ok, so here's the question. what kind of helmet do you wear? when i was young and smarter than anyone else in the world, i did'nt like to wear helmets unless it was raining, or wicked cold out(no helmet laws in new hampshire at the time). in my mid 20's i started to see the merit of the skid lid, and would occasionally put one on for long rides or fast rides. but in my early 30's, i would wear them all the time, but only open face. i didnt like the feel of the fullface. in my mid to late 30's however, and now into 40's i wear a flip up nolan. best of both worlds - right? or is it? what do you guy's wear?
I love my Arai XD... I have a serious aversion to direct bright sunlight so the big visor was a huge selling point for me...
I would have a traditional full face (too) if I lived somewhere that allowed more high speed highway driving tho...
My main helmet is my Shoei Hornet:
(http://www.dirtbikebitz.com/images/products/helmets/2008_Shoei_Hornet_DS_Helmet_Matte_Deep_Grey.jpg)
I'm very happy with it and use it on my Tiger, KTM 950, and Aprilia Supermoto. But it looks kid of out of place on my Bonneville Black. For that bike I sometimes go free and clear, but usually use the Davida Speedster:
(http://www.davida.co.uk/media/pix/prod.speedster/15.jpg)
And on occasion, I still have and use my Davida classic:
(http://www.davida.co.uk/media/pix/prod.classic.detail/02993482Asmall.jpg)
Finally I have an HJC $99 full face, in case a guest is riding along. (In case you couldn't tell, 4 helmets, 5 jackets, 3 sets of gloves, I'm a gear nerd.)
Geof
I have a Shoei RF1000 for the street and an Arai XD for dual sport and offroad. If I only had one helmet, it would be the XD. I would never wear it on any bike that would exceed 65 mph with the beak on as you get terrible whiplash. You can always take the beak off and put it on when you get to the slow stuff.
HJC CL-SP Osiris - $79 on clearance.
http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/spor ... l+approved (http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/sport/motorcycle+helmets/hjc_cl-sp+osiris+helmet+-+snell+approved)
Really wanted a solid color, but price could not be beat.
(http://www.motorhelmets.com/pics-products/hjc/hjc-cl-sp-osiris-helmets.jpg)
Quotein case a guest is riding along. (In case you couldn't tell, 4 helmets, 5 jackets, 3 sets of gloves, I'm a gear nerd.)
Geof
Hehe, I've been riding since July, and already have 3 jackets and 3 pairs of gloves... most of it off of eBay... keep finding something better than what I bought last time!
Quote from: "matttys"I have a Shoei RF1000 for the street and an Arai XD for dual sport and offroad. If I only had one helmet, it would be the XD. I would never wear it on any bike that would exceed 65 mph with the beak on as you get terrible whiplash. You can always take the beak off and put it on when you get to the slow stuff.
The XD has a larger beak than the Hornet. So far with the hornet I don't feel any extra pressure, and non of the wind "beating" some have experienced on the XD.
Geof
Nolan Flip Top. Love the features. Sun visor, anti fog etc. Noisy helmet though, but I wear molded plugs anyway.
I'll stick to flip tops from now on.
I would like a grey Shoei Hornet like Abruzzi but can't afford it at the moment. I think it'll look better with the Tiger than the Shoei X-Spirit I use at the moment, althoough the X-Spirit looks the part when I'm out on the Blackbird. MY X-Spirit is a Moto GP rider Dajiro Kato memorial issue as I was a fan of his before he died. It's the design he would've used the following year if he'd been alive.
(http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c273/BixxerBob/kato.jpg)
Black Shark RSX. I have a big noggin' (with not much in it) and the Shark fit the nuts when I first tried it on. For me, great helmet. And who here doesn't like great helmet? :eusa_dance
man, i love that davida classic. 8)
I scored an Airoh S4 dual sport helmet from someone over on ADV. I like it a lot and it was nearly new and half price of an XD.
I like that I can fit a drink tube under the chin bar. Great for touring or dual sporting.
I like the wide field of vision it offers.
It makes me feel pretty.
I wear a Caberg ( not sold in the USA ). I also wear prescription sunglasses and this helmet makes that much easier to deal with as it is a flip front.
(http://www.orwell.co.uk/shop/published/publicdata/SHOPDATA/attachments/SC/products_pictures/JGTBK54_14_t.jpg)
I also have the Iridium blue internal sun visor installed!!
(http://www.sounddistribution.co.uk/images/innervisors-th.jpg)
This is the original smoke visor...
