I’ve mentioned the old Flyaway helmets once or twice before, mostly in the context of the re-issues, but without a lot of actual information. Concrete Disciples has a nice piece on the new Kanoa Flyaway helmets that is no so much product review as an endorsement. It does go in to some detail about the history of Flyaway which is interesting, including some good sized scans of original advertisements. They are the best looking helmet out there, but the new ones have no safety rating so I’m hesitant to shell out the extra cash (and it’s a lot) just to look marginally cooler if I am wearing a helmet, regardless of the amount of work that goes into making one. I know there is a lot of work required to make these. Grover made several prototypes a few years back, and it was quite involved. You can see the results of his efforts after the jump, or go onto the Concrete Disciples piece, which is where the photos above came from. Thanks to Rich for the tip.
Steve Grover’s top secret Flyaway Helmet black skunk works project
I think this was the third attempt, around 2003 maybe? This was as far as anyone got to actually riding with one.
9 comments
ML
I was lucky enough to find an original (never used) last year.
Best looking shell ever.
Marshall
this is what the ASTM says about their standard:
“this standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.”
What good is this?
I’ll continue to investigate furthur
Marshall
new info
I am looking into getting the Flyaway® tested to meet the ASTM F1492 standard.
Marshall
Hi Guys
The benefits of this helmet go way beyond looking cooler
If you come into Rip City and try one on you
Mark W
I still have my flyaway helmet, but it doesn’t quite fit anymore (purchased around 1979 when I was in 7th grade). I can’t even get the chin strap to fit, but it still looks great and in perfect condition except for the padding inside that could be replaced.
solboy
Flyaways were cool, and I remember them from “back then”, (yes i’m that old) it was a bit of a poser’s lid to be honest, and all those guys like Jay Adams got ’em for free anyway so of course they wore them… it always looked like would crack or split to me…even if u dropped it. The full ear sweaty lightbulb Protec was a better choice.
houseofneil
tailtap.com has ’em. Cheaper than they were too.
warehouse
I wore one of those…..fortunatly I never fell on it. I’ve heard stories of them exploding into shards of fiberglass on impact. That seems like a bad thing.
bailgun
cool looking helmets? whats next? compassionate conservatives?