I am currently riding with a borrowed helmet, but I think I should return it. I have been looking around and have realized there are fifty million helmets out there. I need to narrow my shearch a little by simply excluding bad shell construction.
The helmets I have been looking at so far......................
Shoei(which I know are one of the best)
KBC (I don't know where these guys stand in the market)
Icon (Not sure on this one either)
How much does the price affect the quality, and not the paint job?
Obviously I don't wanna buy a $90 helmet. But when I'm looking at helmets from $250-$400 I don't know how much of that is in the paint.
A little tip on paint & price:
look at the type of helmet for the manufacturer you like, then look at the same model, but in a solid color. compare the two & prices & that will give you an idea of how much they are charging for the graphics.
then compare the solid models you like between manufacturers.
--Lucky
Quote from: [jh] on June 30, 2007, 02:59:59 PM
Obviously I don't wanna buy a $90 helmet. But when I'm looking at helmets from $250-$400 I don't know how much of that is in the paint.
you can get a new plain Shoei RF1000 for around $300 .... nice bucket... check scorpions for a highly rated helmet for around $200
no matter what you get, try one on B4 you decide.... a $500 Arai is worthless if it don't fit.
I like my white Shoei Rf1000... fits great and looks like a ping pong ball going down the road no matter what color skin I have on
Any DOT certified helmet is good protection. The more expensive helmets are usually quieter and lighter. If you wear glasses you might consider the flip up full coverage. Let me back up here, I always think full coverage when talking helmets. Half helmets and open face helmets are not what I consider protective equipment. I wear a KBC lid, DOT& Snell, great ventilation.
http://www.mcnews.com/mcnews/articles/helmet.htm (http://www.mcnews.com/mcnews/articles/helmet.htm)
http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_0108_buying_motorcycle_helmet/ (http://www.sportrider.com/features/146_0108_buying_motorcycle_helmet/)
The key is to buy a helmet that fits right. I had a shoei ZII and it was alright. I currently have an HJC AC-12 carbon and love it
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/hjc/carbon/ (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/hjc/carbon/)
It's lighter than the standard model but is the same in other respects. The key is to go some place and try some on to make sure they fit right. Make sure the guy helping you knows what he's talking about.
. buy the best you can afford. but a word of caution, if it is under 100.00, you arent buying anything worth using .
my choice - HJC sy-max modular with dual tech visior system ,in clear outer visior, uv blocking light in smoke gray for bright day rides is on the inner visor clip .
i like flip up modular helmets, but i also look for DOT and SNELL ratings. the HJC is only DOT rated, but in tests, it exceeded requirements for rating by 700 percent, good enough for me (under 200.00 in any color or paint scheme)
Any of the name brands will be a quality lid. Try a lot of them on. When I went about replacing my very old Bell Tourstar II a few years ago, I just started trying on all I could find in my size. Different models within the same manufacturer will fit differently. Buy the one that fits best. I found the HJC CL-14 fit me pretty good. Used it for about 4 years. The chin strap began to fray (one of the signs you need a new helmet). I went through the process again. When I tried on the Shoei RF1000, I immediately knew it fit even better than the HJC. Over time, I hadn't realized how much the foam on the HJC had packed out, loosening the helmet. The Shoei is uniformly snug all around my head.
The differences I've noticed when spending more for a helmet are: better ventilation, more convenient features / operation, less noise and maybe a little lighter weight. The RF1000 is a fair amount smaller in external dimensions than the CL-14. It's also tons quieter. A modular style will be louder just because of the hinge mechanism & it's effects on the airflow around it.
One great feature that is available normally on the more expensive lids is a fully removeable liner. Even the RF1000 has only removeable cheek pads. A fully removeable liner is much easier to keep clean & in turn, less 'smelly'.
Thus, my advice when choosing a helmet is to make your choice based on the following order:
1. Fit
2. Construction (DOT rated minimum)
3. Features
4. Price
5. Style / Graphics
H2O
Quote from: kiawrench on June 30, 2007, 10:16:09 PM
. buy the best you can afford. but a word of caution, if it is under 100.00, you arent buying anything worth using .
my choice - HJC sy-max modular with dual tech visior system ,in clear outer visior, uv blocking light in smoke gray for bright day rides is on the inner visor clip .
i like flip up modular helmets, but i also look for DOT and SNELL ratings. th eHJC is only DOT rated, but in tests, it exceeded requirements for rating by 700 percent, good enough for me (under 200.00 in any color or paint scheme)
there are no SNELL flip up modulars...no such animal, Snell wont cert them....
