Helmet advice

[snerkler]

Hi,
I currently have the AGV Ti-Tech Gothic Rossi Helmet. I have just bought a 1200GSA and considering doing some off mild off-roading. I have been advised to look into getting an enduro style Helmet, or open my visor on my AGV but wear goggles or safety glasses.

Firstly what is the reason behind either getting a proper enduro helmet, or raising the visor and wearing goggles for my current helmet. Is it purely to prevent fogging, or is there something else?

Secondly, if I consider an Enduro helmet I'd probably wear it all the time as can't be bothered to carry a spare lid around. How good are they for day to day use, and touring as far as noise and buffeting are concerned? I would consider one towards the higher end of the market, BMW, Arai, AGV.

Cheers, Toby

 

[Rusape]

Good question snerkler, I was wondering the very same a couple of days ago!

I see lots of riders with them, even on long touring journeys, surely they must be noisier than a regular FF helmet, as the peak must catch huge amounts of wind..

I thought about the new Shoei Multitech flip..

 

[MorayGSer]

I tried enduro helmet but it was very noisy.

 

[Mutley]

Dual sport helmets with visors and peaks have some advantages:

1. The peak is usefull off road as you use it to stop being hit in the face by branches / stones
2. You can use goggles which give much better visibility in muddy / dusty conditions
3. You have a visor for higher speeds on the road

They also have some less good features:

1. they tend to be heavier and less well ventilated than an enduro helmet
2. goggles don't fit as well
3. the peak can cause buffeting (the Arai has an adjustable peak which never causes me an issue) and noise

Enduro helmets are great for off road but have no visor so are very noisy at speed and they are effectively an open face as well. I'm always concerned that they aren't designed for the impact a road 'off' may give them as well. Cheaper option though.

Road helmets are much quieter and more aerodynamic. Not too clever at proper off roading though as the visor mechanism normally fouls the goggle strap and there's no peak.

In conclusion then I'd say don't invest in an off road helmet unless you either are serious about the off road bit or you want the pose. If you do buy a dual sport make sure you wear ear plugs on the road.

 

[h0wz3r]

I've just bought an Arai Tour X3 as I'd heard good things about it. Having tried a flip up, enduro and full face helmet and on balance I much preferred the open face style of helmet.

Considering I rode around with my flip up in the open position I wanted something that would give me the same experience but with the protection of a full face so that's my reasons for getting an enduro style helmet.

Can't comment on noise as I haven't received it yet but it can't be any worse than my flip up in the open position, especially as it was a cheap helmet to begin with.

I find the peak works well in low light conditions as it acts as a shade. The fact that I'll probably never go off road didn't sway my decision.

 

[Giles]

Considering I rode around with my flip up in the open position

This worries me. Aside from the safety implications, you must have a neck like Arnie.

Can't comment on noise as I haven't received it yet but it can't be any worse than my flip up in the open position, especially as it was a cheap helmet to begin with.

I find the peak works well in low light conditions as it acts as a shade. The fact that I'll probably never go off road didn't sway my decision.

The peak works well in bright conditions as it shades your eyes from the sun!!



My advice to you Toby is to try the Shoei (hornet) and Arai Tour x3 for shape and size, they are both good lids and not really that much noiser than a road lid. (I have about 5 different lids!! including the Tour x3, which i think is very good ....). Please don't buy an open face helmet .

 

[h0wz3r]

Fair comment about riding with the flip up Giles but I just don't feel right with the lid closed, hence why I wanted to replace it as soon as possible.

Reason I only bought a cheap lid to begin with is because I'd just started motorcycling and didn't want to spend a fortune in case it didn't work out. Fortunately for me it did so thought it high time I got a decent helmet!

I'd never contemplate an open face but at the same time I feel a bit claustrophobic with a full face so the Arai was the perfect choice for me. Even with the peak it should be more aerodynamic than riding with the lid open on my flip!

What's with all the headbanging btw?!

 

[Giles]

What's with all the headbanging btw?!

I was being shallow, and I apologise!!!

 

[h0wz3r]

I was being shallow, and I apologise!!!

Yes you were, and so you should LOL.

I agree with trying both the Shoei and the Arai on though to see which fits and suits you best, then make your decision from there.

 

[snerkler]

Hmm, enduro helmets not the quietest then Just out of interest what is considered to be the quietest helmet?

 

[oldrascal]

Moving across from Hayabusa to a GSA a year or more ago, I had the same problem snerkler. My full-face Arai seemed wrong and restricting and so I bought a Schuberth C3 which I found even more claustophobic and much noisier and more poorly made than expected for over £400.

I eventually bought a Shoei Hornet DS and just love it to bits. It gives me that important 'open-face' freshness whilst being protective as a full-face with the visor down. As to the peak being caught by the wind, I have never had the slightest problem in spite of being 6ft 3in and sitting way up high.

In fact, I rarely lower the visor at anything under 90mph or in heavy rain, nor is there much noise - but good earplugs help I suppose. I tried the Arai Tour X-3 but was less happy with the visor fit and extra length of the peak although the longer peak makes a much better sun-screen than the shorter Shoei version. Haed shape will also make a difference.

