Helmet of Choice

[Randy]

My Arai Quantum-F fits great! No pressure points, no headaches, nothing just comfort. :yahoo:

+1 I've got 3 of them that I use but 1 is about to get retired.

 

[TexasFJR]

I have an Arai Profile that fits comfy, but has a whistle unless i tape over the front air vent.

 

[saread]

Has anyone seen the Simpson Fury? I've got a couple of Bandits that I like a lot for racing, but those aren't good MC helmets. Not a lot of frills. I like the way a Simpson fits my punkin and the Fury looks like a decent lid - I've just never seen one in person.

 

[Capt. Bob]

Shoei TZ-1

 

[Geezer]

I started with a cheap 3/4 helmet and switched to a full face Simpson for the bug protection. At the time Simpson was the best I could find.

When I started wearing eye glasses full time it was too much trouble to put a full face on, but I still wanted my face protected from flying things so I bought a modular. The one that fit me best at the time was a cheap Zeus. I just damaged that Zeus in a minor crash and I found the HJC Symax fits me well, so that's my next helmet.

 

[jcyuhn]

I gotta think that wearing a light colored, well vented full face helmet has to be more comfortable than having the sun beat down directly on your noggin. I think of it as portable shade. And having your face protected from debris impacts has to be more comfortable than taking a hit in the schnoz. But I live in Texas, where it only gets kinda hot.

Some helmets are known for venting better than others. The current champ appears to be the Shark RSR2. Shoe X-11 is a close 2nd. Arai Rx-7 is next. You have a good helmet resource not too far away. Check out the helmet harbor in the Phoenix area. They have a thorough website at https://www.helmetharbor.com. Check out some of the videos.

As for full face vs. 3/4 vs. none. There's no question - full face or take the cage. Hell, half the time I'm tempted to wear the helmet in the cage, the way people drive in Dallas. We recently had a thread that showed the probability of impacts on different areas of a helmet during a crash. About 2/3rds were on the chin bar - not surprisingly most crashes involve a face plant on the pavement. If you're not wearing a full face, or at least a flip-up, you're giving up most of the protection.

I wear a Shoe RF-1000. Chose it mostly because it's the best fit for me. It's also known for good venting, reasonably quiet, and only slightly hideously expensive.

- JimY

 

[mdisher]

I've had a few helmets too.

HJC Symax biggest piece of crap I ever owned, leaked in the rain, visor would slam shut (or open) depending on how you passed trucks. Didn't really vent well and was noisy, and trim pieces came unglued.

A couple Shoie's... I have an X-11 but it's just too damn loud to use for long trips, and buffets like crazy with all but the largest of windshields. It's OK with the smaller stock but it's just damn noisy. RF900 was much better in MHO

I have a Nolan 102 which is probably the best compromise. Doesn't flow enough air to suit me, and I need to open up the vent holes in the foam and haven't done that yet. It's due to be replaced this year though so I may not bother.

The new Nolans with visor look promising, and the new Symax may be worth a shot. The multi-tech puts the chin bar too close for me, but I may try it on again at the next show.

The modular helmets are just that much more convenient when on long trips or rally's. Flipping them open around town helps with the heat too.

Someday when I'm rich I'll design and manufacture the ultimate helmet. It really can't be that hard can it?

 

[Bogie]

ARAI!! :clapping: Enough said! :yahoo:

 

[rickysnickers]

I've always worn a full face helmet as well. I've had Shoei and AGV. I currently have a Suomy and love it. There are no pressure points on it. The Shoei used to pinch my forehead and I would get a terriblr headache after a few hours. I won't get another one of those again. I tried out the Suomy at a local dealer and then ordered it online. It's the only helmet I will wear anymore. If you are interested check out www.helmetharbor.com just like one of the other members suggested. They are great people to deal with.

Rick

 

[jordylad]

I use a Scorpion EX1000 with the built in sun visor which I love (the visor that is).

Overall the helmet is good value and I'm please with it.

I came off an Arai RX7 which I loved but it started to show it's age.

The 2 things the Arai had over the Scorpion are far better ventilation and an infinitely variable visor (the Scorpion only has 3 or 4 ratchet settings as well as a ‘crack open’ feature).

I haven’t gone through a So Cal summer yet with the Scorpion so that will be interesting.

The Arais are just too expensive these days, $600+ against S300 for the Scorpion.

 

[Crash Cash]

Caberg Justissimo GT

And where'd you get dat bad boy here in the states? I've been looking for one for ages, and it seems the US distrib is no longer doing that, AFAICT

I'm getting tired of the poor build quality of the Nolans, but they're the only flip-ups w/o a damned D-ring, so I'm kind of stuck.

 

[TriggerT]

Shoei X-11. Got a screaming deal on it from E-Bay $300. My next one will probably be a Multitec. The Shoeis just fit me the best.

 

[artistic rider]

I use both a Shoei RF1000 & an X11....both vent really well with the edge going to the X11.....the only draw back is noise, the louder the lid the more the ventilation (at least with Shoei) but anyone riding that doesn't wear earplugs is only kidding themselves if they think they aren't suffering hearing loss.... :dntknw: ....but each to there own....

