First helmet?

[William K]

Hey all, just getting into riding and am looking at a helmet,
I want to spend around 300, I would like hi vis but will consider any full face.
Does any of you top blokes/blokesses have any recommendations?
Not interested in brandest theories just a good helmet.
I live in Twizel and will be going on rides, not for everyday use and I plan on buying a cbr 500r if that helps with helmet choice.
Cheers,
William

[Gremlin]

The most important thing is fit. Get down to some motorcycle shops and try some on.

You'll also be able to see the difference between a $100 helmet and a $1000 helmet and everything else in between. However, the most important thing is that the helmet is snug and you can't rotate it on your head. If you can, leave it on for 30-60min to make sure it remains comfortable.

[William K]

The most important thing is fit. Get down to some motorcycle shops and try some on.

You'll also be able to see the difference between a $100 helmet and a $1000 helmet and everything else in between. However, the most important thing is that the helmet is snug and you can't rotate it on your head. If you can, leave it on for 30-60min to make sure it remains comfortable.

Cheers for the info, I have tried a lot of really comfortable helmets I just unable to tell why the same comfortable helmets differ in price by several hundred. Is the a particular brand that offered value for money or is it all marketing?

[Dogboy900]

There are all sorts of things that make up the difference in price. Lighter materials, better optical clarity of the visor, better venting, better aerodynamics (depending on what you are riding), removable liners, better sound proofing, and yes you are right some brands can charge more because they are a well known brand. Some of the bigger brands will put a lot more effort and $$ into research and development work and some of the cheaper brands might just copy what they bring out a little later.

I have had several HJC helmets which were great for me, but I LOVE my Shoei! Lighter, wider visor for more peripheral vision, better fit for me, better venting.

As previously mentioned fit is the most important thing get out there and try a few on. A few places have test helmets you can take for a ride which would be awesome to help in selection.

[Akzle]

still reckon the best helmet ive had (excepting the old steel-shell jobbies) was a ~150$ HJC. slightly heavier than others, which if you have a weak neck or a vagina may be an issue. but comfy, quiet, warm. QUIET.
never done many miles on a shoei, i find them loud and "plasticcy" (~1000$).
shark (~600$) - lightweight and aerodynamic, comfy, fogs lots, loud.
latest is an FFM (~300$) middle range tn terms of noise, but quieter than the expensives, as comfy as the HJC, mid rande weightwise and fairly good aerodynamics. Im sure ive borrowed other helmets, nothing awesome enough to make me want one though

[eldog]

still reckon the best helmet ive had (excepting the old steel-shell jobbies) was a ~150$ HJC. Im sure ive borrowed other helmets, nothing awesome enough to make me want .....
2 buy one though :niceone:

good summary....

if the helmet fits take it bro.

[kiwi-on-wheels]

Make sure its comfortable
Spend the little bit extra. You only get one neck...

My first was a cnell cheapie. Got me on a bike, so I guess it did the job, but what I didnt take in to accound is the padding breakdown. 6 months and I had to replace it as it was loose on my head.

Current helmet is an AGV k5. Its nice, bit noisy but good airflow, and I ride with ear plugs anyways so no issue there.

Try them all on, find something you like before you look at prices

[Erelyes]

If the brand doesn't feature in Grand Prix racing I won't consider it. I figure it indicates the company isn't shit.

Current list is - AGV, Airoh, Arai, HJC, KYT, LS2, Nolan, Scorpion, Shark, Shoei, Suomy, X-lite. You don't have to wear the same model as the GP rider.

Um, drop-down sunvisors are OK but not really worth spending extra on, pinlocks are a must in winter, ratchet/d-ring is personal preference.

[BMWST?]

try to get a ride with it to see what the noise level is like,every bike/ rider/helmet/jacket combo is different.

[WristTwister]

A helmet is probably the most important safety equipment you'll buy, so don't compromise your safety!

Okie dokie, you can spend $300 and get a safe helmet, all helmets should be the minimum standard, but some pricier ones offer more safety features. But don't get too hung up over brands, it's fit that matters most, more than colour or sun-visors - we don't want you getting a $300 helmet that slips off, so search youtube for some fitting videos and you will see that a snug helmet is better than a comfortable one. Measure your head and most importantly, try on every helmet in the store you go to (twice).
Check out this awesome video with Jay Leno and Bruce Porter (from Arai helmets) for some great tips and info on fitting helmets https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ovd3KGu6BgU

Some things other folks have already mentioned but are worth repeating: a pinlock is a must, you will appreciate this the moment winter comes and you can keep your visor closed without it misting up with condensation. A more expensive helmet costs more because the shell is made out of premium materials. Bell and HJC do some budget helmets, you might find a cheap AGV too. I'd avoid anything too cheap, like those Box helmets or FFE1, they have cheap plastic shells and no size choices - remember you get what you pay for!

