Halo Helmet Band

wBW Quick Look: Halo Helmet Band

by Rick K. for webBikeWorld.com

wBW Reviews Home  |  Owner Comments (Below)

Shoei helmets were once available in a bright orange color.  I believe it was called "Safety Orange".  No one bought them, so that color was discontinued.

Too bad...

Think about it -- a motorcycle rider's helmet is normally the highest point on the bike, and one of the most visible. 

I never thought much about that bright orange color until one day when I was sitting at a stop light on my bike and another rider came whizzing by on the crossroad on a black motorcycle with jeans and a black leather jacket. 

He was wearing one of the Shoei orange helmets, and he stuck out like a sore thumb.  Which is precisely the point of that color.

I'm always trying to learn more and find lessons in my mistakes, and that lesson stuck with me forever.  A brightly colored helmet can make a huge difference in visibility for the motorcyclist.

But what happens at night?  Human perception of color becomes severely limited, and one of the only solutions is a highly reflective surface.  The Halo reflective helmet band was designed for exactly that purpose.  It's the "Safety Orange" of the night.

I'm often on the local Interstate at 5:30 or 6:00 a.m. in my car (don't ask me why). 

I often come across a motorcycle, and even though most motorcyclists foolishly choose style over safety, the thin 3M Scotchlite trim strips that are now on just about every item of motorcycle clothing really stand out, even in the bright headlights of rush hour traffic (yep, it starts earlier than that around here).

So a wide Scotchlite band around the helmet makes sense.  It puts a big swath of reflective material right up there where everyone can see it. 

You might be able to do the same with reflective stickers, but they're semi-permanent and don't always mesh with the helmet's paint scheme.  The Halo reflective band installs without adhesives and it's easily removable.

The Halo band is made from a 40 mm wide (1-5/8") strip of neoprene, just like the stuff that wetsuits are made from.  The outer surface is coated with 3M Scotchlite reflective material, which is excellent stuff and well known in the world of motorcycling. 

The Halo band is gently stretched to fit around the base of the helmet.  It takes a bit of fussing to get it lined up perfectly with the lower edge of the helmet, but the combination of the stretchy material and the friction of the neoprene keeps it on the helmet through just about anything.  It's much easier to remove than it is to install -- it simply pops right off.

The only problem is that it may cover up some lower vents, like on the Scorpion EX-700 shown above.  But since most motorcycle helmet vents, especially the exhaust vents, are basically useless, this isn't a functional problem, although some may object for stylistic reasons.

As you can see from the animated photo at the top of this page, the Halo helmet band lights up like the Fourth of July when blasted with light.  It's an inexpensive way to stay safe.

wBW Product Review:  Halo Helmet Band
Available From:  Bikeseen	Suggested Retail Price:  £9.50 (Free UK Delivery)
Colors:  Silver.	Made in:  U.S.A.
Product Comments:  Inexpensive safety item that fits almost all full-face helmets.  Review Date:  November 2005

Note:  For informational use only.  All material and photographs are Copyright © webWorld International, LLC - 2000-2011.  All rights reserved.  See the webBikeWorld® Site Info page.  NOTE:  Product specifications, features and details may change or differ from our descriptions.  Always check before purchasing.  Read the Terms and Conditions!

►Your Comments and Feedback

From "VRM" (02/11):  "I used double-sided tape with the Halo band to prevent it from sliding off the helmet at higher speeds. Install the band as directed; then peel back the band and place double-sided tape between the band and the helmet every few inches."

From "J.S." (3/10):  "I had one about 10 years back and was really impressed with how well it lit up.

Unfortunately, after a few months it seemed to lose it's grip on the helmet (particularly on my screen-less GS) and kept slipping down onto my neck.  It did this also whenever rain got to it.  I had it on my Shoei RF-700 with no venting conflict, but finally gave it up.

I can only speak for the way it was back then. If they've changed anything on it to make it more "wind/rainproof" then this is irrelevant."

From "G.J.C.":  "I ride a little bike with underpowered electronics (Genuine Stella scooter).  I've been using the Helmet Halo for a few months and have had two different motorists tell me at a stoplights that that little band really made me stand out."

From "A.M.":  "I ride a sportbike & wear a Shoei RF-800 and tried the Halo reflective helmet band.  The problem I had with it was at above 70 mph the wind would take it off the helmet and it would be flapping around my neck.  I threw it away.  If you ride a sportbike above 70 I wouldn't recommend this product at all."

From "N.W.":  "I read with interest your recent reviews of the Halo helmet band and the EDZ neck warmer.  I have been using the Halo for a while now, and thought the review was dead on, as most of them are."