What Helmet Thread

[rednut]

Hey guys. Im in the market for a new helmet and I'm a little unsure about the performance of the different brands like wind noise, anti fog, weight etc. Just want to hear opinons about helmets youve all owned and comparisons between them.
Ive included a little poll for...idk why, just tick the damn boxes :blumsmiley:

Edit: You may include helmets you have previously owned, multiple choice poll.

[Schtevo]

In the last 4 years I've had a KBC, AGV and now a Shoei.

KBC - one of the better "cheapies" - quite comfortable when new but the lining compressed quite quickly making the fit go loose - quite noisy, fragile tabs that are easliy broken on visor changing.

AGV - liked this helmet a lot - brought it a little tight after the KBC experience and it killed my cheeks for the first few weeks until the lining compressed to fit my face, after that it fitted supurbly. Much quieter than the KBC but still a little noisy. Visors are expensive compared to other brands.

Shoei - recently brought an XR1000 - what a step up! So much more comfort straight off the shelf. Much quieter. Will use nothing less in the future. Wait for the new years colours and last years can be had for a reasonable price if you are not a fashion victim :blumsmiley:

[veitch-y]

Shark was by far the best fit for my head and now have the RSR2 I think it is and is a great helmet . I did try a few different brands in the shop and even bought a Suomy but nothing fit my melon like the Shark .

[Wattie]

the one that fits!

same as Schtevo, i now have a shoei and i love it!

visor seals good, the fog at winton wasnt an issue, i juts popped the visor using the latch on the side, perfect.

[Bigdog]

The new Shoei XR1100 is an awesome helmet and is very safe. It has great ratings from all tests.

[Foghorn]

I have an OGK FF4 which was superceded around 18 months ago by the FF5. I love it and the fact that they have a true one touch visor release system, and fully removable lining is a big plus for me. Priced at $549 at for the graphics model they are stocked at The Helmet Warehouse I think they offer bang for your buck - it is also the quietest helmet I have ever owned.
It's going to be a sad day when it finally gives up the ghost.

[Captain]

Shark was by far the best fit for my head and now have the RSR2 I think it is and is a great helmet . I did try a few different brands in the shop and even bought a Suomy but nothing fit my melon like the Shark .
My RSR2 is also a great fit, and they have the best visor around (good visibility, easy to remove/fit). On the other hand, the ventilation is poor, and if you ever need to look behind you at speed the visor violently flips open.

[oldblade]

I had an Arai for years and loved it. It was a little noisy but was still perfect after 7 years when i replaced it
My current KBC is great value but no Arai

[Bigdog]

My RSR2 is also a great fit, and they have the best visor around (good visibility, easy to remove/fit). On the other hand, the ventilation is poor, and if you ever need to look behind you at speed the visor violently flips open.

I thought you had a RSI and yes they do flip open at speed, mine used to do it too as I was about to tip into T1 at the Creek. Not very confidence inspiring to say the least.
The RSR2 has a lockable visor and is a much nicer helmet.

[stetto]

Had an Arai RX7 Corsair, expensive but comfort is 2nd to none. Now have the Corsair V since the RX7 was written off and its even better. They r noisy but nothing earplugs can't fix which u should probably b wearing anyway. Still got my AGV Ti Tech and its decent but comfort and quality is just no where near that of the Arai

[nick76]

Arai for me.
I recommend going to somewhere like Paramatta,where there is quite afew bike shops close by,and n early being able to virtually try every helmet on the market,and find the one that fits on your head best!!!
Last time i was in the market,there were Suomy and Shark helmets i liked,but once i tried them,i had to scratch them off the list,coz they just didn't suit my melon!!!!

[oldblade]

Next question sorry hijack
How long should you keep a helmet?

[Dunno]

Next question sorry hijack
How long should you keep a helmet?

Until it doesn't fit like it should................ or like it used to. Really depends on usage plus wear & tear.

[Captain]

I thought you had a RSI and yes they do flip open at speed, mine used to do it too as I was about to tip into T1 at the Creek. Not very confidence inspiring to say the least.
The RSR2 has a lockable visor and is a much nicer helmet.
My bad, by the sounds of it.

[darkness1]

I had a shoei diabolical before but now i've changed to AGV. Both have great advantages over the other..shoei more quieter and hugs your head better but agv more lighter and i like the shape of the helmet.

[rednut]

I thought you had a RSI and yes they do flip open at speed, mine used to do it too as I was about to tip into T1 at the Creek. Not very confidence inspiring to say the least.
The RSR2 has a lockable visor and is a much nicer helmet.

On the topic of RSI's i tried one on the otherday and it felt short at the back, like the upper part of my neck was exposed.

[hoffy]

I am a shoei fan as the fit to your head stays firm and does not detereriate like cheaper lids thus meaning it may cost twice as much but easily lasts more than twice as long..good value IMO

[Blurr]

It's a personal thing. Some will fit your head some wont. Wind noise has to do with how the helmet fits on your head.

