| Author | Message | ||
     Nivek |
Hello All, First off, i apologize if this part of the forum isn't the most appropriate place for this topic, but i wanted input from a most specified group of riders (1125R). The people who ride this bike seem to do a lot with them. not just tour, commute, race the street or track, etc. So, that being said. I am looking for a new helmet and was interested in people's opinions. I do understand there isn't really a perfect or best one out there, just what meets the individuals requirements. The type of riding i am doing is mostly commuting, about 30 miles one way. But, like the rest of us i like to have my fun, and travel a little. I am interested in seeing what helmets people like for the universal applications, which ones have the best features for this. Currently, a bike shop has some Shark rsi's for sale, about $200 marked down from $350 and such, so that price has my attention. I have also been looking into the Icon Airframe. I have a friend that loves aria and shoei, i get a little bit of a hint that they are more of high speed track helmet purposed. I also, like this forum suggest, ride as much as possible in what ever weather it happens to be (haven't went as far as to a winter, snow/ice, set up. . yet). I do understand that each helmet will fit differently for different people, so i guess i wish to have this focus more toward the features and functions then fit and feel, but obviously they play a little bit of a part in each other. I also have tried to do a search in this forum on helmets and didn't really find anything. Thank you all, Nivek (Message edited by nivek on May 07, 2009) | ||
| P_squared |
Personally, I like helmets with internal visors (HJC FS-10, Scorpion EXO-1000, etc.) Don't have to carry extra visors anymore & I can flip up/down as needed. But as far as the rest of it goes, try on as many different makes/models as you can to find what fits your head best. THEN start looking at what features you want most. Just my opinion & YMMV. | ||
| Daggar |
I have a Shoei RF1000. I like it. If I was buying a helmet today, I would buy either a Shark or Akuma. I like the photosensitive visor that Akuma has. Very cool. | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Suomy Vandal. Best helmet I've ever had. Anti-Fog standard, good airflow, and absolutely no deflection when you turn your head. Quite comfortable, too. R | ||
| Edgydrifter |
I'm riding with a Vemar Jiano right now. Internal sun visor (will never own a helmet without one) with controls in the right place, unlike my Caberg Trip and some others. Not as supremely comfortable as my old Schuberth, but also not nearly as heavy, which does actually make a big difference given the ergos of the 1125. Assuming you're looking at lids from reputable mfgs, go with the one that fits best. Graphics and gadgets are nice but ultimately unimportant compared with fit and build quality. | ||
| Eaton_corners |
Take a look at webbikeworld.com for a very long list of helmet reviews. | ||
| Nivek |
Today i did try on a shark rsi and what felt weird (i'm just not use to it) is that the bottom, by my chin was a tad high than the bottom of my chin. does anyone know if that would be an issue when it comes to safety? | ||
| Badlionsfan |
I have the Shark RSX Flag. Love it. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
If you are looking for the best value, it's hard to beat Sparx helmets. For around $100 bucks, the quality is awesome. | ||
| Zac4mac |
Nolan N-102C modular. I don't do D-ring fasteners. Nolans have a ski-boot type latch. 102-C has a dark visor that flips down over the clear. I think the new one is a N-102D and it's dark visor is inside. Only bad thing is an occasional whistle. Z | ||
| Palmer |
SIMPSON STREET BANDIT! or ARAI! | ||
| Kttemplar |
I like modular helmets. I use the HJC Symax, which is under $200 and is a pretty good modular helmet as far as value for your dollar goes. Mike | ||
| Nivek |
I went to another custom motorcycle shop a little bit ago, they have really nice pin stripping done (http://www.ccwrx.com/). While talking to one of the people there, they recommended checking out scorpion exo-1000. Its there top of the line. Reviews say the anti-fog is about the best. It has tinted visor come down from inside the helmet between you and the clear visor. As well as a lot of other nice features. The guy just happen to have a XL in there and i tried it on. It felt real nice. Looking online, their size chart says i take a small i believe, so that leaves me a little confused, but oh well. For about $300 i'd say its a great deal. I will certainly post how i like it, when i get it, after some riding experience with it. Thanks all. -Nivek | ||
