Arai, AGV, Shoei or?

[Armitage Shanks]

Gonna shout myself a top shelf helmet , I know this topic has been chewed over before but, like everything , things are constantly in the ' technology in motion ' mode.

So ....in about 3 weeks I'm keen to replace my FFM for something more suited for the 'Busa. Any suggestions ?

Hoping to limit my $ below 800 any sensible suggestions and I know it has to fit my square jug-head first.

Only buying a new lid cos my branes definitely worth protecting , as you can tell...your thoughts ?:blink:

[frogfeaturesFZR]

:niceone:AGV Stealth....love it !

[White trash]

Arai and a decent set of ear plugs, you'll never look back

[fireliv]

Oohhh Well have fun picking one..... soo many choices!

[kiwifruit]

Which ever fits the best :)

[Tank]

Shark are well worth a look.

[mister.koz]

Quite like the KBC i got - its not the lightest of helmets but it fits quite nicely.

Find one that fits you good before looking at the price tag, it might surprise you

+ suomy are quite too :)

[Katman]

With all due respect, if you're looking to fork out for a top of the line helmet, why would you ask for biased opinions when you should be out there trying on every different brand that fits your brief?

The only thing that others may be able to help you with is with the matter of wind noise.

There is no such thing as a quiet helmet. Buy some ear plugs and try all helmet brands for fit.

[Jerry74]

I have heard good things about the Arai

[reofix]

Part time full face ... Part time open face ... great in Summer ... great at gravel speeds ... loving mine...

[Oscar]

I've got one Arai (a Tour-X) and three Shoei's (an XR1000, an Open Face and one of the new Dual Sport ones whose name escapes me).

I think I have a Shoei head.

[Pussy]

I think I have a Shoei head.


Me too. Shoei helmets are the only ones I've tried that fit comfortably.

Try several different brands, Armitage Shanks, and go for the best one that suits YOU

[NOMIS]

most under rated helmet - there awesome end of the day tho get what fits, i have there top of the line rsr2 style of mine not yet in NZ for a few more months had mine for yonks got imported thru powersport's mt eden for $747 rrp is $1000

[MaxB]

You can strech your limit by going for the absolute best helmet in plain colours eg there is about $300 difference between the single colour and limited edition RF1000.

[Tank]

As much as it pains me to say Katman is 100% right.

You are spending good $$$ - Try all the big brands and buy what fits best. A good helmet is little use if it doesn't fit properly.

[phoenixgtr]

I agree with the frog

[Oakie]

Yeah. Get what fits. I went through that process in October ... tried on probably a dozen helmets and only one truly fitted. No decision to make.

[vifferman]

Yeah. Get what fits. I went through that process in October ... tried on probably a dozen helmets and only one truly fitted. No decision to make.
Indeed. Ignore everyone's opinions - get what fits best.
As for Arai - they're very good, but not that good. If you were thinking about buying their top of the line helmet, you should read this (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/arai-corsair-v/).

[insomnia01]

A year or so ago I purchased a Shoei Multi-tec flip front lid which is great if you are a smoker ( saves taking lid off ) or stop regularly, prior to going on tour over xmas I purchased a set of WIRED EAR PLUGS FROM PLUGZ FOR LUGZ so I could listen to sounds while on the journey & had a heap of issues with sound distorsion, music only coming out of one plug, plugs not fitting correctly & so on. I first thought that these plugs where shit & fuckin hopeless all that $$$$$ down the drain :no::no: then I thought :shifty::shifty: hang on a minute so I tried a Nitro Aerotech lid I have also & the difference is amazing, no longer are the plugs popping out, I don't have to play with the EQ on my MP-3 player & overall the helmet feels more comfortable than my Shoei. All in all forget price & brand buy what feels right for you, if you are looking into plugs I highly recommend PLUGZ FOR LUGZ ( Sue & Grant are KB"ers & are at most bike related events ) as they make a hell of a difference to my riding now whether I'm listening to music or not

[slofox]

Fit fit fit. Like the above posts, it MUST fit before anything else.
I had a Shoei Raid II but after six months, realised it was a little loose. It was a large. The medium was too small. So Shoei was essentially out of contention due to sizing problems.
Tried many others - similar problems. The best fit came from an Arai Chaser in a medium size. The shape is a little different from that of the Shoei which helps fit my head (it's not THAT weird a shape dammit!!). I have heard it said several times that there are "Shoei shaped" heads and there are "Arai shaped" heads. Dunno how much credibility there is in that statement, but in my case, Arai is a better fit. So I wear an Arai.
The better fit also means less wind noise. I also like the ventilation of the Arai better than that of the Shoei. BUT I preferred Shoei's visor attachment system to Arai's, which is a pain in the arse to get off and on to say the least.
Good luck choosing. Forget the brand. Remember the fit.

[TK3]

Gonna shout myself a top shelf helmet , I know this topic has been chewed over before but, like everything , things are constantly in the ' technology in motion ' mode.

So ....in about 3 weeks I'm keen to replace my FFM for something more suited for the 'Busa. Any suggestions ?

Hoping to limit my $ below 800 any sensible suggestions and I know it has to fit my square jug-head first.

Only buying a new lid cos my branes definitely worth protecting , as you can tell...your thoughts ?:blink:

Shoei XR1000 with the wisper kit and the pin lock visor... Try it and you will never look back:2thumbsup

[Karl@Alpha]

Fit first!
Shoei do have thicker/thinner cheek pads if this helps for fitting.

[madbikeboy]

[QUOTE=Tank;1965425]As much as it pains me to say Katman is 100% right.

QUOTE]

I'm so going to abuse this quote...

