Author Topic: Are Pricey Helmets Really Worth It? (Read 24298 times)

stormi · « **Reply #45 on:** May 11, 2007, 06:07:16 PM »

Quote from: "Red01"

Quote
Brockton Cycle Center says:a good rule of thumb is to replace your motorcycle helmet every 5 to 7 years.

Hah!! I wish mine would last that long,... I keep dropping the damn things. So far, I'm averaging a year per helmet.

We saw and tried on some Zox helmets at the motorcycle show here in Feb. They were light, had removable liners, and were cheap.

They were only DOT approved, but reading some on the net, there are theories that the snell certification leads to helmets that are too hard, and transfer too much impact to the skull...

Too bad I can't find a supplier here for them.

Anyone else tried these?

Red01 · « **Reply #46 on:** May 12, 2007, 03:20:57 PM »

I was just reading an article the other day in one of the rags that said Snell is rethinking their test standards and it sounded like they were agreeing with the articles in the past year or so that their standard is asking for a too hard helmet.

GooseMan · « **Reply #47 on:** May 14, 2007, 05:19:59 PM »

Well, I found a nice, slightly used ARAI Signet GTR (almost 2 years old...not 10 like my current helmet!). I was thinking of buying a new, cheaper helmet (Zox, HJC etc..) but after trying on an ARAI, I was IMPRESSED! It was like wearing pillows on my head! :D I couldnt pass it up!

Stormi--I tried on a Zox helmet at my local shop...theyre actually very nice! Of all the helmets I tried on there, the Zox was super comfy, and felt pretty good, in terms of overall quality. The only thing I didnt like was the eye-port, which seemed a little smallish, and the visor, which didnt seem to open enough..you could still see it when its all the way open.

stormi · « **Reply #48 on:** May 14, 2007, 09:16:24 PM »

Quote from: "GooseMan"

Stormi--I tried on a Zox helmet at my local shop...theyre actually very nice! Of all the helmets I tried on there, the Zox was super comfy, and felt pretty good, in terms of overall quality. The only thing I didnt like was the eye-port, which seemed a little smallish, and the visor, which didnt seem to open enough..you could still see it when its all the way open.

Hey awesome! That's great to know. In fairness, my HJC doesn't hide the visor either when it's all the way up.

How did the ZOX fit in comparison to the HJC? Smaller? Bigger?? About the same? I have a dealer here than can order one, but it's a restocking charge if it doesn't fit.

Oh,.. and BTW,.. check the B400 forum later tonight. I've got proof that something I keep saying can be done can truly be done.

Something you've been asking about, and that you can benefit from.

GooseMan · « **Reply #49 on:** May 15, 2007, 11:51:50 AM »

Well, normally, it seems that I am a Medium. Seem to be a Medium with Shoei, Arai and Zox...but with HJC I fit the medium fine, but small felt more secure.

At the store, I first tried on a Med. HJC CL-SP, which was nice...then tried the small, which was a little tight, but more "snug" than tight. Then I tried the ZOX Med., and I was like wow! Not bad for less than $200!! I think it was the Zox Supercomp R.

So I think with Zox, you might have to go a size up. But the Zox sizing seems to more consistent with other brands.

stormi · « **Reply #50 on:** May 15, 2007, 12:47:20 PM »

OK,.. so what I get from this is that my HJC, once padded out, is way too big, so a Zox medium might be just what I needed... Thanks so much for the info! I'll look up which helmet I liked and see if Scona will bring it in for me.

GooseMan · « **Reply #51 on:** May 15, 2007, 04:24:25 PM »

If you cant find it, let me know which one you like, and I can buy it here and ship it to you :)

stormi · « **Reply #52 on:** May 17, 2007, 02:56:12 AM »

Let me see if I can find all the crap I saved from the Motorcycle show, and pick the helmet out. If Scona won't order it for me ( doubtful) I'll let you know. I've always been a little weird about shipping helmets though... how many times did the DHL driver bounce it before it got to me?

I appreciate the offer!

Red01 · « **Reply #53 on:** May 17, 2007, 11:16:35 AM »

Quote from: "stormi"

I've always been a little weird about shipping helmets though... how many times did the DHL driver bounce it before it got to me?

Probably not any more then one you buy from the local shop. While it may be in a bigger box getting from the manufacturer to the importer and from them to the distributor, the dealership gets to bounce them around in their back room and ones on display may get banged around by shoppers.

stormi · « **Reply #54 on:** May 17, 2007, 03:05:15 PM »

Quote from: "Red01"

Probably not any more then one you buy from the local shop. While it may be in a bigger box getting from the manufacturer to the importer and from them to the distributor, the dealership gets to bounce them around in their back room and ones on display may get banged around by shoppers.

Oh yeah,.. I won't buy a display helmet. So it wouldn't matter if it were shipped from there to here? Of course the helmet has already been shipped by the manufacturer to the importer and seen all that abuse, and we heap on another opportunity in the end user shipping... The other half works for DHL, I've seen the big conveyor belts that freight rides on in the warehouses, the conveyors go over the huge doors that the trucks drive in, and stuff does fall off from time to time.

GooseMan · « **Reply #55 on:** May 17, 2007, 03:55:20 PM »

If I do end up shipping you one (if you need), dont worry...I have TONS of bubble wrap! Shipping stuff is what I do, day in, day out. ;)

BTW--I ended up getting an ARAI Signet GTR...I think it has to be THE most comfortable helmet ever! Really impressed....I like it alot! :D

stormi · « **Reply #56 on:** May 17, 2007, 04:19:10 PM »

The other half was a S/R before he moved to DHL.

He'll go, "Hey, that's good stuff to keep around for the next time you have to ship a ....."
me: POP-POP-POP-CRACK-CRACK-POP-POP-POP
him: "or you could just pop it all..."

bubble wrap, otherwise known as stress reliever. :)

The only problem I have with buying a pricey helmet is that I tend to drop them, so I would be spending a -lot- of money every year on helmets. Otherwise, I like the Arai stuff too.

dgc · « **Reply #57 on:** May 19, 2007, 12:42:09 AM »

arai is great. somewhat loud, but not heavy and good air.
worth the money, and even though i drop mine every month or so. (usually off the tank)

HiVel · « **Reply #58 on:** May 19, 2007, 04:20:16 PM »

A good way (borrowed from another) to describe the differences between a cheapie and a goodie-
AN EXPENSIVE HELMET IS LIKE A PORSCHE BOXSTER AND A CHEAP HELMET IS LIKE A MAZDA MIATA.
After a year of driving each you will absolutely know the difference and appreciate the more expensive item. So it is for helmets with me. I have tried a lot of them and wound up with a Shoei X-11 and a Arai Corsair as my primary helmets. I have some others and some real oldies but goodies. I recently stopped wearing an Arai open face that was 14 years old!
The protection level of some cheaper ones is approximately equal but the overall quality and fit are far superior on the more expensive ones. You pay your money and make your choice. Just wear one!!

stormi · « **Reply #59 on:** May 19, 2007, 05:31:21 PM »

My plan is to get into some habits that preclude me from constantly dropping my helmets before I start to spend more on a helmet than I did on upkeep of the b4 last year.

Then once I'm satisfied that I can keep a helmet, I'll invest in a better one. In the meantime, I like the fact that Zox has some lighter, seemingly well-built helmets for way less than the big big names.

Author Topic: Are Pricey Helmets Really Worth It? (Read 24298 times)

dgc