I'm from the northeast and the season's end is coming closer...so I'm wondering, when's the best time to buy a new helmet? Maybe the off season or whenever they introduce next years model? I'm not sure..
On that note, I have a Scorpion EXO 400 and love it...any recommendations? (FYI college student on a ramen budget)
Mike
ICON has some pretty cheap decent helmets
I just go the EXO-1000 from sportbiketrackgear.com for $100
you can buy anytime!
http://www.newenough.com/street/closeouts/helmets (http://www.newenough.com/street/closeouts/helmets)
bargain bin at newenough. i dunno how those are but worth the research.
waiting for those $30 icon mesh jackets to go sale again like last year. that was a steal!
If you're into Snell approved helmets, the standards are updated every 5 years, but this year's stardards are too stringent, so they're changing the standard, and 2011 should be a good year to buy a Snell-approved helmet (a few more months for a better year).
QuoteIf you're into Snell approved helmets, the standards are updated every 5 years, but this year's stardards are too stringent, so they're changing the standard, and 2011 should be a good year to buy a Snell-approved helmet (a few more months for a better year).
That's actually one thing I specifically look for in a helmet...good to know about the change in standards too. Where did you find this out?
QuoteI just go the EXO-1000 from sportbiketrackgear.com for $100
What a great price!!!! I feel like a fool for paying $120 for mine :oops:
Hey Nuss, what I do is go on all of the Online stores and apply to their emailing lists. A lot of times there great deals are on bogus sizes but sometimes you get really good deals and adding the Online coupons makes it even cheaper.
Hey, WVU! I graduated from there in '04. Hope to make it back to mo-town for a game next year.
The best time to buy a helmet is right after an MSF course, because a lot of places will give you a one-time 15% discount with your MSF card. So go in, buy all your gear and save some money. I've always bought helmets in brick and mortar stores. A helmet that looks great on paper might feel like a lopsided brick wrapped around your head in real life. One thing you'll notice as you start to go up the price range is that helmets start getting *much* lighter, and though it's hard to tell in the store, they'll be much quieter at high speeds.
Quote from: scratch on October 19, 2010, 03:08:03 PM
If you're into Snell approved helmets, the standards are updated every 5 years, but this year's stardards are too stringent, so they're changing the standard, and 2011 should be a good year to buy a Snell-approved helmet (a few more months for a better year).
My search foo must be weak tonight. Can you post a link about this?
I would definitely buy one in person. If you find one you like online, try to find a store that sells them before you buy it. I have one HJC and it's ok, my wife has another HJC that is my size, but just absolutely hates my head and can ruin an otherwise good ride. A lot of shops have a clearance section, just check it out every couple of weeks to see what you can find. I'm due for a new helmet this winter as my current is 7 years old and falling apart. I'm also hoping to pick up an MX helmet cheap over winter for in-town rides where I don't actually get to go over 25-30mph, but I'm just keeping an eye out.
Haha good to see another Mountaineer out here Brendan! I graduate next December but I'm looking at continuing to grad school. Good call with the MSF course tho, I'm going to try to get into it this summer...it fills up so fast back home.
+1 for the email list idea JB848..I'm setting up a filter now.
You'll have to read the article in the link "Blowing the Lid Off".
http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=339873&highlight=snell+helmets
Or, search snell and helmets in b.a.r.f., or just Blowing the Lid(s) Off.
I personally have always been a fan of Fulmer helmets. They have some great designs and run in the low $100's, much like Icon. I just feel like Icon stuff makes you look like a ricer, I won't wear it myself. To me, wearing an Icon helmet is like having Rotas on your civic. It conveys a message that I don't feel suits me.
But to each his own, Cycle Gear sends out a weekly e-mail and I have picked up on some good deals there :thumb:
All of my helmets have never had a design, they're cheaper that way.
I had a great experience with helmetcity.com. They price matched me (no questions asked -- just said 'Ok') on an HJC FS-15 and shipped it in less than two days (from Cali to DC). It listed at $139; got mine for $112. :thumb:
Scratch - That story gets me thinking now...All this time I've blindly accepted Snell as the best. What's the general consensus of helmet standards around here?
Quote from: scratch on October 19, 2010, 03:08:03 PM
If you're into Snell approved helmets, the standards are updated every 5 years, but this year's stardards are too stringent, so they're changing the standard, and 2011 should be a good year to buy a Snell-approved helmet (a few more months for a better year).
Seriously? That's about dumb as shaZam!.
Check out Sparks helmets. http://www.sparxhelmets.com/
Cheap sales on closeouts. European standard and DOT, of course. Some come with a tinted and clear shield.
