Sports bike helmet options

[Bassmatt]

Yes he's right they all have to meet the MINIMUM standard for safety, I completely agree! The fluff? if varying compression rate polystyrene sections inside the helmet, over the harder/more fragile areas of the skull is 'fluff'? I'll take fluff. Removable lining is 'fluff' but its 'nice fluff' different thickness cheek pads is 'fluff'... Oh and go to the sharp helmet testing site.. good example is the flip front helmets. You have an LS2, LS2 make a flip front just under half the price of my Nolan flip front... both meet the required safety standard..
the FLUFF? My nolan front stayed CLOSED and locked for 100% of the tests performed.. go look at the failure rate for the LS2 flip front... I'll take the 'fluff' thanks!

+1 Minimum standards are exactly that.

[askaz]

Thanks for the info guys,

Your bike doesn't wear the helmet. You do. That should make procurement a bit easier. Worried about noise? Buy earplugs.

Coloured visors? Get some of that book wrapping stuff from Stationery Warehouse. That will save you some cash.

I guess I didnt word my question right, I know I wear the helmet not my bike but I am just trying to get peoples opinions on what helmets they have and what they think about them.

[Asher]

Go for what ever brand fits your head the best, then buy the best model you can afford.

[centaurus]

Hey guys,

Im looking to get a new full face helmet that is a reasonable price and that you can easily get tinted or coloured visors for, so I thought I would post here and see what advice I can get!
I own a ninja 250 and I get alot of road noise with my LS2 ride.
I know all helmets are different for different people with different bikes but I just wanna know what helmets sports bike riders have and what they think of them (and it would be really helpful if people with a ninja let me know how their helmet treat them! - also people with SV1000s bikes too as I am looking at one of these for when I upgrade)

Cheers in advance!

Having just finished a long and protracted helmet replacement process (again), I can offer a few suggestions:
- fit is THE MOST IMPORTANT considerent. if it doesn't fit properly it will become painful really fast and you won't wear it (not even talking about the safety issue). Depending on your head shape, this will limit the range of available helmets for you (drastically sometimes) so best start by trying the helmets before any further tests/research. Make sure you keep the helmet on for 5-10 minutes at least. Many unconfortable/improperly fit helmets will not become apparent in a 30 second try. Better yet, if the shop has a test helmet take it for a ride. Nothing can beat a test ride.
- visor seal - if you ride in winter/rain, make sure the visor seals properly. Many helmets allow water on the inside of the visor which is very unconfortable and dangerous when riding at dusk/night. Most helmet reviews don't test for this (most riders only ride in the dry)
- more expensive doesn't mean safer. These guys: http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/ do "crash" tests on many helmets available on the market and I was surprised to see how low some expensive helmets fared (like most Arai's for example)
- try the helmet sitting on your bike. Depending on your riding position, some helmets will fit differently, the vizor port will be better/worse positioned, the shoulders/back of the neck might push some helmets up on your head if you have a very aggresive riding position, some helmets don't have a chin bar deep enough when riding in a very straight position, etc...


Once you found the helmets that fit you on the bike (which won't be many), apply the budget filter and then you'll be left with probably 2 or max 3 helmets to choose from. At that point you will most than likely either like the design of one more than the other or some feature one helmets offers that the others don't so the choice will be immediately apparent. Choosing a helmet is most times like choosing a 250 bike - not much choice available, once you've weeded out the ones that don't fit your head and your other specific requirements.

As a personal opinion, some helmets that are popular and available in NZ (I repeat - personal opinion; don't take this as a matter of fact):
- shark - many sport riders swear by them.
- HJC - lower priced brand but their high end helmets can be really safe, confortable and good quality. Not to be dismissed
- Shoei and Arai - really expensive, high end helmets. You're not always paying more for more safety. You might be paying more for additional confort/features or (sometimes) better build quiality but this is not true all the times. Sometimes you will pay more with these helmets just for the brand name
- AGV - quality seems to vary a lot depending on model (and sometime on your luck). Nice design and a very different head shape so if nothing fits you (like myself) try some AGV's and you might be surprised.
- KBC seem to get some good reviewes. Never used one.

There are plenty others but these seem to be the most popular ones.

[HenryDorsetCase]

Emoto do an AGV K3 for around $180 starting bid on trademe pretty good helmet for the $$$$$$

IF it fits. thats the key. I have been going to replace my Raid 2 (Shoei) and have tried on heaps of helmets. the AGV was no good for me, and especially gutting was the Bell was as well. I wanted a Bell so much I even bought a t shirt.

I even had a bunch of Bell helmets back in the day.

[GrayWolf]

IF it fits. thats the key. I have been going to replace my Raid 2 (Shoei) and have tried on heaps of helmets. the AGV was no good for me, and especially gutting was the Bell was as well. I wanted a Bell so much I even bought a t shirt.

I even had a bunch of Bell helmets back in the day.

That is the sad thing HDC, "in the day" I had Star, Tour star 1&2 etc.. when I looked at a couple of the 'new' italian made Bell's... I dont think they were made with the quality we had back then.

[HenryDorsetCase]

That is the sad thing HDC, "in the day" I had Star, Tour star 1&2 etc.. when I looked at a couple of the 'new' italian made Bell's... I dont think they were made with the quality we had back then.

Agree. Till I tried one on, I was hell keen to buy that top o the line Bell with the carbon fibre clearcoated outer shell......

there's a really interesting discussion on here (or another website) about headshapes and helmet shapes. long oval and round oval are two terms that come to mind. I look a bit like the Alien (all teeth and claws and a long thin head....) and its difficult to find a helmet that fits.

