Helmets

[Deleted Member I]

My system 5 has been giving me a lot of pain at low speeds so after a generous warranty offer from BMW .. I am going to buy a new helmet.

Tried the Arai Viper GT and it fits real well. Comfort wise I find Arai so much better than the BMW (even my old system 4). BUT I like the flip helmet.

Tried the C2 at the shows .. not really sure.

Tried the Shoei flip and not sure it fits me properly ...

Really want a Tour X but tried that and I need a new screen for it to work without shaking my eyeballs out of its sockets.

Any suggestions??

Reason why I like flip helmets is because I wear glasses and they are really convenient.

Thanks in advance.

T.

 

[Wicker]

I am also a glasses wearer and had always used fixed front helmets however on Euro tours where you are regularly stopping to take photos, get petrol, etc I found these too hot & a pest to keep taking off for short stops. Been using flip front helmets since 2004 / 30k. .

I had a Shoei Syncrotec 2 and found it great for the first 6/9 months however once the flip front / visor mechanisms had seen some use they loosened up to a stage where no amount of tinkering / adjustment would get the visor to seal properly. Once loose the visor let in drafts and a lot of rain which is not good. I wrote and complained to the Shoei UK distributor. They did suggest I buy a new visor mechanism which, given the age of the young helmet, I felt should have been provided under warranty.

I am now using a BMW System 5 which is quieter and has no visor sealing problems. Only drawback I have found with the BMW is its weight; it is 1/2kg (20-25%) heavier than the Shoei. On a long ride my neck muscles noticed the difference however I have now got used to it but would still wish BMW to put the next version of the System helmet on a diet.

I looked at Caberg flip helmets that some in the bike club use however I was not impressed with the quality of fit and finish. The Roof open face helmet - surprised this passed any kind of safety accreditation; a case of style over substance. Whilst these helmets are cheaper than either Shoei or BMW I would not trust my head in either.

 

[beemerboy9]

I am surprised that the fit of the System 5 is so much different from your System 4 that it is causing pain. Certainly the weights are almost identical. Actually I have a new System 4 waiting in the wings when my current one wears out as I find the S5 a looser fit (if I go down a size I hit the chinbar).

You could consider another System 4. I see Clarks in Birmingham are showing some in their e-Bay shop (no affiliation etc.) and other dealers have stuff knocking around.

 

[seb]

Replaced my old Shoei Interceptor today. Looked at some of the BMW flip ones last week, and the Nolan one today. In the end went for the Viper GT. Gotta say its a visibly good quality looking lid and fits very well. Anyone know why Hein Gericke don't stock Shoei's or is it just my local one that doesn't?

 

[Wicker]

Hein Gericke stopped supplying Shoei helmets a couple of years ago. It took them a while to get rid of the remaining odd sizes they had in stock. The Edinburgh shop told me on several occasions that they were going to get more Shoei stock but never did. I think it may have had something to do with the poor financial state of Hein Gericke at the time.

 

[Wapping]

Novice / Tom

Asking for advice on helmets is not going to get you very far IMHO.

Everyones' opinions will differ, simply because their heads are different shapes. The price differences will also have a marked effect. I like Arai (but they don't do a flip front) but cannot get on with Shoei or Dainese, albeit these are big sellers so they must suite somebody. I bought a Nolan flip front; cheap and does what it says on the tin.

Go to a decent shop. Bikestop at Stevenage is pretty close and try a bunch on http://www.bikestop.co.uk/ . Then try a BumW dealer and / or anywhere that sells any one of the range(s) you haven't tried.

 

[Deleted account 231211001]

I wear spex too.
I've had my Shoei Syncrotec 2 for a couple of years and likewise find that the visor fits like a not very fitty thing, making me eyes water and letting in rain.
However, it sits on a shelf in the shed and looks at me like an old faithful dog, so I can't quite bear to put a pickaxe thru its skull and see it off.

Just bought a new C2. Comfy as fukc, noiced it's put 10mph on me cruising speed already cos I'm not constantly shifting me head to prevent draughts!
However, all this is shite if they don't fit your head. Talk to a pro salesman, not some saturday job kid, and be prepared to let a slightly tight lid bed in. If you buy one that is dead comfy in the shop, in a few weeks it will have moulded to your own skull shaoe and will disappoint you coz it will feel slack.

 

[jetwalking]

Arai

I notice that you 'fancy an Arai'

Nice helmet. Used one for past 18 months 10 hours a day off road. Came off at about 60mph off road (but as it happened I was on a concrete strip at the time). All happened in about 2 nano secs. Helmet fully protected me and had only superficial scratches (translation) bloody great gouge mark on it.

Thinking about getting one for me own riding. Downside is the chin strap seems to twist and warp after about 12 months.

 

[Deleted Member I]

Thanks for the suggestions ....

Wanted to see if there was an alternative to the System 5 that people found works well. The main hesitation I have with going for an Arai is exactly what someone mentioned ..

used fixed front helmets however on Euro tours where you are regularly stopping to take photos, get petrol, etc I found these too hot & a pest to keep taking off for short stops.

I am going to give the Shoei and C2 a second look. Anybody know a good place to buy them at below RRP?

Cheers

 

[Packer]

Have a look at this link.

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=85968

Tarka reckons that the Lazer Revolution is the ultimate flip front. I've just bought a system 5 and find that it isn't perfect! The seal is allowing water to run down the inside of the visor. Trip back to the dealer is called for!

 

[CBFer]

Thanks for the suggestions ....

Wanted to see if there was an alternative to the System 5 that people found works well. The main hesitation I have with going for an Arai is exactly what someone mentioned ..


I am going to give the Shoei and C2 a second look. Anybody know a good place to buy them at below RRP?

Cheers

Which Shoei have you been looking at - the new Multitec or the Synchrotec?

 

[Deleted Member I]

Which Shoei have you been looking at - the new Multitec or the Synchrotec?

I didn't even know there was two versions

What are the differences?

.. I think the one I have tried on is the Synchrotec, and I think it is the one the police officers used. What's odd is that I have worn a full face shoei before and it was quite comfortable.

 

[CBFer]

I didn't even know there was two versions

What are the differences?

.. I think the one I have tried on is the Synchrotec, and I think it is the one the police officers used. What's odd is that I have worn a full face shoei before and it was quite comfortable.

Not sure what the differences are. I believe the Multitec is a replacement for the Syncrotec. Some information here -

http://www.shoei-europe.com/en/

See also -

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91540&highlight=multitec

I have an XR1000 which I find very comfortable. I remember trying the Syncrotec at the time I bought my XR1000, but it just didn't feel anywhere near as good.