| Author | Message | ||
     Zhen13 |
Looking to get a good quality helmet and not spend an arm and a leg any suggestions? Don't wear one very often but have times when it comes in handy . | ||
| Pwnzor |
I'll state the obvious.... You need to put one on every time you ride. That being said, I got my Bell helmet for $150 with free shipping from Cycle Gear. Wear your gear. Every time. Don't be a statistic. | ||
| Malott442 |
How much is your life worth? Your memories? Your ability to walk? You don't have to spend 1000 to get a good helmet, but I would invest in it like an insurance policy that needs renewed ever 2 to 3 years. Get a helmet that fits your head perfectly and a bit tight, as it will settle a little. | ||
| Sifo |
Don't wear one very often but have times when it comes in handy . How do you know when that will be? | ||
| Zhen13 |
I appreciate everyone's advice and concern for my well being. But what brand are you guys buying. Don't really see the difference between a $200 and $600-$800 helmet. I have no problem investing in a quality helmet even if it cost $500 but would like some advice on what brand people are wearing and what they spent? | ||
| Ourdee |
I wear a Shoei RF1200. SNELL and DOT stickered/approved. $450.00 plain and shipped or $530.+ with pretty graphics. I used to always wear black helmets but went with a white one this time. If I get bored with it, I'll use Sharpei paint markers to decorate it.   | ||
| Crusty |
Try on any helmet you might be interested in. Everybody's head is shaped differently. The helmet that fits me like a glove might put too much pressure on your forehead or your upper cheek bones. Every manufacturer builds their helmets a little differently. Arai has five different lines to accomodate the different head shapes. That said, I wear a Schuberth C3. I've never worn a helmet that fit me better. It's like they used my head as the lasts to make the mold. It's not cheap, but for me it's well worth the money. | ||
| Etennuly |
I've been wearing Buell branded helmets the past ten years. They are made by AGV, whom ever they are. Two of the best made, quietest, most comfortable helmets I have ever had. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Cyclegear STILL has 2013 model Bell Vortex helmets with the Flying Tiger graphics for $179. CLICK HERE I am extremely happy with this helmet, it's light and comfortable. If you can deal with the graphics, this is a great value. I personally like it and get a lot of compliments from the older guys I run into. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I tried on Bell helmets at the Chicago IMS this year and they just don't make one large enough for me! I like the style and price but they don't fit me! | ||
| Henshao |
Get a helmet with bluetooth, and it becomes less of a burden (at least for me) Music for the long stretches keeps me happy | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
I got my helmet at a closeout for $14. It's a Scorpion. It was a $144 helmet and they gave me a $130 in store credit. It's a good helmet and I like it more then my Bell. A guy I work with that has a $800 Shoei tells me I have a $14 brain...lol. Maybe so I might have a $14 brain but I got a lot more money in my pocket hen he has and I feel confident I'm save. Hopefully we will never find out. | ||
| Aesquire |
Fit. Everything else is secondary. But at least DOT certified. The British standards are well thought out as are SNELL and you can get a flame war going comparing differences. ..... don't worry about any of that. Since some helmets fit oval or round heads better what anyone else swears by means little. Features like Bluetooth are secondary but nice. Fit first. I have a HJC modular helmet that has the chin bar you can open (or just the visor ). I like it for places like a gas station since I can flip it up and deal with others with a human face instead of Darth Vader. Grinning human buying a soda doesn't panic folk like a faceless mirror. Down sides are more weight ( a little ) probably more noise, and possibly less protection in a face plant. ( SNELL doesn't or didn't even bother to test modular lids...... and you can start arguments about the subject ) The HJC is over ten years old now and overdue to be replaced. My other current lid is a Suomy Spec 1-R. Great airflow but no controls for vents. Very Light. Noisy. Stable, aerodynamically way past the ton. A Race ready British spec lid. Fits. ..... perfect. You actually just have to try them on. Then walk around the shop for several minutes. If it hurts at all or is uncomfortable at all, it's wrong for you. Some chipmunk cheek is ok but not too tight. | ||
| Sagehawk |
I'm currently wearing a aria xd3. Made a ims show that an importer was at. got fitted there and looking at the next year graphics. yeah, put 605.00 on credit card in early November that year. received helmet damn near in march of following year. friends and some family members got on me about getting money back. importer kept emails updating me on where the manufacturer was at and why shipments were not being made. I did get tired eventually and informed importer that no helmet in two weeks I was cancelling and expected a full refund. the next Friday helmet was on my front porch. it took 8 months to a year before the thing fit like it was supposed to BUT, THIS IS THE BEST HELMET I HAVE EVER HAD. yeah, it was expensive, yeah, I had to wait, but it was well worth it I think. that's what counts! | ||
