Helmets - Oxford or Shark?

[Pex Adams]

I've owned 2 Shark helmets now - both fairly good.

Things to note: I paid $350 for the 1st, and it weighted in at fairly hefty 1650g. It lasted about 2 years (used almost everyday) before the polystyrene turned to concrete, versus the 2nd which I paid $799 for weights 1300g.

The noticeable difference between the 2, is that the 2nd one has lasted much longer, little bits and pieces have broken off it (button to hold the scrap under the chin, and a guide for the visor). So the build quality isn't as good as let say an Arai. Which is what I'm going back to for my next helmet, when I'm ready to buy my next lip.

As Jim2 said, purchase what fits best. However never compromise spending money on safety equipment, especially your head. Remember you only have one of them...

[pritch]

However never compromise spending money on safety equipment, especially your head. Remember you only have one of them...

This has all been discussed here before but...

Some of the Euro helmets which don't meet the Snell foundation tests are said by some to be safer than their more expensive Snell approved counterparts. This because the Snell testing requires a very stiff helmet shell and a more flexible helmet is better for the contents. (It's all about the deceleration rate of the contents of the skull in the event of an impact.)

Once they meet the safety standard any extra you are paying is for comfort, finish, or a fancy paint job. None of which contribute over much to safety.

The top of the line "racing" helmets are often noisier than their touring counterparts. Racers work hard physically and require a lot of ventilation. That ventilation all contributes to the noise level. If you aren't racing, a touring hat may suit you better.

[Pex Adams]

This has all been discussed here before but...

Fortunately I am still here to discuss it.. I suppose that says something about where I choose to place my values and priorities.

[Naki Rat]

Comfort is imperative, especially on long trips!

My toss-up was between a Shoei Raid 2 and a Nolan Xlite. Both great helmets that after online research seemed to be the quietest, but still way noisier than my Shoei S20 of many years ago. Nolan won in the end and my guess that its original tightness would ease to just right has been proved correct.

Another helmet of interest was a Uvex but a bit too Darth Vader I decided. Worst fit of the helmets I tried was a Shark which was obviously designed for a different shaped head as my whole lower jaw hung out the bottom of it.

[Ripperjon]

Buy what fits best.

Read this, then make your mind up.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...helmet_review/

Wow, that article is a real eye-opener for me and ur right, anyone (with an hour to kill) should read it and find out what really goes into all the different safety standards you can get on lids.

I think i'm gonna go try on that nice lookin hjc helmet i turned my nose up at earlier, rather than spend twice as much on a plain arai that'll save me when the asteroids hit!

[All]

I just stumbled upon that article myself. It resulted in me buying an Oxford helmet at $99 instead of a Shoei Raid II for $500. Nice.

The Oxford is good value, light, and comfortable. The only bad points are that it's very cheaply finished, and it's reasonably noisy (but that's what earplugs are for, right?).

If I accidentally drop it, or (touch wood) crash, it's only $100 down the drain as opposed to $500.

[gummibear]

That article, the hurt report or whatever its called was great! In the end i decided the shark felt more comfy, and bought it. Thanks for all the help guys, much appreciated!

[HACHET]

i have owned a shark which i found really noisy and the padding was quite hard. a few years later i got my first arai in the mick doohan colours what a helmet soft padding light and quiet and fitted my nut perfectly. i have been an arai convert now for the last 11 years. if it fits your head then spend the cash on something that will possibly stop your head splitting in two in the event of a crash.