Best Helmet Brand

[lovinCO]

Looking for a new helmet, thought I'd poll the group for what you wear/like. Who's your favorite helmet manufacturer? Vote!



I currently own a couple of old Shoeis. A '99ish X-9 and an old RF900. Ready for something new.

[dirkterrell]

I have worn Arai helmets for about 25 years. I have a Shoei RF-1000 and it's a nice helmet but the Arai fits my noggin better and is much better ventilated.

Dirk

[mtnairlover]

I've only owned Scorpions and have only been riding for 3 years. They've all served their purpose though...protecting me in a crash. I've heard the story that some guy from Shoei started Scorpion, cuz he said he could build a comparable helmet without the major bite out of the pocketbook. I've owned the Exo700.

[lovinCO]

I have worn Arai helmets for about 25 years. I have a Shoei RF-1000 and it's a nice helmet but the Arai fits my noggin better and is much better ventilated.

Dirk

I had a v nice Mick Doohan Arai, but it consistently left a mark on my forehead after wearage. I guess I have the wrong shaped noggin for Arai. Then I fell off and smashed it, so problem solved.

I've only owned Scorpions and have only been riding for 3 years. They've all served their purpose though...protecting me in a crash. I've heard the story that some guy from Shoei started Scorpion, cuz he said he could build a comparable helmet without the major bite out of the pocketbook. I've owned the Exo700.

Good info. Shoei treats me right fitwise, and I know it's a good helmet, but they are expensive! Would be nice to find a quality alternative.

[Tipys]

I voted HJC Cause thats all I have ever had and I like what I have gotten so far. I have heard good things about Shoei, Suomy, and I like Arai but cost alittle much for me right now

[Aracheon]

My preference for longer distance riding (especially in summer) are the Shark helmets. They're VERY light and extremely well ventilated. The only tradeoff with a vented helmet is noise, however.

I'm considering an Arai, Shoei, or a Scorpion when I'm ready for a new one.

[dirkterrell]

I had a v nice Mick Doohan Arai, but it consistently left a mark on my forehead after wearage. I guess I have the wrong shaped noggin for Arai.

Yep, comfort and fit are crucial. Sounds like you needed the long oval rather than the round oval shape. Arai offers three different internal shapes. Not sure if any other manufacturers do that.

Dirk

[lovinCO]

Yep, comfort and fit are crucial. Sounds like you needed the long oval rather than the round oval shape. Arai offers three different internal shapes. Not sure if any other manufacturers do that.

Dirk

Thanks for the info! I was unaware of differnt internal shapes, may have to reconsider Arai if I can overcome the forehead pressure point...

[Nick_Ninja]

I wear the Shoei XP2 (this is the last year) in the winter as it is warmer.



The Scorpion Crackhead is the brain bucket of choice in the warmer weather.

[*GSXR~SNAIL*]

Some decent info found here on helmets and other gear...

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...helmet_review/

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...le-helmets.htm

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed...s/Products.htm

Also you can check helmet weight comparisons here...

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...et-weights.htm

And some info on helmet noise here...

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...lmet-noise.htm

Enjoy!

[Sully]

I have a Suomy and a Shoei... The Suomy is comfy and very lightweight (which helps my neck not get so crunched) they do offer different sizes of padding.. I like my Shoei, great fit, sort of noisy and not as light.. I'm happy with both

[Mista Black]

Schuberth (http://www.schuberth.com). They are nice looking and comfy (in my opinion) but who cares. that's not a helmets job. it's job is to save your life and i KNOW my Schuberth will do that. and has.

[Bueller]

Schuberth (http://www.schuberth.com). They are nice looking and comfy (in my opinion) but who cares. that's not a helmets job. it's job is to save your life and i KNOW my Schuberth will do that. and has.

when? pray tell

[AshliRider44]

I'm surprised about the votes for Scorpion. I've seen two crashed Scorpion helmets at the racetrack and they were destroyed.

[pauliep]

I voted Scorpion because that's what my last two were. Crashed both of them and was happy with the protection. Granted they weren't some crazy hits they took but the comfort and fit were perfect for me too. I'm willing to try different brands on this season, but else fails I'm going back to Scorpion.

