Just got a new lid yesterday. I got a vega when I bought the bike and regreted every bit of it. It fit well, but it's noisy and crappy parts. So the local store here was having a helmet sale and I picked up a scorpion exo-1000 rpm in blue. Man this thing is crazy comfortable, 3x more quite and better air flow. All around a killer helmet. Plus it has the flip down sun visor. Anybody looking for a new helmet I'd recommend checking out scorpion gear.
So what do you wear if any( I don't care if you don't it's your choice. I'm not looking to start that debate) and what are the plusses and minuses and any helmet you would or wouldn't recommend.
Scorpion EXO-400...
Arai Quantum II (matte black)
Arai Quantum II (black and silver)
Rjays dominator - black with gold tribal stripes.
http://www.amazon.com/HJC-Helmets-IS16-BLACK-XXL/dp/B001W8RDXG
HJC is-16
HJC SyMax II in white (old black SyMax cooked my head in the summer).
Shoei RF-1000
Bell Vortex. Photochromatic shield. Very happy with it.
Bell has an RS1 now that I would likely have gotten if it had been available at the time.
GMax GM48 Derk Helmet
HJC CL-SP, matte black. My first one was a modular Zeus ZS-3000, which I liked, but when I dropped the bike I messed up the helmet and had to replace it.
(http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/262344_2213330256055_1331504559_2597291_6751548_n.jpg) Afx-39 when I can get it from my nine year old who likes running around with it on, pretending he's saving the earth from covenant forces.
Quote from: cbrfxr67 on June 29, 2011, 01:17:43 PM
... my nine year old who likes running around with it on, pretending he's saving the earth from covenant forces.
That's awesome.
Remember Reach!
Edit: And since I posted: I have an Icon Alliance in matte black ("Rubatone").
(http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qyMHn9kItaQ/TguNjegeCCI/AAAAAAAAAgM/JgZVr6aoM4A/s144/PART951308013343934.jpg)
At first, I didn't care what helmet I got as long as it fit but I have been very happy with the Alliance. I must have an oddly shaped head though as the Airframe didn't fit, did not feel comfortable. It took a month or so for me to get used to the Alliance while I broke in the styrofoam and/or liner and now it slips on way easier. Icon's Proshield sideplates are kind of unnecessary but it does provide a nice aesthetic to the side of the helmet, covering up the hinge. The vents don't seem to cool very much but I haven't felt like it gets that hot in there, even though it's black. The vents do seem to make a big difference when fogging up through rain, fog, any kind of humid conditions.
I've come to love the locking pin that keeps the proshield down though new faceshields seem to need breaking in as well before that's easy to open.
I don't have anything bad to say about this helmet.
Exo-400
Shark RSI. Very common helmet around Canberra.
Quote from: lucifer_mr2 on June 30, 2011, 02:39:15 AM
Shark RSI. Very common helmet around Canberra.
I have one of those too. The only helmet to come close to the Shoei XR1000 in comfort. Recommend this helmet to anyone.
HJC CL-SP, in silver. I like it a lot; not too noisy, decent ventilation.
Mrs. has a Scorpion EXO-700, in bright yellow. She likes the fit, ventilation, and range of visibility.
red KBC Gunslinger, it's comfortable but the visor doesn't quite close all the way and the worst sin is it doesent match my bike haha
My head is so small that an extra small HJC wouldn't fit.
I wear a xs Shoei Qwest and Tz-1. The Tz-1 is more quiet and fits my sunglasses better. The Qwest has better ventilation and better features for riding in the rain, such as a groove along the top of the visor for a better seal.
Shoei RF-1100 Black Matte with a smoke black shield.
Seven Zero Seven Vendetta 2! I really like this helmet need to do a write up like my Shoei RF-1000. It is lighter than the Shoei breathes better and is 1/3 the price. Is also snell rated. What more can I say :dunno_black:
Mary
Quote from: scratch on June 30, 2011, 09:33:07 AM
My head is so small that an extra small HJC wouldn't fit.
I wear a xs Shoei Qwest and Tz-1. The Tz-1 is more quiet and fits my sunglasses better. The Qwest has better ventilation and better features for riding in the rain, such as a groove along the top of the visor for a better seal.
FWIW, Scorpion makes some pretty tiny helmets.
I rock a flat black Bell Sprint with a dark smoked visor. I have a clear one as well but since most of my riding is done during the day and it's more comfortable than wearing a helmet and sunglasses, I go darth vader style. Black on black.
Got several on the shelf.
But my two favorites are. . .
