helmet shoping

[juddmyers]

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

[elephantrider70]

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

[corndog67]

Elephant rider, don't go there.  It really pisses people off in this forum. 

[elephantrider70]

Elephant rider, don't go there.  It really pisses people off in this forum. 

no disrespect intended, sorry just dont like eggshell helmets,sorry

[psycledelic]

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/ 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. 

[WhiteStripe]

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.

[Spidey]

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 treatment and no one will be able to miss you in a crowd.  FTR, all of my helmets are black.   

G'luck.

P.S.  Check out the Gear section below.  Lots of helmet info in there about specific models.

[Porsche Monkey]

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

[Spidey]

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. 

[redxblack]

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.

[Chchadder]

+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.

[Tigermeat]

+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/  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

[Monsterlover]

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. . .

[corndog67]

And besides that, a full face will keep your head warm when it's cold. 

[COWBOY]

+1 on Spidey's advice. 

A good resource to check out is www.webbikeworld.com   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.