Triumphrat

07-01-2005

What helmets does everyone run and what are your thoughts about it? If I can ever get out of work early enough to get to the dealer before they close I can have a bike and will be needing a helmet as well. I'm leaning toward something with a flip face and have heard there is now one that has metal hinges and is snell approved. Flip face good, bad, ugly?

pokey · 07-01-2005

After reading the recent "Motor Cyclist" article on helmets and standards, I would lean towards a ZR1 (I think) DOT rated full face. It was better in almost all of their tests than the other helmets. It's less than $100 to boot. As far as I'm concerned, the jury is still out on flip face.

07-01-2005

Quote:

On 2005-07-01 14:13, MrMischief wrote:
What helmets does everyone run and what are your thoughts about it? If I can ever get out of work early enough to get to the dealer before they close I can have a bike and will be needing a helmet as well. I'm leaning toward something with a flip face and have heard there is now one that has metal hinges and is snell approved. Flip face good, bad, ugly?

Good or bad is mostly opinion, but most flip helmets are heavy and loud. I like the looks of the Roof flip helmet, but it's too round for my head and doesn't vent aside from the flip. Flip or not, any helmet is better than none!

I have a Shoei and love it. It vents really well and I wear active noise cancellation headphones, so it's as quiet as any other! :-D I definitely have a Shoei head, so I'll most likely stay with one Shoei or another once mine wears out.

Best advice is to try 'em on and buy the best you can afford. Regardless of any ratings by magazines or anybody else, you have to be able to wear it without pressure points and feel comfortable with your choice if you come off going 100mph!

What are you waiting for? Take a half day off and get down to that dealer! That's what I had to do this week and I'll pick up my S4 on Saturday. :-D

~Scott

07-01-2005

Quote:

On 2005-07-01 14:38, pokey wrote:
After reading the recent "Motor Cyclist" article on helmets and standards, I would lean towards a ZR1 (I think) DOT rated full face. It was better in almost all of their tests than the other helmets. It's less than $100 to boot. As far as I'm concerned, the jury is still out on flip face.

Pokey,

Have you tried on a ZR1? They suck...built like *****. Spend the cash and get a Suomy if you are scared by the Snell rating. Whatever you do, don't go for the biggest bargain when you are picking out your most important piece of equipment! Please! It's your brain for crying out loud!

~Scott

07-01-2005

Quote:

What are you waiting for? Take a half day off and get down to that dealer! That's what I had to do this week and I'll pick up my S4 on Saturday. :-D

~Scott

I just got off the phone with the insurance and they're saying it'll be wed before they can get me covered and they expect the dealer not to release a bike to me until I'm insured. So I may just be playing with numbers when I head down today.

speed4nicator · 07-01-2005

I have an Arai, and I love it. i have an Arai head so it fits perfect, feels like I am wearing nothing, and vents great. The ONLY downside is the frickle frackle, goshnabbit stupid visor removal system

hardboild · 07-02-2005

Arai! Luv the Arai--you can find discontinued models relatively easily on the internet...got a $500 one for half that. But i agree about the visor-it's a pain to replace.

Schmitty · 07-02-2005

I've got an Arai RX-7 Corsair, best helmet I've ever had. I started with an HJC CL-14. It was heavy, noisy, and was pushed around alot by wind buffeting. But it did hold up well when I crashed landing head first on the concrete. Then I went to a Suomy Spec 1-R, nice helmet but I think it is better suited for round shaped heads and I'm an oval. Its also very noisy, but vents very well and has less wind buffeting.

Then I tried the Arai. It felt like it was custom fitted for my head. The liner material is fantastic, the venting is incredible, and it cuts the wind smoothly. Like the Suomy, it is a racing helmet so it is a bit noisy, but ear plugs fix that.

Whatever you decide be sure to try it on at the dealer first. And don't be afraid to walk around the dealership with it on your head for at least a half hour or so to make sure there are no pressure points. Better safe than sorry. :-D

xtalman · 07-02-2005

I've had a KBC VR-1, and an Arai Quantum. The KBC was a pretty good helmet, except it broke in and ended up being a size too big.

The Arai has a much better liner. It's a little more aerodynamic than the KBC and the venting is better too, but I really hate the shield system. I've popped off the side pods on accident a few times. Also, the rubber pieces on the bottom are coming off, so my opinion of Arai build quality isn't as high as it used to be. I think I'm going for a Shoei X-11 next.

07-02-2005

I use a Roof 010 daytona - well made, highest BSI pass , Acu gold seal, quiet and it matches the bike!

£250 but still a result I think!

jon

[ This message was edited by: lcjohnny on 2005-07-02 18:26 ]