#1, This Arai Profile,
(http://www.araiamericas.com/helmets/images/helmets/profile/profile_sinister_blue_f_290x290.jpg)
And. . .
#2, The ever popular "rubba" SHOEI MultiTec,
(http://www.shoei-helmets.com/products/multitec/multitec_black_mat.jpg) NOTE: Unlike the Profile, the MultiTec opens "up" as shown here: (http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/images/InitialSet/shoei_multitec_open300.jpg)
-Ej-
Sure, I'll hog the thread with a helmet review. . .
The Arai Profile fits my football shaped head like a glove.
It is wind-quiet, well built, sexy looking, and easy to field-strip & re-assemble.
You can buy many different size (thickness) interior liners & cheek pads so that you can custom fit the helmet to your liking.
The helmet is well built right down to the details. Craftsmanship is top notch.
Some of the bad features. . .
Visors are expensive (about $70.00) but very durable.
The helmet seems to be a bit short. That is; the bottom skirt of the helmet should be about 3/4 of an inch lower. I feel that if I should go down at speed, my chin would surely get scraped-up because the helmet skirt is just not built low enough to protect my chin.
Changing Arai visors is difficult.
I always carry two visors; dark tint for day time and clear for night. Changing helmet visors is a common practice but with the Arai Profile you will have to stop, park the bike, get off, and do the visor swap with the helmet on your seat while you stand next to the bike.
This is unlike the SHOEI MultiTec which is so simple you could change visors while sitting on the bike at a stop light!
Arai claims that they will NOT modify (or simplify) their visor mounting system because they say it is the safest & strongest system that has ever been devised.
The SHOEI MultiTec is about the same price at the Arai Profile ($500-$600 USA) but fits and feels completely different on my size Large football shaped head.
The MultiTec feels lighter than the Profile (don't know the true weights here).
It is much easier to put the MultiTec on & off your head. You can smoke & drink without taking off your helmet. Visors are very easy to change and a bit cheaper than the Arai visors. The MultiTec helmet looks as good as (if not better than) the Arai Profile.
The Shoei is more comfortable than the Arai. My size large Shoei helmet is softer (looser?) on my head than my size large Arai so of course the Shoei feels more comfortable.
The bottom line. . .
Both the Shoei MultiTec and the Arai Profile represent top-of-the-line head protection.
Both companies say that their helmet is the best.
So, the best I can do is say this. . .
I usually wear my Arai and seldom wear my Shoei. I feel safer in the Arai but more comfortable in the Shoei. I just wish the Arai was about 3/4" deeper so I had a little more chin protection.
For about $1100.00 you can buy em' both and make your own comparison.
Let us know what you think!
We like reviews here at on GStwins.com. :cheers:
Regards,
-Ej-
{My edit: loose is spelled with 2 O's, not one?}
Quote from: MysterYvil on July 01, 2011, 04:05:50 PM
Quote from: scratch on June 30, 2011, 09:33:07 AM
My head is so small that an extra small HJC wouldn't fit.
I wear a xs Shoei Qwest and Tz-1. The Tz-1 is more quiet and fits my sunglasses better. The Qwest has better ventilation and better features for riding in the rain, such as a groove along the top of the visor for a better seal.
FWIW, Scorpion makes some pretty tiny helmets.
Ya I had to get an XXL.... Usually I am just a L or XL
Quote from: xunedeinx on June 29, 2011, 07:09:53 AM
http://www.amazon.com/HJC-Helmets-IS16-BLACK-XXL/dp/B001W8RDXG
HJC is-16
+1 in Scratch Blue
Quote from: Electrojake on July 01, 2011, 06:51:21 PM
Sure, I'll hog the thread with a helmet review. . .
The Arai Profile fits my football shaped head like a glove.
It is wind-quiet, well built, sexy looking, and easy to field-strip & re-assemble.
You can buy many different size (thickness) interior liners & cheek pads so that you can custom fit the helmet to your liking.
The helmet is well built right down to the details. Craftsmanship is top notch.
Some of the bad features. . .
Visors are expensive (about $70.00) but very durable.
The helmet seems to be a bit short. That is; the bottom skirt of the helmet should be about 3/4 of an inch lower. I feel that if I should go down at speed, my chin would surely get scraped-up because the helmet skirt is just not built low enough to protect my chin.
Changing Arai visors is difficult.
I always carry two visors; dark tint for day time and clear for night. Changing helmet visors is a common practice but with the Arai Profile you will have to stop, park the bike, get off, and do the visor swap with the helmet on your seat while you stand next to the bike.
