Fat head - Arai, Shuberth or Shoei?

[mister.koz]

Right so i've saved enough dosh to burn a pile on a helmet, i've been looking at the arai rx-7 GP helmets, partially because i know they are good but mostly because 2 or 3 of my mates who are QUITE experienced with wearing and scraping helmets reckon they are the ducks nuts.

I've tried and tried but i can't seem to get my fat head into the rx-7 XL helmets, partially a padding thing but also a length thing. Nowhere i have looked in hamilton has an XXL and everyone tells me that the XXL's are just the XL's with a different set of pads that give more room.

I have a shoei head, the xl's fit me really well and i have had one before. I am lookin at a couple of designs and colours because plain black is from my old bogan days and i am over them.

Hamilton motorcycles have a green shuberth in M which wont fit but i have heard really good things about the quietness and the quality of these helmets.

My old shoei (multitech) and my kbc helmet (face folding) are quite loud and the silence will be grand on those longer rides or rides that are gusty because i am prone to earaches and i have found that the quieter the ride, the better i can concentrate (no aftermarket pipe on the zx10r) the added concentration means i can focus and therefore ride better :wari:.

So questions:

Does anyone here have any experience with the shuberth helmets?
Does anyone here have an arai XXL and wont fit an XL
Any other suggestions for helmets of this level?

[Hitcher]

If you can wear an XL, you're not a "fat head".

The Shoei XXL is the same shell as the XL. That's why it is an extremely snug fit for the fuller-headed gent and the internal forehead padding requires some "work" with a carpet knife and a large blunt object to get the fit right.

The only manufacturer I have discovered who uses a different shell for their very large sizes is HJC but then only in their CL-SP range.

There is a very strange rumour going around that manufacturers are stopping doing their very large size lids because Dot Snell told them to. I am very wary of any "intelligence" that NZ distributors promulgate and don't believe this latest one for one moment.

Money no object, the only two manufacturers who do proper very large helmets are Shoei and HJC. Nothing else even comes close. Trust me on this.

[mister.koz]

If you can wear an XL, you're not a "fat head".

The Shoei XXL is the same shell as the XL. That's why it is an extremely snug fit for the fuller-headed gent and the internal forehead padding requires some "work" with a carpet knife and a large blunt object to get the fit right.

The only manufacturer I have discovered who uses a different shell for their very large sizes is HJC but then only in their CL-SP range.

There is a very strange rumour going around that manufacturers are stopping doing their very large size lids because Dot Snell told them to. I am very wary of any "intelligence" that NZ distributors promulgate and don't believe this latest one for one moment.

Money no object, the only two manufacturers who do proper very large helmets are Shoei and HJC. Nothing else even comes close. Trust me on this.

Hey hitcher,

Yeah thats that i thought about the fat head thing... It could be more of a "long head" or simply that i need to put the Arai on while standing on one foot, pointing my nose north and chanting aum but i would rather not have a "ceremony" to put my helmet on!

I like the Shoei range and the xl does fit quite well, i guess this is more a question about the Shuberth helmets..

[mister.koz]

PS. typo they are SCHUBERTH noth shuberth.

[NZsarge]

Yeah as well all know, fit is first and foremost, after that if you have the coin i'd go the Arai RX-7 GP coz they are sexy as hell, i'd sell Hitcher's soul for one.... In frost black I reckon.

[icekiwi]

PS. typo they are SCHUBERTH noth shuberth.

After the bin I replaced my Shoei xr1000 with one of these.....
Blaardy awesome...quiet,comfortable,never thought i'd be into a drop down sunvisor but love it now i'm used to it..
Only downside is the clip in strap as I prefer the D buckles.

Hows that new beastie going,we should hook up for a ride sometime.

[mister.koz]

After the bin I replaced my Shoei xr1000 with one of these.....
Blaardy awesome...quiet,comfortable,never thought i'd be into a drop down sunvisor but love it now i'm used to it..
Only downside is the clip in strap as I prefer the D buckles.

Hows that new beastie going,we should hook up for a ride sometime.

Cool, thanks man :) yeah i prefer the buckle too... The schuberth dude is passing through at the end of the week so i will post my findings :) here's hoping the will fit!

[Mystic13]

Take the Schuberth for a test ride. They only seem to come up quieter under testing on naked bikes. With a windscreen on a sport tourer they can be bloody noisey. I wouldn't buy a Schuberth again on my experience with one. I enjoy the flip down visor but overall the helmet isn't worth the $$. The Shoei and Arai look like much better value for money. I'm binning my Schuberth and going Shoei.

