Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Gear => Topic started by: Ivan on December 07, 2009, 07:33:54 PM

Title: Any FHE with the new Akuma Carbon Fiber lid?
Post by: Ivan on December 07, 2009, 07:33:54 PM

Anyone using one of these?  It has the visor made out of the Transitions lens material, and it is reportedly very light. Web-bike World did a write-up on it.  Nobody local seems to stock these...
Title: Re: Any FHE with the new Akuma Carbon Fiber lid?
Post by: seevtsaab on December 11, 2009, 12:44:24 PM
Not me but let me tell you I have such wood for that helmet.
Any and all FHE will be most lavishly drooled upon.
I have all winter to concieve of ways to spend money I don't have, it doesn't
get any better.

What's more important? your ass, or you head head? hmmm
Title: Re: Any FHE with the new Akuma Carbon Fiber lid?
Post by: CDawg on March 17, 2010, 12:00:33 PM
No FHE, but I wouldn't CF be a very stiff material for a shell increasing the impact transfered to your skull?
Title: Re: Any FHE with the new Akuma Carbon Fiber lid?
Post by: ducpainter on March 17, 2010, 05:09:38 PM
Quote from: CDawg on March 17, 2010, 12:00:33 PM
No FHE, but I wouldn't CF be a very stiff material for a shell increasing the impact transfered to your skull?
Someone's been reading the articles about the old Snell requirements. :P
Title: Re: Any FHE with the new Akuma Carbon Fiber lid?
Post by: CDawg on March 17, 2010, 06:49:54 PM
Quote from: ducpainter on March 17, 2010, 05:09:38 PM
Someone's been reading the articles about the old Snell requirements. :P

You bet...seems to make sense.
Title: Re: Any FHE with the new Akuma Carbon Fiber lid?
Post by: Howie on March 17, 2010, 07:04:04 PM
Stiffness of carbon fiber depends on both manufacturing process and resin recipe. 
Title: Re: Any FHE with the new Akuma Carbon Fiber lid?
Post by: seevtsaab on March 24, 2010, 03:59:06 PM
Quote from: CDawg on March 17, 2010, 12:00:33 PM
No FHE, but I wouldn't CF be a very stiff material for a shell increasing the impact transfered to your skull?


Me know nothing but i note on the Akuma website there is no SNELL certification mentioned, what to make of that
(ECE & DOT listed), is SNELL still a comon certification? (I am vaguely aware of the new standards discussion).

Title: Re: Any FHE with the new Akuma Carbon Fiber lid?
Post by: il d00d on March 25, 2010, 09:03:33 AM
I've been wondering if the makers of CF helmets are adjusting the softness of the foam to match the stiffness of the shell.  Seems to me that a stiffer shell could potentially spread the load to a wider patch of foam -more foam doing more work- but testing did not seem to bear this out, at least at the time.  It sounds like softer (plastic) shells did better, but it is unclear if that was because the stiffer helmets were also lined with harder foam (ie trying to match the Snell criteria.)

Title: Re: Any FHE with the new Akuma Carbon Fiber lid?
Post by: seevtsaab on May 16, 2010, 02:22:04 AM
Got mine

(http://api.photoshop.com/home_8ea205126e8348a19b3b78c5f1e69248/adobe-px-assets/58e2ab7fb892400cbb4b23f322b12443)

Revzilla sent in in just over a week (Texas to VT).
I've only a HJC CL15 to compare to.

I measured as a 56cm, Akuma size chart put me between M and L, large fits like a glove.
Couldn't be more snug and still be comfortable, perfect fit,  I lucked out. Snug cheek pads.

I can wear my wire frame glasses - was otherwise forced to wear may contacts / sunglasses, nice to have an option.
I've a pair of transitions lenses in my specs so I set for day into nite.

Noise level similar ro the HJC. slight whistle up top, barely noticable,  haven't opened the top vents.

Shield is firm, tab lage enough for insulated gloves, clicks open to defog. Nice nose dam.
Gets way dark enough. Suprised when I pop it open.  greatest challenge i believe is turning clear when cold,
will see.


One complaint was nose contacting chin bar, mine's close, no rub.

Snap for strap end a little difficult, not impossible.

More Aero than the HJC, doesn't want to lift at speed, -no- pulling on the strap. Can't really even feel the strap across my chin. Strap padding OK.

Light? as in like a feather.

Bell Star supposedly has the same shield, and looks more full featured, for ~$150 more, but i am extremely thrilled with this helmet, fit finish & function.




Title: Re: Any FHE with the new Akuma Carbon Fiber lid?
Post by: redial on May 19, 2010, 10:42:45 AM
that thing is really sexy looking.

you should steal a buddies suomy/arai and compare it to one of those for us.

HJC isnt my favorite helmet, so to say its better than a HJC leaves a lot to the imagination.
but very very sexy so far.

and thumbs up to ece rating  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Any FHE with the new Akuma Carbon Fiber lid?
Post by: seevtsaab on May 20, 2010, 07:31:09 AM
Yah +1 on the HJC comparo, the good news - The Akuma doesn't fall short anywhere.

There was some helmet envy from the Tuesday group I ride with.

I'll add - Night vision was fine, it wasn't terribly cold out though - having transitions lenses in glasses, real cold makes dark to clear take longer.
Title: Re: Any FHE with the new Akuma Carbon Fiber lid?
Post by: Triple J on May 20, 2010, 09:38:21 AM
Quote from: seevtsaab on March 24, 2010, 03:59:06 PM

Me know nothing but i note on the Akuma website there is no SNELL certification mentioned, what to make of that
(ECE & DOT listed), is SNELL still a comon certification? (I am vaguely aware of the new standards discussion).



IMO, ECE (Europe standard) is all you need.

Snell is still common, but not mandatory. Usually only done for helmets sold in the US I believe.

ECE gives a softer shell than Snell 2005 and previous, transferring less g's to your brain. The criticism of the Snell standard has been that it requires the shell to be too stiff. The Snell 2010 standard was altered to be a bit more similar to the ECE requirements. Bell is the only company that I know of which sells Snell 2010 rated helmets now...although they'll all follow suit eventually.
Title: Re: Any FHE with the new Akuma Carbon Fiber lid?
Post by: Raux on July 02, 2010, 09:04:42 PM
Quote from: seevtsaab on March 24, 2010, 03:59:06 PM

Me know nothing but i note on the Akuma website there is no SNELL certification mentioned, what to make of that
(ECE & DOT listed), is SNELL still a comon certification? (I am vaguely aware of the new standards discussion).



if you can get ECE it's better than snell. ECE even does piercing tests. that the others don't
Title: Re: Any FHE with the new Akuma Carbon Fiber lid?
Post by: libertarian on July 21, 2010, 01:29:32 PM
I ordered one, when it arrived the black plastic rear wing/vent assembly had snapped off in shipping. It's held on with a couple very thin posts, and they just sheared right off. I tried the helmet on and found it was crazy tight (I have a big head, but i ordered an XL and this fit like a L). If you get one, be sure to order a size larger than you think you need.

I ended up returning it.