This is unlike the SHOEI MultiTec which is so simple you could change visors while sitting on the bike at a stop light!
Arai claims that they will NOT modify (or simplify) their visor mounting system because they say it is the safest & strongest system that has ever been devised.
The SHOEI MultiTec is about the same price at the Arai Profile ($500-$600 USA) but fits and feels completely different on my size Large football shaped head.
The MultiTec feels lighter than the Profile (don't know the true weights here).
It is much easier to put the MultiTec on & off your head. You can smoke & drink without taking off your helmet. Visors are very easy to change and a bit cheaper than the Arai visors. The MultiTec helmet looks as good as (if not better than) the Arai Profile.
The Shoei is more comfortable than the Arai. My size large Shoei helmet is softer (looser?) on my head than my size large Arai so of course the Shoei feels more comfortable.
The bottom line. . .
Both the Shoei MultiTec and the Arai Profile represent top-of-the-line head protection.
Both companies say that their helmet is the best.
So, the best I can do is say this. . .
I usually wear my Arai and seldom wear my Shoei. I feel safer in the Arai but more comfortable in the Shoei. I just wish the Arai was about 3/4" deeper so I had a little more chin protection.
For about $1100.00 you can buy em' both and make your own comparison.
Let us know what you think!
We like reviews here at on GStwins.com. :cheers:
Regards,
-Ej-
{My edit: loose is spelled with 2 O's, not one?}
whoa! You have helmet investments worth the price of a used GS :o
[POST HAS BEEN REMOVED BY USER]
i got the Icon Variant (matte black/rubbatone) from my local Honda store (only decent place that stocks the popular stuff)
i had a fulmer SS, and a joe rocket 101... the joe rocket was the most quiet of the 3..
the icon is one bad lid tho!
ICON Mainframe,
had only one cheap Bell before so it's hard to say how good it is compared to Arais or Shoeis.
For me it's comfy and quiet enough:
(http://www.revzilla.com/product_images/0010/3228/Icon_Mainframe_Hooligan_Helmet_Canary_zoom.jpg)
Quote from: fraze11 on July 18, 2011, 02:16:14 PM
whoa! You have helmet investments worth the price of a used GS :o
I also have a ZevenZeroSeven full face and a couple of low-end BELL helmets for the occasional pillion's, but it's just cheap head protection for use light use.
Heck, I'd be nuts to blow $600.00 so one of my drunk, chubby, bar-rat girlfriends can get a ride home from the corner tavern, eh?
Just sayin' ah-hem (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Respect/respect-055.gif)
And thanks to all you GS'ers for posting your comments and helmet pictures!
You all have a great thread going here.
-Ej-
Own a silver HJC CL-Max. Fit is very comfortable. Possible next helmet is a Vega Summit 3 or Shoei MultiTec
HJC CS-R1.
Coming from dirt bikes with open faced helmets and goggles this was my first full face lid and intially thought it was awesome. Over time I have come to realise what it is, cheap. There is no noticable difference in ventilation with the vents open or closed however with the yop vent open it whistles badly. Alot of air comes in past the closed visor which is nice in summer but at -3 C it gets old quick.
Got me one of these a while back. Its not too bad. A bit noisy but light and very comfy.
OGK FF5
Maybe I've got a massive beak but when I'm over 120-130kmh the helmet touches the tip of my nose! The helmet is the right size, it's just very close to the nose. Don't really care though cos it looks rad
(http://www.bikebiz.com.au/product_images/t/718/FF5_BLUEBLK_1__28888_zoom.jpg)
Arai Profile Blue size L. Very comfortable and got a great deal because they are pricey. I had an hjc and I would get severe headaches after using for an hour or more. My head is narrow and the profile is meant for my head type. The hjc was a great helmet but it simply hurt my head. I would like a Matte black Shoei but it's tough to buy a helmet when you don't know if it'll give you headaches. I really like the way they look. I have heard from many people that Scorpion makes a quiet and good airflow helmet. They look nice too. I think whatever fits your head wear. There was a guy with a cheap hjc who had his head run over and had minor neck injuries. Think it was a 79$ helmet. He posted pics of it after being run over on sportbikes.net. Would have been a good commercial. So I don't think it matters as long as you wear it and it's comfortable. The only complaint I have about my Arai is that it does not have the best air flow. The visor gets fogged up often if you are at a stop or not going with wind resisting.
Nice buy!
