| Author | Message | ||
     Odbuffalo |
Ive been checking out new helmets and was wondering if you guys can recommend any. I know your head is nothing to compromise but if the helmet is both DOT and SNELL approved can there really be that much difference between a $180 KBC and a $600 Shoie? Thanks | ||
| Penders_xb12r |
There is a huge difference. Construction, robustness, comfort, ventilation, etc. I have a Shoie RF-1000 which is about $330 and there is huge difference between that and my friends X-Eleveen. If you ride a lot I would consider a good helmet that doesn't fall apart like a lot of cheaper helmets do. | ||
| Jkhawaii |
Arai is my fist and only choice for me, because 1 I need to be able to wear my Glasses and most helmet padding dose not allow glasses to be worn with out cutting the pads. 2 they just fit my head shape best. | ||
| Interex2050 |
Well certifications are one thing, all helmets need to pass them (although some pass with better marks then others)... but there are many other factors to consider: 1) Fit, all helmets fit differently. Go to a local shop and try a whole bunch on. 2) comfort, all helmets are different when it comes to noise level and wind resistance. Some of the cheaper helmets, may be horribly noisy and be a major pain at high speed (especially if you look over to change lanes and feel that your head is being pulled off) 3) Build quality, the cheaper helmets typically have cheap paint and vents. The paint will easily chip and the vents will break quickly under normal use. 4) Weight, some are much lighter then other... Aside from DOT being mandatory, I prefer British Standards over snell as they tend to be lighter. The key is just to get out there and look and try as many of them as you can. Personally I prefer the AGV Ti-Tech; it fits me perfectly, quiet, is not effected by wind, well made, etc... Hope this helps | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I have the Arai Profile. It fits my head. When I go to replace it, if I find another that fits as well as the Arai, I will buy it instead of the Arai. I don't like Arai's shield mounting system. It's too fussy and prone to breakage. I'm on my third set of side pods and I couldn't get my visor all the way down on Friday. I think there are other good helmets for the same or less money. | ||
| Macbuell |
I had a KBC and just bought a Shoei RF1000. Here's what I can tell you from my own personal experience regarding the helmets. The build quality on the Shoei is ten times better and the finish, paint, etc, on the Shoei is beautiful. The Shoei is also lighter. That being said, the biggest difference in my mind is the Shoei is much quieter. In terms of aerodynamics and wind resistance, I have not noticed any difference. | ||
| 07xb12scg |
I have seen KBCs in action as my two cousins have them and they are pretty much junk IMO. Sure they're cheap, but they don't hold up and are very noisy from what I've been told. I went with the HJC AC-12 Carbon Fiber "Elbowz". It got great reviews online which helped me make my decision. And I've had great results with HJC off-road helmets in the past. HJC doesn't get the respect they deserve IMO. | ||
| Jkhawaii |
wal-mart sells DOT full face helmets for under $80 | ||
| Aldaytona |
Some motorcycle shops also sell Z1R helmets for under $100.00. That brand also was the number 1 rated helmet in Motorcyclists "blowing the lid off" helmet test. Everyone has a different opinion based on what they own, not necessarily what's best. Some of the aforementioned expensive helmets didn't fare too well in the test and their distributors stopped advertising in Motorcyclist. Fact: the Z1R tested best and offers better protection than a lot of expensive "racer" helmets. Fact: the Z1R isn't as near as plush or have a fancy paint job as the expensive lids, but you can buy a new one every year for the next 6 years and be even with the owner of high dollar lid, you may not be as "cool" as them, but with a new one every year you won't be as "stinky" either. | ||
| Icon12r |
Helmets are designed for one time use. Personally I'd rather spend 400 and know I'm not going to have my brains scooped into a bucket after a wreck... Money is no object when it comes to good gear. | ||
| Macbuell |
Aldaytona, most of the more expensive helmets allow you to take out the padding and wash it. Stinky should not be an issue for as long as you own the helmet and a good helmet, if taken care of and not dropped or involved in an accident, should last a long time. | ||
| Ridrx |
I agree "money is no object when it comes to good gear", however just because something is more expensive does not mean it is better. Any piece of gear has an intended purpose whether it's a helmet, leathers, boots or whatever. If you wear a $150 street helmet at the track you will likely be disappointed in it's performance and protection. On the other hand, if you buy a $600+ race helmet for the street where I rarely ride over 70mph I feel I would be buying features I will likely never need or benefit from. $.02 | ||
| Hughlysses |
