How to find a helmet that matches Big Blue Pearl motorcycles. What are the best options for Big Blue Pearl helmets. Why helmet safety is crucial for riders. How to balance style, comfort, and protection when choosing a motorcycle helmet.
Understanding the Big Blue Pearl Color Match Challenge
For motorcycle enthusiasts who own a bike in the striking Big Blue Pearl color, finding a helmet to perfectly complement the aesthetics can be a rewarding yet challenging endeavor. The unique metallic blue shade requires careful consideration to achieve a seamless match between bike and rider gear.
Why Color Matching Matters
Color coordination between a motorcycle and helmet serves multiple purposes:
- Creates a cohesive and stylish overall look
- Demonstrates attention to detail and pride in one’s ride
- Can potentially increase visibility on the road
- Allows for personalization and self-expression
Top Helmet Options for Big Blue Pearl Bikes
Several helmet manufacturers offer options that may closely match or complement the Big Blue Pearl color. Here are some top contenders:
Arai Vector 2 in Diamond Blue
The Arai Vector 2 in Diamond Blue has been noted by riders as an excellent match for Big Blue Pearl motorcycles. Its metallic blue finish closely resembles the bike’s paint, creating a harmonious look.
Key features of the Arai Vector 2:
- High-quality construction from a reputable brand
- Comfortable fit with good ventilation
- Meets or exceeds safety standards
- Available in a range of sizes for optimal fit
Is the Arai Vector 2 the best option for all riders. While it offers an excellent color match and high-quality protection, individual preferences for fit, style, and budget will ultimately determine the ideal choice for each motorcyclist.
Balancing Cost and Quality in Helmet Selection
When considering a helmet like the Arai Vector 2, which can cost $400 or more, it’s essential to weigh the investment against the protection provided. High-end helmets often offer superior safety features, comfort, and durability compared to budget options.
Factors Justifying Higher Helmet Costs:
- Advanced safety technologies and materials
- Rigorous testing and certification processes
- Enhanced comfort features for long rides
- Improved aerodynamics and noise reduction
- Longer lifespan with proper care
How much should a rider invest in a helmet. While there’s no universal answer, experts recommend allocating a significant portion of your gear budget to head protection, as it’s crucial for rider safety.
Exploring Alternative Helmet Styles
While full-face helmets like the Arai Vector 2 offer maximum protection, some riders prefer other styles. For those seeking a Big Blue Pearl match in different helmet types, consider these options:
3/4 Helmets
Open-face or 3/4 helmets provide a balance between protection and visibility. Some manufacturers offer these in colors that may complement Big Blue Pearl bikes.
Modular Helmets
Modular helmets offer the versatility of both full-face and open-face styles. Look for options in metallic blue shades that could match your bike.
Half Helmets
While offering less protection, half helmets are popular among some riders for their minimalist style. Custom painting services can help achieve a perfect color match.
The Importance of Proper Fit and Safety Ratings
Regardless of color or style, the most crucial aspects of any motorcycle helmet are proper fit and safety certifications. A well-fitting helmet that meets DOT, ECE, or Snell standards is essential for rider protection.
How to Ensure Proper Helmet Fit:
- Measure your head circumference accurately
- Try on multiple sizes and styles
- Check for snugness without pressure points
- Ensure the helmet doesn’t move when shaking your head
- Wear the helmet for at least 15-30 minutes in-store to assess comfort
Can a perfectly color-matched helmet compromise safety. Never prioritize aesthetics over protection. Always choose a helmet that fits correctly and meets safety standards, even if the color match isn’t perfect.
Customization Options for the Perfect Match
For riders determined to achieve an exact Big Blue Pearl match, custom painting or vinyl wrapping services offer a solution. These options allow for precise color matching while maintaining the helmet’s structural integrity.
