Found helmet and jacket that I like... are they safe / good quality? Please advise!?

Question

I am getting a scooter (200cc) and i'm looking at some jackets and helmets. I am not going to be doing any highway driving at all on it but I still wanted to be as safe as possible.

Here is the helmet I was looking at (I know a full helmet would be safer but I'd feel weird riding around town on a scooter with a full helmet .. so i'd really like an open face one)

http://www.ridersdiscount.com/street-gear/helmets-open-face/24812.php

here is the jacket i was looking at

http://www.bikersstore.com/Womens_High_Temp_Mesh_Jackets_Fieldsheer_2007.html

Answer 1

The jacket looks fine.  As far as the helmet goes, I'm not a big fan of HJC.  They are basic low end helmets.  I've been riding and racing motorcycles since 1994 and I only use Arai helmets.  Previously, I used Shoei.  Now before everyone starts ranting and raving, yes the HJC is a decent helmet as it is DOT and Snell approved, however you only have 1 head.  I rather invest a little more money in better helmet technology and get a better helmet in case something happens.  Do yourself a favor and invest in a better helmet.  It's worth it.  

As a side note, my testament is in 2002 when I was hit by a car in a parking lot.  Low speed, only 15mph and I slid about 10 feet.  I swore my head never even touched the ground, however when I looked at my ARAI, it was all scratched up on the side.  I never even felt the impact.  Of course, this was a full face race helmet which costs over $400, but it was well worth it that day.

*  I think either of the Arai's you linked to are fine.  You cant go wrong with either.  IF you choose to go with the open face, please make sure you get the proper eye wear.  You will need a wrap around style of glasses to protect your eyes.  I've read on the scooter forums that this year in NYC, the police have been ticketing scooter riders for wearing sun glasses and not approved eyewear. I don't know how valid this is, because I always wear a full face helmet on my motorcycle.  But, it may be something to take a look at and research.

Also, I forgot to include earlier that the Arai's are 10X more comfortable than the HJC.  It is not only lighter, the inside pads are interchangeable to give you a more comfortable fit.  That's why I moved to Arai from Shoei.

Answer 2

Just absolutly be sure the helmet is DOT aproved and the jackets thick

Answer 3

Both items are quality products. I recently crash tested My HJC and it saved My Noggin.

Answer 4

I too have crash tested an HBC hemet and it did fine . As you can see I can still operate a keyboard, albeit with my toungue. j/k

All of the equipment you have shown looks okay. I'd be surprised if you didnt go with the face shield though. A pretty face is a girls best friend.

Answer 5

As long as your helmet is Snell or D.O.T approved you'll be fine.  But I would suggest not buying your helmet on line, only because you can't feel how it fits until you receive it.  If you see something you like on line, print it out and take it to you're local motorcycle shop, chances are they will have the helmet in stock or at least a comparable one that they will be able to check for your correct size and then they can order it for you.  As far as your jacket, I think any motorcycle gear on a woman is s**y.  I admire you for wanting to be as safe as possible and making sure your helmet fits correctly is more important than what it looks like.  Good luck and have fun.

Answer 6

I think all the gear you have listed is fine.  I have also gone through one HJC cl-max and it saved my head just fine.  Looks like you are off to a good start looking at quality gear.

Answer 7

both the jacket and helmet are fine and good quality gear for what you plan on ,a full face helmet offers the best  protection for riding but it's really up to what you feel comfortable with I have both a full face that I wear for commuting in and a half helmet for just cruising the neighborhood or running up to the corner store, HJC as well as KBC are both good quality helmets at a reasonable cost and are both Snell and Dot approved, there are more costly helmets on the market like Arai and Shoei but there is no statistics that show them to be any better then say the HJC or the KBC brands in a impact

,bottom line buy what you can afford to buy and get as much  safety gear as  you can to start off with, I started with the helmet then gloves and a jacket as well as boots that cover my ankles