South West Bikers | Motorcycle Forum

Hi All

Looking for some advise. I am looking to get myself a new X-Lite helmet (as love them) as my current helmet is now 5 years + old and want to go for something new.

X-lite do a Fibre Glass and a Carbon Fibre version of the same helmet. The Carbon Fibre is about £100 to £150 more expensive.

My question is, is there any safety benefits or is it just down to looks and weight saving?
I have been looking at loads of stuff online but nothing actually highlights that its better / safer to go Carbon Fibre so wondering why pay the extra money?

You've answered yourself by mentioning weight saving. A glancing blow will give angular momentum resulting in a rotation of the helmet and it's contents. This will need less energy to counter the rotation if there is less mass at the periphery of the rotating body. Also rider fatigue is an obvious factor.

If you're in the kind of accident where a glancing blow to the Head makes all the difference then you're probably in a bad way already.

I remember reading an article years ago about motorcycle head injuries and the medical researcher said that some of the worst injuries are slinding down the track / road thinking your fine but then the helmet digs in twists your skull but the brain stays where it is. That's why the latest safety tests look at this aspect too. Less weight helps as does a helmet shell less likely to catch. From what I understand some helmets now have a inner shell that is seperate to the outer shell, reducing the twist.

I did read that carbon fibre perhaps doesn't deform as much as fiberglass/laminate so doesn't spread the impact as well but that was a few years ago now and I can't be arsed to find references.

i'm quite liking the Ruroc lids for a replacement to mine when the time comes.

My last 2 lids have been carbon. Not had any issues but there's not a lot inside to hurt tbh.

Thanks all. Still not completely convinced if the cost will actually offer the extra benefit, but will now try to do some more research now I know what to look for.

Thanks

I've not long bought a Carbon Scott Redding Rep Shark helmet.
It's lighter than my Shoei, It seems to block out the wind noise better and it certainly looks better and more aero dynamic too.

Jay wrote: ↑Oct 29th, '21, 08:02 I've not long bought a Carbon Scott Redding Rep Shark helmet.
It's lighter than my Shoei, It seems to block out the wind noise better and it certainly looks better and more aero dynamic too.

Which model is that Jay? I've been looking at the Spartan GT Carbon to replace the Vision-R I use on the MV. Helmet City at West Bay have some decent deals on some colour ways at present.

TLS-Moose wrote: ↑Oct 30th, '21, 19:23

Jay wrote: ↑Oct 29th, '21, 08:02 I've not long bought a Carbon Scott Redding Rep Shark helmet.
It's lighter than my Shoei, It seems to block out the wind noise better and it certainly looks better and more aero dynamic too.

Which model is that Jay? I've been looking at the Spartan GT Carbon to replace the Vision-R I use on the MV. Helmet City at West Bay have some decent deals on some colour ways at present.

Not sure mate? but i will find out

Jay wrote: ↑Nov 1st, '21, 09:29

TLS-Moose wrote: ↑Oct 30th, '21, 19:23

Jay wrote: ↑Oct 29th, '21, 08:02 I've not long bought a Carbon Scott Redding Rep Shark helmet.
It's lighter than my Shoei, It seems to block out the wind noise better and it certainly looks better and more aero dynamic too.

Which model is that Jay? I've been looking at the Spartan GT Carbon to replace the Vision-R I use on the MV. Helmet City at West Bay have some decent deals on some colour ways at present.

Not sure mate? but i will find out

Its the Spartan Carbon GT https://www.helmetcity.co.uk/shark-spar ... dding-drg/

I have the Spartan Carbon predecessor to the GT. Hope yours is less noisy than mine. I get a sore ear too from the padding inside. Think I may change. Flipping top vent fell to bits and I broke the visor. Not too impressed with the build quality either.

goatpants wrote: ↑Nov 4th, '21, 17:40 I have the Spartan Carbon predecessor to the GT. Hope yours is less noisy than mine. I get a sore ear too from the padding inside. Think I may change. Flipping top vent fell to bits and I broke the visor. Not too impressed with the build quality either.

Ooh, that's not so good!
I must admit, the Vision-R is as comfy now as when bought and I've never had a problem with it. Noise wise it's OK locally without, but if riding for a while I wear ear plugs anyway. The only real issue I have is the vinyl finish to the bottom of the neck curtain is flaking off ....... and at 8yrs old it's probably due a change.

As a long term Shoei fan I was looking at the GT Air, but they've got a terrible Sharp rating!

Jay wrote: ↑Nov 1st, '21, 09:31

Jay wrote: ↑Nov 1st, '21, 09:29
Not sure mate? but i will find out

Its the Spartan Carbon GT https://www.helmetcity.co.uk/shark-spar ... dding-drg/

Cool
This is the one I'm looking at .... https://www.helmetcity.co.uk/shark-spar ... stter-dra/

I love mine, not so much wind noise as my Shoei is, and very light too.
I am well impressed with mine.