I also use the Scorpion EXO 1000(Apollo) that I got on sale for around $130. Use it everyday to ride to work and the anti fog shield works really well. The built in sunglasses I use just about everyday too on the way home from work. The only feature I have not really used is the air pump for the cheek pads. Fits well and the noise is not too bad. I'm very happy with the helmet. It's dark gray with white graphics
Forgot to mention I got this helmet for free when I bought my 96 gs500e....
(http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/attachments/general-sportbikes/150357d1202264922-would-you-buy-che-guevara-helmet-sparxrebel_zoom.jpg)
It sits in my laundry room were it will sit until i decide to probably just trash it.
HJC IS-16 silver, w/ hi-viz decals added, as in my avatar:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5320/5895332374_7ba31fc37b_o.jpg)
I urge everyone to get a white or hi-viz helmet. I really think it's made a difference. Plus guys on group rides say they can spot me a mile away.
Quote from: cksheppard on July 20, 2011, 08:54:42 AM
HJC IS-16 silver, w/ hi-viz decals added, as in my avatar:
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5320/5895332374_7ba31fc37b_o.jpg)
I urge everyone to get a white or hi-viz helmet. I really think it's made a difference. Plus guys on group rides say they can spot me a mile away.
Good helmet mod! Visibility (or conspicuity) as the motorcycle safety people call it, is a great addition to any piece of gear.
In New Jersey you must have 3 inches of retro reflective tape on the back and both sides of your helmet or it is not considered legal for street use.
It takes a certain amount of courage to get a beautiful new $600.00 helmet, complete with sexy graphics, and have to tape over it with reflectors on three sides. :wink:
Just sayin'
I split mine when I crashed, and I can't afford a new one because I'm currently out of work :cry:
Quote from: rock_rebel on July 20, 2011, 04:41:16 PM
I split mine when I crashed, and I can't afford a new one because I'm currently out of work :cry:
Have you considered 3 inches of reflective tape over the split?
Quote from: rock_rebel on July 20, 2011, 04:41:16 PM
I split mine when I crashed, and I can't afford a new one because I'm currently out of work :cry:
Crashed & split helmet. . . But what about the bike? :dunno_black:
Quote from: uninhibited on July 20, 2011, 05:12:48 PM
Quote from: rock_rebel on July 20, 2011, 04:41:16 PM
I split mine when I crashed, and I can't afford a new one because I'm currently out of work :cry:
Have you considered 3 inches of reflective tape over the split?
Dude...I so hope you are kidding....
Bike rebuild is going very slowly. Mostly because I don't have the motivation to :laugh:
I won't have it on the road this summer. The DMV wants me to pay my parking ticket fines I got while using my car, and they're holding that against my bike registration. Money going out, but no money coming in.
Quote from: rock_rebel on July 21, 2011, 06:43:37 AM
Bike rebuild is going very slowly. Mostly because I don't have the motivation to :laugh:
I won't have it on the road this summer. The DMV wants me to pay my parking ticket fines I got while using my car, and they're holding that against my bike registration. Money going out, but no money coming in.
What ever you do don't put tape over the split as suggested. Save and get a new helmet.
Quote from: rock_rebel on July 21, 2011, 06:43:37 AM
Bike rebuild is going very slowly. Mostly because I don't have the motivation to :laugh:
I won't have it on the road this summer. The DMV wants me to pay my parking ticket fines I got while using my car, and they're holding that against my bike registration. Money going out, but no money coming in.
Geez Rock_,
You crashed your bike, split your helmet, lost your job, and killed the "helmet thread".
I'd say you're having quite the run here.
I guess posting pictures of the carnage is out of the question?
Also,
Money going out. . . but no money coming in.
Makes buying a new helmet rather difficult.
Sorry for your troubles bro.
Keep us posted (even if it is off topic). :thumb:
-Ej-
HJC f-15 surge
HJC helmets fit my big goofy melon best.
This one is a little bit noisy at highway speed (earplugs fix it).
It is light weight (especially for it's price) and venting is okay.
Easy to switch between dark/clear lenses... takes about 20 seconds.
Overall i am glad i got it (i got this one from motosport on clearance for $75).
I am always shopping for my next helmet though.
My 'old' helmet is an HJC CL-11.
This one is heavy, very quiet, extremely comfortable for me.
Venting is adequate. I paid full retail for this helmet about 8 years ago (i did not even own a bike then).
It is pretty beat up, scratches and the bottom lip rubber is falling off, i haven't treated it well over the years.
I only use this helmet any more if i am going somewhere locally, and will be leaving helmet with bike (usually the light rail station or airport).
I will win the lottery soon (that slogan 'have to play to win' can't be true), and get an Arai or Shoei.