Which helmet do you wear? And why?
Looking for a new one.
Stand back everyone!! Owen just opened the can of worms again!
Well, indeed, that is a VERY open question.
The MOST important thing is that any helmet you buy fits you properly.
(Some brands seem to be made for different head shapes - I'm definitely a Shoei head rather than an Arai for example)
So once the correctly fit issue is addressed the rest is just down to what features YOU want or need.
- venting
- internal visors?
- weight / materials / graphics etc etc etc
and all these things will, of course, affect price.
There is NO RIGHT ANSWER to your question I'm afraid....
Had several brands.
Now only buy Shoei's.
They fit me well and I like the visor mechanism,
and I've had no drama's unlike my mates cheaper lids.
I will continue to buy Shoei's.
I used to buy high end Shoei's, but more recently I've been buying the less expensive models and changing them more often....
(https://s30.postimg.org/qrla2mey9/image.jpg) (https://postimage.io/)
Oh these threads may also interest you:
Shoei GT-Air
http://gsx1400owners.org/forum_test/index.php?topic=442.0
LS2 helmets
http://gsx1400owners.org/forum_test/index.php?topic=629.0
A GT-Air is VERY likely to be my next helmet.
I wear a jet helmet. Many a reason why. Airiness is first. Don't have to take my glasses off and fiddle to get them on. Glasses won't fog up quick. Gas station attendants don't fear being robbed when I keep it on when paying. Used it as a face shield when working with a flex. Was a present from my dad together with his scooter. Hey, it even fits the color of my bike closely.
A little off topic, but Bunnings and some of the Storeage Shops do these knock together adjustable units (might be called "temporary wardrobes" or similar) that are ideal for lids, jackets, boots etc.
(https://s27.postimg.org/w1lvpy0ab/image.jpg) (https://postimage.io/)
I have used Arai since 1984 because it's the best fit for me. tried others but none as comfortable as an Arai. As Vlad has already said it's the best fitting helmet which is the best helmet for you, a poorly fitting top spec helmet will not give you as much protection as a perfectly fitting lower spec helmet so go and try all makes and buy the best fitting one.
Was 1980 a good year for helmets ? :confused1:
Do they mature like a fine wine ? :confused1:
:happy1:
(37 years old and several paint jobs, NO, I don't still wear it!!!)
(https://s21.postimg.org/k3o2lqz13/image.jpg) (https://postimage.io/)
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Tuesday, 23 May 2017, 05:22 PM
Had several brands.
Now only buy Shoei's.
They fit me well and I like the visor mechanism,
and I've had no drama's unlike my mates cheaper lids.
I will continue to buy Shoei's.
I used to buy high end Shoei's, but more recently I've been buying the less expensive models and changing them more often....
(https://s30.postimg.org/qrla2mey9/image.jpg) (https://postimage.io/)
Same hat as I wear, Gloss Black GT Air. I don't mind not paying for the graphics either.
Quote from: Tony Nitrous on Tuesday, 23 May 2017, 05:39 PM
Was 1980 a good year for helmets ? :confused1:
Do they mature like a fine wine ? :confused1:
:happy1:
(37 years old and several paint jobs, NO, I don't still wear it!!!)
(https://s21.postimg.org/k3o2lqz13/image.jpg) (https://postimage.io/)
:lol: I'm not still on the same one, I change it every 5 years, there's not much in it but I value my head :happy1:
Started riding back in 1972, I can remember every helmet:
1 open face Shoei
2 full face Shoei
3 Kiwi full face
4 Open face THH - Guzzi California riding days
5 Open face Nolan - Guzzi California riding days
6 Full face Shoei RFR 2002 model and best helmet so far, heavy, but very quiet - VFR riding days
7 Shark Vison R - nice helmet, but visors went off after 3 years
8 An elcheapo something - give it away after a few tours of cycle scouting, purchased for doing Moto-scouting jobs for racing cyclists. Very ease to get off quickly - Burgman
9 Shoei XR1000 very noisy Shoei - Vstrom
10 Shoei GT Air, very similar to the RFR but with a dual visor system (current helmet) GSX days
Been riding 45 years, so one every 4.5 years ain't too bad, I have to say the dual visor helmets are the best thing since sliced bread. :cool:
Shoei GT Air. Fits snug. Can wear it all day.
I got one of these for Xmas, best helmet I've had, vision is spectacular, when the visor is fully closed it is warmer than the full face Shoei I wore previously.
