Cheap helmets vs. expensive helmets

[pattonme]

There is 'some' degree of policing by DOT on helmets but it's WAY after the fact. NHTSA/DOT etc. regularly post blacklists. I won't touch a helmet that isn't SNELL. A helmet is 1) protection 2) visibility. brightly colored helmets bobbing around in traffic are far more visible than your flashy jacket. Colors that work though are yellow, white, red, and neon-green. Racerboy looks often put dark silver or black at the back half of the helmet which considerably reduces the visibility.

If you're still stuck on an RF-R you seriously need to get an RF800 or better. The -R is such a big step back. I have a HJC CL-10 as my backup lid. The HJC's as a rule have very large exteriors even on a M. The AC-10/11 might be better in that regard but I don't forsee myself ever NOT buying a Shoei.

Srinath et. al. the external cover is a means of distributing the shock force. It's role as "cushion" is about nil. The styrofoam is what slows the brain down as gently as it can. A readily collapsable external shell (relatively speaking) is simply a strategy by which to lessen the overall force so eg. the styro doesn't have to work so hard.

The whole "I bought a bike, jacket, assessories so I'm helmet poor" is the kind of 'logic' that drives us instructors up the wall and across the ceiling. If you don't have the $600 for full safety gear (head to toe) then you have no business owning a bike. Or find one a suitable junker that allows you to properly spend on good gear, FIRST. My 1st bike and set of gear cost the same: $1500 each (before I realized the opportunies for discounts etc).

[snapper]

OMG that pic is GREAT!  But I think that is how my helmet looks on me!     Naturally!     Hence another reason to go with the Arai.   :mrgreen:    LOL

[gsJack]

I was real happy with my HJC symax flip face helmet the past couple years, works great with eyeglasses.  But after my little mishap last summer, I deciced to try a full face again.  No more open face types for me.  A little bit of tarmac tumbling can get ya thinking about a better helmet.  

Just bought a new Shoei RF1000 FF helmet and seems great so far.  It's a very good fit after reducing the cheek pad thickness a bit to accomodate my chubby cheeks.    It's my 6th helmet in 20 years and I have bought all of them in person over the counter, never by mail order.

I tried on a XL and it seemed like a good fit for me because of the tight cheek pads, but when I removed the snap in pads it was too loose around my head.  Would have been using a helmet that was too large if I hadn't spent some time trying them on at the store.  The smaller size L seemed much too tight in the store till I removed the pads and it was then a perfect fit on my head.  Took the size L home and reduced the thickness of the pads and it feels perfect now.

[pattonme]

some 80% or more of riders have helmets that are 1 or 2 sizes too big. GSJack's post is great to illustrate this. Cheek pads break in. If you don't feel like you've got fish face or you can't chew without seriously biting your cheeks with the lid on, the helmet is too big (and/or at least the cheek pads are not doing anything useful).

[aslam]

I ride with an ARAI Signet/GT.  I too have the oval shaped head.  I am very pleased with the helmet.  I find that it fits very well, however the one big asterisk on all ARAI helmets is the road noise.  I also have a Shoei and it is much quieter, but not as comfortable.

ASLAM.