I had been looking for the article that was written on helmet crash tests but couldn't find it. Turns out that (going by the data) the cheapest helmet offered the best protection. I believe it was a scorpion of some sort. If i can find the article I'll post it.
there are a few manufacturers that claim DOT and snell rated modulars, but , as Lucky says, none have been actually rated snell, due to no test standard being out there. but ,as far a a test data source, you can read :
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/flip_face_helmet_comparison/
they cover a few of the best out there, including the schuberth ,with all steel locking chin bar and dual visors and emergency info pocket. if it wasnt for the price, schuberth would be my choice, as it fits the best of all helmets i have ever tried on.
as it is, i chose the hjc symax, 2006 model, due to imporved design and materials .
I was actually looking into getting one of those flip up helmets but I don't believe you can use them on track days atleast this is what I was told.
I'm currently looking at the Icon Mainframe for my first full helmet.
http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?action=detail&model_ID=99&Category_ID=8&manufacturer_ID=401&product_ID=17725&sblid_name=detail (http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/detail.cfm?action=detail&model_ID=99&Category_ID=8&manufacturer_ID=401&product_ID=17725&sblid_name=detail)
Good venting, switchable shields, sounds like good anti-fogging options, DOT & Snell, removable earpads (not full liner but oh well for now) and under $300 by a little. On the tail end graphics aren't bad either. Now I just have to find some to try 'em on.
my girlfriend has the Icon Mainframe. It has great ventilation and is much quieter than my Harley helmet. The padding holds it from moving around even when buffeted from wind. I think Icon is one of th greatest values for a helmet out there right now while still offering great graphics if that's what you are looking for.
If you intend on doing some track days or even get into some club racing, a DOT certification alone is not normally sufficient. Most sanctioning bodies & track owners require a SNELL rating, often the next most recent (now SNELL 2005). There's also a European rating (which I can't remember at the moment) that most motorcycle sanctioning bodies accept. Just one more thing to consider when making your purchase.
H2O
I think Icon is where it's at for me, but I still need to try some more on .
I tried on a few helmets at the Cycle World show, found the HJC CL-14 fit well, and came across a brand new one in the paper about a week later for $100. Good price, great fit, but only decent for wind noise. I've also tried a couple Scorpions and been impressed about the finish quality and fit for a moderate price. I'm a cheap SOB, so I'd rather spend $100-250 now and buy another similarly priced helmet in a couple years than buy a $500 work of art and be reluctant to replace it because of the price.
Motorcyclist had some helmet articles awhile back, I believe they concluded Snell standards aren't very helpful due to tests that don't mimic most motorcycle accidents. There's a double hit test in one spot, which forces manufacturers to increase the strength of the helmet beyond what is ideal for limiting shock to the brain. Of course, YBBMV.
Since many of my rides are 200 miles or more, I put comfort, venting & low noise at the top of my list. Right up there is the aerodynamic efficiency - especially in cross winds. The Shoei outperforms the HJC for me in each of those categories - but by only a little bit, except for noise where the Shoei is much quieter. The difference was enough for me to go with the Shoei, even at 2x the price of the HJC. In White, they can be had for just over $300 from several web sources. I found mine at the local BMW / Ducati dealer for $329. (Cheaper than the Yamaha dealer!) The difference wasn't enough to make me order one from some out of town source. Buy local when possible - you will normally get much better service.
H2O
Well my hjc is the top model and it makes the shoei i had look like bell. The shoei, i felt was just poorly made. The vents were lose and the visor never did close right even with many attemps of adjusting it. In all fairness, the ZII was an older model than than AC-12.
The best helmet you can get is the one that fits the nicest. Compared to the old days there are some awesome helmets today. Always try on a helmet before you buy. Once you get the right make and model shop around on ebay or the like and get a good deal. Hey even a used helmet (in really good condition) is an option to try before you buy a nice new one, and then use it for a spare. Really consider ventilation and if you are riding in extreme heat. Ventilation is probably more affected by the amount of padding and layout inside the helmet. Helmets really differ in this respect.
I actually change helmets depending upon the season. I love the Shoei RF models for cold weather, lots of soft padding all around and fits like a glove. In the hot weather I ditch the Shoei and opt for the HJC CL-Max (flip up modular had a Sys-max previously) not as much padding and lots more air movement yet still very comfortable, you can open it up to get some air as needed. All helmets are designed for different head shapes and you really want to try before you buy because what works great for one fella may not be so great for another.
Good hunting,
Here's my 2 pennies worth...
If it fits well and is a snell helmet then buy it. Graphics are nice but any bike show will have an airbrush guy that can, for a nominal fee, paint your helmet whatever color you want. Fit is most inportant in helmets as a poor fitting helmet is useless. I like a little wind noise myself as it reminds me I'm on a bike not in a cage. I wear a CL-14 HJC right now that I moved into from a CL-11. Both good helmets and believe me, I've tried several on. Some just seem to fit better than others. Go for fit. And always buy a Snell helmet.