(http://www.cabergusa.net/Smoke2.jpg)
thsi is with the blue one installed...
(http://www.cabergusa.net/Iridium2.jpg)
Shoei multi-tec worth every penny especially if you wear spectacles.
Cheers Ade.
Shoei RF-1000. comfortable and pretty quiet. Last two helmets have been RF-1000. Downside is you can't remove liner so stinky helmet is a problem in hot climates.
Shoei Hornet...got it at a price i couldn't pass up on.
Still, the helmet i wear and abuse daily is my Scorpion EXO700. I've had it for two years and it's been a fantastic helmet.
i just ordered this.
Nolan N100 around town, I wear glasses and the flip can't be beat for convenience - I'm on my third.
Skorpion EXO 1000 for out of town. No complaints and the price was right.
Had a Nolan with a flip face, till someone walked off with it... Now using Shoei Muli-tec. Both great for folks who wear specs. Think the Nolan was a little noisier to wear, but it was easier to open both the flip face and the visor.
The Shoei came with a good accessory pack (Collar to keep in the heat, chin screen to keep out the bugs & a double tint visor), which lets you tailor things for local conditions or time of year.
Shoei XR1000 and an Arai Condor for me.
Quote from: "aeronca"i just ordered this.
I love that helmet, but I've pretty much scared myself out of wearing anything but a full face helmet. All those horror stories of people landing on their faces...
We'll see what this summer brings... maybe I'll be sweated out of my element of safety :)
thats one of the biggest reasons i like open face helmets - the heat thing. i try not to think about sliding down the road on my face :shock: generally i ride with my nolan in the open position, but it is nice to have the option. i was watching a couple of reviews on you tube of the new hjc i just bought. i think it will be a pretty good choice - they call it a 3/4 helmet because it comes down around the chin area more than the regular open face. should be here tomrow :eusa_dance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-VCwToLbIY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-VCwToLbIY)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNZoGX0-ZXY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNZoGX0-ZXY)
(http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m179/Bruincounselor/Motorcycles/helmet-impact.jpg)
From the "Hurt" report. Why I wear a full face everytime.
wow, thats a really good chart - it does give one some food for thought.
Take your pick...I spend almost all of my time in the grey RF 1000 and some time in the orange VMoto when riding my dirt bike. The others are kinda "guest helmets"
(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n313/atokadok/P3240170-1.jpg)
ok, i just got the new hjc is-33, and i must say, it;s pretty nice. i think im going to go and try on another hjc full faace and flip up and see how they feel(for winter riding). i love my nolan, but after 12 years its kind of stinky :D . so besides abruzzi, does anyone wear a 1/2 face? just for fun, check out this savage on a gs - :lol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GygKtGHS88 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GygKtGHS88)
Shoei Multitec
More info HERE (http://www.myrides.co.uk/index.php?page=riding-gear)
Arai XD. Great wide angle view, fits my head, love the sun viser, good air-flow, easy on/off, and great quality.
I wish they would make them with built-in headsets / noise rduction system (like the stuff combat pilots have).
Scorpion EXO 1000 for me.
I wear a Shark RSX Intense in late fall thru the spring. Then I change to my HJC SymaxII modular. I enjoy the built in visor. I do like all my helmets.
AFX-FX37 Dualsport
Quote from: TheMuleAFX-FX37 Dualsport
how do you like it. im concidering one for this winter.
Quote from: "aeronca"how do you like it. im concidering one for this winter.
I had to change out the cheek padding to a thinner pad and I had to cut down the ridiculously long strap but other than that I am very happy with it. Be aware that it has lots of venting that does not close so for winter riding somewhere it gets cold (not here) you might have to duct tape over a vent or two to stay warm. Helmet's fit and finish do not measure up to the big dollar helmets but the screen offers very good visibility, the peak is just long enought to offer excellent shade for the eyes and does not catch the wind at all, and I find it very comfortable now. I would buy it again if it got stolen.
thanks,
Todd
well, it could'nt be any worse than my nolan. that thing leaks in the rain and is really cold. im going to try and find a shop that carries them and see if i like them up close. they look pretty cool. eric
Just bought a Shark Evoline, their flip front, will let you know how it feels later
I as looking through a catalog last night as some some Arai helmets for $899 :shock:
I gotta know. What the heck does a $900 helmet have that my HJC CL-SP doesn't have?!
