Bandit Alley
GENERAL MOTORCYCLE FORUMS => PRODUCT REVIEWS => Topic started by: jbrough7 on April 21, 2006, 06:56:25 AM
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I've only ever bought the cheapies off ebay so have paid between $20 and $50! They seem okay but seeing those helmets for several hundred gets me to wondering - are they a lot safer? My $50 helmet is snell and dot. If not, then are they way more comfortable?
Any opinions? Would like to hear them as I have never even tried an expensive helmet on, let alone bought one.
Jim
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As far as safety, Motorcyclist did a comparo and one of the "cheap" helmets won! I have a Shoei and a KBC. The Shoei is 10 years old(never used much) but is more comfortable for my GF. I use the KBC since it fits better for me. Get what feels good. The finish and venting as well as wind noise is usually better on the high end helmets. Also, they usually do the race replica designs for some bling if you want it.
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I just got this one delivered yesterday for my wife. It came up #1 in Cycle World, and also I believe in Motorcyclist.
Z1R Strike.
(http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/photos/300/i10029.jpg)
$79-$89 here:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=5468&department=101&Division=1
Got an extra shield for it and the shipping was free.
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I have a KBC and an HJC... both relitively cheap compared to some helmets... The HJC I can't wear for more then 30 min b/c it painful on my ears. My parents have some of those "high-end" helmets... in my expierience, and it's only my expierience so others might be different, my parents $450 helmets are much more comfortable then mine... MUCH more comfortable. My dads is lighter, less noisy, forms to my head better, the strap is less irritating even though mine is fine... his just feels better... but I can't afford something like that so my $150 snell and Dot helmets are going to have to do.
Something I think is important is a removalbe liner... don't remove all that often but it's helpful. Drove to Dallas one night to see my girlfriend for the night and it started pouring down rain... I got soaked to the bone including my helmet. I took the liner out and through it in the drier with all my other wet cloths... made the ride home much more comfortable the next day.
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+1 on the removable liner!! :bigok:
Not only is it handy for the instance above, it's handy to be able to take it out and wash it once in a while so it doesn't get nasty or stinky.
I don't think the spendier helmets are any safer (and according to the Motorcyclist article, many spendy lids are too hard and therefore less safe). They usually offer more comfort or features.
I find my KBC VR1 to be pretty comfortable. The visors are super simple to change (and affordable, unlike Shoei & Arai visors), the liner is plush and removable. IMHO, the venting is so-so and is the only thing I was disappointed in, especially since its venting looks like it's fairly aggressive. Since I don't ride in a lot of really hot weather, it's not a BIG deal. All in all, it has been a great lid for the $179 I paid for it and I can't imagine how another helmet might be worth another $400-500 (or more).
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Is there any word on those cool helmets with mirrors and tunnels going up and out the back?
JIm
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I spent £190 which is around $365, my head is worth it. You get what you pay for. remember they are a once use item, I.E. you bump it, its used.
Dont cheap out on it!
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I wore an AGV helmet for the first year that I actually wore a helmet. I was miserable and figured that was why people don't wear them. Well, I bought an HJC on advice from my friend and I love it. It cost about 1/2 as much as the AGV but It has better venting, fit and looks better I think.
Everyone is different but the HJC is the one for me.
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If you've ever looked sideways at a high speed and had your shield flip up, you will understand why the good helmets are worth the extra $$$. Now in terms of safety performance if you go down, the cheaper ones have tested well lately. But performance at spped is important to me as well so I wear an Arai Quantum II.
Rob
:beers:
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A couple random thoughts:
I believe that helmet that are Snell and DOT rated will provide equivalent protection. What you are paying for beyond that is comfort and features like easy-to-repair/replace parts, removable liners, etc.
A few years ago, when I was buying a flip-up helmet (what they call "mudoular, although there are no interchangable modules=dumb name), the Shoei Syncrotec was the bast-rated for comfort, weight, etc. No removable liner, but I always wear a skull-cap, which keeps it clean and makes it eays to pull on over glasses. When the helmet was cut off the bike last year, I did all the reseach...nothing had changed, so I bought another Syncrotec in a slightly different color.
