What brand of helmet should I buy?

**Banditbandit** · 3rd November 2010, 13:15

What they all said - one that fits ... I like Shoei because they're lite ...

DON'T buy one from trademe .. you don't know how it's been treated and you don't know if it will syand up under crash stress ...

**avgas** · 3rd November 2010, 13:32

I used to always buy Shoei.......I tried a few others but nothing seems a quiet on the road. Sharks sounded like you were being attacked by a village of hairdryers.

However my current helmet is a KBC........and its actually quite good for the money I paid.
In fact its on a par with Shoei.......

**BMWST?** · 3rd November 2010, 14:50

I was trying on Shoeis but the XR1000 didnt fit.Well they did but the raid was actually a better fit then the XR1000...who da thunk it?So try on every helmet you can afford and one that has the relevant safety standards and pick the one you like the best AND fits(your head and budget).There aint no single BEST cos we all have different heads

**pearlygirl** · 3rd November 2010, 19:05

Quasi is now selling Caberg helmets around the same price as shoei helmets but have they have the advantage of an easy quick release buckle , inner sun visor, and also a 5 star SHARP helmet rating. Shoei also a great brand, but make sure it a tight fit as my first helmet was sold to me by a dealer but every time a truck went past me my helmet moved around quite a lot!

Good luck

**xr-rider** · 3rd November 2010, 20:45

get a shoei, great fit very comfortable and they offer great protection in crashes. i know from experience that they will protect you.

**Phreak** · 3rd November 2010, 21:19

Well, after a fairly decent ride today in my brand new Shark RSi, I can vouch for it to be a great fitting helmet, pretty quiet too (compared to my old Oxford lid) and feels like it'd do a better job if I ever met the pavement, too! It's noticably lighter, and has much better ventilation. Oh, and 4 stars on the Sharp scale.

I can't wait to take it to Taupo this weekend! It still feels a little strange, being so much different to the old lid, but hopefully a nice long trip will cure this...

**Little Miss Trouble** · 3rd November 2010, 22:32

I've just recently bought a LS2 from the guys at Cycletreads. It's a bit noisier than my old Shoei XR-1000 but seeing as I wear earplugs for any decent ride anyway and at less than half the price I'm happy

A big thanks to Chris and Todd who were very patient with me and my stupid 'Shoei shaped head' - virtually all other brands either don't go small enough or put headache enducing preassure on my forehead - they managed to fit me with a very decent helmet that also fits my current student budget.

Oh and it has one of them cool internal sun visor thingys too.

**hellokitty** · 4th November 2010, 05:40

Make sure you try it on and keep it on for a little while - I have been known to walk around the shop with one on! I have a helmet that gives me the worst headache after 5 minutes and I didn't want to repeat that mistake.
Also buying off trademe - apart from the fact you can't try it on - you won't know if it is up to NZ safety standards whereas a reputable shop will only have good helmets.

**Maha** · 4th November 2010, 05:52

Originally Posted by Gremlin

The one that fits you well. Brand new, so it hasn't formed to someone elses head, been dropped etc.

Four very good points and, on that note, I have a KBC head....

**Hailwood** · 4th November 2010, 08:04

Go to your local shop and try on every helmet in the store, dont look at brand, price etc, find the one that fits and is comfortable, then look at price. Talk to the shop person and look at getting all your gear there and I am sure they will do you a deal on it.

Dont ever buy a second hand helmet or one you cant try on because you dont know who has worn it, what they have or havent done in or to it or if it fits.

Dont get caught up on a brand either...find the one that fits. Some people have Shoei heads, some Arai heads, some HJC heads. You will find that some helmets dont fit at all no matter what the brand.

**Banditbandit** · 4th November 2010, 08:49

Originally Posted by BMWST?

I was trying on Shoeis but the XR1000 didnt fit.Well they did but the raid was actually a better fit then the XR1000...who da thunk it?So try on every helmet you can afford and one that has the relevant safety standards and pick the one you like the best AND fits(your head and budget).There aint no single BEST cos we all have different heads

I have a Raid ... there's only one problem ... at certain speeds and air conditions it has a slight higher pitch note in it - almost excactly like a distant siren ... makes me feel a little paranoid at times ...

**Botany Honda** · 4th November 2010, 11:02

Originally Posted by Banditbandit

I have a Raid ... there's only one problem ... at certain speeds and air conditions it has a slight higher pitch note in it - almost excactly like a distant siren ... makes me feel a little paranoid at times ...

lol....O for owesom!

**Gremlin** · 4th November 2010, 11:05

Originally Posted by Banditbandit

- almost excactly like a distant siren ... makes me feel a little paranoid at times ...

Had the same thing with music with sirens in it... Talk about heartattacks. I think I've finally tracked down all the music that had it, and deleted them