Helmet Advice.
Discussion
You might also want to pay attention to the " SHARP " safety rating. This is a UK recognized helmet rating. http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/
To this point, you could spend £500 on an ARAI helmet, that has a lower (Sharp) safety rating than a helmet that costs HALF that price.
Do people splash out £500 for an ARAI just for the image/recognition/brand
, or for other reasons...
To this point, you could spend £500 on an ARAI helmet, that has a lower (Sharp) safety rating than a helmet that costs HALF that price.
Do people splash out £500 for an ARAI just for the image/recognition/brand
, or for other reasons...DanSI said:
You might also want to pay attention to the " SHARP " safety rating. This is a UK recognized helmet rating. http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/
To this point, you could spend £500 on an ARAI helmet, that has a lower (Sharp) safety rating than a helmet that costs HALF that price.
Do people splash out £500 for an ARAI just for the image/recognition/brand , or for other reasons...
Build quality, fit, features, weight, noise. All things that suffer at the lower end of the market compared to more expensive helmets.To this point, you could spend £500 on an ARAI helmet, that has a lower (Sharp) safety rating than a helmet that costs HALF that price.
Do people splash out £500 for an ARAI just for the image/recognition/brand
, or for other reasons...Like most kit as long as you don't go full on bargain basement the cheaper stuff will for the most part protect as well as something 3 times the price, you're paying for all the nice little extras that generally make it a more pleasant place to spend the time which makes a massive difference if your bike is your only form of transport like me.
1) Go to helmet superstore and take girlfriend
2) Get girlfriend to put a blindfold on you, so you can't look at the label on the side of the helmet, the safety rating, or any of the other crap which sways your judgement because you're a man.
3) pick the three that fir the best.
Then
4) ask you girlfriend which is the prettiest, and when she tells you discard that one
5) ask the store manager which one he'd recommend out of the last two, and when he tells you discard that one
This then leaves with a good fitting helmet which doesn't look like you were trying to hard to look good, and its not the end of season stock the manager is trying to get rid of.
Last note and an important one, there is a high change the girlfriend will kick off after this, but the way I've found works best is that you say to her 'If I go back and change to the one you suggested, you have to wear the dresses I suggest'. If she accepts this then you go back without a moments hesitation, and are a lucky man.
2) Get girlfriend to put a blindfold on you, so you can't look at the label on the side of the helmet, the safety rating, or any of the other crap which sways your judgement because you're a man.
3) pick the three that fir the best.
Then
4) ask you girlfriend which is the prettiest, and when she tells you discard that one
5) ask the store manager which one he'd recommend out of the last two, and when he tells you discard that one
This then leaves with a good fitting helmet which doesn't look like you were trying to hard to look good, and its not the end of season stock the manager is trying to get rid of.
Last note and an important one, there is a high change the girlfriend will kick off after this, but the way I've found works best is that you say to her 'If I go back and change to the one you suggested, you have to wear the dresses I suggest'. If she accepts this then you go back without a moments hesitation, and are a lucky man.
DanSI said:
You might also want to pay attention to the " SHARP " safety rating. This is a UK recognized helmet rating. http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/
To this point, you could spend £500 on an ARAI helmet, that has a lower (Sharp) safety rating than a helmet that costs HALF that price.
Do people splash out £500 for an ARAI just for the image/recognition/brand , or for other reasons...
ISTR, ARAI disagree with the nature of the tests, so its more do you trusting their judgement or some relatively new testing body. Arai do not do a slide down internal dark visor for safety reasons.To this point, you could spend £500 on an ARAI helmet, that has a lower (Sharp) safety rating than a helmet that costs HALF that price.
Do people splash out £500 for an ARAI just for the image/recognition/brand
, or for other reasons...I say this without any axe to grind as I find Shoei more comfortable.
Edited by OverSteery on Monday 22 August 17:06
tom_e said:
DanSI said:
You might also want to pay attention to the " SHARP " safety rating. This is a UK recognized helmet rating. http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/
To this point, you could spend £500 on an ARAI helmet, that has a lower (Sharp) safety rating than a helmet that costs HALF that price.
Do people splash out £500 for an ARAI just for the image/recognition/brand , or for other reasons...
Build quality, fit, features, weight, noise. All things that suffer at the lower end of the market compared to more expensive helmets.To this point, you could spend £500 on an ARAI helmet, that has a lower (Sharp) safety rating than a helmet that costs HALF that price.
Do people splash out £500 for an ARAI just for the image/recognition/brand
, or for other reasons...Like most kit as long as you don't go full on bargain basement the cheaper stuff will for the most part protect as well as something 3 times the price, you're paying for all the nice little extras that generally make it a more pleasant place to spend the time which makes a massive difference if your bike is your only form of transport like me.
I paid around £400 for my 3 star Schuberth C3 when the Caberg Trip has 5 stars but was 25% of the price. I did this because the C3 is the second quietest helmet (second only to the C3 Pro) that you can get. And, of course, I only have a 3 star head!
julian64 said:
1) Go to helmet superstore and take girlfriend
2) Get girlfriend to put a blindfold on you, so you can't look at the label on the side of the helmet, the safety rating, or any of the other crap which sways your judgement because you're a man.
3) pick the three that fir the best.
Then
4) ask you girlfriend which is the prettiest, and when she tells you discard that one
5) ask the store manager which one he'd recommend out of the last two, and when he tells you discard that one
This then leaves with a good fitting helmet which doesn't look like you were trying to hard to look good, and its not the end of season stock the manager is trying to get rid of.
Last note and an important one, there is a high change the girlfriend will kick off after this, but the way I've found works best is that you say to her 'If I go back and change to the one you suggested, you have to wear the dresses I suggest'. If she accepts this then you go back without a moments hesitation, and are a lucky man.
2) Get girlfriend to put a blindfold on you, so you can't look at the label on the side of the helmet, the safety rating, or any of the other crap which sways your judgement because you're a man.
3) pick the three that fir the best.
Then
4) ask you girlfriend which is the prettiest, and when she tells you discard that one
5) ask the store manager which one he'd recommend out of the last two, and when he tells you discard that one
This then leaves with a good fitting helmet which doesn't look like you were trying to hard to look good, and its not the end of season stock the manager is trying to get rid of.
Last note and an important one, there is a high change the girlfriend will kick off after this, but the way I've found works best is that you say to her 'If I go back and change to the one you suggested, you have to wear the dresses I suggest'. If she accepts this then you go back without a moments hesitation, and are a lucky man.
Awesome.
Another vote for Helmet City in Tatsfield. I spent almost a whole afternoon there a couple of years back trying on loads of lids and kit until I found exactly what I was comfortable in - including wandering around wearing the lids too 
They have a vast stock of helmets and gear plus very hepful staff too.
They have a vast stock of helmets and gear plus very hepful staff too. 
julian64 said:
1) Go to helmet superstore and take girlfriend
2) Get girlfriend to put a blindfold on you, so you can't look at the label on the side of the helmet, the safety rating, or any of the other crap which sways your judgement because you're a man.
3) pick the three that fir the best.
Then
4) ask you girlfriend which is the prettiest, and when she tells you discard that one
5) ask the store manager which one he'd recommend out of the last two, and when he tells you discard that one
This then leaves with a good fitting helmet which doesn't look like you were trying to hard to look good, and its not the end of season stock the manager is trying to get rid of.
Last note and an important one, there is a high change the girlfriend will kick off after this, but the way I've found works best is that you say to her 'If I go back and change to the one you suggested, you have to wear the dresses I suggest'. If she accepts this then you go back without a moments hesitation, and are a lucky man.
Think this may be the best plan of action, although i doubt she will kick off meaning i wont be the lucky man in the situation.2) Get girlfriend to put a blindfold on you, so you can't look at the label on the side of the helmet, the safety rating, or any of the other crap which sways your judgement because you're a man.
3) pick the three that fir the best.
Then
4) ask you girlfriend which is the prettiest, and when she tells you discard that one
5) ask the store manager which one he'd recommend out of the last two, and when he tells you discard that one
This then leaves with a good fitting helmet which doesn't look like you were trying to hard to look good, and its not the end of season stock the manager is trying to get rid of.
Last note and an important one, there is a high change the girlfriend will kick off after this, but the way I've found works best is that you say to her 'If I go back and change to the one you suggested, you have to wear the dresses I suggest'. If she accepts this then you go back without a moments hesitation, and are a lucky man.
Helmet City in Tatsfield is a bit far from me, im in the North west so anywhere round here is fair game, biggest place ive found so far is J&S Accessories.
Keithyboy said:
Another vote for Helmet City in Tatsfield. I spent almost a whole afternoon there a couple of years back trying on loads of lids and kit until I found exactly what I was comfortable in - including wandering around wearing the lids too They have a vast stock of helmets and gear plus very hepful staff too.
Yep, good guys down there and they will let you take the helmet home, sit on the couch wearing it for an hour and if its uncomfortable you can bring it back. Cant say fairer than that. They have a vast stock of helmets and gear plus very hepful staff too. I wouldn't disregard a Shark Skwal, if the fit works they are a decent helmet and on sale at the moment around £130. 4* rated, great internal visor and disco lights to entertain the kids at the lights. My next helmet is a Shoei NXR or Shark Spartan as I fancy something a bit lighter and more racey.
Djkirk3000 said:
Think this may be the best plan of action, although i doubt she will kick off meaning i wont be the lucky man in the situation.
Helmet City in Tatsfield is a bit far from me, im in the North west so anywhere round here is fair game, biggest place ive found so far is J&S Accessories.
J&S are quite good. I got £50 off a C3 pro with a bit of haggling!Helmet City in Tatsfield is a bit far from me, im in the North west so anywhere round here is fair game, biggest place ive found so far is J&S Accessories.
tjlazer said:
I wouldn't disregard a Shark Skwal, if the fit works they are a decent helmet and on sale at the moment around £130. 4* rated, great internal visor and disco lights to entertain the kids at the lights. My next helmet is a Shoei NXR or Shark Spartan as I fancy something a bit lighter and more racey.
