| Author | Message | ||
     Mikemax |
If all goes well I'm picking up my new XB12Ss up from Simi Buell at the end of next week. I need to get a helmet(sold mine with my last bike)and I've narrowed it down to the Bell Sprint or the HJC CL-SP after reading some online reviews. The Bell is said to be fine, except for high noise and the HJC visor only flips to closed, 45, and 90 degrees. Does anyone have any experience with these? For now I want a decent but low cost helmet so I can buy a few goodies like frame pucks. Can one really open the HJC visor just slightly for some extra ventilation, how bad is the noise of the Bell really? Thanks, Mike | ||
| Terminator |
Hey Mikemax,i havnt had any personal experience with HJC, but my mate swears by em. they're very popular in England, especially the new carbon fiber one, it looks the bees knees!!!!!! I wear a shoei XR1000, its the 1st helmet ive had where the air vents work properly, and its only 1,300g. It comes with the anti-fog system too. The shoei has a lever you can (easily) press to open the visor 1/8 inch, and the lever also locks the visor when you want. I think i paid £230 for it so its bound to be cheaper in your neck of the woods! IMHO, you would be better off spending your money on a good Skid Lid than on frame pucks, you only got one head right. Also there is v little wind noise on the shoei. Hope this helps. You could always sell one of your kidneys to pay 4 the mods(joke) .  | ||
| Midnightrider |
see if there is a scorpion dealer around. best helmet i've had , cost about $150 | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
When I started, I also was interested in an inexpensive helmet. I started with a $5.00 yard sale item, and have since worked my way up to an Arai Signet, which I purchased as new old stock on eBay. I wish I had started with the Arai, but I just couldn't appreciate how good they are until I had owned, (and discarded), some lesser ones. Finally, one badwebber, can't remember who, set me straight. He said that all the helmets work in a crash, as they meet the same standards. Hopefully one does not crash very often. However the fit and details of a helmet are very important every time we ride. How right he was. The Arai is completely unique in offering 3 different helmet shapes. I need a long oval, (Signet) which no other company offers. The vents are very solidly made: they always broke on the cheapos. Finally, the visor seems to be optically much clearer. If I had all the money I wasted on cheap hats, I probably could have paid for most of the Arai a couple of years ago. just my .02¢ | ||
| Kdan |
Depends how many helmets you want to buy. A good helmet is way more comfortable. Check out the Scorpions. Those are awesome for the price. | ||
| 1stbuell |
I have a brand new HJC CL-SP Black for sale $100 shipped. It was never worn and still in the box. I bought 2, a black and an Osiris scheme and never use the black one. I love the HJC, comfy, removable liner, very quiet and looks great. | ||
| Jerseybuell |
Arai or Shoei. Said to have the best protection. Don't skimp here. It's your noggin we're talking about.. | ||
| Svo1023 |
i'm with jon i did the same thing try to find a bargain. then i bought my shoei x-11 wish i wouldnt have pissed away the money on the other helmets the hjc is not bad...i had one but the shoei is 10 times better for comfort, wind noise,and a great ventilation system. | ||
| Angelwild327 |
I third the Scorpion choice...we have 3 in our house...you can't beat the price and quality. They are new-ish on the market, so the price hasn't gone through the roof. The visor has multiple detents, and they are easy to get off and on to put on tinted visors. They also have removable liners, so you can wash them. Sorry, I can't help you with your first choices, but I say, check out scorpions if you can and see how they feel. | ||
| Typeone |
+2 for Shoei. the X-11 is the best helmet i've ever owned hands down. | ||
| Sanchez |
> the HJC visor only flips to closed, 45, and 90 degrees. That's a deal breaker for me. I run with my visor open a crack all the time to get more airflow when it's hot or to prevent fogging when it's cold or raining. Reviews aside, what you really need to do is try on a few and see which fit your head. I thought I wanted a KBC until I tried some on. I ended up with an Icon Alliance, and it's very comfortable. | ||
| Doon |
I started with a KBC, and then Went to a Shoei RF-900, which I love. The most comfortable helmet I have ever worn. My brother and his friends all have HJCs, and while they seem like a decent helmet, my Shoei is way better (In my opinion) in terms of Comfort/Noise. I am due for a new helmet soon, and my wife wants to get a new one also. So Going to be looking at the RF1000's or the X11's, and probably going to check out the Arai's as my wife likes their fit better. | ||
| Mikemax |
Thanks for all the info. I'll eventually buy a better one and use this as a back-up or for a passenger on rare occasions. I am on a business trip and am trying to shop on-line so I have it when I return to get the bike. I will try on everything and eventually get a better one when I have time; I suddenly decided to buy the bike when I saw the Ss because the small tank was a deal breaker for me before, so I am not as prepared as I'd like to be. I'll check on the Scorpion, but the HJC and Bell are supposed to be good for round heads and they are big enough brands that I figure smoked shields, etc. are probably more available. Shoei, and some others just don't seem to make a lower cost one although I may end up with one long term. I also didn't go ultra cheap (<$100)because I want DOT AND Snell rating so I ended up in the $150 range as a compromise. I am also finding that either the online helmet places are out of stock of these (in XL and blue to match the bike) or they don't say if it is in stock until you buy (or at least enter all of your info over and over) and I can't live with a backorder... anyone have a suggestion on where to buy (I can also pick it up in Northern CA next week so I may see if HelmetCity has an actual store) that doesn't make it a pain? Thanks for all the info, this site is great. | ||
