Helmets

[MJB]

I realize that this might not be the correct place to post this however as we all have the same bike...

I'm looking for a new helmet.
Performance and sound are factors.
The safety issue is not my biggest concern, as all helmets should have the DOT rating

So I am looking for a full face
Would like the helmet to be quiet.

Any suggestions

[websterize]

Check out: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=22167&p=194507&hil ... th#p194507

[rockbottom]

I think it's like boots--it's such a personal thing that if you ask ten people, you'll get eleven answers. Of the ones I own I'm most impressed by my Arai on the high end and my daughter's Scorpion on the low end. I'm less impressed by my older Schuberth and the Nolan. Lots of people love Shoei on the high end and HJC on the low end.

[AncientMariner]

You ought to plan on getting a top end helmet such as Arai or Shoei. Each manufacurer offers several different shapes which should help you to find the most comfortable fit. One of these top end helmets will be lighter and quieter than a bargain helmet. The combination of light weight, comfort and quiet will provide a helmet that can be worn all day with no feeling of being mistreated.

I'm on my second Arai in 15 years and have been very happy with each of them. The new one went through a major accident last fall and neither of us suffered any ill effects. I recommend Arai very strongly.

However, last January at the NY Motorcycle show I tried on a Schuberth. It was light and comfortable and the fit was excellent. There is a flip down sun screen eliminating the need to carry sunglasses which I think is really great. The flip front is very convenient for eyeglasses wearers such as myself. I am not totally convinced of the safety of a flip up in an accident. I keep reminding myself that we are selecting the helmet we want to crash in, not the one we ant to ride and be seen in. But I would consider the Schuberth for my next purchase.

Bruce

Bruce

[ContraMoto]

The Shoei Qwest is a very nice "premium" helmet at a good price. Far quieter than the Shoei rf1100 I had before.

I've since learned that the Arai RxQ fits me much better, but it's a lot of money so I'm not going to change.

[fastdogs2]

Michael,

I have owned many different brands of helmets from a low priced HJC to a high priced Schuberth S-1. All have their plusses and minuses, but for me, the most important thing is the fit. Any helmet that is incorrectly sized and that causes discomfort ("hot spots", pain) while riding is not appropriate, regardless of the price. I am currently wearing an Arai Profile because that is what fits my long profile shaped head.

You should measure your head with a tape measure and then have someone look at the top of your head, as viewed from above to determine the shape. After you have detemined your correct size and head shape, you can then shop for a helmet that fits you and will meet your needs in terms of noise reduction, features and price.

Bill

[Bob Ain't Stoppin']

I'm with you fastdogs2. Go with the helmet that fits your head. The Profile is the only helmet I've ever owned that actually is all day comfortable.

All other helmet features come in a distant second to fit.

[BigEasy]

This is as volitile as an oil thread. Probably even more so for me as I am an extreme safety geek. The assumption that they're all equally safe because they are DOT approved is IMHO a false sense of security. I can go to the local farm store and buy a DOT rated helmet for $60.00 that is going to "pass" the standard testing. (I'm reminded of a doctor friend who always reminds me of the joke "What do you call the guy that graduates last in his med school class?" "Doctor!")

My personal prefrence is to purchase a helmet built by a company that builds race helmets. In my feable way of thinking those helmets were designed to be crashed in, not just worn to satisfy the passing of a rule/standard. Personally, when I buy a helmet I probably spend too much money but that's a choice I don't want to second guess.

As others have stated fit is paramount. It needs to fit to be comfortable and to perform as designed. Sound is kind of a hard thing to detemine without a test ride. A good rule of thumb is more venting = more noise. Not a great trade off. The next thing is windshield choice. But that's another oil thread in itself

[Chumley]

I am defintely with the "if it fits properly it'll probably also be quieter" crowd.

I have been fitted by the guys at the "Service Pavillion" who sell Arais at the International Motorcycle show and also parts online and it changed everything for me. I thought that I knew how a helmet should fit after a lot of years but turned out I was wearing at least one size too big. I was told that it is not uncommon to see people coming in to their booth with helmets 2 to 3 sizes too big (yes, call them sometime). They fit me into an Arai Quantum II and it was a revelation - it was soo much quieter! And I could wear it all day in complete comfort. It was snug but no pressure points. It's a pain and until you know what you are looking for you need to find someone who really knows about fitting (not just think they know, like if you asked me).

Also, I mentiuoned this in another thread that the use of race helmets as my standard has seen it's days. The types of accidents and speeds have been determined to be very different between race and street. The new Snell 2010 standard was issued to address this concern. See the artilce by Motorcyclist a few years back. http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearb ... index.html
I wonder if I did that right? Is there a link? I have since added a couple of Nolans to my line of previously Arai only stable of helmets since they met the softer ECE-025 standard. They are not the same quality but I feel safe that they are going to do the right job if needed.

It's all in the fit if it is a quality helmet.