Priorities?

[Oldodge]

A friend posed a question:

"If I have a limited amount of money to spend and I can either buy a better headlight or a better helmet, which should I buy?"

I keep thinking about this, is it wiser to spend your resources on things that protect you if things go bad, or is it wiser to spend resources on things that could keep you from getting in a bad situation in the first place?

In a perfect world, you have both, prevention and preparedness. Unfortunately it isn't a perfect world and I can't answer his question. Better tires or better riding gear? Louder horn or gloves? The options are endless. I guess we prioritize without even thinking about it. I buy $100 DOT helmets and then buy premium tires. I can't justify it, it just seems right to me. I guess I will tell him to do what feels right to him, in the end he is the one that has to live with his decision.

I would be interested to hear what others think on the subject of preparedness vs prevention.

[Condor]

Neither.... I'm not that paranoid. Have a decent helmet, and antiquate lighting....

[BigLenny]

A friend posed a question:

"If I have a limited amount of money to spend and I can either buy a better headlight or a better helmet, which should I buy?"

I keep thinking about this, is it wiser to spend your resources on things that protect you if things go bad, or is it wiser to spend resources on things that could keep you from getting in a bad situation in the first place?

In a perfect world, you have both, prevention and preparedness. Unfortunately it isn't a perfect world and I can't answer his question. Better tires or better riding gear? Louder horn or gloves? The options are endless. I guess we prioritize without even thinking about it. I buy $100 DOT helmets and then buy premium tires. I can't justify it, it just seems right to me. I guess I will tell him to do what feels right to him, in the end he is the one that has to live with his decision.

I would be interested to hear what others think on the subject of preparedness vs prevention.

 

Oldodge,

 

I would say the helmet. He's going to do a lot more riding in the daylight than the dark. All that money spent on a headlight that will get used only when he rides at night, which might not be that often in the grand scheme of things. This would be a perfect opportunity for you to coach your friend on how he should try his best to minimize night riding on a bike. It's a dangerous proposition. A high end helmet is useful every time he gets on the bike.

Having said that; Do I ride at night? Yes. But only when I have to.

[bongobobny]

Yah!! It's all going to be up to PERSONAL preferences!! With the given choice, the way it is worded you ALREADY have a helmet, so I personally would rather SEE the danger than not see and use the improved safety gear...

 

 

Too many variables!!!

[Venturous Randy]

A good headlight on a bike is a great safety feature while riding in the daytime. On a bright sunny day, or even cloudy, I always run my headlight on high beam unless I am riding behind another rider.

Randy

[bongobobny]

Yup!! Per above I modify my statement to include

 

...or BE SEEN,

[Oldodge]

Mixed bag of replies as I expected. Thank you. He decided on a new helmet. For a totally different reason, the cool factor. He says it matches his bike and personality better. Hey, whatever works for him. If it is about personality I suggested he get one of those Roman Empire brushes I see on helmets now days. This did get me thinking about my headlight again though. Darn it, I thought I was past that for now. HID/LED/Silverstar/stock???, maybe making these decisions is part of what keeps this hobby interesting.

[Great adVENTURE]

Helmet and a good jacket! Nobody is paying attention to motorcycles anyway, to much competition with cell phones these days.

[bongobobny]

Mixed bag of replies as I expected. Thank you. He decided on a new helmet. For a totally different reason, the cool factor. He says it matches his bike and personality better. Hey, whatever works for him. If it is about personality I suggested he get one of those Roman Empire brushes I see on helmets now days. This did get me thinking about my headlight again though. Darn it, I thought I was past that for now. HID/LED/Silverstar/stock???, maybe making these decisions is part of what keeps this hobby interesting.

The Sylvania Silverstar Ultra is the cheapest way to go for a brighter headlight and costs waaaaay less than a good helmet, probably about 10% of the cost (less if you bought one of those $400 - $600 ones). It should run you less than $20, more like $15 at Wally World, so maybe you can still do both!! HID's and LED's are going to run you $60 to $100...

[Oldodge]

The Sylvania Silverstar Ultra is the cheapest way to go for a brighter headlight and costs waaaaay less than a good helmet, probably about 10% of the cost (less if you bought one of those $400 - $600 ones). It should run you less than $20, more like $15 at Wally World, so maybe you can still do both!! HID's and LED's are going to run you $60 to $100...

 

He rides a VTX1800 and wants to do a Daymaker LED when he does the upgrade. He said about $200. For me, I always look for the most bang for the buck that fits my criteria. For him style seems to play a larger role. I told him he should join here, he would like it, but he is a dyed in the wool Honda guy, at least right now.

[videoarizona]

A good headlight on a bike is a great safety feature while riding in the daytime. On a bright sunny day, or even cloudy, I always run my headlight on high beam unless I am riding behind another rider.

Randy

 

Me too...

[bill4you502]

.....LED lights. I have LED headlight and passing lights. Last week, a lady started to turn in front of me, I really think the brighter lights up front alerted her quicker than my OEM lights would have......