Drop down visor is great as well.
have had lots of helmets over years, lots of full face but i dont like them. $800 shoei sits in cupboard in shed, used only 3 times. maybe stupid but i like open face and have had plenty. just my choice. i know all about the safety side but i like them. too old to change now. i now use a taiwanese thh. 388 model. dual visors, super good fit. tinted visor is just superb for riding to work with sun in eyes. clear visor also good. it does whistle a bit, i always wear ear plugs so no problem. https://www.mcas.com.au/shop/item/thh-t-388-gloss-black-helmet
Hey guys,
My favourite lids are Sharks. They just fit me perfectly, similar fit to an AVG. For oval heads really.
(https://www.fc-moto.de/WebRoot/FCMotoDB/Shops/10207048/4B45/ADC2/64EC/AFF2/D538/3E70/5055/40F8/Shark-S900-Glow-B.jpg)
That was my last one. Shark S900 Glow. Excellent lid, good quality, did everything I wanted it to.
My current lid is an HJC IS-17 Armada. Didn't even want it. Got it because I was potentially buying a bike down south, had no lid, so had to take what I could get from a local bike shop.
(https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/product_images/hjc_helmet_is-17_armarda_black-white.jpg)
More suited to round heads. Noisy. Not as well built. Just a piece of crap really.
Never bothered with the higher priced brands, as I'd hate myself if I ever dropped it by accident.
I'll throw a cat amongst the flying rats.. I will only buy HJC Lids. ive eventually found a make that fits perfectly, is quiet and is light with great vents.
Ive had Arai - they are nice but to me a bit noisy.
also had a Shoei Diablic 2. stunning Lid visually but it would not give 1mm and the only thing it did was give me severe ear cuts when taking on and off one a trip to Assen. never wore it again.
has Simpsons.. Craft RX-5.. these try and remove themselves from your head at anything over 70 so you get garrotted!
OGK FF3 - so noisey i sent it back saying it was unwearable
found and tried an HJC RPHA-10. perfect. had it 6 or 7 years and only just changed as its old.. to an HJC RPHA-ST. perfect!
its worth remembering everyones head is different and everyone has a different opinion. so whatever you wear, if its right its right
i used many arai's for 25 years as were so comfy
but the chaser v didn't fit my head as they changed the shell design.
so now use a shoei nxr and perfect fit,light and mega quiet
so that my current one.
as already said best helmet is one the fits above everything
then go for features you like
:cheers:
My last purchase is Schuberth C4. it's OK, but not the best of the best :)
Also have old full-face Schuberth R1.
Had Nolan 104, which was very comfortable but extra well ventilated. Even more then necessary :)
Regarding the best helmet...
I have just one head, and I'd like to believe, more expensive helmet will protect me (in case I need it) more then cheap one...
Picture is from local forum, after high-side... Helmet owner check his health in the hospital - he did not even had a concussion. Of cause, he was lucky, but still...
I bought a Schuberth C3 pro thinking it must be a safe one - however looking at the Official UK gov website its not as good as I thought :bugga: I love the helmet because of the internal sun visor as I wear glasses and sods law if I have my sunglasses on it will get pitch black and rain so I can't see bugger all !!
https://sharp.dft.gov.uk/home
Shoei GT Air and Nolan N104.... the GTAir is light and fits perfectly.. Nolan is a bit heavier but love the integrated intercom system.. Happy to wear either but have to say the Shoei is my fav.
Quote from: ARH on Wednesday, 24 May 2017, 05:49 AM
Shoei GT Air and Nolan N104.... the GTAir is light and fits perfectly.. Nolan is a bit heavier but love the integrated intercom system.. Happy to wear either but have to say the Shoei is my fav.
Shoei GT Air only gets 3 stars on Uk Gov tests same as my Schuberth C3 pro
https://sharp.dft.gov.uk/testsratings/shoei-gt-air :rolleyes:
My Shark Evo-Line 3 is great!
I love the fact it can be both full face and open face.. The chin actually flips all way round to the back and locks so that its out of the way. Great for sunny hot days.. Im not going to lie, it is loud but that doesnt bother me, i like to know im riding the bike.
