Buying helmet online [Archive]

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Nat

8th February 2013, 19:35

I'm quite particular in what I want in my new helmet, and I think I found the best helmet to meet my needs. Tried it on, fits perfectly, but the only problem is it had a gay clip thing instead of proper double D rings. Then I happened to be online and found I can buy the same helmet online, but it has the double D rings I love. Perfect! But my question is, will it be the same helmet, or are the shapes/ fitting/ sizes different for each market?

Here's a link in case your wondering. http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/shoei-neotec-helmet

So my choice is to buy online and get exactly the helmet I want, or to buy locally and have to buy some other helmet. I would much prefer to buy a helmet locally because it's so important to get one that fits perfectly.

Views?

bosslady

8th February 2013, 19:48

hmm I'm not sure but I do agree with you. my helmet has the clicky thingy and it's a damn pain in the arse wish I had d rings

frogfeaturesFZR

8th February 2013, 20:03

hmm I'm not sure but I do agree with you. my helmet has the clicky thingy and it's a damn pain in the arse wish I had d rings

Thats what he said too ! :yes:

I imagine it'll be the same helmet FWIW

Madness

8th February 2013, 20:07

hmm I'm not sure but I do agree with you. my helmet has the clicky thingy and it's a damn pain in the arse wish I had d rings

Didn't you check that when you bought all your gear online without giving local retailers a chance?

Kickaha

8th February 2013, 20:11

my helmet has the clicky thingy and it's a damn pain in the arse wish I had d rings

Clicky thing is far superior to D rings for doing up and undoing, especially with gloves on

bosslady

8th February 2013, 20:11

Didn't you check that when you bought all your gear online without giving local retailers a chance?

Haha EH WRONG :lol: I bought the helmet at cyclespot Honda (where I've subsequently spent more money). But being a newbie I didn't realise the pros vs cons of different connections ya know?

bosslady

8th February 2013, 20:13

Clicky thing is far superior to D rings for doing up and undoing, especially with gloves on

agreed but I always fit my helmet before I fit my gloves so no big diff

FJRider

8th February 2013, 20:14

Here's a link in case your wondering. http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/shoei-neotec-helmet

You did notice this bit on that site .. ???

Note: Due to manufacturer restrictions, Shoei products can only be shipped to addresses within the United States

nzspokes

8th February 2013, 20:26

will it be the same helmet, or are the shapes/ fitting/ sizes different for each market?

Helmets can be biased on different head shapes for different markets. Im not sure for Shoei but I know Bell uses both a American and European head shapes.

FJRider

8th February 2013, 20:47

agreed but I always fit my helmet before I fit my gloves so no big diff

There ARE times the helmet HAS to come off fast. And you WILL know the visor won't open far enough ... :facepalm:

Trust me on this ... <_<

bosslady

8th February 2013, 20:49

There ARE times the helmet HAS to come off fast. And you WILL know the visor won't open far enough ... :facepalm:

Trust me on this ... <_<

ahh I don't want to ask... lol

FJRider

8th February 2013, 20:57

ahh I don't want to ask... lol

I think you get the idea though ...

And if you only do it once in your life ... you may consider it (later) too often.

just don't ask how I know this ... :innocent:

Nat

8th February 2013, 20:59

You did notice this bit on that site .. ???

Helmets can be biased on different head shapes for different markets. Im not sure for Shoei but I know Bell uses both a American and European head shapes.

Ah thanks guys, looks like I'll be buying locally for sure then. IMO you have to be 100% sure it fits so the risk of a different shape is too risky for me.

Now to find another helmet I love.

As for D rings vs chippy things - personal preference I guess. For me it's invaluable to be able to maximise safety by doing up the strap perfectly tight every time. Clips just don't give you that exact control for perfect fit...

nzspokes

8th February 2013, 21:03

FJRider

8th February 2013, 21:12

As for D rings vs chippy things - personal preference I guess. For me it's invaluable to be able to maximise safety by doing up the strap perfectly tight every time. Clips just don't give you that exact control for perfect fit...

I thought the same ... but my helmet has no issues staying tight. It hasn't fallen off yet.

How many years of wearing a helmet have you had .. ???

Nat

8th February 2013, 21:19

How many years of wearing a helmet have you had .. ???

Plenty!

But seriously, thanks to NZ Spokes, I have learned that some manufacturers make different shaped helmets for different markets. So if I ever have to buy online, I'll have to make sure I know what I'm buying.

YellowDog

8th February 2013, 21:44

Plenty!

But seriously, thanks to NZ Spokes, I have learned that some manufacturers make different shaped helmets for different markets. So if I ever have to buy online, I'll have to make sure I know what I'm buying.

This is very true.

Never, Never, Never buy a Japanese market helmet.

Half price = 1.5 x price to get it sorted :yes:

Gremlin

9th February 2013, 00:22

I thought the same ... but my helmet has no issues staying tight. It hasn't fallen off yet.

How many years of wearing a helmet have you had .. ???
On the other hand, my commuting helmet has a clip and my country helmet has D rings. The clip slowly loosens off over time, and isn't instantly adjustable if I put on a balaclava or the like.

I'd take D rings every day. Done a few years of wearing helmets and a few km clocked up :laugh:

Maha

9th February 2013, 05:34

Plenty!

