Going helmet shopping... Buying my first one ever. What brand should I avoid or what should I go for? This one will not be very expensive. $150 range. Also does anyone buy off the internet?? If so who do you trust?
I am buying two, one for me and one for the wife. All advice is welcome.
Judd
someone once told me if you have a ten dollar head then wear a ten dollar helmet.so dont skimp!
i would not reccomend buying sight unseen because everyones head is shaped different,unless you can try one on first ,you should be able to find some good quality helmets near your price range.
good luck
Elephant rider, don't go there. It really pisses people off in this forum.
Quote from: corndog67 on May 28, 2009, 04:45:10 PM
Elephant rider, don't go there. It really pisses people off in this forum.
no disrespect intended, sorry just dont like eggshell helmets,sorry
I prefer Scorpion EXO Helmets. They seem to be a good value. Very comfortable, adequate venting, removable pads, and not alot of excess noise while riding. The EXO 400 was the first helmet I had. I ride with an EXO 700 now and like it better then my Shoei. At the shops, the 700 will be a little over your price range, but the 400 should come in under it. I think you should go out and physically try on different helmets to see what feels the best, but if you find that Scorpion is an option. http://www.newenough.com/ (http://www.newenough.com/) has a couple 700s and 400s on closeout. (700s for $141.00 and 400s for $89.00).
With that being said, spend what you need to spend to get a helmet that fits your head correctly and is comfortable. If that means getting a more expensive helmet, then make yourself do it. Look into the solid colors (as opposed to graphics). They are usually cheaper. And keep visibility in mind. Matte black looks an awful lot like asphalt.
I just purchased my first helmet.
Would strongly suggest some searching both here (better real time help) and on the other board (more in teh archives). Many STRONG opinions - would encourage you to make your own decision and get as many facts as you can.
I decided to go with an HJC FS-10 and paid about $200 (then saw it for $130 a couple days later online somewhere). I chose this because it fit my head better then the other brands and HJC models that i tried on (Scorpion, Arai and Bell).
MY opinion, which is not worth much, is that from a safety point of view most full faced helmets are going to be within a pretty similar range and price does not correlate to safety. Found a couple excellent articles and tests related to SNELL vs. DOT vs. EURO standards that i woudl also encourage you to read. I am very comfortable protecting my head which i value greatly with a less expensive helmet and at the end of the day i am not all that price sensitive.
Price does add features (mine has an integrated sunscreen which i actually use every day), lightness, and noise.
I am a new street rider, have never crashed on the road and you should not take this as anything more then the opinion of someone who jsut went through the same decision making process. Good luck - ride safe.
First, you want a full-face. Don't let anyone talk you into anything but a full-face.
Second, fit is critical. I wouldn't order over the internet unless you've tried on that specific helmet in person. Especially for a first helmet, go to the store and have them help you size it. Helmets fit different people *really* differently. You won't know what works for you until you try it on. In fact, go to the store and if you find one that works, wear it around the shop for half an hour. If you start to get a headache or a hot-spot, the helmet's a no-go. Don't feel weird about wearing it around the shop. A lot of people do the same thing. You might need to alter your budget if there is no helmet in your range that fits, but a slightly more expensive helmet does fit. I've only found two helmets that fit me. One is about $250 (fits ok) and one is over $500 (fits like a glove)-- both are Shoei. But that's just my head. If there was a $150 helmet that fit, I'd snatch it up in a second.
Third, don't buy the most expensive. As above, buy the one that fits you. As long as it's DOT and SNELL approved (most are), you're fine. Especially since its a first helmet. And don't get suckered into buying something cuz you like the graphics or whatever. Buy one that fits you. More $ are just for brand name and for additional features. Some of those additional features are nice (like more venting), but not necessary
Fourth, (this is just my opinion -- lots will disagree) I wouldn't put too much stock into what someone says about a "loud" or a quiet helmet. I've never quite understood that. Ride with earplugs and all helmets are relatively quiet. Ride without earplugs and all helmets are loud. Besides, loud=good venting in my book. Either way, I'm not sure how much weight, if any, you want to lend to suggestions about "loud" helmets.