*EDIT* It also gets 5 stars..
i brought a nolan n87 a few month ago, i find it very comfortable maby a little bit noisy and i like the in built sun visor probaly one of the best additions to any brand of helmet
@owen426 are you more or less confused now, having asked the question? :lol:
Well I deliberately left the question pretty open, so about the same. I know about helmets fitting correctly etc etc, I was more interested in the reasons that led people to their OWN choices. I was assuming there was a lot of experience on the forum, and boy are you guys delivering! :grin:
Don't be fooled by the sharps test results, they have some cheap helmets with 5 stars that I wouldn't give cupboard space to. Just look at what the professionals use, I've never seen any caberg helmets used in the motogp, WSB, BSB or the IoM. Not all of them get helmets given to them, they have to buy them.
Quote from: mjgt on Wednesday, 24 May 2017, 04:55 PM
Don't be fooled by the sharps test results, they have some cheap helmets with 5 stars that I wouldn't give cupboard space to. Just look at what the professionals use, I've never seen any caberg helmets used in the motogp, WSB, BSB or the IoM. Not all of them get helmets given to them, they have to buy them.
slight disagreement - top flight riders are sponsored and paid to wear kit
Quote from: Stolichnaya on Wednesday, 24 May 2017, 11:12 PM
Quote from: mjgt on Wednesday, 24 May 2017, 04:55 PM
Don't be fooled by the sharps test results, they have some cheap helmets with 5 stars that I wouldn't give cupboard space to. Just look at what the professionals use, I've never seen any caberg helmets used in the motogp, WSB, BSB or the IoM. Not all of them get helmets given to them, they have to buy them.
slight disagreement - top flight riders are sponsored and paid to wear kit
Totally agree. Sponsored, paid & told what they wear. Not up to them & definitely does not come out of their pockets.
Just want to share my experience:
Lately I get new Schuberth, which was with PINLOCK preinstalled from factory.
First, I was very disappointed, cause visor always get foggy when I was standing at traffic lights... I did ~600km like this and then I decide to look, what the hell :furious: . Maybe I need to wash it or it's just broken...
I take a closer look, and what I find: pinlock was not installed all the way. On pictures you will see, it was not totally in contact with visor - only top edge. I slide it up, and pinlock popup in place. And no more foggy visor!
First I though, it was wrongly installed at factory, but then discussing this with other new Schuberth owners (have same way pinlock installed), we came to idea it may be done on purpose: pinlock have some "validity period" and if helmet will be hold on stock before it will be sold to final user, this mounting technique could save it from early aging.
My point is - if you have new helmet with pinlock preinstalled, you may have to check how it is mounted.
May be it was well known fact, but it was new for me. Also, there is nothing about this in any helmet papers or stickers.
Pinlock visor inserts are awesome.
Just moving into winter down here and I'll need to add one
tothe J Cruise visor, the cool air of autumn is turning cold
and leaving the visor open a crack is starting to be painful
rather than pleasant.
I have a Schuberth right now with a pinlock Visor works well. I found that either you have a Shoei or Arai head! - I'm a Shoei - Good helmets!
I have also owned a number of HJCs also good helmet for the money!
:hat:
Stan
I have HJC FG-17 "Black mamba"
Good aerodynamics, good ventilation, pinlock ofc but it doesn'h have a second anti sun glass so minus for the tourists. I have a black visior and it is good in sun but I replace it when is dark. ;)
Ok so I've come across some helmets claiming to be designed for "naked bikes", with features such as extended chin curtains, little wind deflectors etc. claiming to reduce noise and buffeting. Fact or fiction? Has anyone had experience with these types of helmets? Example: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/arai-defiant-helmet
As said. Try on as many as you can, in your price range, until you find the one that fits best. That's your new lid.
I just spent a day in Sydney around 3 major motorcycle accessory supermarkets and tried on every helmet known to man. I settled on the Shark Spartan. Once I had that sussed I left and shopped around eventually saving $170 by purchasing one on eBay. Shark Spartan Carbon for $480 delivered............... Bargain.
I'm aware of how to buy a helmet and I've found a few that fit well. What I lack is experience with road lids and gave the Arai Defiant as an example is it's based on the Arai Quantum. So same shell, same fit but designed to be "naked specific".
Very flash lookin lid Ross.
it is a great looking helmet Ross. beautiful. naked specific helmets, not sure on that one. ill wait for your reviews. im happy with mine.
the state governments have change the the helmet laws from adr to european standards. i brought mine from the same company on ebay as ross posted... it has E3 in a circle stitch to the strap
browsing the european motorcycle businesses most do have aussie dollars on there web sites and are cheaper than what i payed on ebay
and i wonder why the didn t accept the american dot system
@Ross I don't ordinarily like to do that - go into a shop to try on helmets etc and then shop online. It's not entirely fair that they have to carry the cost of keeping stock for people to try on, while the online places don't...
