Need Helmet!

[Corbmyster]

Ok I am ordering some stuff from motorcyclegiant.com and cant wait for it to arive (yay).

One thing I need still is a Melon protector.

Any ideas of a good helmet for a good price for someone with a budget?

$200 ish??

[Grub]

Choices are infinite. Only buy from a personal visit to a shop.

- Has to be a good tight fit
- Everyone's head is different shape
- They have mirrors so you check coolness

It's the most important bit of your kit (ask Skelstar), don't piss about with it

[Corbmyster]

Thanks for the advice.

Is cooler dependent on the price?
$150-$950 for helmets???
If I got a 150 one does that mean the helmet is any less safe/cool?

[mister.koz]

Thanks for the advice.

Is cooler dependent on the price?
$150-$950 for helmets???
If I got a 150 one does that mean the helmet is any less safe/cool?

Dude, its your brain? who care's about cool, besides the price difference between a great helmet and a great helmet thats got cool graphics is about 100 - 200 anyways.

Personally i like to look at helmets without price tags, talk to peeps who know what they are talking about with safety and comfort, try it on, shake your head, check your visual range with it on. Then look at the price tags and go from there. I haven't yet seen a helmet i like and has all the above qualities that was less than $400, but that's me.

I bought an "Aris" helmet of trademe for those sorts of prices, thinking of it as a 50km/hr helmet, put it on and promptly put the bike in the shed (time for repairs) until i have a shoei.

Conveniently if you say "Aris" really quickly it sounds like arse

[Grub]

If I got a 150 one does that mean the helmet is any less safe/cool?

Well that depends ... of course. Seriously, if they have the sticker and are certified under one of the world standards for mortocycle helmets then things like fit, accessories and coolness are the only things you have to worry about.


Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 (http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/rules/docs/road-user-rule-2004.pdf)
SR 2004/427
Rule 61001

7.12 Safety helmets for all terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and mopeds
(1) A person must not drive or ride on an all terrain vehicle, on a motorcycle, in a sidecar, or on a moped on a road unless the person is wearing a safety helmet of an approved standard that is securely fastened.

(2) The approved standards for safety helmets are—
. (a) UN/ECE Regulation No 22, Uniform provisions concerning the approval of protective helmets and their visors for drivers and passengers of Motor Cycles and Mopeds (E/ECE324–E/ECE/TRANS/505/Rev.1/-Add.21):
. (b) Australian Standard AS 1698, Protective helmets for vehicle users:
. (c) New Zealand Standard NZ 5430, Protective helmets for vehicle users:
. (d) Snell Memorial Foundation, Helmet Standard for use in motorcycling:
. (e) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No 218, Motorcycle helmets:
. (f) British Standard BS 6658, Specification for protective helmets for vehicle users (for type A helmets only):
. (g) Japan Industrial Standard T8133.

(3) The approved standard in subclause (2)(e) applies only to motorcycle safety helmets that are manufactured and purchased in the United States of America.

(4) A safety helmet must comply with the version of an approved standard for safety helmets that is—
. (a) applicable in the relevant standard-setting jurisdiction to the date of manufacture of the safety helmet or as specified in the standard; or
. (b) a more recent version of the standard if the safety performance of the safety helmet is not adversely affected.

(5) An approval of a safety helmet under the Traffic Regulations 1976 that was published in the Gazette before 27 February 2005 remains valid after this rule comes into force.

The bike shop will show you the sticker. No sticker, no buy. That is the problem (or ptential problem) with any helmet imported privately and sold on trademe (i.e. Chinese). Good luck.

[JeremyW]

You absolutely have to try helmets on. The manufacturers all make to a different head shape and if you don't match that shape then it doesn't matter what size you buy, your screwed.

A $1000 helmet that doesn't fit is going to offer $0 worth of protection.

Buy on fit and comfort. Not graphics or price.

Ones to try on:
Nitro N750V $159
HJC CL-ST $299
Rjays Striker $169
Rjays GP-1 $299
Shoei Raid2 $499
KBC VR2 $449

All good helmets which have varying aerodynamics, fit, visors etc but all meet good safety standards.

[peterpan]

i would be keen to know how you get on with motorcyclegiant.com as far as delivery etc. i see that they have free shipping to nz, do you get stung GST or any other fees or is it just the conversion rate?