IMHO the extra money buys you better fit, finish, and ventilation. Theoretically any DOT/Snell certified helmet is as safe as any other. In fact, depending on the accident, a cheaper DOT only helmet may cause less injury than an expensive DOT/Snell helmet. It's impossible to engineer a helmet to provide absolutely optimum protection for every likely accident situation. Dr. Hurt, who did the most extensive study of motorcycle accidents ever done, supposedly was asked about what the best helmet was. He reportedly said "Well, tell me what kind of accident you're gonna have, and I'll tell you what helmet you should wear." | ||
| Aldaytona |
I personally would rather be able to read the facts and base my decision on those facts than base a decision on how thick my wallet is, then I'd scoop up the extra $300.00 and buy........................... add your favorite $300.00 item/s | ||
| Odbuffalo |
Helmet Article http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcyc le_helmet_review/ | ||
| 07xb12scg |
I can't tell you how much controversy still brews over that helmet article. Only a handful of helmets actually passed their test. If you take it for fact and base your purchase off of that you will be buying a "cheap" helmet. I'm not knocking that, I'm just saying that that article is only ONE source of information and there is contradicting information and ideas when it comes to what makes a good helmet. | ||
| Rd3501 |
I heard that you are supposed to change out your helmet every 5 or so years..because of all the sweat that goes into it breaks down the materials over time. So you should change it out..Anyone got any ideas on that one? | ||
| Aldaytona |
That article is only ONE source of information, but it's one of the latest, up to date sources and shows that the Euro standards and DOT are similar. Why do Snell helmets not meet Euro standards? Snell was a great idea when no one else cared. Certainly a better source than sweat covered butt cheeks and a scorpion or pictures of stunt guys or Moto GP guys flashing by with multi colored lids, guys who don't ride street bikes anyways........................................... .................................... | ||
| Thepup |
Check out the Scorpion helmets,great value and a darn nice looking helmet. | ||
| Cobradave93 |
I just replaced my HJC with a scorpion exo700 and I love it. More comfortable and better features. | ||
| Kootenay |
Why do Snell helmets not meet Euro standards? Snell was a great idea when no one else cared. Well, Snell and ECE 22.05 design their tests with emphasis on different areas--Snell places more importance on the shell's resistance to repeated localized impact and puncture, while ECE places more importance on energy dissipation. There is at least one helmet I'm aware of which meets both, the Shark RSR. I bought a Shark RSF2R over the winter, and have yet to wear it--but I was won over by the engineering (such as differential crumple zones created by forming deep ridges in the EPS liner, which also provides channels for airflow) and features (such as thick, optical-clarity visors). The one I have is ECE 22.05 rated only...} | ||
| Dongalonga |
I wil be buying a Shark RSI very shortly based on that as well as a few other articles. Shark belives in the soft is better approach while still building a shell that can handle snell-like testing. My problem with senll is taking a really high-g strike to the head also effects the neck and spine. Snell doesnt truly account for this only the head as they allow such high-g loads to localized parts of the head multiple times. At least thats how I take it. The head with a helmet may be able to take so manygs but they dont seem to be thinking that the flexibility of the spine probably cannot. | ||
| Yellowbolter |
i have a suomy extrem barros spec1-r and i love it, it is extremely light. Only down side is it is very expensive. When i turn my head on the highway the helmet stays snug as a bug. its got a lot of ventalation and also doesnt fog up at all with the mask it has | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
all i can add is i have a kbc flat black vr-2 it looked like crap about two days after i bought it...i like the helmet but their version of the flat paint dosent hold up too well...easy to repaint though..i have an icon alliance too i like it as well but my bike seems louder when wearing it....personaly i like that but some people like a little peace and quiet while riding. | ||
| Jayvee |
Here's a link to a bunch of helmet reviews, plus some fitting and other FAQs. http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/mot orcycle-helmets.htm I wear Arai signet by the way. | ||
| Cgocifer |
I've had my HJC for 4 years. I love it, it fits nice, hasn't fallen apart, and isn't stinky since the pads are removable. I paid about 100 dollars for it on sale. It's black without any fancy graphics and matches my bike which is black without any fancy graphics. Look to see what the AMA and World Superbike/Super Sport guys wear. HJC, Z1R, KBC, and of course the more expensive brands. Hey, if those brands are good enough for Mat Mladdin and the others, then they are good enough for me. By the way, as for the worries about strength, a Snell and DOT approval is a Snell and DOT approval. A helmet either meets them or doesn't. Z1R did win the shootout in Motorcyclist. +1 |
