| Author | Message | ||
     Bertotti |
A couple questions. Are the HD Buell helmets any good? Do the HD helmets fit like the buell helmets? My dealer carries the hd ones but not the Buell. I am considering a full face helmet for the colder riding but really like the regular helmet I have because I can push the face shield up at lights or part way up on the road for air. I know I can't flip p a full face helmet that will flip up while riding but I intend to wear it in colder weather. Thanks for any guidance I have never had a full face helmet before. I always avoided them thinking they were less safe then the style I prefer to wear. I always thought the chin part on a full face helmet would put to much torque on a persons neck in a fall. | ||
| Florida_lime |
Imagine the torque of the fall directly on your chin instead !  You can always flip up the shield a bit with a full face helmet -- I often ride with the shield up 1/2" or so in the summer in Florida. | ||
| Karlsbad |
If you look closely at the specs on the Buell helmets one is a AGV the other a HJC, or maybe it is a KBC Oh well I will have to look for myself again | ||
| Etennuly |
I have the HD Ultra Jet and I really like it for around town commuting and riding with friends. I have the Buell Asphalt full face and I use it on long trips or riding alone. It is much quieter and would give much better protection in case of an accident. Buells newer full face helmets have a slightly larger shield opening for better peripheral vision. | ||
| Prowler |
Most of the H-D and Buell helmets I've seen are KBC helmets. I like them, they fit my head better than most of the other helmets I've tried. | ||
| Lorazepam |
I wear a scorpion exo 700, and find the quality to be on par with arai and shoei helmets. I also have a Buell helmet made by KBC. I dont wear it much, the vents on the rear broke within a few weeks, the airflow isnt so good, and the quality is lacking overall. The scorpion can be had for less money, and the anti fog shield really works, it is the best in the business. Full face helmets protect you way better than the open faced variety. According to the hurt report, over 30 percent of the impacts to a helmet in a crash are in the area of the lower portion of the full face helmet. It is an old wives tale that a full face helmet will break your neck in a crash. If you hit that hard, an open face will do no good either. watch this video, these guys are hitting the ground way harder than you ever will, and getting up to get back in the race most of the time. http://www.metacafe.com/watch/138420/moto_gp_anima ls/ | ||
| Pso |
I have a Nolan with the flip down partial sun visor. it is great. I no longer need to swap out regular glasses for sun glasses, plus with the flip up chin bar I can swill down some water at some stops with out taking off the helmet and also I am able to talk with others for resturant suggestions, directions etc, and in very slow city trafice flip up the chin bar for a little more air flow. I think best helmet I have had (Shoie, Arie, HJC.The latches are also metal I believe so they are rated ok by some mc rags. | ||
| Paulync |
I have found this web sit helpful, and I am sure you will find many opinions on helmets and websites http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed-motorcycle-pr oducts/Products.htm Happy hunting, I have HJC SP-CL full face now, also 4 other helmets when station oversees various styles, I am looking at Scorpian exo 200 for my next helmet in for my glide on the Uly Full Face or Modular. Noise is my concern as well as comfort paul | ||
| Dynasport |
Helmet choice is a very personal decision. Having said that I will offer the following advice from personal experience. Unless you are just determined to get a helmet that advertises Buell or HD, I wouldn't buy a helmet from them. As has been stated by others they don't manufacture their own helmets. They relabel other manufacturers' helmets at significant markups. I bought my first helmet upon returning to motorcycling with a HD sticker on it and I won't make that mistake again. Too much money for the same helmet from KBC with the HD logo. Now, as to helmet style. I currently have a 3/4, a 1/2 and a full face helmet. I went from 3/4 to 1/2 to look cool, then to full for comfort and safety. I know the comfort part may not make sense to some, but let me explain. I live it Florida and I ride in the heat almost year round. That and looks and cruiser culture kept me away from full face helmets. I spent lots of money on eyeglasses and goggles trying to find something that didn't fly off my face, dry out my eyes, or beat me to death at highway speeds. Also, the wind noise in my ears was deafening (even with earplugs). My hearing is not what I'd like it to be already, and I didn't want to lose more. When I decided to do a Iron Butt SS1000 I decided to give a full face a try. I read tons of reviews and tried on several helmets. I ended up with a Shoei RF-1000 and LOVE it. Even in the heat. It vents pretty well at speed and if it is really hot or I am stopped I just flip up the shield. I am the only one of my cruiser friends that uses a full face, but I don't let that bother me. I have had to make some adjustments. It is harder to communicate at stoplights (other riders can't hear me as well). I also can't drink or eat anything with my helmet on as I can't get it to my mouth. I live with those issues though for the benefits I get from the full face. I like my Shoei so much I almost never wear my other helmets anymore. YMMV Dan | ||