[mister.koz]

Take the Schuberth for a test ride. They only seem to come up quieter under testing on naked bikes. With a windscreen on a sport tourer they can be bloody noisey. I wouldn't buy a Schuberth again on my experience with one. I enjoy the flip down visor but overall the helmet isn't worth the $$. The Shoei and Arai look like much better value for money. I'm binning my Schuberth and going Shoei.

Sweet, noted will bring the 10 in for the test ride :) cheerz!

[Hitcher]

It's a schame Herr Schuberth doesn't make helmets in large sizes. Afterall Herr BMW doesn't either. Presumably Chermans don't have large heads. I guess businesses can't be blamed for avoiding the outlands on the bell curve.

[mister.koz]

It's a schame Herr Schuberth doesn't make helmets in large sizes. Afterall Herr BMW doesn't either. Presumably Chermans don't have large heads. I guess businesses can't be blamed for avoiding the outlands on the bell curve.

Same with arai :( will see on thursday friday about head size :) i am just hoping for a good fit & feeling cause the shoei is really quite good on that front.

[Hitcher]

the shoei is really quite good on that front.

Note that the Shoei sizing is different for their flip fronts -- an XL in a flipper is a size smaller than a "normal" Shoei XL.

[Owl]

Try a different model Arai! The Corsair is a "relaxed round oval" whereas a Viper GT is a "long oval" and better suited to longer heads. The Chaser might suit you with an "intermediate oval", so it has more room front to back compared to the Corsair.

[Big Dave]

Try a different model Arai! The Corsair is a "relaxed round oval" whereas a Viper GT is a "long oval" and better suited to longer heads. The Chaser might suit you with an "intermediate oval", so it has more room front to back compared to the Corsair.


I wear an XL - I've just changed over from a Arai Viper (Union Jack) to a Chaser (Phil Read.)

I find the Chaser more comfy than the Viper, but I'm not sure I had the optimum cheek pads in Viper either.

[Cheshire Cat]

:done::laugh:

[Owl]

Have you measured your head?

I notice the Arai Chaser is available in XXL (63-64cm) and the Viper GT is now available in XXXL (65-66cm).

And here I was thinking Big Dave had a huge head.:laugh:

[Hitcher]

Have you measured your head?
Yes.

I notice the Arai Chaser is available in XXL (63-64cm) and the Viper GT is now available in XXXL (65-66cm).
The Chaser may be a bit snug. The Viper sounds like it may be worth a try. I'll check out the US helmet sites and see what these are worth. If it doesn't fit, there's always Trade Me...

And here I was thinking Big Dave had a huge head.
His doesn't have orbiting moons.

[Owl]

The Chaser may be a bit snug. The Viper sounds like it may be worth a try. I'll check out the US helmet sites and see what these are worth. If it doesn't fit, there's always Trade Me...

If you're checking out the US sites, you'll want to be searching for a "Profile" which is the Viper GT equivalent.:msn-wink:

[Hitcher]

I can find no evidence anywhere online of an Arai Viper GT in anything larger than a XXL. These things are 430 quid ex-UK! Feck.

[Hitcher]

No sign of anything for an Arai Profile in the USA either...

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/391/MNGR_POP/SIZE-CHART.ASPX

[Owl]

http://motorcycling.speedtv.com/article/gearbag-arai-profile-now-in-xxxl-size/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WK1V0Q/ref=asc_df_B000WK1V0Q839723?smid=A1QMOGWERWEUPX&tag=shopzilla_rev_1237-20&linkCode=asn

[Big Dave]

And here I was thinking Big Dave had a huge head.:laugh:

Did I mention that they are sponsored?

[Hitcher]

http://motorcycling.speedtv.com/article/gearbag-arai-profile-now-in-xxxl-size/

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WK1V0Q/ref=asc_df_B000WK1V0Q839723?smid=A1QMOGWERWEUPX&tag=shopzilla_rev_1237-20&linkCode=asn

Cheers! NZ$1,000 sounds like a steal...

[cowpoos]

Right so i've saved enough dosh to burn a pile on a helmet, i've been looking at the arai rx-7 GP helmets, partially because i know they are good but mostly because 2 or 3 of my mates who are QUITE experienced with wearing and scraping helmets reckon they are the ducks nuts.

I've tried and tried but i can't seem to get my fat head into the rx-7 XL helmets, partially a padding thing but also a length thing. Nowhere i have looked in hamilton has an XXL and everyone tells me that the XXL's are just the XL's with a different set of pads that give more room.

