Hey guys, 

I'm relatively new to the forums, so first off I'd like to say hi!  I've been browsing through reading some of the topics, and this site looks like it's going to be very helpful in the future.  I just got my first bike today, a blue '97 Suzuki GS500e, so you'll probably be hearing from me more often than not!

Now down to business here.  I'm without a helmet, so been looking around one online.  My search has lead me to http://www.bikebandit.com/product/9599.  Has anyone had any experience with bikebandits or HJC Helmets?  Any tips would be appreciated, thanks!

HJC are okay. I decided that I liked my head and its contents a lot so I opted for a Shoei. (but realistically they both do the job)

I LOOOVED my Arai Quantum, dont feel like paying for it.  I like my scorpion very nearly as much for half the price.  They both fit my head the same, which is really the key.  Try on as many as you can.

Howdy,

I have an AGV S-4 that I personally like. Fits well (for me), fairly lightweight, good airflow, and not too noisy. I don't know if this is common to most helmets but the face shield scratches easily.

Buying helmets online is a really bad idea. I tried it once and it was no good. I went to a store, tried on a bunch of helmets, then bought one online later that was the same model and size as one I tried on and it didn't fit the same at all. The only way to go is to go to a shop and try on every helmet there until you find one that you like. I'd only go with SNELL rated helmets and keep in mind that the expensive helmets will be more comfortable and quieter, assuming you find one that fits right. Even if you bought online from a place that allowed exchanges, it would take so long to get a helmet that fit it just wouldn't be worth it. Helmets and gloves are two things I'm really against buying online. Fit is so important that even minor problems will slowly drive you insane and make riding no fun.

Yeah, yeah good point fred.  I'm just trying to find out some personal preferences on brands.  I mean, sure everyone's got their own opinions, but it gives me a place to start.

Quote from: PaviSays on April 25, 2009, 06:32:28 PM
Yeah, yeah good point fred.  I'm just trying to find out some personal preferences on brands.  I mean, sure everyone's got their own opinions, but it gives me a place to start.

Good point. I had a KBC that I hated and now I have an Icon Airframe that I like a lot. It fits well and has good ventilation without being super loud. I tried on some Arais and Shoeis, but the Airframe fit me better. I would have paid twice the price for an Arai if I had found one that fit well, but I guess I lucked out with the Airframe...

im sporting a scorpion exo-700 and the wife is running a scorpion exo-400 we both love them pretty quiet with vents closed and lots of air flow when the vents are open. 

Found the scorpions to be quite heavy. Also I'm told the vents aren't very effective.

My number 1 requirement is for proper fit. I need a 'long oval' shape.  I don't have $$ for Arai but have just tried on the Shark RSI. It fits well. I'm going to try it on a 2nd time then likely buy it. Other Shark models are rounder shape (except maybe S650?).

Like always -- helmets should be tried on for fit before you buy online.

+1 for the AGV S-4. Extremely light, and the small shell size cuts down on wind noise and looks good. You can find it on sale for around $150.

Quote from: 5thAve on April 25, 2009, 07:32:16 PM
Found the scorpions to be quite heavy. Also I'm told the vents aren't very effective.

5th no offence but if you  havent tryed a new scorpion or wore it while riding the bike dont take anyones work that its a bad helmet or the vents arent very effective.  you want more air then this can get you wear a skull cap.  and as far as heavy i dont have any problems but i do have a bit of muscle so maybe thats why i dont notice it being heavy

while giving advice on helmets or anything else if you personally havent used it or wore it i dont think what your buddies buddy told you after bouncing his head off the ground twice counts. 

Jeez, you guys seem to be just as passionate about your helmets as you are your bikes, hahah.

Quote from: PaviSays on April 26, 2009, 07:55:58 AM
Jeez, you guys seem to be just as passionate about your helmets as you are your bikes, hahah.

You usually will not lack for responses when you ask for folks opinion around here. I suspect you could start a thread titled "I like jello, opinions?" and get 20 replies in a day. NOT that I'm complaining...if there is a better forum for GS500's or motorcycling in general, I haven't found it.

I ordered my helmet online without having worn it first because I could not find any dealership in the area that carried AGV's. It worked out OK for me but I don't think I'd push my luck a second time.

Quote from: XealotX on April 26, 2009, 08:25:52 AM
You usually will not lack for responses when you ask for folks opinion around here. I suspect you could start a thread titled "I like jello, opinions?" and get 20 replies in a day.

Hmm, jello, that's not a bad idea haha... Well it looks like I'm now on a mission to find some helmets to try on!

I hate jello.  The consistency is gross and slimy.  and it doesn't really have any taste.  the only thing its good for is a substance for college age chicks to wrestle in.

Well for my first and main bit of advice do not buy a helmet you haven't tried on first. As an example a couple of people have commented on how good they find the AGV S-4. This was a helmet I tried on when looking at purchasing my last helmet and found it to be the worst helmet for comfort I have ever tried. The problem is people's heads are different and in my case the AGV is the wrong shape for mine, for the people that like it it's obviously the right shape.

Secondly, don't fall into the how much is your head worth, buy the best helmet you can afford argument. There is no evidence that more expensive helmets protect any better than cheaper helmet. It's hard to find any good comparative data for helmet safety but the best I've come across is the SHARP test done by the UK government which has results at http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/. When it came time for me to buy a helmet I got a list of the 5 star rated helmets and tried on the ones I could get my hands on until I found the helmet that fit.

i picked up a scorpion exo-400 off of ebay for around $100. i really like it and have no complaints...and realistically, one snell approved helmet is probably just as good as the next in terms of safety. i wouldn't get a helmet that hasn't been through the snell testing.

the biggest thing is just to make sure you know your size. measure your head and get one that fits right.

I just ordered a kbc from motorcycle superstore and it fits good and i like it. Not an expert, but www.webbikeworld.com does great helmet reviews.

Wow thanks for the reviews and links guys, especially you sblack.  Okay.  Now here's another problem I've run into, my head size falls right on the border of helmet sizes of a small and a medium for some helmets.  Would it be better to go with the medium or the small?  What would be the advantages/disadvantages if they were of similar comfort?

Get the smallest helmet you can comfortably wear. I like a helmet that hurts when I first put it on and comforms to my head shape to be comfortable. You don't want the helmet to be able to rotate. However, if you wear the helmet for 5 or 10 minutes and it still hurts, its too small. Get a size larger or a different brand or model.