You know the saying: A $50 helmet is great for a $50 brain. (Prices slightly higher in Canada.)
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I have an Arai Quantum that I can wear all day. It's very comfortable, the vents work great but it sucks in the rain. The visor lock is priceless, no 50mph :shock: opening.
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As has already been stated.
The more expensive the helmets are generally, lighter, have more features, easier to get tinted visors and are more comfortable.
However, having said that I have 4 helmets
1. AGV Goddard replica $700.00, light, well vented but noisy and on the B12 is always trying to 'lift' of my head - it didn't do this on my GSX600F.
2. HJC CL12 - basic black $299.00. Not as light or well vented as the AGV, but is quieter and doesn't try and lift off
3. CIRUS (cheap HJC) $150.00. It's lighter than the HJC but not as well vented, doesn't seem to get as much wind noise and buffetting as the other two and I find it fairly comfortable. But I can't get a tinted/replacement visor.
4. HJC - open face - light, well vented (obviously) but as noisy as hell (obviously) and only gets used around town in summer.
When I replace them I'll be getting another HJC, maybe the 'flip lid' I don't know yet.
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I've got a a Cirus as a backup. Mama's lid is a Cirus, too. (Hey, they were thrown in with the bike purchase.) Here in the States, the Cirus lids run <$100, even at stealer prices (I've seen 'em as low as $79). I haven't tried to buy a faceshield for either one in the last two years, but when I did last buy shields for them, they were the same as several other HJC models and were in stock at the same place I bought the bike and ran ~$20 for clear or tint & $40 for "iridium" ones (also in stock).
I'm using a KBC VR-1 now. It's a great lid. Paid ~$170 for it from an online discounter. It's as light as the Cirus, but WAY more comfortable with a plush, removeable liner on par with helmets double or triple the price. It's quiet, too. Venting on mine is so-so, but may be an anomoly as others I've talked to with this lid say theirs have good venting. Visor prices are similar to the Cirus in price, but I've never tried to buy one locally since I bought the lid with a clear and smoke visor and have never needed to replace either one. It also comes with a helmet bag, but I don't think the helmet has been back in it since I took it out when it arrived on my porch. (I do use the bag to store the shield not on the helmet to help keep it scratch-free.)
KBC has a new VR-3 Sport-Touring helmet and a new flip face unit out now, I'd certainly give one of those a look if you're looking at HJC's.
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Due to severe neck and mid-shoulder pain I want the lightest helmet I can find that's safe and comfortable.
My hunt got me to an M2R -- model M 1000 ( now replaced by an M 1500). It's a full face, Snell and DOT approved, has a removeable liner and weight only 2lb. 13Oz. The M 1500 is an ounce lighter!
Bought it at Dennis Kirk for less than $140, although they don't carry them anymore. Do a search for M2R helmets -- they do have a website. I don't know who carries them, but maybe you can find out on their site.
Whle it's quite comfortable, the rents are fairly noisy and you probably will want ear plugs. Smoke and clear shields are fairly scratch resistant and require a special too. (2 are included with the helmet) to change them out.
The closest weight helmet I could find was about a pound heavier -- my Shoei RF900, although quiet and comfortable, causes a shoulder ache within a few minutes of riding -- the M2R is pain free all day.
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I am condisering an HJC CL-SP, or CL-15. Both are quite comfortable. My last three helmets have been Shoei rf-700, and 800. Any opinions and/or experience with the CL-SP?
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You know the saying: A $50 helmet is great for a $50 brain. (Prices slightly higher in Canada.)
Only the helmet price is higher in Canada. :stickpoke:
Actually, I remember the saying back in the days when it was ad copy for Bell Helmets - which was the top-of-the-line back then - and Shoei & Arai were budget brands...
"If you've got a $10 head, buy a $10 helmet."