I have a shoei head, the xl's fit me really well and i have had one before. I am lookin at a couple of designs and colours because plain black is from my old bogan days and i am over them.

Hamilton motorcycles have a green shuberth in M which wont fit but i have heard really good things about the quietness and the quality of these helmets.

My old shoei (multitech) and my kbc helmet (face folding) are quite loud and the silence will be grand on those longer rides or rides that are gusty because i am prone to earaches and i have found that the quieter the ride, the better i can concentrate (no aftermarket pipe on the zx10r) the added concentration means i can focus and therefore ride better :wari:.

So questions:

Does anyone here have any experience with the shuberth helmets?
Does anyone here have an arai XXL and wont fit an XL
Any other suggestions for helmets of this level?

Shoei XR1000 <blah blah blah>

[Matt]

My fat head fits in an XL XR1000, whereas most other XXL helmets seem tight - an XXL XR1000 is massive.

Just picked up a new one from the States off eBay for NZ$380 too!

Matt

[Hitcher]

an XXL XR1000 is massive

It's actually quite snug.

[mister.koz]

Sweet, every one seems to like the shoei's :)

[ducatisl]

the arai importer is in hamilton (dold industries) and has hundreds of arai on the shelf, im sure if you contact them they would be happy for you to try a few on for size to find one that is a good fit.

[mister.koz]

the arai importer is in hamilton (dold industries) and has hundreds of arai on the shelf, im sure if you contact them they would be happy for you to try a few on for size to find one that is a good fit.

cheerz dude, will see how the schuberth goes for size, the guy is coming through today :)

[mister.koz]

I started this helmet journey with the following requirements:

had to fit well and be comfortable
had to have a pin-lock antifog visor
had to be a non-folding helmet
had to be quieter than my kbc
had to be loghter than my kbc (1.75kg)
had to be a little more obvious than black
had to look good



ARAI:
After trying REALLY hard to get the Arai's on (again) and failing thats arai out of the picture.

Schuberth:
The Schuberth helmets were very cool and i tried on lots of different sizes and models when the dude came down to show them to me. I found that the c3 fitted me well but i didn't want a face-folding helmet so that was a problem. the R1 xxxl was too big and the xl was too small and the xxl were at least 6 weeks away and i would have to pay full price and not try it on before buying so i decided to back away.

Shoei:
Went into Boyds and put on the Shoei xr1000 and it fitted like a glove (with new cheek pads $30), paid cash and walked out with it, ordered a pin-lock visor and a fog kit.

I got the pin-lock soon after and chucked it on. After a couple of chilling rides (it was cold) i am really happy with my purchase.

Good points with the Shoei

With the thinner cheek pads it fits just fits nicely
its good for sound, its not loud but i can still hear the bike quite well.
The visual range is excellent.
it was 1.4kg its lighter than my kbc but i would have liked it to be lighter still
Looks great.
The vents are well located, easy to use and are very effective.
The pin-lock anti-fog visor is really good, i had enough condensation to cause water drops around the visor and it still didn't fog, bloody stunning!


The downsides to the Shoei:

Doesn't come with a pin-lock visor - costs a bit


All around about a 8 out of 10 for the Shoei

After buying it i found that a mate of mine bought EXACTLY the same helmet, same model and graphics. I guess we can both take stock in that we have excellent taste :clap:

[vifferman]

For future reference, if you've got a Shoei head, then the Arai Corsair helmet shell shape should fit - it's basically the same shape as the XR-1000. However (but!) it's much dearer, although it does have removable lining. On the other hand, the Arai shield fastening system is crap compared to the Shoei.

[mister.koz]

Cheerz dude, i was told that about the corsair but the ticket price did steer me away!

The boyd special made the helmet with the pinlock and antifog around $820... was a hard deal to pass.

[NZsarge]

On the other hand, the Arai shield fastening system is crap compared to the Shoei.

I whole heartedly disagree, I reckon it's one the very best systems on a helmet but hey.... what ever I guess.

[Owl]

On the other hand, the Arai shield fastening system is crap compared to the Shoei.


I whole heartedly disagree, I reckon it's one the very best systems on a helmet but hey.... what ever I guess.

I struggled with mine for some time! Pissed me off watching some dude on Youtube clip it on and off easy as:argh:. After watching Pauly at Manfeild, I've finally got it sussed.:2thumbsup

Glad you're all sorted mister.koz!

