How much to spend on a helmet.

[TOMCAT]

Boof and Pin

Or melon or egg .. neither of which guys seem comfortable admitting ..hahaha

 

[TOMCAT]

Don't buy an Arai if you like swapping around visors .. the little nip that invented the mechanism should be shot dead !!!!

 

[cr0ft]

It depends a lot on head shape. Some are round, most are an intermediate oval, some are very long ovals. The key for helmets is that it fit right - it has to be tight all around the head. With the wrong head shape for the helmet you'll have air either at the temples or front to back (or pressure points in those places, which is uncomfortable and can cause headaches, and still is less than safe). Too many people buy their helmets worrying about fit around the face, but Arai reps recommend you take out the cheekpads entirely when trying on helmets to focus on the fit around the skull. Once that is right, they have a variety of cheekpad thicknesses so you can fit it to the face too. I'm just talking Arai here because they're among the best at providing multiple shell sizes for helmets and multiple sizes on the insides of them to make sure the helmet does its job and is comfortable.

That said, I myself bought a Nolan N104 and have used that now for two years. It's a modular with a massive viewport (so no claustrophobia issues), pinlock antifogging, built in sun visor, great ventilation, fully removable liner so you can wash it when it gets funky (dealbreaker for me there, no removable liner, no sale) - and it's very comfortable. I'd recommend it for anyone with the appropriate head shape (medium oval). I'll probably pick up a new N104 Evo next year and retire this one.

www.google.com/images?q=nolan+n104

The only good way to buy a new helmet, btw, is to going to a brick and mortar and trying them on, preferably with the help of someone knowledgeable at fitting helmets.

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/ - helmet info and test data on many models.

Price-wise I'd say "what's your head worth to you?". There are places to economize, but your safety isn't (to me) one.

 

[cr0ft]

I recommend finding what you want, then trying to get a good deal on a used one on ebay or some other online auction service. I got a barely used Shoei multitec in pristine condition for cheap as the guy only wore it for a short time and realized he preferred an open faced helmet. But with ebay there's always a risk you'll get screwed too...

Personally, I'd never buy something used when it comes to helmets. All you have to do to render a helmet unsafe is drop it once from a sufficient height. I'm also not a fan of wearing something that fits that closesly that has been on someone else's head, but that may just be me.

 

[wordwarrior]

Personally, I'd never buy something used when it comes to helmets. All you have to do to render a helmet unsafe is drop it once from a sufficient height. I'm also not a fan of wearing something that fits that closesly that has been on someone else's head, but that may just be me.

I'm with you. unless you're Clark Kent with X-Ray vision how do you know if the integrity of the shell/lining hasn't been compromised. Buy new every time.
I had a Nolan n104, I never really got used to the chin strap and buffeting so I eventually ditched it for a Shoei GTAir which is so much more comfortable and a full kilo lighter than the Nolan. That in itself is a weight off my mind

 

[Mike188]

Shoie GT Air here.............don't think I could ever go back to a open face, and as I wear specs the built in "sun visor" is a real plus for me.............

 

[CanberraR3]

Screw helmets; get a little cloth cap.

Very happy with my Shoei, and very easy to switch visors. As TC says, ARAI visor design is either a bad joke or deliberate torture, plus they have no detents and rely on friction to hold it in different positions. Been looking lately at Kabuto (previously KBC). They're Japamese, very similar to Shoei and about the lightest fill face helmet on the market. They cost around half the price of Shoei or ARAI.

By the way, I'm a little wary of helmets with drop down sun visors. Perhaps a nice thing to have but not as effective as sunglasses. Thing I don't like about them is that the cavity they retract into means these helmets have a hollow patch right across the part protecting your forehead.

 

[1olbull]

Steve you might want to try the helmet I wear as I have in past always had to ride with shield open due to claustrophobic feeling once the screen was closed and this because they had inadequate venting the Shark Carbon R Pro (top model in line up) is super lightweight and very well vented to the point that keep my screen closed most of the time it is also the quiet's helmet I have ever worn that includes Shoie and Arai it has a lining which can be removed for cleaning and the materials are top notch they even have a channel to make putting your glasses on easily the only down side is it is not cheap but I would happily pay it again for such an outstanding helmet, I had actually gone into the shop to buy a Arai but saw the shark liked the look loved the weight when I picked it up then I tried it on .... I was in love it fitted perfectly

Thanks for dope, Mate.
Looked at that Shark Carbon R Pro on line. Nice helmet, but I like that AGV Pista GP Carbon pretty much as well.

 

[HansO]

Thanks for dope, Mate.
Looked at that Shark Carbon R Pro on line. Nice helmet, but I like that AGV Pista GP Carbon pretty much as well.

yeah probably also a good head as others have and I mentioned It has to fit right and unfortunately the AVG's just don't fit my Mellon/Boof/Pin head and again as other and I have said "what Price do you put on your head or for that matter your life"

 

[cr0ft]

I had a Nolan n104, I never really got used to the chin strap and buffeting so I eventually ditched it for a Shoei GTAir which is so much more comfortable and a full kilo lighter than the Nolan. That in itself is a weight off my mind

Yeah, modulars are inevitably heavier since they have the mechanism to open the front. But I'm glad for that extra kilo, part of it is Nolan using all-metal parts in the hinges and latches, so no Nolan modular has less than 100% stayed closed rating at SHARP. The chin strap works well for me though, but I usually wear a Buff like a bandana under the helmet anyway.