Back in those days, you could buy a Grant helmet at K-Mart for $10. $12 if you wanted it in the Easy Rider Captain America "Stars & Bars" metalflake and a Bell would run you $40 or more! :lol:
I remember my first Bell helmet, a $130 Bell Star 120. I was making ~$700/month, so it nearly broke the bank when I bought it. I nearly cried when I saw it fly off my bike's backrest at ~80mph and the van I'd just passed ran over it. I ended up replacing it with a cheap full face from some upstart Japanese company called Shoei for ~$40.
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I ended up replacing it with a cheap full face from some upstart Japanese company called Shoei for ~$40.
Gee willikers, grandad, tells us about how you used to buy gas for 17 cents a gallon, and they actually pumped it for you and everything!
:monkeymoon:
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Sorry, the cheapest I remember paying for myself was $0.25/gallon... and that was for my lawnmower. By the time I was old enough to hit the streets (legally) with a gas-powered device, it had skyrocketed to a whopping $0.35!
(And minimum wage was $1.75/hr - and as a teen, if you could actually find a job that paid minimum wage, you were lucky because only interstate operations had to pay that much and the state had no minimum wage of its own like today... which is why I kept mowing lawns, it paid better. My first motorcycle was bought with money my lawnmower earned me.)
I do remember seeing gas for 19.9 when I was ~10 years old - that's the cheapest I remember.
:boohoo:
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I have very vague recollections of gas "wars" where stations across the street would compete on price below 20 cents. I guess they hadn't yet learned to sell image and brand name. Of course, at that age, I'm not even sure I understood that we were buying gas because the car wouldn't run without it!
I don't recall the era of give-aways, but I do recall when you could get a sport-logo item, or Hot Wheels very cheap when you bought 8 gallons or more. Even that kind of marketing has fallen by the wayside. Gas stations are just no fun any more. [/b]
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Ok I'm a cheap ass.
I keep an eye on clearance sales.
Last years stock with last years outdated graphics, are as I've found over the years half price.
So that $600 Aust helmet at half price is something I will look at.
I must have a weird shaped head or its bounced down the road too many times, cause the only helmets avaible here in Oz that fit me proper are the CMS and the Laser.
But I do like the lazer flip lid.
Having said all of the above I do replace my lids regularly whether they have been dropped or not. Maxium I keep them for is 2 years, then its bin time.
An license test instructor, once said, A $1000 helmet is not necessarily any better than a $100 helmet, they have both passed Aust Safety Standards and both should be replaced after 3 years anyway, or as soon as its been dropped from a height greater than 3 foot. The most important thing is its fit.
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I wear a classic super graphics covered shoei RF700, but also own a white HJC CL-12 which is cooler. I feel safer with the high dollar shoei on my head.
I dont care what the nagazine tests say, I dont see racers wearing 50-80$ brain buckets.
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But you will see racers wearing KBC (Mat Mladin), HJC (Ben Spies) and other lower priced brands... they wear whatever is given to them - or in the case of top riders, maybe even paid to wear.
Even the privateers get free lids. A friend of mine who retired from AMA Superbike a few years ago is STILL getting free Shoei helmets whenever he shows up at a race and chats with the Shoei rep... the lucky bastage.
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Red01, do you think those racers mentioned wear the same HJC I wear?
And I would love to have free Shoei as a perk, he is a lucky bast*rd.
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Probably... the liners might be a little more personalized for a perfect fit, but the shells have to meet the sanctioning body's standards, so they're probably not building a batch of helmets to destroy to meet standards just so one guy has a custom shell.
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You guys wear helmets I just use a Tinfoil Hat!!
I have one of those HJC flip up type helmets and they sure are handy but the venting is a little shitty should have got the Symax. It's also a little noisy but very very confortable.
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I bought a Z1R and love it. It tested ahead of all others regardless of price in a recent test and it is super comfortable.
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I just got this one delivered yesterday for my wife. It came up #1 in Cycle World, and also I believe in Motorcyclist.
Z1R Strike.
(http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/photos/300/i10029.jpg)
$79-$89 here:
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=5468&department=101&Division=1
Got an extra shield for it and the shipping was free.