Benefits of Custom Helmet Painting:
- Exact color match to your motorcycle
- Opportunity for unique designs and personalization
- Can be applied to high-quality helmets of any style
- Potential to increase visibility with reflective elements
Is custom painting worth the additional cost. For riders who prioritize aesthetics and are willing to invest in a truly unique look, custom painting can be a worthwhile option. However, it’s important to use reputable services to ensure the helmet’s protective qualities aren’t compromised.
Maintaining Your Color-Matched Helmet
Once you’ve found or created the perfect Big Blue Pearl matching helmet, proper maintenance is key to preserving its appearance and protective qualities.
Tips for Helmet Care:
- Clean regularly with mild soap and water
- Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the finish
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
- Replace the helmet every 5 years or after any impact
- Use a helmet bag for protection during transport
How often should you clean your helmet. Regular cleaning after every few rides helps maintain the helmet’s appearance and hygiene. However, avoid excessive washing, which could potentially degrade the protective materials over time.
The Role of Lighting and Perception in Color Matching
When attempting to match a helmet to your Big Blue Pearl motorcycle, it’s important to consider how different lighting conditions can affect color perception. What appears to be a perfect match in the store may look different in natural sunlight or under artificial lighting.
Factors Affecting Color Perception:
- Natural vs. artificial light sources
- Time of day and weather conditions
- Surrounding colors and reflections
- Individual differences in color perception
How can you ensure a good color match in various conditions. When possible, view potential helmet options outdoors next to your motorcycle. Consider how the colors appear in different lighting scenarios before making a final decision.
Using Technology for Color Matching
Modern technology offers tools to aid in precise color matching. Color-matching apps and devices can help identify the exact shade of your Big Blue Pearl motorcycle, making it easier to find or create a matching helmet.
Are color-matching tools worth the investment. For riders passionate about achieving an exact match, these tools can be incredibly useful. However, remember that slight variations in manufacturing processes may still result in minor differences between the bike and helmet colors.
Balancing Style and Function in Helmet Choice
While finding a helmet that matches your Big Blue Pearl motorcycle is aesthetically pleasing, it’s crucial to remember that the primary function of a helmet is protection. Striking the right balance between style and safety should be every rider’s goal.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Helmet:
- Safety certifications (DOT, ECE, Snell)
- Proper fit and comfort for long rides
- Visibility and reflective elements
- Ventilation for temperature regulation
- Noise reduction features
- Compatibility with communication systems
- Ease of maintenance and cleaning
Can a helmet be both stylish and safe. Absolutely. Many modern helmets offer excellent protection while also featuring attractive designs. The key is to prioritize safety features and fit, then consider style and color matching as secondary factors.
The Psychology of Matching Gear
The desire to match your helmet to your Big Blue Pearl motorcycle goes beyond mere aesthetics. It can contribute to a sense of unity between rider and machine, potentially enhancing the overall riding experience.
How does matching gear affect rider confidence. Many riders report feeling more confident and connected to their motorcycles when their gear coordinates well. This psychological boost can contribute to a more enjoyable and focused riding experience.
Future Trends in Motorcycle Helmet Design
As motorcycle and helmet technologies continue to evolve, we can expect to see innovations that may make color matching easier and more precise in the future.
Potential Future Developments:
- Smart helmets with color-changing capabilities
- Advanced materials that offer better color consistency
- Improved custom painting techniques for exact matches
- Augmented reality visors that can display customizable colors
How will these advancements impact rider safety. While aesthetic innovations are exciting, the motorcycle industry continues to prioritize safety improvements. Future helmets will likely offer enhanced protection alongside greater style customization options.
Finding the perfect helmet to match your Big Blue Pearl motorcycle is a journey that combines aesthetics, safety, and personal preference. By considering factors such as color accuracy, helmet style, safety ratings, and comfort, riders can make informed decisions that enhance both their safety and style on the road. Remember that while a matching helmet can be a great addition to your riding gear, the most important aspect is always the protection it provides. With careful consideration and perhaps a bit of creativity, you can find or create a helmet that not only complements your Big Blue Pearl bike but also meets all your safety and comfort needs.