I think I will end up with another midprice Shoei: the Qwest I think its called, about $800 or so. Hope all my bloody visors fit: they're all pinlock and I have clear, dark and half tint.

[Katman]

I think at the very least you would be looking for one of these. Granted they cost a bit of coin, however because you are on a sport bike, the brand name protection that Shoei offers is second to none. Even to Arai. Unless of course Arai make a more expensive helmet in which case that is clearly the better option.

I'm sorry, you've got me confused.

Are you saying that the best helmet is the most expensive helmet?

[nathanwhite]

I'm sorry, you've got me confused.

Are you saying that the best helmet is the most expensive helmet?

I posted that mainly because he asked for a 'sport bike helmet' rather then a regular normal type helmet. I think Hitcher summed up my general gist.

Your bike doesn't wear the helmet. You do. That should make procurement a bit easier.

[nzspokes]

Agree. Till I tried one on, I was hell keen to buy that top o the line Bell with the carbon fibre clearcoated outer shell......

there's a really interesting discussion on here (or another website) about headshapes and helmet shapes. long oval and round oval are two terms that come to mind. I look a bit like the Alien (all teeth and claws and a long thin head....) and its difficult to find a helmet that fits.

I think I will end up with another midprice Shoei: the Qwest I think its called, about $800 or so. Hope all my bloody visors fit: they're all pinlock and I have clear, dark and half tint.

I to wanted a Bell. Love the look. Then I tried one. 5 secs gave me a headache.

I now want a Shark Vision R. The one in black with the white stripe. Fits me like a glove. Saving now.

[FJRider]

I've got an SV1000 and a helmet if that helps.

So when will you be getting the sports bike then ... ???

[askaz]

Having just finished a long and protracted helmet replacement process (again), I can offer a few suggestions:
- fit is THE MOST IMPORTANT considerent. if it doesn't fit properly it will become painful really fast and you won't wear it (not even talking about the safety issue). Depending on your head shape, this will limit the range of available helmets for you (drastically sometimes) so best start by trying the helmets before any further tests/research. Make sure you keep the helmet on for 5-10 minutes at least. Many unconfortable/improperly fit helmets will not become apparent in a 30 second try. Better yet, if the shop has a test helmet take it for a ride. Nothing can beat a test ride.
- visor seal - if you ride in winter/rain, make sure the visor seals properly. Many helmets allow water on the inside of the visor which is very unconfortable and dangerous when riding at dusk/night. Most helmet reviews don't test for this (most riders only ride in the dry)
- more expensive doesn't mean safer. These guys: http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/ do "crash" tests on many helmets available on the market and I was surprised to see how low some expensive helmets fared (like most Arai's for example)
- try the helmet sitting on your bike. Depending on your riding position, some helmets will fit differently, the vizor port will be better/worse positioned, the shoulders/back of the neck might push some helmets up on your head if you have a very aggresive riding position, some helmets don't have a chin bar deep enough when riding in a very straight position, etc...


Once you found the helmets that fit you on the bike (which won't be many), apply the budget filter and then you'll be left with probably 2 or max 3 helmets to choose from. At that point you will most than likely either like the design of one more than the other or some feature one helmets offers that the others don't so the choice will be immediately apparent. Choosing a helmet is most times like choosing a 250 bike - not much choice available, once you've weeded out the ones that don't fit your head and your other specific requirements.

As a personal opinion, some helmets that are popular and available in NZ (I repeat - personal opinion; don't take this as a matter of fact):
- shark - many sport riders swear by them.
- HJC - lower priced brand but their high end helmets can be really safe, confortable and good quality. Not to be dismissed
- Shoei and Arai - really expensive, high end helmets. You're not always paying more for more safety. You might be paying more for additional confort/features or (sometimes) better build quiality but this is not true all the times. Sometimes you will pay more with these helmets just for the brand name
- AGV - quality seems to vary a lot depending on model (and sometime on your luck). Nice design and a very different head shape so if nothing fits you (like myself) try some AGV's and you might be surprised.
- KBC seem to get some good reviewes. Never used one.

There are plenty others but these seem to be the most popular ones.

This is exactly what I am after, thank you very much for this! It is extremely helpful!
I have tried the AGV Stealth SV and it was really good but I have used a SV S4 and that one fit like a glove but whistle like a bi***, so I am a bit hesitant to go for the stealth (and yes I know I can just get ear plugs for those who think it).
Also I did try on a couple of Shoei helmets and they are comfortable too but not as comfy as the AGV.
Have taken a liking to Schuberths, but they cost an arm and a leg!

[askaz]

Centaurus thanks heaps for your reply that was exactly what I am after! It is extremely helpful!
I have tried the AGV Stealth SV and it was a really good fit but I have used a S4 SV and that one fit like a glove but whistle like a bi*** at 90kph, so I am a bit hesitant to go for the stealth because of this (and yes I know I can just get ear plugs for those who think it).
Also I did try on a couple of Shoei helmets and they are comfortable too but not as comfy as the AGV.
Have taken a liking to Schuberths, but they cost an arm and a leg!

[p.dath]

+1 to all the commends about getting ear plugs.

Regardless of your helmet, after riding for around 20 minutes at 100km/h you will start to suffer permanent hearing damage. The damage from one trip is extremely minor. BUt after riding for 20 years it becomes very noticeable.

Hence the reason lots of older bikers can't hear very well.

[HenryDorsetCase]

+1 to all the commends about getting ear plugs.

Regardless of your helmet, after riding for around 20 minutes at 100km/h you will start to suffer permanent hearing damage. The damage from one trip is extremely minor. BUt after riding for 20 years it becomes very noticeable.

Hence the reason lots of older bikers can't hear very well.

......what?