[sky_blue]

KBC - I had one of these, and after a few months, the padding was so packed out, it wiggled around on my head. Gave it to my dad and he likes it just fine.

Icon - Yeah, I bought a pink helmet. The padding is hard and it's pretty noisy. I keep it because it is tight on my head. My Arai starts to suck off my head at 100+ mph, where the Icon stays put. Also, with the silver faceshield on, I am in full attention whore mode, and passerbys assume there must be a hot chick under the helmet, and not just 30-something Jen. Rowr!

Arai - When I bought my Arai, I knew only vaguely that they made different shapes (round oval, long oval...). The one off the shelf in the store fit great! Course, it probably helped that a billion people before me had tried on that same helmet. I ordered mine, and when I got it, it never really sat on my head right. I switched out the internal pads to a different size, and that helped a bit. It's also nice that you can wash the internals. It's quiet, light, and soft inside, but at 100+mph, it starts to try to suck up off my head. I know it's not going to fly off, but it's annoying. Also, I wish I could see better periferally. I've always thought the sides of the eye hole were blocking my view to the sides a bit, and it gets worse when the helmet moves around on my head. Maybe this all has to do with the fit. Also, carrrying the helmet I bonked it into a wall, and the little vent tabby on the top broke off...now, if I turn my head just right in the wind I can hear it flap.

[Devaclis]

I'm surprised about the votes for Scorpion. I've seen two crashed Scorpion helmets at the racetrack and they were destroyed.

A helmets job is not to survive a crash. It is to make the person wearing it survive a crash. Just like the passenger compartment of a formula 1 car, they should absorb the impact and break away so their is less stress on the brain.

IMO, if you were in a major accident involving your head and your helmet did not crumple or the foam did not compress, then that helmet is dangerous. Remember, they are intended for 1 use only

[TFOGGuys]

Looking for a new helmet, thought I'd poll the group for what you wear/like. Who's your favorite helmet manufacturer? Vote!



I currently own a couple of old Shoeis. A '99ish X-9 and an old RF900. Ready for something new.

I've been a long time Shoei fan (riding in an RF1000 currently), and I replace my helmets every 3 years. I might go with Icon next time, but fit is more important than brand.

[Sortarican]

Personally I've never owned any of the more expensive brands.
I've had Bell, Scorpion, KBC, and HJC and in that price range the Scorpion is my favorite.
Pretty good on weight, noise, and features.

This summer I'll probably break down and pony up the extra bucks for a higher end lid.

[TFOGGuys]

I had a v nice Mick Doohan Arai, but it consistently left a mark on my forehead after wearage. I guess I have the wrong shaped noggin for Arai. Then I fell off and smashed it, so problem solved.





Good info. Shoei treats me right fitwise, and I know it's a good helmet, but they are expensive! Would be nice to find a quality alternative.

Sometimes we can find Shoei closeouts at VERY attractive prices, usually about this time of year when the new styles come out. 40% discounts ar not uncommon (my RF1000 DuHamel replica was almost $400 LESS than the original price!)

[Devaclis]

My Icon is really heavy, ugly, fits just OK, and has little to no venting.

I purchased a Simpson. Had it custom sized for me. The damn thing thing started to fall apart in less than a year. It is REALLY light but kind of loud.

I had an HJC and it was heavy, loud, no venting, and after about 3 months the padding inside compressed so much it did not fit anymore.

I have yet to wear any of the more expensive brands but I have tried them all on. None of them fir me really well.

[dragos13]

You will find that different models fit different shapes of heads. first, get something that has been DOT and snell tested. I have heard horror stories of KBC's and Scorpions.

I just recently picked up a Shark helmet for the first time and I love it. Remember, you will get what you pay for. It sucks to have to crash test a helmet so read up on some reviews and see what they say. Of course you can't go wrong with Arai or Suomy, however they are pretty pricey.

[konichd]

Suomy hands down, I have a shoei x-11 and I don't care for it much.

[lovinCO]

Sometimes we can find Shoei closeouts at VERY attractive prices, usually about this time of year when the new styles come out. 40% discounts ar not uncommon (my RF1000 DuHamel replica was almost $400 LESS than the original price!)

Wow! I'd be interested in possible close-out Shoei's.


Will PM you for more info.