Just got my gs500 yesterday from gstwin member :)
I need suggestions on a helmet. I really want a hybrid type helmet.. and Want a solid black one.
I understand some are better than others.. some have better fog protection for the lense.. What do you'll thnk? Should I spring for a Shoei? or find a ~$150 helmet at the local Motorcycle shop?
thanks!
Quote from: trend on June 15, 2006, 06:39:18 PM
Should I spring for a Shoei? or find a ~$150 helmet at the local Motorcycle shop?
How much is your head worth?
Quote from: porsche4786 on June 15, 2006, 06:47:12 PM
Quote from: trend on June 15, 2006, 06:39:18 PM
Should I spring for a Shoei? or find a ~$150 helmet at the local Motorcycle shop?
How much is your head worth?
ahh...the generic answer someone always chimes in with.
i have a $200 KBC helmet but that doesnt mean that shoei or arai is that much better...gotta remember you're paying for a name with the big name companies also.
I have a shoei rf-1000, I like it, but hope I don't have to test it out either. You can get them for around $300 on ebay.
edit: but what you should get is the rear view helmet and tell us how it is! :thumb:
What do yo mean by hybrid? Do you mean modular? As in the chin piece and face shield flip up? If that's what you mean, then my $.02 is to avoid them at all costs, spend $150 or so and get a Scorpion EXO400 or EXO700. I've heard too many stories of the modulars coming open in accidents. Scares the :bs: outta me. My head is worth as much as it costs. But I'm more than happy with my EXO400
I paid 80 for mine a few years back @ a local bike shop. The foam padding is worn out in the cheeks and the forhead. Do yourself a favor, spend some extra bucks.
-ash
What you need is a helmet that fits you correctly, THAT is what is important. If a Shoei fits you best, get the Shoei. If the KBC fits you best, get the KBC. Go to a store and try on bunches of different kinds of helmets and see which one fits best. Get someone that works there to help you out.
Shoeis are expensive (relatively) for a reason. High quality materials, sturdy and durable parts, good venting, good moisture management, and protection from injury.
I looked at other brands of helmets like KBC and Icon and their vents and shields feeel weak and cheap, as if they'll break at any time. Shoei's feel durable enough to last for years.
Are you joking about the helmet with rear view?
They had a thing in my stuff magazine for $350 will go on a helmet and give you heads up display on your speed. No thanks, too much.
Quote from: porsche4786 on June 15, 2006, 06:59:55 PM
but what you should get is the rear view helmet and tell us how it is! :thumb:
Yes those rear-view helmet looks neat! Have anyone actual used one or at least seen one in person???
For those for haven't heard about them, here is a link:
http://www.reevu.com/
Shoei's and Arai's are the best. Buy what the racers wear. They crash occasionally, and don't buy the cheap stuff. You get what you pay for.
Hmm.. so what I have gathered from this thread is... Go Icon, KBC, or Shoei. Shoei is the best however because they are made of better material and feeel more sturdy. Go with the one that fits you best.
Well, I do hate the 'how much do you care about your head' comment, because it doesn't explain anything :) , but I think between that and people saying they are $300 on ebay... Makes me want to get a shoei. I figure if I don't like riding I can turn around and sell it back on ebay for ruffly same.
Man.. I really want a hyrid though :/ Hmm..
Quote from: trend on June 15, 2006, 08:44:53 PM
Hmm.. so what I have gathered from this thread is... Go Icon, KBC, or Shoei. Shoei is the best however because they are made of better material and feeel more sturdy. Go with the one that fits you best.
Well, I do hate the 'how much do you care about your head' comment, because it doesn't explain anything :) , but I think between that and people saying they are $300 on ebay... Makes me want to get a shoei. I figure if I don't like riding I can turn around and sell it back on ebay for ruffly same.
Man.. I really want a hyrid though :/ Hmm..
What I said was that KBC and Icon helmets felt CHEAP, while Shoeis did not.
What you should gather from this thread is this: Buy the helmet that fits your head the best.
Quote from: trend on June 15, 2006, 08:44:53 PM
Well, I do hate the 'how much do you care about your head' comment, because it doesn't explain anything :) , but I think between that and people saying they are $300 on ebay...
both of these were me.....
A lot of people say you get what you pay for but is there any real evidence which shows that the more expensive helmets protect you more than a cheap helmet with all the safety stamps?
Quote from: ukchickenlover on June 15, 2006, 10:50:23 PM
A lot of people say you get what you pay for but is there any real evidence which shows that the more expensive helmets protect you more than a cheap helmet with all the safety stamps?