[Tazz]

Not the be all and end all, but this website provides some safety info on a wide range of models and brands, with some sometimes surprising results for price and quality....

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

It is however only a guide. Shark and LS2 are my 2 favourite brands from what I have used so far, particularly LS2's bang for buck.

If you wear glasses you really need to go to and physically try some on, otherwise you can get some wicked deals online from local and overseas websites.

[rastuscat]

Just out of interest, my favourite helmets have been really expensive. Mostly coz I get them through bargain sources.

Schuberth and BMW mostly, private and for work.

I'm using a cheap AGV for work at the moment, one third of the price, and really, really nice.

One thing I wouldn't be without is an internal sun visor. Even cheaper helmets have them now. The AGV one isn't as good as the Beemer ones, but it still beats sunnies hands down. So versatile.

I like pin lock visors too.

[caspernz]

Make your way to your nearest bike shop and try a few helmets on. You don't have to spend $1000 to get a well fitting helmet, even if plenty of us choose to go this way.

Maybe start by deciding what features you'd like? Full face, flip face? Internal sun visor? Find a copy of the "Road Guide" and you'll find helmets in your budget range.

[Tazz]

but it still beats sunnies hands down. So versatile.

I like pin lock visors too.

I'm the other way around :laugh: Prefer sunnies now. Can have the main visor up without the wind and bugs whipping under your the sun visor into eyes, hard to forget them for when you get off the bike and if they get scratched they are easier to bin and replace. Plus, if you do have a drop down visor you can use it WITH the sunnies when the sun is really low ;)

I get a handful of the $5 ones form the bungee jump place in Hanmer whenever I'm bowling past and have found some of the kids/teen ones to be a really good fit under a helmet (as in hours without making your ears sore).

[rastuscat]

I'm the other way around :laugh: Prefer sunnies now. Can have the main visor up without the wind and bugs whipping under your the sun visor into eyes, hard to forget them for when you get off the bike and if they get scratched they are easier to bin and replace. Plus, if you do have a drop down visor you can use it WITH the sunnies when the sun is really low ;)

I get a handful of the $5 ones form the bungee jump place in Hanmer whenever I'm bowling past and have found some of the kids/teen ones to be a really good fit under a helmet (as in hours without making your ears sore).

Hearing ya.

I just like being able to quickly flip the internal visor up and down when Darth Vader tries his mind tricks on me.

[William K]

So I ended up getting a LS2, one of their moduler jobs in fluro.
I don't have many bike shops near me and could only really try on a hand full of models. I found one i like and got them to get one my size as the one in stock was a bit loose,
Now I'm looking for a good Jacket, pants, boots and gloves, they only stock one brand there in Oamaru so I'll wait till I go through Christchurch next to try some on.
Can anyone recommend any good shops there for me?
Cheers again for all the help with the helmets

[jobasa]

hey dude, recently my brother and i bought bikes and have got most of our gear through budget motorcycle spares in christchurch, reasonably priced gear. would reccomend

[William K]

Cheers, I'll head down a check them out when I come through,

[Swivel]

Sorry bit late in responding in case no one has already mentioned. Check for the date when the helmet was manufactured . Its usually inside the helmet under the lining with a date sticker on the inner shell. Don't trust the sales men or what's written on the box.

[Swivel]

So I ended up getting a LS2, one of their moduler jobs in fluro.
I don't have many bike shops near me and could only really try on a hand full of models. I found one i like and got them to get one my size as the one in stock was a bit loose,
Now I'm looking for a good Jacket, pants, boots and gloves, they only stock one brand there in Oamaru so I'll wait till I go through Christchurch next to try some on.
Can anyone recommend any good shops there for me?
Cheers again for all the help with the helmets

Try looking on line too. That's where I get most of my gear. I find Teknic brands good for jackets.

[William K]

Went into budget motorcycle spares, they were great, got a jacket and pants and plan on going back for gloves and boots, they even gave me a discount. Would have been 440odd and the guy said 400 without even asking, highly recomrnded

[jobasa]

haha yeah they are pretty good down there