Got Custom Motorcycle Helmet? tigerpause444 gets interviewed

A year ago, I was interviewed by 808yewtube ( http://www.youtube.com/user/808yewtube ). she contacted me via youtube, and we've been in contact ever since. Check out her channel! it rocks! she has ridden a cruiser bike, a sport bike, a pocket bike, and her latest craze... dirt bikes!! she's radical, and she makes great vids..

shoutout to 808yewtube: thank you for contacting me and making this vid. I was very nervous to meet up with a stranger. I don't like anyone to know who I am, but for some reason, your coolness was intriguing and comforting.. ride safe girl..

What started the custom helmet craze?
Back in 2000, I purchased a hologram visor insert from Andy's motorcycle. After I installed the insert into one my lids, I started adding teeth and mohawk spikes to the helmet. My brother-in-law suggested one year, that I attach my Halloween costume Darth Vader - to one of my Shoei lids.. I agreed, and that was the re-birth of tigerpause444 helmets. I created 1 helmet annually from the year 2000. I've completed 16 up to date (I went a little crazy in the past 3 years and created more than just 1 in a year).

Do you have any goals with your creations?
I feel the lids are art. I wouldn't mind exhibiting them at some art show.
I want all my riding friends to join me on the next Toys for Tots ride while sporting all the custom lids.. Last year, I could only get 4 bikers to go.
I want to experiment with skater helmets next.. I see them as a multi-age, multi-use helmets (skate boarders, roller bladers, and other sidewalk roll sports). A much broader market. maybe even make some $$$

Why do you make these helmets?
It's fun to hide under a helmet. Nobody knows who I am. To see kids with their noses pressed up on the inside of a car window is awesome. to see passengers bust out their cameras and phone cameras is cool. to work on a creative project with my 5 year old son... PRICELESS

How do you decide on what character to do next?
Many sources, a youtube user once suggested that I make master Chief, another suggested I make Ironman. My wife, my son, co-workers, biker buddies, and just about anybody that knows me always have crazy ideas. A security guard at my previous job-site told me "do the Jack in the Box ball!"

I have 2 criteria for any helmet.. my peripheral needs to be completely clear of obstructions, and the most important criteria: The character has to be instantly recognizable.

most frequently asked questions:

1: what's the helmet rotating on?
a tower fan from WalMart

2: why don't you show your face?
I get enough criticism on my helmets, I don't need dumb butts telling me what I look like, or that I'm too old to make characters/icons on moto helmets. besides, the helmets are art. I want people to appreciate the art, and not focus on the artist so much.

3: are your helmets for sale? can I place a special order?
sorry, no, not for sale.. I don't want to sell a lid to somebody, and if they crash for some reason - and end up on the news, I'd be devastated to see one of my lids and the rider on the road..

4: are your helmets DOT/Snell approved:
they were all DOT/Snell approved until I put a screw in it. any of my helmets that don't have screws in them are still DOT.

5: have you road tested your helmets?
yes, they're all tested at speeds over 80mph.

6: do the Police pull you over?
I had one pull me over one time, just so that he could get a closer look at my lid.. I was wearing Darth Vader that day.. :) but to date, not yet

7: where do you get your helmets from?
craigslist is my helmet haven.. and if I get tired of one of my helmets, I'll take it apart, and create my next.

8: can you please create a tutorial?
sorry, after discussing with my 5 year old son, we've decided that the funnest part of designing/modifying a helmet, is figuring out how to accomplish the character. Besides, If I share my secrets, it wouldn't be one of a kind anymore. It's art.. go create you own crazy design.

• Category

  Autos & Vehicles

[seany11000]

Write this is going to be a stupid question but are they legal and would they protect if you would fall ?

[tigerpause444]

these are not stupid questions... I've never been bothered by law enforcement.. but where I'm from, there isn't a helmet law, so I'm not sure how to respond.. it may be legal where I'm at, but not where you're at.. second answer: yes and no.. they'll protect you when you fall, but the protrusions could snag on the asphalt causing injury to the person wearing the helmet.. I don't recommend anyone using these helmets while operating any motor vehicle

[missionDan]

these are great! ..... if you are 10 yrs old...

[tigerpause444]

thank you for your opinion

[gerole dacasin]

i like the green one nice dude how you do that i whant to make one

[tigerpause444]

Please visit my youtube channel.. the green masterchief helmet is the only one that I have a tutorial for. thanks for watching!

[tigerpause444]

a few reasons.. 1, i want to inspire others to get creative in whatever they do.. 2, I wanted to be different, and more creative than suction cup mohawks. 3, I want to make the world smile as I ride by. 4, they are fun projects to work on with my 7 year old son - this also teaches him that there are no limitations when it comes to art. 5, it's one of my creative avenues. I enjoy spending a year working on a blueprint in my mind, then making it happen. I hope this answers your one question. peace

[tigerpause444]

nah, kids' reactions are incredible!!! 

[seany11000]

thanks :)

[tigerpause444]

thanks bro.. please let me know when you're done with your helmet.. other people have sent , me vids of their copies of mine - or their own creations, and I've been posting them for my subscribers to see..  cheers, and ride safely

[tigerpause444]

no worries bro.. I get asked all the time.. and I just want people to understand that although my helmets are cool, there are dangers to wearing them.. take care.. no offense felt on my end bro