What Helmet do you wear??? Why?

MB-5 Joined: Mar 14, 2004 Posts: 17 Location: Sedalia CO

I would like some input on a new helmet.

I know the SNELL/DOT issues. I'm not concerned about the cost, suffice to say I value my head.

It has been a while since I bought one and would like to hear what features you like or dislike on your helmet.

The number of brands, styles and features is amazing. Color schemes are not important to me (most makes have lots to choose from).

I hate helmets that:
Whistle
Leak air/water
Fog uncontrollably
Aren't adjustable
Can't regulate air flow

Anyone have a helmet they really like and would be willing to share the details of its features and construction?

A buddy of mine has a full face harley helmet that has removable neck collar, chin collar and breath guard for winter driving. Any other brands have those features?

TIA

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 4:40 pm

Glenn,

Good question for a poll?

Tyson

Hawk Joined: Jun 24, 2003 Posts: 270 Location: Tujunga, CA

I wear a HJC A-10. It is one of if not THE lightest full-face helmets made. Been riding with it now 1 1/2 years. I only get wind whistle when riding with the shield up. Does a good job of cutting down on noise. Comes with a "fog -guard" but doesn't have all that removable stuff you mentioned. Has 2 vents on the sides (lower) one on top & one under the shield.

I was amazed at how comfortable and minimally intrusive it is. I have a half -helmet I wore on my cruisers, which I pretty much stopped wearing because of the wind noise, since the HJC was so comfortable. I've gotten comments from guys about riding my big cruiser wearing a full face (not cool 'ya know) but screw 'em. I look good when I'm not riding Cool

and safety & comfort is all I care about when I am

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 5:17 pm

MickD wrote:

A buddy of mine has a full face harley helmet that has removable neck collar, chin collar and breath guard for winter driving. Any other brands have those features?

TIA

Shoei RF800 offers the above, as do all Shoei's I believe, and most importantly I like the way it fits.

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 5:23 pm

tyson wrote:

Glenn,

Good question for a poll?

Tyson

Had this one...
http://cb1100f.net/modules.php?name=Surveys&pollID=3

And this one...
http://cb1100f.net/modules.php?name=Surveys&pollID=6

You mean a brand specific one?

MB-5 Joined: Aug 26, 2003 Posts: 27 Location: Pennsylvania

I use a Fulmer Full Face Helmet. It fits great, is DOT approved, and has been an incredible bargain. Why spend so much for a helmet? Check out Fulmer.

AJ

Twinstar Joined: Mar 01, 2004 Posts: 55 Location: Seattle

I rock a Nolan N-100 1st generation full face flip-up, flat black... It fits really well, accomodates my headphones, vents nicely and has good visor positions to help with fogging up. My only gripe with it is the 2 button flip release, but the 2nd generation N-100's now have a 1 button set up. A damn good bargain at under $200.00 on the web. When it's really nice out, I'll use a replica of a british Davida scooter helmet with a leather face mask... not DOT approved, but man I scare the bejezzus out of the locals, heh, and the Harley folks don't know what to make of me, lol.

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 9:31 pm

Shoei RF800 fits me too...

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 11:07 pm

ICON full face solid color, I know IT works. Shocked

It has great fit, feel, ventilation and was $135.95.

Posted: Sun Apr 18, 2004 11:34 pm

Shoei RF-200. I need a new helmet.

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 12:55 am

Simpson -Model 52.

Hat sizes so you can get one to fit perfect. Well ventilated. Snell and Z-90 rated for the year I got them. More costly, but I've only got the one head,..I'm worth it. Actually need an update/up grade now. Will most likely go with the Simpson "Bandit Y" or "Super Bandit Y"

Tony "Just call me Darth Vader" Bagley

edit: Pictures attached. This is the OOP Simpson Model 52. The Bell MagLTD and Magnum are for passenger service where claustrophobia is a concern. I also use the open face helmets as a means to help me keep the speeds down in town. When you can feel the wind your less likely to go ballistic,..well that's my theory anyway. The Mags also lend a "James Garner ala Gran Prix" look to your style with the old visors and tinted extensions.

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 1:54 am

Shoei RF(700?) I can't remember the number, but its a really good helmet. The latest Shoei's have bigger vents. I also like Arai's, but they are obscenely expensive now. Motorcyclist used to have a helmet comparison every year and those two brands always were on the top, so thats what I've gone with. I'm sure some of the other brands are in there too now. I just don't know which ones.

CB1100F Joined: Mar 03, 2004 Posts: 3278 Location: Seattle

I own an Arai Signet G ($600+) and a Simpson Bandit ($350). Though the Bandit looks kool, its noiser then the Arai. The visor is a pain to open while riding with gloves on, and it makes wearing sunglasses with a lil difficult. The Arai? Comfortable, quiet, easy to use visor and air vents. I inherited the helmet when I bought Da Beast, and would probably NEVER spend $600 on a helmet, but Im glad I have it.....

Guest

I wear a Zeus 508 Liftech modular helmet. The chinbar flips up to make putting it on easier. When I'm stuck in traffic on hot days I can flip the bar up to cool off, and then flip it down once I start moving. And it's great for talking to your riding buddies at a stoplight.

The padding is removable, washable, and replaceable. It comes with an anti-scratch coated clear shield. You can buy chrome, blue iridium, smoke, amber, double-walled, and heated shields for it. The Zeus is probably the most comfortable helmet I've ever purchased. It doesn't lift like my old HJC modular helmet, and it sits lower on my head. The view field is immense. There's absolutely nothing blocking my vision. I think I can actually see more out of the Zeus than I can out of my Fulmer open-face. The chinbar is not in the way, and the venting works adequately. There's none of the loud buffeting that has occured with some of my other helmets. You know the kind with the heavy bass that just fatigues you quickly. It does have a lot of high frequency noise, due in part to the design and the large earwells. The deep earwells are great if you're going to fit speakers or a communication system of some sort. If you're not, I'd put some extra foam in there. This quiets the helmet significantly. My only real gripe is that the face shield is not quickly replaceable. But for $85 ($95 shipped) I think I can live with that. The sizing charts on Zeus' website are right on, by the way.

