-shell ones, they just cover the top of your head. Then you got the ones that come down a bit further, cover your ears and the back of your neck. And some of ’em even got visors or face shields, to keep the bugs and wind outta your eyes. There’s even those little beanie ones, that sit right on top of your head. They look cool, I guess, but I don’t know how much good they’d do in a crash.
Some of them got names, too. Like that “Highway 21 9mm German Beanie” I saw online. Looked kinda small, though. Then you got your regular “German Motorcycle Helmet, Adult Half Helmet, Open Helmet” kind. Just plain and simple, does the job. And there’s lots of brands, too many to even remember. So, you gotta do your homework, figure out what you want and how much you wanna spend.
So, what’s the bottom line?
Look, if you like the way these German-style helmets look, and you make sure they’re legal where you live, and they fit you right, then go for it. Just remember, safety first. Don’t be a fool and ride without a helmet, no matter how short the ride is. And don’t go buyin’ no cheap junk, neither. Your head’s worth more than that, ain’t it? And one last thing, always, always follow the law of the land, you hear? It ain’t worth the trouble to break it.
That’s all I gotta say about them German helmets. Now, you take care and ride safe out there.
Tags: German Style Motorcycle Helmet, Motorcycle Helmet, Stahlhelm, Half-Shell Helmet, Motorcycle Safety, DOT Approved Helmet, Highway 21, Motorcycle Gear, Helmet Legality.