| Geforce |
I have and currently wear, BELL, HJC, Akuma, and SHOEI. Bell, cheap, lightweight, effective helmet that is good for passengers who hardly ever ride. HJC, not bad, little wind noise, doesn't fit my nugget just right. Akuma, SWEET helmet, the integrated LED system is awesome and really gets attention, the new photochrome visor system is also bad @ss. Tad bit of wind noise at speed but great helmet. SHOEI, RF-1000, I wear this helmet when I ride agressively. It's very lightweight, wind noise is minimal, anti fog is great and the comfort on my nugget is the best of all the ones I have. I am biased with SHOEI because of the amount of time I have spent under one, and it seems to hug my brain pan the best. Overall, for daily street riding I wear the Akuma. If I am increasing my risk I up my safety and go with full leathers and don the SHOEI. If I had to pick one to crash in it would be the SHOEI. | ||
| Endoman33 |
All I own are shoie's. RF 900 and a RF 1000. I ride in one of the two all the time. I have tried many other brands, but Shoie's fit my tater the best. | ||
| Ron_luning |
I have an Arai Astral-X and an Arai Corsair V. The Astral-X has been replaced by Arai with a model called the Profile. The Astral-X fits me a bit better than the Corsair V. The Corsair is the top of the line helmet from Arai, and the Astral was the bottom of the line. Aside from the fit, I actually like the Astral-X better. The ventilation is better than any other brand of helmet I've owned, and the feel of the interior lining is like a pillow. The Corsair-V has a lot of features that make it good for a track helmet (removable liner, more ventilation). However, the amount of wind blowing into your eyes (with the faceshield closed obviously) is totally unacceptable. If I could do it over again, I'd have purchased the Profile instead of the Corsair V. | ||
| Socoken |
I have a SHOEI and love it. I wear it for my everyday commute, and sprints on the weekends. | ||
| Jaimec |
The successor to the Nolan N-102 is the Nolan N-103, which I have. LOVE the helmet, one of the most comfortable I've ever ridden and convenient as well. The sun shield is internal (instead of external like on the N-102) and can be a little stiff until it's broken in. Still, it's a wonderful helmet and I can't imagine wearing anything else at the moment (in the past I've had Arai, Shoei, Bell and Schuberth helmets). | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
I have an Arai Signet GT-R, a Suomy Spec-1R, and a Shark RSI. The Arai is my rain helmet, the Suomy is my track helmet, and the Shark gets used for the remaining 95% of my time on the bike. The RSI is arguably the best helmet I ever worn- it's light, quiet, high quality, easy to operate, reasonably priced and has the ECE approval. Most importantly- each of these helmets is designed to fit long-oval head shapes. Helmet fit ranks just above the safety rating when choosing what you are going to protect your brain with- the safest helmet in the world does you no good if it doesn't fit you properly. Most helmets don't fit me- there is not a single Shoei that fits my head shape. It is really important to try as many helmets on as possible, and to make sure they fit properly, before pulling the trigger on a helmet purchase. Take the time and do it right. | ||
| Xl1200r |
The helmet I currently use now is a Suomy Spec-1R. A little noisy, but the quality is top notch, it's SUPER comfortable, and it's SUPER light, which is the biggest reason I got it. It's literally almost like you're not wearing on. I also have an Icon Alliance SS that I really like but I don't wear anymore. Comfortable, noisy, really good airflow. | ||
| Spectrum |
