| Author | Message | ||
     Lost_in_ohio |
With all the discussion about helmets on the xb board.....thought this would be a better place for all to join in the discussion. Looking at the two helmet manufacture websites of my choice....I am wondering...... How much helmet do ya really need? Now before you answer the most expensive cause my head or kids are worth it. What makes the top of the line helmet worth $700 verses 300 for the second in the line. Whats your thoughts?????????? | ||
| Buellgirlie |
weight materials aerodynamic features (less whistling, less drag) ease of switching shields venting removable/customizable inner padding cool graphics  i have a shoei rf-1000 red graphic $$$$ h-d flat black half helmet $$ suomy yellow/blue poggiala racer replica spec 1-r $$$$$ (on order) retired: shoei rf-1000 black $$$ (saved my noggin) shoei x-11 bostrom racer replica $$$$$$ (saved my noggin) dollar signs translate roughly into hundreds of dollars. arai is also a top of the line helmet, but when i tried them on in 2004, it just didnt fit as well as the shoei. since then i've also borrowed a suomy so i know i fit into those as well. D (Message edited by buellgirlie on July 02, 2006) | ||
| Interex2050 |
I would have to agree, generally the more one spends the more one gets... in terms of comfort noise level and I would imagine protection as well... As Buellgirlie mentioned, not all helmets fit ones head nicely... so shop around. I prefer AGV they have the best fit (for me that is). I have two AGV's one is their lowest end full face (GP1 $) helmet and the other the highest (Ti-Tech $$$$$$)... and there is a HUGE difference, one is a lot quieter, feels much sturdier, just more pleasurable overall... Luckily I have never tested any of my helmets... Also, I used to have an AFX helmet which was a complete nightmare... (Message edited by interex2050 on July 01, 2006) | ||
| Kdan |
I am going to buy what feels good. Then I'm going to consider certification and reviews, based on friends, internet researching and various publications. Then I'm going to hope I can get it as cheaply as possible. I have a Shoei TZR right now and like it a lot. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Dora (Buellgirlie) hit it right on the head. Bad pun I know. I love my Arai (Astral-X Van der Bosch, red)  But my second choice for my oval head is the far less expensive KBC Force RR (Zombie Dark)  It has to fit, or you won't wear it. Nearly everyone buys helmets at least one size too large. It should fit snugly, without hard pressure points on the front, back, or sides of your head. You DO need to wear all your gear, every time. No matter how short the trip. | ||
| Bigeasy |
I just ordered a Shark RSR2. Will let you guys know about it when it arrives. Have order dam near everything here in new orleans these days. Anyone else tried this helmet? | ||
| Bake |
I bought an Axo carbon fiber for dirty biking, my neck loves it, my wallet hated it. For the street I have a Icon mainframe but would like a lighter weight helmet. Unfortunatly good lighweight helmets cost a small fortune. (Message edited by bake on July 02, 2006) | ||
| Aesquire |
Price is not the real factor. Good low price helmets can be as safe & pleasant to wear as high cost ones. If an Arthur Fulmer @ $149 fits & is quiet, etc. It's a better lid than a $600 Suomy that does not fit your head.. ( Though I'll bet the higher end lid has a better paint job, but I have a Spec1R, so I'm biased. ) Fit is the #1 thing. You have to be comfortable for hours with the lid. Chipmunk cheeks is ok, vice on the skull ( hot spots ) is not. Some lids have good ventilation, Suomy, some Shoei etc. Some do not. If you are in Arizona top ventilation is important to keep head cool if you are in New York, chin, to keep visor clear. Aerodynamics. Does the lid torque your head when you look over shoulder? Lift at speed? Stable? ( does a little head turn make it want to turn more? That can be very tiring ) Noise. clean design? bumpy visor hinge? Light weight. Probably the only thing that money really can buy, though a lexan lid can be almost as light as kevlar. Fancy Graphics. Taste is taste. Racer replica lids appeal to some, Flat black to others. your call. | ||
| Buellgirlie |
here's a pic of me and paul. never mind that he's been racing 12 more years than me, see how much faster he looks in the graphic helmet D  | ||
| Buellgirlie |
Taste is taste. Racer replica lids appeal to some, Flat black to others. your call. hmmm, what does it mean if i have flat black, all black w/smoke shield, 1 graphic red/white/black swirls, and 2 racer replicas.....? D (i've got the suomy spec 1R poggiala replica in a brown truck headed to me! and here's pics of my new helmet and my other 2 graphic/racer replicas)  | ||
| Mikemax |
Looking at the helmet rating specs themselves there is one difference that would normally save your brain in around town, slower riding. There is a rating for how many g's get transfered through for a given shock to the outside of the helmet. For brain protection you want a low number. BTW, the friend ended up with a $400+ Shoei that also had a low shock number but is dead quiet. A friend Googled and found a listing of all the test results for many helmets, when I'm back to work I'll try and add the link here. Turns out that a lot of the high end racer helmets have a high shock number and some lower cost (my HJC by coincidence as I'd already purchased) ones have lower numbers. There may be a reason to have a stiffer shell (for penetration resistance for example) and, in tradeoff, allow a higher shock to the brain for racing but I'd get a lower shock number for the street every time. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Personally, for the money, I like the Scorpion lids. I've got a EXO400.  $149. But what helped me choose it, was the dealer let me take one for a ride. I went out for 10 minute ride. Did some higher speed runs, so I could turn my head to see if the shield flipped open. Fit great for me, and was relatively quiet. | ||
