Helmet recommendations?

[lth]

I'm in the market for a new full-face helmet and could use some advice. I know I need to go try on a bunch and see which I like best. Who has the best selection in the area? I live in Fort Collins but would be willing to go to Denver.

I'd also appreciate any input on things I won't be able to tell from just trying them on, like: tendency to fog up, wind noise protection, breathability on hot days, visual clarity/anti-glare shields, etc. I like my old HJC AC-11 but know it's not the best one out there.

Thanks in advance.

[Devaclis]

My Shoei RF1000 fogs up just sitting on the shelf. I love everything else about it.

Icon Mainframe - Heavy and HOT but really quiet

HJC- C14? Loud, big, heavy, cheap.

Scorpion EXO100 - The wife loves it. Built in tinted visor, medium weight, cools well.

[Devaclis]

If you are riding in the winter, check this out. I have been looking at this for a little while. Might think about it in November:

http://shopping.scorpionusa.com/C55D...D97199E67FEF8A

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Well, I like Arais for the quality too, but I have more of a "Shoei head" so that's what I've always worn for the street. It's gotten better with the mfr's making slightly different shaped helmets (models) now, but back in the day, you either had a Shoei head or an Arai head. There are a lot of different, good helmets there that all pass the tests, unlike years ago when cheap was......just cheap. I don't like what's happened to the prices. Like sunglasses (my original Oakleys were $20!), when they became fashion statements with fancy paint, the prices skyrocketed for no good reason. For that, I might now consider brands I never would before.

It's imperative you try them on for a good length of time before purchase though. Believe me, nothgin will make you more miserable than a helmet that doesn't fit right (especially too tight).

Best of luck.

[salsashark]

I agree w/ Dana, I have a Shoei x-11 and it does the exact same thing with the fogging... I actually had frost on the inside of the visor when I got to work this morning. Other than that, the helmet is comfortable and light.

Also, replacement visors are cheap and easy to swap. This is one of the issues many Arai owners I know complain about... cost and PIA swapping.

If you can make it down to Performance Cycle, they have numerous brands that you can try on. Find one that fits and roll with it.

[puckstr]

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[Think]

I've got a Shark RSX helmet. They have great safety ratings, one of the lightest helmets on the market, and super comfortable. They retail for over $500, but if you go to motonekoparts.com, you can get one for $365 I believe, at least that's how much I got mine for.

[Sean]

I have a Scorpion 400 and really like it. It's a little heavier than some others, and I think Arai and Sheoi def make superior products, but it's not bad at all. As a lot of poeple say, spend what you can on it, it's worth it! Luckily I havn't crash tested it yet, so I don't know how it holds up? But here's what I can offer:

tendency to fog up- not really. a little here and there but not bad at all
wind noise protection- a little noisy, but nothing to bad
breathability on hot days- well vented, does get cool in winter
visual clarity/anti-glare shields- I have tinted and clear shield, really easy to change

Good luck!

[Magnum]

I like my Shoei RF1000 as well, but I only notice it fogging when I stop at a light in colder weather. A couple notch flip of the shield takes care of it, and once I'm moving it doesn't seem to fog up with the shield fully closed. I do keep the mouth vent open.

As far as a local place to go to try various helmets on, http://www.performancecycleco.com/default.asp, seemed to have a good selection all the times I've been in.

[Mel]

I've got a Shark RSX helmet. They have great safety ratings, one of the lightest helmets on the market, and super comfortable. They retail for over $500, but if you go to motonekoparts.com, you can get one for $365 I believe, at least that's how much I got mine for.

Shark helmet all the way. I had a wicked crash in one (an RSI model) a few months ago and walked (ish) away from it. They are uber lightweight, don't have fogging issues, and protect quite well. Downside of any lightweight helmet is that they are going to be louder with the wind noise deal, but ear plugs or headphones and it never bothered me at all.

[puckstr]

Shark FTW

I have a Shark RSi

[dragos13]

Shark FTW

I have a Shark RSi

+1 The Shark helmets are really nice. My head shape didn't work well with an Arai yet the Shark RSi fits perfect.

Bottom line, spend more money to get something decent. Dont go the cheap route when it comes to protective gear. Find one that fits good on your head, and it will pay for itself in the long run.

[Wahooman]

SUOMY!!
Very light, great ventilation, and product your noodle. I had a BAD crash last year on a brand new helmet...granted it destroyed my helmet but I can still do simple math LOL.
This past weekend at PPIR so many people were having issues with fogging, using anti fog stuff on their visors. Mine never fogged up once.

From a visual standpoint.....no other company has as good of graphics as Suomy does--BY FAR! Well worth the money. Spec 1 R is a great buy!

