Hemet advice, part 5?

[reckless.ninja]

Are there, if any, brands/models of helmets that are considered 'safer,' or have a better reputation than others?

I'm looking for my first helmet, and while I understand all of the fit/type helmet aspects, i'm torn between a KBC, an Icon (Alliance), or an Arai.

Other than comfort and style (and assuming that they all fit your head well), is there much of a difference between a helmet that is $50 on sale or a $400 one? Or between brands? I need some insider knowledge here!

[DubSac06]

As far as helmets that I have purchased there is a difference between 50 and 400 dollar ones.....other than graphics which play a big role in price im asuming they are all DOT helmets and all full face ones. Some have removable liners which you can clean...most of them have vents...some better than others....but the most important part is to choose the right size one....one that fits snuggly but not to tight as making your face look like a plum but snug to where after break in it doesnt wobble. I have an arai and that thing fits like a glove....it was on clearance for 500 and its soooo nice....but ive seen cheaper ones that would work just as well but maybe not so in comfort or options. As my opinion to your question....arai all the way......second option shoei

[DiLbErT]

Does anybody have the link to the study that was conducted by some moto magazine a while back that compared budget and premium helmets???

[chrono-X]

any DOT helmet should save your noggin in an accident (minus the DOT brainbuckets). You're wondering why is Arai, Shoei, Suomy costs twice as much as the KBC Force-RR or the Icon Mainframe?

the answer is the comfort/fit/finish. My KBC helmet is about 4 ounces heavier than any of those other brands. "4 ounces? isnt that just the weight of a double shot?" yes, but an extra 4 ounces of weight on your neck sucks ass when you're riding for more than an hour. My KBC helmet feels like a sail whenever i turn my head to check for traffic at highspeed. The visor change system also sucks ass. It came loose in a matter of 2 month so whenever i change the shiedl, i have to pound it in.

I've taken a look at a few arai's/shoeis/suomys and you can tell right off the bat their design is better in all areas. They have both function and fashion incorporated.

G'luck with your helmet hunting.

one more thing, some people will swear by certain brands and will tell you all sorts of freaks accidents with other brands. An Arai-head will tell you shoei/suomy sucks, a Shoei will tell you Arai/Suomy sucks. Every different model in every brand fits a different shaped head. Go out and try them all, i'm a Medium Arai-Rx7 , XL Signet-GTR, X-large Shoei Rf-1000 and a large, X11. Everyone's head is also shaped differently. Keep the helmet on for 15 minutes and when you take it off, look for red dots (pressure points).

[shraz]

http://motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/
that one?

[reckless.ninja]

Nice, thanks for all the responses.

I'm still looking around, but I found it pretty helpful to read sizing info and reviews on the web.Webbikeworld (http://www.webbikeworld.com/) is a good site, though I would take their reviews with a grain of salt.

Also, it turns out i have a freakishly small head and i'm an xxs in Arai (looking at Quantum II and the Astral). Anyone have the same head size with a diff helmet they can recommend?
:p

[tsyoung]

I just bought an Icon helmet from CycleGear on sale for $99. They still have it posted in the closeout specials on their website.

It is DOT and Snell rated. Good deal.

[Apollo]

It's all about fit and finish.

I bought a KBC first time around, but it came a tad small. After returning it, I went on the helmet quest. Finally trying on a Corsair, the difference between the 100-200 bracket and the 400-600 bracket is IMMEDIATE. The Corsair fit like a glove, with an immensely plusher interior compared to HJC or KBC.

Try them all on, and see what fits best. Don't just stop at one, seriously, try them all. At first, I thought a Quantum II fit "pretty well", much better than the VR2 or even an RF1000. But when I put on the Corsair, it wasn't a "better or worse" it was a night and day difference.

And well, Arai claims things like "multidensity foam" and the whatnot. whether or not it's on any use is arguable. But you do pay for fit, finish, paint jobs, vents, and :p of course, the most important point that you can look bling in front of your friends! :laughing j/king.


But to me, it's peace of mind in knowing that my head is protected. HJC scooter helmets failed random DOT inspection. I know that's a completely different thing from a full face, and thousands, if not millions, use HJC for racing, but things like that make me paranoid about a company and it's standards. I'd rather not be the statisical one in a thousand helmet malfunction freak. I paid 500 for peace of mind, knowing that Arai hasn't had a helmet of any sort fail DOT testing in quite a while, if ever(?). Shrugs, but that's just my paranoid self.

[saizai]

FWIW, for me it was 100% about fit.

I have tried on literally every single motorcycle helmet brand and model available in the Bay Area. The only one I found that fit me - i.e. that I could wear in the store for more than 30 minutes without having a major headache or soreness or etc - was the Scoprion EXO700 (available at Scuderia West and Motostrano only, AFAIK).

Seriously, try on absolutely everything, and if you think it's a good fit, keep it on for 30-60 minutes while browsing other stuff in the store. Don't make a decision until you've tested everything you can lay your hands on.

This again reminds me of a *cough* riding friend of mine who failed to be quite so exhaustive, and who constantly bitched about his helmet giving him a headache after 15 minutes of riding until he finally bought one that fit him right.

Also FWIW: Not one of the Arai or Shoei brand helmets fit me at all. So just 'cause they claim to come in a bunch of sizes and shapes, doesn't mean it'll fit YOU.

[reckless.ninja]

fortunately, i'm incredibly patient in the helmet search, and i have no problem trying on every single helmet in the bay area-region existence.

unfortunately, not all of the helmets i'd like to try on are available (like a Shark, or most models in an XXS or even XS). i've hit up the usual suspects (road riders, motostrano, cycle gear), and it seems if they don't have a helmet in stock, that they don't really feel like ordering it in just so i can try it on (without guarantee of purchase).

it sucks having to pay a 'restocking fee' when all i want to do is see how a helmet fits :cry