If you have Big Blue Pearl and want a matching helmet
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Take a look at the Arai Vector 2 in Diamond Blue. Saw one today in a local motorsports shop. Took it outside and it is almost a perfect match. If I wore a full face it would have been mine. Especially with the fact they were gonna knock $100 off.
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Garemlin said:
Take a look at the Arai Vector 2 in Diamond Blue. Saw one today in a local motorsports shop. Took it outside and it is almost a perfect match. If I wore a full face it would have been mine. Especially with the fact they were gonna knock $100 off.
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Awwwww shit. Ill have to google this one.
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Color looks good but its expensive and kinda fugly.
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Good looking helmet, and it’s not cheap.
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Nice looking helmet, but, damn, they are expensive. The cheapest one I can find is still over $350!
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Ernster500 said:
Nice looking helmet, but, damn, they are expensive. The cheapest one I can find is still over $350!
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If $350 is too much then whats the contents of the helmet when its worn worth?
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tmd said:
If $350 is too much then whats the contents of the helmet when its worn worth?
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I can’t speak for everyone but mine aren’t worth a hill of beans. Too many explosions and too much booze
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RichieRichMRMC said:
I can’t speak for everyone but mine aren’t worth a hill of beans. Too many explosions and too much booze
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Haha! Mine were worth $35 until I got by RGC and upgraded to a 3/4 from a skid lid (or egg shell as I always called it).
Now they are worth $99 + whatever shipping was…
E
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RichieRichMRMC said:
Color looks good but its expensive and kinda fugly.
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Looks good in person. And as far as full face helmets go it was pretty damn comfy.
And as far as price goes you get what you pay for I guess. Arai has earned #1 in JD Power and Associates customer satisfaction award while no other helmet brand has even earned a rank. From what I hear they are top notch quality helmets.
Here is another model of their helmets in Diamond Blue.
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If you can get an Arai for under $400 that is a good price.
So we will spend $300 on an air filter cover or a horn cover but not a helmet…
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Good one Flex!!!
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Flexin said:
If you can get an Arai for under $400 that is a good price.
So we will spend $300 on an air filter cover or a horn cover but not a helmet…
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I have no problem with the price. And as I said they were gonna knock $100 off the price which would have taken that helmet down to $395. But I just don’t wear full face helmets. If they had their 3/4 in that color it would have been a done deal.
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Garemlin said:
I have no problem with the price. And as I said they were gonna knock $100 off the price which would have taken that helmet down to $395. But I just don’t wear full face helmets. If they had their 3/4 in that color it would have been a done deal.
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Same here but hopefully the 3/4 wouldnt have cost $395
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Gare, that was not at you but in general when folks says its expensive.
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A good helmet will cost you, I tried on some Arai’s before I bought my Shoei, I don’t care what JD say’s, my Shoei fit better and is a whole lot more comfortable for me, and it wasn’t cheap either. When shopping for a helmet, I do look at the price, mainly to see if I can beat it somewhere else, but my main concerns are the DOT and SNELL rating, and that it’s comfy, then I start asking about the price.
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RichieRichMRMC said:
Same here but hopefully the 3/4 wouldnt have cost $395
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Actually their 3/4 run $499 and $599. That is spendy for a 3/4 helmet no matter how you look at it.
Flexin: Gotcha
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Flexin said:
If you can get an Arai for under $400 that is a good price.
So we will spend $300 on an air filter cover or a horn cover but not a helmet.
..
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..It’s not chrome though…..
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CAUTION: Big Blue Pearl Owners | Page 3
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If you own a FLTRU or other bike with BIG BLUE PEARL – please take note:
– my dealer has tried 3 times to have my tank paint repaired via warranty
– the “reputable” repair shop has found all kinds of excuses why the Big Blue Pearl is not coming out right
– One excuse was, the dealer did not provide the HD “activator” for the HD paint
– When I expressed my disappointment to the painter (no cussing, no yelling) he hung up on me saying, “Im working for Harley on this job, not you!”)