[Tipys]

^^^^ Wahooman I have been looking at a Suomy but cant find any that I can try on. Im right between a Med and Lg in most helmets. But the site said there run small is this ture.

[JustSomeDude]

Who cares about brand as long as it passes the noted standards.

Hang out at the cycle shop all day, try on different helmets, and buy the one that fits best (cost be damned). It'll be worth it 3 hours in to that 6 hour ride!!!!!!!!!!

[SamuraiX]

Arai Rx-7 Corsair!

The fit for my XL melon is near perfect and the feel at speed is oh so nice...
(very stable, no lifting and quiet enuff) Ive also got Shoei and Scorpion helmets as backups.

Just don't try to change the Arai shield in any kind of hurry - you will break one of the damn side-plates
for sure and have to shell out 25bucks for a new set.

Suomy definitely does have the best looking helmets though, weren't they going out of business?

[Spinalhaven]

I have a icon Domain helmet and love it. got it for $315. I have a anti fog visor on it, that I have no problems fogging up at all. when I'm off the bike I see some moister in the upper corners but that's about it when it's cold out

medium weight, noisy with all vents open, but quite closed. very handy removable liner.

[Wahooman]

^^^^ Wahooman I have been looking at a Suomy but cant find any that I can try on. Im right between a Med and Lg in most helmets. But the site said there run small is this ture.

I will check my size when I get home from Kansas. They do fit a lil different, but i have had and tried every brand out there....to me they are the most comfortable on my noggin. As for them going out of business as someone above posted....have not heard that. It would surprise me if they were, but ya never know. They are also very nice and easy to pull the inside out to clean...throw it in the washer. Visors are easy to change. I had the Spec 1R Extreme....thrashed that in the crash....just went to the regular Spec 1R second time around to save some $$....ventilation is still just as good in my opinion as the extreme.

[Slo]

I have had several helmets but so far, the Shark RSR2 is my favorite. Definitely no fog up so far, comes with two different nose pieces, and tear offs. Easy to change the visor, this and the Shoei have about the easiest visors to change. Even the lining of the Shark is nice and comfy.

Mine was purchased on ebay for about 320 shipped.

I've got a x-large (fits snugger than a shoei Large) Suomy spec1r, large shark rsr2, large shoei RF1000 if you are by my way (westminster) for a test fit on different brands.

[irdave]

They may have to pass the same safety standards, but no way in hell would I put my head in a cheap helmet. I'd rather not wear one.

Yeah, something is better than nothing, and most of the time that's fine. But when the shit really hits the fan, there's a difference. On the street I've got a Shark RSR (cost a fortune because I got it before they were imported to the US) and on the dirt the Troy Lee.

[Priller_Nate]

I've got a Shark RSX Hook full face I bought new this year and I'd consider selling it. I have maybe 7-8 hours of wear in it total. Its a VERY nice helmet but just not exactly right for my particular head shape. It has never been dropped or down in any way shape or form. Email me if interested as I am rarely on this board with my busy schedule. I drive up to Denver every other Friday (in the afternoon). The RSX model sits inbetween the RSi and the RSR2 for high end. I'd let it go for a good price.

nateF26 AT yahoo DOT com

Here is a link to the helmet I have:

http://assets3.revzilla.com/product_...WhtRd_zoom.jpg

[DanFZ1]

I have worn (going way back) a leather suspension type helmet from AVG, Bell, Shoei, HJC and Arai. My favourite helmet is the Arai Signet GT. If it's not xxxl it's not long enough from front to back for any full face helmet so my nose gets smushed.

So it's important to have a good fit, but visibility is also important. SNELL ratings in the U.S. and SHARP ratings (which are flawed? perhaps?) in the U.K. don't measure how well you can see because they can't. But when I'm riding even a short distance, like Gunn Barrel to Boulder by way of Valmont, I still have/had the helmet on because of little things like turning my head and having the wind suck all of the air out of my nose. Compare that with wearing glasses designed for riding (like Panoptics, etc.) and notice how inclined we are not to turn our heads as much because of the wind.

My point here is that I don't think an Arai Signet GT is going to save my life even though it cost about $500. I think the increased sense of focus and increased concentration level do much more to prevent the helmet from ever being used in the first place. That potentially makes things safer for the people around us as well.

Visibility is King. Consider this when buying an helmet.

As an a side:

check out this link about the S.H.A.R.P. rating system versus SNELL ...

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...ing-system.htm

They place an undue emphasis on side impacts but I think it is still useful to see which helmets faired better in this regard. The trick is to find the helmet that fits which also has been highly rated by both SNELL (which deals with front impacts) and SHARP ( which is all on about side impacts).

...here is a link within the article which takes you to the webbike world helmet reviews...

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

Happy Helmet Hunting.