Helmet Quick Connect
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Helmet Quick Connect
I have been considering a quick connect helmet strap. Any thoughts on these straps? If you use one, please advise.
- minimac
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
While I'm not certain about the holding power of my metal "D" rings, I'm pretty sure I trust them more than the plastic quick connects I've seen. If I were to have a serious off, my helmet staying on and in place is a lot more important than the five seconds I might save putting it on.
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
The one I was looking at was a metal/plastic connection. I would think it had to pass a safety test, but I could be wrong.minimac wrote: ↑Tue Feb 26, 2019 9:52 am While I'm not certain about the holding power of my metal "D" rings, I'm pretty sure I trust them more than the plastic quick connects I've seen. If I were to have a serious off, my helmet staying on and in place is a lot more important than the five seconds I might save putting it on.
https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Quick-Relea ... ck+connect
Don't think I could trust all plastic either. The reviews vary.
- C-dub
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
The only thing I dislike about my Shoei Neotec 2 helmet is the quick connect device. It works great on and off, but because there are no D-rings I have no way to fasten it to the helmet latches on my bike. So now I take the helmet inside with me if I have too much cargo to put it in the trunk. With this helmet, though, and the SRL I might not want to just leave it hanging for all to see when I’m inside somewhere.
I am not and have never been a LEO. My avatar is in honor of my friend, Dallas Police Sargeant Michael Smith, who was murdered along with four other officers in Dallas on 7.7.2016.
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- RockportDave
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
I have a Daytona Skull Cap that came with a quick release and I really like it.Uptwobucks wrote: ↑Tue Feb 26, 2019 8:07 am I have been considering a quick connect helmet strap. Any thoughts on these straps? If you use one, please advise.
I bought this one for my wife’s helmet and it latches real well. It’s made of aluminum and you leave the D rings on. The one side is tough to get on, but once on, it will not come off. Dave
1999 GL1500SE 5th Goldwing through the years
- WingAdmin
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
While targeted at dirt bike riders, this does get a lot of really good reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Metal-Stra ... B00U2TN78G
https://www.amazon.com/Black-Metal-Stra ... B00U2TN78G
- offcenter
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
I have the Echo on my helmet for the last four or five years.Uptwobucks wrote: ↑Tue Feb 26, 2019 10:14 am The one I was looking at was a metal/plastic connection. I would think it had to pass a safety test, but I could be wrong.
https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Quick-Relea ... ck+connect
Don't think I could trust all plastic either. The reviews vary.
Seems to work well.
Certainly easier to use than the damned D rings.
George in Jersey.
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
- Northwings
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
I had one helmet with metal clips and found them bulky, uncomfortable and hard to latch. I had a stroke a couple years ago and my left hand is partially impaired. After fifty years of D-rings, I find them easier than clips, even with only one hand. The clips would’ve impossible without two good hands.
- IdahoHacker
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
I might give the Echo a try.offcenter wrote: ↑Wed Feb 27, 2019 5:27 pmI have the Echo on my helmet for the last four or five years.Uptwobucks wrote: ↑Tue Feb 26, 2019 10:14 am The one I was looking at was a metal/plastic connection. I would think it had to pass a safety test, but I could be wrong.
https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Quick-Relea ... ck+connect
Don't think I could trust all plastic either. The reviews vary.
Seems to work well.
Certainly easier to use than the damned D rings.
I tried another clip a few years ago, and finally gave up on it. It was just too damn hard to connect, even without gloves on.
EDIT: Well, this was in interesting quirk...I accidentally quoted the wrong post above. The one I actually quoted is, in fact, the exact quick release that I previously owned, and absolutely hated. Bought two, gave one to my father in law, and he hated it so much he took it off as well.
The post I intended to quote was the "dirt bike" style one above. Unfortunately, having looked at that one, it says if your existing strap has the snap on it to prevent the end from flapping in the wind, you have to take a screwdriver or pair of pliers and rip it out. Oh, hell no.
Back to square one.

I may be growing older, but I refuse to grow up.
- MasterDaniel904
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
I've used the Echo for years. I put the fixed end metal U clip through the opening in the strap loop where the d-rings are located and left the d-rings in place. I can then still use them to hang the helmet. I've had two slip-and-slide accidents, at low speed mind you, due to lovely NM sand and gravel, where the helmet hit 1) a telephone pole, and 2) my trailer then the asphalt, and the clips stayed closed.
All seasons. No exceptions.
- AZgl1800
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
I simply do not like the clips, too bulky and feels thick under my chin.
much prefer the OEM D-Rings
much prefer the OEM D-Rings
~John
'02 GL1800
2009 Piaggio MP3 250cc
'02 GL1800
2009 Piaggio MP3 250cc
- offcenter
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
Yup, me too. The D rings are handy to have.MasterDaniel904 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 01, 2019 4:00 pm I've used the Echo for years. I put the fixed end metal U clip through the opening in the strap loop where the d-rings are located and left the d-rings in place. I can then still use them to hang the helmet.
Plus, if the clip ever breaks, the helmet will still be usable.
George in Jersey.
