The Balding Eagle got his L Plates

[Grasshopperus]

So, currently three front runners are.
Shoei Raid 2
Shoei XR1000
Shark S500

Favourite options are
Honda VTR250
A ninja
Or the Ginny 250. (Stop laughing, I think it a good learners cycle)

But it will be a case finding something fits my slightly larger frame. 6foot 2 (186cm) and around 110kgs. Joy

Hi dude, I recently went through the BHS, learner license, gear, and first bike fun too and I'm also the same size and age (round about) as you, let me give you my findings.

The Shark s650 (s500 is not in production anymore apparently) fits a big head easily. Less than $300 new too. A lot of what you get with pricey helmets is a lighter more comfortable helmet but that's moot if the $300 one fits you fine.

Quasimoto gear is pretty cool looking leather and getting good gear with armour stitched into it makes you feel more safe and confident about getting out of the driveway.

Decide what type of bike you want. Normal looking like a GN250? sporty like a ninja or that hyosung, or cruiser-style like a honda magna? I knew I wanted a sports bike so I went to heaps of shops and just sat on the ones I wanted to try, drove a couple and then made my choice. For what it's worth, the ZXR250A (C model is OK too but not as big I think) fits tall guys better than most 250cc sportsbikes. Use the search thing at the top of the KB page for specific models of bike and see what the pros on this site think about them.

Good luck and grats on the license.

[Dirty Heathen]

Ended up getting a HJC FG 15 really nice helmet.

Was pretty funny was sitting at intersection on main road when guy turing right in a van started waving to me was the HJC rep lol.

[Hitcher]

Congrats on the L. I hear the Shoei Multitec is a good one for glasses with grooves in the lining for the arms. I haven't had a look yet but will need to in a bit. Let us know what you decide on

Remember that Shoei's sizing on the Multitec is a full size smaller than for their normal full-face lids: A XXL Multi is the same fit as an XL normal.

Resign yourself to the sad fact that if your cranium is XXL or larger, you will never find a flip-front lid to fit.

[Hitcher]

The Shark s650 (s500 is not in production anymore apparently) fits a big head easily.

No it doesn't. There are only two helmet manufacturers (money no object) who make helmets that fit large heads -- that's HJC and Shoei. If you want either of these manufacturers' lids in a choice of colour, delivered in reasonable time and at a good price, buy them online ex-USA. Don't worry about doing the local trade out of a dollar. If they wanted to sell them, they'd stock them.

[BaldingEagle]

No it doesn't. There are only two helmet manufacturers (money no object) who make helmets that fit large heads -- that's HJC and Shoei. If you want either of these manufacturers' lids in a choice of colour, delivered in reasonable time and at a good price, buy them online ex-USA. Don't worry about doing the local trade out of a dollar. If they wanted to sell them, they'd stock them.

Hi Hitcher and others.

Have you got any recommendation for web pages as most I can find will not ship outside the US or freight charges are so high they are I might as well get the 3XL Raid 2 that Mt Eden cycle can get for me.

Thanks Rhys

[vifferman]

WHere did you try? I just googled "motorcycle helmets" and turned up some that ship internationally and looked OK. Some merchants will only ship using tracked international couriers though - that added another 50% to the cost of my rear shock. Also, US internal freight is relatively cheap, but international isn't, unless you aren't in a hurry. I had a free item shipped from Canadia at the cheapest rate - took four months.

Weigh it up - if Mt Eden have a helmet that's OK for you, is it worth the hassle and waiting to get a different colour from overseas?

Did you try Motomail too?

[BaldingEagle]

Hi Vifferman.

Yeah the ones I found via google had “shipping price given when paid” or huge amounts ($100 in one cases) as they only did by fed ex. I guess we are talking about a reasonable size item here.

I will go back to the North shore tomorrow, to try the Sharks again. If that doesn’t work then I will get Mount Eden Cycles to get the Shoei in.

Want to get something soon ish. As I want to get to the car park and practise.

[Hitcher]

Hi Hitcher and others.

Have you got any recommendation for web pages as most I can find will not ship outside the US or freight charges are so high they are I might as well get the 3XL Raid 2 that Mt Eden cycle can get for me.

Thanks Rhys

www.ridersdiscount.com.

I ordered a Shoei RF1000 (XR1000) XXXL in Antracite on a Thursday evening and wore it on a Wednesday night ride the following week. NZ$560 delivered. If your local bike shop can beat that, buy off them.

[Jenral]

I got my HJC AC-12 El Diablo from http://www.bikebandit.com/

[BaldingEagle]

found one that fits and at a good price to.

got lucky and they found a S500 (not air version)

anyway it feels pretty good hasn't got the red band on the forehead that I got with the shoei.

there is a few piont you can see it a liitle bit cheaper, not removal lining but venting is good and it fits (sigh of relief)

[Highlander]

found one that fits and at a good price to.

got lucky and they found a S500 (not air version)

anyway it feels pretty good hasn't got the red band on the forehead that I got with the shoei.

there is a few piont you can see it a liitle bit cheaper, not removal lining but venting is good and it fits (sigh of relief)

Why are you sticking up pictures of my helmet????
Been using one the same as that (same colour even) for the last couple of years. I still like it, can't see any reason to change yet. Wouldn't mind a pinlock visor oe somethign similar to prevent fogging up at the traffic lights on winter mornings though.

[BaldingEagle]

[QUOTE=Highlander;1129527735]Why are you sticking up pictures of my helmet???? QUOTE]

why ??? So beeping happy i found one .

Only took two weeks, 8 stores, 2 headaches and god knows how many different types tried.

anyway got to enjoy the little victories. and they said this is the only XXL they ever imported, so was lucky I got it

Next stop riding gear, then boots. at the moment I think quasimoto is the best for the price

then save up for my own bike, can't keep borrowing the flatmates for ever

[Dirty Heathen]

Good your getting all the gear first I did same thing other wise you know you will be tempted to ride without the proper gear.

[wingrider]

Have a look at 1tonne
http://1tonne.co.nz/

I have there gear and most impressed.