Helmet advice

[snerkler]

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 ....

Fit IS the most important factor yes, but just had thoughts that the enduro helmets wouldn't bloc out any noise. And if course I'd try before buying. Knowing the peak is removable is useful info

 

[h0wz3r]

As I just posted in my other thread regarding headset fitting, I got the LWD Arai Tour X3 delivered today but it just didn't fit my head right when I tried it on. Fortunately the company I ordered it from had agreed beforehand to exchange it if it didn't fit so ordered the Shoei Hornet DS Sonora instead after trying it on again for fit and size.

Just goes to show that you really do have to try each and every helmet on in varying sizes so you know which ones are going to fit and which ones aren't. In my case the Shoei fitted me like a glove whereas the Arai just didn't in many ways.

 

[snerkler]

Out of interest what id the average life expectancy of a helmet? I'm sure I heard/read somewhere that it's a good idea to replace your lid every few years due to wear and tear, uv damage etc?

 

[MacFarlane]

Out of interest what id the average life expectancy of a helmet? I'm sure I heard/read somewhere that it's a good idea to replace your lid every few years due to wear and tear, uv damage etc?

The Arai/Shoei/etc advise max 5 years, but check yer dome fer damage. Mind saying that I've still got original helmets (Centurian/Kiwi) from when I had my LC, severely fucked but still sometimes wear them for the smell of nostalgia!

Hey I'm not auld yet tho 40 soon in a couple of years

 

[Giles]

UV was only really a issue with the older style polycarbonate lids. (white lids would slowly age to a very pale yellow...).
Its not an issue now. 5 years is a good rule of thumb.

 

[peejay]

I use an Arai tour X3 with pinlock fitted, I also own a BMW enduro and have used this a great deal also.

IMHO it's a matter of preference, the BMW is cheaper, lighter and has a better periferal vision, also the anti fog coating works well as long as you clean as per instructions, visor change for cleaning or for going from tinted to clear is far simpler.
Tour X also as good and I have always used Arai road helmets. Cant comment on Shoei.
Off road, you work harder and perspire and breath heavier, so with visor open and eye protection you get better ventilation and no fogging.
I wear these all the time, dont notice any extra wind noise or turbulance and the peak comes in handy when the sun is low.

 

[snerkler]

I use an Arai tour X3 with pinlock fitted, I also own a BMW enduro and have used this a great deal also.

IMHO it's a matter of preference, the BMW is cheaper, lighter and has a better periferal vision, also the anti fog coating works well as long as you clean as per instructions, visor change for cleaning or for going from tinted to clear is far simpler.
Tour X also as good and I have always used Arai road helmets. Cant comment on Shoei.
Off road, you work harder and perspire and breath heavier, so with visor open and eye protection you get better ventilation and no fogging.
I wear these all the time, dont notice any extra wind noise or turbulance and the peak comes in handy when the sun is low.

I tried the BMW one on yesterday and was quite concerned about how little it blocked the noise out. When I put my agv on it blocks out some of the outside background noise out, but when I tried the BMW on in the shop I could still hear the sales lady almost as clear as without it. Have you noticed this? If so are you saying this isnt an issue when you're riding eg the wind noise doesn't get too much?

 

[peejay]

I tried the BMW one on yesterday and was quite concerned about how little it blocked the noise out. When I put my agv on it blocks out some of the outside background noise out, but when I tried the BMW on in the shop I could still hear the sales lady almost as clear as without it. Have you noticed this? If so are you saying this isnt an issue when you're riding eg the wind noise doesn't get too much?

I always wear my custom made earplugs. I would say the BMW lid is lighter, but I dont suffer from excess noise or tubulence.
I'm on the verge of buying another BMW lid as I do like them a lot in the summer.

 

[Steptoe]

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

.

I ride with my helmet flipped up almost permanantly, have done for years without any problems.

On the system 4 you can convert a full face to open face in less than a minute. Not sure if the system 6 has that capability ?.

Best use goggles off road to stop branches poking your eye out. I've unintentionaly been through the shrubbery many a time.

 

[Giles]

I ride with my helmet flipped up almost permanantly, have done for years without any problems.

Well I don't understand this! Pootling around town not doing much more than 30 than yeah maybe, but surely if you giving it the lash on a country lane you don't have it flipped up do you? It would rip yer head off !! (depending on how fast you go of course .... )
My only experience of flip-up lids is a work Shoei multitech (and the model before that one - can't remember its name..). Great for talking to people, but I found them both heavy and noisy.

 

[h0wz3r]

Well I don't understand this! Pootling around town not doing much more than 30 than yeah maybe, but surely if you giving it the lash on a country lane you don't have it flipped up do you? It would rip yer head off !! (depending on how fast you go of course .... )
My only experience of flip-up lids is a work Shoei multitech (and the model before that one - can't remember its name..). Great for talking to people, but I found them both heavy and noisy.

Heavy and noisy yes, that's why I wanted a different style of helmet. The flips are very convenient but come at a price in terms of wind noise particularly.

I've never had a problem riding with my flip in the up position right up to silly speeds and certainly no excess strain on my head or neck. I couldn't do this on my other bike, a Yamaha Fazer 600 but on the GS it's never been an issue. The screen makes a lot of difference when adjusted properly and of course anything is better than the OE screen such as the MRA Vario I have on mine.

 

[Giles]

Ummmm..... (!)

I suspect that some of you may have barn door screens that give you a very still air experience.

I've sort of got mixed views on that, good for miles upon miles of auto route, but sometimes it can be a bit too sterile for my taste.

I'm a biker!!! I want the wind in my hair sometimes. I want to cane it down a B road and pretend I'm Valentino !!! Being buffeted about and having yer ears ringing is what its all about!! I want 120 to feel like 120!!!!

Right, off to Morrisons for some washing up liquid .....

 

[viffer]

Hi fellas,Mite be a little to late to reply to this but hear goes.would any of the members on this thread concider any cheaper options such as Uvex,HLc or Airoh dual sports lids.


Thanx Patrick

 

[h0wz3r]

Hi fellas,Mite be a little to late to reply to this but hear goes.would any of the members on this thread concider any cheaper options such as Uvex,HLc or Airoh dual sports lids.


Thanx Patrick

Hang on a second... Uvex? Cheap?

I liked the Airoh lids, look good for the money but just didn't fit my head shape, hence I went for the Shoei Hornet DS.