CL-15 and a Scorpion EXO-400
the scorpion had posh'er inards, but the finish of the HJC everywhere else is better than the Scorpion, I couldnt keep it fogless at all this winter, hopefully the HJC does better come winter
always check newenough.com
about the best prices of anywhere you can find
One word "ARAI" They have the right one for everyone. Look for models that have been discontinued for the best deal.
Take a look here "www.sierra-mc.com"
Kinda likin' the Icon Domain one too. Still need to check out the other links. :)
I haven't found any helmet that doesn't fog up in cool weather. The HJC was really bad at that. The Shoei does, but de-fogs quicker when moving. I tried Fog-X and it helped a lot. Still have some fogging when slow or stopped & the temps are in the 40s (F) or lower.
Have heard good things about Fog City visor liners. Haven't tried them yet, but may give one a go this fall.
H2O
Try rubbing in a little bit of shaving foam onto the inside of your face shield with a soft cloth. Rub it until the foam disappears. First check it out on an old trashed face shield to make sure the plastic will remain undamaged. An alternative to shaving foam is liquid detergent. Use very little and rub more.
This is the one I wound up going with. It's based on the Mainframe I was looking at with the skulls and limited to a run of 4000. Most places only have Small & X-Small left.
https://www.bikebandit.com/product/6145 (https://www.bikebandit.com/product/6145)
There's also the counter model, similar story.
https://www.bikebandit.com/product/6144 (https://www.bikebandit.com/product/6144)
If I had the funds I'd get both just because. ;) The Saint/Sinner 'censor' decals come off if you choose.
They also have a promo code on 'em that cuts $100 off the price. It's PRSINNER for the Sinner one, I'd presume it's PRSAINT for the other if they have on but not sure if they do or not.
well, the verdict is in............................. I have made my choice. After careful consideration and many many helmets later(my face hurts) I have chosen a Arai Vector. Although it was not my first choice as far as style goes it was by far the most cumfy helmet on my head. Runners up....... Shoei RF-1000 Joust Black and grey, it had a little bit of everything, style comfort, and price. Icon mainframe seem to have the most bang for your buck, it looked really cool, it is a well made helmet, and comfort wasn't bad. In the end the difference between the Arai and the above was just to much(no good paint jobs though, I went with matt black).
Quote from: zore on July 01, 2007, 09:28:21 AM
I had been looking for the article that was written on helmet crash tests but couldn't find it. Turns out that (going by the data) the cheapest helmet offered the best protection. I believe it was a scorpion of some sort. If i can find the article I'll post it.
Don't blow off the sub-100$ helmets totally. My z1r Strike (-90$) saved my life this weekend. I laid my vision down at around 50mph and smacked my face on the pavement. If it weren't for my cheap ass helmet I would no longer have a chin. Here is the article Zore was thinking about, I think. http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/
The helmet fits me great and beat out a lot of the high priced helmets. Im cheap, what can I say. But I was very impressed with how well the helmet reacted, I barely felt my head hit. Just my 2 cents. If you do your research sometimes youll find cheaper is better, sometimes. Also, the Hein Geiricke Tricky leather jacket is amazing, after sliding 20 feet there's barely a scratch on it and it save me from major road rash, GO COWHIDE!!!
It's worth mentioning as well that the DOT rating helmets get isnt for show, it actually does mean the helmet is safe. Snell is something else all together, but dot helmets are actually tested.
Quote from: packman85 on July 09, 2007, 01:54:26 PM
Quote from: zore on July 01, 2007, 09:28:21 AM
I had been looking for the article that was written on helmet crash tests but couldn't find it. Turns out that (going by the data) the cheapest helmet offered the best protection. I believe it was a scorpion of some sort. If i can find the article I'll post it.
Don't blow off the sub-100$ helmets totally. My z1r Strike (-90$) saved my life this weekend. I laid my vision down at around 50mph and smacked my face on the pavement. If it weren't for my cheap ass helmet I would no longer have a chin. Here is the article Zore was thinking about, I think. http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/
The helmet fits me great and beat out a lot of the high priced helmets. Im cheap, what can I say. But I was very impressed with how well the helmet reacted, I barely felt my head hit. Just my 2 cents. If you do your research sometimes youll find cheaper is better, sometimes. Also, the Hein Geiricke Tricky leather jacket is amazing, after sliding 20 feet there's barely a scratch on it and it save me from major road rash, GO COWHIDE!!!
This was exactly the article I was looking for. I would welcome all of you to read it.
Quote from: inanecathode on July 09, 2007, 02:09:20 PM
It's worth mentioning as well that the DOT rating helmets get isnt for show, it actually does mean the helmet is safe. Snell is something else all together, but dot helmets are actually tested.