A totally different feel, that is if you have an Arai shaped head, my Quantum F was lovely then they dicked around with the sizes and shapes so now I have no idea which is the nearest to what I had.
So your paying $700 extra for a different shaped head?
Guess so, I guess living in amongst this GM countryside had to have some effect :lol:
HJC Carbon. SWEET!
man that is sweet.
roof boxer matt black of course
I have a HJC Symax II and a Zox Azuma. Both are pretty good. I would buy either again. I have no issues with the quality of either.
Arai SZ-RAM III black with a tinted and clear visor,a fantastic lid which i bought on flea bay for £180.00,was barely used and still smelt new,i love the fact that the liner,cheek pads(of which there are various thicknesses) and strap liners are all removeable,chuck em in the washing machine and they come out like new :D,and you can always get parts for them,not that ive ever needed any :wink:
(http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll130/chairhead64/81-2570L.jpg)
Meets or exceeds Snell and D.O.T. standards
Shoei Raid in plain colour - buget end. Nice and light, easy remove visor and the all important Pin Lock insert. Bit noisy tho.
Quote from: zombieroof boxer matt black of course
i went toi the roof web site and have to say that they are quit interesting. how do you like it?
Quote from: "zombie"roof boxer matt black of course
Wild looking helmet. Looks like something out of a Sci-Fi film.
(http://www.motorcycleworldl-spa.co.uk/images/uploads/Roof_Boxer_Black.jpg)
i think alot of helmet maker's are going for the fighter pilot look. nexx helmets is following suit as well. my new hjc is-33 is an excellent helmet so far. i know many riders dont like open face helmets, but i do, and i am really impressed with the over-all fit and finish of this lid. the look is pretty funky, alot less so than other brands, but still i like it alot. i like the roof helmets as well. 8) i really like davida(cool). if i ever get my thruxton, thats the helmet for me. :D
so at this point, in the thread, you all have thrown out some really great choices in helmet brands. even given some insight on your thoughts on helmet types's. so my next question is, what's better, dot,snell, or the euro ece. when buying mine, i tried to find one with all the ratings, but in the end went for the hjc(dot only). how much thought do you really put into it. untill now, i never really cared. but shooting past 41(with 2 squirts) alot more came into mind when choosing. so whats best - DOT, SNELL, ECE? :shock:
I'm not sure anything but a full face can pass SNELL.
Usually if it's SNELL it's also DOT.
Tried both Arai Tour X and Shoei Hornet DS. Both gave me a headache after more than 30 minutes riding. So having wasted a considerable amount of money, I bought another HJC (perfect fit).
I now have the IS-16, great helmet with internal sun visor. May still buy a motocross helmet as a backup, but I'm definitely sticking with the IS-16 for now!
JB
I stand corrected...
http://www.revzilla.com/product/arai-sz ... ce-helmets (http://www.revzilla.com/product/arai-szm-open-face-helmets)
I really like the IS-16 :D
man, after a month with the new lid, it amazes me all the new sounds i hear. with the old nolan, i was tuned into the road and the bike a certain way, but the new hjc allows alot of diferent noises to come in. some of the noise are freakin me out. still, i like the new lid, and i think im going to buy a new closed face hjc for winter, or if i can find one cheap enough, a hornet dx.
Quote from: "Buggles"Tried both Arai Tour X and Shoei Hornet DS. Both gave me a headache after more than 30 minutes riding. So having wasted a considerable amount of money, I bought another HJC (perfect fit).
Bit OT :hat10
Are you selling your Hornet? I was considering one myself
A lemon squeezer[/img]
what do you guy's think of the AFX FX-37?
I have a Nolan N102. I like it a lot but it is noisy. I am told that if I take off the sun visor, it is much better but that is one of the nicer features of it. I may try it without the visor and get some transition glasses. The new N103 has an internal visor. Looks nice.
(http://www.helmets911.com/_images/products/brands/nolan_n102_outlaw_flatback_helmet.jpg)
Quote from: "aeronca"what do you guy's think of the AFX FX-37?
There is a pretty complete review here:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcyc ... afx-fx-37/ (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/afx-helmets/afx-fx-37/)
I don't know the helmet, but having a Shoei Hrnet DS, I will say that I really love these hybrid helmets. The chin/mouth area is less claustrophobic that a standard full face, but the visor is more comfortable than goggles.
Geof
Quote from: "aeronca"what do you guy's think of the AFX FX-37?
This one?