| Coolice |
Fiery and I just picked up some new Bell Sprint Wicked helmets. I like it so far and the shields change easy. Quiet too. I've owned Shoei, Arai, never fit good and noisey-plus pricey. I know buy a good helmet you only get one head. The Bell so far is good, and if I only use it one season it's not a financial fiasco. | ||
| Buellistic |
Bought my BELL Helmet(full face) at Wal*Mart !!! | ||
| Dfbutler |
He's what JD Powers found: http://news.motorbiker.org/blogs.nsf/dx/06282006093640MWEAXG.htm | ||
| Sandblast |
Motorcyclist magazine just did an awesome helmet series. It was good enough that they lost some advertising dollars. Basically they said a cheaper, softer helmet might be better for the street since most impacts on the street dont warrant the use of a harder helmet, and that the harder helmets may transfer too much energy in these impacts. Partly due to my younger age and high level of fitness, I go with a pricier, harder helmet. I figure I'm more worried about that one-in-a-million super impact; my head can still hopefully absorb some extra abuse from a lighter impact in my harder helmet. If I were older or more fragile I would consider a softer helmet. If you can find it, check out the article. | ||
| Aldaytona |
Z1R Motorcyclists top rated helmet, -$100.00 a great value. Weighs same as Arai RX7 as well. Tested, not subjective. Haven't read the article? You should BEFORE you buy any helmet. | ||
| Buellgirlie |
as another point of reference - here's a link to a discussion on a racing board, that started off with a ban of certain helmets in one of the regional CCS tracks, and continues to talk about the hard vs soft issue we've started above. http://www.ccsforum.com/index.php/topic,13576.0.html in particular, this quote, from the roadracing world article (which is the first link off the racing forum post) Another controversy regarding helmets revolves around media speculation that “softer” non-SNELL helmets will offer more protection against head injuries than helmets meeting SNELL specifications, even in racing applications. That speculation was based in part on a decades-old study of street crashes, which looked at injuries suffered by riders in those crashes. Roadracingworld.com knows of no studies of racetrack crashes that back up that theory. D | ||
| Eeeeek |
"dollar signs translate roughly into hundreds of dollars. arai is also a top of the line helmet, but when i tried them on in 2004, it just didnt fit as well as the shoei. since then i've also borrowed a suomy so i know i fit into those as well." Which models did you try? They have something like four different head shapes. I found the Corsair didn't fit me right and went to a RF1000. Then I tried a Profile in Medium with a slightly different cap liner (Arai will switch in and out different inner liner parts for free) and it's the best fitting helmet I've ever owned. Vik | ||
| Skyguy |
I own a Vemar VSR-1 It is nicer than ANY helmet I have found. Super light carbon fiber, great ventilation, super stable at speed, nice visor with anti-fog and solid detents that allow for riding with visor cracked open. One small problem................ there is no longer a U.S. dealer and i can not get parts!!!!! Anyone know anyone in Italy? Or perhaps speak Italian? I need help! | ||
| Buellgirlie |
hey Vik - i dont remember which arai helmets i tried on, but it was at least 2 different models. since i settled on shoei that summer (and have since bought 2 more shoeis), i havent really re-visited the arais. D | ||
| Eeeeek |
Skyguy - I bought a Vemar and found it to be loud. I mean LOUD. LOUDER THAN LOUD. Also, even with the vents closed, air would circulate around in the face area, bugging my eyes. I put mine up for sale on eBay. BG - Shoei may be the perfect fit for you. It's just too often I see people make the statement "Arai doesn't fit" when they've only tried one helmet shape. There are two models with the exact same shape and then the other models have different shapes. Round, long oval, egg, etc. I, personally, have owned: Shoei RF8, RF900, RF1000 Arai Corsair, Quantum, Signet, Profile Vemar Scorpion Bieffe and others I can't remeber. The Profile, which is the new version of the Signet, is the only helmet that every fit my head perfectly. Had I stopped at the Corsair and Quantum, I would have never know what that truly feels like. Vik | ||
| Skyguy |
Eeek, I ride with ear plugs so don't think to much about the noise. Does not seem to bad though. As for the funky breeze around the face? Yes I notice that also. Ride with sunglasses on under visor (: | ||
| Eeeeek |
I should start wearing earplugs. Vik | ||
| Buellgirlie |
the arais have way better graphics in 2006, for my taste, than the shoeis do.....which is what led me to the new suomy helmet (couldnt really find a shoei graphic i liked - and this was to replace the racing helmet, so i wanted graphics). if i (heaven forbid) need another helmet soon, i'll find a good arai stocking dealer around here, and go try those on those models you suggested. thx for the info! D | ||
| Jon |
Arai Signet. | ||
| Jlnance |
There may be a reason to have a stiffer shell ... tradeoff Yes, there is a tradeoff. Here is what is going on. The helmet has to stop your head from moving, which it does by using your heads energy to break up something like styrofoam. Ideally, your head would just barely crush all the foam before it stopped moving. If it crushes less than that, your head is decelerating faster than necessary. If it crushes all the foam and is still moving, you're then banging your head into the pavement. Figuring out how stiff to make the foam in order to achieve this requires making assumptions about how fast your head is moving when it hits the ground. It's only perfect at one speed. |
