| Author | Message | ||
     Lbcalex |
Hey guys I need an opinion. Should I buy one helmet (arai hayden laguna) at 550 or should I get two (arai motard xd and icon legion) for 590. What would you guys do? Most likely I'll be riding solo so a second helmet isn't really necessary. | ||
| Nasty73z |
Get the Hayden rep Corsair RX-7. Icon helmets suck. You will be pleased and happy that you spent the money on a high end lid. I love my Shoei X-11 and will be buying another one soon. | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Arai or shoei for me | ||
| Lbcalex |
how about the arai xd helmet what's your thoughts on that one. | ||
| Onemanclan |
Look at the Motorcyclist magazine article last summer (2005) which had a HUGE review of helmets and how good they really are...Started a firestorm of debate. Many, many advertisers of theirs pulled ads, the letter to the editors when on for months. Read the whole article online: http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/# | ||
| Vanvideo |
Does it have to be those helmet choices? You can get a very nice Shoei RF-1000 for less than those prices. I have several KBC VR-2 helmets, and they're a lot cheaper to buy. Are they as good as an Arai? Probably not - or maybe so. Different helmet tests have given different results as to the safest helmet. In fact, a test from Motorcyclist magazine had a $100 helmet from Pepboys being one of the safest. Is comfort and fit your priority? Then only you can answer that question. Personally, I'd go for a cheaper helmet. Actually, I already have. I own 6 KBC helmets and one Roof helmet. I'm looking at a Shoei RF-1000 now. | ||
| Fcbuell |
scorpion exo700, can't be beat for the money. | ||
| Bueaddicted |
I've been thinking of the scorpion exo700, but I can't even find one dealer locally that carries it. I also was very keen on the Icon Domain, but a friend of mine told me that it wasn't worth the price... I can't decide! Maybe I should just get a "disposable" Walmart helmet, and just go on changing it until I find one that fits properly. | ||
| 06xb12ss |
I had the Icon mainframe which I loved... UNTIL I got the Shoei RF-1000 in flat black. The icon was indeed quieter and flowed a LITTLE more air, but overall comfort is unsurpassed on the Shoei. | ||
| Grlryder |
When it comes to helmets...remember what you are protecting. A few hundred dollars more spent now could make the difference of having another day to ride again...or not. Price should be no object. $200-$1000 get the best helmet ~ you wont regret it. | ||
| Beachbuell |
I'd ditch the Icon helmet idea, they look "PRETTY", but really do suck! The Hayden replica is a bad azz helmet, made by a company with a great reputation. I wish I could part with $600 of my cash for one, but can't do it. I've been looking at KBC's and researching them lately. They seem like good products, but I have no experience with KBC helmets. My choice of helmet is a Scorpion EXO. I have one and am thinking of another, my better half already has two. They are great helmets, good price, semi quiet, quick change face shields (day/night visors), removable/washable liners and are anti-fog. Ya might want to check into them. | ||
| Smcnamara |
Make sure you try on whatever you are considering buying before you purchase it. The difference between a helmet that "sort of" fits vs. a helmet that really does fit is big in terms of both comfort and protection. I ended up with an Arai Quantum (for my earth-shaped melon) and couldn't be happier. I know people are making mention of the Motorcyclist article, but before taking that article as the gospel, you should realize that the issues are more complicated than what is set forth in that article. There is a formal response from SNELL, and at least one audio interview with one of the SNELL folks available online. Any of the major manufacturers will be able to provide you with a decent helmet. AGV, Arai, Bell, HJC, Nolan, Schuberth, Scorpion, Shoei, Vemar, etc... You can find a ton of reviews here: http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm | ||
| Isham |
I have a scorpion 700 helmet. I have an eye for quality (why do you think i choose buell) and they really should be worth more money. | ||
| Fl_a1a |
What made me go up to the expensive X-11 is the heat. Other lids may do a good job...but they can't touch the X-11. It took me many dollars to find this out and much discomfort when I thought I would have to pull of the road just to take off the friggin hot helmet, especially in slow traffic. If other helmets are like wearing leathers the x-11 feels like the lightest mesh jacket. So if you plan to ride in really hot weather 80+ there is only one choice that stands out, the x-11. But then again I've never met another person who puts as many miles on a bike as I do...I know they are out there...just haven't met any one. | ||
| Jak |
Shark RSR2 Foggy Legend...you'll never go wrong if you get what you really want...never settle for less. | ||
| Fl_a1a |
O yes. I agree. Icons do suck. I had the main frame with all the vents. After I got my good helmets I took a dremel to my icon since it has all theses cool vents. After I carved the Icon up it was discovered many of the vents are block from production errors. If you have one of these you may take of the glued parts and make sure the vents are not blocked. It may make a little difference. I have 3 Icon jackets, 2 Icon gloves, 3 Icon bags. Pretty good stuff...what happened with the helmets? | ||
| Eboos |
$550 is a great deal on that helmet. Where did you see it for that price? The cheapest I've seen is $600. | ||
| Earwig |
If a helmet is DOT and Snell approved, it probably protects as good as the $600 dollar helmets. I dunno, just my opinion but I think anyone who spends that much money on a helmet is on crack. | ||
