Triumphrat

03-26-2007

Total noob here. I'm looking for advice on a helmet. I'd like something that has Snell certs and is relatively inexpensive. Anybody have good experiences with any particular websites? where do you buy helmets?

thanks in advance,

motorep · 03-26-2007

From your local dealer. It's got to fit properly.

03-26-2007

Fair enough. Any particular brands that are worth looking at? I've got about 10 cycle shops in town, and the Triumph dealer doesnt have a huge helmet selection.

motorep · 03-26-2007

A (Arai) to Z (Z1-R) and everything in between. You've set the standard - Snell- B.S.I. is the British standard, also very good. Try them on, wear them around in the shop for as long as you can. I'm not going to recommend any specific brand. Be aware that helmets are shaped differently, have different venting systems, different padding, etc.

[ This message was edited by: motorep on 2007-03-26 20:14 ]

Cos · 03-27-2007

Try on a Scorpion. Excellent price for an excellent helmet.

HeyMan · 03-27-2007

Once at a bike show I had a vendor measure my head for a helmet. She told me it was ridiculous to buy one without knowing the correct measurement. (she wrapped the tape about my head at eyebrow level, measured it in mm. the Size in mm is usually listed on the tag I think.)
The second thing I'd think about (full face) is the optic clarity of the visor. I had an Arai very good visor, poor venting.
Now I'm using a chaep HJC. I really like the simple vents and comfort, but the visor has a distortion in it just below my sight line. It bugs me alot and I need to replace it.
Finally my friend has a nice Arai with a projecting visor that sticks out like a roof over the clear visor. What a nice helmet. We rode through a bug storm on identical bikes and the "roof" visor did a fantastic job at keeping the bugs off.
By the way there was an article about helmets here some time ago that said the snell certification was not the best way to go in helmets and the cheapos outscored the expensive ones. check it out. its a quick read

RSRAT · 03-28-2007

my 2 cents:

everything said above is probably true, that given,

I've worn Shoei, Arai and HJC-- I now tend to stick with HJC and have had five of them now, the latest being the AC-11, compared with only one of each of the others because-

1. best fit for my head
2. best price for value, imho
3. equal or better in safety rating
4. best short and long term comfort
5. equal or better in noise level, venting, face shield and other features

I've recently tried several other brands in-store including Scorpion, KBC and a few others. I'm planning to stick with HJC-- probably the AC-12 next.

My experience therefore is summarized as-- buy and wear the best fitting helmet with proper safety ratings and over a few years you'll find one that you're most comfortable with-- stick with that one, unless you find something genuinely better because comfort with and confidence in your gear is more important than looks or style trends. Focus on what helps you ride better, longer and with the least fatigue(e.g., if you find all things equal in a lighter helmet, go for it-- over the course of a given ride, the reduced weight may well lower your fatigue, thus improving your riding experience. Aerodynamics can make a similar contribution by reducing noise, buffeting, etc. Note how the helmet rides when turning your head and putting it into and out of the slipstream. That can provide a lot of information about what works best for you personally, since your height, particular bike, etc. will all play into that equation. It's not just about the helmet-- all these factors work together to determine which works best for you.)

HeyMan · 03-28-2007

...And by the way, get some earplugs and wear them properly it will save your hearing. :wink:

MVP44 · 03-28-2007

Everyone has pretty much covered it very well. You will feel like a goober, but at your local shop wear the helmets for about 15 minutes each to at least allow the padding to settle somewhat and look for hot spots where you feel pressure - especially in the forhead area. Measuring your head is a good idea, but not the end all. You must determine your head shape - oval, round long oval etc. Each mnfr uses different molds for each model type - ie the Arai profile is more long oval than the Astral X used to be.

This is just MHO, and I haven't tried thousands of helmets, but I do think the Shoei, Arai, Suomy - while being way more expensive tend to flow air better while still giving a quiet ride. I ride with earplugs anyway so the noise is never a factor, but My Shoei and Arai seem to have the best airflow and comfort when hot - HJC and Scorpion are good, but not as good. Also the more expensive models tend be be less weight - several onces may not seem like much, but over a long day can really weigh down your neck.

Refering to the impact study - it is all about energy transfer and being an engineer the study made some very reasonable points having to do with lid construction and energy absorbtion rates - definitly worth the read.

Let me also encourage you to actually buy your helmet from your dealer. If you go in and get good help from someone who knows how to fit a helmet and provides you with helpful advice, buy it from the shop and reward their expertise with that extra $30 or so. If you get no help or worse a 19 year old squid who knows nothing more how to stand a 600 on end, but can't get around a corner to save his life - by all means try all and find the best fit then buy online. The reason I say this is because at the shop I frequent, there are two guys who work there who will spend all the time you need answering questions, recomemding things etc. They have been riding for years and are eager to help others enjoy what they love. These type of shops and workers are deserving of that extra you can save online. Nuf said. Comfort and fit is king all else is secondary - enjoy your new lid.

Here is the link
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...helmet_review/

MikeinLA · 03-28-2007

+1 MVP

If I know the size and just what I want, I'll go to NewEnough or somewhere online to save a buck. But if I went to the store where you pay the rent, talked to the salesman you paid to help me and tried on something that you paid to keep in stock, then I'm gonna buy it from you. It's only fair.

Mike