I have a Nolan N102 and N103, an Icon Alliance and a Shoei RF1000. The Nolan's are neat helmets with lots of cool features, but heavy and noisy as heck. The Icon is a nice no features inexpensive helmet. The Shoei is the lightest, quietest most comfortable helmet I own. The Shoei shields fog worse than any helmet I own. But I don't wear any of these. Instead I wear my Scorpion EXO-1000. As P_squared said, the internal flip down sun shade is an awesome feature and why this helmet is the only one I wear. The Scorpion is not light weight, but not heavy either. It doesn't have the best ventilation, but does an adequate job. The Scorpion has the best aerodynamics of all the helmets I own and the shields are fairly fog resistant. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I am in the minority, but I wouldn't wear anything SNELL rated (although I believe they have changed or are changing their standards making them more crash worthy in real life) DOT only for me. | ||
| Ridenusa4l |
y not both lol?? Jake | ||
| Fresnobuell |
DOT helmets protect your brain better than SNELL helmets, primarily due to the SNELL testing methods which make the helmet effective too stiff to absorb as much energy as a DOT rated helmet. SNELL helmets are really good, it's just a personal preference of mine to stay away from them....plus the DOT helmets are way cheaper! | ||
| Blublak |
As already said above.. START WITH PROPER FIT!!! After that, then you can worry about everything else. Personally, I have two Arais' because they fit me properly. A lot of people don't understand fit of a helmet but if you go to a good Arai dealer (they will have no problem spending time with you getting shape, and sizes correct for your head) - TAKE NOTES if you have too so you know what it correct for you. Once you know what the proper fit is like, then start going through your choices. As with ALL your gear, BUY THE BEST YOU CAN AFFORD, after all you should be worth it to yourself. All of my helmets carry DOT/SNELL/ECE etc. since I know it's the same construction they put on MotoGP riders and such. But that's a personal thing. Now, once you've found your helmet size and shape, now you've got your brands.. NOW think about 'how cool does it look' if that even comes into the equation for you. My lids are all capable of 'multiple' duties, as any good helmet should be. I have good protection, light weight, good visibility, decent noise suppression (some lids are so loud as to encourage you to NOT ride with it.), work well in all kinds of weather and IMHO look good too boot. If your spending good money, get good value. I hope that helps a little. | ||
| Pariah |
Fresno, it's not that DOT is superior to SNELL, but rather a euro-standard like ECE 22, BSI or a SHARP rating that's supposedly preferable to SNELL (less outer shell rigidity for better absorption of impact). I mean, DOT doesn't say much--- even half helmets are DOT approved (in other words, DOT doesn't test chin bars!!). I had a Suomy SPEC-1R (2007 model). Nice helmet, comfortable, great graphics, non-SNELL (BSI rated). Destroyed in a spill at the track. Now I have a Shark RSX helmet (one down from top-of-the-line), for about the same price, but I like the fit better. Venting not quite as good as the Suomy, still good. The visor is incredible--- 3mm thick (seems bulletproof). I'd definitely check out Shark as it outrated Suomy by one star in the SHARP tests. Another helmet brand that got stunning SHARP ratings was AGV. I believe the Buell Turbulent helmet is an AGV. I tried them, but didn't like the fit as much as the Shark. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Nivek- Check this site for lots of info on helmets including many reviews: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/mot orcycle-helmet-faq.htm I know it's not really what you're looking for, but be aware the Shark RSI is a "long oval" fit, like the Arai Profile. I bought an RSI about a month ago and like it pretty well, but I think I wish I had gotten one size larger. For the money (~$200 discounted), it's a very nice helmet. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
ECE is good too. DOT and ECE seem to run together on helmets. I guess it's more anti-SNell than pro-anything else. | ||
| Bigschwerm |
Ive been wearing a AFX FX-16 Blue skull helmet that i won at a local bike night. i absolutely love this helmet. My Icon has been sitting in the closet for the last few months. | ||
| Doctorneon |
I have for many many years worn a shoei. I currently have an x-11. Ari makes a good helmet also. People have usually a round or oblong head. Helmet House in Daytona has real good prices. Remember "If you have a ten dollar head, were a ten dollar helmet". |
