Shopping for a Helmet

[Checkswrecks]

But Jason - The Yamaha blue looks better on Melissa than on you

I looked pretty hard at switching to the Multitec earlier this year and stayed with my RF-1000. In real-world terms, the Multitec was a different shape which was less comfortable, weighed a bit more, and putting my glasses on seemed a little more difficult, plus I relaized that I just wouldn't use it with the face up very often.

Bob

 

[650cent]

Scorpion EXO 400 or EXO 700 - both very good quality and price. ('bout $140 and $190)My son got a EXO 700 on sale for $150.

700 model has kevlar mix in the outer shell.

D.O.T. and Snell 2005

Full face protection

Anti-fog

Shields don't get any easier to change.

Removable liner for washing.

Good room for audio ear plugs.

ESP chin strap thingy

Check 'em out here: https://www.scorpionusa.com/home.html h34r:

I'm also a big fan of the Scorpions. Presently have a 400 but will up grade to a 700 or 1000 when the time comes.

Bill

 

[Orient_Express]

Scorpion EXO 400 or EXO 700 - both very good quality and price. ('bout $140 and $190)My son got a EXO 700 on sale for $150.

700 model has kevlar mix in the outer shell.

D.O.T. and Snell 2005

Full face protection

Anti-fog

Shields don't get any easier to change.

Removable liner for washing.

Good room for audio ear plugs.

ESP chin strap thingy

Check 'em out here: https://www.scorpionusa.com/home.html h34r:

I'm also a big fan of the Scorpions. Presently have a 400 but will up grade to a 700 or 1000 when the time comes.

Bill

Very wise man that 650cent is - very wise...

 

[stevet]

I've got the Shoei Multitech. #1 reason for purchase, for me, was the metal-on-metal latching hardware. Seems to me plastic latch parts are a poor idea when coming up on a faceplant at high speeds...

Last winter I searched out all the metal latch helmets out there (and there aren't too many), and none fit, even the Synchrotecs that were still on the shelf. I was told to try again when the Multitec would be released, and I'm glad I did! I'd tried Nolan, Schubreth, Shoei Syn., and a few others I'm forgetting, but none could get on *my* tall, watermelon head. But the Multitec fit, and fit well.

I have only one gripe about it- for a helmet of this price point, and for the market it is aimed at (which IS NOT the loud exhaust cruising-to-the-bar crowd), it does not have removable helmet lining/padding- no way to effectively wash the interior padding. I wrote to Shoei, they responding saying "price point... cost control...". What a load- I'd pay another $20 (for $2 worth of extra manufacturing costs) just to have the padding be removable. But in the end I bought it anyway, because it is the only modular helmet that fits me, but I always wear a helmet liner (Sliks brand is what I'm using- https://cyclegadgets.com/Products/product.asp?Item=SLIK)

It does have removable cheek pads, which are nice, and the cheek pads come in different thicknesses. I've gone down two thickness sizes on my cheek pads from what the factory installed, and now the pads fit well without shoving my cheeks between my teeth. Venting is good, noise control is good (I still always wear earplugs, or the earbuds/Ipod), and I've also installed the dark smoke tinted shield.

This helmet is not friendly for installing helmet speakers, like what is available from Aerostich, but I do where earplug style earbuds with my Ipod with this helmet, and all is fine. (I use the JVC "Marshmallow" earbuds, work nice and deaden outside noise as well.

Only removable padding/lining would make this helmet perfect in my book.

Steve.

 

[Aviator]

But Jason - The Yamaha blue looks better on Melissa than on you
I looked pretty hard at switching to the Multitec earlier this year and stayed with my RF-1000. In real-world terms, the Multitec was a different shape which was less comfortable, weighed a bit more, and putting my glasses on seemed a little more difficult, plus I relaized that I just wouldn't use it with the face up very often.

Bob

That's why she rides with me. . . everything looks better with her! :dribble:

 

[FJRAust]

Did you install the nose/breath diverter, or whatever you call that thing? Are you using plugs?

Never have a fogging problem. Oh forgot, I live in Florida. Never mind.

I don't use the nose/breather guard thingy, because one didn't come with it. Maybe it was in the box but I must have missed it. bugger, I wore it out of the shop and rode off.

I must pop back to the shop and ask.

As for ear plugs, no. I do however use my Nokia ear plug speakers but only in one ear. about 70% of my riding is in traffic. I need to hear the moronic car drivers as best I can..

 

[jcolman]

FWIW I have a Schuberth Concept and I love it. Flip front, quiet and comfortable enough for all day riding. A bit on the pricey side though. I think I paid about $500 for mine three years ago.

 

[Wanderer]

Scorpion EXO 400 or EXO 700 - both very good quality and price. ('bout $140 and $190)My son got a EXO 700 on sale for $150.

700 model has kevlar mix in the outer shell.

D.O.T. and Snell 2005

Full face protection

Anti-fog

Shields don't get any easier to change.

Removable liner for washing.

Good room for audio ear plugs.

ESP chin strap thingy

Check 'em out here: https://www.scorpionusa.com/home.html h34r:

I'm also a big fan of the Scorpions. Presently have a 400 but will up grade to a 700 or 1000 when the time comes.

Bill

I, too, am a big scorpion helmet fan. I've logged about 10k miles on mine, and never hesitate to sing it's praises whenever anyone asks about it.

It louder than I'd ideally like, but the above mentioned features are just too good to pass up for the price, especially the visor not fogging.

I'll be upgrading to the 1000 when it hits my local shop. I'm hoping they introduce a flip-up in the future.

 

[meosborn]

Since it was mentioned earlier in this thread I wanted to comment. Sorry if it a bit late.

I've used Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse (www.mawonline.com) for a few years now and personally find them anything but "shady". They are low frills and have one of the uglier websites out there. If you're concerned about shopping at a pretty website then they aren't for you. They do have great prices and have always delivered exactly what I ordered in a timely manner.

Back on topic, the last time I was shopping for a Syncrotec I did a little e-mailing. Snell said that they didn't certify any flip helmets because none had ever been submitted to them to be tested. Shoei said that they didn't submit them to Snell because the Syncrotec wasn't designed as a full face helmet. That opened my eyes a little.

From what I've seen, and please correct me if I'm wrong, the fronts of these flip helmets isn't built anywhere close to as strong as the main shell. They usually seem to be made entirely of plastic instead of whatever fiber composite the main shell is made of. Considering that I'm not sure that metal attachments matter much if they themselves are mounted to plastic.