HOWEVER
I fully understand why you did it, and why it's quite likely that I will too next time I buy a helmet.
The margin charged by bike places here is ridiculous, IMHO.
If I have $x to spend and it means the difference between an average and good helmet. I'm going to go the way that allows me to buy the better helmet. That's only sensible.
Box BZ1 with dimension 360 paint job. Fits extremely well and allows good positioning and fitting of intercom mic and speakers. Has flip down sun visor and visors are Pinlock ready.
Santa is early this year. Got myself new helmet, shark ridill, payed extra for pinlock, always wanted one. Wanted to buy HJC IS-17 but when I tried it I figured out that shape isn't for my head. Happy with ridill, suits me perfect! :smitten:
you have a very small neck
:stir:
nice helmet :doh:
Quote from: seth on Wednesday, 13 December 2017, 07:19 PM
you have a very small neck
:stir:
:rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2: :rofl2:
It is a nice looking lid :onya:
Quote from: seth on Wednesday, 13 December 2017, 07:19 PM
you have a very small neck
:stir:
:happy1:
That's Gold
Nice helmet :onya:
Quote from: grog on Friday, 02 June 2017, 07:29 PM
it is a great looking helmet Ross. beautiful. naked specific helmets, not sure on that one. ill wait for your reviews. im happy with mine.
This is a good helmet Grog. Quiet, great vents that are easy to work and light. Love it.
Arai Rebel in Frost White.. I have an Arai shaped head so fits like a glove. It's designed for naked bikes so the chin spoiler helps a lot with wind buffeting. Vents are incredibly easy to operate with gloves on and they work well. Not a fan of patterns on helmets or race replicas, rather have plain any day.
Craft RX6 nearing the end of its service life. Bought it purely for nostalgic reasons. My dad had one when I was a kid.
And it looks kinda Darth Vaderish.
The helmet itself fitted well the first four years, now, not so. It's always been noisy at 50kph plus and lifty at 100kph plus.
Going to replace it this year with a Vozz. They're a new design that've done away with chinstraps.
Six seconds, on or off with gloves on. Marvellous.
http://www.vozzhelmets.com
Just want to share:
Because my Schuberth C4 visor is broken, I had to use may spare (11 year old) Schuberth R1.
What can I say - I'm not happy with C4, but comparing to R1 (which seems superb to me while it was my daily helmet) it's much much better. Ont thing - it's not moving back, while heavy acceleration, like R1 does :grin: and clarity of sun visor is absolutely different league.
But I'm glad I have this experience to compare - shows my C4 is not all bad :onya:
I wear a Shoei Neotec I
I definitely have a "Shoei Head"
Davida open face for me, I do change sunglasses every year or two when they get scratched though. I can't stand full face lids now I've got used to decent hearing & vision in an open face. I've got a Shoei XR-1000 but not worn for a couple of years because of that.
cant do open face since a bee hit my cheek at 100 :)
Wouldn't wear an open face helmet. Sorry to say l've seen a few face bars with grind marks on.
I think my next helmet will be a Shoei Neotec. Must have a Shori sorta head, my GT Air fits nice.
I think, my future helmet could be AGV Sportmodular Carbon Helmet. Just ~1300g.
But this is how I think today. By the time I would be ready to upgrade my helmet, there could be other interesting choices on the market :)
I think I posted earlier In the thread .
I used to always use ARAI helmets but when the chaser v came out the shell sizes changed so they didn't fit anymore I changed to shoei nxr helmets we both have them .
So much lighter than anything I've ever used in the past.
Also have pinlock on the visors a life saver on any helmet if your happen to be out in the rain.
:cheers:
For ages I left the pinlock visor in the helmet box cos I ccouldn't be arsed fitting it..
Then the day came when I could "be arsed" and it was a revelation.
Its literally like double glazing for helmets.
Gone are the days of misting visors.
will take advice on pinlock, my next will have it.
So l ruined.mine in no time. Was in thick fog one morning and it fogged between the visor and the pinlock. I finished up ripping it out and sratched it bad. It hadn't sealed well. Later l found out the pins that hold them are like little cams and by twisting them they put more pressure on the seal. Soon time for a new visor, will replace pinlock at the same time. Expensive exercise though. But worth it.
I solved the problem of misting up - don't go out in the rain !! lol :)
There is always a chance of a shower up here I find pinlocks invaluable.
They sometime do need adjusting to seal properly there are guides online on how to fit .