As long as you pic a good quality brand that lasts the test of time you should be fine.

I like Shark because of the 4 finger chin and dont like Shoei because of the fit and short chin makes my head and chin feel exposed.

It's all prefrence

[*Oggy*]

Had really big crashes in Arai's Shoei and Bell's and still here..... Arai's are now my preferred lid, but it does depend on the shape of your head..

[tocksr1]

I had the shoei XR100 and now a shoei X-11. Both awesome helmets, comfortable, removable liner and quite enough

[rednut]

Im going to get the Arai RX-Q when it comes out in the next few weeks. Its meant to be the new standard in street helmets.

[-72-]

OGK, I can't fault it (current)
Before that Shoei X11 (x2) Saved my head twice. Well worth the price of addition.
Arai Quantum (semi retired)
AGV something (semi retired)

[Mr.Ed]

I own a Shark RSR2, a AGV TiTech and a Suomy Extreme 1R - all in a Medium 57-58. Out of those I like the Shark the best. Not only it was the cheapest but it's got a great (removable) liner, AMAZING visor (not matched by any other brand/model**), light and well ventiladed. Visors are a bit more expensive than most helmets, but honestly it's like $20 more and only need to buy it once, right?!

The AGV is also a nice a helmet if a little larger than the other too (fit is pretty much the same, just the helmet itself is larger). It seems to be a bit louder than the other too with the ventilation but I always wear earplugs so it's hard to tell if that's accurate.

The Suomy is also really good. It feels lighter than the AGV (but it's not), fits me a bit more snug than the other 2 (despite being labeled 57-58 just like the others) and it comes with the rainbow visor which as gay as it sounds it's a great little visor... especially at dawn/dusk/rainy times. It also helps a bit if it's sunny but it's not as good as a full blown iridium visor.

I do like the Shoeis but the fact that their visors have no anti-fog treatment SUCKS! The XR-1100 also has no removable liner which I find a BAD idea, especially during summer.

The ARAI are great helmets too but I just can't understand why they have to cost so much more when they offer pretty much the EXACT same thing as my RSR2... but with a visor of lesser quality**.


** The Shark RSR2 visors are 3mm or 'F1 grade' as they call it. If you remember what happened to Felipe Massa last year when he got hit by a spring from another car on his visor I'm sure you'll appreciate the importance of that feature.

[stetto]

The ARAI are great helmets too but I just can't understand why they have to cost so much more when they offer pretty much the EXACT same thing as my RSR2... but with a visor of lesser quality**.


** The Shark RSR2 visors are 3mm or 'F1 grade' as they call it. If you remember what happened to Felipe Massa last year when he got hit by a spring from another car on his visor I'm sure you'll appreciate the importance of that feature.

Arai shoot projectiles at their visors too at 500km/h, I dunno wat Massa wears but i think it was flicked up by another car so the combined speed of him and the projectile must've been around this number, surely F1 helmets are put through very strenuous tests

[Mr.Ed]

Arai shoot projectiles at their visors too at 500km/h, I dunno wat Massa wears but i think it was flicked up by another car so the combined speed of him and the projectile must've been around this number, surely F1 helmets are put through very strenuous tests

The car was going in the same direction as he was so that actually softened the blow. It was a 1Kg spring from Rubens Barrichelo suspension so not a small piece of body work... He uses a Schubert helmet (spelling?) if I'm not mistaken and yes, F1 helmets are put through very strenuous tests since Ayrton Senna's death back in '94.

I had the displeasure of owning a KBC VR2 (I think that's what it was called) and I don't see its visor stopping anything bigger than a small rock. And even then it'd better not be coming too fast or you're done...

[rednut]

.

The ARAI are great helmets too but I just can't understand why they have to cost so much more when they offer pretty much the EXACT same thing as my RSR2... but with a visor of lesser quality**

Well the new RX-Q is gonna be $699. Pretty reasonable for an Arai if you ask me.

[Mr.Ed]

You can easily find a RSR2 for that price... much better helmet IMO. But helmets are a personal thing, I know.

[Cedric]

Shark offer the best helmet for a reasonable price IMHO.

I had an Arai Corsair RX7 before my current Shark - it was an outstanding helmet, the best I've ever used. It was uncomfortable for the first two weeks until it moulded to my scone; after that I barely knew it was there. Ventilation, vision, quality of construction and weight were outstanding. I can't recommend them enough - if they fit your noggin then you'll find no better. The only reason I went to a Shark is because I can't afford to continue destroying $1150 helmets at the track.

My AGV was shite. I had the 'Stealth' and I wouldn't recommend them. Poor construction quality, vision comparable to a English knight's helmet circa 1450AD and the noisiest helmet I've ever had the displeasure of wearing. It looks great - but it's shit.

Nolan make a good helmet - for the same price as my AGV you get a lot more for your dollar.