[Grub]

i would be keen to know how you get on with motorcyclegiant.com as far as delivery etc. i see that they have free shipping to nz

Have you been reading this thread????? Buying a helmet off the internet is a NO!!!

[Corbmyster]

i would be keen to know how you get on with motorcyclegiant.com as far as delivery etc. i see that they have free shipping to nz, do you get stung GST or any other fees or is it just the conversion rate?

Yea I was told by them that they mark the items as 'gift' so customs apparently wont charge me extra (watch this space).

Its free within the USA but not thru international orders, unfortunately.

Depending on the items, the shipping may be about $75-100 USD. Allow for conversion rate.

I hope I dont have to pay anything else on what I have ordered. Even if I do, at least with the USA, tax is only included once you buy so I wouldnt be paying any extra tax than I need to the USA government.

Does anyone else have experience with duty dax from a store such as motorcyclegiant.com?

Ill also ask my mate as he has purchased a leather jacket from them about 1 month ago.

cheers

[Corbmyster]

Have you been reading this thread????? Buying a helmet off the internet is a NO!!!

I am starting to see that you are right. I guess buying from the net is ok with helmets if you know your size/model by trying one on in your local store ;)

thats what I did with boots and jackets. The pants I am ordering are a gamble but they seem my size.

[Corbmyster]

You absolutely have to try helmets on. The manufacturers all make to a different head shape and if you don't match that shape then it doesn't matter what size you buy, your screwed.

A $1000 helmet that doesn't fit is going to offer $0 worth of protection.

Buy on fit and comfort. Not graphics or price.

Ones to try on:
Nitro N750V $159
HJC CL-ST $299
Rjays Striker $169
Rjays GP-1 $299
Shoei Raid2 $499
KBC VR2 $449

All good helmets which have varying aerodynamics, fit, visors etc but all meet good safety standards.
Thanks for the tips on models too btw!

[HornetBoy]

Yea I was told by them that they mark the items as 'gift' so customs apparently wont charge me extra (watch this space).

Its free within the USA but not thru international orders, unfortunately.

Depending on the items, the shipping may be about $75-100 USD. Allow for conversion rate.

I hope I dont have to pay anything else on what I have ordered. Even if I do, at least with the USA, tax is only included once you buy so I wouldnt be paying any extra tax than I need to the USA government.

Does anyone else have experience with duty dax from a store such as motorcyclegiant.com?

Ill also ask my mate as he has purchased a leather jacket from them about 1 month ago.

cheers

have purchased a teknic leather jacket just recently for $800 and it came through fine no GST was tossed at me ,orderd boots and gloves and pants too,gloves have came through no GST either (will wait and see with the boots and pants) so i think you are useually alight with it ,but i think its a case of who is processing your stuff and wether they are in a "good mood" or not.

[HornetBoy]

Thanks for the tips on models too btw!

Mate if you want a good looking helmet,that also does the job , id go with the KBC VR2 helmet ,real sleek/racey design and some real cool colour designs ae

ive got one with a irridium silver visor and reckon its great! :2thumbsup

mind you i dont think you could get one for $200ish in New Zealand,check EBAY and id say you could find one from an online store.

[JeremyW]

Support the local bike industry! I used to get mad at how much cheaper everything else overseas is until I realised how much I love the shops we have and if I didn't buy from them then they wouldn't be here.

Just imagine a time when you weren't able to go to a local shop and get gear? It would suck! If everyone tried on at local shops and bought from overseas online that is how it would end up.

If you see something online, ask your local shop if they can get it for you first.

Buy local.

My rant for the day....

[Corbmyster]

I agree with supporting the local shops, but in my situation, I just can not.

Increase in costs of everything plus wages staying the same (and the fact that I am a student) makes me take the only affordable option; USA websites.

The same thing virtually at my local bike shop I am looking at paying 40-50% more than what I am paying. Head to toe for what I am after I am looking at $2000+ (ouch)

When I am working full time with some expendable income, sure.

Just not right now :)

[peterpan]

I also read in one of the other forums that you dont get charged GST because it is safety gear.
i also believe in supporting local businesses but when it comes to riding gear you need to get the best that you can afford.if that means ordering in from the states then good on you.
if local industries cared so much they would lower prices which inturn would boost sales numbers.
or what about this outrageous idea- the government subsidizes safety gear making it cheaper. the average joe gets better quality gear and the cost of medical treatment and reabilitation goes down...