| Bertotti |
Roof Boxer V, man I love that helmet, t bad they don't import to the USA. The exchange rate is terrible. I guess I'll have to wait for it and find a substitute for now. Thanks for the replies and links all, the quest continues. I'm down to the Nolan N 102 or the scorpion exo 1000. I guess it will come down to which fits best and if I decide to go for a flip other then the Boxer which is now a wait in progress. | ||
| Karlsbad |
Helmets what a topic, As dynasport put it , very personal I have and wear the following helmets Schubert(Modular),Shoei RF900, Arai,HJC,AGV,KBC carbon,a couple different Scorpion EXO 700's , and a 1/2 Carbon HD helmet for the cruiser. I almost always wear the Arai, next in line the AGV & the Scorpions, All these brands fit the best have good ventilation and are very quiet (I always wear ear plugs) The only bitch I have is changing the screen on the Arai is always scary feels like you will break something for sure. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Who makes a full face helmet that allows the peripheral vision of my 1/2 helmet. I don't like having to turn my shoulders to do a head check because the bike follows the shoulders. I have a full face but don't wear it because of the lack of peripheral vision. | ||
| Bertotti |
I wonder if anyone makes a full face helmet with that much peripheral vision. I just found my local big four dealer sells both Nolan and Scorpion. I will have to pop around town and see what other helmets can be found. Do you all think the Nolan n102 and new scorpion exo 1000 are priced well? Electraglider brings up a good point about looking over the shoulder. i usually tilt my head down a bit and look over and back so I don't have to twist my shoulders, I will be curious to see how these full face jobs work. | ||
| Midnightrider |
It is an interesting point. I have always worn full face helmets (HJC and Scorpion)and have not had a problem looking over my shoulder without turning my shoulders. Even with a cervical disk fusion and a metal plate in my neck. Maybe it was all those years on the gymnastic team. Maybe its a facial bone structure/eye placement thing... I know I'm vain but I like my face too much to go with anything less than a full-face helmet. lol (Message edited by midnightrider on October 12, 2007) | ||
| Gotj |
"I don't like having to turn my shoulders to do a head check because the bike follows the shoulders." You might want to do some riding skills drills so that you steer straight while looking over your shoulder. That is a learned skill because what you describe IS the natural result. However, with some time practicing on the bike, you can get over it. One drill is to go to a large empty parking lot (a mall on Sunday morning for example). Start down one of the long parking lot lines and look over your shoulder, then look ahead to see if you have drifted and, if so, how much. Then do it again taking into account your experience. Keep doing it looking over both shoulders until you have trained your body to steer straight while turing your shoulders. Regarding helmets, I have an Arai RX-7 Corsair and a Shoei Multitec. They both fit well. The Arai is quite noisy from wind turbulence over the top vents. It is lighter than the Shoei. However, the Multitec is my helmet of choice because of the flip-up feature. It is very secure and has about five or six stops. The noise with the Multitec is not around the hinge or shield. It is around the base. If I seal up the space between my neck and the helmet lining, it is very quiet. I'm working on that now. Both helmets are aerodynamic so that having my helmet in the airstream above the windscreen doesn't tire my neck, at least up to 10 hours a day on the bike. | ||
| Pso |
I agree about the Roof helmet. I also am waiting for it to arrive on our shores. | ||
| Bertotti |
Well I went to try the Nolan and the Scorpion exo 1000. They were out of the Nolan and the Scorpion was only there in l, xl, and xxl. I would of been tempted to go for a small or medium. Good thing I didn't order one. I tried the Large and it was just right. I ordered the color I wanted now the wait begins. Thanks for the help everyone. | ||
| Midnightrider |
Did they give you any idea on delivery time? | ||
| Bertotti |
