Trying Helmets

[kdj]

I've decided it's time for a new helmet. So far, I've only ever worn Shoei and Arai but I'm wondering if it's time to expand my horizons.

Where's the best place around to try on a large variety of high end helmets, in the search for the perfect fit?

Thanks.

[boardstrapd]

Motostrano in Redwood City.
Road Rider in San Jose.

[FoolishMortal]

Cycle Gear stores have the Shark helmets.

[davidy]

+1 cycle gear, since you are located in hayward, there is one on mission blvd.

[ramoneguru]

Suomy helmets are supposed to be good.

--Nick

[obiwanblee]

Originally posted by ramoneguru
Suomy helmets are supposed to be good.

--Nick

:thumbup Suomy rocks! Great helmets and they'll definitely take care of you.

[4tuneit1]

Originally posted by FoolishMortal
Cycle Gear stores have the Shark helmets.


Pleasanton doesnt carry them...Only KBC, SHOEI, a few Arai's, and i think HJC...which sucks.

MotoWRX carries a few Suomy, Shark, AGV, Arai, Nolan, Icon..etc...

[nazgulnarsil]

every article i've seen on helmets indicates that even the bargain bin helmets offer protection comparable to the $800 helmets in a crash. the difference is in comfort, weight, drag, noise etc. basically fit and finish.
ergo: buy the helmet that fits the best regardless of price.

[Mad Gnome]

A good helmet is cheap insurance. All the items you listed affect your riding pleasure and state of awareness, especially on long rides. Even if all I do is go to the store and back, I still want some quality protection wrapped around my head- but that's just me.

P.S. find out the internet costs for the helmets you want and if the price is really different ask if you can get the local store to budge on thier asking price, some may.
Support your local shops!:teeth

[uraniaclio]

Go with the fit.

I chose Suomy due to the fit. It's light. But it's also noisy. First figure out whether you're a round or oval and then go from there.

[kdj]

Ask a question and learn :-). I didn't know there was a cycle gear in Hayward :-(.

I know what I'm looking for in a helmet (I've been wearing them since about '73 :-D) so I just need to be able to try on as big a bunch as possible to find the perfect one!!!

Thanks for the suggestions.

[kdj]

I'm disappointed in Cycle Gear. Only Shoei and Arai and I'm already familiar with those.

I shall venture further afield on the weekend!

[MAAH STUD]

East Bay Motor Sports has Shark and Icons you can try
They have others but those are two they have that Cycle Gear does not that I know of off hand

[HeavenzJai]

Who carries AGV helmets locally?

[FoolishMortal]

Originally posted by kdj
I'm disappointed in Cycle Gear. Only Shoei and Arai and I'm already familiar with those.

I shall venture further afield on the weekend!

Did you ask to have a Shark (or two) transferred in so you could try one on? Any CG store can do that.

[kdj]

They mentioned that they could "special order" them but that didn't seem interesting since I have no idea what I want.

[FoolishMortal]

Fair enough. Good luck in your search. :)

[Mount'n Goat]

I crash tested this one. It held up really well. Although, it was louder (wind noise) than my Arai... but with ear plugs it was fine. It is really light too.

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f215/TD74/Misc%20Pics/moto-01.jpg

[boardstrapd]

yes, i'll say it again... BARF sponsor Motostrano in redwood city. 20 min drive from the haystak. widest selection in the area of helmets and bike gear, along with a BARF 5% discount, not to mention weekly saturday sales. check their website - what's listed is what's in stock. no, i don't work there, but i've found everything i need there.

[kaltblitz]

I wear an Arai Quantum II, but if I didn't I'd wear an AGV. I buy most of my stuff from NorCal Sportbikes in Martinez. Good guys and REALLY good prices.

[Z3n]

I'd check out shark helmets, specifically the RSR and the RSX...their visor system is far superiour (:laughing) to anything else i've seen out there.

[kdj]

The RSR looks very interesting on paper. Now I just have to find one to try ... and Motostrano looks a good possibility for that :)

[MAAH STUD]

East Bay Motor Sports has them and is in your town :twofinger

[boardstrapd]

Yeah, I'm in the same town, but there's a reason I didn't suggest them. I'm not one to bad mouth, so all I'll say is I've been there twice, and I prefer shopping elsewhere.

Good luck with your helmet search!!! It's the most important piece of gear that you need to make sure fits and feels right to you.

[kdj]

It turns out that neither place has Stars in my size. Oh well, I now have to decide whether to go with the Shoei I know or gamble on a Star that I don't :-}

East Bay Motorsports is not my favorite store. Any place that puts $2.5K extra profit on a sticker price is not the kind of place that appeals to the way I like to do business.

[Z3n]

If you're looking for a shark, We All Ride in SC has them...but that's a bit of a trip for you. :laughing

[kdj]

I found a large I could try and that seemed close enough to gamble, so I ordered a Shark RSR ...

We'll see in a few days how that turns out!

[Z3n]

Cool! I'll be getting an RSR soon...they can be found for very cheap on ebay.

[yubancat]

Originally posted by HeavenzJai
Who carries AGV helmets locally?

Try Motostrano in Redwood City... that is where I picked up my Ti-Tech. It is a great helmet...

:thumbup

[tad2much]

nobody mentioned the scorpions, so i will. even though i'm new, i've heard a lot of people say how great they are. Excellent quality and fit, but since they're sort of new, they are selling at great prices to build up brand recognition and loyalty and stuff.

my head fit the Shoei TZ-R the best, but i really wanted a scorpion. my friend found a scorpion with a good fit, i was jealous!

[kdj]

I got the RSR today. It's definitely a different fit to the Arai I'm currently wearing.

I like the plush liner. The build quality seems good. The fit is tighter on the face than my current helmet, out of the box.

I'm feeling a little pressure on the crown of my head. I guess I'll have to wear it for a few hours and see if this is a break in issue or something that won't go away.

I guess it's not fair to compare new with "5 years of molding to my head" so I shall reserve judgement for a little while :-)

[donjumpsuit]

I just recently replaced a Arai with a Shark RSI and I was impressed to say the least!


I found out in my new helmet search that not all helmets and heads are the same. That there are round heads and oval heads, and that Arai makes round head helmets, and shark makes oval head helmets. Upon reading this I took off my form fitted ballcap and determined I was WAY oval.

I tried on the RSI and it was a perfect match. Right away I noticed the visor was of much better optical quality than the Arai, the helmet felt lighter, and the visor was WAY easier than the Arai to detatch (since i broke my Arai visor piece in year one and it was taped ever since).

When i got on the road, I determined that the helmet was "shorter" than the Arai, which enabled me to keep my head on a swivel better, and have better overall vision. Also the air ventilation was much improved and the helmet was a bit more quiet.

Overall great purchase, great minds think alike, when buying a helmet, decide if your head is round or oval first! There is a HUGE difference!

Who knew that the $329 Shark is much MUCH better quality than the $499 Arai signet. I know now!

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/shark-rsi/