| Author | Message | ||
     Jwz7 |
hi,everyone! i've got an arai helmet thats about 10yrs old and it has seen it's better days.so,i've been shopping around and trying on different helmets. i'm partial to the arai since i own one,but i tried on a hjc helmet and i tell ya what for being a 149.99 helmet it fit pretty damn good if not better then arai's and other more expensive helmets i've tried.and it is snell approved.and then the old saying"you get what you pay for"starts to ring in my ears.as long as the helmet is snell dot approved it's should be about comfort and fit and not about price right or wrong? i would like to know your opinion on this and what kind of helmets to you wear? thanks, guys | ||
| Lovematt |
I have used the HJCs and am on my second one in 15 years...might be ready for another in a couple of years. As for the price I paid about 140-160 for each and replaced the shield about every 4 years or so. They have always fit good, the liners can be cleaned, and they stayed looking sharp. For 20-30 bucks a year I think they are a very good deal... | ||
| Smoke |
i always buy a non plastic outer shell helmet. a fiberglass/ kevlar outer wrapped shell just makes me more at ease. i've seen a couple of split polystyrene helmets from minor get offs. tim | ||
| Aydenxb9 |
I have 2 Bieffe's, a HJC, and a Buell(AGV). You should not use any helmet for more than 5 years, most sanctioning bodies won't accept helmets any older than 3 yrs. The thing I look for is the latest SNELL rating when buying a helmet. Then comes comfort, then styling. I like my AGV the best. If I have a complaint about any of my helmets it's that the Bieffe's are really noisy. | ||
| Aydenxb9 |
Oh yeah, as long as the snell rating is there, you're getting a good lid. | ||
| Bykergeek |
I have had both Arai and HJC and keep going to my HJC. It fits my head better, is quieter and carries the Snell endorsement. The only downside is the weight. The arai is considerably lighter. Also, when Arai banned online sales a couple of yrs ago, I decided that I wouldn't be buying anymore of their products. | ||
| Buellnuts |
Aria | ||
| R1DynaSquid |
I bought an HJC CL14 a few months ago & at first I liked it quite a bit. But the more I wear it, the more I notice how heavy & noisy it is. Probably going to be upgrading to an Arai or Shoei pretty damn quickly. | ||
| Andrewb |
I really like the Shoei RF-900 and RF-1000 helmets very comfortable and pretty quiet. Lately Ive been wearing a Suomy Spec-1R. It's very comformtable, but needed a slight visor mod to get the noise down to reasonable levels. | ||
| Josh_ |
The Shoei RF1000 is real nice, the Z-II is noisier but has great ventilation. The RF1000 has a new face shield with better peripheral vision, but its not compatible with the CX-1(?) that most Shoeis have been running (my RFR, X-9 and the Z-II I had briefly all ran the CX-1 screen). Try to test fit a variety of helmets, the different brands and different lines in the brands fit differently. | ||
| Jwz7 |
cool,thats guys for your input  | ||
| Gearhead |
I have a Shark RSR and really like it!! It has great venting, removable and washable pads, locking visor and the ability to use tear offs. It wasn't an inexpensive piece but I'm glad I spent the money. | ||
| Djkaplan |
You do get what you pay for. I had to replace my Shoei RF-900 (with the custom Buell Lightning graphics!) after a swan dive into the pavement. The Shoei sacrificed itself so I could go on living with the face I was born with. The HJC I use now is Snell approved, but it's larger, heavier, and a lot noisier at speed. It's adequate I guess, but I miss the much more expensive Shoei. | ||
| Henrik |
Arai, but mostly because they fit my head well. I'd buy Shoi as well if the shape was different. Keep in mind guys, that the "styrofoam" liner, which is supposed to absorb the impact in case of a hit will gradually degrade whether you wear the helmet or not. There is varying information out there, but generally it's recommended to retire helmets after 3 - 5 years after production because they loose the impact absorbing ability. Helmets, like tires, have a limited "shelf life." Henrik | ||
| Kelly |
I have a Shoei RF-800 and an HJC AC-10. Both have pros and cons. The Shoei is COMFORTABLE. It's like a pillow. It's fairly quiet, but it's large, and a bit heavy. Reverse what I said about it, and you have the HJC. Fit and finish on the HJC is way better than what I expected for the price. I guess the main thing is that it's DOT/SNELL certified. If you can get a $50 helmet thats SNELL approved, it will do it's job, but may not be as nice doing it. Arai's are pricey, and they personally dont fit my melon. | ||
| Blake |
Shoei Z-II with quiet rider accessory is dead silent with top vents closed. With top vents open, it whistles unbearably. Small seemingly ineffective spoiler really does prevent neck strangling lift so common with cheaper helmets. Extremely comfortable, I can wear it all day and never note a bit of irritation or discomfort. Coated shield is extremely scratch resistant; mechanism is outstanding, will stay open at any position desired blasting head on into the wind even when turning head to the side. Shield removal/installation could not be easier and only involves the shield itself, no extra parts or side plates/covers. The padding is removable/replaceable. I like the minimalist look of the Z-II, but if you want non-whistling scalp ventilation you should look at the less expensive RF-1000 or the higher end models. | ||
