Helmets

[wildstar]

Got to buy a couple of helmets after selling the yamaha xv1600 (open faced helmets ) and now about to take delivery of a new Yamaha FJR.The choice of full faced helmets is vast and what i want to know is it worth the extra couple of hundred quid say £100 helmet compared to a £300 one, HJC compared to Arai
Thanks Ian

[Kata]

I've found Arais fit me very well and are quite quiet. I'd recommend them if u have the cash.

Having said that, its more a case of whether they fit u and yours. For instance I bought a Shoei and it gave me a headache so bad I had to sell it.

Bought a mid-high range AGV a little while ago to save a bit of cash but its really noisy compared to the Arai it replaced.

What ever lid u get id strongly recommend getting one with a removable liner.

[Smiler]

Oooohhhh massive debates on here in the past regarding costs vs quality/safety etc in helmets

A lot of people have very differing ideas on the subject...all I will add is buy one that fits well (rather than price tag or col scheme). You'll pay more possibly for extras like removable cheek pads etc but worthwhile in my mind.

I bought a fairly cheap lid when I first started biking...the cheek pads went quite flat quickly and therefore the lid didn't fit too well - get what you pay for?

[MellowYellow]

My life already...I spend soul-searching hours every couple of years deciding between £49 and £59. No probs yet.

[TLS-Moose]

As already said - comfort, fit, and quality of finish more important than brand name.

I have had many Shoei's, all have been great. I have only ever found one Arai that's fitted, a fairly base spec one, and that too is great ( though I suspect there are cheaper helmets as good and with more features). I have also only ever found one AGV that fitted comfortably, and used that for many years.

My most recent purchase was a Shark Vision R, which I would say is up there with Shoei and Arai as far as quality, comfort, and finish are concerned.

I spent hours in Helmet City at West Bay trying on just about every helmet in the shop before buying the Shark, and that's one of the best bits of advice to give - go somewhere like that with a vast stock and try until you find what offers the best for your needs.

Don't forget its not as simple as full face vs open - there's the combined helmets with the flip front, ones with integral dark visors, etc., etc.,

Removable, washable liners are a must nowadays, integral tinted visors I thought were a gimmick before I bought the Shark but now I find it very useful. If you're not used to a full face helmet, decent ventilation makes a huge difference. Double D ring chinstrap or seat-belt style buckle fastener? I don't mind either, but the latter can certainly be easier.

Questions have been raised about the validity of some of their tests (sometimes I think from quarters who have something to gain from dismissing tests that score expensive brands lower than cheaper ones), but the Sharp tests are supposedly impartial and at least offer some subjective reviews - http://sharp.direct.gov.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As a final point - one of the trading standards agency recently tested some cheap Chinese imports and were able to pull the chinstraps by hand and put a hammer straight through the shell !!

There used to be an old adage "got a £10 head? Buy a £10 pound helmet". I think this is one of those scenarios where spending as much as you can afford is the best policy.

[layne]

Arai - didn't fit and too expensive.

Shoei - favourite for years but now too expensive.

HJC - now as good as Shoei but at an affordable price.

SP Motorcycles sell HJC's

No experience with other makes.

[Ruffian]

For me when I started riding I tried loads and the only one which I felt comfortable with was an arai,
Yes at £300 it is more expensive than similar hjc/shoei helmets but when I keep my helmets for 5 years,
I think £60 a year is fine. the pinlock antifog visor is now a must for me though,

I like the integrated sun visors but fit and quality come first
It's aall what you prefer, and what you find comfortable.

The arai helmets do usually get deemed as noisy but this is due to the side pods on the visor,
But this is done as a safety anti burst feature in an accident so has to be a trade off.
It all comes down to what you want to spend.

[TLS-Moose]

Ooh, something else I meant to add - people talking of "noisy" helmets ...... This should be irrelevant really, as you should be wearing ear-plugs anyway

Also, think about the visor holding system. My Shoei and AGV's have a very easy, simple system .... But I guess there is a risk they could be pulled off in a crash. The Arai, i find easy to get off but it sounds like you're ripping it apart , and Ifind them a complete b*tch to put back together. The shark is somewhere between the two for the clear visor, though the internal dark one is a bit more fiddly.

[Andy900]

Integral tinted visors I thought were a gimmick before I bought the Shark but now I find it very useful.

Mine was an S900, the inner visor is crap, no where near dark enough. IMHO.

[Kata]

Ooh, something else I meant to add - people talking of "noisy" helmets ...... This should be irrelevant really, as you should be wearing ear-plugs

I've been wearing ear plugs for years whilst riding bikes. Had no problem with my Arais and some plugs.

However my ears are still ringing after Sundays RTTB wearing the AGV. Its not as if there's any more cooling windflow inside the helmet. I think its partially the noise generated when the helmet gets buffeted around in the airflow transmitting throught my skull rather than through the plugs.

Cant afford to get another helmet so soon so will be trying out new ear plug types rather than the cheapo disposable ones I use.

Whatever the helmet always use plugs! Stops your brain from rattling out on fast rides...

[wildstar]

Thanks for the replies guys
some very good points brought up

[menzies3032]

Might want to consider one that protects your head

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

[wildstar]

Well i took the plunge ,we bought a matching pair of Shark speed-R carbon skin helmets £329 each .We both liked the look of carbon and white nothing too fancy ,fit and comfort is good aswell also liked the internal sun visor .

[Funky]

If it feels comfortable buy it. Just always make sure it is properly secured.

[menzies3032]

Well i took the plunge ,we bought a matching pair of Shark speed-R carbon skin helmets £329 each .We both liked the look of carbon and white nothing too fancy ,fit and comfort is good aswell also liked the internal sun visor .

Good helmet! As worn by the current world superbike champion