Bottom line, if you end up needing paint repair on your Big Blue Pearl, be ready for drama.
If not, I envy you.
It looks like I will have to pay for a new tank on my own. And of course, it won’t be thru the dealer where I bought the bike. I will leave them in my rear view mirror. DOOF
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I own a body shop and have been painting for 35 plus years. I have a friend with a Big Blue Pearl St Glide. He Painted inside His fairing. HD could not supply
paint yet. He found a Co. that got him the paint,but the metal flake was not as big. That may be the same problem your painter is having. Bottom line if HD
can not supply the correct paint they should supply a new factory painted tank
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I have been through all of this and it was a HEADACHE to try and get this color. I usually post on vtwin forum but I just found this place browsing google images for custom BBP bikes. I bought paint from this vendor and it looked very good, I put a 21 on with a longer fender and painted my helmet and the color match is amazing.
I lost so much money on PPG stuff and waiting on HD to “try” and get me a color (which doesn’t match well) I had to let all my fellow BBP owners know there is a solution
One of the quarts they sent me was black basecoat, the other was a crazy looking pearl and it needed to be sprayed over the black, end result was amazing.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Davi…_Automotive_Tools&hash=item1c2c2e8e5a&vxp=mtr
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BBP is quite easy to match and reasonably easy to get now through your local PPG auto body supply….it just is gonna cost $250 for a pint of the top special effect color, which isn’t even blue but just an opaque slurry of pearls that goes over plain old vivid black.
That cost includes two day shipping from the PPG Cleavland factory.
FYI, the acrylic urethane single stage paints you get at the Harley dealer rarely, if ever will match…over the years I have redone many jobs that guys have attempted to do with the dealer stuff.
You just can’t get a non cleared single stage paint to duplicate an exotic “Tri-coat” finish.
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Big Blue Pearl
I dont know were you are located at. I have lots of experience with this color and you can order this color in a factory pack from a ppg authorized dealer. Now saying that be ready for the 250 dollar tag for just the the topcoat, for a pint… This color is a tricoat system. first you put down black and then you shoot the big blue pearl over that and then you clear coat it in. With all that being said I just painted some wheel inserts for a race wheel for a bmw. If you are sick of them screwing you around you could always get a hold of me and we could get you taken care of. Soon I will be posting alot of photos of my custom cvo parts that I duplicated and alot of other cool harley stuff.
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Body Work
GBRepair said:
I dont know were you are located at.
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I have lots of experience with this color and you can order this color in a factory pack from a ppg authorized dealer. Now saying that be ready for the 250 dollar tag for just the the topcoat, for a pint… This color is a tricoat system. first you put down black and then you shoot the big blue pearl over that and then you clear coat it in. With all that being said I just painted some wheel inserts for a race wheel for a bmw. If you are sick of them screwing you around you could always get a hold of me and we could get you taken care of. Soon I will be posting alot of photos of my custom cvo parts that I duplicated and alot of other cool harley stuff.Looking forward to seeing your work
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GBRepair said:
I dont know were you are located at. I have lots of experience with this color and you can order this color in a factory pack from a ppg authorized dealer. Now saying that be ready for the 250 dollar tag for just the the topcoat, for a pint.
Click to expand…
.. This color is a tricoat system. first you put down black and then you shoot the big blue pearl over that and then you clear coat it in. With all that being said I just painted some wheel inserts for a race wheel for a bmw. If you are sick of them screwing you around you could always get a hold of me and we could get you taken care of. Soon I will be posting alot of photos of my custom cvo parts that I duplicated and alot of other cool harley stuff.Ranger1064 said:
Looking forward to seeing your work
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Me too,sending you a PM…want to get extended bags and lids very soon sprayed.
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Big Blue Pearl is a pearl metalflake sprayed over a vivid black base coat. My buddy has a ’12 SG and has base and pearl flake from Harley. He had his inner fairing sprayed after he bought it.
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