I'm picking up my 2001 GS500 from my friend friday and I need to get a helmet ASAP. I was dead set on getting a shoei Z-two but now its looking a little pricey. Anyone have any good recomendations or should I stick with the z-two?
Here's a quick guide for choosing a helmet:
-Fit should be tight but not painful
-Different brands suit different head shapes
-Always buy new, if you can afford it only buy used if it's as-new and less than 2 years old
-Look for light weight and good general finish
-Try as many brands as possible
-Avoid fins - no matter how wicked they look
I own a TZ-1 and it fits great. :thumb:
Look for SNELL certified helmets, DOT is a lesser standard. The certification tells you that it will protect you, everything beyond that is style, comfort, and features.
I have an HJC CL-14 MB-II that I am happy with. The only thing I would do different is look for one with a removable liner.
It should be a little snug when you get it, it will form to your head/face after wearing it a bit.
Do a search on "helmet" here and you'll find plenty of riders' impressions of various models.
i dunno if i'd recommend a HJC personally. i have one, and i really don't like it. the padding really loosened up on mine and now it's extremely loose on my head. they just arn't as good of quality as other helmets. for low cost and a good helmet i'd recommend KBC. while not really low cost, it's lower than any other brands (aside from HJC). other than that, yeah, shoei makes a real nice helmet, and so does arai, though they're both expensive. looking at my choice of helmets, i regret getting the cheaper one, because now i just need to buy a new one anyway. i'd say with things like helmets and gear, money shouldn't be the top priority. get a good fit that you like, and get good quality.
Quote from: Zarathustrathe padding really loosened up on mine and now it's extremely loose on my head.
Sounds more like you didn't get a right fit. New helmet should fit *really* snyg-like you need one size smaller. That way, once it breaks in it will be comfortably snug. Only takes a few weeks for it to break into your head shape.
Well worth the extra money to go to shop to get fit and buy it there.
I have a shoei rf900. I bought a closeout model so it was cheaper than the new ones. For my shape head it fits pretty good and they had a xxs. If I can ever find an Arai to try on XXS or XXXS I will try it on... if it fits nice I will fork out the $400 for it too!
My roomie has an HJC I believe... lots of wind noise.
I have an Icon Primary. I like it alot. It has great visibility, little wind noise and all of those other comforts too. DOT and SNELL certified. Nice helmets. Not too expensive either.
-Anti
I have an HJC CS12 (one below CS14) they are technically teh same helmet execpt for venting differences.
Anyway I like my HJC CS12, the lady rides with an HJC CL5 (half face) and that fit her fine, and it works for me too.
What I suggest is to check out teh helmet fit guide http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/SizeCharts.aspx
see what your helmet is.. and measure accordingly.. i found HJC one was close to mine. I couldtn find XS (that's what i really need) but I got S and its actually a tight fit.. and i have been riding with it for over a month now.
I bought an HJC AC-11 recently and I really like it. I believe it's the top of their line. Comes in both graphic and solid color styles. Over the net, they are well under $200
Things I like:
The liner is removable for cleaning.
Quiet compared to other helmets I've owned.
Comfortable.
OS
In my experiance cheap helmets are just that cheap. I bought one of Bieffe's bottom o the line helmets a few (ok a bunch) of years ago, and while it was a helmet and worked well enough but the lining was kinda loose and the vents and plastic trim bits started falling off within a year.
I've had my Shoei RF-R for 5 years now (I know I know) and it is still in great shape and feels like a pair of good shoes. :)
For race helmets, since I tend to ding them on a regular basis, :oops: I buy good top of the line helmets, but from several years ago, when you can get a substantial discount. Arai tend to hold their value too well, but AGVs and Shoeis are easier to find.
how much is your head worth????
i have an Arai and a Shoei RF900
Roundball said he could get some great deal on AGV's....shipping might get weird....
KBC VR1 for value and fit (long and narrow) just like Shoei RF900. Not much to choose between 'em, I alternate. The Shoei may be a tad quieter.
I've had my KBC Wolf now for a season and a half and I still like it. The venilation isn't quite even but other than that I have no complaints. An ARAI or Shoei will have better fit and finish but the KBCs meet the highest safety standards including some very rigorous new European ones.
They are sized slightly differant than other brands though. I'm a loose large in most brands but I'm a perfect fit for a Medium KBC.
my next helmet will be an icon. I love the way they fit. they have all the features of a more expensive helmet, but at well under 200 dollars. and the graphics don't make you barf when you look at them, like most racer rep helmets. (Duhamel's being a notable exception. his helmet is pretty cool.)
but if I weren't on a buget, I think I would give ROOF or Momo a try. two european brands that are hard to get in the states, but are suposed to be very nice.
Arai dealer training video. Proper fit.
http://wislonghair.no-ip.com/bikes/arai.wmv
Enjoy
OS :?
Who cares if it fits or protects your head???????????
It is what it looks like that is of the higest importance!!!! :bs:
Seriously, if it fits well, feels good and is approved then you cant go wrong. The Governments (Australia, Canada, America, Britain etc) have standards that must be met. If your helmet is worth $50 BUT has been approved then its good enough! It just wont be as comfortable, quiet, light etc
Your head is worth approval from government standards - other then that its all crap like everything else... however you get what you pay for!
Stay Safe
Quote from: The AntibodyI have an Icon Primary. I like it alot. It has great visibility, little wind noise and all of those other comforts too. DOT and SNELL certified. Nice helmets. Not too expensive either.
-Anti
I have been really happy with my Icon too. I got the Aggressor in Black/Silver. I hadn't seen the Primaries when I bought mine but I really like those too. I noticed that my helmet almost looks like it has horns when I see myself in reflections off cars :lol:
Like everyone else has said, get what fits and try everything on. Where them around the store for about 20 minutes to see if they will give you headaches (pressure points and that kind of stuff). Some will obviously fit wrong so there will be no need to wear them around. The 2 helmets I had my heart set on when I started didn't fit so I found myself trying on everything I could get my hands on :mrgreen:
i got a shoei z-II for $315 with shipping at motoxoutlet.com
I like my Shoei Z-II as well. But I scratched it when I bounced off the pavement :(
Heh, I wonder if I should try to make the scratches look nicer or leave as is (battle scars?)