British Standard Kite Marks

vibrac

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
As I understand it in the UK if you bought it legally you can wear it. our legislation starts at the selling point not the wearing point unlike France where I don't think you would get by with a moby cap (see any Banbury run) and if you have a sidecar you can take it off.
There are it seems some corners of airstrip one that are relatively still free
 

Bill Cannon

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As I understand it in the UK if you bought it legally you can wear it. our legislation starts at the selling point not the wearing point unlike France where I don't think you would get by with a moby cap (see any Banbury run) and if you have a sidecar you can take it off.
There are it seems some corners of airstrip one that are relatively still free
Off the original topic, but I was prosecuted for no helmet on an outfit, I didn't think I needed one on the basis that most people who ride a trike don't wear one. Wrong!
Bill
 

vibrac

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Off the original topic, but I was prosecuted for no helmet on an outfit, I didn't think I needed one on the basis that most people who ride a trike don't wear one. Wrong!
Bill
It's a mute point Bill you may have been pinched unfairly the .gov web site uses the term 'must' in relation to solos and 'should' when relating to 3 wheelers and sidecars I have yet to see a reliant robin user with one as usual it would cost you more in legal advice than fines. Someone should know
 

Peter Holmes

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I think the problem here is that a Motorcycle with a sidecar attached is still classed as a motorcycle, not so a Reliant Robin or Morgan Three Wheeler and the myriad of other 3 wheeled vehicles.
 

Bill Cannon

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I think Peter is correct but there are loads of people riding motorcycles converted to trikes (including a Vincent!) and it is rare to see them wearing a helmet.
Yet another example of the law being an ass!
Bill
 

Bill Cannon

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VOC Member
Regarding the kite mark, I'm sure Tim is correct that it must be legal when you buy it, there is no time limit for it's continued use. However there must come a time when it is worn out, my last helmet was done for after about 8 years, it was such a sloppy fit it was probably dangerous.
Bill
 

Simon Dinsdale

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VOC Member
VOC Forum Moderator
Regarding the kite mark, I'm sure Tim is correct that it must be legal when you buy it, there is no time limit for it's continued use. However there must come a time when it is worn out, my last helmet was done for after about 8 years, it was such a sloppy fit it was probably dangerous.
Bill
I had a friend who started to get a rash on the top of his head and it was a mystery what was causing it. Doc kept saying its a skin infection. Nearly a year later the rash suddenly dissapeared at the same time they replaced their 10 year old helmet. You don't know what nasties are lurking in the lining of your crash helmet.
 

Peter Holmes

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Jeremy Clarkson wore a helmet whilst filming his hilarious Reliant Robin road test on Top Gear, and was well advised to do so, available on YouTube for anyone interested, in my opinion one of the best things Top Gear ever did, and that includes Hammond riding Ernie's Black Shadow. Fred Hill spent a large period of his life in prison because he refused to wear a helmet, I would feel naked without one, although it was not compulsory when I first started riding, I would say wearing one has definitely saved my life at least once, but that is enough.
 

davidd

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VOC Member
U.S. racing orgs seem to require replacement every few years. They usually require the latest Snell stamp on the helmet two years after it is adopted.

Based on the research done by Motorcyclist years ago, they suggested that any helmet that met Snell was equivalent to any other helmet that met Snell, except for personal comfort issues. The article also caused Snell to revise their standards.

Thus, the cheapest Snell certified helmet was as safe as the the most expensive certified helmet, fit issues excluded. A test of the cheapest Snell helmet, the HJC CL series helmet fit me fine at $100 and I used it for years, replacing it twice.

If you have an odd size head you may be forced to buy a $700 helmet. If an inexpensive helmet works for you it is may be a better choice to use it and replace it when needed without feeling you shouldn't afford a new one due to the cost.

David
 
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