If you buy from a shop they should fit it for free most do.
:cheers:
Quote from: Notty on Monday, 01 October 2018, 08:01 PM
I solved the problem of misting up - don't go out in the rain !! lol :)
Notty if one day you rode through a puddle would just one visit to the therapist make it all better or might you require further councelling ?? :whistling:
Have the pinlock on my Nolan for the first time & You wouldn't be without it. Makes a massive difference & well worth it.
Today l did something l have never done before. I pulled someone up.
I'm following a young kid on a scooter riding in the gutter and l can see the helmet straps flapping in the breeze.
I passed him and he looked at me so l motioned for him to pull over. I stopped and he pulled up behind me.
I get out of the car and walk back to him (poor bugger wonder what he was thinking). Anyway l said l ride a bike and l can see your helmets not done up. He says the clips broke. He fiddles with it but its broken.
I say my mates helmet came off in a crash and he suffered a severe brain injury. If you want to follow me home l will give you a proper helmet. Anyway he says his mates got a helmet just up the road.
Said just be careful and cover your skin, catcha later. He says thanks mister will do. Pleasant kid , hope he takes heed.
He was probably wondering when you were going to offer him jelly babies and did he want to see your new puppy dogs :whistling:
As I wrote on this forum, 1.5 week ago I broke a visor on my Schuberth C4.
Local business offer it for ~80€ without pinlock insert, and ~30€ for pinlock insert itself.
Ebay UK will sell it for GBP 46.29 without and GBP 68.14 with pinlock insert + ~2.5 for dellivery. Good price - I was ready to order. But then I remember I have read what Schuberth change their pinlock's from plastic edges to silicon ones. It was to many complains regarding plastic edge not sealing enough and allow breath air to get between insert and visor itself, making visor foggy... I have even complain about it here (http://gsx1400owners.org/forum/index.php?topic=1250.msg13351#msg13351) and also write to Schuberth support.
I thought: "OK, they change their production... Meaning, they admit it was their fault. Hm... I have warranty, registered on Schuberth international web page... Why not give a try?..."
So write them message, using their own contact form: https://www.schuberth.com/en/contact.html
It was last Tuesday. And nothing...
Until today. There is the answer:
"Dear Mr. ....,
thank you for your email. Please apologize for our late reply.
You are right. We change the manufacturer of our antifog lenses. We are now using antifog lenses from PINLOCK.
We will send you a new lense free of charge. We will use the address out of your registration.
Do not hesitate to contact us in case of further questions.
Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Best Regards,
F... S...
BU Motorcycle - Service Center"
Other words - Schuberth will send me new pinlock insert free of charge! :clapping:
Anyone else have early C4 with bad antifog insert - you may get new for free, if you had registered your warranty.
Pinlocks work really well, O ise one, but as I have to wear eyeglasses THEY fog up,. which I bloody well hate. :furious:
Quote from: VladTepes on Monday, 08 October 2018, 03:55 PM
Pinlocks work really well, O ise one, but as I have to wear eyeglasses THEY fog up,. which I bloody well hate. :furious:
Have you tried contact lenses ? at least for riding. Daily disposable ones are great :onya:
Vlad, get some Cat Crap. Works well, lasts forever.
That's the smaller version of "Donkey Dung", Grog. :whistling: That last forever too . . . :stir: :happy1:
Odd one but does anyone see a downside to riding with an ADV style helmet such as the Shoei hornet on the GSX?
Might look a bit funny but the peak is appealing to my continually burnt nose...
I had an Arai Tour X - always fancied one of them and got a great deal but was very very noisy and draughty - needless to say didnt last long
Oh and in Scotland the last thing Id worry about would be a burnt road :grin:
@barbz
I went and bought an Arai RX-7V. Noise? Never heard anything like it (pardon the pun). You could never wear without plugs. And as for draughts. Unwearable. I gave up in the end.
What boils my urine most. How the hell they get rave reviews. Some journalists must be getting issued with brown paper bags in my opinion. Last time I ever listen to these clowns.
Arai claim all their helmets offer the same level of protection but the more you pay the more innovation you get. From my experience the more you pay the more holes you get, more holes equal more noise.
post here recently, about Schuberth will post me new PinLock insert for free...
Today it arrived.
And how big was my surprise, when instead of PinLock insert, I find in box new visor with PinLock insert installed!!!
Well done Schuberth! Everybody sometimes make mistakes - it's a way how you fix them defines who you are! Respect! :clapping: