Best range of helmets in Auckland?

[shafty]

Hey

Looking to replace my now aging Shoei flip face lid, - where's your recommended shop for a good range of helmets to try and buy in The Big Smoke? (or provinces - I'm in Central NI)

Thanks

[Gremlin]

cycletreads and Motomail carry extensive ranges, differ in brands available tho

[shafty]

Thanks Grem - its been a while since I've done the rounds up there, so you've saved me some rubber!

[Gremlin]

no worries, what shoei flip have you got, out of interest? Been thinking a multitec might be useful for GC etc, don't have to remove for stops

[shafty]

Sorry Mate, not sure what modelmy current one is - maybe the XR1000? It has NON removeable foam anyhow, and altho it works well still, after 8 years service is well due for retirement.

It IS ideal for events such as the GC I have found. Every time I get gas, just flip it up and smile!

I ducked in to the supermarket for 1 or 2 items, flipped it up and the (hot) Chick behind me said "thats a great idea" - i was worth the investment alone!

Reputedly mre wind noise, but doesn't worry me, once you've had one, would be hard to go backwards I reckon.

BTW I tried on a black flip face hlmet on yesterday in Bike Torque, thinking it was a Shoei - (the one next to it was a Shoei), felt great, nice and snug, great mechanism etc, and when I asked the price was floored when told it was $250!

Turned out to be an HJC.

Why shouldn't I buy it?

The Shoei (XR1100 Multitec) is around $900.............

[Grubber]

Bang for your buck i say. Probably find the HJC may not last as long or become very uncomfortable. I have Shoei and find it hard to beat.

[DMNTD:Me]

Bang for your buck i say. Probably find the HJC may not last as long or become very uncomfortable. I have Shoei and find it hard to beat.

Agreed...the HJC product is great but like everything you get what you pay for.
I think you'll find the Shoei will have a better 'balance' to it which you definitely notice on the longer rides. It'll feel lighter the the weight difference between the HJC and Shoei.
The accessories that you can get with the Shoei are better and from what my customers have told me the Shoei is quieter. In saying that it depends on the shape of your head.
Personally I'd just invest in the Shoei

[shafty]

Points taken - I just think that theShoei may not be three and a half times the helmet - and my last 3 helmets have been Shoei's. Well see.

I am also keen to try a new flip face Givi helmet, as seen in Kiwi Rider's latest issue........

[rastuscat]

IMHO

I have a Nolan N102, and I find it very light and comfortable. Great value from the internet. EBay. Flip face, intercom fitted. Quick release strap, very safe.

At work I have a Series 5 BMW with flip face. Silly money. Like, $1300 to replace. Heavier, comes further down at the lower edges, firmer grip of my head. Quick release strap, very safe.

In a crash, if I am sliding and my helmet touched the ground, the Nolan will "bite" into the road surface, as it's plastic. On contact, friction will heat the contact patch, it will bind and will rotate my head. Not good.

The same crash with the BMW will see it glance off the road, as the fibreglass is far harder.

So, pay less, get less safety.

On the other hand, the Nolan is the best I could afford, as I don't have a sugar-mommy to buy stuff for me. It's that simple.

The advice still stands. If you have a $10 head you wear a $10 helmet. Otherwise, buy the best you can afford.

So there.

[Gremlin]

The XR1000 is the old model full face, non flip helmet (got one at the moment). Its just been replaced earlier this year by the XR1100, so the old one is being run out for around $600 ish.

Shoei is a better helmet than HJC, quality, protection etc. It is said to be heavy, but for the flip helmets, its important the flip catch area is metal, some of the cheaper flip helmets are plastic, not too happy with that personally. I also don't like the quick release mechanisms for the strap, preferring the double D rings, as you secure it properly every time you do it up, balaclava or not etc. Back to helmet weight, for the long rides, its definitely important the helmet cuts the air properly.

I don't think I'll try the non mainstream flip helmets like Givi and Baehr, for the reason that parts and spares are harder to get hold of, eg visors. The Shoei Multitec uses the CX-1V visors, same as xr1000 and x-spirit, so it should be easy to get hold of. I also use a tinted visor for the vast majority of riding, don't like the internal sun visors as there is usually glare from underneath, so tinted must be available.

Remember with the Multitec you get clear AND tinted visor (little under a $100 for a visor), whisper kit and pinlock insert, so probably a little over $200 of accessories? Makes the price a little more reasonable