Sorry guys.. but a noob helmet question.

[flyingbrick]

Ive done lots of searches and found SFA which is nuts because im POSITIVE i have heard lots of good about this brand ( ARIS? )

http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/17/68061117_full.jpg

Here is the auction: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Helmets-clothing-footwear/Helmets/auction-157078029.htm

I know all the hoopla about warranty support/ supporting locals etc etc etc but could someone give me an honest opinion on these helmets? Is the brand decent?

The price to me just seems way too cheap?

Thanks all,
Nathan.

[yod]

very cheap - i'd try it on before buying to see what comfort and quality is like

never heard of them myself

[flyingbrick]

Just realised. The name im thinking of is Arai.. does that sound more familia?

[nigele]

Hi buddy, In my opinion the key thing to consider is: You only need your helmet to work once. :bash: I get nervous with cheap helmets because the construction of a cheap helmet and a known brand helmet are considerably different. I also dont like brand names that appear similar to known brands...Aris - Aria (best brand available). Have a look on Google at helmet reviews. Some of the best brands are Shoei, Arai, Shark, HJC are ok too. Some awesome deals come up on TradeMe too. Also I tried to Google Aris and nothing much about them...would make me slightly nervous. Good luck :clap:

[flyingbrick]

Hi buddy, In my opinion the key thing to consider is: You only need your helmet to work once. :bash: I get nervous with cheap helmets because the construction of a cheap helmet and a known brand helmet are considerably different. I also dont like brand names that appear similar to known brands...Aris - Aria (best brand available). Have a look on Google at helmet reviews. Some of the best brands are Shoei, Arai, Shark, HJC are ok too. Some awesome deals come up on TradeMe too. Also I tried to Google Aris and nothing much about them...would make me slightly nervous. Good luck :clap:


Exactly what i was thinking when i realised Aris was NOT Aria. When i saw it i was like " wow, thats a brand ive seen before and its cheap!" hahahhaa.

thanks all.

[Moki]

Buying a lid is something not to take lightly-it's the most import piece of gear you'll buy - ever. As a general rule, paying a little over for a Shoei or Arai is worth it as the materials and build quality are superb, not to mention aftermarket spares produced long after models are discontinued.

[Squiggles]

Reminds me of the "Nice" and "Niki" caps i saw while passing through thailand.... ;)

[LardEmbargo]

I think all hats sold in shops here have to meet the protecting-your-head-inna-crash standard (my hat's downstairs so I can't see what the sticker on it says the standard's called). If it doesn't meet the standard AFAIK its not legal for sale.

What I think this means is that any hat you get from a shop will meet (or exceed) the standard. It'll have a sticker on to say so as well. Some hats will offer better protection than others and (I guess) that's one of the things you're paying for when you spend more money on it. Some of the other things you might get for stumping up bigger piles of cash for your hat are fancier materials (maybe making it lighter) and better construction, maybe better noise-proofing, and being generally more stylish and avant-garde.

One of the other things you might want to consider though is that the protection offered by your new stylish and avant-garde hat might not be as good as it could be if it doesn't fit your head properly. Hats come in different sizes, but the different brands also seem to suit different head shapes. You want a hat that fits your head well. If it doesn't fit your expensive head that well, you might need to try a different (and possibly more expensive) brand of hat in order to get a better fit. Or maybe your head's a cheap shape, I dunno. No offence if it is though.

So anyway, where this is mostly going is 2 pieces of advice that were given to me when I was first shopping for a hat.

1. don't get a hat off trademe. You won't know if some eejit's dropped it already and they're absolutely not guaranteed to work the second time round.

2. don't get a hat off trademe. You don't get to check to see if it fits properly.

hope this helps anyway

[CB ARGH]

I'd steer well clear of it mate. Go to a proper store, they may be more expensive, but like the guys say, it only has to work once, and that one time could be the difference between life and death. I'm sure that you're worth more than a hundred and fifty bucks! Can't go wrong with a Shoei!

[alanzs]

I'd never buy a helmet without trying it on. If it doesn't fit properly, you may not live to complain. JMHO...

[AllanB]

Personally I'd flag Trademe. Mainly for the aforementioned very good reasons.

If you are on a very tight budget for a Helmet I noticed yesterday in a bike store that Oxford now have 'basic' helmets retailing for $100 in NZ. Oxford is a English based company who has quality bike luggage and motorcycle goodies.

Its considered a basic or entry level helmet however they are vented, have spiffy graphics and meet all relevant standards.

Cheaper than the new winter gloves I purchased :shit:

[NordieBoy]

I'm sure that you're worth more than a hundred and fifty bucks! Can't go wrong with a Shoei!

Can't go wrong with a Zeus either and I paid $160 new for a flip-front.

[flyingbrick]

Hi there.

Was not really looking for a "cheap" helmet.. I just posted the link as i thought it was a bargain haha.

Took a look at dads Shoei tonight- Its very nice and feels very light.

Random Q. Has anyone flown by airplane with their helmet before? how did they deal with it? obviously could not put it in with the normal luggage as that stuff gets thrown around.

[AllanB]

Took one as hand luggage years ago. The customs chap was very interested in it as apparently (at that time anyway) they were being used to bring in bad shit. He x-rayed it and had a dog sniff it then let me through.

Probably cut it open in a band-saw nowadays........

[deeanddude]

I've got one of those aris helmets, and dont have a problem with it, although I would get a size smaller. But next time I'm buying Shoei with a pinlock visor.

[CHOPPA]

Ive said it once and ill say it again! Arai is the best! (for me anyway) arai or shoei are great depends what fits your head best. I got new arai off trade me only because i have had so many i know exactly what i needed and the helmet is top quality and fits exactly like my nz models. Main reason i didnt support local was more to do with the supplier couldnt supply what i needed but id say support your local dealer for sure specially with a helmet they will help you to get the right one well some will... try MR motocycles in pukekohe or the guys at boyds are excellent in hamilton

[Moki]

Try one of the "major" brands: Arai, Shoei, Shark, Nolan etc. for exact size and model and then compare the cost at the shop v. on-line stores (plus shipping. of course). Then all of a sudden you have choice. Not buying locally means more aggro should you need to return, but you may find exactly what you're looking for at an unbeatable price. Gotta weigh these up. I bought a new Arai XD online from a major retailer in the U.S. for just over NZ$450 - delivered. That's not far off 50% on what they would cost to buy in NZ.