I'm between their sizes and could not get a good fit. The medium was uncomfortably tight and the large had a lot of slop, but was still too tight around the bottom edge. I don't get it, you'd have to have one funky shaped head to get a good fit.
I have a borrowed Arai with the helmet lock and it blows up on the highway. Not cool! I have had no luck with much else.
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I am condisering an HJC CL-SP, or CL-15. Both are quite comfortable. My last three helmets have been Shoei rf-700, and 800. Any opinions and/or experience with the CL-SP?
I own HJCs. One flip front and one solid. Both are not $50 jobs but they are not $800 jobs either. Moderately priced but excellent lids.
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I think most everyone is right on track...I'd like to add a couple of things. It may just be overly cautious but I would think twice about used and old helmets. You never know if a used helmet has been damaged in any way, not just from a drop but maybe cleaning chemicals that could compromise the structural intergrity. I've also heard that old helmets may suffer from some breakdown of the EPS and/or the EPS will compress and become more dense than originally intended, both of which can compromise protection. I think as far as fit, features and weight the more engineered the helmet the better chance that it is superior in these aspects and the more $$$$. I don't think that because you spend $750 on an Arai instead of $80 on a Z1R you will be better off in *most* kinds of crashes. Here are two important pages of the 17 page article "blowing the lid off" that appeared in Motorcyclist magazine.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b361/ttewejnodnarb/Blowing_the_lid_off_4.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b361/ttewejnodnarb/Blowing_the_lid_off_5.jpg)
The lower the G's the better off your brain. I think the test was pretty scientific and comprehensive and the most done since the Hurt report.
Enjoy!
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When I first starting riding about 5 years ago, I was 17 and didn't have any other friends/family that did it. I just learned from personal experience and what I could learn of sportbikes.net, cycleforums.com, and specialty sites like this one.
I was told to save a grand for gear, so I did it. I bought a nice alpinestar leather jacket on closeout for just under 300, a shoei tz1 on closeout for 300, a* gloves for about a hundred, and later some boots
I know have 2 shoei's now and am looking at trying out an Arai, but without paying 500+, hence while I still don't have one.
The first instant* I tried on a brand new cheaper brand KBJ [I think that's what they are called, you guys know which ones Im talking about], I knew my $$$ was well spent. It felt like garbage on my head, not nearly as supportive or comfortable and the size was correct for my head. I will not claim it's less safe, I have no idea.
Want to know why I respect Arai enough to consider buying one? They are the only company that puts a FACTORY helmet on their moto GP rider. The EXACT same helmet we can buy from their site for 600-700 or whatever.
Their philosophy is 'no one's head is more valuable than anothers'. I don't know if I believe the rhetoric as to why their helmets are so expensive, or if the price is even remotely justified, or why their company is such as jackass to their distributors, but if a MotoGP guy riding a 10 million dollar bike puts on the SAME helmet as me when he hits the track, that says something.
A year later, my shoei I purchased 5 years ago fits almost as tight as it was new. The fit in finish is excellent and I ride in all weather and do nothing to maintain it. My friend is picking up a new KBJ for about $120 because he says his is worn. Even if he bought a new one every year and a half, I'd still have him beat and would be wearing a 'better' helmet IMO.
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I currently wear a XXXL HJC CL-12. Ive been happy with it but I'd like to replace it with something with better venting and less noise. I tried on a XXL Shoei RF1000 last week end (largest the dealer had in stock), and not only was it tight on my head, but the bottom of the helmet didn't cover my chin. Can anyone suggest another brand that may fit? I'm not unhappy with HJC, but I'd like some options.
:thanks:
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I am condisering an HJC CL-SP, or CL-15. Both are quite comfortable. My last three helmets have been Shoei rf-700, and 800. Any opinions and/or experience with the CL-SP?
I have a CL-SP (Pheonix) nice lid got it from new enough(of course). Fits my head great. Can't say anything bad about it except at about 90mph the face shield will snap shut quick enough to scare you, sounded like a gunshot inside my head.
Try one on though before buying.