Snell does testing on all the helmets submitted to it. DOT doesn't. A manufacturer simply has to say their helmets conform to DOT standards and DOT gives them to go-ahead to put their sticker on, wether or not the helmet does in fact conform to DOT standards.
Also, Snell rated helmets don't have to be expensive. Go look at Scorpion helmets. They are $200 and below. The higher end helmets are higher priced because of better matierals, craftsmanship, and attention to details.
[h
[g76
i like the carbergs with the 2 lens one is just the standard clear lens, and with a flick of a swich the tinted one comes down.
very cool.
What is it like in america? Do all your helmets have to pass saftey standards? like they do here in England.
If so you should choose the helmet that fits you best. Theres no point going for a Shoei and spending the extra money because it may provide a bit more protection over the others but only a bit, when it doesn't fit you properly. The helmet HAS to fit you otherwise no matter what material its made of its either guna be ripped of your head or its going to be too tight and not provide any impact protection as well as make it impossible to ride. As said before, first find the helmets that fit, then find which ones will provide the better protection. Then when you've gone through all of that go for the one that you like the best.
I tried on a few Shoei helmets, X-Eleven (~$500), RF-1000 (~$300) and the TZ-R ($350) at the curiosity of my buddy. Honestly they didn't feel any different than the HJC CL-15 (~$130) and CL-SP (~$160) I tried on, maybe lighter but not by much. I couldn't try on any of the Arai helmets because they didn't have any out large enough to fit my head and pretty much the same thing with Scorpion, XL was a little to tight IMO and they didn't have a 2X out and no one to help either, so I left. I ended up with a CL-SP, which is DOT and Snell 2005 rated, tool-less shield and has a fully removable liner/padding. While a modular may pop open in an accident IMO they are no worse than a 3/4 with a shield and way better than a nut cup.
I second the Scorpion helmet choice. DOT and Snell approved. Very comfortable and quiet with removable, washable, replacable liners. My scorpion is just as quiet and comfortable as my old Shoei and has better ventilation.
Chris
+1 on getting a helmet that fits best. Goto different dealers and try on various helmets. You want it to be good and snug, boarderline uncomfortable. Wear each one you try on for at least a few minutes and make sure it doesn't give you a head ache or anything. Remember the padding will take the shape of your head and compress, so if you get one that fits even just a little loose, in a week it will be too loose and will flap in the wind whenever you go to change lanes and look over your shoulder.
There is deffinately a quality difference between cheaper helmets and more expensive helmets. Just look at the fit and finish of the padding in a Shoei compared to an HJC. Does this really matter? That's up to you. Personally, I am super happy with my Shoei and think it was worth it and would buy one again even though they are farking expensive.
I think the flip-up helmets are cool, but the dealer wouldn't sell me one :laugh:
Yea Hybrid ... yes Get a Honda Insight ... yea ... or you want a pure electric ... O0 ... Hey this dude makes a good helmet head ...
Cool.
Srinath.
Like what most everybody has been sayin get the one that fits you best. The best helmet in the world is not going to do your head a damn bit of good if it does not fit right.
On the Modular helmets ( flip up face ) try the Nolan one that is made very nicely my wife has one great construction good quality materials and comes with a few extras not on other helmets at the same price. And you can order you helmet from alot of places online like www.helmetharbor.com good prices free shipping.
Tested my KBC modular doing a highside was not fun helmet did it's job tho and did not break. Impacted the right side of my face.
The reason why Arai and shoie cost so much is because they use lighter ,stronger materials, however that does not mean it's better. And racers where them not because they buy the best but because the racers are sponsored by them.
Quote from: Wrecent_Wryder on June 15, 2006, 11:10:10 PM
Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on June 15, 2006, 10:58:46 PM
Snell does testing on all the helmets submitted to it. DOT doesn't. A manufacturer simply has to say their helmets conform to DOT standards and DOT gives them to go-ahead to put their sticker on, wether or not the helmet does in fact conform to DOT standards.
Ah, just like the Food and Drug Administration does with the drugs your doctor precribes. Amazing how many government agencies work that way.
The manufacturer has to bear the burden of proof for a claim like that. In the case of the FDA all testing records must be retained and available for inspection for a number of years after the lot was produced. The problem is that no government agency has the resources to monitor every batch that rolls off of every line at every private company. All they can do is inspect at intervals and look for inaccuracies and inadequecies in the manufacturing or QC testing of the products. I doubt anyone smart enough to run a successful company would be stupid enough to put an undeserved 'Pass" sticker on a helmet, a drug, or anything that has a legal need to be ensured safe and effective. That would be corporate suicide.
The shields on the shoei's are easy to change and only take a few seconds if you plan on getting a tinted face shield. I bought a cheapy (AFX) helmet on ebay for 65 bucks shipped right to me a year ago or so for autocross, then I used it on my motorcycle and I felt quite a bit of head wobble, after I got the shoei I didn't feel any.