[3umph]

you will have to go and try some different brands lids on...

I went through this before Christmas... tried many on and ended up with a HJC Carbon Fiber helmet which suited my head very well... and its lightweight... a bot noisy at times but in saying that it must be a different pitch as I don't get the ringing in my ears after a long ride that happened with my old helmet... earplugs would help....

so go out and start trying some on....

[HenryDorsetCase]

Gonna shout myself a top shelf helmet , I know this topic has been chewed over before but, like everything , things are constantly in the ' technology in motion ' mode.

So ....in about 3 weeks I'm keen to replace my FFM for something more suited for the 'Busa. Any suggestions ?

Hoping to limit my $ below 800 any sensible suggestions and I know it has to fit my square jug-head first.

Only buying a new lid cos my branes definitely worth protecting , as you can tell...your thoughts ?:blink:

Davida Classic Jet....

[Weta]

/yes whatever feels best on your head. good point re graphics $200 for pretty pictures, head over heart again? (mm literally this time).

[Nagash]

There's a classic expression, you either have an Arai head or a Shoei head.

All helmets are designed differently to suit what they believe is the largest audience.

So try on a variety of a helmets, and see what fits you best. It should be abit overly tight when you first try it on, but the foam will break in after a few weeks of regular use.

Essentially, any helmet that passes the standard DOT, but fits you properly will protect you. The more expensive helmets just have fancy designs and gizmos.

---

But for purely biased nature.. I said Shoei over Arai. Much better looking helmets..

[Okey Dokey]

You said in your OP that you are aware of the importance of the helmet fitting your head.

As has been said, there are Shoei heads and Arai heads...but if you are very lucky you will have an-

AGV head!

I've had my TiTech for a couple years now and I still love it. The paint work is beautiful, it is lovely and comfortable to wear, visor changing is a breeze, it never fogs up, and I would highly recommend it.

Hubby currently has a Shoei and says he will get an AGV next because mine is so much better than his.

Good luck finding your perfect helmet!

[insomnia01]

prior to going on tour over xmas I purchased a set of WIRED EAR PLUGS FROM PLUGZ FOR LUGZ so I could listen to sounds while on the journey & had a heap of issues with sound distorsion, music only coming out of one plug, plugs not fitting correctly & so on. I first thought that these plugs where shit & fuckin hopeless all that $$$$$ down the drain :no::no: then I thought :shifty::shifty: hang on a minute so I tried a Nitro Aerotech lid I have also & the difference is amazing, no longer are the plugs popping out, if you are looking into plugs I highly recommend PLUGZ FOR LUGZ ( Sue & Grant are KB"ers & are at most bike related events ) as they make a hell of a difference to my riding now whether I'm listening to music or not

As quoted above, the issues I was having with the plugs where in fact helmet related & not directly related to the plugs at all. The point I was endeavouring to make was that not all plugs fit so well in all helmets as I found out... it may pay to buy plugs first then try out lids & buy what suits you best overall....:Oops:

[discotex]

I fit both Arai and Shoei fine so had to make a call between them.

In my opinion the XR-1000 is the best top-end value for money helmet you can get. At $649 for black you can't go wrong - or it's $849 for the graphics. It's very light, the vents work really well, fairly quiet and has pin-lock visor options and best of all has the coolest graphics :)

[LittleJohn]

Have to agree with what most poeple are saying, try each barnd and see which fits best. Also make sure you try the helmet on your bike. I know of people who think a helmet is sweet until they get on there bike and try to go for a ride. Then they find out it doesn't sit nicely.

[Beemer]

I love Shoei and they always fit me really well, but my husband has an Arai that he swears by. He tried the Shoei ones and they dug into his forehead.

Best helmet is the one that feels lovely on and fits snugly. All those you mention are great brands but I have heard that there are Shoei heads, Arai heads, etc - so try them and see what kind of a **** head you are!

[tigertim20]

by the time you reach top shelf equipment, I imagine the quality is all the same or bloody near it, so just pick one that looks cool and is comfy. and doesnt clash colowise with your bike, if youre concerned about fashion!!

[mikeey01]

Gonna shout myself a top shelf helmet , I know this topic has been chewed over before but, like everything , things are constantly in the ' technology in motion ' mode.
So ....in about 3 weeks I'm keen to replace my FFM for something more suited for the 'Busa. Any suggestions ? Hoping to limit my $ below 800 any sensible suggestions and I know it has to fit my square jug-head first. Only buying a new lid cos my branes definitely worth protecting , as you can tell...your thoughts ?:blink:

For what it's worth my 2c....
Test ride!
Go into a bike shop that you know and they know you!
Try on each helmet in your price range, getting a good fit etc, once you have got a couple you like then take them for a test ride. (any shop that knows you won't have a problem with it)
Get out on the open road at open road speeds and see how it feels for wind noise, aero dynamics, weight, drafts, air flow through vents, fogging etc etc etc
Likewise if rain / fogging is important then go take them for a test ride on a shitty day.
You will know which one you like after doing that!

I've done exactly that in the past and will be doing it again later on this year when it's time to get another.


by the time you reach top shelf equipment, I imagine the quality is all the same or bloody near it, so just pick one that looks cool and is comfy. and doesnt clash colowise with your bike, if youre concerned about fashion!!
You would think so but that's not what I found.

[Burtha]

Fit, visibility, weight (esp for long rides & neck stiffness), ventilation vs fogging & shyte like dat.
I looked like a bit of a goldfish at first but its now moulded round my face well. Prob a bit heavier than I'd like so next time I'd try lighter but definately gotta be what suits best.

I found cost differs = lighter and changes in ventilation designs.