| Jaimec |
The Snell "response" didn't really address any of the issues raised by the Motorcyclist article. And Motorcyclist has a rebuttal to Snell's "response" on their website. I like Arai's not because they have a Snell rating, but because they're comfortable. But I've been perfectly happy with my modular Schuberth and Nolan helmets over the past several years. Hard to go back to a traditional full face after those. | ||
| Briz31 |
Have an XB9 s Yellow, I bought one of these in England for 99 pounds. Looks great with the Buell Jacket.  | ||
| Murdoch |
C`mon Briz31, tell the truth. You only got that helmet because your a die hard Sharks supporter  | ||
| Buellisti |
Be careful of Scorpions. Scorpion had a model or two that failed DOT testing recently at the USDOT testing lab. They failed one the penetration tests. The anvil made contact with the head form through the shell.  I've bought a couple of KBC VR-2s which have proven to be nearly as comfortable and quiet as the Shoeis I've had in the past; the VR-2s don't tend to lift at speed . I also have an Icon mainframe. Not as comfortable and it whistles at freeway speeds. (Message edited by buellisti on July 24, 2006) | ||
| Gearhead998 |
Finally someone said it. Thanks Earwig. After doing a lot of research the major difference between lids is the comfort and fit. Some people are lucky enough to have the less expensive helmets fit great, others are not. I am also in the market for a new lid, but like others, can't spend $500 on one. | ||
| Swordsman |
Buellisti, how did Scorpion fail a DOT test but get Snell certification??? DOT certifies anything resembling a foam cooler with a chinstrap. I'd like to see that article, since I own an Exo700. They only offer 2 street models, so that's a pretty scary number of failures you're talking about. As far as comfort goes, I can't imagine anything fitting my head better. Especially being $300 cheaper than the next Arai/Shoei. I don't see how those guys are supposed to be so much better, when the materials are all about the same (Exo700 is Kevlar/fiberglass). ~SM | ||
| Lorazepam |
If you think a 600 dollar helmet is that much better than a 150 dollar helmet, let me sell you one for 700.00. Shoei, Arai, and the other players in the helmet game pay big bucks for advertising, and pay the top stars to wear their lids. All that marketing ends up in the price of what you buy. I dont need to look like Nicky Hayden or Rossi when I ride, so I spend less, and get something that is approved by DOT and Snell. Popular helmets are stolen all the time by squids here in NE Ohio, they leave my Scorpion, and Buell(KBC) helmets alone. | ||
| Mb182 |
I have been looking at this KBC http://www.kbc-helmet.com/kbcbbs/zboard.php?id=street&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=o ff&ss=on&sc=on&&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=19&PHPSESSID=1e14313ba0c55350 c3a58ecb64446008 Would be nice to be able to open it and ride without the noise and pulling my head off.. MB | ||
| Kurosawa |
Went down to my local shop and tried everything on. The only one-piece full-face helmet they had that fit was a XXL RF-900 (my hat size is L). It fits perfectly with my hair cut to 1/2" so that's how I keep my hair. I think I'll get another Shoei for a spare but only after I try it out in person. | ||
| Smcnamara |
Lorazepam: I get what you are saying regarding the $150-600 price difference, but there really are differences between the low-end and high-end helmets, but I think they tend to center around fit and finish. I've got several helmets, and without question, my Arai has by far the most comfortable lining. You also won't tend to find things like mis-mounted or poorly mounted vents on Shoei's, Arai's, AGV's, etc. while that seems to happen quite a bit more frequently with Icon, Lazer, Jarrow, etc. I'm not saying those helmets will provide any less protection, just that there _is_ a difference in the helmets. Lot's of people currently swear by the Scorpions (I hadn't heard about any cert failures) but after trying them on, they just weren't comfortable for me. Try several helmets to see what fits you best, is in your price range, and provides the protection you want (DOT/SNELL/ECE/BSI)... It doesn't really matter what anyone else likes. | ||
| Angelwild327 |
Buellisti, where did you see/hear that about the scorpions...I'd like to know where the info came from. Thanks | ||
| Jaimec |
Let me explain something about DOT certification. The Federal Government doesn't have the resources to test every helmet, so they rely on the honor system. They rely on the manufacturer to say their helmets pass FMVSS 218. HOWEVER, the Federal Government is NOT all trusting, either! They will buy (at random, from various retailers) examples of helmets that CLAIM to meet FMVSS 218 and test them. If they fail, the manufacturer is notified that they either have to remove the DOT certification, redesign their helmets, or come up with a DAMNED good reason why the examples that were tested failed. Contrary to popular belief, it is NOT easy for a helmet to properly pass FMVSS 218. If you believe differently, you're misinformed. FMVSS 218 includes not only initial impact readings, but the amount of time that impact is imparted to your skull. It also sets requirements for peripheral vision and chin strap retention. Snell only tests for initial impact (not how long that impact is imparted to your skull), and chin strap retention. Read the article at Motorcyclist Online for more information on the various standards out there. http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/index.html |
