I'm in the market for a new helmet... the current ones I have are used and not exactly the best of the best. Online has the best prices hands down... but I understand fitment is the most critical part. So the problem is finding a place that carries the exact model that I want to test the fit out with.

Any hints here on helmet shopping?

 

try em out at local shops, hit up the online vendors. arai, shoei, suomy, ogk, veemar are some that i like...

 

I can't find any local shops with the shoei x-11

Maybe I'll do some shopping here in chicago, hehe.

 

Personally, my helmet gets abused from lots of miles of riding (rocks/debris) and the occasional idiot knocking it off my bike parked. I go with hjc higher models. About $100, good designs, fit well, latest dot/snell. Not the coolest or prettiest, but functional as any other.

 

I've heard if you drop/crash your helmet once... it's toast. Any truth to that?

 

Direct relationship with the impact type and force. My friend went chin first into the pavement from a 12 oclock at 40mph, then slammed same helmet at 20 mph. Still perfectly intact as far as I can see. Yet another reason to go with HJC, if you are this cautious, replacing helmets isnt a wallet crushign affair.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by PrecisionH23a &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I've heard if you drop/crash your helmet once... it's toast. Any truth to that?</TD></TR></TABLE>

it's true; i forgot the specific explanation but im sure someone can explain it better. i got my plain black suomy gunwind for ~170 shipped; its worked out great.

 

If you drop your helmet once, you've compromised the polystyrene layer that is used to disperse the force of the impact. Once compressed, it does not "bounce back." Further impacts may not be properly protected against. Even if there are no scratches on the surface, the layer underneath can be damaged.

You can send in your helmet to the manufacturer and have them check your helmet. I know Shoei does this, and I've heard Arai does as well.

My recommendation for a helmet would be the Shoei X11. It's expensive, but it's worth it. It flows a LOT of air (which results in a lot of noise, so use ear plugs). The best part about the helmet is that all of the weight sits below the helmet. You don't feel it weighing down on your skull cap.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you drop your helmet once, you've compromised the polystyrene layer that is used to disperse the force of the impact. Once compressed, it does not "bounce back." Further impacts may not be properly protected against. Even if there are no scratches on the surface, the layer underneath can be damaged.

You can send in your helmet to the manufacturer and have them check your helmet. I know Shoei does this, and I've heard Arai does as well.

My recommendation for a helmet would be the Shoei X11. It's expensive, but it's worth it. It flows a LOT of air (which results in a lot of noise, so use ear plugs). The best part about the helmet is that all of the weight sits below the helmet. You don't feel it weighing down on your skull cap.</TD></TR></TABLE>

the x11 kato replica is very sweet too...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by usdmPC3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the x11 kato replica is very sweet too...</TD></TR></TABLE>
Except when the shield and chinbar are completely rashed up, and one eye on the back needs a pirates' patch.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Except when the shield and chinbar are completely rashed up, and one eye on the back needs a pirates' patch. </TD></TR></TABLE>

decoration? if no, i'll buy it for my new decor.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by usdmPC3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">decoration? if no, i'll buy it for my new decor. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Ahh, sorry! My friend already plucked it from my hands. Between me, him, and his cousin, we have all three Daijiro helmets (red, memorial, and blue/yellow). And all three are rashed...!!!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Ahh, sorry! My friend already plucked it from my hands. Between me, him, and his cousin, we have all three Daijiro helmets (red, memorial, and blue/yellow). And all three are rashed...!!! </TD></TR></TABLE>

now i'm just convinced that helmet is bad luck.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by usdmPC3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">now i'm just convinced that helmet is bad luck. </TD></TR></TABLE>
The thought did cross my mind after my crash. Right after the "oh **** my wife is going to kill me" thought.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
The thought did cross my mind after my crash. Right after the "oh **** my wife is going to kill me" thought. </TD></TR></TABLE>

what are painkillers for?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by usdmPC3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">what are painkillers for?</TD></TR></TABLE>

To numb the pain in my @$$ after she finishes tearing me a new one!

To the original poster - my bad. I'm a thread *****. When you find a helmet you want, I suggest trying http://www.terra-powersports.com. They have great prices and can usually beat any one else's (except eBay). And http://www.newenough.com has some HJC helmets on closeout for cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeap.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladeboy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

To numb the pain in my @$$ after she finishes tearing me a new one!

To the original poster - my bad. I'm a thread *****. When you find a helmet you want, I suggest trying http://www.terra-powersports.com. They have great prices and can usually beat any one else's (except eBay). And http://www.newenough.com has some HJC helmets on closeout for cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeap.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i also apologize.

http://flatoutmotorcycles.com ; call and ask for Slava. i don't think his prices are touchable...

 

Also,

If you have a buddy who owns the helmet see if they would let you borrow it for a day and ride with it. Preferrably one that isnt worn too much on the inside, as the padding tends to conform to the shape of your noggin. I went out testing shoei, arai, hjc... basically whatever the dealer had on hand. I found the correct size/fittment and then located the best price I could find on the rf900 shoei.

After about an hour or so of riding with my shoei rf900 duhammel either the back of my head or my forehead gets sore. Okay I admit it I have an alien shaped head.... JK.

But seriously, my head is obviously shaped a little differently than the standard shoei mold. If i tilt the front of the helmet up a hair it alleviates some of the pressure. 5 mins of showroom testing unfortunately will not provide you the true feel/fit.

Hopefully this will save you from making a several hundred dollar mistake.

Steven

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by sleepyzze110 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

how's the weight on it? i'm thinking it's a bit heavier than say shoei, arai, and suomy lids..but just wondering, i'm using a kbc vr1 myself, lookin to upgrade to arai</TD></TR></TABLE>

Approx Weights and Costs:

HJC AC-11 3.30 lbs $199

Shoei RF1000 3.24 lbs $330

Shoei X11 3.20 lbs $520

Those were just some of the ones found using the links provided.

As mentioned earlier, it does matter where the center of gravity is on the helmet as well as the helmets ability to fit to your head. A well distributed weight load will feel lighter to your head and somewhat your neck.

As for looking for helmets, I would try to find a large distributor, in my case recleisure in Detroit, and make a trip to them to try on a larger variety of helmets one after another to notice the differences. They also tend to have some people working there that know wtf they are talking about. I feel somewhat annoyed every time have trouble getting good help from the people who are supposed to be professionals at this.

 

Here are the ones that I'm looking into buying:



RF-1000 Badge Helmet $407

*EDIT* Found a whole bunch on ebay for $345 plus $17 for shipping

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...=6749

Sounds too good to be true...




RF-1000 Helmet, Solid Black $314


X-11 Solid Colors - Black $503

Then lastly... a helmet to match my green bike. I kind of want a solid color helmet... but this one caught my eye. The more I look the tackier this one is looking to me, lol.



RF-1000 Voltage $407

 

I just got the same RF1000 in Silver. Great helmet. Nice and light (compared to my previous HJC). Also, replaceable cheek pads for a better custom fit. Shoei's get a from me.