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Hey folks. After 14mo my thick/curly hair is about 7 inches. I ride a MC and it thrashes my hair. It's not quite long enough for a full pony as the sides still come out. When I come to a stop sign my hair is still sticking out straight in back as if I'm still moving. Ha! It also tangles the sh** out of it. Anyone other riders have this problem?
When I ride, I just tail my hair and put on the helmet. My tail is 12.5", which does get a bit snarled after a good ride. Lately, I've been thinking about segmenting my ponytail before riding. It'd probably save time after the ride!
--Rick
Thanks for the input. Guess I'll just let it fly for now and as it grows it'll be easier to tie up. I've seen those leather wraps some people wear to deal with tangles. By next riding season it'll be AWESOME.
I just let it fly in the wind.
I don't have a solution for the tangles, though.
--Red
I don't ride, but...could you just stuff it all under your helmet? Or is it too thick?
That's not really a very good idea. It would affect the fit of the helmet, and you would have to be very careful what you fastened it with as it would tend to jam into your head in an accident.
I used to tie back my hair in a low ponytail and wear it under my jacket. That works, and I would imagine that a pigtail (a braid in american) or a segnented ponytail would work too, plus they wouldn't be as hot in hot weather. I wear my hair in a plait (also = braid in American) quite often, but didn't use to when I had a motorcycle.
The problem that Bruce has is what to do if you can't tie your hair back because it's an awkward length. I'm not too sure. My hair had been long and tangled in the wind for years before I started to do anything about it.
Hang on, wait a minute, I do remember something that works at least to some extent. Wear a scarf. It doesn't have to be a thick winter scarf, it can be a thin one. White silk scarves used to be popular for bikers because pilots used to wear them in WW2. I couldn't afford a real one, but I had a genuine imitation! It fills up the gap between you helmet and your jacket at the back, and the front of the jacket tends to hold down the ends of the scarf (worn on the inside, of course).
It's all coming back to me now. I used to wear my imitation silk scarf in addition to tying my hair back, and if I didn't have a hairband it would help hold my hair inside my jacket. If you had shorter hair that wouldn't tie back a thin scarf (or even a thick one in cold weather) would tend to hold your hair down at the back and cover it somewhat.
Just to avoid all confusion, I am talking about scarves worn around the neck, not over the top of the head.
Don't forget also, if you do tie your hair back it only has to be the part that sticks out of the helmet. If other bits won't go in it doesn't matter because no-one will see it, and you can untie it before you take your lid off.
I wear my hair in a segmented tail and wear a dorag or bandana.Looking at your hair it looks like a dorag would work or a full face or 3/4 helmet.
Arrick
Though I don't ride motorcycles myself, I was riding back recently from CA (25 year high school reunion) with my wife driving, allowing me to watch other drivers. We passed a motorcyclist couple a few times wearing black leathers. One had a ponytail about a foot long. The important part is that the hair was completely covered by a tubular leather sheath about an inch in diameter that appeared to be a foot long, completely covering the ponytail. It stuck out below the back of the helmet and matched the jacket, and appeared to be tightened around the ponytail by some sort of lacing. It seems that this individual found a solution to 70 mph winds whipping hair to shreds while still enjoying (his?) hobby with a loved one. I hope this helps.
Bruce:
I do what Arrick does..wear a segmented ponytail, combined with a doo rag and more often than not a half shell or "beanie" helmet. A 3/4 or full shell would be even better. I find if I don't restrain my hair, I have to deal with alot of nasty tangles afterwards. Some guys I know also use the leather wraps mentioned, and I think those are an excellent option too.
Regards,
MIchael