| Author | Message | ||
     Xl1200r |
I'll tell you what, I was about convinced this past summer that I'd be saving my pennies for a Schuberth C3, but that' $700 pill is hard to swallow. I also was checking out the Shoei Neotec and to be honest, I wasn't terribly impressed. It was nice, but seemed bulky and heavy to me. I wasn't paying them much attention, but I tried on one of the new RPHA Max helmets at the NYC IMS and I gotta say, I REALLY liked it (RPHA is HJC's new "high end" brand). I thought it was just as nice as the Shoei, but the shells were smaller, better looking and lighter. And you can't argue with the price - they can be had for $350 right now. Everything felt tight and crisp - really well made. They're also supposedly very quiet and have excellent ventilation according to the reviews I read. I usually wear a size small, but I tried on an extra small for kicks and it felt better to me, so I went with it. The place I got it from is good with exchanges, so I'll sit on the couch with it on and watch a movie to make sure there's no hot spots. It's crazy to me how different sizing can be on different manufacturers. With the C3, I was solidly a Medium, but even that was giving a little pressure point on my forehead (I think the head shape was wrong for me). My Suomy is a medium as well and comfortably snug. My current HJC is a Small and fits a little looser, but it's well worn at this point. The new one is an XS and it felt very similar to my Suomy, which is the most comfortable helmet I've ever put on. Can't wait to get it! | ||
| Babired |
Looks like you did your homework pretty good. I was listening to a couple of BMW riders talk about the Schuberth C3 they mentioned they experienced a pressure point on the forehead as well the other mentioned you can swap out the comfort lining to a different one to fit your head better and reduce pressure points. Oval and round are the 2 types of helmets, I'm like you when it comes to different sizes I wear a small in a AGV helmet and a Medium in Shoei. Another thing to look for with a modular helmet is what the hinge is made out of since most of your falls and helmet impact are at the front, your hinge area is the weakest point, some are made with plastic some with metal. Everyone will have an argument for this lighter, stronger, etc. The plastic hinge, to me, would be the manufacturer cutting costs for a cheaper material just like getting a nice leather jacket and finding the sleeves are thinner than the rest of the jacket, its a cost cut. If you are an MSF instructor you can get great deals on helmets from the factory Shoei is half off a retail priced helmet. I'll have to check out the HJC thanks for the write up | ||
| Xl1200r |
I am an MSF RiderCoach... wish I had thought of that before... I wonder what their price might have been? | ||
| Babired |
I have no idea for the Schuberth C3 I bought a Hornet DS when they first came out for $241.00. I thought you were a rider coach  (Message edited by babired on January 22, 2013) | ||
| Xl1200r |
BTW - on the hinge thing, there was some report where during some test the chin bar stayed closed 93% of the time. By comparison, the SyMax III (the next most expensive helmet in HJC's lineup) only stayed closed 40% in the same test. Also, notably, the Schuberth is touted as being extremely light and extremely quiet - these were the features that really drew me to that helmet in the first place. However, the RPHA Max weighs in at only 1.5% heavier (3.6lbs vs. 3.55lbs), and both helmets are rated at 84dB of noise at 100km/h. I think it's really hard to go wrong with this HJC. (Message edited by xl1200r on January 22, 2013) | ||
| Babired |
thanks always good to learn more information on that or anything motorcycle safety related. | ||
| Crusty |
It's funny how two people can try on the same helmets and come to opposite conclusions. I tried on both the HJC RPHA and Shoei Neotech helmets at the New York show and I was more impressed with the Shoei. I've never tried on an HJC that fit my head, though. However; two tears ago, I tried on a Schuberth C3 at the Show, and instantly fell in love. It fit like they used my head to make the mold for the EPS liner. I've had a poor couple of years since then, but I've vowed to buy the Good Gear this year. Last week, I ordered a pair of Darien pants (Custom fit to my measurements). Next will be a Darien jacket. After that, I'll get my C3. 700 bucks for a helmet is kinda hard to swallow, but it's only money. My head deserves a helmet that fits perfectly. I've never had a helmet that fit better on the first try, and I was really impressed with some of the designed in features. Schuberth is also noteworthy for really good Customer Service. I consider that to be very important and worth spending a bit extra on initial price. Helmets and how they fit varies considerably from one individual to the next. My Ex never liked the helmets that I chose, and I didn't like the helmets that fit her well. When we tried on the C3s, she didn't care for the fit one bit while I was instantly enthralled. I'll have one this year. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Crusty - If it weren't for the slight pressure point on my forehead on the C3, I'd probably not even bother looking at anything else - I had an AGV when I first started riding that had this problem, too - it felt tolerable at first, but after a day of riding I'd want nothing more than to get that thing off my head. Otherwise I find it a fantastic helmet. I spent more time at the Schuberth booth than almost anywhere else when I was at Americade in June! The Shoei is nice for sure, but I had a hard time discerning a difference in quality compared to the RPHA. The RPHA won out in my mind purely because it was lighter, smaller and more than $200 less, but I wouldn't have been unhappy with the Shoei - in fact, I was planning on purchasing one up until Saturday morning. I agree totally about fit - what can stink is that most people won't know what doesn't fit unless they've a) tried on a bunch, which is hard for a newbie, or b) lived with one that doesn't fit all that well for a while (like I did). I think that might have been the biggest thing about the RPHA for me... the Shoei felt nice, but the RPHA felt like home. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Having been a convinced Shoei wearer for many years, after a LOT of time trying on & researching helmets, I pulled the trigger on a HJC R-PHA MAX last summer. It's a modular or flip front that is the same size as a full face. The fit is as good as the Shoei Raid II it replaced, the finish I'd say is slightly inferior to the Shoei but not by much, & that's being picky. As for the noise, I had to buy a "Whisper Kit" for the Raid II because it was so noisy. The HJC I don't find any noisier than the Shoei with the kit fitted. The HUGE plus for me with the HJC is that I wear glasses & I don't have to fiddle about trying to get them to sit right after I've put my lid on. Add in the one touch retractable sunshield & that it comes with a pinlock anti-fog visor & that it weighs less than many full-face lids, it's a bargain! I wanted a C3 but like many here it hurt my forehead with an S & a M was too sloppy. The new Shoei modular looked like a beachball on me too & was nearly twice the price of the HJC. I'm well pleased with the R-PHA MAX & it seems to be wearing well. | ||
| Xl1200r |
What size did you end up with? | ||
| Boyd |
love my schuberth s2.. i figured out a place to buy them for $525 delivered from germany | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
I got an S in Pearl White. | ||
| Weatherman |
I also checked out the HJCR-pha. I have both full face and modular helmets (as you know I have more than one bike in more than one location). I like the convenience of the modular and if it is light and quiet , as the rpha seems to be, it will be my next helmet. My present helmets are all about 4 yours old so soon time to replace them. I also was xs in the rpha and i am small or med in my other helmets(Scorpion, Arai, H-D,) | ||
| Xl1200r |
Nice, Joel - Well, you can take a nice look at mine next time you're up here or we meet downstate for a spring break-in ride! By then I'll have a good idea on the volume and weight. Good to know I wasn't crazy on the size, either. | ||
| Guy_glover |
Had a bad crash at the track last year that destroyed my shoulder and Arai Vector.I was laying there fully expecting to black out when I realized I didn't even see stars.Never even got a headache! Allready bought a new Corsair V, made a believer out of me. | ||
| 1324 |
My local BMW and Triumph dealer had a killer sale back on black Friday for 20% off everything in the store. I replaced my Scorpion EXO1000 with a Schuberth S2 and a buddy picked up an S3. We both picked up the comm system, too. Pricey even with the sales, but it fits perfect and integrates cleanly. The helmet is very light, super comfortable, the factory pinlock shield is awesome, and is reasonably quiet. I also like Schuberth's accident replacement policy. What other manufacturer will cover the bulk of a replacement helmet after a crash? I'm sold (and poorer). | ||
| Xl1200r |
Snow and below 0 temps (that's below -18 for our international buddies) hasn't left me able to ride with the new lid, but I've spent a lot of time with it on the couch. The fit is really good - it's *almost* as nice inside as my Suomy, but that may come with some breaking in. I'm really happy with it so far and can't wait to get on the bike with it. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
but I've spent a lot of time with it on the couch. PICTURES! PICTURES! Brrrr -18°C... that's chilly. It's up over freezing here for the last couple of days & forecast over 10°C this afternoon, so I'll finally be able to clear the ramp up from the garage. Then I can get the Alfa down to overhaul it's suspension & brakes, & get the M2 up so I can overhaul my mind. | ||
| Xl1200r |
We finally just broke out of it between last night and today. Sitting at about 45 right now and they're saying as high as 55 (13 C). Very wet, though - lots of rain last night and all of the snow we had is gone, so it will be a mild ride and a dirty bike at the end. No worries, I've been known to wash my bikes in below freezing freezing weather with a garden sprayer full of hot water, haha | ||
| Xl1200r |
Went for a quick ride on my lunch - conditions were very... British. Mild temps, humid, very wet, but no outright rain. First things first - I didn't do a compare to my other lids, but this helmet is the quietest I've put on my head. The pin lock works great - it really should have otherwise fogged up in these conditions, but even when I went full-bore mouth breather it stayed perfectly clear. The flip-up is great at lights, in parking lots, and for getting on and off the bike - just feels nicer to have that chin bar open when getting gloves off, jacket on, etc. Other than that not much to report. It fits great, looks great, performs great. I'm in love | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
The sun shield operation takes a little while to get used to, & you feel a bit of a div while fiddling on the top of your head at first but the operation is good. | ||
| Xl1200r |
The sun shield operation takes a little while to get used to, & you feel a bit of a div while fiddling on the top of your head at first but the operation is good. My previous everyday lid was an HJC IS-16 and the mechanism, while not as smooth, is the same, so no more learning curve for me. It's not as graceful as some of the side-mounted sliders like everyone else has, but it does work. |
