Kawasaki Concours Forum
Mish mash => Open Forum => Topic started by: Tremainiac on January 13, 2012, 12:52:57 PM
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Time to replace mine... 10 years old. :o
Recommendations?
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Shoei Qwest - its quiet.
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You're probably going to get a ton of different recommendations. A lot of it depends on the shape of your head and what features you need. This website has reviewed tons of helmets (and other gear) and I found it to be really helpful.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm (http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm)
I'm lucky enough to live near Iron Pony where they have hundreds of helmets out on display to try on and find what worked best for me. I ended up with an Arai Profile because it fit my head the best and also has cut-outs inside for my RX glasses. I got it on closeout for $330. I also have a Gmax GM68S which was super inexpensive, ($80 shipped on ebay) fits well, and has great ventilation. I generally keep a dark tinted shield on my Arai and use it 90% of the time. I keep a clear shield on the Gmax and use it if I'm going for a quick trip in the dark or for passengers.
(http://images.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/OG/SIN.jpg)
(http://www.revzilla.com/product_images/0015/0149/GMax_GM68_MAX_Helmet_detail.jpg)
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I have a Shoei RF 1100 and it is a great helmet.
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I have a Bell Revolver modular, and a Bell Vortex full face.
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Scorpion EXO-1000 (Silver of course)
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Shoei RF1100
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Arai Quantum and Profile
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A new Shoei x 12. The x12 fits my head shape perfectly and I love the face shield. It has more venting than the rf models, but is similar. The extra vents are nice on the c14 due to the windshield covering so much.
The more important part, for me, is the Pinlock shield inside. I use a clear faceshield and a light smoke insert. No fogging, and easy to remove if I get caught out at night.
I just bought a spare back up helmet as well. A Scorpion exo 700. They are discount almost everywhere. For less than 150.00 its an amazing deal. Great comfort and no fogging even with the stock shield. To be 100% honest, the Scorpion may become my everyday helmet due to the fit. It feels as if it were custom made for me. Its also quiet.
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HJC CL 16. Biggest bang for your buck.
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Arai Corsair
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An Arai Profile for me. I paid a lot more for it than Gearhead did! :)
The Profile fits me great..at first. After the lining broke in the helmet would slide back enough that the ends of the cheek pads would press on my ears and make them really sore. But once I took the cheek pads out, removed the liner, and performed a little bit of surgery it fits pretty darn good now.
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Shoei Quest - its quiet.
+1 on this helmet. My Qwest is quieter w/o earplugs than my HJC was with them.
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Just got a new shoei qwest a few weeks ago. I keep wearing the old shoei XSP2 for some reason though
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Have you guys ever looked up helmet ratings here? http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/ (http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/) It is a British sight so many of the helmets have a different name due to no Snell Rating.
Interesting to see how the relationship between price, quality, and safety really does not apply. Some dirt cheap helmets rate 5 stars and some expensive rate 1-2.
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+1 on this helmet. My Qwest is quieter w/o earplugs than my HJC was with them.
Im a shoei guy .
I think they did a very good job with the Qwest. I still wear earplugs but I have forgotten to put them in a few times aNd did notice it was much quieter that any helmet I have owned.
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Shoei Multi-Tech, reasonably quiet for a modular. Will be getting a Shuberth C3 next.
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HJC seems to fit my mellon better then anything else.
The CL-15 I presently have just got new innards this past fall. The shell has my customized decals and scratchs, but still in perfect condition.
I have never had any fun looking at helmets, and usually the dealers that I try them on at don't like me trying on 20 helmets and hanging out. Thier loss in my book.
My $.02.
Ride safe all,
Greg
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I've been using th Shoei RF line for at least 10 years. None fit my big melon better. ;D
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I've been using th Shoei RF line for at least 10 years. None fit my big melon better. ;D
RF-1100 for me. I'll look at the Qwest when it's time for a new one.
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HJC Symax II. It has a flip face, which my bank tellers find amusing when I go into the bank, pop the face up, and proceed to do business with the helmet still on. I do this a lot at gas stations and such as well.
This is the second one I've owned. I skidded face down across the road with the last one after a nasty spill, and was knocked unconscious. The visor was scuffed up pretty bad, the vent louver inside the face plate was broken, but otherwise the helmet did it's job well protecting my face. As they tell you to replace a helmet after such an impact, I did so as soon as funds allowed, with another SymaxII.
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Replacing original Symax. Tried the Symax III and the drop down sun shield and it hits me in the old snozzola. Never knew I had a long beak. The Vemar TC fit well, but it's heavy.
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Bought a couple of Fulmer helmets for the wife and myself this summer. We're quite pleased by both fit and price. You have to buy from a brick and mortar store, but I feel it's best to try them on first anyway.
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HJC CL 16. Biggest bang for your buck.
+1! Silver one in my profile pic.
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I'm on my second Shoei RF1000 because that's what fits my skull. Very quiet, and especially since I ride with the visor open (behind the windshield) and I wear ANSI-type safety glasses. I just like the 'shield open. Very quiet and no turbulence. My first one was red that matched my 2003 Connie paint, but I switched to white for better visibility.
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I have a Nolan N102. Takes audio components (bluetooth,etc.) It has the flip-up chinbar/face screen with one handed operation.
I got a N101 for the missus, but you gotta use 2 hands to raise the chinbar/visor.
Good helmets. Fit well, not much noise, good aerodynamics with the chin bar up or down. Not to expensive...
I'd buy again.
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So there ya go: best advice has been stated above: try the helmets on to see what feels best. I tried them all on a few years back and came up with a relatively inexpensive helmet worked for me. Several years and several helmets later I was given an Icon Airframe. Need the vents on the Connie, I agree. If I was pulling the trigger right now, I would have to try on the new Bell models: I started years ago with a Bell, and like that Revolver that was mentioned.
But try them on first!
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Bought a couple of Fulmer helmets for the wife and myself this summer. We're quite pleased by both fit and price. You have to buy from a brick and mortar store, but I feel it's best to try them on first anyway.
I didn't realize that Fulmer was still around. I had one back in the mid-80's. It was the first "good" helmet I ever had.
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I wear a Icon Alliance which I really like, but it's getting kinda old (about 8 or 9 years) I think i might try a Scorpion for my next one. A couple of my buddies wear them and like them alot.
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My big 3 are fit, weight, and ventilation, in that order. I contend that proper fit takes care of the noise. My head is too elongated for even a profile. I am currently in a Shark RSi and love it. Different brands and models fit different. I have never liked hjc, scorpion, or icon. They all weigh 12 pounds apiece. As far as safety , I don't think there is an unsafe legal helmet. But wait till mile 600 of day 3 and tell me how much you still like that heavy cheap scorpion as the shooting pains gather between your shoulderblades from holding the blasted thing up. I also forgo flip fronts for the same reason.
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I still use an Arai RX7RR4 that is my "go to" helmet. It is probably 9-10 years old, but I have replaced the liners and shield and she is still feelin good. I also purchased a Nolan N103 with bluetooth setup a year or so ago. This was my first modular syle helmet and I like it it alot, but it is nosier than my Arai.