I agree. Earplugs make a world of difference and the better ventilation on my X-11 seems to help somewhat with fogging in cold weather.

 

[vandy]

I went from a cheap no name to a shoie that i wore for about 15 years.

When I finally decided to buy something new I tried on everything that I could find..

The shoies still fit preaty good and I did like the scorpians too but when I tried on the arai I was hooked

I have never put on a helmet that fit everywhere. No preasure points.

The ventalation is as good as any out there but everyone says its one of the quietest helmets out there but for me without earplugs its way too noisy.

I hope to buy something like a multitech next but I am very happy with this one.

 

[Toter]

I went from a cheap no name to a shoie that i wore for about 15 years.When I finally decided to buy something new I tried on everything that I could find..

The shoies still fit preaty good and I did like the scorpians too but when I tried on the arai I was hooked

I have never put on a helmet that fit everywhere. No preasure points.

The ventalation is as good as any out there but everyone says its one of the quietest helmets out there but for me without earplugs its way too noisy.

I hope to buy something like a multitech next but I am very happy with this one.

I have always worn full coverage helmets and love them. I have been using a Shoei Rf-1000 with my 2006 FJR with a standard windscreen. I am 6'1" with a 32" inseam and ride with seat in the lower position. I was of the opinion that I needed a different windscreen to reduce the noise and buffeting I experienced on the highway with the screen in the full up position. Always road with earplugs to get a break from the noise. I wear glasses and always fought the Shoei to put them on properly when wearing the helmet. I decided to try a modular helmet for relief with the glasses and picked up the new HJC Symax II. This is a flip front with an internal smoked visor that is stored inside the helmet when retracted.

Unbelievable difference!! The Symax is quieter and the buffeting virtually disappeared. In addition, I can leave my glasses on and slide the helmet on, or easily put them on with the helmet in place. I would never have believed that the helmet change could make such an incredible difference in noise and buffeting. So if you think you need a new windscreen, don't overlook your helmet choice. It could be the solution to problems you were blaming on other things.

Ed

 

[kaitsdad]

Caberg Justissimo GT

And where'd you get dat bad boy here in the states? I've been looking for one for ages, and it seems the US distrib is no longer doing that, AFAICT

I'm getting tired of the poor build quality of the Nolans, but they're the only flip-ups w/o a damned D-ring, so I'm kind of stuck.

No longer imported -

I bought my first 3 Justissimo's from ClassicCruiser.com here in the states - but importation of the Cabergs stopped in 07, due to what I understand was demand/supply. I had to wait almost 6 weeks to get my GT from the UK as they were backordered with the factory.

And they no longer carry a DOT certification, but are still ECE R22-05 certified - which my wife 'tested' in this post - Clicky

I bought from Designer Helmets -

Once you pay shipping, and then the exchange from GBP to USD, don't be surprised if it's almost $400.00.

 

[Big-D]

Caberg Justissimo GT

And where'd you get dat bad boy here in the states? I've been looking for one for ages, and it seems the US distrib is no longer doing that, AFAICT

I'm getting tired of the poor build quality of the Nolans, but they're the only flip-ups w/o a damned D-ring, so I'm kind of stuck.

No longer imported -

I bought my first 3 Justissimo's from ClassicCruiser.com here in the states - but importation of the Cabergs stopped in 07, due to what I understand was demand/supply. I had to wait almost 6 weeks to get my GT from the UK as they were backordered with the factory.

And they no longer carry a DOT certification, but are still ECE R22-05 certified - which my wife 'tested' in this post - Clicky

I bought from Designer Helmets -

Once you pay shipping, and then the exchange from GBP to USD, don't be surprised if it's almost $400.00.

Looks to be a really cool helmet with lots of features. I bought the ICON Domain 2 Mechanica. It fits me snug but very comfortable also. Especially for a full coverage helmet. Watching the video on the ICON website, because this helmet is made from Kevlar, it takes what appears to be a 9mm into the back of the helmet and just bounces off. Check it out here: Click on Video tab

 

[snikr]

I'm using HJC helmets. I had a CL-12 and just got a CL-SP. The HJC's fit me right and seem to flow a good amount of air. Coming from a sport bike I've worn full face helmets for a LONG TIME! Even use a full face when I ride snowmobiles and my ATV.

Tom

 

[Edwin L Bean]

My favorite helmet is my Shoei RF1000. Fits good and my glasses go on easy as they do with my Arai Profile. I have a bad habit of buying helmets i like that are either close-out (HJC El Diablo AC-12 for $89.00) or just inexpensive (Spar-X $119.00) plus others I may like...The problem is when buying on the net it's hard to get a good fit and both of the cheap ones have a very hard time getting glasses on and keeping them in place--so mostly they sit.

Get fitted properly and you can't go wrong with Shoei or Arai...

 

[SPORT]

Shoei Multitec