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I have an HJC FG-12 (FRP Shell) and wife's is an HJC CL-12 (PolyCarb Shell).
The FG fits my head a little better and has a bit better venting, but not significant. Wife only comes on short rides, so long term comfort was not an issue.
The most important part of a helmet is how it fits. It needs to be snug, so that it won't move around on your head in a crash. So...you need something snug but don't want it to give you a headache after 4 hours in the saddle, so get one that fits your head first and formost. Higher priced helmets tend to have better features and comfort, but not always.
I thought the Motorcyclist article was very informative. I will likely look for a BCE rated helmet next (instead of Snell) but will still buy for fit first, features second and then price.
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No mention of the Scorpion's? I have been looking at those based on another thread that I thought I read here. Anyone have thoughts on those?
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I just bought a Scorpion EXO700. Picked it up on ebay "used once by a passenger" for $60. :lol: Couldn't pass it up! Still smells new. I won't get a chance to try it out until spring (unless I sneak the F3 out on the streets this weekend). Anyway, it seems really nice. It "feels" high-quality. Everything you read on them is good.
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I remember my first Bell helmet, a $130 Bell Star 120. I was making ~$700/month, so it nearly broke the bank when I bought it. I nearly cried when I saw it fly off my bike's backrest at ~80mph and the van I'd just passed ran over it
So I guess it turned to be just an expensive hood ornament? Helmets tend to work better when they are strapped to your head. Anyways, I was wearing a HJC/CL12 when I crashed on my bike. It seemed to do the job, because I received no head injuries. I have used HJC's mainly because they have been the only one that I have been able to find that fit me right. The helmet I am using now is a AC-11. I have tried on AGV, ARAI, Shoei, and couldn't find one to fit me right. I did try on a Suomy once and it was very nice. It was nice in both comfort and lightness. The price tag was quite high, but it was a very nice helmet that I wouldn't mine owning.
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I own shark S500Air Helmet and its pretty good.Got it from http://www.getgeared.co.uk/acatalog/Shark_S500_Air_Esprit_Motorcycle_Helmet.html, size L, since it was the size of the helmet i used before. The first helmet i had was a scooter helmet called B-Square.I realised that it was pretty shit when i put on my new Shark helmet and went for a spin. Have two visors for it, clear one and tinted one(50%).For the price i think its a very good helmet and much more lighter that my old sheap one.
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As has already been stated.
The more expensive the helmets are generally, lighter, have more features, easier to get tinted visors and are more comfortable.
However, having said that I have 4 helmets
1. AGV Goddard replica $700.00, light, well vented but noisy and on the B12 is always trying to 'lift' of my head - it didn't do this on my GSX600F.
2. HJC CL12 - basic black $299.00. Not as light or well vented as the AGV, but is quieter and doesn't try and lift off
3. CIRUS (cheap HJC) $150.00. It's lighter than the HJC but not as well vented, doesn't seem to get as much wind noise and buffetting as the other two and I find it fairly comfortable. But I can't get a tinted/replacement visor.
4. HJC - open face - light, well vented (obviously) but as noisy as hell (obviously) and only gets used around town in summer.
When I replace them I'll be getting another HJC, maybe the 'flip lid' I don't know yet.
I had no idea what you guys were saying about "noisy" helmets and face shields that flip up at speed because I always ride behind a full windshield (a 26" tall Silhouette on the Bandit. No idea, that is, until I lowered the 'shield 3" to see if I liked looking over the top of it rather than through the top of it.
Holy crap! It was like sticking my head into a washing machine!! That 'shield is coming back up, ASAP.
Helmets with removable liners are not that easy to come by in the cheaper models, so a skullcap seems like a good answer to the stinkies in hot weather. I run an old half-helmet when it's hot, but prefer the full-face for longer rides, even when it's hot.
I owned two helmets that were murderously uncomfortable because I had been led to believe that a helmet has to be TIGHT to be effective. My third helmet I got at a dealership where the salesman told me I was going way too small, that a helmet should only be snug enough to prevent it from rattling around on your dome. What a difference that made!
