Newbie helmet??

[PINKGIRL]

I am sure this has been asked lots before but couldn't find it....

My partner and I are just getting into motorcycles and are looking at helmets, we only have about $300 each to spend and I was wondering what people would recommend, we also don't really like using ear plugs so if anyone know of one that is quieter than the rest?

Thanks

[skelstar]

Hey PG. I know they are a bit below your budget, but the HJC CL-14 helmets are great. I dont use ear-plugs...but then helmets are of different noise levels on different heads. What was that? I hear you say? They are about $199 (solid colours) and $249 patterned I think.

[Beemer]

If you want quiet, you will have to spend more than $300, so I'd try and get used to wearing ear plugs. In the long run, they will save your hearing - what don't you like about them? If it is the fit, it could be the type you tried, so buy different ones and see if you find them more comfortable.

Shoei helmets are the ones I like best - I got a Shoei Raid on special for $399 a few months ago but I think most of their helmets start at about $500. Arai are also great, but dearer than Shoei.

I haven't tried them myself, but I've heard good things about the HJC range. Basically don't just go on price, go in and try different brands and styles. It's worth spending a little more on a good quality helmet because if you buy one solely based on price, you may regret it if it isn't very comfortable.

[yungatart]

Get the best and most comfortable one you can afford. It depends what price/value you put on your noggin. As for ear plugs, hXc was at the ear specialist this am. Ear specialist says that wind/road noise on a motorcycle is 90+db, high enough to sustain hearing loss. You can get custom made ear plugs at your audiologist for $40 ea ($80 per pr) They take about 4 wks. Just ordered some for hXc

[Cibby]

Come into Colemans on Saturday and I'll sort you out!!

We have quite a few for under your price range....

Cibby

[riffer]

Good advice.

I'm paying the price now at (nearly) 39 for many years of motorcycling, many years of playing in VERY loud rock bands, and a genetic pre-disposition to deafness.

At least 40db loss in most frequencies, but especially at the range in which women and children speak (apparently its a disability )

So noise reduction is important ...

But so is comfort.

I have a Nitro N-500V.

It's not that expensive, about $300-ish.

The wind noise on my FZR750R was almost nothing, but on my RF900R it's more noticeable.

I'd recommend the Nitros - they seem to be a good helmet, but others will insist nothing less than a Shoei or Arai will do.

Try a few out ...

but please don't buy a second hand one of Trademe to save money - you may live to regret it (literally).

[madmal64]

Theres the old saying... "Got a $10 head, buy a $10 helmet"
Buy what fits the best and feels the best. Im currently using an HJC FL14 its a fibreglass/kevlar lid thats a bit lighter in weight than the CL14 and I like it. Its a bit noisier that my old one but plugs do make a difference. I only tend to wear plugs on longer rides and not while commuting, I know I should wear them all the time, but....

[sAsLEX]

You can get custom made ear plugs at your audiologist for $40 ea ($80 per pr) They take about 4 wks. Just ordered some for hXc

nup sure you can get them cheaper from kiwi http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php?u=36 i think.


Custom made earplugs
Appointment necessary

Standard

Colour: rose-transparent
permanently elastic silicone, addition curing, final hardness 60 Shore A

Order No. : 06.02.01.01 Price : NZ$ 60.00

from http://www.desmodromics.co.nz/index.htm, which is his site i think

[Riff Raff]

The HJC helmets are good and affordable. However you may have the same problem many of us women have, which is they don't make them small enough for our heads. That being the case you might want to look at kid sizes.

No matter what type of helmet you get, you should still be using ear plugs. Don't let your hearing suffer. I recommend Yungatarts advice to get some specially made.

[PINKGIRL]

Ok so it looks like ear plugs are a must, thanks for that I think I will look into them so I can keep my hearing a bit long! Thanks for the advice and DEFINATELY planning on buy a new helmet and not one off trade me, never know what they have done to it over the years!

[madmal64]

Just another thought after Riff Raff's comment on size for women. Try a VCan my lady had the same issue and she found these in XS were a good fit

[Beemer]

Pleased to hear you will reconsider earplugs. I never used them and when I met my (now) husband he said I should. I couldn't believe the difference they made - no longer do I return from a ride feeling like I've spent hours at a rock concert! My only problem is that I use the cheap foam ones and I find if I have to wear them all day, my ears feel a little tender after a while. But you will certainly be better off wearing them - and no matter what people say, you can still hear what's going on around you.

As for second-hand helmets, I wouldn't want one, even if I knew its history. If they've bought a new one, then the old one obviously wasn't doing its job any more! I'd never buy one off Trade Me or Cash Converters - you'd have no idea if it had been in a crash and resprayed, or if it had been dropped. You can get away with cheap gloves, cheap pants, etc, but no matter how much you spend, ensure you buy a NEW and well made helmet.

[Motu]

Bought my helmet from CashConverters 5 years ago for $75 - I try hard,but haven't been able to kill myself yet....

[Phurrball]

There are some pretty good lids in your pricerange PINKGIRL - HJC as mentioned, Nitro and possibly others. I've got a Nitro - and it suits me perfectly.

Most important is to try heaps on, and when you find one you like, keep it on for an extended period. Have a seat in the bike shop and read a mag or something for half an hour or so. You may feel like a bit of a dork - but remember you'll be wearing it for hours on end. Go for slightly tighter, rather than a looser fit - the helmet will adapt to the shape of your head. You'll get plenty of advice whichever shop you choose.

Have fun helmet shopping. I hope your head shape suits some helmets in your price range. Unfortunately Mrs Phurrball's head only fitted into Shoeis. Expensive...but she's happy

[sunhuntin]

....

I haven't tried them myself, but I've heard good things about the HJC range. Basically don't just go on price, go in and try different brands and styles. It's worth spending a little more on a good quality helmet because if you buy one solely based on price, you may regret it if it isn't very comfortable.

ive got an HJC currently....convinced the dealer i bought scuffy off to throw in the lid [other one i didnt want to wear after the crash, for obvious reasons] it is open faced [my perferance] so has a lot of wind noise. the only thing i dont like is there seems to be no way to remove the visor entirely, which means it whistles bad around town and is unbearable on the open road. and when its down, it forces the wind right into my eyes, not good at night.

cant recall what it cost....$130 or so i think. i like that the padding is shaped to leave a nice "hole" for your ears to fit into, which means they dont get crushed up.

also, the helmet i no longer wear was from cash converters, $99. i dropped it several times on to concrete [accidental!] but it didnt crumble when i was hit. just had a look at it....big scrape right across the top. did its job, and can be safely retired. on a side note, what should i do with that lid now? dont want to keep it, for space reasons....would the trash can be the best bet? and maybe a good whack so scavengers dont salvage something that could kill them?