Helmet shopping - suggestions?

**Version_II** · 14th December 2006, 14:20

O.K now that i've got the license and ordered the bike, im in helmet shopping mode.
I have NO idea what the differences between the helmets are.
Is it worth spending extra coin in this area, or are they all pretty much the same?
I was thinking of spending around 200-300$ which should cover most things.
Can anyone point me in the direction of a good site to look at helmet reviews or recommend any good helmets.
Note: My first bike will be just a 250 and I'll be using it around town mostly. Maybee the odd once a month 2-3 hour blat.

**TerminalAddict** · 14th December 2006, 14:29

quick before anyone else says it.

comfort and a secure fit is paramount

**jrandom** · 14th December 2006, 14:30

I have a purple helmet. I like it a lot.

You can try it to see whether it fits.

It is very shiny, because I polish it often.

**Drum** · 14th December 2006, 14:31

Hey Version II, welcome to the site.

What ever helmet you get, make sure it fits well and is brand new (i.e. no hand me downs!).

A lot of the cost of the more expensive helmets seems to come from the brand name and graphics, but if you try on a cheap helmet and an expensive helmet in the shop you can normally feel a big difference.

I have always been happy with HJC, but tried on a Shoei (raidII??) the other day and it felt real nice. Might have to chat to santa.

**Karma** · 14th December 2006, 14:40

Different helmet fits for different heads it seems, so you'll usually fit a shoei or hjc or whatever and end up buying them from then on.

My personal recommendations;

- Get something with a nose guard thingy to reduce fogging on the visor
- Something with plenty of air intakes is good for town riding so you don't get too hot
- Don't bother spending more than 300-400 dollars, as it's best to replace them after a bin... so buying a helmet for like 1000 dollars can be a bit of waste.

Best thing to do is just rock up to the shop and see what feels good, Motomail have a good selection, as does the parts department in Red Baron... shopping is the best part eh!

**TerminalAddict** · 14th December 2006, 14:42

My HJC cl14 did me well for a year . .then along came Mr Shuberth, dressed in a cute little red santa outfit

"and what would you like for Christmas young man?"

**Jazzed** · 14th December 2006, 14:45

Bought my new (1st) helmet a few weeks ago. Cant remember all the sites I went to when researching my purchase, and they are on my home PC, but definatley have a look at the HJC-SP. In that price bracket it seems to be one of, if not the best - judging from reviews.

So once you have a few likely candidates you just have to go in and try on your short list to test the fit. I was dreading that it wouldnt fit properley and I would have one of those expensive "shoei" heads

heheh Instead I was pleasantly surprised to find it fit well, didnt shift around when shaking my head and felt like it was in contact all the way around. Also it was still comfortable after walking around the shop for about 10mins - so not too tight to cause headaches.

Hope this helps some, and good luck with the shopping

J.

**davereid** · 14th December 2006, 15:40

Don't overspend on a helmet, the important things are good fit and comfort, as well as affordable visors. Many people prefer full-face helmets, as they provide gravel rash protection to the chin. But they weigh more, which may count against you in a neck-wrenching injury. They also tend to fog up in winter, and heavily gloved hands make hard work of getting the visor up at the lights.

For entry level helmets look at FFM Viper open face. Has $16 visors and a sun peak built in. About $110. Also about this price is the FFM Tourpro. Good budget fullface helmet, same visors as FFM Viper. About $125.

Buying a lower priced helmet leaves you withy a bit of cash for some other stuff. Get yourself a decent pair of gloves and a decent jacket. Entry level jackets like the "Neo Mugello" are fine for commuting and only about $220. Gloves start at about $50 and get better as you spend more money. But even leaky $50 gloves are better than skinned hands. Motorcycle Trou start at about $170.

So, instead of buying a $600 helmet, you can buy all the above if you shop around.

**Unforgiven** · 14th December 2006, 15:48

Ive got a V-Can V100, cost me $175, meets all the international and NZ standards and its a light weight fiberglass model which helps on the long trips.

**Fatjim** · 14th December 2006, 15:51

Originally Posted by davereid

So, instead of buying a $600 helmet, you can buy all the above if you shop around.

Yeah, but you'd look a right tit.

**dawnrazor** · 14th December 2006, 15:56

FIVE DOLLAR HELMET = FIVE DOLLAR HEAD get it......

not really an area you want to scrimp and save in....that said after a certain price you're just paying for excellence and craftmanship!!!

try on as many different makes as you can lay your hands on, always buy new. some makes will not fit you or be comfortable others will...don't worry about colours and graphics....lighter is better, but lighter is more expensive

a helmet should be SNUG not uncomfortably tight and not loose, should certainly not move independently of you!!!!!

get your head into a bunch of lids and see what fits the shop will advise you, shop around also....think of the best and most expensive helmet you can afford and then steal money out of your mums purse and buy a better one

up!!!!

**davereid** · 14th December 2006, 16:10

Dont listen to the Helmet Nazis... or the fashion experts....

You need protective gear for your head.. but also your hands, legs etc.

Helmets protect by absorbing energy and reducing the de-acceleration of the head & its contents.
The reality is, that budget helmets give you 99% of the protection of expensive helmets.

- Thats because when an expensive helmet gets dropped, everyone pretends it didn't happen and keeps wearing it anyway.

- And its also because most head injuries are closed - caused by the brain rattling around the skull. ie better helmet = no improvement.

By all means buy a $1000 helmet when you can afford it.

But if your choice is $1000 helmet and ride in jeans and a windbreaker then forget the flash helmet.

You will be much better off with a budget helmet AND gloves AND protective jacket AND protective Trou than just a great Helmet.

**dawnrazor** · 14th December 2006, 16:38

Originally Posted by davereid

Dont listen to the Helmet Nazis... or the fashion experts....

Directed at my post I assume....absolutley nothing to do with fashion, but lord knows what other preconceved notions you have already decided about me from that little climpse

Originally Posted by davereid

You will be much better off with a budget helmet AND gloves AND protective jacket AND protective Trou than just a great Helmet.

yep all the gear is necessary, cheap gear is generally just that - especially the real cheap shit, but all thats beside the point as he didn't ask about gear, so for all you know he has perfectly good gear...ask the question don't assume

The next time I see rossi or pedrosa pop on a $200NZ FFM for a GP grid, i'll bin my ARAI and convert, until then I'll put my head into one of the best helmets ever made and take that extra 1% of security and ride with 100%, 'cus that might make the difference between walking away from a crash or becoming a dribbling wreck

I'd rather have scabby hands and knees, then a broken head....but thats just me