That 'ol HJC C-12 is a pleasure to wear because it was sized right.
Herb
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Helmets with removable liners are not that easy to come by in the cheaper models,
Take a look at KBC helmets. Many of their models, if not all of them now, have removeable liners - and many other features found on more expensive helmets.
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Helmets with removable liners are not that easy to come by in the cheaper models,
Take a look at KBC helmets. Many of their models, if not all of them now, have removeable liners - and many other features found on more expensive helmets.
And Lazer
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I ended up replacing it with a cheap full face from some upstart Japanese company called Shoei for ~$40.
Gee willikers, grandad, tells us about how you used to buy gas for 17 cents a gallon, and they actually pumped it for you and everything!
:monkeymoon:
Well, sonny, I remember when you could get a 4-finger "lid" for $15... lotta stems and seeds, but if you rolled a big fatty... :banana:
Gas prices? I remember $0.35 per gallon... took $3 to fill up my VW bus.
Oh yeah, helmets. First thing I look for is a perfect fit... so no internet or mail-orders for me. I gotta try 'em on.
Next thing is function, then lightness, then style, then price. So I don't even consider brand, and price is last... this is assuming all the ones I'm looking at are DOT/Snell approved.
My current helmet is a G-Max modular, it cost about $130 at my dealers. It fits perfect, it's light and comfy, I can wear it all day, has lots of vents and a chin warmer built in, doesn't fog up, and I have several different shields for it.
I didn't like the burgundy color so I stripped it down and painted it satin black using modern hi-tech plastic bond and epoxy paint for a hard, durable finish. Works for me! :bigok:
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does anyone know if helmets really "expire" after a certain amount of time?
I bought a used Shoei RF-700 for $70 (first helmet). Fits me great, but then I heard about the "expiration" theory...and it turns out this helmet is from 1999! :shock:
So now, I dont feel quite as safe with it. I found a nice BRAND NEW Shoei Z-II online for a good price...but again, it is an older model (2002) so its nearing the end of its life.
Is it a huge deal? Or should I be OK?
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I just bought 2 Scorpion EXO700's for ~$50 each new from Ridenow.com - I believe they still have some left in their clearance section.
Sold one of them on Ebay, so mine was basically free!
Overall it's a nice helmet. It is pretty lightweight... lots of vents... but my everday summer helmet is still my HJC SyMax even though it's noisier.
Here's the EXO-700 that I kept for myself...
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/PaulVS/rivet.jpg)
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does anyone know if helmets really "expire" after a certain amount of time?
I bought a used Shoei RF-700 for $70 (first helmet). Fits me great, but then I heard about the "expiration" theory...and it turns out this helmet is from 1999! :shock:
So now, I dont feel quite as safe with it. I found a nice BRAND NEW Shoei Z-II online for a good price...but again, it is an older model (2002) so its nearing the end of its life.
Is it a huge deal? Or should I be OK?
I'm no authority one way or the other, but I try to buy as new of a helmet as I can. I've heard the same sort of stories and the age seems to vary from author to author. I think how/where the helmet is stored and how often it's out in the elements will have some impact (no pun intended) on it's life.
I found this blurb on a site that sells helmets:
Brockton Cycle Center says: (http://www.psndealer.com/dealersite/images/brocktoncycle/motorcycle-helmets.htm)
The inner foam lining of the helmet compresses, and that is what provides the majority of the protection. The inner foam lining is also what causes a helmet to 'age'. The foam itself dries out over time, and a good rule of thumb is to replace your motorcycle helmet every 5 to 7 years. Storing a helmet in an area free of significant temperature changes, excess humidity, and petrochemical fumes will help extend the life of the helmet.
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No mention of the Scorpion's? I have been looking at those based on another thread that I thought I read here. Anyone have thoughts on those?
My daughter and her husband have Scorpions and they like 'em. Look like a well-made product to me. Helmet Harbor says good things about them, too.