| Roderick |
I have two Roof Desmos. There are no Roof helmet dealers in the US. Bought one from Canada and one from France. Roof helmets are not US certified, but I doubt the Euros care any less about their skulls than Americans. Plus there are open face DOT/SNELL certified helmets that I would never touch. My understanding is that it maybe illegal in some states to sell non DOT/SNELL certified helmets in the US, but it is not illegal to wear one such non certified. Because of this, some European and British shops will not sell Roof helmets to the US. I had to contact and ask before purchase. I love the Desmo. If I run in the streets, I will have the chin bar rotated to the rear. On the freeway, I rotate the bar forward to be full face. I think I am the only Roof helmet owner in SLC, perhaps even in the state. Roderick | ||
| Thumper74 |
Round head? Oval? Semi Round/Oval? Every brand and model fits differently. Best bet is to try every helmet you can, pick the one that's snug, but has not pressure points. Price doesn't necessarily buy safety, only features. I tried on every helmet at the IMS this year. The best fit was the Vega Vertice modular helmet. Less than 200. | ||
| Damnut |
I just purchased a Shoei RF1200 and love it. So quiet and light. I tried on a bunch of helmets but the Shoei seemed the best for me. It was $380 from cycle gear. | ||
| Robertl |
Not sure anyone really answered your question yet: the price difference comes from the way it is made, material used in shell, foam, and padding, plus the extras such as sun shade, shield options, etc. Sub 200 is usually a thermo plastic shell. Above 200 is usually fiberglass of sorts. Carbon fiber can be found also but amount used really affects price. Usually the lighter the helmet, the more it costs. As everyone said, fit is number one on the list. Almost everything is at least DOT approved because that is required in the states. SNELL is better but that doesn't mean to be good it has to have this rating. More expensive to get this rating so some companies just don't invest since DOT is all that is required. Cannot get this rating with an internal sun visor either. I previously spent a few hours at AIMExpo also trying on different helmets. I then spent 2 hrs at Cyclegear trying on different helmets until I found what fit the best. Unfortunately only a few fit my narrow head so I saved up and bought an Arai, $600ish. After 5 yrs of misery with my cheap helmet I decided fit was more important than anything else. After the cheap helmet I wanted to buy something local so I could be sure it fit perfectly, plus CG has the 5 day return policy. I do not regret the purchase but if I found a $300-500 helmet that fit the same, I would have bought it. It is not as quiet as I had hoped but it sure flows a lot of air when all the vents are open and that is very important in FL. Shoei Neotec was my 2nd choice which had the drop down sun visor but just didn't fit my head as well. Just got my wife a Shoei Quest at CG and she loves it. It was $368 out the door, so about half the price of my Arai. Price was not the factor but rather what fit her head. I made her try on helmets for a few hours also and walk around the store for at least 15 minutes per helmet so make sure she didn't get a headache. The Quest isn't fancy but it is well built and can customize fit with replacement pads. Sun doesn't bother her so she didn't care about a drop down sun visor. Coworker just got a modular Schuberth. He said it is so quiet he stopped wearing ear plugs. The neck roll is tighter b/c it is modular so that helps make it quiet. He got it on clearance for sub $200 I believe but had to order from Italy because it was sold out in the states. These are more neutral/round in shape from what I read online. PS: noisy is relative, so helmet reviews will be all over the place. Audiologist said I could hear the grass growing, even with the ringing in my ears so I think everything is noisy. Hope that helps, Robert | ||
| Greg_e |
Since my head fits them, I've been wearing Schuberth for the last 12 years and just upgraded to the C3 at closeout pricing. I also recently bought a Bell Mag 9 Sena for the Harley and installed IMC wired headset. Fits really good and silent behind the fairing of my Electa Glide Ultra Classic. As far as being dim or not by choosing to go without a helmet, I believe it should be up to each person to decide, not forced by law. | ||
| Court |
>>>>I believe it should be up to each person to decide, not forced by law. Ditto. I also believe your health insurance company should be able to set rates and cancel insurance based on helmet usage. I mean . . . you are not the ONLY one at risk. They are underwriting the risk and paying the bills. Their underwriting should reflect the cost of "non-helmet" injuries and hospitalization. | ||
