im trying to get a few opinions on these helmets. ive been riding with an older shoei for a while now and its time for a new one. im pricing the shoei around $450 and the suomy around $500. if anyone has some thoughts on whats better and where there maybe better prices id be very appreciative. k thanks

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im liking these 2 and favoring the bostrom suomy, ive always been a shoei fan though...

 

If you are going to spend that much on a helmet you might as well spend a little more. Shoei X-11 is the best helmet period, you can get them on ebay for around $500 brand new. You can also find the Suomy Extreme on ebay for $480 brand new. And I'm assuming you don't have an Arai head but RX7s are a lot cheaper on ebay as well.

 

That's funny. The bostrom tatoo is the helmet i have now, and i'm actually looking at getting that exact shoei instead. I had an rf-1000 in voltage silver that i sold and would prefer that diabolic paint scheme. The x-11 is the helmet that fits me better than any other, it's just way more expensive, and their paint schemes don't do anything for me. The rf-1000 fits me just as well, the mouth of it is just a little closer than the x-11. The suomy is a great helmet, although visor changes are a pain, and it's not the best helmet for cold or wet weather. Water comes through the mouth vent even when it's closed and it breathes so well that when it's cold my lips chap and my head gets cold. The shoei breathes well enough for the summer and keeps me warm enough in the winter, it's a great helmet. But $450 is too much for an RF-1000. I paid something like 340 for mine from cycle gear a couple years ago. Keep searching and i'm sure you can find a better price. I paid $400 for my bostrom tattoo, but i doubt that price is still available, but for what it's worth i got it from ridersinc.com, you have to call them for a price quote to see what price they really offer.

The rf-1000 helmet also has a completely different fit than the suomy. I wear a medium shoei, and a large suomy, and even then the suomy puts too much pressure on my forehead and gives me a headache after an hour. My head is very long front to back, like an alien, and the suomy's aren't really made for that shape. The shoei isn't as restrictive front to back so it's a non-issue.

 

I wouldnt compare the spec-1R to the rf-1000 - the x-11 is a much better helmet and you can find one for about the same price. You can get great deals on new helmets on ebay, or by keeping an eye on the wera forums for deals.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rdblckSV650S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The suomy is a great helmet, although visor changes are a pain</TD></TR></TABLE>

How so? I think its super easy

 

What makes the x-11 the "best" helmet? I'm sure it's a top shelf $$ helmet, but there are a lot of good helmets. The main purpose is to protect your head right? Does it protect your skull better, or does it just offer better features (venting, comfort, ect)?

I'm in the market for a new helmet, so any advice is welcome.

 

i have the bostrom tattoo and i love it. it fits my head and the paint scheme is sick

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wouldnt compare the spec-1R to the rf-1000 - the x-11 is a much better helmet and you can find one for about the same price. You can get great deals on new helmets on ebay, or by keeping an eye on the wera forums for deals.

How so? I think its super easy </TD></TR></TABLE>

The fact that you have to have a tool to remove the sidepods is a pain. After that, it's a breeze, up until reinstalling the sidepods. The left pod on my helmet is particularly stubborn for going back on. On the shoei, you just open the shield all the way, pull down on a tab on each side and the shield pops right off. Installation is also a cinch.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fatboy01 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What makes the x-11 the "best" helmet? I'm sure it's a top shelf $$ helmet, but there are a lot of good helmets. The main purpose is to protect your head right? Does it protect your skull better, or does it just offer better features (venting, comfort, ect)?

I'm in the market for a new helmet, so any advice is welcome. </TD></TR></TABLE>
The X11 incorporates better venting and aerodynamics than its less-expensive brethren. The biggest selling point (to me) of the X11 is the way the weight is carried - its all along the bottom of the helmet. It doesn't feel like the helmet sits ON your head, which would make the helmet seem heavier than it really is.

Here's an evaluation of the helmet from Helmet Harbor.
http://www.helmetharbor.com/Pr...ation

 

Nice link, I think I'll start looking into an x-11

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fatboy01 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What makes the x-11 the "best" helmet? I'm sure it's a top shelf $$ helmet, but there are a lot of good helmets. The main purpose is to protect your head right? Does it protect your skull better, or does it just offer better features (venting, comfort, ect)?

I'm in the market for a new helmet, so any advice is welcome. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Marm pretty much summed it up. For me it has the best combination of venting, noise, feel, comfort, quality.

"The Shoei X-Eleven is a helmet in a league of it’s own. It's rare when we can't find a single fault with a product, but that's the case with the X-Eleven. Shoei got this helmet right in every possible way. The quality is outstanding. The venting is the best we've tested, and the aerodynamics are flawless."

 

X-11 designs suck.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hybridreams &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">X-11 designs suck. </TD></TR></TABLE>

+1

 

between a rf-1000 and a spec 1r....id get the suomy

 

I personally like the Suomy Spec 1R more because it fits my head better.

 

there is no such thing as the "best" helmet.

go try them on, find the one that fits. if 50$ makes or breaks your purcahse, you prob shouldnt be spending that much money on a helmet anyways.

 

check suomy vandal

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ngng &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">there is no such thing as the "best" helmet.

go try them on, find the one that fits. if 50$ makes or breaks your purcahse, you prob shouldnt be spending that much money on a helmet anyways.</TD></TR></TABLE>

the pricing is not a huge factor. i just want the better helmet for the long run and it seems like the x-11 is a good choice, now i just need to try one on.

 

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

the pricing is not a huge factor. i just want the better helmet for the long run and it seems like the x-11 is a good choice, now i just need to try one on.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah, just try em on. different helments fit different shaped heads.