Helmet Harbor (http://www.helmetharbor.com/) says:
How good is a Scorpion™ helmet? Well, I like to put it this way. What’s the difference between a $600 helmet and a Scorpion Helmet? About four hundred bucks.”
Don't trust us? Here is what JD Power had to say about the Scorpion. While Arai took top honors, look who else scored a 5 out of 5 score...
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Brockton Cycle Center says: (http://www.psndealer.com/dealersite/images/brocktoncycle/motorcycle-helmets.htm)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?
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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.
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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.
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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. :sad:
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. :wink: Something you've been asking about, and that you can benefit from.
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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.
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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.
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If you cant find it, let me know which one you like, and I can buy it here and ship it to you :)
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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)
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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!!
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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. :roll: :grin: 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.
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Like I said before, I was REALLY impressed with the ZOX...especially for the price! Very comfortable, the inner liner was really nice, and the visor/latch mechanism seemed to be top-notch!
I only got my ARAI because I found a good deal on a *slightly* used one, and I just find it UBER comfy...otherwise I woulda gone for an HJC or something.
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I bought a Scorpion. I wanted a DOT and SNELL approved lid and really didn't care too much about price. My local cyclegear didn't have much in my size, regardless of price, and what they did have just didn't fit right. The person I worked with really knew how to explain how it should fit and I knew what I had owned before really didn't fit right (HJC open face and a Venom modular). I went down the road to a local used bike shop/ducatti dealer on a whim and put the scorpion on and KNEW it was the right lid. It felt right. I didn't care if it was noisy because it fit.
It is a bit whistely at certain speeds but tucking under my windscreen takes care of that. :bandit:
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I just purchased an HJC CL-SP and it has worked really well for me. I rode 600 miles on Thursday and it didn't give me any problems. I also use XM Radio and the helmet goes on easier with the ear bud/ear plugs in my ears. However, I haven't put new cans on my 1250s bandit yet so it is still pretty quiet.
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Brockton Cycle Center says: (http://www.psndealer.com/dealersite/images/brocktoncycle/motorcycle-helmets.htm)
The inner foam lining of the helmet compresses, and that is what provides the majority of the protection. The inner foam lining is also what causes a helmet to 'age'. The foam itself dries out over time, and a good rule of thumb is to replace your motorcycle helmet every 5 to 7 years. Storing a helmet in an area free of significant temperature changes, excess humidity, and petrochemical fumes will help extend the life of the helmet.
Another thing to remember is to keep it out of the sunlight as well. Any polycarbonate type plastics (and plastics for the most part) deteriorate quicker in UV light. The foam is usually what goes "bad" first, but the shell itself can age and lower the proctection over time. I'd bet a helmet properly taken care of can last longer than recommended 3 year rule, but I've always accepted that as a rule of thumb because you can't tell what's really going on at the molecular level. Even without dropping a lid you can't tell if one area of the helmet has become weaker than another.
We had to do a little report for one of my engineering classes last year and I did it on helmets. There's two compaines out there that are coming up with some interesting designs. One is a spin-off company that used to do a lot of work for Nike. They're using a double semi-hemisphere air pocket design, similar to the innards of a running shoe, as a helmet liner. Supposedly from their tests (which I take with a grain of salt) there is a huge reduction in the G-forces taken to the noggin in an impact.
I'm in the camp that more expensive=better comfort, but not better safety. I've had a HJC CL-14 that I've been wearing for the past 2 1/2 years. Noisy as hell at high speeds, but comfortable. No idea what I'm going to buy next until I hit the local stealers and try some on. Hard finding a good fit with my massive head.
I'm happy to hear that Snell is rethinking their position. I remember reading that article and their immature response to the mag. Petty bickering like that pisses me off. This is about keeping people safe out there on the road, so suck up your egos and change your policies if you need to.
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I bought a Scorpion. I wanted a DOT and SNELL approved lid and really didn't care too much about price. My local cyclegear didn't have much in my size, regardless of price, and what they did have just didn't fit right. The person I worked with really knew how to explain how it should fit and I knew what I had owned before really didn't fit right (HJC open face and a Venom modular). I went down the road to a local used bike shop/ducatti dealer on a whim and put the scorpion on and KNEW it was the right lid. It felt right. I didn't care if it was noisy because it fit.