Fifth, decide if you want a 'safety' color. Yellow or plain white helmets are really noticeable. Alternatively, you can do the $4 disco helmet (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=23022.0) treatment and no one will be able to miss you in a crowd. FTR, all of my helmets are black. ;D
G'luck.
P.S. Check out the Gear (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?board=6.0) section below. Lots of helmet info in there about specific models.
I would hit up a Cyclegear if you have one near you. Have someone help fit a helmet to you. They also have a good return policy if you are unsatisfied. Some brands fit different than others and a helmet does in fact break in so if you have never bought one before I would get help. It is your head after all.
Jon
Quote from: Ducaholic on May 28, 2009, 06:28:42 PM
a helmet does in fact break in
That's a great point.
juddmeyers, when you're shopping, if the
pads of a helmet are *almost* too tight, they'll break in well. If the helmet itself--rather than the pads--is too tight, you're gonna be screwed. That's why you should wear it around the store. And why you should get someone to help you fit it rather than order one online that you've never tried on.
Spidey has lots of excellent points in his post. One thing I'd add is be prepared for ALL full-face helmets to feel claustrophobic at first. You will get used to it, but having your head encased can be discomforting.
+1 to trying helmets on in person before ordering online. I have a Shoei, an Arai, and a Scorpion. They're all mediums, but they all fit differently. I've bought all of my helmets so far from helmetharbor.com and they have been great with pricing, delivery speed, and customer service. A few other trusted DMF spots you should check is newenough.com and motorcyclecloseouts.com. Both place have great service and prices.
+1 on the full-face only. studies show the vast majority of impacts occur on the front.
Make the effort to measure your head. Buy a cloth tape at the grocery store sewing section if you can't borrow your SO's. All of the manufacturers have sizing charts and they are not the same.
Read the reviews on webbikeworld http:// www.webbikeworld.com/ (//http://) The reviews are spot-on and give very informative evaluation of head shapes.
Buy a hat that has different pad sizes available so you can make mods if your not happy with the long term fit.
Helmet City did a fantastic job for me on my last online purchase.
Tiger
Just an FYI I crash tested an $85 HJC on the track **HARD**
It held up really well.
So did my head, thanks to it.
Imagine having your helmet on, and someone hitting you with a 2x4 in the side of the head. Only, the 2x4 is a full 12' and they hit you with the 2" side, not the 4" side. . .
And besides that, a full face will keep your head warm when it's cold.
+1 on Spidey's advice.
A good resource to check out is www.webbikeworld.com (//http://) (//http://) They tend to be impartial and thorough in their reviews. A number of helmets near or below 200 do well in their reviews. Unlike some of the magazines a high price or big name isn't a factor that will get a helmet a better grade and neither is advertising dollars.
Some low cost helmets I've tried on and liked (head shapes didn't work out) are Shark RSI, Vemar VSR, HJC FS-15 and KBC. My brother rides with the GMax that scored so well on webbikeworld (has the LEDs on the back) and likes it a lot.
If the HJC had fit me better I'd be sporting the Bonez II right now. If I was dropping 400 on a helmet I'm jonesin to try the new OGK F5 but that will have to wait until one of my current helmets passes its date.
I had a pretty cheap helmet for a while, but changed to Arai Viper GT at the beginning of this season. The Arai is better in every aspect. There is no fogging up with the visor down standing at a traffic, it is very comfortable etc. I think it's worth the money.
One other thing is to note that the full face helmets with the flip up front (entire front of helmet raises up) do NOT give you the same protection as a true full face helmet. It doesn't have the same frontal or side impact protection. They look cool and are pretty convienent, but don't get one thinking it is the best of both worlds.
As far as "loud" helmets go, I base my opinions on the differences I noticed between the Scorpion Exo400 and Exo700. Going from one to the other, it is noticable. I guess aerodynamics would be a better description. Less whistle from the vents (even though the 700 vents better), drag when you turn your head, and a better seal around the visor. Good point about the ear plugs. I have never ridden with them.
