What helmet do you use and why?

[Ruffian]

OK so recently have had a thought that my helmet is getting aged, (nearly 7year old) and would be worth thinking about replacing it,

Always had arai helmets and besides a little bit heavier and noiser than others have always fitted like a glove and never had any issues.
2 chasers and a chaser v.

Was looking into the new ones but wondered what other's are using and what there experience with each has been.

I know I can't try them on over the Internet but may help to what brand to try on next.

[menzies3032]

Hi Ian

Massive fan of X-lite myself. Currently have a 701, great fit 4* on the Sharp rating, great ventilation and pin lock visor.

However mine is also 5 years old so looking to change it over winter and have my eye on a 702 (in blue of course) as has the added drop down sun visor as well as being a 5*

I must admit though I have always had half an eye on the MT range as they are very cheap (less then £100) but 5* on the sharp rating....

Web sites I found useful
http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.ghostbikes.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Ruffian]

I like the look of the xlite and the do a carbon one also, so nice and light.

As for the sharp testing's yep there a benchmark which arai always score "poorly" on but other test procedures see them as one of the safest on the market. Whether you go by this or take it with a pinch of salt is a different story.

[billinom8s]

Got a shark one myself, first time having one and would certainly buy one again.

Dead comfy and quiet.

[goatpants]

+1 on the shark lid

[TLS-Moose]

Had several Shoei's, all have fitted well, been comfy and quiet. Found they gave plenty of "ear room", but tended to get a touch slack when older.

Only ever found one Arai that's fitted (a Chaser), and still use it on the TL. I've found all the Arai's i've tried tend to have a smaller opening, and the visors bottom edge obscures view if riding with it open.

Only ever found one AGV that's fitted, a Quasar many years ago. none currently fit.

I had several (American made) Bell helmets many years ago all were excellent but heavy. Modern (Italian?) Bell's seem very good quality, but don't quite fit me right.

Shark - I bought a Vision R because it has an excellent visor opening. I was initially concerned about the "gimmicky" internal tinted visor, but now cant live without it. Quiet, comfy and well made.

Cost is not necessarily a precursor to a good helmet. Sharp test, whilst useful, has had some of it's testing methods called into question. Still remains one of the best independent indicators though .....

Also consider practicalities -
- ACU gold approval required for pretty much any competitive motorsport
- Removable liners allow linings to be washed and kept free of naughty wiff's
- Adjustable/interchangeable size liner padding is worthwile if you have awkward head shapes or want to ensure the best fit possible.
- Double-D ring fastening is required for motorsport, but ratchet/seat-belt fastening on chinstraps is easier for everday use.
- Cost of replacement parts/fastners/visors - these vary hugely!
- Amount of and effectiveness of ventilation grilles/louvres etc.
- Pinlock ready or anti-mist coated visor is useful if you ride in the rain (!)

The best bet is to go to a place like J&S (Plmouth), CMS (Exeter) or Helmet City (West Bay) who have huge stocks of many brands and try loads on. Find the one that actually fits you best, and ticks the "requirements" boxes from above that suit your needs. Then actually buy from the place who lets you try them on ...... yes, you might get cheaper online, but if everyone does that the local stockist will go bust, and then where will you go to try before you buy??

[KawiKris600]

Really depends on your head really ..... is it rounded or long oval as that really does effect most brands out there and will narrow your search considerably.

I imagine from your statement about Arai fitting really well you would have a oval shaped head which counts out Shoei for example as they are more for long oval type heads.

I found from my experience you have to try before you buy as I found the Shoei GT-Air XL fitted like a glove BUT the new Arai RX7-V (I really wanted that) I couldn't even get onto my head although it was exactly the same size as the Shoei - I even tried the XXL but still could not get it to go over my meat head lol.

The weight difference between for example Arai and Shoei is huge - Go and try them on first and compare comfort / fit & functionality - Any good supplier would spend an easy hour or so with you going through the options with you.

I had a Arai previously the Viper which fitted well at first but did find that after an hour or so it felt too tight around the front and rear of my head and was really heavy.

Just my 2 pence worth.

[TLS-Moose]

Oh, and I'd still really, REALLY, like a Simpson Bandit for the TL ..........

[KawiKris600]

Oh, and I'd still really, REALLY, like a Simpson Bandit for the TL ..........

They are just so aggressive looking .....

[graham22]

Oh, and I'd still really, REALLY, like a Simpson Bandit for the TL ..........

Much entertainment can be had watching rain bubbles tracking up and down on the inside of the visor. Despite being draughty, found mine to be quite quiet & light, saying that, The Shoei X8R which replaced it felt so luxurious.

My last 2 helmets have been Arai (Viper GT & Astro R). I do think they change their sizing over the years, Arai never used to fit comfy and I always had Shoei, could buy a size 55 any time & it would fit. Since Shoei went to 'even number' sizes they never fitted right.

However, having tried on a new Arai with the bigger visor opening, I found none of the sizes fitted well, a Shoei I tried weekend did!

[badgerKDD]

Currently wearing Arai ( one of Graham's ex lids )after making do with mid priced/ medium quality lids before. I really like the visor opening size and the fit is good for my head size/shape. I am looking to hopefully get a newer helmet soonish when funds allow, I'm looking to Arai again, but quite like what I've heard about Shark lids ( now backed up by whats been said here) so will definitely do some trying before buying. The only downside I have with the arai is the lack of drop down visor, having had one on an old Caberg I did find it bloody useful especially when the weather is so unpredictable and the odd times I can travel to and from work ( dark one way, bright sunny the other etc.)

[Mervin]

Caberg flip front for me , good sharp ratings , and flip front makes puting glasses on easier , and a quick snog with the girlfreind possible wothout removing helmet , but be careful hitting her around the earhole with the flip front does not go down well

[MellowYellow]

I have a big head. XXL in fact (65 in euros). I did a car single seater experience at Brands and out of the dozens of helmets available, only one fitted me.

As with clothing / shoes etc., when a brand / model / colour updates what is left is very short, very long, very tiny or HUGE.

I just buy off the net whatever is cheap and approved. Recently bought a helmet with an extra (light tinted) visor for < £50 all in incl p & p. Fits, quiet, and will happily replace at shortish interval. Do my own Pinlock for 11 month winter.

Re-arrange the following well-known phrase or saying...skate cheap.

[Moley551]

Caberg flip front for me , good sharp ratings , and flip front makes puting glasses on easier , and a quick snog with the girlfreind possible wothout removing helmet , but be careful hitting her around the earhole with the flip front does not go down well

I can second the caberg flip front, after 27years the wife might get upset if I got caught snogging a girlfriend but the flip up front is handy and the drop down tinted visor is also good, it's also approved with the front up which apparently some flip up lids aren't

[Andy900]

I always stick to Shark as they fit well (for me).