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Want a helmet before I take MSF course - East Bay shop recommendations for new rider?

B

bowlflipper

New member
Joined
Aug 20, 2014
Location
East Bay
Moto(s)
n/a
I'm planning on taking the MSF course in the near future, and I wanted to have my own helmet for when I do take the course. I've never ridden a motorcycle before.

I tried searching the forums, but I didn't have much luck - what gear shops in the East Bay would you recommend for someone who is very new to the world of motorcycles? Bonus points if the shop is accessible by BART.

Edit: More bonus points if the shop is open on weekends.
 
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They have helmets for you at the MSF. it's not a big deal.

Selecting a helmet for purchase is a big deal. what city are you in?

East Bay motorsports has a few helmets for you to try on. depending on where you are, there are a few shops you can go to. road rider comes to mind in SJ.

SF has a couple of big stores like the D store and Scuderia.

http://www.scuderiawest.com/
 
It would help if we knew what part of the "East Bay" you're in... Pleasanton? Concord? Hayward?

Cycle Gear has a good helmet selection. Fit is critical. Don't try to pick one up online... you need to try on half a dozen or more.

And while the MSF will provide a helmet for you, I wouldn't want to wear anyone else's sweat, either... :laughing
 
Thanks for the replies so far, sporchid and Gixxergirl1000!

I'm currently in Berkeley, and I was hoping to avoid crossing the bay to get into the city.

For some reason I had it in my head that it was a much better decision to bring your own helmet to the course rather than using a loaner. I guess I agree with Gixxergirl that it seems a little gross to use a helmet that who knows how many other people have worn, and I guess I don't know what to expect for how well the loaner helmets fit, too.
 
Just use one of the helmets provided to you by the MSF course. Bring a Clorox wipe and wipe it out if you feel icky about it. Then buy a helmet at your leisure.
 
I actually have a spare $60 helmet that I can give away for free. It's medium size intermediate oval I think. Let me know. I'm in Emeryville.
 
Buy all gear after you complete MSF, you will get good discount with MSF card.
 
p4i1 said:
Buy all gear after you complete MSF, you will get good discount with MSF card.
Click to expand...

I 2nd this. I used my card to get a discount at cycle gear.

Not to mention if you go down, you didn't just total a brand new helmet. Just a thought.
 
+1 on buying a helmet later. Just buy a $15 balaclava so your skin/hair doesn't touch the loaner helmet.

Buy a bike first so you can get a helmet that matches ;)
 
If you want a brand new shoei, hjc or icon give me a pm. I can get you a great deal on it.
 
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I live in Oakland and getting to moto shops by BART can be hard. Easier if you bring your bicycle but then you have to take the piss elevators. If you are relying on BART, foot, or bike, your best bet is SOMA. Get off at Civic Center. Within walking distance is the BMW dealer, SFMoto, Cycle Gear, and Scuderia West. Plenty of selection and some really knowledgeable folks at the BMW dealer and Scuderia. SFMoto is generally good and Cycle Gear can be hit or miss. I have had generally good experiences at all of these places over the 15 years I have been riding.

In the East Bay, EB Motorsports is OK, the Honda-Yamaha dealer on Gilman in Berkeley is OK. There is a Scooter dealer near Rockridge BART that I have no experience with, other than riding past it. I think it has helmets.

Where in the East Bay? It is big.
 
bowlflipper said:
Thanks for the replies so far, sporchid and Gixxergirl1000!

I'm currently in Berkeley, and I was hoping to avoid crossing the bay to get into the city.

For some reason I had it in my head that it was a much better decision to bring your own helmet to the course rather than using a loaner. I guess I agree with Gixxergirl that it seems a little gross to use a helmet that who knows how many other people have worn, and I guess I don't know what to expect for how well the loaner helmets fit, too.
Click to expand...

Below would be my response as well. Just get a head sock and use the loaner helmet from MSF. If you really want to buy one now, get something plain (like black or white) so it matches everything. My helmet doesn't match my gear or bike, but ask me how much I care :laughing

Also, don't cheap out on a helmet. Most important piece of gear IMO. I ran over my own head at thunderhill a week ago after a highside where the bike hit me. I'm here to talk about it because I had a good lid.

Jester said:
Just buy a $15 balaclava so your skin/hair doesn't touch the loaner helmet.
Click to expand...
 
Or you could buy a cheap helmet (they protect just as well), like a Built from Cycle Gear and upgrade later, or you may find you like the helmet and save some $$.

The MSF loaner helmets were a bit smelly, usable, but some people were a bit grossed out.
 
I would agree with your route, the more comfortable you are with a proper size helmet, the more confident you will be when taking the course (and one less thing to sweat over, no pun intended). I did the same thing in purchasing a helmet before hand and started chuckling when I saw my fellow newbies with helmets one size too large, some almost covering their eyes. To each their own. . .

If you have the disposable income to forego the 10-15% discount MSF provides after the course, go for an all-purpose helmet, something you see yourself using anytime, any day. Unfortunately the East Bay lacks retail stores in my opinion, if you have a chance to go down to Road Rider in SJ, I'd recommend them. You can prob. even tell them you are a new rider and they might give you a discount upfront.
 
monkeythumpa said:
There is a Scooter dealer near Rockridge BART that I have no experience with, other than riding past it. I think it has helmets.
Click to expand...

That is Rockridge Two Wheels, really good shop and they have a decent selection of helmets. Mostly scooters but they also carry Aprilia motos.
 
Jester said:
Just buy a $15 balaclava so your skin/hair doesn't touch the loaner helmet.
Click to expand...

Yes, I even tell the students that in the class - just get a balaclava or do-rag or something like that.

There's enough people who don't pass, or think, "You know, motorcycling isn't for me...", or the like - and that's totally fine, it's best to have the opportunity to come to that conclusion in a low-stress low-risk environment. And better to have not sunk in a lot of money for gear (or a bike) first.
 
I don't think buying a helmet ahead of time is a bad idea. Pick up a $100 HJC or similar, if you don't like it in the long run its always nice to have a spare, and you might get lucky like me and find that HJC fits your head perfect and never need to spend more than $100 on a helmet.

I just buy whatever HJC is on sale for $100 every couple years, they keep getting better and I can replace my helmets when they start getting funky.
 
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