First timer - Finding the right size helmet?

[CoolBDPhenom03]

No, I would not get a cheap helmet. You get what you pay for. I'd say at least a $300-500 helmet (msrp) would do. How much is your grey matter worth? That helmet sounds like it may be a quality helmet for a good price, but I'm not familiar with ICON helmets. I'd trust the WBW review on it though or search YouTube for some other reviews.

 

[Oh My Sack!]

Just my opinion but don't take WBW's take on everything as the gospel. I have found many of the reviews to be way off base with many complaints about the most ludicrous of tiny personal preference issues. Take the information with a grain of salt to make your decisions. Just sayin'.

 

[CoolBDPhenom03]

Just my opinion but don't take WBW's take on everything as the gospel. I have found many of the reviews to be way off base with many complaints about the most ludicrous of tiny personal preference issues. Take the information with a grain of salt to make your decisions. Just sayin'.

Fair enough. I'd say check out reviews on any website that sells that particular helmet. In fact, I think there are some polls/threads on here about what helmet everyone uses. If you do a search, you'll find some recurring brands that should help guide you.

 

[Mad-B-Man]

I would not say that price matters entirely, not in the case of safety of motorcycle helmets that follow the same safety standards anyway. If its DOT (or Snell if you wish so), the shell will protect you all the same. The reason I pay more for my Shoei and my HJC RPS-10 is because of the build quality and the features. Also in the case of the shoei, also customer support (free xray check, pay only one way shipping). There's also close out high end helmets you can find very, very cheaply. If you're a cheap ass though, a cheaply built DOT approved helmet will protect your head all the same. They just won't have say, good ventilation, good shield, good liner, light weight, ETC. There's no reason to get a cheap helmet and upgrade later though. Unless you plan to quite riding soon, get the best helmet you like and fits you well, not the best cheapest helmet.

I personally dislike Icon, but that's just my bias because of their pricing, their style, and their marketing . If you want a well built bare bone helmet, scorpion EXOs or HJCs would be a better choice, provided they fit your head. There are also plenty of cheap closeout shoei and shark. The issue with closeout helmets though, is that it isn't always easy to find one to try on in person, since the good closeout deals are online.

I used to live in Cypress and Cerritos. I don't recall there being any good dealers or shops near by (I walked out of many shops due to rude people, or ludicrous prices). I only recall orange county motorsports, where I got my bike. There's also a cycle gear in Fullerton I think.

 

[Gabe]

You know, for years I wore nothing but Arais and Shoeis because everybody said they were the best helmet and they always had a model for my head, until I realized what bullshit that is. Arais do NOT fit my head, any model or combo of cheekpad or liner. And yes, I have had the very professional ministrations and attentions of the great Bruce Porter (and Bruce, I am not being sarcastic! You really know your shit! I just don't fit in your helmets)..

I would say try every brand and model until you find a helmet that fits well,. It should feel comfortable, if a little tight (because it will loosen a 1/2 size or more in the first 30 days) and not allow your head to slide/move inside it.

I bought many helmets because my friends had them, or a review said it was the best, or I liked the style or features or prestige or paint scheme. F%^k that shit. A $75 helmet that is comfortable and fits properly is better protection than the $800 whatever that gives you headaches or slides down over your eyes when you're doing 130 on a racetrack straightaway (or CA-25, heh, heh).

So, don't listen to recommendations about brands--helmets are the most subjective item to review. Big-bucks brands a lot of guys say are the best I think kind of suck and are coasting on their reputation. Try them all on, compare them for weight and make up your own mind.

 

[miss.klm]

Biggest noob mistake...buying my shoei rf-1000 in a medium, thinking because the agv I rode in before was a medium that I would be safe right...oh, and that helmets all fit the same right? I could whip the thing right off my head without a second thought. FAIL. Go try on everything, find your favorite helmet in the best size that fits your head, and of course follow the advice to make sure it fits you of course, just because it "feels good" doesn't mean its the best for you. I was just to damn lazy to try on helmets because I found such a good deal online. Well I learned a $300 lesson. And thats like a million dollars in college-girl dollars.

 

[crick]

Someone mentioned that my first helmet should be a cheap one just to get the feel of it, would you guys suggest that? I found a few ICON airframes on clearance at a local shop I could snag for $200

cheap helmet that are rated dot/snell are fine. you pay higher price for better comfort padding or better ventilation/levers/glue that holds doodads on. Otherwise cheap or expensive, they should all protect your head the same.

that said, HJC is a good lesser expensive brand to aim for if costs are a concern.

still, best to do is try every helmet on in the store, walk around with it for 5-10 minutes with it on and see if it feels comfy or dizzying or too loose, etc etc.

whats' you hat size?

 

[CoolBDPhenom03]

Biggest noob mistake...buying my shoei rf-1000 in a medium, thinking because the agv I rode in before was a medium that I would be safe right...oh, and that helmets all fit the same right? I could whip the thing right off my head without a second thought. FAIL. Go try on everything, find your favorite helmet in the best size that fits your head, and of course follow the advice to make sure it fits you of course, just because it "feels good" doesn't mean its the best for you. I was just to damn lazy to try on helmets because I found such a good deal online. Well I learned a $300 lesson. And thats like a million dollars in college-girl dollars.

Personally, I'm a Large in Shoei and Medium in Arai. That kind of freaked me out a little when I got the Arai Corsair V (the newer of the two helmets) so I checked out a Medium Shoei RF-1100 while I was hanging out at the shop and it was too tight. Whew.

Shopping for a helmet is a lot like most other things. There are well-recognized brands that you can't go wrong with and some may be more expensive than others. The more features you want, the higher the price. Honestly, I would never get a cheap helmet. I don't care who made it. Middle-of-the road gives you the best features for the value at a reasonable price...especially for a first helmet. Either way, you HAVE to try on multiple sizes of different models of various brands. Everyone's head is unique and people want different things from their helmets.