YES, PLEASE

 For some time now I've been looking for a new trials helmet and although there are some nice ones
out there I still can't see what I really want.

 

Old Faithful by  YES

 Since the advent of the purpose made trials lid there have been some excellent designs, and in truth
enough colors to satisfy Jacob. However, I don't seem to have been able to find quite what I want or
anything that comes close to my 9 year old bonnet by YES. At the time they were one of the first with all
the guts that came out for washing, were extremely light, had a good neck cut and an adjustable peak.
Fortunately for me I bought 2 of them over a couple of years, the standard Black one still in use today,
and the Dougie Lampkin World Champion replica with all the red/black/silver graphics. The replica
model was used during the Yamaha heyday but since moving over to the thumpers it has been
sidelined as the colors don't match the Enfield or Cub.





Time for a color change on the DL replica ? 

 Try as I might I can't find any dealers worldwide who stock this helmet, whatever happened to the
company? The only one I have seen is in Scottishtrials virtual shop and of course is in red!  I have
tried other helmets from Shoei, Hebo and looked at the newer ones from Shiro.
 
 XC-ting Toni Bou, looks good but I don't like the graphics and the latest from Wulf looks like a YES
replica and is very well priced. Tried a Premier one which looks a bit like "Jack in the Box" and also
bought a NAU in a Union Jack color scheme but not overly happy with the fit.

 

Very nice helmet from Shoei, but not my colors!








Good design from Shiro





Toni Bou replicas but OTT in graphics 






The new Wulf looks good and is well priced



 

My NAU in Union Jack colors but not the best fit

 Nothing for it........ up into the loft and down comes the DL replica and off with all the old decals and
logos. Yes, nutty is going to paint it in "my" colors for the 2010 Enfield year. Purple as the main color,
silver peak maybe ? Union Jack emblem on the front and RE decals down the side with a gun
carriage too boot!

 Over the years I think I can say that my painting has improved and using the maxim " Preparation
prevents piss poor performance" I had better spend a few moments in that department before
reaching for the rattle can. A lot of masking around the rubber edges and the air vents but at last its
ready to spray. One last can of the "special" Enfield color left so on it goes without any flecks, dribbles
or runs, and no dogs either to add a hair or two!

 Patience once more as I want to finish the job off with a hard clear coat but lurking in the memory is
an incident many moons ago when I tried the same thing on an alloy tank. The great finish I thought I
had immediately blistered like I had sprayed it with paint remover......... I rather think it might have been
an oily finger mark that caused it.

 Recently, and often ongoing, is the subject of helmets for trials on Trials Central. A lot of opinions
which of course everybody is entitled to, but some common sense has to be applied to the subject of
helmets and protection. I see an increasing number of Novices and Beginners turning up with all
manner of body protection, MX boots, Chest protectors, a Neck brace?  MX helmets and even some full
face models and the near suicidal flip up models as well!!
 
 As an MSF Instructor and as a motorcyclist I always advocate wearing the best helmet you can afford
and for road use it makes sense to use a full face model which obviously gives the most protection.
For me the best "road" helmet is Arai based on fit and comfort but I have nothing against  AGV, Suomy,
Shoei or any of the other top brands, but I would never contemplate wearing one for trials any more
than a road racer would turn up with an open face trials helmet .


 

My road going Arai

 True there have been some nasty facial accidents lately but I must say these are abnormal rather than
something that happens every weekend. So unless you are planning on crashing into everything and
head butting every tree or rock wall you come close to then stick with the well proven dedicated
equipment that has been designed for trials use and is worn by the vast majority of us.

 Any form of competition has an element of "risk" so study the risk ladder and see which rung you are
prepared to stand on and what level of equipment you need to stay safe and have an enjoyable day. 
Here endeth the lecture!

 With the pleasing base color on, a test run of the clear coat on the peak........ not bad, give it a few
minutes to see if I have another disaster on my hands........ looks good........ first coat on the titfer........
ummm!  Another coat this morning and then leave well alone before decal time.

 Time for those tasteful decals, land of our birth, gun carriage by etc, my own blackcat for luck and
a couple of warning signs for spectators and the DL replica is transformed for the 2010 season and
a couple of hundred dollars is saved.

 
 
The new look from the left side




...and the right with the warning on top






Checker's guide to the Dab!





YES

TONY DOWN