| Author | Message | ||
     Rangerxb9 |
Just curious as to what helmet you guys use or recommend for a first helmet? don't want to break the bank either. At the dealer they have a black buell helmet for $165. The helmet is on buells site, heres the link http://www.buell.com/en_us/bikes_gear/apparel/productslist.asp?Menu_ID=1&ID=1526 &MITEM=73 Its the Redline helmet. Do any of you have it? How is it? Good ventilation? Should i have them drop the price on it? I tried it on and it seemed pretty nice, but i dunno what all goes into a good helmet other than it being DOT and SNELL approved. Also was looking at the HJC AC-11 line. Thanks! | ||
| Jaredkuper |
I have an HJC CS12. Best advice I can give is try the thing on. Not worth much if it's not comfortable for your individual preference. Most people buy helmets too big, remember it should fit very snug even on the sides. It wouldn't hurt if you could try it out in the wind to see how noisy it is, but not sure if anyplace will let you do that. | ||
| 12r |
IMO don't even go there - look at Arai, Shoei or possibly AGV. Go for something that feels a little tight at first (but not across the forehead) - Arais bed down a little after a month or so. Spend as much as you can - you won't regret it. | ||
| Fl_billy |
I really like the KBC's. Relatively inexpensive (under $200), very comfortable, good ventilation and good noggin protection. I'm on my third one now. Unfortunately, my second one had to be retired after it was clipped by a Ford Sport Trac, with my head inside it! I've got the tire tracks on it to prove it......I love my KBC!! Oh yeah, both www.helmetharbor.com and www.motorcyclecloseouts.com have some good deals on both their older models as well as their 2005 models. One word of caution, try one on locally before buying online. I wear a medium in Shoei, Icon and Arai but a small in the KBC VR-1. Happy helmet shopping!! | ||
| Race_pirate |
I ride and race with AGV helmets. My reccomendation would be something with a snell rating, that is comfortable and wont rock off your head. AGV and KBC make great helmets in a few price ranges, for @$200 you can get a decent lid. Same as above, I were a medium AGV but large in Arai. Sizing can be fun if you order online. | ||
| Black9 |
I have that helmet, and it fits me well, and has good ventilation, BTW I believe it is a KBC lid, also have a HJC CL14, and the fit and ventilation is not nearly as good as the KBC, same advice as above...try them on before you buy! | ||
| Buelliedan |
I am a Shoei fan myself. Had a friend go down at about 30 mph wearing an HJC full face and the chin bar collapsed into her mouth causing her to lose 7 teeth and have her jaw wired shut for 2 month. Not a pretty pic. Compare the chin bar size of a HJC or KBC to a Shoei and you will see the Shoei has about an extra 3/4 of an inch of bar to stand up better in a crash. I have a few lightly used helmets for sale if you want to save some money. A Shoei rf 800 and a KBC VR1. Both are size XL and both are black. Each will run about $75. | ||
| M1combat |
IMO KBC is every bit as good as Arai, Shoei and AGV. They use the same process to form the shell, the interior is excellent and removable, the lens and attachment mechanisms are top notch (maybe even above top notch on the newest models). They are comfortable, have great ventalation (at least my VR-1 does) and are very light, as light as any of the more expensive brands. The shape of the VR-1 and a couple of the newer ones promote stability wrt your head. It's simply a must (IMO) to have a ridged helmet at high speed. KBC is a reasonably new company compared to the others, but mark my words... They will be just as much of a house hold name as Arai, Shoei and AGV. | ||
| M1combat |
Oh, and they use the same material for the shell construction... | ||
| Stealthxb |
Rangerxb9... I have the Redline helmet and have not had any problems with it. The fit and ventilation are both good and the price is right. I do believe the Redline is a KBC. | ||
| Buelliedan |
M1, place a KBC next to a Shoei and compare the chinbars. You might be surprised at the difference. It just isn't worth the risk in my opinion to save a few dollars. | ||
| Djkaplan |
I can personally attest to the crashworthyness of Shoei helmets. I'm still shaving the same face I was born with... | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
And I can personally atest to the crashability of my KBC. The helmet has 3 distinct impacts one being the chinbar, and according to the ER it did exactly what it was suppossed to do. | ||
| Glitch |
I have an Arai Quantum e, and the Buell Pole Position. The Arai is my favorite, but not tested. The Buell helmet has been tested and retired. Saved my face and the side of my head.  But, you can get a $10 helmet, if you have a $10 head... | ||
| Brad_buell |
Does any one have any experience with the Icon line of helmets? | ||
| M1combat |
It's not about the money spent... It's about the construction material and process first, then features... If I can get the same process and materials with all the features I like (keep in mind I like to have a ridged helmet) for 1/2 the price of the top shelf helmets... Why wouldn't I? I could care less about saving money when I buy a helmet. I care about safety, then features. The KBC helmets fit the bill perfectly. Go ahead and spend money for no reason... I'm sure that Shoei, AGV or Arai tag on the front of your helmet will save your life... IMO... KBC helmets (the VR series anyway, which are the only ones I have experience with) are every bit as good as the best. Ergo... They are one of the best. | ||
| M1combat |
Brad... Not I... What construction process do they use? What material? | ||
| Glitch |
It's not about the money spent... Agreed, I guess I should have said buy a cheap helmet, if you have a cheap head. Cheap, not meaning the price. | ||
| Buellisti |