The wife really wants the Joe Rocket, Good and Evil in Pink. Problem is that I can't find it in a small anywhere!! Anyone have any suggestions? Dealers can't order it, it's been discontinued.
I am leaning towards a medium Joe Rocket also..it's that or a scorpion. Not sure the scorpion model. It had a sun shield inside.
Help me find a small Joe Rocket in pink!! :)
And yes I am over that $150 budget I was going to spend, but these felt the best to us.
Bottom line is you really need to try them on. You can get an expensive helmet that fits like crap and your never wear it. You can get a not so expensive helmet that fits great and will protect your head just fine. That being said, I wear an Aria Quantum 2. tried to wear many others but did not like the feel. So, go to the local shop, try them all, then go online and find the cheapest one.
Quote from: scduc on May 29, 2009, 04:31:18 PM
Bottom line is you really need to try them on. You can get an expensive helmet that fits like crap and your never wear it. You can get a not so expensive helmet that fits great and will protect your head just fine. That being said, I wear an Aria Quantum 2. tried to wear many others but did not like the feel. So, go to the local shop, try them all, then go online and find the cheapest one.
Dude... I have already tried them on. Been trying on helmets all day!! Got it picked out and everything.
You might be SOL on the pink J Rocket in small. They make a pink Deviant that looks pretty good.
I currently have an HJC Axis AC-12, and a Shoei RF-1000. Both are good helmets, but the RF is far better in all areas.
I'd strongly agree with the people telling you to try them on before ordering, I'd also suggest you spend a couple of minutes wearing, and take it on and off several times while at the store. My Shoei was purchased at a local Cycle Gear, as they were the only place I could really find that had both Arai and Shoei helmets, with a far larger selection of Shoei's. I was temped to purchase one online after I figured out what size I needed, but the people at the Cycle Gear had been pretty good, and offered assistance when needed. I happened to walk in on a one day 20% helmet sale so I just pulled the trigger.
I spend a fair amount of time with a helmet on my head (both on and off road), and with a slightly screwed up back and neck I'm much more happy with the Shoei then the HJC, but I'm comparing a sub $200 helmet, to one I picked up for around $350. Depending on how much time you ride, I prefer to spend a little bit more, for a much better experience. Overall these helmets probably offer the same, or similar protection, but comfort wise they are leaps and bounds apart.
Hope this helps!
This much is true. Cycle Gear has pretty good sales sometimes, and also closeouts.
And I'm pretty sure motorcycle shops don't like the come in and try them on, then order online, advise. I mean, it happens all the time, but if it is a shop you like, and they treat you well, it might be a good idea to buy something from them to keep them in business. Shops going out of business due to online sales hurt all of us.
I did fine a Joe Rocket Good and Evil in pink for the wife online. I ordered it this morning. I would have bought it at a shop if I could have found one that had it or could even get it.
Now I have to find something for me. By trying them on, I narrowed it down to the joe rocket good and evil or the scorpion exo 700 or exo 1000. I would LOVE the 1000 with the internal sun shield but I just can't get it for the price i want. If i could find it on sale I would get it no questions asked. So really its between the joe rocket and the exo 700. I like the feel of both.
Quote from: juddmyers on May 30, 2009, 11:32:55 AM
I did fine a Joe Rocket Good and Evil in pink for the wife online. I ordered it this morning. I would have bought it at a shop if I could have found one that had it or could even get it.
Now I have to find something for me. By trying them on, I narrowed it down to the joe rocket good and evil or the scorpion exo 700 or exo 1000. I would LOVE the 1000 with the internal sun shield but I just can't get it for the price i want. If i could find it on sale I would get it no questions asked. So really its between the joe rocket and the exo 700. I like the feel of both.
The EXO-1000 is one of the heaviest helmets available, and most people don't think the internal visors are that great yet. But if you like it, by all means, go for it.
Personally, I'd buy the EXO-700 before a EXO-1000 just for that reason.
Quote from: filterban on June 03, 2009, 03:14:58 PM
The EXO-1000 is one of the heaviest helmets available, and most people don't think the internal visors are that great yet. But if you like it, by all means, go for it.