Quote from: scratch on October 20, 2010, 11:14:51 AM
You'll have to read the article in the link "Blowing the Lid Off".
Ok, I'm familiar with that one, and Dexter Ford's stuff. I don't see anything stating that M2010 is too stringent (but I can see why some manufacturers might say so.) And I don't see anything about Snell re-writing M2010, although there is something about a slight adjustment. There is some confusion about labeling, and that is what Ford was writing about in the New York Times. Snell is allowing manufactures to continue making helmets to the 2005 standard until 2011, but the label on the outside is indistinguishable from the M2010 label. Customers may think they are buying a helmet meeting M2010 if they buy a helmet that was made in 2010. You have to look at the label on the inside to know for sure. Manufacturers can continue selling M2005 helmets through 2012, I think, but your local dealer can sell whatever he has in stock for as long as he likes.
Quote from: Nuss on October 20, 2010, 01:41:38 PM
Scratch - That story gets me thinking now...All this time I've blindly accepted Snell as the best. What's the general consensus of helmet standards around here?
DOT only requires a manufacturer to self-certify. So I can lay up some fiberglass bowls in my garage and put some foam inside, then "say" it meets DOT, slap a DOT sticker on the back and sell them as meeting the standard! If the lab samples one of my products and finds that it doesn't meet the standard, I have to stop selling it until I can provide a sample that does pass. It just kills me that some manufacturers can't even get the label right! http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/testing/comply/fmvss218/ The DOT labs only sample some of the products available with the DOT sticker, whereas Snell accepts samples from manufacturers to test
before they can apply the label. I won't trust a Chinese manufacturer to make a helmet that meets DOT standards based on their own word. They simply can't be trusted, they poison their own baby formula supplies with bad chemicals for heaven's sake!
So, my next helmet will be Snell certified to M2010 standard. But that's just me.
I just got a Scorpion EXO 400 for $70. Not bad for a very limited budget, and the Snell M2005 rating makes me feel a little better versus just the DOT certification on the Bell that I was considering.
Paulcet: Thanks for the down and dirty explaination...now everyone knows! Good stuff! :thumb:
Go to a store and find a helmet that fits. Like Arai large is what fits me but is different for other brands. Then shop online and find a good deal.
Oh, and GO RUTGERS! ;)
Quote from: Paulcet on October 20, 2010, 06:22:57 PM
And I don't see anything about Snell re-writing M2010, although there is something about a slight adjustment.
Which is enough to make me consider waiting.
Quote from: Paulcet on October 20, 2010, 06:22:57 PMSo, my next helmet will be Snell certified to M2010 standard. But that's just me.
Me too.
And, thank you for your clarification. :thumb:
Quote from: scratch on October 21, 2010, 08:44:39 AM
Quote from: Paulcet on October 20, 2010, 06:22:57 PMSo, my next helmet will be Snell certified to M2010 standard. But that's just me.
Me too.
And, thank you for your clarification. :thumb:
Did you guys even read the article?
Yes, and the Snell standard when the article was written was M2005.
And I believe my points about DOT random testing are perfectly valid.
Ah, so it is. Even though Snell scoffed at the article, it looks like they adopted some of its recommendations for 2010.
I got my son a Shoei RH1000 from a dealer in the Keys for 179.00. It has GXSR graphics (I got him a Rebel) but who cares, it's a Shoei for 180 bucks, brand new. They told me there was a surplus of these particular designs and they were getting them for a really good price. If you look I'll bet you can find a similar deal up there somewhere. I'm sure they don't have the market cornored on this deal. If your interested and can't find them up there I'll bet they'll ship for another 20 bucks or so. It's Riva South Motor Sports, as dealers go there pretty dang good.
Can you paint a helmet? As in if you get a good deal on a graphic helmet and want black? With proper taping of course...
Quote from: Twism86 on October 22, 2010, 09:50:53 AM
Can you paint a helmet? As in if you get a good deal on a graphic helmet and want black? With proper taping of course...
The problem with painting helmets is that it usually will run, which is no problem really if the paint isn't a metallic. If it's metallic you will still see the inconsistency with the metal flakes.
But if you have a gixxer helmet I would happily buy a plain colored helmet to trade with you, just to save the hassle and make everybody happy :thumb:
I absolutely adore my Shoei- RF1000. For me it is well worth the $300. I wonder though how the new RF-1100 will be. Although at the dealer down the street they have a VEGA with blue tooth and visor built in for $179 I'm quite tempted to snag it!
