CHP helmets ? - Harley Forum

#1 12-21-2007, 04:48 PM

I think the best helmets I've seen on the road are the ones worn by the California Highway Patrol. They're 3/4 style but their overall outer shell seems a lot more compact than any of the major brands I've seen. My biggest gripe with the full face and 3/4's is that they're so big that the wind really buffets your head around, especially when you turn your head to the side.

The CHP helmets I've seen definitely look a lot smaller and, of couse, have the radio thang attached. They're probably not cheap but you can bet they're up to the job for sure.

Anyway, does anyone know for sure what they are? If I ever pull up next to one of those guys at a stop light I'll ask him. Hopefully he won't bust me for my loud pipes (V&H Hotshots).

texan321 · #2 01-03-2008, 11:26 AM

http://www.policehelmets.com/

Here ya go - they are good helmets. The pricing is not so bad when you look at the quality.

#3 01-03-2008, 05:01 PM

Thanks Texan. I have tried the civilian Shoe Rj and it is definitely the finest 3/4 style helmet I've seen but I swear that I've seen a CHP guy with a smaller tighter fitting 3/4 helmet. It might have just been my imagination, I don't know. This big helmet peeve I have keeps me always on the lookout for a smaller container. Back on the day I rode without a helmet on the street and that spoiled me against the big helmets. I have a case of Funky Neck from an industrial accident a few years back and getting buffeted around less is important to me.

If I run across one a CHP guy with one of the mystery helmets I'll get the info and post it here. Like I said however, it might have been just my imagination. Anyway, thanks again.

humpbackbob · #4 01-03-2008, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milindh

Thanks Texan. I have tried the civilian Shoe Rj and it is definitely the finest 3/4 style helmet I've seen but I swear that I've seen a CHP guy with a smaller tighter fitting 3/4 helmet. It might have just been my imagination, I don't know. This big helmet peeve I have keeps me always on the lookout for a smaller container. Back on the day I rode without a helmet on the street and that spoiled me against the big helmets. I have a case of Funky Neck from an industrial accident a few years back and getting buffeted around less is important to me.

If I run across one a CHP guy with one of the mystery helmets I'll get the info and post it here. Like I said however, it might have been just my imagination. Anyway, thanks again.

Hey Mil, Maybe the Cop just had a "Big Head". Made the helmet look smaller?

BlueBob · #5 01-03-2008, 06:42 PM

The answer to your question is that CHP wears the MC500V by Bell.

Ask.com is really a great research tool. Found the following sites:

http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/uniforms.html (love the bow tie)

http://www.bootedman.com/gear/chpassemble.html (good overview of the CHiPs version and the current)

http://www.mdcharlton.ca/downloads/2...e%2065-128.pdf (catalog of police gear that includes the 3/4 face MC 500V. Canadian too! Go figure. It's about 3/4 of the way down on the right side of the page)

It's not easy to find current police gear because of the problem with folks impersonating officers and pulling folks over. So if you find one, I trust your intentions are noble

Good luck, and ENJOY!

#6 01-03-2008, 09:03 PM

Thanks Blue Bob

I think you nailed it. I think I might also have seen some of the MC410 models on the road too. Once again, not sure about that but it looked kinda familiar. I have a Bell full face Apex model that I got at an accessories store for $100 on sale. DOT and Snell 2005, FG/Kevlar shell and has vents. Nice helmet but still bulky. The dealer said they were discontinuing the Bells and that he thought Bell was getting out of the retail MC helmet biz and focusing on their bicycle lids. I hope they keep making the PO stuff.

By the way, I have seen guys on ex-CHP BMW's with CHP looking shorty helmets. If you didn't notice that they didn't have the lights and radio you'd have swore they were CHP. I don't necessarily think they had bad intentions in their posing. When they moved thru traffic (and California fwy traffic is insane!) people gave them a wide berth. Sneaky way to protect themselves but it seemed to work. A little creepy though.