The cool looking ones (with the thin lining) are illegal in the UK and the linings are pretty hard. They take quite a while to wear in. Mine gave me a few headaches on long runs for the first year or so but it fits like a glove now. Just wish I looked cool in it
My wife and I have used
Davida Open Face Helmets for the last few years.
We both agree that they're very well made and excellent quality, sizes are exact so are very close fitting, this is what puts most people off and some others may just not like the look.
My advice is to get your head properly measured or get the wife to measure using a fabric or plastic tape measure. There are websites which illustrate how to do this, but basically measure around the head, just above the eyebrows and ears and around the widest part of the head.
Back in the early 80's I just tried a helmet and bought one that felt comfy and looked good!!
It transpires that I always thought I was a
Large but after my wife measured me, I am in fact a
Medium
When I bought my Medium sized
Davida, I tried it on and it felt extremely small and far too tight, the shop assistant and former
Arai employee assured me that although its tight now, it is the correct fit and after several rides it will give and fit like a glove.
At the time, I thought what planet is this guy from, he's only trying to make a sale.
Anyway, I took his advice and decided to buy the
Davida and rode home wearing it. After riding 20 miles I felt discomfort and after 40 miles I had to stop and remove the helmet because I had tears in my eyes which was due to pain and not wind and my head felt like it was in a vice.
It was late afternoon and too late to return to the shop so we rode the remaining 40 miles home.
When I arrived home, to say it was a relief to remove the helmet is a complete understatement.
Next morning I rode back to the shop using my old full face with the
Davida boxed on the bike rack.
Upon arrival at the shop, I had a somewhat heated debate with the sales assistant who sold me the
Davida. He again asked me to give it some time and said that it will give a little with regular use and eventually fit well.
He said some people carefully manipulate with their fingers, areas of pressure points inside the helmet. With his guidance I carefully manipulated the areas which caused most pressure and then rode back home wearing my
Davida - This ride was a little easier than my first with my
Davida but still painful.
The end result after numerous rides is a very well made, excellent quality, very quiet, quieter than some of my full faces and definitely quieter than other open face helmets, comfortable well fitting helmet.
Do I recommend
Davida helmets - Hell yeah....
Would I buy a larger size than my head measurement indicates - No.
Some new owners of
Davida may find the correctly sized helmet just too much pain to bear in the bedding in period.
Davida sizes are precise, unlike most brands who are generous with their sizing.
Ya pays ya money............