another helment thread

[jserio]

since i didn't get a response in the other thread i posted in, i'll start a new one. aerodynamics. anyone recommend a good helment that's got good aero qualities but doesn't cost a fortune?

[Toogoofy317]

You have no idea how much I want a gear area right about now.


Well, the Shoei RF-1000 is great in aerodynamics esp with the bottom little wind skirt! $350 was what I paid for it but don't regret it one bit

And why I keep posting I like some of you folks on here. the only reason I asked for an area was I was willing to write up complete reports on what I have with pictures and everything. I did one with my tank bag but inevitably it got lost in the anals of gstwins. But, if no one wants my thoughts then I won't anymore.

Mary

[purplepeopleeater]

I've an OGK, great aerodynamic stuff and a light helmet. Little buffeting at speed and a bargain price over here when i bought it. Still got the shoei, agv caberg but i tend to use the OGK for long distances as it meets the comfort requirements.

[fred]

I have an Icon Airframe. It has a spoiler on it that is supposed to help with aerodynamics. It is better in many ways than the KBC I had before, including aerodynamics, but that's not saying much more than "it was better than using a trash can full of styrofoam for a helmet."

[jserio]

awhile back someone posted about a helment with an inner visor, like built in sunglasses..........

[bassmechanicsz]

awhile back someone posted about a helment with an inner visor, like built in sunglasses..........

The scorpion exo-1000 has that feature.

http://shopping.scorpionusa.com/F4BD78EED51D4762989F1184B1165B96.asp?cat_id=FBF05AC4DB8843C1B0FF76893F5540D5&pc_key=2902467BA3394B998F79120EA002430C&retpage=%2FF4BD78EED51D4762989F1184B1165B96%2Easp&nm=Street+Helmets&spath=Home+%3E+Equipment+%3E+Street+Helmets&path=Home+%3E+Equipment+%3E+Street+Helmets&sc_id=E83D1541869547A58893DF0A215E6F99

[purplepeopleeater]

Caberg Trip has too, also flips up. My helmet for town riding. http://www.riderwear.net/items/helmets/flip-up/caberg-trip-detail.htm

[fred]

awhile back someone posted about a helment with an inner visor, like built in sunglasses..........

I looked for that feature when I got the Icon. I had two problems: the helmet with the functional sunshade was not SNELL because the sunshade mechanism was basically a huge slot down the center of the helmet and the Scorpion's sunshade was not the right fit for my face. The scorpion's shade stopped way before I wanted it too and put the bottom of the shade right in the center of my line of vision. It was way more annoying than nothing. Go try one on though, it is possible that your particular head will fit the helmet differently and the shade will work for you...

[Rema1000]

Doesn't any magazine review helmets in a wind tunnel?  It seems crazy to rely on hearsay, or just buy-and-hope.

[fred]

Doesn't any magazine review helmets in a wind tunnel?  It seems crazy to rely on hearsay, or just buy-and-hope.

Webbikeworld.com has pretty good reviews of helmets. They still aren't objective, but it is so hard to do that. Everything from fit to jacket collar makes a difference. My normal riding suit has a very high collar with a rolled top and it makes my helmet much louder than my other jacket with a very low collar. Chin curtains help, as does a good fit... It would be really handy if there was a bike shop around that had a wind tunnel you could try helmets on in. Even that wouldn't be super accurate though, since helmets take quite a while to break in... Can't some company just used a 3D scanner on my head and make me the perfect fitting helmet already?

[s0crates82]

I've got a major jones for a BMW System 5.  Especially because now that the System 6 is out, the prices on the 5's are falling like stones.

It's a real pain that they don't sell them in the US.

[Espo78]

My helmet is the HJC IS-16 and it has the best of everything mentioned in this thread 

It has the inner visor that comes down in 3 positions, it has a chin curtain, its lightweight (3.6 or 3.3 lbs I believe). Wind buffeting  doesn't seem that bad to me however this is my first helmet so I have nothing to compare it too. Best of all...the price. I got it on New Enough for $144 bucks. Overall I love this helmet. 

One thing, its not Snell approved. But doing some research I found out that snell ratings aren't everything. DOT rating is very good (enough for Moto GP I hear) and snell requires the outer shell to withstand 2 hard blows in the same spot, which means the shell has to be so hard that it can't absorb an impact as well as a softer shell.

[Porkchop]

jserio - IMHO Shark helmets are the best.  The RSR is light, comfortable,relatively quite, and allows good airflow.  But they cost an arm and a leg.  Thats why I was using a KBC until my fall.  Bottom line is get what fits, get whats comfortable, get what you can afford.

But, if no one wants my thoughts then I won't anymore.

Mary - we all love hearing your thoughts.  Keep writing.

-Porkchop

[sappy13]

Me and my bro both just bought scorpion exo 700's from new enough for 109 bucks.  Its a great helmet for the price.

[s0crates82]

I'm amazed at how many people can confidently order helmets and boots online.  Those are like the two classes of gear that, more than any other, have variance in fit regardless of advertised sizing.  I see deals on bike bandit and new enough all the time, but never buy because I'm afraid that even though I might have the right size sole, my ankle will be too big or small and the boot will be terrible.  Same goes for head measurements.  If you've got a lightbulb shaped head, how can you possibly trust that simply by supplying the circumference of your crown you can get a proper fit?

[pandy]

The only way I can order things online is if it's something I've tried before and KNOW fits (eg. Scorpion helmets on New Enough). Of course, the Scorpions fit my head differently than any other helmet I've tried (I usually wear XS, but with Scorpion I wear S). I wore the first Scorpion I tried on for about 1/2 an hour around the store. I do absolutely LOVE my Scorpion; it fits my head well (and I like the price!!!).

I *once* tried to order pants from New Enough using their sizing charts. I had no problem returning them at all, but it just confirmed for me that I need to try before I buy. 

[Espo78]

I tried on my helmet at the local bike shop before I bought it. However at the time I thought it was too tight. I ordered one size bigger on New Enough...and guess what, it was too big. The return was painless and I ended up with the original size I tried on. Which actually fits really well.

[pandy]

Ya, they take a bit of time to break in. Mine was tight, tight when I bought it, but it fits like a glove now.

[JStrube]

I just bought a Scorpion Exo 1000, I pretty much love it. The flip down sun shade is excellent.

I wanted a Nolan N103, the head part fit perfectly, but my chin was too close to the front, almost touching.  Didn't feel right.  With the face up, it was the best.  If Nolan had one extended just 1/4", I'd buy it.

John.

[Grommett2k]

The only way I can order things online is if it's something I've tried before and KNOW fits (eg. Scorpion helmets on New Enough).

Exactly. I tried on and talked about the fit of Scorpions at Cycle Barn before I ordered mine online for a great deal. I already knew from trying mine on that I needed a different sized cheek pad, so I ordered those when I ordered the helmet. That is a great thing about Scorpions by the way, you can order different size cheek and head pads for the shell.