(http://www.afxhelmets.com/img/product/37ds/09-flat.jpg)
I got one of those with the mirrored face shield. It exudes attitude. I don't have to wave at anyone anymore and no one waves at me. I scare kids in backseats. I love it! 8)
Edit: THE best $100 spent this year hands down. :D
Whole bunch of interesting NON-USA helmets to look at here...
Didn't know GIVI made helmets?
http://www.designerhelmets.com/index.php (http://www.designerhelmets.com/index.php)
Quote from: JetdocXQuote from: aeroncawhat do you guy's think of the AFX FX-37?
This one?
(http://www.afxhelmets.com/img/product/37ds/09-flat.jpg)
I got one of those with the mirrored face shield. It exudes attitude. I don't have to wave at anyone anymore and no one waves at me. I scare kids in backseats. I love it! 8)
Edit: THE best $100 spent this year hands down. :D
brother jd, any problems with distortion with the visor? that was the only complaint i've heard about them and the reason i didnt buy one. i think i'll pick one up any way. bikebandit has them for 86 bucks, if i dont like it i'll give it to my daughter.
looks like i missed the sale by one day, oh well.
Yes there is a slight distortion in the center where the compound curve in the visor is. It gets better up higher on the visor.
In the reviews of the FX-37 it appears that it's a crap shoot when it comes to the optical distortion in the visor. I apparently got lucky and mine is fine. The helmet is very drafty (a good thing in Southern UT) and I'm going to pick up a different helmet for winter riding. Upto this point all I've had were open faced helmets and the FX-37 is a huge move up from those in regards to noise and wind.
thanks,
this helmet
simpson bandit
dude-------------- that's wicked f#@kin pissa. who painted that thing? it's awsome :twisted:
Zombie...
I sold SIMPSON helmets for awhile.... they are rare in the motorcycle world.... BIG in the cage world.
The BANDIT was always a hit.
Very Nice Helmet ..... That is a helmet isn't it?
PS: Your back seat tag along needs one too!
yup it's a simpson bandit painted up by a friend of mine
kids love it and parents hate it and the cops all do a double take when I wear it , pretty funny
Iron Maiden fan??
Just got a Caberg Sintessi (http://www.caberg-helm.com/products.aspx?p=00) after having the Justissimo & Justy GT2, I like them obviously.
Nice fit once the the styrene at the forehead adjusted to my nut.
Homologated for Jet position riding in the EU, quieter, lighter, better ventillation and much more directionally stable than the others, now if they can just get the BT unit out to the dealers I'll be happy.
JD & Zombie, must be a trail of mothers clutching babies to their breasts in your wake.
I bought a Symax II a few months back to replace my aging Nolan flip up. I like it very much, a lot quieter than the Nolan. I really like tha fact that the front part stays up (unlike the nolan which would flop down on me)
the little Jet fighter inner shield is handy but I usually ride with sun glasses... Price was right too. :D
Having just flipped through this thread I'm amazed no one has mentioned Schuberth. Maybe they dont appear on the west of the pond but I have had a C2 for a couple of years and rate it as the best I have had. A friend has just got the sucessor C3 and reckons its even better.
http://www.schuberthmotorcyclehelmets.co.uk/c3.htm (http://www.schuberthmotorcyclehelmets.co.uk/c3.htm)
Zombie needs this jacket:
(http://vansonleathers.com/images/jackets/bone-front_small.jpg)
http://vansonleathers.com/product_pages ... nesjkt.htm (http://vansonleathers.com/product_pages/jackets/bone_bonesjkt.htm)
Geof
Oh, hell yes!
Arai Corsair RX-7. Best helmet I've ever owned. A bit 'spensive (even after I got it on clearance) but it feels like it was molded specifically for my head. Arai probably has me for life now. I ride with a clear shield and Rx sunglasses.
I'm looking for a dirt helmet now so this is a great thread...
ok i just ordered an hjc is-max modular(flip up). for 13 years i wore a nolan, but the thing smells like a frog pond and the padding is flat and worn out. i talked with jetdox and decided this was the way to go. i love my hjc is-33 open face, and am convinced they build a great helmet. i'll give a full review when i get it. 8)
up-date: after a wet winter of riding, the hjc is-max gets two thumbs up!!! this is a really cool helmet. i love the internal sun shades. doesnt seem to leak any worse than my old nolan. light weight and comfy. the only down side is that there is no chin flap thing to help stop the wind blowing in, but thats small potatos. also - i cant say enough about the hjc is-33 i use for warmer weather. HJC really hit the mark. 8)
I'll go with the Schuberth C3. Loadsamoney but snug, quiet and with a built-in sun-visor. Black and understated, so obviously won't appeal to blokes who like to protect their skulls with another skull.
