Advice on a helmet? I know its very subjective...

keithquad

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Hi

I'm lookinng for a slightly better helmet - I have a Airoh S4 (Medium size), which fits fine - having had long -ish trips with it (Ireland 3 days).

Now looking for soomething slightly better. I was adviced by BMW that their off road helmet does not really have enough room for the Autcom system. Therfore I'm presently leaning towards a lift front helmet, which atleast provides me with a reasonable compromise, so what to go for?

Well to date my head has tried to feel comfortable in:-

Arai Tour x, BMW Off road, BMW Lift front helmet, Nolan lift front.

All of which seems to be too tight at the middle of my forehead.

So here is the question for those of you with years of experience of trying on helmets is their an unwritten rule ie 'if your head doesnt fit Arai then it fits.....'. It would be really good if somebody can enlighten me!
It's worth noting that being based in Kendal Cumbria there are not too many shops to try a range of helmets out!

Hope that you can provide some subjective views!
 
It used to be said that one had either an Arai shaped head or a Shoei shaped one. Even if that were once true, I'm not sure that it still holds good. I've got both a Tour X in a Medium and a Shoei Hornet in a Large and they both fit me with the Arai being, perhaps, a very slightly better fit.

Try a Shoei Hornet or a Multitec, if you must have a flip front.

HTH
 
Keithquad,
i used to be the same as you untill i tied an aria about 6 years ago and have neverlooked back,
ive had a shoei multitech and other arais byt now use an arai tourx 3 and have neverlooked back, its all day comfy, light(ish) and looks pretty cool
but it all depends on what works for you
if you want an autocom fitted them im pretty sure that all the modern day lids apart from the race rep ones have the room to fit said intercom so it depends on what fits the best
as for the arai shoei thing, i find that i still do have an arai shaped bonce but some of the arai range, particually the chaser, is more of a rounded shape, like a shoei
your best bet is to go into a shop and try a few on, and go for what fits the best and offers the best value for you monaey, oh and also has some sort of sharp rating on it too,
hope this helps!
 
Talking to the SHARP people at the bike show they said the most important thing is to get a helmet that fits properly.

So, how far are you prepared to travel to make sure you've a decent fitting helmet?
 
Have you tried a 'normal' Arai. Do you really want a flip front/enduro style helmet?

The Arai Signet is available in white for £150 from George Whites online at the moment. Bargain ! ! ! If you know your size of course.
 
My wife has a similar problem with Helmets. I find that you can pull the lining out of an Arai and press the front edge with the back of a metal spoon and this eases the issue somewhat:thumb

As a flipper, the System 5 is a piece of art. The enduro helmet is very light but the speakers are a pain to put in, requires surgery to the inner padding. Works well if you cut enough away but the strap is positioned wrong for perfect alignment.
 
Keith, the best thing to do is to get yourself over to Westgate road in Newcasltle and visit custom lids and the other bike shops to try on as many helmets as possible. As said above, it doesn't matter which helmet you want, it's the one that fits you best that will be the quietest and most comfortable.
It's taken me about 15 years to find a helemt that fits me really well and thats my tour-X. I wanted a flip front but due to having asmall headsize they all felt huge, as untill the new schuberth concept was released, they only used one shell size. I bought a multitec but after a couple of hours on the bike it's obvious it doesn't fit as well as the tour-X, it seems to get noisier as the foam gives. I had a BM system 5, decided it wasn't that great (nowhere near as well finished as the Schuberth C2 and visor misting was downright dangerous), tried a craft and an AGV titech too. The titech was a great lid but quite noisy, couldn't get away with the craft.
 
Flip, just go the biggest shop you can find and try on lots of different types. Just been through this process and it was a pain complicated by having an english head in German helmets. I was told by Arai man that the european. asian, and US have different inners to accomodate the different shapes of bonce. I found a difference between the same helmets in german shops and the uk with some fitting me better here than in the UK. You also have to decide what you want it for. I found the tour X anoying on long road days when it was windy. Curiously though I like MX helmet/goggle combo as I wear contact lenses. I am resolutely an Arai man. I find the finish/fit and longevity the best in the long run. Flip fronts are great but I find them a pain off road. I used to love open face helmets till I met someone who had a reletively low speed spill and is now fuggly (F&*%ing ugly) not that I'm a film star now. So I guess it can only be down to you as we all have Blah..blah...blah. Sorry I was going on a bit there. In the end I bought an Arai Condor as it fitted me best. I have no regrets. If I was off roading more I'd buy an MX helmet. If I was into drowning airheads in rivers ( I have seen the photo.....) I'd buy a Diving helmet. I belive Bumpmuncher may be able to help you out.
 
PIGGLET said:
Keith, the best thing to do is to get yourself over to Westgate road in Newcasltle and visit custom lids and the other bike shops to try on as many helmets as possible.
Click to expand...

I agree, have a run over to Westgate road, if you can`t get a lid there there`s no hope! Go with an open mind re Arai & Shoei head shapes. Some Arais fit me nice and some not & the same with Shoei.

Slowdown said:
Talking to the SHARP people at the bike show they said the most important thing is to get a helmet that fits properly.
Click to expand...

I wonder if they`re back pedalling somewhat? I bought a Schuberth S1 at the show and when I wandered past the SHARP stand asked him what the test results for it were. I was well pleased when he said 2 stars :D but he was very quick in telling me it`s the fit thats most important.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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