The label that concerns me most is whether or not the lid has passed testing with the Snell Memorial Foundation. Snell standards are significantly more rigorous than DOT. KBC, Arai, Shoei passed DOT during the agency's 2004 audit. The list of helmets that failed was extensive and included a few of AGV's budget label. KBC, Arai, Shoei and AGV's upper tier helmets passed Snell's testing with flying colors. A Snell rated helmet is a Snell rated helmet regardless of price. A helmet is disposable protective gear and not a status symbol I would hope. I personally have never liked the fit of any of the Arais. Even with the various head shaped interiors, I simply could not get a good fit. I have owned mostly Shoeis, because of fit. I have tried HJC, but didn't like the fit. I currently have a couple of KBC's and I have found the fit and finish acceptable. KBC is track proven. Mladin used a KBC Racer1 the last couple of years and is wearing a VR-2 this season. Jason Pridmore and Ben Spies are wearing HJC. Rossi is showing national pride and wearing an AGV. The bothers Hayden wear Arai. None of these heads are cheap. Remember also that the primary reason a racer chooses a brand of helmet is either sponsorship or contigency cash. Arai and Shoei pay a goodly sum in contingency cash and hence you see a lot of racers wearing those helmets. $$$ | ||
| 12r |
There's far more to it than the safety sticker. The British Standards test surpasses DOT, Snell and all EU standards but even so it's only an indication of how it performed in a lab. If the lid doesn't fit, mists up, rattles or impairs your senses it ain't worth jack. Racers get a new lid every race so durability isn't an issue. Like Buellidan, I have had my share of cheap lids that deteriorate in a matter of months whereas every quality helmet has lasted until I decided it was time for a change. I agree that spending a ton of money doesn't guarantee a great helmet but it sure goes a long way towards it. A new Arai every few years or half-a-dozen economy lids ? | ||
| Fdl3 |
Anybody here try the Schuberth Concept C2 (or any Schuberth helmet)?  How about the new Nolan X-1002 (or any of the flip-face Nolans)?  | ||
| Freyke |
I'm a SHOEI fan myself... I've got a 2003 RF-900, thats been replaced by the RF-1000 http://www.helmetharbor.com It's a good idea to replace your helmet every 5 years at a minimum.. After time the foam/interior starts to break down minimizing the effectiveness of the helmet... I've had three Shoeis (RF-200, 700 and 900) and they've all been comfy and quite... I've bought two of them from HelmetHarbor.com they seem to have the best prices... | ||
| Voto077 |
Cant beat AGV XR-2 is a great looking helmet and fits nice and snug. The biggest thing is it dosent hardly ever fog up on me. My brother has HJC and is always running into the fog prob. Spend a little extra and u will be happy to put er on every ride. | ||
| Shorty_ii |
My all time favorite is my current Arai Quantum F, but I may replace it with a Shoei RF1000 as it is at the five year mark. I have a suggestion for those buying online as I did. I was concerned about fit when I could not try one on. Most helmets are made in countries using the metric system. So I had my wife use her cloth tape measure which is calibrated in both metric and English systems. It fit perfectly around the perimeter of my head and measured 57.5 cm. I then called to order an Arai (when you could do that) and asked them to look inside the helmet as they ususally advertise S, M, L, etc. The Arai is marked in centimeters and the M size was marked 57 to 58, a perfect fit as it turned out. So if possible I'd use the metric size as that was the standard to which the helmet was made. | ||
| Wyckedflesh |
Go to a shop and test fit the helmets. Find the size that fits best in the model you want then go online and find the best deal in that size and model. | ||
| Buelliedan |
Wycked, That is exactly why Arai stopped selling helmets online. Dealers should not be treated as a free demo ride. I suggest you talk to your local dealer and show him the price you can get online. many will come close to matching the price especially when you factor shipping into it and if you do have a problem they are much more receptive to helping you after the sale. | ||
| Buellisti |
I'll have to agree with 12r. . . "If the lid doesn't fit, mists up, rattles or impairs your senses it ain't worth jack. . . ." I ride close to 360 days out of a year. Fit is critical. Given the number of days that I ride and the environment where I live, helmets simply don't last very long. My GRV Lawson replica (Shoei) faded after 3 years. UV damage I would suspect. The GRV was one of the first helmets incorporating carbon fiber in the shell. It was the lightest thing on the road at the time. I loved that helmet. However, I just can't see spending that sort of money anymore on something that's disposable. The HJC AC-11 is a nice helmet. The construction looked pretty decent, DOT/Snell certified, and the ones I have seen worn around town seem to be holding up to the UV and the blowing sand. In my case, the helmet just didn't fit. | ||
| Ronlv |
my agv saved my head before suomy is what i have now i will let you know how it holds up if i ever get to test it | ||
| Joele |
I have the Schuberth Concept - can't even imagine a different helmet. None other - besides other Schuberth models - have the features. Quality is outstanding. | ||
| Gearheart |
Really what I recommend is trying to find the brand that fits you best. As all you get with the higher end helmets is less wind noise and less weight, both of which can be very nice. Once the helmet has passed all the relevant safety tests it will probably protect your head. As to the Buell helmet you have there it is actually made by HJC who I have had good experiences with but as everything try it on and see if it works for you. |
