Looking to take my 22 month old daughter with me in the sidecar. (22 months old in June). I am looking for others experience in looking for a helmet for her that is light, safe and would fit her. Right now her head measures 19 inches. Yep, got a big noggin like her Dad. Any ideas or places to look? Thanks in advance.
Hey Bisbee there is a place called The Helmet Source in Hayden,ID that would be an excellent place to look. I understand they've moved over to Government Way or whatever that street is called. They used to be right on the main north south hiway. 195?
You'll probably get a lot of discussion here about taking someone as young as your daughter without Mom sitting in the sidecar holding her. Not from me. But I'd sure check out The Helmet Source. Good shop right in your back yard almost.
Try http://www.babybiker.com/category.php?display-category=5 or http://www.familymotorcycling.com/
My son started riding when he was in a carseat. babybiker has about everything including ballistic wear. They also take trades and sell used stuff.
Tom,
Thanks for your thoughts and I will check it out. I also noticed the store had moved to a different location.
My thoughts on the daughter in the sidecar is either in Mom's lap or securing the car seat in. Either way I would feel best if I could put some sort of decent helmet on her.
It is important for me to get it right as I have leaped into the sidecar realm as I wanted to take the whole family along. Actually I find my wife and I are very excited about the whole affair.
Thanks again,
Michael
Mike,
I checked out the site. Great information. Thank you. Question. With your son did you use an open face or full face helmet. My feeling is my daughter would be much more amiable right now and not have any fear wearing an open face.
I noticed babybiker has only full face. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Michael
We found him a motocross helmet. It gave him the front face protection we wanted him to have but the bar is far enough away that he didn't feel claustophobic and it was easy to put on and yet stayed secure.
Mike,
I will check that out. Thanks.
Michael
Idaho requires children under 18 years of age wear a DOT (dept of transportation) approved helmet. I went with a kids moto cross helmet for my 5 year old. It has the face bar and visor. My son complained about the wind in his face. I will get a full face helmet when he outgrows this one. That may be real soon as he already wears the largest kids size.
My wife insisted on a car seat, so I installed a seat belt in the car. The car seat was not very secure(it wobbled), so I just used the seat belt.
I don't think Idaho law addresses the sidecar seat belt issue for kids. If it were a car, a seat belt is manditory. If it were just a 2 wheel motorcycle, it would only require the helmet, no seat belt. I don't think a seat belt will do anything to protect the child in a collision, but it does give me peace of mind that my son will stay put while I am preoccupied with driving the rig.
Mark,
Good thought. That was one of my conditions is that the helmet be of DOT variety. The car seat is of the variety that will secure well so that should not be of issue. Thanks for your comments. Michael
