Need a new motorcycle helmet, opinions please.

ArchAngel

ArchAngel

Joined
Feb 13, 2000
Messages
2,688
Hi all.
My Shoei full face helmet that I purchased back in 1986 is degrading internally.
The foam lining is crumbling and the leather covering the straps is starting to go south also. I still have my Shoei police style half helmet, but it is no good in the colder seasons in Maine and is not much protection in rainy riding conditions. So I think it is time for a new helmet.
I have looked into the full face helmets that open up in the front like Shoei's new Multitec. It seems like a good lid. Best of both worlds so to speak.
I mention Shoei mainly because they fit good and feel great on my head and I figuire if I am going to wear one it should feel good.
Any opinions on good helmets of this type? I can get the Shoei for 400.00 and although that seems like a lot of cash, it is my head it's going to be covering so I don't mind spending if if it's a good helmet.
Thoughts from you other riders?
 
Hi,
I use a Nolan 100E for the Leadwing. J&M speakers and mic.
The flip up front is nice and I don't have to remove my glasses to put it on.
If the chinbar is down, the visor plate is large. Also has many click stops for wear in the rain and ventilation.
Uses a latch/lever to fasten chinstrap.
I wear it open face most of the time in summer, Georgia, and closed down in winter. Comes with a fog free visor that works pretty good.
Enjoy, Ken
 
Arai then Shoei (number 1 and 2), that's how they rank for helmets. Absolutely nothing wrong with the Shoei. If it fits your melon well go for it.

I like Nolans myself, for some reason the fit my skull really well.

Ride safe :D
 
i was told this by a motorcycle dealer back when i first started riding motorcycles, " if you have a $50. head, wear a $50. helmet. ;)
 
richard j said:
i was told this by a motorcycle dealer back when i first started riding motorcycles, " if you have a $50. head, wear a $50. helmet. ;)
Click to expand...

Now that isn't as true as Back in the 80's. HJC makes nice DOT approved helmets at reasonable prices. Of course money no object ARai, SHoei, Nolan, Caberg Justissimo , I'd check out some motorcycle forums. But most of all you need to check out the fit of the different brands as the fit different head styles differently.

Spend $400+ on a helmet that really only should be good for 5-7 years max.

Some info links
http://www.best-motorcycle-gear.com/motorcycle-helmet.html

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/flip_face_helmet_comparison/


Paul
 
pcnorton said:
Now that isn't as true as Back in the 80's. HJC makes nice DOT approved helmets at reasonable prices. Of course money no object ARai, SHoei, Nolan, Caberg Justissimo , I'd check out some motorcycle forums. But most of all you need to check out the fit of the different brands as the fit different head styles differently.

Spend $400+ on a helmet that really only should be good for 5-7 years max.

Some info links
http://www.best-motorcycle-gear.com/motorcycle-helmet.html

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/flip_face_helmet_comparison/


Paul
Click to expand...

I agree completely. After years of buying very expensive helmets (my last AGV cost almost $500 and that was 7 years ago), I switched to HJC and have never been happier. If money was no object, I would wear Arai, but alas, money is a major concern of mine (darn wife and children ;)). I think I paid well under $150 for my current HJC CL 14 and it compares favorably to the competitors at twice the price. If you think about it, in this climate of product liability lawsuits, no company would sell a bad helmet if they had any intrest in staying is business.

I have heard that helmets should be replaced every 3-4 years and that is about my average, but that might be excessive, depending on how much useage they get. Supposedly, just putting them on and taking them off will compress the foam slightly but if you don't ride much, that might take 7 years...

I have had great luck with New Enough bike gear. They sell closeouts and discontinued ride gear and you can find some smoking hot deals from time to time. A couple of years ago I bought a Teknic mesh and armor jacket for $80. :thumbup:

Ride safe...:D

Mike
 
I have been very happy with my Schuberth Concept. Got it shipped from the UK for $250. I think it was a closeout sale.
 
Arai and AGV work best for me. Shoei gave me hot spots on the forehead so it really depends on which manfuacturer makes a style that fits comfortably for long periods of time while getting the job done.
 
I read an article last year in a motorcycle mag of a study that showed some of the cheaper brands absorbed the crash impact better then the some of the expensive ones. The gist of the study was that the expensive helmets were overbuilt(ie. better materials and more of them) , hense after impact the helmet remained mostly intact but a larger blow was transfered to the head. On the cheaper brands(I forget which ones) the helmet would appear heavily damaged after impact but ultimitly transfered less of a traumatic impact to the head.
 