Mary
http://www.cyclegear.com/spgm.cfm?L1=10000&L2=10100&L3=10110&L4=&item=CGC_05-028-12-02_G&name=SCORPION_EXO-1000_Apollo_Full-Face_Motorcycle_Helmet
on sale/close out $119, now i need to track down an inner visor.
yeah i was looking at that one tucson. they had it in black when they just started the sale but i waited too long...doesn't hte inner visor come with the helmet tho?
yeah it comes with it. i tried a large one in the store(was a little to loose and $279) and could barely tell the inner visor was even down. need to go track a dark smoke one down.
as in the visor was not dark enough.
ahh i see. i'm teetering on the edge of buying it. its such a deal...and i like scorpion a lot. but....Gaaahh i'm just gonna do it. mark me down for a dark silver haha
I've tried HJC, Shoei, Icon and my AGV XR-2 was by far ( for me) the most comfortable, and quiet, helmet I ever used. I luckily was able to try several for a long ride and decide after using them all. That's the best way to do it. Just like buying shoes, gotta try 'em on.
okay so i ordered one from cycle gear and i'm expecting it sometime this week but question for you all..whats the best way to carry an extra helmet with you??
When I drop my son off at school, I hook his helmet on the hook under the seat. It's like it was made for it! :icon_lol:
Quote from: tulebox on October 25, 2010, 09:57:44 AM
I've tried HJC, Shoei, Icon and my AGV XR-2 was by far ( for me) the most comfortable, and quiet, helmet I ever used. I luckily was able to try several for a long ride and decide after using them all. That's the best way to do it. Just like buying shoes, gotta try 'em on.
my agv stealth kills my ears after like half an hour, other than that its an awesome helmet. guess my head/ ears are just not the right shape for them.
trying on helmets is very important :thumb:
Quote from: Toogoofy317 on October 23, 2010, 12:51:31 AM
I absolutely adore my Shoei- RF1000. For me it is well worth the $300. I wonder though how the new RF-1100 will be. Although at the dealer down the street they have a VEGA with blue tooth and visor built in for $179 I'm quite tempted to snag it!
Mary
I too own one of these helmets (rf1000 in matt black with dark tint visor) and love it to death but here in Australia if it doesn't have an Australian safety sticker on it, it is illegal :mad: That's 3 demerit points and you are fined for not actually wearing a helmet if it is found not to have this sticker. A $320 fine.
Unfortunately mine was purchased from the USA so does not have this sticker. I got it very cheap (I know why now) on Ebay. It is now an ornament on my bookshelf in my lounge room :thumb:
Just today I purchased a Shark RSI helmet with the Shinto design on it that actually glows in the dark! Way cool. Has to be seen to be appreciated. I could not justify paying $300+ extra for a Shoei when this one fits just the same.
I tried on the rf1100 and it doesn't fit the same as the Rf1000. It is a little tighter around the cheeks I found.
Quote from: Nuss on October 25, 2010, 03:27:48 PM
okay so i ordered one from cycle gear and i'm expecting it sometime this week but question for you all..whats the best way to carry an extra helmet with you??
In the helmet bag that should be provided when you purchase a new helmet. Just sling it across your shoulder. Mind you I wouldn't be racing through the twisties with one on lol.
I don't think it's good for the helmet to ride with it attached to the hook under your seat. They're there to lock your helmet when you're not riding, but I don't think all that yanking and tugging is good for the strap and everything it attaches to. I would stick a bungee net under your seat and just strap it to the top of the passenger seat when you're not using it. You can also find tank bags made to fit a helmet as well.
Good call twisted, I didn't think I'd actually use the helmet bag they give ya but it works perfect.
Quote from: Paulcet on October 25, 2010, 05:28:09 PM
When I drop my son off at school, I hook his helmet on the hook under the seat. It's like it was made for it! :icon_lol:
What hook??? The helmet is always an issue once i reach where ever i'm riding to. I don't always feel comfortable just letting it sit on one of the mirrors or the tank/seat. So, I usually end up just walking into the establishment with the helmet in my hands. Looks "cool" sometimes.... but depends on the place.
Quote from: tb0lt on November 08, 2010, 09:15:30 AM
Quote from: Paulcet on October 25, 2010, 05:28:09 PM
When I drop my son off at school, I hook his helmet on the hook under the seat. It's like it was made for it! :icon_lol:
What hook??? The helmet is always an issue once i reach where ever i'm riding to. I don't always feel comfortable just letting it sit on one of the mirrors or the tank/seat. So, I usually end up just walking into the establishment with the helmet in my hands. Looks "cool" sometimes.... but depends on the place.
See this thread:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=15015.0