I own an Arai Quantum II, which they don't make anymore. They replaced it with the Vector. I have a Klingon head and it's hard to fit me, but I've been riding for over 20 years and the Arai family of helmets are the only helmets that have ever really fit me. Other helmets have never come close to the comfort.
Arai helmets are better not just because they fit better, they are better because they don't compromise the design of the helmet to make the visor hinge system work better. Usually helmet makers have a flat surface on either side of the helmet to make the visor hinge work better. Arai believes this compromises the strength of the helmet overall, which is based on the arch principle. The end result is a stronger, lighter helmet than anyone else with a fit I have never been able to find anywhere else.
The bad part is the visor is an absolute pain in the a** to replace because it's so complex. I've broken a hinge or two doing it. Thankfully the hinge is cheap to replace.
I love the weight of a carbon fiber helmet but because Arai will not use that material, I suspect it's not as safe (unverified opinion warning).
As far as full face versus open face is concerned, odds are when you go down you're locking up the front wheel or highsiding. In those two cases you're going down on your chin or your shoulder. That's enough reason for me to never even consider less than a full face helmet. Amen.
I seem to remember reading that the new Quantum has recently been shown to journalists here
I mean my helmet is the Astral-X, not the Quantum. They don't make the Astral-X anymore.
Arai XD-3
Expensive but a great helmet.
Good for my shape of head.
Excellent venting.
Fantastic visibility.
Removable liners.
Replacement parts.
Quiet for a full face helmet. I still wear ear plugs.
tett
I am using a HJC CL XS
sort of a moto-x lid hybrid, built in visor so no need for goggles.
the inside can be removed
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcy ... prod/35530 (http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/35530)
Recently bought a Scorpion exo-700. Had to change out the cheek pads for a set with a little more room, added a tinted green visor and wind guard. Very happy with it.
shoei hornet ds , top helmet.
Went to Hein Gericke in Newcastle yesterday with the intention of buying the new schuberth flip up helmet, been using a system 4 for the last few years, only reason I got the flip front is so I could have a smoke with my hat on :roll: .
Anyway I wasn't too happy with the schuberth :? couldn't get it comfortable so I started trying others.
Ended up with an Arai Chaser, quite simply the most comfortable helmet I've EVER tried.... not expensive either.. and as I've stopped using the weed I don't need a flip up anyway 8)
Was so pleased with it I treated myself to some new Daytona boots (current ones 15 years old) set of heated grips for the Tenere, some mini indicators for the rebuild and a few other bits & pieces..... :P
I hesitate to share because I KNOW you are all going to find this helmet and buy it once you see it, but I wear HGC's "Lola" helmet with a rainbow, iredescent shield. It's spiffy as all get out.
(http://www.mooserun.org/lolahelmet.jpg)
In all truthfulness, I want it to be absolutely OBVIOUS that a woman is riding my Tiger. 8)
:love10
Quote from: "Sabertooth"....In all truthfulness, I want it to be absolutely OBVIOUS that a woman is riding my Tiger. 8)
I dunno, I know a couple of blokes that would wear that, erm - 'blokes' is probably overstating it, and they aren't real bikers.... :oops:
Quote from: "Bixxer Bob"erm - 'blokes' is probably overstating it, and they aren't real bikers.... :oops:
Ooooh .... get you in your leather trousers sweetie :pottytrain2 :love10
Morning Sin, where you been hiding? :icon_scratch
OT Secret, more to be revealed later :wink: Nothing to do with leatehr trousers or pink helmets.
Quote from: "Sabertooth"In all truthfulness, I want it to be absolutely OBVIOUS that a woman is riding my Tiger. 8)
You mean like this:
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm9/bluesemotion/sy-chu-new/ktm_in_pink-1.jpg)
Geof
Quote from: "abruzzi"Quote from: "Sabertooth"In all truthfulness, I want it to be absolutely OBVIOUS that a woman is riding my Tiger. 8)
You mean like this:
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm9/bluesemotion/sy-chu-new/ktm_in_pink-1.jpg)
Geof
LOL!! Yeah, well... I don't really have a "blinking beacon" kind of personality, but I do appreciate it in others!!!
I guess I'd like to get a double take here and there... but blatant stares aren't really for me. :)