Helmet shopping - suggestions?

**bell** · 14th December 2006, 17:53

Unsure how deep you want to dive into the technical side of helmet design and certification....but, here's the link anyway:

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...iew/index.html

I've just been through the helmet buying process with my wife. Lessons learned:
1. be fussy, be very fussy.
2. Make sure that you jot down some notes to compare various helmets if you're going to do the rounds of a few stores.
3. Buy what fits you best and falls within your budget eg. 199$ HJC was a better fit for my wife's head shape than the 799$ Shoei.

And think VERY hard about whether you really do want to add one of those mohawk/bunny ears/tails, etc to your lid!

**davereid** · 14th December 2006, 19:44

I wasn't attacking you dawnrazor, I'm sorry if you thought I was, I was just trying to help a new rider, who I assumed had a budget for safety gear.

I freely admit that I'm not a helmet freak, I stand by my statement that budget helmets do 99% of the job of the expensive ones.

And I think the excellent page referenced by Bell helps my case !

I also think you may be being a little harsh on budget safety gear. Lots of the modern synthetic jackets are great, and very good value for money.

I'm the last to suggest you buy everything based simply on price... but reids a scottish name, so we are pretty good at finding value for money at the low end of the market.

**xwhatsit** · 14th December 2006, 21:07

Originally Posted by dawnrazor

what about it

Well, it's quite possible that the only reason they are using those lovely expensive helmets is because they're given them for free, or paid to wear them and the associated logos. I'm not saying that's the real reason, but it's possible. I know when my father was being sponsored in offroad racing the only reason they used those particular tyres was because they were being given them for free, in exchange for putting a bloody big logo on the side of the vehicle.

**Lou Girardin** · 15th December 2006, 06:06

Originally Posted by davereid

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.

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

Cheap helmets meet minimum standards, dearer helmets exceed them.

Merely dropping a helmet doesn't not usually harm it, impacts with your head in it does. THAT'S when it should be replaced.
Broken bones and gravel rash heal, brain injuries don't.

**Hillbilly** · 15th December 2006, 09:54

One difference between budget helmets and the more expensive brands is weight. There are also thing such as the fastening system - clips or d-ring? And some of the cheap helmets do not have removable/washable linings. Consider ventilation as well.

**dawnrazor** · 15th December 2006, 15:02

Originally Posted by davereid

I wasn't attacking you dawnrazor, I'm sorry if you thought I was, I was just trying to help a new rider, who I assumed had a budget for safety gear.

I freely admit that I'm not a helmet freak, I stand by my statement that budget helmets do 99% of the job of the expensive ones.

And I think the excellent page referenced by Bell helps my case !

I also think you may be being a little harsh on budget safety gear. Lots of the modern synthetic jackets are great, and very good value for money.

I'm the last to suggest you buy everything based simply on price... but reids a scottish name, so we are pretty good at finding value for money at the low end of the market.

fair enough mate, I still reckon there is no single more important piece of motorbike gear then a helmet, and to that end I have always endevoured to stick me head into the best gear I can lay my hands on.....no one said motorbikes where are cheap form of transport

I will agree with you however about folks getting a good cross section of gear, the amount of scooter rides I with a helmet as the ONLY piece of protective clothing is incredible...but hey

**davereid** · 15th December 2006, 18:58

Yeah cheers buddy, I certainly won't bitch about your decision to wear the best helmet you can afford. The internet is awash with data on helmets, and how good they are, and its often contradictory and confusing.

**tbird** · 15th December 2006, 22:42

I am a new rider - just got my learners - bike - and starting to get the gear and helmets are one thing that I will not skimp on - the helmet that I bought reatils in NZ for almost twice what I paid for my bike!!!!

Fit is the most important thing. There are mant different shell shapes as I am sure you have learnt and I have an expensive shaped head!!! I know from personal experiance that an illfitting helmet is both unsafe and uncomfortable (fortulately my only experiance is with the latter)

As has been said before try on as many as you can and keep the one you think you may buy on for a while in the shop to makes sure there are not any spots you can feel "hard pressure" that said you do want a firm fit.

**megarich** · 28th December 2006, 18:16

The mega part of megarich (writing under my hubbies name)

I have my first road bike.. and have no helmet! This is a good thread for me who is looking desperately to find one that I can afford, and that fits... I have tried on most in the shops here, but can't find one that fits my head, and lets me put my glasses back on... Is there anyone that has an idea of what fits best? Or shall I just go get some contacts....

**davereid** · 29th December 2006, 20:25

OK .. decide if you need a $1000 helmet, or if you just want a legal helmet. If you want a good quality legal helmet check out the FFM K3 flip. Its a full face an you can lift up the chin to make it an open face to help you put on the glasses, have a beer or a smoke while you ride. RRP $215 incl gst.. yes for the helmet freaks.. I wear one , and I sell em..

**The_Dover** · 29th December 2006, 20:40

just don't get a shoei.

mine's comfy and fits well but is noisy as fuck.

or is that just my pipe?

**TonyB** · 29th December 2006, 20:49

I recently got an HJC CL-SP Not a bad helmet- not sure what full retail is, probably over what you are wanting to spend. One thing that is worth noting though is the antifog (cause it may be available on all HJC models). Its simply unbelieveable! You can actually breath out a full lungfull of air directly at the visor, while the visor is locked down and you are sitting still, and it doesn't fog AT ALL. It doesn't get 'wet' either like the Fog City thing I had on my last helmet. Buggered if I know how it works.... must read the owners manual...

**Drum** · 29th December 2006, 21:22

Originally Posted by TonyB

I recently got an HJC CL-SP Not a bad helmet- not sure what full retail is, probably over what you are wanting to spend. ....

$299 on Tardme. A good price if the antifog is as good as you say....

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...n-82857896.htm

**Swoop** · 29th December 2006, 21:27

Originally Posted by megarich

I have my first road bike.. and have no helmet! This is a good thread for me who is looking desperately to find one that I can afford, and that fits... I have tried on most in the shops here, but can't find one that fits my head, and lets me put my glasses back on... Is there anyone that has an idea of what fits best? Or shall I just go get some contacts....

My HJC CL-14 has served me well. I have been wearing sunglasses under a clear visor all winter without any hassle from "pressure points" of the glasses. No complaints here.