Full face road helmuts

[XRNR]

Wanting a new full face road helmut. Really want to take ones I like from the shop and test it for a week or so prior to buying. Figure they wont let me so...


What do or don't you like about your helmuts & why?

Sound,
Straps - quick release or D-ring
Visors - antiscratch, tinted
demisting,
Ventilation,
comfort,
nose guards, chin guards,
polycarb or rigid construction,
weight,
etc.

[130wide]

I have a Arai Quantum-f Crafer rep. air vents, top, back, chin and on visor work great, changing the visor is quick and easy once you get use to it takes about 15sec to cnange. I've had the helmet for 4-5 years and still on the original visors, a tinted one and the clear has a fog city which is great non scratch excellent. Make sure you get the Arai fog city which is shaped around the visor vents. D ring strap is ok, 1500g weight not to bad, two complanits, after riding 3-4 hrs I start to get sore ears(might be just the shape of mine) and the cost I think about $1200 when I got mine.

[LB]

I've had a Shoei XVR with Myazaki grapics for about 5 years. It's still on the original mirror and clear visor, the clear one with Fog City (amazing stuff!) It's got a clip fastener. Cost was around $1400. It was the top of the line one when I bought it.

I love it but figure it's getting towards retirement so am looking at replacing it with another Shoei, the new XR1000. Graphics one is around $900.

I prefer D-rings to a clip, D rings are apparently safer, but also you still have to keep adjusting the straps on the clip (I've hand-sewn mine into the right place).

Sound? I don't believe there's such an animal as a noise-free helmet. I ride a naked bike so no doubt will get more wind noise than on a faired bike. I always wear earplugs anyway, which kind of block out the "white noise".

Ventilation is very good.

Weight? the less the better - I don't know how we used to wear those heavy Bells back in the old days - no wonder I sometimes have trouble with my neck now! I must weigh one of my old ones to see how much they weigh. The XVR is 1250g and the XR1000 is I think 1350.

Nose/chin guards - don't wear them.

Changing visors - easy as pie, about 20 seconds (remember I'm blonde!!).

Mangell6 has a new XR1000.

Comfort? The Shoei is great for my head - we do lots of long trips (semi-regularly do 800km/day) and it's very comfortable - basically don't even notice it's on. Haven't done a Southern Cross or 1000-miler though.

I believe that helmets are very personal things - what suits one won't suit another. It's a shame you can't "test ride" them for a week!

Good luck.

[What?]

I have 2 Nolan helmets with clip fasteners. Next hat I buy will have double D rings. The clips are great, but snag on high-necked gear (like wet weather suits) when you turn your head.
Both Nolans (N100 and N70) seem to be taking ages to break-in. I get a bit sore across the forehead after a couple of hours.
Fog city insert on the N70, pinlock insets on the N100 visor. Both brilliant. I had a photochromatic Pro-Grip anti-fog visor insert for a while whick worked well against fogging, but it did not last long and was very slow to lighten when things got dark.

[wkid_one]

Umm - try them on - they are all designed to fit different head shapes. You can't just buy one based on how is looks etc as at the end of the day how it fits is the most important thing. You can have the most technologically advanced helmet in the world - but if it doesn't fit you properly - your head bouncing around inside it is going to do a shit loads of damage.

Essentially buy the best you can afford - don't skimp. Don't buy quick release as they are too difficult to do up as tight as they should be (LTSA did a study on this)- and people notoriously don't adjust them as they stretch. Make sure the visor is optically correct. COMFORT is all important - try going for a long ride with a helmet that is uncomfortable. Buy a helmet that DOESN'T mist - ProFogs are great but destroy the optical qualities of the visor. Don't worry about removeable pads as I don't know anyone who has removed them to clean them.

I had a Shoei Z-One. only 1250gm, comfortable and I can attest to the safety of the helmet first hand having hit the road hit first. $799.

[Hoon]

Colemans have some Suomy helmets at half price for $500. A bargain if you are after a quality helmet.

[Slingshot]

I get a bit sore across the forehead after a couple of hours.

I've got a Nolan N60 and I have the same problem!

My wife uses an HJC CL-14, it's heaps lighter than my Nolan and cuts back more noise as well. It's got one of those visors that clip in and lie flat rather than having an extra clippy thingamebob. It also has a removable nose guard and a chin curtain.
I think it retails for $399 so it's a good choice if you're on a budget.

Specs:
• Injection-Molded Thermoplastic Shell
• Wind tunnel tested areodynamic shell shape with an extra large eye port for greater visibility
• Lightweight, Dual Density EPS (expanded poly styrene) liner
• Eyeglass friendly design
• Flow-Through Ventilation System
• Adjustable chin bar, forehead and front/side vortex vents
• Two rear venturi exhaust vents
• Anti-Fog System
• Adjustable front/side vortex vents with intake ports create a low pressure vacuum effect that draws heat and moisture out of the face shield area
• Adjustable chin vent directs air upwards across the inside of the shield to help prevent fogging
• Comfortable Interior
• Nylex® interior liner with sewn-in top pad
• Removable, washable cheek pads
• Wrap-around neck roll reduces wind noise
• Nylon Strap-Retention Band
• Neatly secures chin strap
• Two-Stage Compression Shield Closure System

[wkid_one]

SS/What

Using your thumb - flatten the ridge along the top front of the inside of the helmet where you forehead sits. This will stop the sore forehead. I had this in my HMC helmet - worked a treat to stop it hurting. Will just round off the edge and it won't dig in

[Motu]

Maybe being a dirt rider you might like the Nolan N70,I have one and like it - but it has a lot of wind noise.Also a D clip would be better - in winter I wear balacavas and stuff...you may have to readjust the clip,bit of a hassle you don't get with D rings.

[boris]

i have a Suomy Troy Corser rep,With all the vents,it makes a bit of noise at over 120kmh.bug I wounldn't buy another.The Kenny Robert Agv was much nicer but that was 15 years ago.

[bungbung]

I have a Shoei Raid, which is the most basic Shoei helemt, it retails in plain black for around $450. I have a slightly egg shaped head, and this is the most comfortable helmet I have had. I used to have a FFM which I thought was comfy, but is no match for the Shoei. The Shoei visor system is great, very quick and easy to change.

[wkid_one]

I have a slightly egg shaped head.

No Comment.....

But quite true - the Arais and the Shoei appear to be for completely different head shapes - I fit the Shoei well - but HATE the fit of the Arai

[LB]

I'm with wkid on this one - the Arai shape is not right for my head either, whereas the Shoei is perfect.

[Firefight]

[QUOTE=XRNR]Wanting a new full face road helmut. Really want to take ones I like from the shop and test it for a week or so prior to buying. Figure they wont let me so...


Gidday XRNR, am wondering why they won't let you ?, Given the amount of money involed in a decent helmet, I think it is reasonable to do just what you say, I took out my current helmet retail ($ 900.00) for three days to see if I liked it, I would be interested to see what other have been able to do.

ps, are you going to woodhill at all over the hoildays ? give me a pm if you want some company.

merry christmas

firefight.