Satnav
Guest
Just what is the comfiest helmet?..There are so many on the market, which is the best for medium speed touring type stuff, I tried the system four but did not like the fit much..
Difficult to be objective as helmets are a very personal thing as far as comfort is concerned. I've had a range of helmets in the decade that I've been riding.
My last helmet and its replacement have been Arai. Previously I had not spent as much on a helmet.
I got an Arai FV at a bargain price when a dealer cleared out his stock room prior to a move to new premises. I was very happy with this and when it came to replacement time I tried on a variety of helmets.
Despite the price, I settled on an Arai Rapide (the cheapest one they do, £200 in Hein Gericke).
Why do I like Arai?
Most importantly, they fit my head. The Rapide was a comfortable but snug fit from day 1.
The lining is made of a very comfortable material that wicks sweat away.
I much prefer the D type fastening - especially when it is cold.
The ventilation system works which means that the visor rarely mists up.
They are reasonably light and fairly quiet - especially when compared to my old Nolan.
Almost everybody stocks them - therefore, if you need a new visor or cheek pad or whatever they are readily available.
My last helmet and its replacement have been Arai. Previously I had not spent as much on a helmet.
I got an Arai FV at a bargain price when a dealer cleared out his stock room prior to a move to new premises. I was very happy with this and when it came to replacement time I tried on a variety of helmets.
Despite the price, I settled on an Arai Rapide (the cheapest one they do, £200 in Hein Gericke).
Why do I like Arai?
Most importantly, they fit my head. The Rapide was a comfortable but snug fit from day 1.
The lining is made of a very comfortable material that wicks sweat away.
I much prefer the D type fastening - especially when it is cold.
The ventilation system works which means that the visor rarely mists up.
They are reasonably light and fairly quiet - especially when compared to my old Nolan.
Almost everybody stocks them - therefore, if you need a new visor or cheek pad or whatever they are readily available.
Arai...everytime
...from the global size of their customer base and their exposure in the racing media, I very much doubt that anybody spends as much on R+D as they do.
Their UK central admin could do with a shakeup though. It took me 4 months to get essential spares through for an RX7 which was until recently their flagship helmet.
...from the global size of their customer base and their exposure in the racing media, I very much doubt that anybody spends as much on R+D as they do.
Their UK central admin could do with a shakeup though. It took me 4 months to get essential spares through for an RX7 which was until recently their flagship helmet.
Just go for the one that's the most comfy. Having the quietest lid in the world that's uncomfortable to wear is a non starter.
Forget design/styling initially. Try loads on and narrow it down by comfort/fit. A good bike shop should help you, rather than just pointing out their range and leaving you to it.
When I bought mine I was told you should be able to fit 2 fingers (make a gun shape out of your hand and use the two fingers making the barrel) between your face/mouth and the front of the helmet.
When the helmets on and the straps not done up, hold it at the back and try and pull it off over your head - it shouldn't be able to if it's a good fit.
Waggle the helmet side to side gently with your hands when it's on. The movement shouldn't be more than a coupla cm - it should ideally be quite snug when new as they all "give" a little.
Some helmets have interchangeable cheek pads, so if that's the only area where it's loose, you may be able to do something.
I have an "Arai" shaped head and aparently Suomi are the same sort of fit, if that's any help.
If you're unsure which new helmet to go for, you could do worse than go to the bike show - where every brand will be, not just the ones stocked locally to you - and try all the different makes on, and get loads of advice.
My advice is don't rush it. I tried on an Arai and Shoei helmet, both felt hugely better than my old (very very old) shoei lid. In the end the guy in the shop recommended I keep both on for at least 10 minutes each, so I wandered around the shop feeling a complete knob for a while. He was right. By the end I was in no doubt that the Arai felt more comfortable by far. 9 months on its still feels good.
One piece of advice he gave was that to beware the helment tight across the forehead. Other areas he said would stretch a bit, but not the forehead. no idea if he was right, but he seemed to know his stuff.
I went for one of these two purely on brand image, I wanted a top quality and safe lid. I'm still not sure whether cheaper lids are any less 'protective' or not.
J
One piece of advice he gave was that to beware the helment tight across the forehead. Other areas he said would stretch a bit, but not the forehead. no idea if he was right, but he seemed to know his stuff.
I went for one of these two purely on brand image, I wanted a top quality and safe lid. I'm still not sure whether cheaper lids are any less 'protective' or not.
J
roadrider
Registered user
Satnav said:
It took me a while to get used to the system4, but it paid off.
John
The Mechanic
Guest
Best fit...
It won't necessarily be the most expensive helmet that is the best for you either. When you are trying helmets have a look at some of the less expensive one to.
I've been using an HJC 12 Street Fighter. Retail £90 ish but I paid £65 at Martyns Motorcycles in Mansfield, this helmet fits better then my Arai, is quieter and the visor mechanism is as good to.
It may not be the ultimate in designer label stuff but its ACU gold approved, very comfortable and not much heavier than the Arai.
I will say though that Arai helmets just seem to be excellent, everyone that I try fits my head perfectly.....Arai head then.
I have the Lazer Flip as a spare and although heavy in comparison to the HJC and Arai, in the hottest parts of this summer it gave me the chance to cool off quickly
If you can buy your helmet from somewhere that has properly trained staff to advise you.
It won't necessarily be the most expensive helmet that is the best for you either. When you are trying helmets have a look at some of the less expensive one to.
I've been using an HJC 12 Street Fighter. Retail £90 ish but I paid £65 at Martyns Motorcycles in Mansfield, this helmet fits better then my Arai, is quieter and the visor mechanism is as good to.
It may not be the ultimate in designer label stuff but its ACU gold approved, very comfortable and not much heavier than the Arai.
I will say though that Arai helmets just seem to be excellent, everyone that I try fits my head perfectly.....Arai head then.
I have the Lazer Flip as a spare and although heavy in comparison to the HJC and Arai, in the hottest parts of this summer it gave me the chance to cool off quickly
If you can buy your helmet from somewhere that has properly trained staff to advise you.
Marty Gutenfart
Registered user
I was told Arai make even sizes and Shoei odd sizes (might be other way round), hence having an "Arai head" or "Shoei head". Just a bit of useless info.
I'm in the Arai camp also, I tried a shoei and a couple of AGV's the last time around, but I just ended going home with another Arai.
I have an RX7 at the moment and to be honest, although it's a top of the range piece of kit, next time around, I will probably go for one of the more sedate models. I bought it as I got a really good price on it, it looked (I thought) really cool and the fit was superb. However subsequently I have found the following:
It has loads of vents that are quite difficult to operater (especially with gloved hands), the vents make it quite noisy when riding and in the bad weather it's not that warm it in the rain it is possible for whole raindrops to sneak in somehow through the front vent and smack you on the lip!! (As the design means the visor steams up quite regularly you need to ride with this open sometimes, although it does a good job de-misting I have to say). Before that I had a Giga (forerunner to the FV) and a Rapide (really going back now!!)
However, just about everything is removable/replacable and spares are quite readily available, so you can change the cheek pad sizes, rachet clips and all kinds of other things. If you're going to use the lid a lot, try to work out how easy spares are to come by, particularly if you want to change the visor etc, as it would be a very frustrating experience to break a piece off say the visor mechanism then find you can't get another and the helmet is rendered useless (it's happened to me before)
Don't really know about some of the newer competition but if you want to get a good deal on a helmet generally the following always seems to apply:
You will almost always get a much better deal at a bike show, as they turn up with a truck load of gear and they always want to go home without it.
If you are not concerned about the latest thing, fashion being what it is, you can get great chunks of cash of some of last years models or colour schemes that are out of date/not popular. So you get the same quality for a much lower price.
I have always liked plain coloured lids myself as they are (normally) a little bit cheaper and don't seem to date as quickly.
If you have an unusual size head (e.g. XXS,XS or XXL) then you can get an absolute steal if you look carefully at shows as the 'last one available, at an absurdly cheap price' is almost always an uncommon size, so definitely hold out if you know this.
There are a lot of dealers at shows and you can easily walk around and cheekily play them off against each other.
Basically, I think this is a good way to buy an expensine helmet without have to sell a kidney
Hope this helps,
David
I have an RX7 at the moment and to be honest, although it's a top of the range piece of kit, next time around, I will probably go for one of the more sedate models. I bought it as I got a really good price on it, it looked (I thought) really cool and the fit was superb. However subsequently I have found the following:
It has loads of vents that are quite difficult to operater (especially with gloved hands), the vents make it quite noisy when riding and in the bad weather it's not that warm it in the rain it is possible for whole raindrops to sneak in somehow through the front vent and smack you on the lip!! (As the design means the visor steams up quite regularly you need to ride with this open sometimes, although it does a good job de-misting I have to say). Before that I had a Giga (forerunner to the FV) and a Rapide (really going back now!!)
However, just about everything is removable/replacable and spares are quite readily available, so you can change the cheek pad sizes, rachet clips and all kinds of other things. If you're going to use the lid a lot, try to work out how easy spares are to come by, particularly if you want to change the visor etc, as it would be a very frustrating experience to break a piece off say the visor mechanism then find you can't get another and the helmet is rendered useless (it's happened to me before)
Don't really know about some of the newer competition but if you want to get a good deal on a helmet generally the following always seems to apply:
You will almost always get a much better deal at a bike show, as they turn up with a truck load of gear and they always want to go home without it.
If you are not concerned about the latest thing, fashion being what it is, you can get great chunks of cash of some of last years models or colour schemes that are out of date/not popular. So you get the same quality for a much lower price.
I have always liked plain coloured lids myself as they are (normally) a little bit cheaper and don't seem to date as quickly.
If you have an unusual size head (e.g. XXS,XS or XXL) then you can get an absolute steal if you look carefully at shows as the 'last one available, at an absurdly cheap price' is almost always an uncommon size, so definitely hold out if you know this.
There are a lot of dealers at shows and you can easily walk around and cheekily play them off against each other.
Basically, I think this is a good way to buy an expensine helmet without have to sell a kidney
Hope this helps,
David
Sergeant Pluck
Registered user
Aria for me too. i've got an RV which was bottom of the range i think. its not the quietest lid in the world, but it's still very comfy and still in one piece (just!) after nearly 4 years of daily use. my personal experience of cheaper lids i've had in the past is that they are fine when new, but finish, fixtures and fit in particular all deteriorate fairly rapidly after a few months - and for me this made them a false economy. mines due for replacement fairly soon, and i will try a Shoei on for size as i've heard that the visor system is much quieter, but i will probably go for an Aria again.
pr0ne
pr0ne
Gary Morgan
Guest
Arai
judge
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The one that fits - Arai, Shoei, BMW ect, none of that matters - don't be a fashion victim or a lemming get yourself to a few different shops where they know what they're doing - be incredibly fussy about fit and don't be afraid of a close fit.Satnav said:
Arai - after wasting money on cheaper helmets.
BUT, I've got a system 4 now. Didn't like the fit initially, but I've got used to it and now it feels great.
What I like:
flip up ability - surprisingly useful eg in shops
quietness
with the 'elite' the low weight and comfortemp inner.
better visor than the Arai, doesn't keep slipping down
good customer service - two bits broke due to my clumsiness, and I got them replaced virtually free of charge.
BUT, I've got a system 4 now. Didn't like the fit initially, but I've got used to it and now it feels great.
What I like:
flip up ability - surprisingly useful eg in shops
quietness
with the 'elite' the low weight and comfortemp inner.
better visor than the Arai, doesn't keep slipping down
good customer service - two bits broke due to my clumsiness, and I got them replaced virtually free of charge.
BawdyMonk
Guest
I've tried Arai, Shoei, Schulberth and a good few of the cheaper makes, the EVO IV for me is tops in the comfort stakes, sadly however, not in the low noise department.
I
For the first time ever, I'm now wearing earplugs, on balance it's worthwhile, apart from when I forget to put the bloody things in and have to stop on the hard shoulder and find them
It's my first flip, and it won't be my last, for the reasons above and for when the temp gets too high, like C40+
I
For the first time ever, I'm now wearing earplugs, on balance it's worthwhile, apart from when I forget to put the bloody things in and have to stop on the hard shoulder and find them
It's my first flip, and it won't be my last, for the reasons above and for when the temp gets too high, like C40+
richie
Registered user
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The one that fits....
The one that does not steam up....
The one that is quiet....
The one that costs the right amount for your wallet....
In that Order
The one that does not steam up....
The one that is quiet....
The one that costs the right amount for your wallet....
In that Order
Deleted Member
Guest
size isn't everything
The Foolish Fellow
Registered user
new bmw superlight helmet
did anyone try the new pre production bmw super duper light model at the show?
did anyone try the new pre production bmw super duper light model at the show?
Spanish Bob
Guest
Marty Gutenfart said:
seems that way - I have an Arai head. The only question I have is that sound proofing. I have an RXX7, cant remember the rest of it (anyway it was bloody expensive two years ago), it is really good, but I am a bit worried about ending up deaf? any better options? (I wear plugs)
RickX
Guest
Everything's been said but...
...if you've got an Arai head and want to go touring and off-road then the Arai wins again. They've got an MX helmet with a visor and all the usual Arai qualities - the Tour-X (basically a Quantum with a big chin).
I bought a carbon System IV for the detachable flip-up and made it fit ok with a heavy thumb on the forehead foam. But on a GSA it turned out to be one noisy bugger and the quality still doesn't match Arai.
...if you've got an Arai head and want to go touring and off-road then the Arai wins again. They've got an MX helmet with a visor and all the usual Arai qualities - the Tour-X (basically a Quantum with a big chin).
I bought a carbon System IV for the detachable flip-up and made it fit ok with a heavy thumb on the forehead foam. But on a GSA it turned out to be one noisy bugger and the quality still doesn't match Arai.
PeterNicholson
Guest
RickX opined thus: "the Tour-X (basically a Quantum with a big chin)."
More like a VX Pro with the Quantum Visor mechanism grafted on, and a suitable shaped visor fitted.
Having tried on a TourX, the shell shape seems to be identical to the VX Pro (had one of these a couple of years ago).
Current lid is a Bell Moto7 - even more comfy than the Arai, but Bell quality has taken a nose dive since moving production from th States to the Bieffe factory in Italy, so I won't be replacing it with another Bell.
Saving for a TourX...
More like a VX Pro with the Quantum Visor mechanism grafted on, and a suitable shaped visor fitted.
Having tried on a TourX, the shell shape seems to be identical to the VX Pro (had one of these a couple of years ago).
Current lid is a Bell Moto7 - even more comfy than the Arai, but Bell quality has taken a nose dive since moving production from th States to the Bieffe factory in Italy, so I won't be replacing it with another Bell.
Saving for a TourX...
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