10-06-2023, 02:17 AM
I've had a hankering for a classically-styled helmet. My commuter lids are practical, comfortable, and festooned with reflectorized tape and camera mounts. Not well-matched to my classically-styled bikes.
I was following Pdedse's experience with his Torc helmet, which didn't quite pan out, as they are round shaped. In fact, most vintage-style helmets are better suited to round heads than ovals like mine.
I have a Biltwell Gringo standard model, but without a flip-up face shield, it's not the most practical lid. However, it's a good head-fit for me. The Gringo-S, I imagine the S is for Shield, has a flip-up shield, and is now being blown out by most retailers for the updated VS, Vented Shield model.
I'm not hip to the available colors of the dwindling supplies of clearance helmets, like chocolate brown, for example. Quite a while back, they offered the S model in a rather fetching metallic blue-green color, and I had thought that maybe I should have snagged one while I had the chance.
On a whim, I typed Gringo S into Facebook Marketplace yesterday, and this lid came up, just a few miles from home. New in the box, in my size, for a steal. Huh...
I've never entertained the idea of buying a "used" helmet, but the seller explained that her brother and dad work in the custom motorcycle market, and sometimes come across new parts and gear. This was a new helmet that they acquired, and indeed, it was in the box with labels and no signs of wear.
Gave it a test ride on the way to work this morning, and it's very comfy. As with all vintage-style helmets, form follows function, and lifting the shield is a tad fiddly, but it has a shield. I'll keep the refectors and camera mounts off of this one and leave it be. No need to sully the color, even if it doesn't match any of my current bikes!
I was following Pdedse's experience with his Torc helmet, which didn't quite pan out, as they are round shaped. In fact, most vintage-style helmets are better suited to round heads than ovals like mine.
I have a Biltwell Gringo standard model, but without a flip-up face shield, it's not the most practical lid. However, it's a good head-fit for me. The Gringo-S, I imagine the S is for Shield, has a flip-up shield, and is now being blown out by most retailers for the updated VS, Vented Shield model.
I'm not hip to the available colors of the dwindling supplies of clearance helmets, like chocolate brown, for example. Quite a while back, they offered the S model in a rather fetching metallic blue-green color, and I had thought that maybe I should have snagged one while I had the chance.
On a whim, I typed Gringo S into Facebook Marketplace yesterday, and this lid came up, just a few miles from home. New in the box, in my size, for a steal. Huh...
I've never entertained the idea of buying a "used" helmet, but the seller explained that her brother and dad work in the custom motorcycle market, and sometimes come across new parts and gear. This was a new helmet that they acquired, and indeed, it was in the box with labels and no signs of wear.
Gave it a test ride on the way to work this morning, and it's very comfy. As with all vintage-style helmets, form follows function, and lifting the shield is a tad fiddly, but it has a shield. I'll keep the refectors and camera mounts off of this one and leave it be. No need to sully the color, even if it doesn't match any of my current bikes!
