What brand of helmet should I buy?

**Gremlin** · 4th November 2010, 13:25

A top notch helmet fitting you badly is just as useful as a crap helmet fitting you well.

**dogsnbikes** · 4th November 2010, 14:06

Originally Posted by 2QL4SKL

There are so many brands of helmet listed on Trade Me, as I am getting my first bike, I was wondering if there is any recommendation? Please give me the range of the price as well. Thanks heaps.

As mentioned already Go and try helmets on and talk too the guys that know...your budget is a factor but hey if you dont yet have a bike,why not layby one over a couple of pays options are many ...

..if you want cheap thats all you will get.... dont go secondhand as you don't know the history and what too really look for,if you want I can rip you off and sell you one that's a piece of shit and been dropped many times and charge you the same price as a new one

(but I wouldn't)but there are people out there that will

**Hitcher** · 4th November 2010, 15:21

Originally Posted by 2QL4SKL

There are so many brands of helmet listed on Trade Me, as I am getting my first bike, I was wondering if there is any recommendation? Please give me the range of the price as well. Thanks heaps.

Buy a full face helmet. I put the wearers of open-face helmets in the same category as whack jobs who wear plastic buckets, collanders or nothing at all. Unless, of course, you want your face ground off in a slide across god's countryside.

**robo555** · 4th November 2010, 16:07

I've never put on an expensive helmet before, but have tried a few different cheaper helmets, and ended up with FFM M9.

The coolmax lining in the FFM feels considerably less stuffy than other brands.

**Hitcher** · 4th November 2010, 19:53

Trying helmets on in shops reveals scant details, other than price and "fashion".

You'll know if they fit, but have no idea of where pressure points arise.
You'll know how the various accoutrements like buckles, clips, visors and vents work, but may not think of trying these whilst wearing gloves, particularly wet gloves.
You'll have little idea of how well the ventilation works, particularly demisting.
You'll have no idea of wind noise, particularly from those fangled models that have knobs over the visor hinges.
You'll be unlikely to try it over a set of ear plugs.
You'll be unlikely to remove interior elements to see how easy they are to clean or wash.
You'll be unlikely to try cheek pads of different dimensions, not that retailers stock these separately anyway.

The best way of testing a helmet is to take it for a ride for at least half an hour at your normal highway speed. Most retailers aren't going to let you do this, so buy the one you like the best.

**Matey** · 4th November 2010, 20:30

Its worth checking out the SHARP website too, there are some surprises there regarding the safety ratings - you dont always get what you pay for,

**SPP** · 4th November 2010, 21:00

All these post saying "get one that fits" "try them on" ... they're right you know. You'd think all helmets fit more or less the same eh, nope.

So try a whole heap on and pick one that works for ya... and pray to god you don't have an Arai head if you're on a tight budget.

Oh, and apparently it’s a common first time mistake to buy a helmet one size too big thinking it's the right fit. They have to be firm dude. When I first got mine I couldn't talk wearing it because I'd bite the inside of my cheeks. Within a month of breaking in it was PERFECT.

You don't need to spend mega bucks to get a good one either. Happy hunting.

**Phreak** · 4th November 2010, 23:14

^^^ Yep, helmet should feel a touch too tight when new, the foam takes a little while to 'break in', like a new pair of shoes...

(Can't wait for my new lid to loosen a little bit...!)

**Gremlin** · 4th November 2010, 23:19

Generally, if you can rotate the front of the helmet towards your cheek, its too loose. The same applies up and down. Again, a shop should make sure the sizing is suitable

**hellokitty** · 5th November 2010, 16:20

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Generally, if you can rotate the front of the helmet towards your cheek, its too loose. The same applies up and down. Again, a shop should make sure the sizing is suitable

yes, when I bought my first helmet the guy in the shop fitted it for me (haha ended up going out with him

). If you are inexperienced you need help for sure, as I would have probably bought one that was too loose.

**Hitcher** · 5th November 2010, 16:24

A Shoei XR1100 arrived in Hitcher's cupboard today. A good outcome from an extremely limited local market choice. Great service from TSS Red Baron too.

**steve_t** · 5th November 2010, 17:06

Originally Posted by Hitcher

A Shoei XR1100 arrived in Hitcher's cupboard today. A good outcome from an extremely limited local market choice. Great service from TSS Red Baron too.

Did they source you a bigger one?

**Hitcher** · 5th November 2010, 18:26

Originally Posted by steve_t

Did they source you a bigger one?

Long gone are my days of modifying XXL helmet fitments with an icecream scoop. Today it's XXXL all the way. Shoei is the best fit, although HJC isn't too bad. If I had very deep pockets I may be tempted to try an Airoh. But that's it in terms of acceptable size choice. The colours, if procured through the NZ retailer system, are restricted to gloss black.

**pritch** · 6th November 2010, 08:16

Originally Posted by SPP

So try a whole heap on and pick one that works for ya... and pray to god you don't have an Arai head if you're on a tight budget.

Arai make different models in different headshapes so trying is a must. Expensive they may be, but nothing else I've tried comes close for comfort. Shame about the clunky visor.