They said maybe a week but more then likely two weeks. Heck in two weeks i could be knee deep in snow, on the positive side my wife could wrap it as a Christmas present. I ordered the Dark Silver. Same price locally as on this site. http://www.scorpion-specialties.com/apollo.aspx Like I said it is a large I ordered and I usually wear a medium Fulmer and they a a touch loose. The large Exo 1000 is a snug fit and a very tight fit to get on the air bladders really filled in the voids around my cheeks nicely. I am curious how well it will run in the wind and how quiet it will be, of course anything will by more quiet then my 3/4 Fulmer. PSO I am tossing all my change in a tub for the day the Roof helmet makes it over here. Till then this will have to do. (Message edited by bertotti on October 12, 2007) | ||
| Diablobrian |
I would like to know if the exo 1000 is a round or oval internal shape. I have a decidedly oval head My arai Astral-x fits great as kid my KBC VR-1 and the KBC Force-RR . I find the full face, non-modular, with the retractable shield helmets VERY enticing. Anyone have any experience with the HJC FS-10? It is a close competitor in this niche. | ||
| Florida_lime |
HJC AC-12 Carbon: Features: Two-piece channeled Dual-Density lightweight EPS liner Large eyeport opening for greater visibility Unique CAD generated shell sculpture (with 2 shell sizes) for improved fit and increased helmet stability Bottom edge wind deflector offers reduced air intake to the facial area and an additional level of turbulence reduction (included,user's option) Two multi-stage forward intake vents and a large integrated rear exhaust spoiler combine with sculptured air channels to act as a full venturi exhaust system Chin bar and rear venturi exhaust vents for increased head and humidity dissipation Anti-fog coated shield 2-piece, injection-molded, multi-stage front chin bar vent sculptured to direct fresh air towards shield's interior surface for increased anti-fogging capacity Removable/Washable AquaTrans Interior Cheek pads and upper liner are easily removed to allow for cleaning AquaTrans liner and cheek pads quickly wick moisture away from the skin Wrap-around neck roll reduces wind noise Padded chin-strap design Open cell internal foam technology for increased air circulation Cheek pad design for communication system speakers Neatly secures chin strap Advanced, 2-stage shield pivot/compression system ensuring maximum shield seal Quick and easy, tool-less shield removal Aerodynamic flush-mounted fit for reduced turbulence noise Anti-fog scratch-resistant coating Optically-correct 3D design Shield radiation protection capacity rated to block 95% of harmful UV radiation Exceeds VESC-8 I tried to include a picture; it showed up in my preview, but it did not appear here. I usually wear Arai full face, but I have heard favorable reviews for this helmet, with the light weight and bigger eyeport. (Message edited by Florida_Lime on October 12, 2007) | ||
| Diablobrian |
F_L I don't know if it's just me, but it says that there is a formatting error in your post. | ||
| Florida_lime |
Diablobrian Thanks, it was OK in my preview ?!  Damn computers  | ||
| Dynasport |
I can only speak for myself and my Shoei, but I don't have any side to side issues with my full face. I did notice it blocks my view straight down. I had never thought of that before I got the helmet and the first time I tried to look down at my waist area on the bike I was a bit confused till I realized it was the chin bar blocking my view. Side vision is totally unobstructed for me though. | ||
| Bertotti |
One thing I can add about the exo 1000 is that the snowmobile shield will fit, so I am told, and it is street approved. Most snowmobile shields apparently will not hold up to street riding because of the plastic breaking to easy. A rock will go right through them. The sales person told me these scorpion shields are made to handle the street also. I have not verified that with anyone else though. As far as round or oval I didn't pay attention enough to that to say. I am use to 1/2 and 3/4 helmets so all full face helmets see peripherally limiting to me. | ||
| Bertotti |
update the store I ordered the helmet from called it in this morning and was told by the supplier that it would be late December or early Jan before I would get the helmet. bummer | ||
| Bearly |
About the Buell Helmets. I bought the Buell "X" helmet a couple of years ago. I get a lot of complements on it. It doesn't quit match the orange of my Uly, or the Orange of my Long but they don't offer one that does. Funny it looks like HD orange. But it has the big X on the sides of the helmet which supports having an "XB" bike. It has not fared well with age. First it has been a noisy helmet. Lots of leaks around the face shield and shield pivot area contribute to the noise. Some of it can be attributed to a poor fit to my head, but there is also wind noise around the ears. The visor system is a bit weak. A quick head check and visor will flick up and give your eyes a quick tear at speed. The Chin vent enclosure cracked then an piece fell off a few months ago. This could have been from a rock that I don't remember the problem is that parts are hard to come by. I was told that I got really the last chin vent duct assembly available since they don't make that helmet anymore. I believe it is a HJC helmet so maybe parts are available from another source instead of the Motor Clothes counter. | ||
| Bearly |
Anyone have a Caberg? |