[vifferman]

I whole heartedly disagree, I reckon it's one the very best systems on a helmet but hey.... what ever I guess.
....and so easy, that in Mrka they have a video for Arai owners to show them how to replace visors, as they were having so many riders having to buy new side pods.
Have you seen the Shoei system? No extra covers, pods, or whatever. I thought the various AGV systems were good; one has a cover each side, kinda like the Arai, that unclips; the other has a lever that you push in with your fingertip. However, the Shoei one is SO easy to use: just open the visor wide, flick a lever on each side, and off it comes. Put the tabs of the visor in the socket with the lever depressed, let the lever go, and you're done. :niceone:
It takes me les than 5 seconds to take off one visor and put the other on, which is good, because I usually have to wear a tinted visor on the way to work, and a clear one on the way home. I attempted to steal my wife's iridium visor, as it's a lighter tint, but it wouldn't fit :blank:

[mister.koz]

I struggled with mine for some time! Pissed me off watching some dude on Youtube clip it on and off easy as:argh:. After watching Pauly at Manfeild, I've finally got it sussed.:2thumbsup

Glad you're all sorted mister.koz!

The Shoei is definately easy to get he visor on and off :) not that i do that a whole lot :blink:

I am stoked with my new buy, tiz a great helmet.

[slofox]

the Arai shield fastening system is crap compared to the Shoei.

Tell me about it!!!

[vifferman]

Tell me about it!!!
No, you tell me about it. I've never owned an Arai (can't afford one).

[NZsarge]

I struggled with mine for some time! Pissed me off watching some dude on Youtube clip it on and off easy as:argh:. After watching Pauly at Manfeild, I've finally got it sussed.:2thumbsup

Pauly said he know someone (in the racing scene) that changes his visor on his Arai without taking his helmet off at all, once you get the hang of it I reckon it would'nt be that hard, must give it a go sometime, might pay to buy more side pods first though. :laugh:

....and so easy, that in Mrka they have a video for Arai owners to show them how to replace visors, as they were having so many riders having to buy new side pods.
Have you seen the Shoei system? No extra covers, pods, or whatever. I thought the various AGV systems were good; one has a cover each side, kinda like the Arai, that unclips; the other has a lever that you push in with your fingertip. However, the Shoei one is SO easy to use: just open the visor wide, flick a lever on each side, and off it comes. Put the tabs of the visor in the socket with the lever depressed, let the lever go, and you're done. :niceone:
It takes me les than 5 seconds to take off one visor and put the other on, which is good, because I usually have to wear a tinted visor on the way to work, and a clear one on the way home. I attempted to steal my wife's iridium visor, as it's a lighter tint, but it wouldn't fit :blank:

I will admit it takes a little time to sort out how to change the visor on an Arai easily and properly and the system is'nt faultless as I myself have broken a side pod when I was being careless (thanks again Owl for your spares) but once you get the hang of it it's that easy it's laughable. I actually picked up some critical tips watching Colin Edwards change his visor while watching the build up to a Moto GP race once... Difficult to explain but really easy once you understand how to do it.

[NZsarge]

No, you tell me about it. I've never owned an Arai (can't afford one).

You don't have to buy the Corsair to own one dude, cheaper Arai's are comparable to the average Shoei. When I bought my patterned Arai Chaser it cost me $800 and at that point a patterned equivalent Shoei was only $50 cheaper.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Ive finally seen an Arai I must own. its dark blue metalflake, new this year.

HAWT.

if only they did gold with heavy metalflake and a black stripe (yeah Im serious).

[NZsarge]

Ive finally seen an Arai I must own. its dark blue metalflake, new this year.

HAWT.

if only they did gold with heavy metalflake and a black stripe (yeah Im serious).

Please elaborate, model, did you see it in the flesh here in NZ etc...

["D" FZ1]

I whole heartedly disagree, I reckon it's one the very best systems on a helmet but hey.... what ever I guess.

Exactly. It takes a few goes at first to get it right, but I can change my visor on my RX-7 Corsair in a few seconds. It is a very good system.

[vifferman]

You don't have to buy the Corsair to own one dude, cheaper Arai's are comparable to the average Shoei. When I bought my patterned Arai Chaser it cost me $800 and at that point a patterned equivalent Shoei was only $50 cheaper.
The Arai I tried on was the only one that fitted me. The 'special' price I was given was around $800 (IIRC - it was some time ago now). About 20 minutes later, I went to the Motomail sale, and the Shoei I tried on was just as comfy, and only $449. Yes, they're not comparable helmets (the Arai had removable linings, the Shoei doesn't), but the build quality seems comparable, and is SO much better than all the AGVs I've owned (and the two I've pwnd).

[NZsarge]

The Arai I tried on was the only one that fitted me.

Yes, fair point.