Personally, I'd buy the EXO-700 before a EXO-1000 just for that reason.
sunshields are truly awesome for a 2ndary helmet that you can throw on for dawn or dusk when you need to change rapidly
not so much if its your only lid and you are forced to use it all the time. speaking as someone who owns both, id take my suomy full face with 2 shields, or a clear shield and tear offs if i had to choose one
ymmv
edit: actually i swapped shields the first time today, and not something i want to do all the time. i thought i would snap a tab on the shield or the pod covers during reinstall for sure! (made it through ok luckily)
i put a tinted shield on the full face, and rock fullface when its bright or foggy (defogs better) and take the sunshield lid for shifting sun conditions [thumbsup] [moto] so far so good
You guys have been great. I am going to back up and punt and start all over. I ordered our helmets online and they charged me and everything, on a saturday. Then I got a call from them on monday and they did have either helmet. They gave me a full refund, of course it took DAYS to get my money back. That's not their fault, it's the banks, but they shouldn't have charged me till they knew that it was in stock.
anyway...........
back to the drawing board.
I was 100% sure about the exo1000 till i read the last couple posts. Now I am unsure.
hjc makes some fine helmets and motorcyclecloseouts.com sells some at discount literally 80-90 dollars for a 160 helmet bc its last years graphics, dot and snell certified.. so all good.
as long as it has a legitimate dot or snell or ece 2204 certification, any of those certifications is a safe helmet. all legal helmets in the US will be dot certfied at the min, the other two are optional certs.
shop within your budget and get something that fits perfectly above all. a 800 dollar helmet is useless if it fits incorrectly. a 80 dollar helmet will save your skin more than an ill fitting 800 dollar helmet if it fits perfectly.
+1 on motorcycle closeouts. In your price range they offer a lot of options, including Shark. Here are my thoughts on what i see deal wise. YMMV though.
The Shark brand helmets have scored very highly in many safety tests and I'd recommend them highly (one of my helmets is the RSR2). Their visors can't be beat. From 99 to 249 there's a number to chose from. The RSR2 is their top of the line race helmet and the RSX is their top of the line street helmet. The RSI and S series are their "budget" helmets.
Another I have second hand experience with is the GMax with LEDs. My brother uses this and has been extremely happy with it. For 99.00 it's a steal.
The HJC FS-15 Elbowz II is also on there for 199. I'd love to buy it but I'd have to change my name to Imelda because my helmet collection would start to rival her shoe collection. LOL.
They have a number of KBC helmets from 99-119. Mladin used to race in them (Race 1 or something like that later replaced by the VR-1). I love their graphics but they are one of the few helmets that really don't fit my head well (medium too tight and large too loose). Good deals on all of them though. I particularly like the "vr-1x solid" helmets for 89. Mr. Incredible used to wear a KBC I seem to recall so maybe he'll pipe in with his experience or you might PM him if one catches your eye.
Honestly if it were my cash I'd spend the extra 50 and get the RSR2 (Duhammel Dragon or Red Foggy Replica). It's as good in quality, materials and finish as any helmet on the market (including the RX7 and X11) and it's safety scores are impeccable (and better than the RX7 and X11).
Best of luck to you. Ride safe.
+1 on Shark RSX/RSR and Motorcycle Closeouts. Shark helmets are very high quality but they don't seem to fit me right. So try one on first. :) Good online vendors are New Enough, RevZilla, Motorcycle Superstore, and Motorcycle Closeouts.
I just bought a SparX S-07 for $107 from RevZilla. What a fantastic helmet!! It's probably the best helmet I've ever worn... better than my Shoei RF-800, better than my visor-leaking KBC Tarmac, and in nearly the same class as a Shoei TZ-R which is $300 more.
If I can say anything, it's stay away from Competition Accessories (compacc.com). I tried to buy a TZ-R from them last weekend; they cancelled my online order without telling me because they didn't have the helmet in stock. When I tried to call them, their answering system proceeded to hang up on me after putting me on hold for 10 minutes.
After three or four tries, I was finally able to reach someone and find out my order was cancelled. Freakin awesome.