Shoei for me. It's the brand that best fits my giant round head. I wish I could fit into an HJC; I like their ventelation better.

-Bob
 
Just my opinion, but nobody should be wearing a helmet that is 20+ years old.
You might as well put a plastic bucket on your head, because that's about as much crash protection a 20 year old helmet would provide. UV degradation, bumps and scratches accumulated over the years, chemical decomposition of the foam lining, etc, etc. would make it worthless in a crash.
+1 on the Nolan "flip up" visor helmets. Excellent quality, good wind design, reasonable price.
BMW make a nice flip up visor helmet, with all the bells and whistles, but be prepared to pay out $500 or more for the base version. If you want earphones, tinted visors, anti fog stuff, open the wallet up wider.
There are no really bad (approved) helmets on the market, but try before you buy and ensure that you get one that fits correctly. Never buy 2nd hand or sight unseen like off eBay, there may be hidden damage to the helmet that could be fatal in a fall.

The "$10 head, $10 helmet" quote is as relevant today as it was back in Steve McQueen's day.
 
+1 on the Nolan "flip up" visor helmets. Excellent quality, good wind design, reasonable price.
Click to expand...
I liked them in theory, until I saw a few photos of helmets that suffered chin guard failure. And they aren't SNELL certified, or at least they weren't the last time I was shopping. But I'm confident they offer more protection than a half or 3/4 helmet. Keep in mind, the part of your head most likely to hit the pavement first is your chin.

helmet-impact.jpeg


-Bob
 
Thanks for all of the great links and input folks. I am gonig to try on a few today at a local shop. Although for the 100.00 more they charge for the Shoei than I can get it for on the internet, I may buy via a good place on the net.
Thanks Again!:thumbup::D
 
I got the new HJC AC12 carbon and it is incredible. The lightest helmet I have seen in person and looks awesome with removable lining. HJC actually take a loss on this product
to promote their cheaper stuff. I got it with a free tinted visor and excellent helmet bag.

With this helmet ,my Alpinestars SP2 gloves and Vader backpack along with my black Merc jacket I feel like Darth Vader.
 
I don't recall exactly, but I first saw it several years ago with the complete story. Now I only see that chart being copied around. The best my memory can do, it may have been a study by one of the helmet manufacturers.

I'll try to find out more; it may be printed and properly referenced in Proficient Motorcycling.

-Bob
 
Found it! Page 28 of Proficient Motorcycling by David Hough. Here is a portion of the text that accompanies the chart:
Distribution of impact locations on motorcycle helmets, all collisions based on a study by Dietmar Otte.
Click to expand...
The full study was published in The Proceedings of the 1991 International Motorcycle Conference.

I'm not against people wearing half helmets, and I'm opposed to helmet laws for adults. But I hope that each person making that decision for themselves utilizes that chart to help make an educated decision. Their own stastistical likelihood of crashing, comfort level with risk, pain tolerance, family status, etc. would all be other factors to consider when making the choice of helmet vs. no helmet vs. partial helmet.

-Bob
 
I tried on the Nolan flip up helmet and the Shoei flip up yesterday. I liked some of the nice features of the Nolan, but the Shoei felt better to my head and did not make creaking noises while putting it on like the Nolan.
There is a new Shoei Multitec in matte black on its way to me as I type. Should have it in a week. I look forward to having the coverage again. I got hit in the mug by a large insect yesterday at 65 mph, wearing my Shoei Santa Cruz half helmet. What was worse than the pain was the bug getting under my glasses and into my eye!:mad:
Made for fun scooping at speed, trying to get that little thing out of my eye while still moving safely with traffic.
It's funny in a way as I wanted a half helmet a few years back for the really hot days while out riding, and I thought they would be great but instead I have found for me at least that they make the wind seem louder than with no helmet and they seem to funnel objects into my face.:o
I look forward to the quieter riding of the full face design again and the better protection from objects hitting my squash!
Happy and safe riding to all of you out there!:thumbup::D
 
Another vote for HLC..... i wear the cs-12 echo....and for its price i couldnt be happier...about 100$ has good vents, good color, ect....
 
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