| Typeone |
FYI, not sure if this has been posted on BadWeb yet but there is a recall for certain HJC lids.. . "HJC AMERICA, INC. has recalled 4806 motorcycle helmets manufactured January 15, 2004 through September 30, 2004. These helmets fail to conform to the penetration requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218, Motorcycle Helmets. These helmets are medium size Z1R Metro. This NHTSA campaign ID is 06E031000 issued April 13, 2006. In the event of a crash, the wearer may not be adequately protected, possibly resulting in serious injury or death. HJC AMERICA will notify owners and replace the helmets free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during May, 2006. Owners may contact HJC AMERICA at 562-407-2186." | ||
| Aldaytona |
Z1R. Rated #1 in the Motorcyclist magazine test not too long ago and under 100 bucks. Facts, not fiction! | ||
| Bomber |
I dunno bout facts -- informed opinion, certainly look at the pics of Motorcyclist test riders, and see what they're wearing . . . . | ||
| Court |
Shame we can't recall defective heads, isn't it?  | ||
| Diablobrian |
take a look at the roadracing world story on the lrrs ban on hjc helmets. | ||
| Jersey_thunder |
HJC...SCORPION....BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK!! JT | ||
| Jlnance |
anyone have a suggestion on where to buy I've used www.newenough.com to buy a helmet before. They are great to deal with. I would say though, that it's important that helmets fit. I bought one online because I already had another of the same brand and wanted a size smaller. If you don't know what size you wear, I'd be leary of buying one w/o trying it on. | ||
| Lastcyclone |
I'm a Scorpion convert now too. Try before you buy. More places are selling them now. | ||
| Mikemax |
Trip extended and I'm running out of time until I have to go pick up the bike so I just ordered the HJC CL-SP figuring I can make a spacer/clip to hold the visor slightly open but I can't quiet the Bell. Thanks 1stbuell but my last helmet was black and I almost died in the summers, got the Osiris myself. Didn't see the Z1R post in time or I might have hesitated a bit longer and checked into it. Bomber, I laughed when I read your post because nobody will ever mistake me for Rossi (I'm buying the Buell 'cause I want the torque to get my fat a#@ going without revving to umpteen grand at the green lights) and everybody in the pictures I see in the mags has the high $$$ racer replicas. But that is exactly what all the Ducatisti at work would suggest I get. I'm more of a "sleepr" type, so I may end up getting a not so flashy color equivalent long term when I have time to look around. Yeah, I know the Osiris has graphics but it looks like the blue will match my bike and it won't make me seem like a true poseur. Thanks for all the info, I'll keep it in mind when I buy my long term helmet. Maybe the shootout results will make me want to lose the stock muffler when they arrive (I know, wrong thread...). Mike | ||
| Torch |
hey mike,welcome aboard.i also got my bike at simi harley/buell.bought it from andy.i was there today and saw a blue lightning long being uncrated,yours?as for helmets i have an icon alliance but i see you already found one.have fun with your new toy. | ||
| Eboos |
There is an ebay Arai dealer that has awesome prices. They have RX-7 Corsair race replicas (including Nicky Hayden's Laguna Seca helmet) for $125 under retail. The rest of their line is similarly under priced. Out of respect for the sponsors I will not give out the specific dealer info, but they are easy to find. | ||
| Mikemax |
Torch, that blue Ss should be mine, they were going to move it from Ventura last weekend. Andy was really easy to deal with even over the phone, no having to haggle over everything. Lee's (Shinobi13)thread on finding a good CA dealer led me there. I hope to be having a Blast, oops XB12Ss, for the long weekend. | ||
| Torch |
see you on the road  | ||
| Typeone |
Z1R. Rated #1 in the Motorcyclist magazine test not too long ago and under 100 bucks. Facts, not fiction! Aldaytona, I'm not sure if you were directly responding to me but i was simply passing along info on HJC I read. Where is the fiction? As a general comment, personally I won't even consider a brand thats known for bargain-basement prices when looking for gear. Recall or no recall. A helmet is a piece of safety equip far too important to skimp. (yeah, i know about that article.), that statement doesn't even make sense to me... 'best helmet under $100' hmm. My 'fancy' X-11 was only ~$350, solid black. Thats a steal. btw, not interested in starting a debate, just wondering what the fiction stuff was all about. | ||
| Rafartist |
My HJC clmax has numerous detents for different screen positions. I have been wearing HJC's for years. Shoeis and Arai's are great helmets but the Arias just dont fit me and to save a coulple of grams, I just cant buck up the money for a Shoei. That said, everyones head is shaped different so you gotta try each on. When new, it should really "smush" up your cheeks but not squeeze on your forehead too much. The foam will soften and let up a little pressure on your cheeks, but the foam in the liner will not change unless you take a ball peen hammer to it. Dont laugh, I was between a small and medium for a while and it worked like a charm on the smaller one. | ||
| Diablobrian |
KBC makes the best helmet for the buck IMHO. Fit is the most important consideration when buying a new helmet though. Vents, and noise levels at speed are secondary considerations. I personally think composite shells are better than plastic/polymer shells too. |