It is a bit whistely at certain speeds but tucking under my windscreen takes care of that. :bandit:
I've finally had a chance to use my new Scorp (EXO-700) for extended rides now that I have a street bike again. On the track it doesn't bother me but on the road, the thing is really noisy. By covering parts of it with my hand while moving, I figured out that it is the wind whistling around the back-bottom of the helmet. I have a very long, skinny neck (is that TMI???) which probably contributes to so much wind getting there. Otherwise, I love the helmet. Like DD said, It just feels right. It feels very well made for such a cheap lid. The M fits me perfectly, it vents pretty well, there is no lift at speed like my Icon had and the fog free shield (available in the stock clear sheild and non-mirrored smoke) absolutely works. Even though the new bike has and will stay stock exhaust, I'm going back to ear plugs at least for commuting.
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I got a Windjammer II and it cuts out the wind from the bottom of the lid. Ez on ez off
http://www.proline-sports.com/
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I have a KBC and an HJC... both relitively cheap compared to some helmets... The HJC I can't wear for more then 30 min b/c it painful on my ears. My parents have some of those "high-end" helmets... in my expierience, and it's only my expierience so others might be different, my parents $450 helmets are much more comfortable then mine... MUCH more comfortable. My dads is lighter, less noisy, forms to my head better, the strap is less irritating even though mine is fine... his just feels better... but I can't afford something like that so my $150 snell and Dot helmets are going to have to do.
Something I think is important is a removalbe liner... don't remove all that often but it's helpful. Drove to Dallas one night to see my girlfriend for the night and it started pouring down rain... I got soaked to the bone including my helmet. I took the liner out and through it in the drier with all my other wet cloths... made the ride home much more comfortable the next day.
Agreed! I have bought nothing but cheap helmets and one day, el cheapo helmet saved my dome on the Long Island Distressway through a triple end-o flip.
I believe what's bothering you is lack of proper helmet sizing. If your ears get pinched, it means your helmet is too small. I've seen this piece of bad advice printed endlessly in the bike mags over and over . . . some fool decided that your helmet should be so tight that it can't possible move on your head. Nonsense! Get one that's just SNUG, not squashing your bean!
Your take on removable helmet liners is dead on. My HJC-12 does not have this feature, and I regret it since I constantly have to suffer through "helmet B.O." (GAK!) My next helmet WILL have a removable liner! Unfortunately, I love my HJC helmet.
Herb
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No..........you do not get what you pay for in the helmet industry. I just read a helmet review from the department of transportation and you wouldn't believe what it said. The three most expensive helmets (no names called here cause I ain't pointing fingures) rated at the very bottom of the top ten rated helmets. The snell rating does not really mean any thing to us because it is a test that subjects the helmet to an "impact" test of a three foot fall onto a 5-6" steel ball. That's it!! That's the snell test. D.O.T. approved is quite enough and from they said the most expensive ones are definitely not the best....Banditone1250s... :stickpoke:
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The snell rating does not really mean any thing to us because it is a test that subjects the helmet to an "impact" test of a three foot fall onto a 5-6" steel ball. That's it!!
Actually that's not quite "just" it. The problem with Snell is because the shell of the helmet has to withstand that impact you described 3 times. Most people argue about their test because it's not very realisitic. As the mag write-up questioning Snell said, it's not a real-world test. The chances of somebody hitting a hemisphere shaped steel object 3 times in the same exact place are next to never.
In order to meet the Snell standards the mfgs have to make the helmets tougher, but this is leading to higher g-force impacts to the noggin in a crash. It may not make sense at first, but you do want a flexible shell. Reason being is that when the helmet flexes it's actually pushing the EPS liner to your head quicker. And believe it or not, the EPS (yes the same stuff they use to make foam coffee cups!) is what saves your life in a crash - not the shell. The shell's main purpose is to simply keep pointy things from punchuring the lid.