Yeah, that's one reason I didn't mind getting mine. It's a half instead of a full and was around $80 (AFX brand) but it is DOT certified so had to have been sufficiently tested.
AW, are we to understand that you are not purchasing a full coverage helmet?
(http://img.alibaba.com/photo/50431105/Chrome_Plated_German_Style_Helmet.jpg)
I believe this is it. I borrowed one of these once. It saved me from a horrible rocking chair accident at Deals Gap.
(http://www.rc30.us/images/gap04/051204-05.jpg)
All kidding aside boys and girls. Lets keep our wits about us. I got to see a harley rider planted face first on the pavement as he crashed into a cargo van.
A former neighbor & Harley rider once told me that full face helmets were neck breakers. This same neighbor broke his leg severely when trying to kick start his bike. Most protection I ever saw on his head when riding was a bandanna. ::)
H2O
As far as trying them out, when I took the basic rider course, the instructor told us any reputable helmet dealer will let you try it on for 20-30 min and you'll know if it fits well after 10 min.
guess he should have been wearing that bandana on his leg eh?
Quote from: QBS on July 09, 2007, 08:25:47 PM
AW, are we to understand that you are not purchasing a full coverage helmet?
Nope, I'm getting a full (the Sinner one linked above). I just originally bought a half POW one a few years ago and it's what I've been riding with the past couple of weeks with my Oakley Juliets. Sinner should be here about Wednesday. :)
I see that although he bashed his head, he was able to save the beer in its upright position. Maybe that helmet needs to be rethought in its usefulness afterall.
Bah, noggins can be thumped a bit (I've done mine enough in various ways) but a beer bottle's likely to break. Gotta have priorities man! :D
indeed ;D
i kinda wanna get this helmit and have hand painted pinstripes on it like my bike has... dark blue, baby blue and, white
http://www.indysuperbike.com/image.php?productid=115898 (http://www.indysuperbike.com/image.php?productid=115898)
I tried the Icons on alot because I really liked the look, but they are super uncomfortable.
On the one I got the cheek pads are a bit snug if I don't have my teeth together, but I'm figurin' that part will ease up a bit after wearin' it a while.
different helmets fit different heads differently.... don't buy or not buy a helmet based on someone else's fit to their bean.... try it on youself
I let CndLouie try on my Shoei RF-1000.... same size (large) but different fit than his older RF
it's true, I tried a bunch of helmets that fit well, but once I tried the Arai Vector, the difference was unbelievable, even up against their top model.
Take a look at Simpson...
I am on my second Simpson street helmet.
Gentlemen, I'm very sorry if someone has already recomended Simpson.. I have limited time tonight (LOL like always) and only read the first few post. :-[
Simpson makes excellent gear. Tough to find their motorcycle helmets, but well worth the look. A friend had a crash in the mid 80s on his GPz550 (the same one I used to get my MC license). Forced off the Interstate by a truck changing lanes. He went into the median and the front tire hit a large rock, launching him over the bars. He was wearing an early version Simpson Bandit. It was broken up pretty bad, but he suffered a very minor concussion, a collapsed lung, cracked vertebra, broken ribs and lots of cuts / bruises. He hasn't ridden since the accident, but would highly recommend that helmet to anyone. The chin bar was almost entirely torn off - a couple layers of fiberglass were still holding on on one side. The right side was pretty well eggshelled as well. Said he doesn't remember anything from his initial impact until the State Trooper was there talking to him and he had a headache for a day or two. Pretty good for a headfirst impact with the ground at around 60 MPH.
H2O
Truth be told, trying on other peoples helmets may or may not give you a good idea what your new helmet will fit like. Helmets break in and conform to the lumps and shape or miss shape of your head.
I would not buy a helmet thinking it would "break in" to fit...
I had a KBC helmet that never "broke in". after a year the cheekpads were still too tight... even after a an additional winter of compression under barbells....
the helmet C_L tried on was nearly new... same size... only different
I guess my helmets might get more use than most since I ride almost every day. My shoei went from good fitting to loose in 3 years. My HJC I got in october was probably a bit snug for me but now fits perfectly.
"My shoei went from good fitting to loose in 3 years. "
Zore, did you try changing the beer can? That could be why the helmet is loose. Or maybe the metal in the can is thinner? :)
Quote from: zore on July 19, 2007, 09:04:19 AM
I guess my helmets might get more use than most since I ride almost every day. My shoei went from good fitting to loose in 3 years. My HJC I got in october was probably a bit snug for me but now fits perfectly.
That's what I'm hopin' for on mine. It's not painfully uncomfortable or anything, just a smidge annoying once in a while.