Any tips on a good helmet?

[Tazza]

I am new to the game and looking for a helmet, only problem is that I have a super small head. Only helmets that fit so far is the Zeus 810 extra small or the HJC CL14 youth - can anyone give advice on preferred choice or where to buy in Christchurch?

[centaurus]

After being in the same predicament as you a few years back, I arrived at the conclusion that brand matters very little, especially if you have a weird-shaped head. First find one that fits you. Then, after you know which fit you right, the choice will be easy (you will probably be choosing between 2-4 helmets and price will determine your choice).

If you have a small head, try AGV - they seem to have a different shape than the rest of the helments.

Unless you are loaded, stay away from Aray and other high priced helmets. You are not paying for better protection but for weight (or lack of it), brand name and some features. The basic things that matter most (protection and noise reduction) are not better than other helmets in most cases. On the other end of the scale, I would steer clear of really cheep brands (FFM and the like). You head is your most valuable posession.

If you search the web, the brits have done crash tests on most known helmet brands and have posted the results (like an encap test but for helmets instead of cars). You will be surprised to find that some HJC models fare a tad better than most Arai helmets.

[slofox]

If you search the web, the brits have done crash tests on most known helmet brands and have posted the results (like an encap test but for helmets instead of cars). You will be surprised to find that some HJC models fare a tad better than most Arai helmets.

If you are referring to SHARP ratings, I would sound a word of caution against taking their ratings as gospel. There is considerable debate as to the validity of their testing regime. Just a note of caution you understand...

With reference to the "best" helmet for Tazza, I can only agree with centaurus - fit is utmost - much more important than the sticker on the outside. But do make sure it is compliant with local safety ratings.

[firefighter]

I am new to the game and looking for a helmet, only problem is that I have a super small head. Only helmets that fit so far is the Zeus 810 extra small or the HJC CL14 youth - can anyone give advice on preferred choice or where to buy in Christchurch?

The mrs brought a really cool Shoei for $600, she had the same problem and she tried on youth helmets etc too. This one http://www.helmetcity.co.uk/Shoei-Ra...ink_AMF4B.aspx (not from here but this helmet)

Unless you are loaded, stay away from Aray and other high priced helmets. You are not paying for better protection but for weight (or lack of it), brand name and some features. The basic things that matter most (protection and noise reduction and of course comfort?!) are not better than other helmets in most cases.

Disagree here. More expensive helmets are nearly always more comfortable, and after a single ride you're glad you spent the money. (well for me)

They do tend to be quieter, and yes, lighter, which again comes into the comfort thing too.(this is so important)

My third helmet will absolutely be an Arai, they are the most comfortable helmet for me, and i'll spend the money I do'nt have to get one, because it makes the ride that much more enjoyable.

My first helmet was a Suomy, comfy but loud, my latest a Shoei XR1100, and it's quieter but feels a bit bulky and is heavy, a mistake of a purchase as I always wear my old Suomy, as the Shoei is'nt as comfortable. It just feels so "fat" compared to the Suomy, I have tried the cheaper helmets and they just are no-where near as comfortable. Not for me......

As for safety......all the top brands helmets are safe enough, if 4 instead of 6 stars really bothers you then that's your own decision. It really depends what system you want to go off too. Some say Snell is'nt as good as ECE etc. The fact that one helmet took three impacts in the exact same place and another took two does'nt influence my decision, I truely believe if it's on the shelf here in the upper price range then you are really getting what you pay for and it will keep me safe enough to where survival really comes down to good old luck.

[2wheeldrifter]

now I have this image in my head of you two... Tazza and Centaurus

[centaurus]

now I have this image in my head of you two... Tazza and Centaurus

I must be the one with the bow tie

[The Pastor]

good helmet tip - wear it and dont drop it

[2wheeldrifter]

I must be the one with the bow tie

Tazza you've lucked out!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Unless you are loaded, stay away from Aray and other high priced helmets. You are not paying for better protection but for weight (or lack of it), brand name and some features. The basic things that matter most (protection and noise reduction) are not better than other helmets in most cases.
.

Lack of weight is a good thing in most cases. Less chance of serious neck injuries when rammed from behind (no...not that sort of rear end rammed) etc. Good (expensive) helmets are THE best investment you can make as a motorcyclist. As long as the fit is right.

[vifferman]

How small is "small"?
My wife has the smallest head in our family - 54cm if I remember correctly (might be 52). Like you, she tried on a few helmets, even youth-sized ones, and despite wanting to get a flip-front helmet (she wears glasses), ended up buying a Shoei Raid as it was the best fit. A salesman (not the one we bought a helmet from) showed her that the flip-front ones generally allowed the helmet to move around too much on her head, because they used the larger shell size for the flip-fronts and extra padding, rather than make a separate shell for the smaller sizes. As it turned out, her glasses fit OK with the Shoei, due to a (deliberate?) gap in the padding where the side arms of the glasses sit.

Of course, it's not jsut the size that matters - there are also different shell/padding shapes, so you need to find out what shape your head is. For years I wore AGV, then found out their shell shape was wrong for me, and the Shoei fits me better. Of Arais, only one shape fits me, but it was about $400 dearer than my XR1000. Most of the other brands I tried weren't comfortable.

before you go off on another helmetting expedition, measure your head to cut down on the number you have to try: get a tape measure (the flexible kind) or something else you can wrap around your head easily, like a strip of paper or thin card, and measure your head's circumference at the brow level. This distance in centimetres is the size manufacturers use. This makes a difference which helmets will fit. Some helmet brands/models are even numbered sizes, some odd, so for me it meant AGVs were slightly too tight or slightly too big. Also, some head shapes are oval, some rounder, as are helmets, so if say, you have a more oval head, you might find a particular helmet is too tight on your forehead in one size, whereas the next size up is too loose all over.
Make sure when you find a helmet that feels like a good fit that you try to twist it on your head. When done up, your shouldn't be able to move it around. If you can it's either too large or the wrong shape. If it passes this test, leave it on for a goodly amount of time to make sure it doesn't get uncomfortable.

It's shame shops don't /can't allow test rides. A salesman once let me take a helemt away for a test-ride. What seemed too snug in the shop was actually OK out on the road, after 20 minutes or so. It got him a sale. On the other hand, it wasn't as comfy as my current helmet, which instantly felt better than any other helmet I'd tried that day.