Scorpion EXO-400 here. I love the helmet. Vents well, doesn't fog, DOT and SNELL, super easy visor change and they are coming out with a visor that changes to match the weather. Sunny=Dark Visor, Night=clear visor.
Like everyone else said, look for DOT and SNell and make sure it fits well. That will be the best helmet for you.
Another happy Scorpion EXO-400 wearer here.
Regarding helmet materials, the most important material is the energy absorber, which in all helmets is EPS (expanded polystyrene). The second most important is the shell (which keeps sharp things out of your head). There are a number of different shell compounds which is where helmets start to differ. If you have an opinion about that (like plastic vs. fiberglass for example) then that helps you decide what helmet to buy.
None of that will help if it doesn't fit, which is why fit is #1.
Then it's all ammenities. Vents, pads, how easy to detach the face sheild, looks. These do not affect safety (except maybe secondarily through their effect on comfort). This is what you pay for. And you can pay what you choose to pay for these things.
Generally, more money will not make you safer. So buy what fits and what fits in your budget.
<-- Scorpion EXO-400 here too. IMO it's the best value in helmets today. It has all of the features of the high-end helmets at half the price. Mine was $140. They're cheap because they're made in China, where labor costs are a fraction of any other industrial nation. The quality of materials and finish is top notch.
-M
Hi there
Ive been lurking on this site for awhile and finally got my 2006 GSF500 on May 31. Thought I would post this interesting read on helmets. Worth the time it takes to read.
Wendy
http://Motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/
I ride with a brain bucket helmet..... NOT
YOu know that what fits you best idea is good, but god damn I have to wear the XLs cuz my head is huge ... AMONG Other things....
So its more for me of finding anything that fits rather than price. But either way they still are gonna cost you a minimium of 100 slices of chedda'
BTW, if say a certain model from a certain brand has several different sizes but all the same prices, such as
S=100
m=100
L=100
XL=100
Would that be one of the few cases where, buying a large size actually gives the company more money, because arent the shells pretty much all the same size, so it would actually cost more putting padding into the smaller helmets making them small, than it would putting less foam in larger helmets to make them large...... ODD
P.S. This is my helmet exactly http://www.beaconridertraining.co.uk/helmets/hjc_helmet_black_t.jpg
Quote from: bikermom on June 16, 2006, 09:48:59 AM
Hi there
Ive been lurking on this site for awhile and finally got my 2006 GSF500 on May 31. Thought I would post this interesting read on helmets. Worth the time it takes to read.
Wendy
http://Motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcyclehelmetreview/
cant get link to work I will keep trying
That's been around a lot. Here, especially. Posted many many times.
Remember, don't believe everything you read.
Quote from: TadMC on June 16, 2006, 09:55:09 AM
Would that be one of the few cases where, buying a large size actually gives the company more money, because arent the shells pretty much all the same size, so it would actually cost more putting padding into the smaller helmets making them small, than it would putting less foam in larger helmets to make them large...... ODD
the shells aren't all the same size. In my Icon Mainframe, there are at least 2 different sizes of shells. I know that the XL/XXL are the same, but not the smaller ones. It might be L/XL/XXL M/S/XS or XL/XXL M/L XS/S.
Quote from: bikermom on June 16, 2006, 09:48:59 AM
Hi there
Ive been lurking on this site for awhile and finally got my 2006 GSF500 on May 31. Thought I would post this interesting read on helmets. Worth the time it takes to read.
Wendy
http://Motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/
Oh God.. BOHICA!!!!!!!
Quote from: NiceGuysFinishLast on June 16, 2006, 11:55:55 AM
Oh God.. BOHICA!!!!!!!
I had to look it up. For the others naive like me:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=B.O.H.I.C.A
Ok, I narrowed it down to either KBC or HJC helmets.. The reason for these is they both have the hybrid type helmets.. and they are under $200 and seem to be good.
What do you'll think, big quality difference?
I would rather go HJC since I can pick one up locally.. but if KBC is better, I will just get that one off ebay..
thanks!
As far as helmets go I have an Arai, HJC, and a Scorpion. The Scorpion is the best IMO and it def fits my head the best and is lightest. But as everyone has said before get the one that fits your head the best and you are most comfortable with. I would strongly recommend going and trying a bunch of different helmets on though so you can make the best choice.
I've had two of these... Love 'em... They've stopped making them but you can find them on close out deals pretty easy... It looks best in black... http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/vega/summit-xpv.htm
There's a new version out this year but I haven't checked it out yet... They changed the vents a little and the vents are color matched.