Helmet/Gear question

[Icemaestro]

Hey, just starting out, looking at buying the gear, but on a very tight budget. Any reccomendations as far as getting the best protection possible for this? Been looking on trademe at helmets etc. Really can't spend more than 150 200 on one, there's a dubious brand called Kylin thats cheap, and meets aus standard...though I suspect quality is poor?

Just lookin for some advice on it all:-)

Cheers

[James Deuce]

Don't buy from Trademe.

Only buy a helmet you've tried on and the shop bunny has helped you fit.

There is no need to spend a fortune, the helmet just needs to meet the standards listed here.

http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/road-user-sa...g-helmets.html

The standards mark will be on the either the helmet strap or a sticker on the back of the helmet.

Quality isn't an issue if the helmet meets the standards. The most important thing is fit. It should touch all the way around your skull and to be comfortable in 3 months time, it needs to be ever so slightly tight when you buy.

Do not buy a Chinese brand, Chinese made helmet. I'm not convinced that they view meeting standards as anything other than whacking a sticker on a helmet.

An FFM Tour Pro II is $155, and the FFM M9 is only $239 and has some good features.

Nitro do some helmets in the $160 to $200 range

http://www.motoretail.co.nz/productlist.cfm?Group=100

RJAY's have some in that price range too

http://www.motoretail.co.nz/productlist.cfm?Group=120

Don't buy second hand. I don't care how trustworthy people say they are, your estimation of the value of your own head is always going to exceed that of the seller's. They're only in it for the money.

A bunch of people will be along to tell you I don't know what I'm talking about, really soon.

[jrandom]

James Deuce speaks troof. (Apart from the bit about people telling you he doesn't know what he's talking about; that's just carefully-nurtured paranoia.)

The Nitro helmets are particularly good for the price.

You're in Auckland, so head along to Motomail in Ponsnobby and they'll sort you out with the right fit Nitro. Trust the salesman when he tells you what size to get, they know what they're talking about.

[Usarka]

Ditto JD and JR.

Sounds like a family affair......

[ynot slow]

Kylin are ok,we grabbed one off trademe,we picked it up from seller and the sizes can be different,i.e my HJC is size L,tried Kylin and got into a size S.Good value for cost,then when funds are ok maybe update and you have a good spare.

[Icemaestro]

Thanks for the great replies, I'm on the shore, might head over to cycletreads tomorrow? any word on Box or Oxford brands? Definately agree with the not second hand thing -was just using trademe as not many places have prices on stuff online.

[Icemaestro]

Kylin are ok,we grabbed one off trademe,we picked it up from seller and the sizes can be different,i.e my HJC is size L,tried Kylin and got into a size S.Good value for cost,then when funds are ok maybe update and you have a good spare.

Its just difficult to say - know anyone who's crashed in one of these? I like my head, it's the only one I've got...

[Usarka]

Its just difficult to say - know anyone who's crashed in one of these? I like my head, it's the only one I've got...

See this.....
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=75796


Many would argue that once it meets the required standards then the fit is one of the most important factors.

If you find two that fit as well as each other then by all means compare the ratings.

There's also some thought that DOT is better for the real world than SNELL ratings but at the price bracket you're looking at it's probably a red herring as they are usually DOT anyhoo......

[jrandom]

I'm on the shore, might head over to cycletreads tomorrow

Not that there's anything wrong with Treads, but you will get better service and fitting etc at Motomail.

[Icemaestro]

Thanks for the tip, they seem to have a good range of helmets there, found RJAYS 'razor' for 119... http://www.motoretail.co.nz/product.cfm?ID=6141 I'll head over on thursday, sound like a go?

[robo555]

I got the FFM M9 with cool graphics on TradeMe after trying it in a shop. It's a tiny bit heavier than a similarly priced HJC, but the FFM M9 has coolmax lining which made the helmet a lot less stuffy than the HJC I tried.

Everyone (who's not a biker) comments how awesome the helmet looks as well.

[SARGE]

I like my head, it's the only one I've got...

i have a spare..


its not mine though..sittin in a jar over the fireplace..

[Gizzit]

Thanks for the great replies, I'm on the shore, might head over to cycletreads tomorrow? any word on Box or Oxford brands? Definately agree with the not second hand thing -was just using trademe as not many places have prices on stuff online.

I believe the Oxford ones are ok for around $109. As others have said .. Nitro good value, and RJays ... You need to try them on for fit! That's paramount for it to be any good in a crash.
Have fun!
Cheers.

[manicmedic]

Meeting the standard is a no brainer!

The other niceties are features .... just be aware that some of the vents etc can cause excess wind noise (the non-anal kind!). Poor fitting visors can do the same. Sometimes wind noise is simply the shape and the airflow over the bike fairing etc.

Weight is an issue if you're riding for long distances. The more expensive ones seem to be lighter but it aint necessarily so.

I have a CAN .... very cheap. It's fine but the wind noise is loud. I need to up-grade but more important things like food and fuel keep getting in the way.

[Icemaestro]

Thanks, went and got an RJAY Razor - There weren't any Nitro left in my size unfortunatly. Motomail are awesome, they also have heaps of gear at like 50% off at the moment!