The line of luxury Jet helmets by Goachic, for instance, which not only add to protection but also make you a sure-shot head-turner on the roads

We have been sporting designer numbers; now it's time to go a step further. The line of luxury Jet helmets by Goachic, foru00a0 instance, which not only add to protection but also make you a sure-shot head-turner on the roads. You can pick from Gods (hugging Shiva and Hanuman, Ganesha or a Laxmi) or modern designs, on display at the exhibition previewed above. The artist in question wanted to build a bridge between the opposites, and resultantly, Goachic is the best of both worlds: technology and heritage.

The gods shall protect: The helmet on the left has been designed by Manish Arora

Motivation matters
Fusing the Goan lounge culture with French elegance, an international artist, Chris Balzac, also the director of Goachic, has created exclusive helmets so fashionably unique that theyu00a0 raise the bar of an ordinary helmet to an avant garde art piece. "I am a huge bike lover, and always loved customising my bikes. I was on a bike trip through India at the time when the tsunami struck the coast. It was a sad time, and to change my mind-frame, I started painting my bike with a master painter from Rajasthan. Then, we did a helmet with Gods, to seek His blessings for the loss suffered," explains Balzac.
On talking about his inspiration, he reveals, "Well, one of my inspirations is the Peter Fonda helmet in the movie Easy Rider. The other one is American pop art genius Andy Warhol, who redefined the role of art in the society."

That heady feeling
The helmets are entirely hand-painted by master craftsmen, in the purest and finest tradition that defines India. The patterns are then decorated with 24-carat gold leaves. "We have developed a special technique and chemicals for these helmets, and the painting is also protected by four layers of varnish," he goes on.
It's buffalo hide, however, which is the bone of contention. "The leathers are specially developed in a tannery to meet their high requirements: softness, stain resistance, maximum respiration, for the leather parts that are in direct contact with the skin. I am hoping to see these helmets in the limelight in Dhoom 3," Balzac adds.

Desi dash
Moreover, there's the maverick Manish Arora who has brought together a variety of arts to design these helmetsu00a0 with Balzac, keeping in mind the uniqueness and interest of every individual for whom biking is a passion.

"3 Suisses, a French retailer doing a collection by Manish Arora, asked Goachic and Royal Enfield for co-branding, wherein Arora has to design one bike and a coordinated helmet for the collection. It is a big hit in France," he enlightens.

"Goachic will very soon launch a more affordable model, with different features, so that every ardent biker can lay his hands on it," he signs off.

Five common helmet myths
*u00a0Motorcycle helmets break necks
* Helmets decrease alertness and hide danger
* A helmet won't help in crashes
* A helmet will leave you brain damaged in a crash
* Helmets make riders feel secure but increase risky behaviour

How to choose your helmet size
1. Measure your head. Wrap a measuring tape around your head, about one inch (2.5 cm) above your eyebrows.
2. Use the sizing chart to select the helmet size that corresponds most closely to your head measurement.
Note: If your head size falls between two sizes, choose the smaller size.

The helmets are available
At: ULTRASTORE, 50-E, Hauz Khas Village
Call: 9971358479
For: Rs 19,000 onwards