Helmets - what brand is the best?

[Tank]

All,

After reading the sharp test - my helmet scored rather poorly with 2 stars.

Its a KBC VR2R Stealth.

Anyhow - I know that the sharp test are not the end all and be all - but its been enough to get me worried (have also been told that its to big for me tonight chatting with a mate about them).

So - Im on the hunt for a new helmet. I know that some fit different shapes of head etc - bur was looking for advise on what are the better brands to try out.

I don't really want to outlay tons of $$$ for a crap lid. What brands would people recommend - I don't mind spending a bit as I expect to keep it a few years. Comfort, noise and safety being my 3 main areas of concern.

[Griffin]

Im about to buy a new helmet too and have had the Shoei highly recommended by lots a people - from bike shop staff to fellow bikers. Im kinda keen on getting a flip face but would like to try before I buy.

Anyways - in answer to your question, I have had Shoei and Arai recommended to me more than any other so those are the two Im looking at.

[Hitcher]

For goodness sake. Unless you buy one at the $2 Shop or Scroty Scooter R Us, helmets are generally approved by DOT, Snell or both. Either of those standards is more than sufficient assurance for what most people should expect of their helmet.

Buy one that fits you comfortably and securely. If you have a preference for a pretty pattern and can get what you want, buy it.

Those of you fortunate to have a huge choice of lids don't know how lucky you are.

[yod]

agv stealth - i managed to get one from the states for less than $300 and i was happy to discover it got five stars

over here about $550 i think?

[Griffin]

Those of you fortunate to have a huge choice of lids don't know how lucky you are.

Ive had to scrimp and save to get the cash for a higher priced helmet... it maybe that Im just throwing good money away seeing as how they are 'all approved to a safety standard' like you say, but I guess its my own feeling of security that makes me want something more than the $100 scroty scooter sale special that I have at the mo

[Mike748]

I've only had an HJC Carbon and now a Shoei XR1000, I didn't like the HJC because it kept contacting my back protector, so when it needed replacing went for a Shoei with more clearance, but the Shoei hasn't been as good at keeping out the draft and fogs easy. I didn't get the pinlock visor though.
HJC was lighter (just) but had more road noise.

[MaxB]

Over the years Shoei and Arai have been considered to be the best helmets. It can boil down to whether the shell and padding fits your head shape. Some say you have either a Shoei head or an Arai head. I have a Shoei head.

I have 2 Shoeis but also a mid-price HJC which I like for longer trips because it is light. They are as good as each other safety wise but the HJC has fewer features and is not as well made. I can get 5 years from a Shoei but I'll be lucky for the HJC to last 2. Plus if I drop it, it goes in the bin.

[cs363]

Add me to the Arai supporters list...

Just a note regarding imported helmets whether you are thinking of going down this track yourself or buying one of someone who has, read these:
http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/road-user-sa...g-helmets.html
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regul...DLM303630.html
You will note that DOT approved helmets are only legal if manufactured AND purchased in the USA, so for instance the AGV Stealth mentioned above is technically illegal for road use in this country, whereas a Simpson would be legal. Not saying the helmet is unsafe as such, but approved to a different standard than most local market helmets and more importantly not legal. I haven't seen an MNZ rule book for a couple of years now but I would imagine they are still basing their helmet rulings on what LTSA considers legal to import into NZ.
There are other issues with importing your own gear whether it's helmets or other items - if you have problems with it eg. sizing,warranty issues etc you may well run into problems trying to get it sorted and often local dealers /importers won't be to keen to help either seeing as you've cut them out of the picture.
Support your local motorcycle industry or pretty soon there won't be one and then who will fix your bike, sponsor your events etc?
Just a thought....

[Taz]

You do get what you pay for. I have 2 helmets. One is a HJC, comfortable fairly quiet but the vents are crap and the visor fors at the slightest provocation. The other is a Shoei Synchrotech and its comfortable, fairly quiet (I wear ear plugs all the time anyway) and the vents really work the visor doesn't fog and it came with a fog insert, smoke visor and whisper kit. The shoei feels like 2 or more times the quality of the HJC and was only twice as much

[Stromble]

All,

After reading the sharp test - my helmet scored rather poorly with 2 stars.

Its a KBC VR2R Stealth.

Anyhow - I know that the sharp test are not the end all and be all - but its been enough to get me worried (have also been told that its to big for me tonight chatting with a mate about them).

So - Im on the hunt for a new helmet. I know that some fit different shapes of head etc - bur was looking for advise on what are the better brands to try out.

I don't really want to outlay tons of $$$ for a crap lid. What brands would people recommend - I don't mind spending a bit as I expect to keep it a few years. Comfort, noise and safety being my 3 main areas of concern.

First time I shopped, shoei multitech was the best fit and comfort at the time. I then came off the bike and ruined the helmet, so went shopping again. Convinced I was going to buy shoei again, but tried a couple of HJC lids, perfect fit, wind noise much quiter than the shoei etc. $500 cheaper than the shoei, but still with all the approvals etc..

Though at the end of the day as others have said, its all about the fit. Go to cycletreads and spend a couple of hours really trying them, oh and don't forget to wear your bike jacket to make sure it doesn't fit uncomfortably with the collar.

[AllanB]

Weird post really - you have read the report and are worried about your existing lid due to its low rating - so logic would dictate that you have already eliminated all low rating helmets and now have a short list to choose from. It should be easy from there as your budget and the helmets fit will shorten the list to a couple.

Of interest in that test you mentioned is that some models of the be-all-to-end-all helmets (Arai etc) score poorly.

My advise is also NOT to purchase a black helmet. I find the riders helmet is often the first and most visible item of a bike/rider - its the highest point visible in traffic and black ones simply disappear and blend in. Get something bright.

edit - excuse the pippy tone it was not intended to read as a bitch.

[Bikernereid]

I just had to buy a new lid whilst on a trip and personally I would suggest that as long as it is comfortable and meets the necessary safety regs go for what you like. I was lucky that mine wasn't too dear about $500 and I love the design adn finish too so was very happy with my buy.

I would recommend Shark but then again everyones head is different so try as many as you can.

[The Stranger:Me]

For goodness sake. Unless you buy one at the $2 Shop or Scroty Scooter R Us, helmets are generally approved by DOT, Snell or both. Either of those standards is more than sufficient assurance for what most people should expect of their helmet.

Buy one that fits you comfortably and securely. If you have a preference for a pretty pattern and can get what you want, buy it.

Those of you fortunate to have a huge choice of lids don't know how lucky you are.

Got too agree with Hitcher.
Don't worry about the sharp results.
For some time the argument has raged that the Snell tests are too rigorous. I suspect (at least until we see their methodology) that sharp is a tilt in the opposite direction.

Who is right, Snell or Sharp?

[alanzs]

I have a Shoei now, but have had a few Arai's over the years as well. All have been excellent and both have saved my head when the ground came flying up at me.
The Shoei I have now has a fantastic fit and I can easily get replacement pads for it if I need it. Had this one about 4 years.
My favourite helmet was my Stars and Stripes Bell Helmet.

[alanzs]

Got too agree with Hitcher.
Don't worry about the sharp results.
For some time the argument has raged that the Snell tests are too rigorous. I suspect (at least until we see their methodology) that sharp is a tilt in the opposite direction.

Who is right, Snell or Sharp?

+1 Snell and DOT have been around for quite some time, and are required approval for helmets used in the US, where helmet companies can get sued out of existence if their products aren't up to those standards. You can't legally wear a helmet in the US without meeting those standards.

As the old saying goes, "$5 helmets for $5 heads." Give me rigor over slack any time when it comes to life saving gear.