Helmet Advice.

[Djkirk3000]

Hello,

Before you tell me i need to go to the doctors for any problems with my helmet, i'm talking motorcycle helmets here :P

I had a 125 about 8 years ago and sold it intending to do my DAS and get a bigger bike, never did.

Now ive done my theory did my CBT at weekend and have my DAS booked, but while doing my CBT everyone else turning up for DAS courses and cbt had their own gear and helmets, while i suffered with the sweaty seconds helmets that were left on offer by the course providers.

So for my DAS course i want to get myself a decent helmet, i dont want to break the bank and also dont want to skimp on stuff (i did that last time i had the 125 and it was all cheap rubbish) for example i have bought my own gloves and gone for some Alpinestars GP plus not the most expensive but not the cheapest etc.

So im looking for any ideas, i understand everyone's head is different and i have to try them on to see what suits best but im trying to get a list of ones that are in my price range that i can aim for when i get in the shop to try on so far i have:

AGV K5 (is the K5 any better than the K3?)
Arai Axces
Shoei Raid
Shoei Qwest

Are there any others around £200-£250 mark that are good to look out for, i have seen a few HJC ones around that price but last time i rode these were on par with Caberg so im inclined to avoid.

Any advice or experiences would be much appreciated

Thanks

[Djkirk3000]

Thanks i know the fit is the most important thing, and i do intend to go somewhere to try as many as possible on.

But is there a reason why the Arai's only start at 250 and sit around the £400 mark is it some kind of voodoo wizardry that they have that makes them so much better than AGV's and HJC ? or are you just paying for a name?

[Djkirk3000]

Thanks Guys, its good to hear that some that have had the Arai and not got along with it and found others as good if not better, from my limited knowledge it seems like these are helmet nirvana and once you have one nothing else will do, but good to hear its not.

i cant seem to find anywhere online that does helmet comparisons for price ranges, things like noise levels, how easily they steam up, ease of changing visor etc, surely there is an audience for something like that?

Im fully aware of the noise and will be searching for some very good ear plugs, im already half deaf in one ear from being very young and i don't fancy losing any more hearing.

[Djkirk3000]

That http://www.webbikeworld.com/ has loads of information on, ill be having a good read on there.

Yes i have been told to wear a helmet in the shop for about 20 mins to ensure it is comfortable.

Another new biker question, What exactly is pinlock? from looking it essentially looks like a second lens/visor that locks into place on the inside of the main visor to stop it misting up is that correct?

[Djkirk3000]

tom_e said:

Yep that's exactly what it is and it's the best thing you'll ever fit if you ride in anything other than just glorious warm dry conditions.

From previous experience with my old helmet i think that will be high up on the list, always had to ride with it slightly open to clear the steam and mist.

[Djkirk3000]

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.

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.

[Djkirk3000]

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.