| Bomber |
got an AGV, with limited mile on it, so long term comments are not available . . . light, comfy, but the upper vents cannot be closed (wouldn't have bought it if I'd known . . . . blame a case of buyer's lust and web pruchasing without seeing one in the flesh) -- a little noisy also, Schuberth -- none Snell (due to the flip front capability), built like a tank, fits great, removable (and washable) liner, build in sunglasses, decent venting, pretty quite, did I mention built in shades (a bonus for those who wear specs, one less thing to carry along) . .. spendy at 350, but I like it so much I'll be buyiung another at the end of this season (it's 3 year old) | ||
| Cerbero |
arai is my helmet of choice... my current one is a black quantum/f (matches my black cyclone!)... i like everything about them, from the look to the feel. | ||
| Rocketman |
Today I bought a Ducati red Suomy Gunwind. Suomys latest flagship helmet, the Spec1 R is the racers choice Suomy these days. Never the less, the Gunwind is still right up there with the best helmets except now they're dropping in price. Especially so the the plain coloured models. Rocket | ||
| M1combat |
I have a KBC VR-1 and love it. It's pretty quiet and light (or at least the lightest I've had) and the scalp ventilation works VERY well. Anything over 20 mph and it's very noticeable. The interior is removable for washing and after a few years of doing so has no noticeable damage from the washing machine. It has a slightly different shape around the back than most helmets do and doesn't lift at all. The only time I've ever been uncomfortable with it on was about the first 300 miles on my Buell and it was a tenseness between my shoulders. I attribute that to learning the proper position to ride the Buell. It's made with the latest (I think) construction methods using aramid fibers and something else. I paid $209 for it but I didn't shop around. They can be had for much less as I recall. I have a large head (I think the size is XL or XXL) and the fit is perfect as far as I'm concerned. No pressure points what so ever and it's very comfortable. I've worn it for eight hours at a time w/ no trouble. I would buy another one. I admit I've never even tried on an Arai, AGV or Suomy as I can't afford them anyway but I grew up on dirtbikes and have worn plenty of helmets. This one is the best so far by a good margin. | ||
| Used_96_s1 |
Nothing fit my head as well as the Arai Signet/e so I bought one. Very comfortable. Sprung the extra $50 for the graphics so the bike show cost after dickering three years ago was about $360. I believe high retail for this helmet is $500+ It is noisy but it is cool (temperature wise) with the vents open. I wear ear plugs with ANY helmet for extended rides. | ||
| Chaser |
Arai | ||
| Timbo |
I've got a Shoei RF1000 now. I like it a lot. I looked at/tried on a TON of helmets and the RF1000 just plain fit me better than the Arai models and even some of the other Shoei models. It's quite enough, the sheild stays open where you put it (up to 80 or so at least, which is when I usually have it closed anyway). It is pretty light too. Timbo | ||
| 420at145mph |
the "FREE" buell one that came with my xb but then they charged 260$ for the first service ya free my ••• | ||
| Hans |
I am very content with my Schuberth helmet: http://www.schuberth-usa.com/ Very quiet with a light weight, and it doesn`t wobble when your turn your head at high speed. The flip up concept makes short communications (at gas stations for instance) easy, specially for those wearing glasses. Unlock: One handed. The build in sun curtain can be lowered at need, while riding. First choice by motor cops here, and they do live almost on their bikes. The BMW concept helmets have so many points in common with that helmet, that I presume they are made by Schuberth. Would be perfect, if it had a perfect fit.  Hans | ||
| Crusty |
I wear a Schuberth Concept, and I really like it a lot. It fits my head. My wife loves her HJC Symax. My wife doesn't care for my helmet, and her HJC doesn't fit me nearly as well as my lid. Try a helmet on for fit before you buy one. Everybody's head shape is different, so only you can determine what's comfortable for you. | ||
| 2k4xb12 |
 Shoei TZ-1 Eros | ||
| Bigj |
Some of you guys are comparing apples and oranges. Comparing a mid range HJC to an upper range Shoei? The CL-14 is a GREAT helmet for the price. It has a polycarb shell, but that is because it is mid range. The AC-11 is thier upper end helmet and it has a Fiberglas/Kevlar shell. The AC-11 is easily comparable to the TZ-1 and probably even the RF1000. Don't base your assumptions on helmets acouple of years old or more. The new helmet models from ANY manufacturer are a lot better than just about any older helmet from ANY manufacturer.  | ||
| Buellish |
Shuberth and Arai...lately the Arai sits on the shelf. | ||
| Coldwthrrider |
I had an AGV Argon for a while and loved it because it was really quiet and had quick release interchangeable lenses. The foam packed out and I dropped it so I got a newer AGV with removable foam and more vents...but it's not nearly as quiet as the Argon but still comfortable and light. I really appreciate the quick change shields as they're easy to swap for tinted/clear and easy to clean for good vision. Check Dennis Kirk outlet for deals on closeouts, I never paid more than ~$150 for any of mine. |
