Newbie helmet question

[madbikeboy]

so you're saying higher priced helmets are better as oposed to the view that all reasonably priced helmets like HJC cheap ones will do the job just as well but without the features?

Yes. I run the top of the line HJC Carbon HQ-1 because the construction is good, I wouldn't use the next one down. I think it was a cheap lid at about $900 ish.

I'd chose a moderately featured lid that was better constructed over a cheaply constructed lid with all the features including airconditioning and built in scalp massager.

Do the research on the difference between lids - notibly, look at Arai and Shoei.

Buy a solid colour that stands out - bright red is better than black for example.

[NordieBoy]

I really like the construction and features of my Zeus 2100b adventure helmet.

Performance wise I'd stack it up against the Arai/Shoei/HJC any day.

It was $195.
How much is the Arai?

[Gizzit]

I really like the construction and features of my Zeus 2100b adventure helmet.

Performance wise I'd stack it up against the Arai/Shoei/HJC any day.

It was $195.
How much is the Arai?

Yup ..... I'd go along with you there Nordie. There ARE cheap helmets that are safe. I think the equivalent of your Zeus helmet, in Arai or Shoei would be around $800 at a guess.
The man asking the question here, can't afford a Shoei, Arai, etc ....
Zeus probably makes something good in his price range .... as do another outfit, .. Nitro.

[turtleman]

I have a Zeus Flip-front helmet. It fit's well and is comfortable. It is however, very noisy. It has broken the visor round the hinge piece, so the visor (not the flipup bit, just the visor) won't stay up when partially opened.
The thread is stripped out on one side of the flip-up bit, where it attaches to the side of the helmet. Not the screw, but the internal thread in the helmet.
It's not even a year old yet!

Basically, it's one step above crap. I wouldn't buy another one.

[NordieBoy]

I have a Zeus Flip-front helmet. It fit's well and is comfortable. It is however, very noisy. It has broken the visor round the hinge piece, so the visor (not the flipup bit, just the visor) won't stay up when partially opened.
The thread is stripped out on one side of the flip-up bit, where it attaches to the side of the helmet. Not the screw, but the internal thread in the helmet.
It's not even a year old yet!

Basically, it's one step above crap. I wouldn't buy another one.

Yep. the stud just turns inside the shell.

I wouldn't get another Zeus Flippy but the 2100 and 2100B range are sweet. Comfortable, quiet and well balanced.

[Winston001]

so it doesnt matter that the front almost touches my chin?

Not in my opinion - in fact it can be good.

I wear glasses because the old number one eyeball (as Ixion calls it) isn't quite so good these days. I find that helmet and bike vibration at decent road speeds cause my glasses to vibrate slightly = blurred vision.

So I now have a small block of polystyrene taped inside my helmet at chin level. It keeps the front of the helmet well away from my face but still means the helmet presses against the chin at road speeds. It isn't uncomfortable and the blurring effect has completely disappeared.

FFM flip-up. Works for me.

[motorbyclist]

So I now have a small block of polystyrene taped inside my helmet at chin level. It keeps the front of the helmet well away from my face but still means the helmet presses against the chin at road speeds. It isn't uncomfortable and the blurring effect has completely disappeared.

what if you hit the ground face first? wouldn't that risk dislocating your jaw?

i doubt it, but i'm sure there's some merit to the argument

[Winston001]

what if you hit the ground face first? wouldn't that risk dislocating your jaw?

i doubt it, but i'm sure there's some merit to the argument

Hadn't thought about that but maybe dense foam would be better - still the block needs to be solid enough to transmit vibration so it is absorbed and cancelled. Polysytrene should compress and partly absorb any shock. Not an experiment I'm keen to try.

[Gizzit]

what if you hit the ground face first? wouldn't that risk dislocating your jaw?

i doubt it, but i'm sure there's some merit to the argument

Ride backwards ..... problem solved !!

[mctshirt]

So any more ideas for a reasonably priced helmet? I'm tossing up between FFM and HJC around the $200 mark - all I want is washable liners, breath guard and a reduction in noise but the biggest issue is finding one that fits good after trying all sorts on - it appears I'm somewhere between medium and small.

[NordieBoy]

Have you tried the Zeus range?

[wbks]

Yea, got one ordered in along with a kbc. Gona try them on some time this week

[mctshirt]

I was out doing "dork walking round a motorcycle shop wearing a helmet indoors" impersonation again yeasterday. I discovered 2 things:

1. V-can are crap - the chin air vent fell to bits while holding the helmet listening to the assistant tell me how his partner had one and they were ok - we were both a little embarrased

2. Takachi and FFM are the same! The only difference between a Takachi T36 and an FFM Tour Pro II was the stickers and graphics - exactly the same lining, same visor (including sticker), same shape from the same mould, same weight, same D-fastener, same everything but price - plain Tourpro $130 - $150 (at different shops) and Takachi with graphics around $160 from memory.

I wonder what other brands come out of the Arai and Shoei factories that are dismissed as inferior Chinese crap?

[davereid]

The cheaper helmets seem to provide just as much protection as the more expensive ones, so my suggestion would be buy an FFM or similar, and use the loot you save to get some other protective gear.

Helmets are only part of the picture - get a decent pair of gloves, jacket, pants and boots as well.

[NordieBoy]

Helmets are only part of the picture - get a decent pair of gloves, jacket, pants and boots as well.

And a bike too. Otherwise you'll look retarded.