Finally, in my view, both the Arai and the Shoei just look so right with GS.

 

[illustratedman]

Lids

I have a shoei hornet and find it no noisier than my shoei raid or xr800 or interceptor (i always wear earplugs). The peak is too small to block out a lot of glare from the sun, visibility is, i find greatly improved over a road helmet. This is the main reason i got it as i have a neck injury from a previous accident and it makes shoulder checks a lot easier. Ventilation is a lot better the chin bar is further from your mouth, but i find the helmet cold in winter so revert to the raid. It is 100grams heavier than the raid, i dont notice it, neither do i notice the peak significantly catching the wind at all. It steams up the same as every other helmet i've ever owned no better no worse but because of the shape of it you cannot fit a foggy which is the only thing i've found which really works to stop visors steaming up, even those with pinlock (which the hornet has).

 

[snerkler]

you cannot fit a foggy which is the only thing i've found which really works to stop visors steaming up, even those with pinlock (which the hornet has).

That's a shame, as I find the anti fog inserts a real help. I guess I could always go back to my Ti-Tech in winter/when it's raining.

I don't know much about the Shoei hornet, what are they like as far as protection (impact resistance etc)?

 

[C-J]

It steams up the same as every other helmet i've ever owned no better no worse but because of the shape of it you cannot fit a foggy which is the only thing i've found which really works to stop visors steaming up, even those with pinlock (which the hornet has).

Used to have a Hornet.... I had a pinlock fitted to mine, and it worked fine...

So don't let that put you off.

Main advantage I see of the Hornet/Tour-x etc is the wider field of view given.

Plus you get to look like your favourite TV Tossers !! Now that must be a selling factor !

 

[Crackshot]

Have a Shoei XR1000 which works great but.... have a Schuberth C3 which I found to be brilliant. I see somebody else said claustrophobic, maybe because the C3 has an additional removable chinguard piece that effectively seals you in. In my case I found it to be warmer than others because it was so snug. In addition it is definitely quieter than others I've had. Maybe the build quality issue was a one off???

 

[oldrascal]

Have a Shoei XR1000 which works great but.... have a Schuberth C3 which I found to be brilliant. I see somebody else said claustrophobic, maybe because the C3 has an additional removable chinguard piece that effectively seals you in. In my case I found it to be warmer than others because it was so snug. In addition it is definitely quieter than others I've had. Maybe the build quality issue was a one off???

It is fair to say that the removable chinguard does fill-in any gap but the helmet is cut low and snug in any case. I bought the C3 because of its reputation for quietness but I really found it no quieter than anything else.

As to the build quality, the screw attaching the n/s of the flip unit and visor to the helmet sheared in the helmet. Although the helmet was replaced under warranty, mine was one of a batch where this happened. And there are a number of threads here about C3 build issues. Like I said, not what you want for £400 +.

 

[Crackshot]

It is fair to say that the removable chinguard does fill-in any gap but the helmet is cut low and snug in any case. I bought the C3 because of its reputation for quietness but I really found it no quieter than anything else.

As to the build quality, the screw attaching the n/s of the flip unit and visor to the helmet sheared in the helmet. Although the helmet was replaced under warranty, mine was one of a batch where this happened. And there are a number of threads here about C3 build issues. Like I said, not what you want for £400 +.

I guess some may have more sensitive hearing and others not so eh?!

So far mine has been well enough put together so I guess I'm one of the lucky few that are happy with it....

 

[Deleted member TF]

I,at the moment,have several. The BMW Enduro is a good crash helmet,the peak and visor remove with the simple twist of a large screw so you can blast up the M1 without the peak and when you get to the rough stuff,remove the visor and put the peak and some gogs on. Easy. Good visor too,treated with some sort of anti-fog coating that actually works.
The new Shoei XR1100 is the best crash helmet I've ever owned. Comfortable and quiet,looks cool,and has the CW1 visor and larger pinlock insert which means no fog.
The BMW Sport Helm,crap. £270's worth. Of crap.
And a Davida Jet and a Shiro Trials. Neither of which are much use on a GS.
So,if you've got a GS and intend doing a bit off-road I can recommend a BMW Enduro. But then I've never tried a Tour-X or a Hornet DS.

 

[Big Nick]

If you want the 'adventure' look the Hornet and Tour X3 are both good. The peak on the Hornet is too short to do feck all and its a more snugger fitting helmet IMHO.
Having had both I prefer the fit and function of the Tour X3 and love the LWD colours even if they do make you look a Charwen McBoorman

I also have a Shoei XR1000 which is the pre-cursor to Tw@ Features XR1100 and its an excellent road helmet

 

[Giles]

Snerkers, you need to get yer sorry ass down to a dealer that has both the shoei and the arai in and try them both on. Don't worry about noise, the peak will make very little difference over a road lid, and besides, you have been bragging about how quiet your new fandangled screen is.....
Fit is the most important factor here, which is why you should try them back to back ....