But seriously, thanks to NZ Spokes, I have learned that some manufacturers make different shaped helmets for different markets. So if I ever have to buy online, I'll have to make sure I know what I'm buying.

I bought a KBC helmet from Germany last year (have always worn KBC) ordered my size and bugger me, it fitted.
That helmet has since beed onsold because I found and wanted another helmet...an HJC this time, bought (Albany) online http://www.motorcyclegearnz.com/street_categories/1-helmets-street/
Most helpfull people to deal with, and I picked it up $50 cheaper than the RRP.

BoristheBiter

9th February 2013, 06:36

Ah thanks guys, looks like I'll be buying locally for sure then. IMO you have to be 100% sure it fits so the risk of a different shape is too risky for me.

Now to find another helmet I love.

As for D rings vs chippy things - personal preference I guess. For me it's invaluable to be able to maximise safety by doing up the strap perfectly tight every time. Clips just don't give you that exact control for perfect fit...

Plenty!

But seriously, thanks to NZ Spokes, I have learned that some manufacturers make different shaped helmets for different markets. So if I ever have to buy online, I'll have to make sure I know what I'm buying.

When I brought my last helmet i used these guys as the NZ importer said they didn't do that colour in NZ and found out they just didn't want to import it.

http://www.justhelmets.co.uk/

They were fantastic to deal with and they tossed in a helmet bag and some buffs.
The only down side was the cost to ship (about $130) but it was still the same price as one here.

FYI, the NZ and European sizes are the same so as Maha said it will fit, but the US is a different size but i have known other riders to buy helmets off Revzilla with no problem. and if you need an american address use this.

http://www.nzpost.co.nz/products-services/online-shopping/youshop

nzspokes

9th February 2013, 06:51

On the other hand, my commuting helmet has a clip and my country helmet has D rings. The clip slowly loosens off over time, and isn't instantly adjustable if I put on a balaclava or the like.

I'd take D rings every day. Done a few years of wearing helmets and a few km clocked up :laugh:

The new clips are adjustable as in the go in a number of clicks. I can even tighten it while riding with one hand.

nzspokes

9th February 2013, 06:56

When I brought my last helmet i used these guys as the NZ importer said they didn't do that colour in NZ and found out they just didn't want to import it.

http://www.justhelmets.co.uk/

They were fantastic to deal with and they tossed in a helmet bag and some buffs.
The only down side was the cost to ship (about $130) but it was still the same price as one here.

FYI, the NZ and European sizes are the same so as Maha said it will fit, but the US is a different size but i have known other riders to buy helmets off Revzilla with no problem. and if you need an american address use this.

http://www.nzpost.co.nz/products-services/online-shopping/youshop

From memory there's 6 or so head shapes the make helmets for. Some are not that different but say some euro fits are very tight in the forehead.

Its just something to be aware of when buying.

And I wouldn't sell a used helmet or buy a second hand one.

FJRider

9th February 2013, 08:51

On the other hand, my commuting helmet has a clip and my country helmet has D rings. The clip slowly loosens off over time, and isn't instantly adjustable if I put on a balaclava or the like.

I'd take D rings every day. Done a few years of wearing helmets and a few km clocked up :laugh:

My AGV helmet is easily tightened or loosened. With or without a balaclava on.

Maybe its a case of getting what you paid for. Or don't know what things to check ... when buying a helmet. <_<

pritch

9th February 2013, 12:26

As for D rings vs chippy things - personal preference I guess. For me it's invaluable to be able to maximise safety by doing up the strap perfectly tight every time. Clips just don't give you that exact control for perfect fit...

Don't know how you worked that out. My old BMW hat had clips, once adjusted properly you just used the clip. I guess you could check the adjustment every 12 months or so?

Somebody should be along soon to tell us he'll only use clips when they're legal for racing... :brick:

Kickaha

9th February 2013, 12:31

Somebody should be along soon to tell us he'll only use clips when they're legal for racing... :brick:
They are in NZ

BoristheBiter

9th February 2013, 12:34

From memory there's 6 or so head shapes the make helmets for. Some are not that different but say some euro fits are very tight in the forehead.

Its just something to be aware of when buying.

And I wouldn't sell a used helmet or buy a second hand one.

Yes you are right as I don't fit Arai but Shoei fit perfectly, but what I was saying is the helmets you buy here are the same shape as the ones in the UK and Europe so if you try a helmet on here it should fit if you import it from there.
There is a slight difference in the US ones and the Asian ones are completely different.

And no one in there right mind would buy a second hand helmet.

BMWST?

9th February 2013, 14:10

sizes can vary between different models of the same manufacturer.At the time i bought mine the xr1000 wasnt as comfortable as the raid 2 in the same size

Asher

9th February 2013, 16:44

They are in NZ

Recently when i was looking for a helmet i was told it was only D rings for national races.

caspernz

9th February 2013, 18:29

As for D rings vs chippy things - personal preference I guess. For me it's invaluable to be able to maximise safety by doing up the strap perfectly tight every time. Clips just don't give you that exact control for perfect fit...

Meh, by the time the ratchet mechanism gives way my brains have escaped their vessel anyhoo...so who cares by then?

But yep, each to their own :headbang:

Kickaha

9th February 2013, 18:43

Recently when i was looking for a helmet i was told it was only D rings for national races.

They were wrong either type is allowed here