Triumphrat

ffemt613 · 03-24-2007

I need to buy a new full face helmet.

What do you all suggest? Carbon fiber, polycarbonate, plastic?

I know so little about something that might save my face, head, etc.....

Please help the guy that rides the short bus

Sprint1050DA · 03-24-2007

You need to try a few on. There are a lot of good helmets that are built for certain head shapes. The best helmet for you is the one that fits you the best. My Icon Alliance has fit me well, as has the HJC CL-SP I just picked up. Try any helmet that you can on, fit's important.

JasonS · 03-24-2007

One recent test said that a shell that is too hard is a bad thing.... and that the "cheaper" plastic shell that gives easier..... IE having the shell break is important to absorbing impact.

Buying without fiting is a gamble if you don;t know how your head fits particular helmets.

If you wear perscrip glasses consider a flipup.

Jawsh · 03-24-2007

Here's that test, in the now infamous Motorcyclist magazine article.

I got a Vemar VSR based on that review, and absolutely love it. It's a shame they pulled out of the US market. I may seriously consider importing a replacement Vemar when this one wears out.

Also, WebBikeWorld has a bunch of info on helmets including an FAQ section, noise, and weight.

vinnyf · 04-04-2007

I also picked up a Vemar, based partly on the Motorcyclist article, but more on the fact that they were being blown out at RIDICULOUSLY low prices by several outfits. Everyone said that Vemar was leaving the US market. I really like the helmet; far nicer than my most recent full-face (ok, so that was a 25 year old Bell... :razz: ).
But it seems that the newest Competition Accessories catalog has a listing for Vemars - not cheap, but interesting.
Vemars at Competition Accs
(just plug VEMAR into their search engine)

Have to say I like them a lot more at $100 than at the $300+ their going for here...

steventhechef · 04-05-2007

They all fit different heads and shapes and sizes.

You have to try them on to get a feel for the brand/style that fits you best. Then start to look for a type

MVP44 · 04-05-2007

Here is a like to Webbike world with info about head shape and helmit fit and also discusses the article about helmet composit response to an impact

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...helmet-faq.htm

Most important above anything is fit, fit, fit - your helmet has to be comfortable to wear.

Go to your local dealer and find someone with experience fitting helmets and try on several different brands and types within brands. Don 't just do an on and off - let the lid sit on your head for 10 minutes or so to allow the padding to settle at least a little and look for any type of hot spot ie pressure point - if the helmet has a pressure point that you notice move on to the next one - once you find two or three that are in the running try them on again - choose the one that fits best
Then reward the guy who has just spent 2 hours helping you and buy the helmet from the shop or have them order the one you want - You can do all this and then go online and buy the helmet and save a few bucks - but IMHO the time and advice you just garnered about this most valuable piece of kit. As an engineer my 2Cents about the whole motorcyclist article is that for the most common accident your average road rider is likely to encounter say a 50 mph laydown is better protected by the softer non-snell helmets due to the energy absorbtion abilities of the material used in non-snell helmets. However, take that same 50 mph crash and go lid first into a blunt object (curb, fender, pole etc) now you have an entirely different type and direction of force being applied to your lid - here the Arais and Shoeis and other snell appoved helmets are better equipped to save your noggin.

Back to my original statement - fit, fit comfort comfort - Chose the design that you absoluetly can' t live without - purchase and ride like you stole it Long winded but I hope it helps