| 86129squids |
I'm still wanting to hear more about this new design- the video and stuff looks super cool! (Old thread) http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/776207.html?1451532120 If I could find a dealio on a new lid (watching my $$$), I'd probably grab one. Post up, peeps, if you hear of any sales or such...  | ||
| Ourdee |
+1 Court. If a person wants to take a risk they should be responsible for their own actions. Best fit and damp environment helmet I had was an Arai while in England. Love the Roof look. Just can't find one to try on. Had a Nolan modular and wore it till it was worn out from the inside. Never fully trusted it for a crash. But I did like it. Try them on. Buy one you may actually wear. Even if that means buying a cheap one to hang off the side of the bike for most of it's life. A german style skull cap is better than a naked head. Ride safe. | ||
| Nillaice |
Start here http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/mot orcycle-helmet-shapes.htm | ||
| Zhen13 |
Thanks everyone for the information. I have a cycle gear shop close to where I teach (there is a Dianese shop close too), sounds like the best idea is to go over and try some on and see what fits the best. | ||
| Nillaice |
I was riding for 3 years before I realized there's difference in helmet shapes, and not just sizes And I really like my bell vortex flying tiger. I'd buy another for $180. It even Matches the ammo boxes on my uly | ||
| Court |
Trying them on is, far and away, the best way to get the fit and feel you want. "Light weight is . . .as a rule . . always going to feel better. Like motor oils . . . it's fairly tough, if not "impossible" to buy a "bad" helmet these days. As others have pointed out . . . getting into more expensive offerings generally involves addd features, not enhanced safety. The "safety" component is that is a helmet feels good you are more likely to put it upon your noggin before riding. I am about to buy the first helmet I've bought since 1987 . . . so I'm listening closely to this. I'd like fairly light and I think I'd like Bluetooth so that I can get my comm, music and goodies on the road. | ||
| 86129squids |
I'm still a smartphone idiot- got a Samsung Galaxy phone and really only use it for calls, texts, pics... never "data", never music, oh heck no never FacePalmBook. Given that I dearly love good music, I really should factor in the capabilities of the phone I have. Then, I may see about getting a fancy lid with good speakers. Heck, some of the little speakers I've seen lately put out REALLY surprising sound quality... gives me an idea. | ||
| Robertl |
Dec 2010 my wife bought me a Vega Vtune, one of the first helmets with built in Bluetooth. It was a cheap helmet though, $200. About a year later we got her a matching helmet. We actually used the Bluetooth a lot to talk while riding. Made it safer to negotiate traffic, especially when her neck fusion was still healing. She become more interested in music than listening to me though and it had some weird behavior. Bluetooth systems have come a long way since then. She tried a Scala g9x at the AIMExpo several years ago and I surprised her with a set last year I think it was. Night and day difference as far as reliability and functionality. It accepts voice commands and will also dial your intercom buddy if the connection goes out of range. There are some cheaper units that work great but I needed to make sure she could switch between intercom and music easily or she wouldn't use it. Only negative I would say is having to mount it on the helmet and it can add some wind noise. Programming it can be a little tricky but there is an app that connects and allows adjustment so that helps. I have no problem using it with ear plugs so it is plenty loud. Another plus is the built in FM tuner so when the SiriusXM app acts up, I just switch to FM radio. I have a S6 and she has a iPhone 5, both work seamlessly. My S4 worked well but not as reliably as the S6. My advice would be to go with an add on BT system so it can be easily upgraded, customized, and swapped between helmets. If a Schuberth fits, their comm system actually replaces the neck roll so it becomes part of the helmet. If only those would have fit my head...lol. Many of the helmets today are built for comm systems so there will be pockets for the speakers and/or cut outs. Mine even came with spacers to make sure the speaker was positioned correctly. | ||
| Damnut |
+1 on the comm system. When I bought my RF1200, I picked up a Sena 10S and a transition visor. Holy shit batman am I loving the new setup. Went for a ride on the S1 today since it was around 50 here in Mass and it is a night and day difference between the new Shoei setup and my old Scorpion 1000 with an older Scala comm system. The Sena 10S was ~$215 and the transition visor was ~$160. | ||
| Doz |
I too have Bell helmets because they FIT. But I just got a Nexx wich has different interior pads for a custom fit. Got a last years model for $150 |