Be aware if you need to replace the visor on the Skwal or Spartan you're looking at the best part of £100!Thanks to everyone that helped with this. Went to J&S accessories at the weekend to try on lots of helmets after initially feeling hounded in the shop and followed i left for a brew and returned with a clearer head and a better experience. The shoei qwest, Arai Axces 2 and the HJC RPHA ST all fit quite well.
I went for the HJC RPHA ST in the end pic below. Price was what i was after paying, fit was good and it includes the internal sun visor meaning i dont need to splash out on an additional visor, also has pinlock included.
I went for the HJC RPHA ST in the end pic below. Price was what i was after paying, fit was good and it includes the internal sun visor meaning i dont need to splash out on an additional visor, also has pinlock included.
Keithyboy said:
Another vote for Helmet City in Tatsfield. I spent almost a whole afternoon there a couple of years back trying on loads of lids and kit until I found exactly what I was comfortable in - including wandering around wearing the lids too They have a vast stock of helmets and gear plus very hepful staff too.
Another vote here. I got mine from them and when I needed one for the GF, they spent a very long time with her getting the best fit at a number of price points. They have a vast stock of helmets and gear plus very hepful staff too. FIT, FIT, FIT every time. And like others have said spend ages with them on your head in the shop, and if you can try to crouch like you're on a bike. Better still, go sit on a bike if they'll let you.
I bought a Shoei GT Air from sportsbikeshop. Spent ages in there trying loads on. The Shoei just felt "right" in the shop. Everything else i tried on there was something wrong with it. Back to the Shoei and it was perfect.
Wanted to spend £150-£200 and ended up spending north of £450!
First time i rode with it on i knew i'd made a mistake. Felt like it was pushing down on my eyebrows when crouched on the bike. Riding along with a shocked/surprised expression on my face just to keep the padding from coming down over my eyebrows.
I had bought an XL, but i think the top of my head is a bit smaller than my chubby cheeks.
I also don't like the visor mechanism, which insists on being open either 1cm, or being closed - nothing inbetween. I like a few mm of open visor, but not 1cm.
So i'm flogging it and taking a huge hit on it.
If anyone wants a cheap GT Air PM me.
I bought a Shoei GT Air from sportsbikeshop. Spent ages in there trying loads on. The Shoei just felt "right" in the shop. Everything else i tried on there was something wrong with it. Back to the Shoei and it was perfect.
Wanted to spend £150-£200 and ended up spending north of £450!
First time i rode with it on i knew i'd made a mistake. Felt like it was pushing down on my eyebrows when crouched on the bike. Riding along with a shocked/surprised expression on my face just to keep the padding from coming down over my eyebrows.
I had bought an XL, but i think the top of my head is a bit smaller than my chubby cheeks.
I also don't like the visor mechanism, which insists on being open either 1cm, or being closed - nothing inbetween. I like a few mm of open visor, but not 1cm.
So i'm flogging it and taking a huge hit on it.
If anyone wants a cheap GT Air PM me.
PTF said:
FIT, FIT, FIT every time. And like others have said spend ages with them on your head in the shop, and if you can try to crouch like you're on a bike. Better still, go sit on a bike if they'll let you.
I bought a Shoei GT Air from sportsbikeshop. Spent ages in there trying loads on. The Shoei just felt "right" in the shop. Everything else i tried on there was something wrong with it. Back to the Shoei and it was perfect.
Wanted to spend £150-£200 and ended up spending north of £450!
First time i rode with it on i knew i'd made a mistake. Felt like it was pushing down on my eyebrows when crouched on the bike. Riding along with a shocked/surprised expression on my face just to keep the padding from coming down over my eyebrows.
I had bought an XL, but i think the top of my head is a bit smaller than my chubby cheeks.
I also don't like the visor mechanism, which insists on being open either 1cm, or being closed - nothing inbetween. I like a few mm of open visor, but not 1cm.
So i'm flogging it and taking a huge hit on it.
If anyone wants a cheap GT Air PM me.
I completely agree, an ill fitting helmet is a huge distraction. When you get it right you forget you're wearing it.I bought a Shoei GT Air from sportsbikeshop. Spent ages in there trying loads on. The Shoei just felt "right" in the shop. Everything else i tried on there was something wrong with it. Back to the Shoei and it was perfect.
Wanted to spend £150-£200 and ended up spending north of £450!
First time i rode with it on i knew i'd made a mistake. Felt like it was pushing down on my eyebrows when crouched on the bike. Riding along with a shocked/surprised expression on my face just to keep the padding from coming down over my eyebrows.
I had bought an XL, but i think the top of my head is a bit smaller than my chubby cheeks.
I also don't like the visor mechanism, which insists on being open either 1cm, or being closed - nothing inbetween. I like a few mm of open visor, but not 1cm.
So i'm flogging it and taking a huge hit on it.
If anyone wants a cheap GT Air PM me.
Gusto said:
PTF said:
So i'm flogging it and taking a huge hit on it.
If anyone wants a cheap GT Air PM me.
Pics/design!?If anyone wants a cheap GT Air PM me.
Kicking myself. After a string of schuberths i thought i'd go for something else. Oops!
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