Oh, and the Zeus is not only DOT, but it meets the tough ECE (22.05) and JIS helmet safety standards. It doesn't say "SNELL" because SNELL doesn't test modular helmets. It passes the same tests, though.

Charles.

Posted: Mon Apr 19, 2004 6:48 pm

Arai Quantum F (Edwards, Red/White)

Great construction, good visor with anti-fog, venting front and rear, chin vent and chin flap that lowers out of the helmet for cold weather.

And the Red/White/Black color scheme matches the Red F perfectly.

Hawk Joined: Jul 02, 2003 Posts: 413 Location: Alaska

My skidlid is an old Bell Star in Spencer colors, signed by The Man himself. It completely sucks for noise and fogging but it's safe (Snell) and looks great.

My wife's helmet is an Arai in the same (but newer) pattern, also signed. Hers is way comfier and quieter.

Goofy story: in all the crashes my helmet's been through it has never actually touched the ground. "Must......... preserve.................. helmet......"

Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2004 9:00 pm

I wear an HJC CL-12. It's the only helmet that comes close to fitting my fat head. I don't think it's a great helmet but it's way better than my stinky, 10 year old CL-10. DOT and SNELL approved (Only DOT approved in size XXXL)

MB-5 Joined: Mar 14, 2004 Posts: 17 Location: Sedalia CO

Thank all,

My ancient Bell Star has been great, but as with all things I no longer feel it is safe. No damage, just too old.

Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2004 10:10 pm

used "ARAI" since i had training wheels....current helmet is arai quantum f
i have a d shaped head and helmet fits nice..many vent holes!

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 5:21 am

Streblerm wrote:

I wear an HJC CL-12. It's the only helmet that comes close to fitting my fat head... (Only DOT approved in size XXXL)

OMG - that's a watermelon! Wink

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 11:29 am

Doc Wrote:

Quote:

OMG - that's a watermelon!

I like to think its in proportion to my size.

Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 11:50 am

I've got an HJC 14. Quiet, comfortable, and great field of view.
Jim

MB-5 Joined: Mar 14, 2004 Posts: 17 Location: Sedalia CO

I found this interesting review of several modular (flip up) helmets.

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

MB-5 Joined: Mar 14, 2004 Posts: 17 Location: Sedalia CO

Anyone every use a Schuberth Concept?

Looks interesting. Has an internal secondary smoked shield.

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 5:50 am

There's a canadian comparison of helmets at
http://www.cmgonline.com/accessories/buyers_guides/helmets/index.html
It got me interested in the Schuberth Concept as well but it's only retailed in Ontario. My problem is that my head is really wide but is round and must be short front to back as If it fits one way it doesn't fit the other. I was reading some British reviews and a lot of helmets avail there sell the line separate from the shell so you can size to fit. That's what I need. Anyone know of any that are DOT or Snell rated?

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 8:46 am

White Lazer Flip Face. Lazer is manufactured by AGV and their main US office is located here in Colorado.

When I looked at other flip helmets they seemed to be very flimsy and cheap, regardless of price. All the other flips had plastic or composit hing designs. The Lazer felt very solid and well constructed. It also used a aluminum hing design.

The only other flip that was close in construction was a BMW flip, very expensive. I read several reports and conflicts about testing flips. My decision went like this, the Lazer is a comfortable, well constructed helmet that will provide the protection of at least an excellent openface helmet. The flip will provide additional protection and functionality that makes the helmet more comfortable to wear.

Another factor was the use of AGVs special formulated composite materials and technologies derived from their racing division. And the Lazer branded helmets were being phased out to be reintroduced under the AGV logo. So they were being sold directly from the factory for next to nothing.

I have been using it for going on my 2nd summer and I love it. If I ever see another new 1 for sale I would consider paying even more to get it. I have not checked to see how much they sell for under the AGV brand but if it is similar to their others it would be 2 or 3 times more then what I paid for the same helmet with a Lazer logo. (the graphics can be removed easly too) Very Happy

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 9:59 am

I wear a Nolan N27 Shocked

I bought it way back in 1993 Shocked

It hit the ground so many times in the first couple of years I lost count. Embarassed

It cost me a whopping $129. Confused

Now the lining is falling out, it tends to flop around a bit in wind and it screams like a banshee. Sad

I guess its time to seriously think about a shoei. Rolling Eyes

MB-5 Joined: Mar 14, 2004 Posts: 17 Location: Sedalia CO

I have a Lazer Dragon (looks like a helicopter pilots helmet) that I wear riding ATV's. It seems like a quality helmet with more protection that I thought for the money. It has a rubbery matte black finish I have never seen on a helmet before. Looks good.

I talked with BMW of Denver, they have the Shubercht for $299.
I think I will go look at it today.

If there a store in Denver with a good selection of these modulars?

Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 4:43 pm

AGVs clearing out the dragonfly fighter pilot helmets for $40.

I would look online. There are several big distributors that are local but have no store, and can be accessed by internet. I never found anyplace that carried more then a couple of brands on site.

Good luck Very Happy

CB1100F Joined: Jul 02, 2003 Posts: 3189 Location: Phoenix

I found the link for the flip up helmet thing. The search feature actually worked, what a concept! Razz

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