Is there any reason that no one will use a 1/2 motorcycle helmet the price is better and I would think you have a little better head gear too.I use one for years when I was riding my motorcycle.But now days I ride bicycle gas price is way out of control now days and its not going to get any better either.Seems to me that a 1/2 helmet for motorcycle would work good to save our heads when we take a bad fall.Or is it that we don't go fast enough to keep our heads cool off with this kind of helmet.Or maybe we would look like a DORK with them on huh lol.

Weight and airflow for cooling are probably the biggest reasons.

and the dork factor is pretty high, too.

I took out my cross bike on Sunday and rode around our back yard and in the woods behind our property. After falling 6 times and getting hit in the head with low branches the full helmet for motorcycles and might have been a good selection.

I use what I believe to be the best head protection for the job at hand, a Giro Xen. It provides better coverage than most road bicycling helmets, it lacks a neck-twisting aerodynamic taper, it fits my head extremely well, and it is designed to absorb and to spread impact energy under typical bicycling conditions.

How cheap are these 1/2 helmets? I would think the dork factor would be as high as the ventilation would be low. You can get a perfectly good bicycle helmet for under $30.

My mom bought me one of the first bicycle helmets manufactured - the white Bell from the 1970's. She meant well, but I never wore it. Why? The thing weighed a ton! Years later I picked up a more "modern" helmet and discovered it weighed next to nothing. Now that was something I would wear!

Lightness is a crucial factor in deciding on a bike helmet - especially if you're on a road bike. Ventilation is also key. Your head can get awfully hot on a hard ride on a hot day. Those ventilation holes are necessary.

Comfort is also big. I have my helmet on my head for a lot of hours, day after day. I want something comfortable.

The prices of bike helmets can get pretty exorbitant, but I'm willing to spend some money for something good. When it's going to be on my head that much, I want to love it.

I have to second what BigBlueToe said. Hemet weight is critical on a road bike. On long rides the neck and shoulder muscles can really start to feel it just holding your head up. A heavy helmet just adds to the pain. Ventilation is also an improtant factor.

PS. I also had one of those "white mushroom" helmets. Also, did not wear it very much.

x2 definately, very comfy.

Weight and airflow.

Personally, as I don't cycle for speed, a multi-sport helmet (which is also rated for biking) works for me.

First bike helmet I've owned that doesn't make me feel like a mushroom (up until this one, I've never owned a helmet that hasn't looked/felt like it's been perching on top of my head--and yes, my helmets have been correctly fitted). This one actually feels like my head is IN it (and I feel like more of my head is covered).

Perhaps that's more similar to the look you're thinking of, without the weight of an actual motorcycle helmet?

So, what helmet do you use?

Haven't a clue. It's just some cheapie I got in the kids' section at Wal-Mart or something (small heads unite!).

Could you post a picture of the helmet? I have no idea what a multi-sport helmet is.

Having had a few motorcycles, I can tell you that even a shorty helmet on a hot day was uncomfortable enough to keep me from riding some days. On others, it certainly took some of the enjoyment out of the ride. That said, I've never felt really uncomfortable even in a cheapier $20 Bell bicycle helmet. IMHO, they are light enough, breath well enough and protect well enough for anything i'm doing on anything with pedals.. Of course they do come with their own flavor of "dork factor" but I'm well past wowing the ladies anyway. ( That went with the motorcycle come to think of it )

I read somewhere that the price of a bike helmet does not necessarily indicate how well it protects. They all have to meet a safety standard ( not sure what it is, but someone will know). My helmet label says, "Comply with US CPSC Safety Satandard for For Bicycle Helmets". One of the most comfortable helmets I have used was $19.95 on sale. It was also comfortable. I retired it after the yellow faded to almost white from UV exposure.

My bride and I ride bikes of both types. One of the biggest complaints of bikers is the discomfort factor, in spite of the upright riding position. You don't see many bikers wearing their helmets for more than a few moments after the engine has been killed. It doesn't matter whether it is a full-face Arai or a non-DOT skid lid.

The heaviest bicycle helmet will be more comfortable than the lightest motorcycle helmet. They don't breath, they are heavy, and they obstruct peripheral vision.

IMNSHO

<-----Can't believe anybody but Fools ever wore those Bell Bikers!

The Police over here wore them- and I bought one. Never wore it though as it was heavy.

Two points about a helmet- It has to do the job of protecting you- and it must be comfortable. Without it being comfortable- it will not do the job of protecting you as you won't wear it.

I don't have a picture of mine, and none of these are the one I have, but this is how they're shaped: https://images.google.com/images?hl=e...&aq=f&oq=&aqi=

They're the type you usually see on skateboarders and BMX bikers and such. I also plan on wearing mine when I start learning jumps and such in skating, because I hear it's advisable to do when learning more dangerous stuff (I've already been saved once by having my hair in a bun, but I won't always fall on the back of my head).