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
99 Goldwing GL-1500 SE
76 Goldwing Gl-1000
77 Honda CT-90 "Trail 90"
- Wildwilly018
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
I use and love my quick release. My old hands used to fight with doing up the straps. Mine is all metal. Would look at the brand but helmet is in my bike in a friends garage hibernating. Honestly I have thought about the reliability of it, but since getting the metal one I trust it. I did have plastic ones which finally give up from doing and undoing. Mine doesn't bother me under my chine either. Mine is on a half helmet.
- seabeechief
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
My Nolan helmet has my very favorite strap buckle system. I love it. My wife has the metal quick connect and we have had no problems with it. But we have never gone down on the bike yet, so we don't know how reliable it is. I hope we never have to take that test.
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- Sidcar
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
D rings for me every time. Buckles are to big and uncomfortable for me.
Are buckles as safe? I don't know but Arai don't use them.
Sid
Are buckles as safe? I don't know but Arai don't use them.
Sid
- Overdog
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
C-dub wrote: ↑Tue Feb 26, 2019 12:27 pm The only thing I dislike about my Shoei Neotec 2 helmet is the quick connect device. It works great on and off, but because there are no D-rings I have no way to fasten it to the helmet latches on my bike. So now I take the helmet inside with me if I have too much cargo to put it in the trunk. With this helmet, though, and the SRL I might not want to just leave it hanging for all to see when I’m inside somewhere.
Google tells me that your helmet is a full-face. You can get a cable-type gun lock and run it through the opening and fasten it to a luggage rack or something. I use one on my 1100 when I don't have the trunk on or if it's full....
- C-dub
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Previous bikes:
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1979 Suzuki GS850G
1983 Suzuki GS1100E
1981 Honda XL250
1975 Suzuki GT185M
1970 Suzuki TC90 dirtbike
Re: Helmet Quick Connect
It’s a modular helmet, but that method would probably still work pretty well.Overdog wrote: ↑Sun Mar 03, 2019 9:04 amC-dub wrote: ↑Tue Feb 26, 2019 12:27 pm The only thing I dislike about my Shoei Neotec 2 helmet is the quick connect device. It works great on and off, but because there are no D-rings I have no way to fasten it to the helmet latches on my bike. So now I take the helmet inside with me if I have too much cargo to put it in the trunk. With this helmet, though, and the SRL I might not want to just leave it hanging for all to see when I’m inside somewhere.
Google tells me that your helmet is a full-face. You can get a cable-type gun lock and run it through the opening and fasten it to a luggage rack or something. I use one on my 1100 when I don't have the trunk on or if it's full....
I am not and have never been a LEO. My avatar is in honor of my friend, Dallas Police Sargeant Michael Smith, who was murdered along with four other officers in Dallas on 7.7.2016.
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- IdahoHacker
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
That's exactly the method I used for years. Cable lock from Home Depot, and you can find places on the bike to loop it through.
I may be growing older, but I refuse to grow up.
- tamathumper
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
I've used quick-connects for years on my snowmobile and motorcycle helmets. Sometimes I have to take off the heavy winter gloves to get them engaged, and once in a great while they get engaged at a bit of an angle and I have to wiggle them around to get them to come undone.
Other than that, they've saved me a lot of time putting the helmet on and adjusting all the accoutrements with heavy gloves on, especially on the snowmobile helmet with the breath deflector and nose guard, the chin curtain, the bluetooth mic, the modular face and clear shield, my glasses, etc....
Other than that, they've saved me a lot of time putting the helmet on and adjusting all the accoutrements with heavy gloves on, especially on the snowmobile helmet with the breath deflector and nose guard, the chin curtain, the bluetooth mic, the modular face and clear shield, my glasses, etc....
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- ksdalet
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
I have been using Nolan helmets with the quick connect for several years. They are easy to connect. They are fast to release using one hand and hold solidly. They do not bother me and are not cold feeling. Many times I take my helmet in with me and if I do leave it with the bike I use a short cable thru the open face shield and seat handle. Just as with anything, it is a personal preference and what works for one may not be right for another.
- tamathumper
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
UPDATE: On a recent cross-country round trip, I removed the quick-connect (Echo) that I've had on there for a while.
It added just enough length that the helmet's chin pads no longer connected with each other, leaving a space where the quick-connect could rub against my chin. It was catching the hairs underneath my chin and driving me crazy, so after a couple days of that nonsense I removed it and went back to using the D-rings.
Maybe I'm just old enough now that the turkey wattle under my neck is getting caught on stuff.
It added just enough length that the helmet's chin pads no longer connected with each other, leaving a space where the quick-connect could rub against my chin. It was catching the hairs underneath my chin and driving me crazy, so after a couple days of that nonsense I removed it and went back to using the D-rings.
Maybe I'm just old enough now that the turkey wattle under my neck is getting caught on stuff.
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- Happytrails
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
But I like the D-rings they are like comfortable sneakers 

1991 GL1500 SE Anniversary Edition
Sun Flare Gold Metallic
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- Wildwilly018
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
The D rings are fine when your hands can work them, but age just causes frustration trying to them done up or undone when I have been used to quick lock so long now. Had times in cooler weather where I had to wear helmet into house to warm up hands to get helmet off using the rings.
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Re: Helmet Quick Connect
The Wife and I both use the Echo quick releases. I've used them on certain helmets since the came out in the 80's. My current helmet is a Biltwell GringoS and they REALLY need to add 1" to the d-ring side of the strap. The Echo clip moved the buckle to a more easily accessed location.