Helmets - different size shells vs padding?

[Kiwi79]

Which manufacturers actually make different size shells for each size vs just padding out a large shell? I used to have a AGV and that was goldfish bowl like in a small. Arai seem to but boy do you pay for it! Anyone else to consider?

[cmaguire]

I doubt any do. Arai use the same shell for M and L with different padding.

[Fire99]

AGV have 2 shell sizes, particularly with their K5-S, which I'm a fan of...

http://www.helmetcity.co.uk/agv-k5-s-hurricane-red...

[bogie]

You have to check the manufacturer pages as most do fewer shell sizes in lower priced helmets and more in their mid to high end helmets. As few as 2 at the cheap end. High end 4 or 5 sizes

[Zarco]

Shoei and Suomy do different shell sizes and cheek pads of differing sizes, so you can tailor a shell to fit to an extent.

[bogie]

Bell offer custom fit on some of their high end models too. Not sure if/where its available in the UK yet

https://www.bellhelmets.com/en_ap/bell-custom-fit

[Bad Biddy]

Not in the UK yet. I enquired recently and you have to get your head scanned in the US.

Only option is the Bell Star (for full faced lids) which isn't a particularly high end helmet either. In fact it's pretty cheap and nasty IMO.

Would definitely recommend just putting up with the goldfish bowl or plump the money for a quality unit like Arai RX7

[Wildfire]

I think Schuberth have 3 shell sizes and Shoei have 3-4.

[Kiwi79]

Cheers guys, where are best places to buy these days. I've been to a few shops but always full of HJC and low end AGVs. Do people buy online and just make use of returns?

[bogie]

I would go to one of the big warehouse places with loads of stock e.g. sportsbikeshop, getgeared, motolegends, motocentral, JSaccessories, bikestop. Just check they stock the brands you are interested before you go, some do not hold all brands

[Mr OCD]

Bad Biddy said:

Not in the UK yet. I enquired recently and you have to get your head scanned in the US.

Only option is the Bell Star (for full faced lids) which isn't a particularly high end helmet either. In fact it's pretty cheap and nasty IMO.

Would definitely recommend just putting up with the goldfish bowl or plump the money for a quality unit like Arai RX7

Given the state of my BELL race star after a low side and tumble I’ll never buy another.

[Zarco]

Mr OCD said:

Given the state of my BELL race star after a low side and tumble I’ll never buy another.

Care to elaborate? Did it crack in half?

Edited by Zarco on Tuesday 3rd July 21:54

[Biker's Nemesis]

Mr OCD said:

Given the state of my BELL race star after a low side and tumble I’ll never buy another.

You should have seen my Arai RX-7 after my last crash.

[Se7enheaven]

Helmet should be designed to take the force of the impact and “fracture” , instead of your head on impact surely ?
Be interested to see what you mean by condition of it.
I’d be more worried if the helmet looked in too good a condition after an impact. I don’t mean totally wrecked but certainly showing signs that it had done it’s job.

Or am I talking she ?

[Rawwr]

Mr OCD said:

Given the state of my BELL

<smirk>

[Mr OCD]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

I'll post some up later on today.

It cracked in two places (badly on the chin with a hole), visor popped off on impact so gravel and dirt thrown into my eyes, etc. In fairness it did the job, and I walked away with just concussion. However, given the state of it compared to my previous helmets I've smashed over the years I've decided to go back to ARAI.

A bit of research since has shown there is no SHARP rating for this helmet (!) and they are made in china these days, not USA. It's only when you look at the cracks you see how thin and cheaply made it is ... for a £600 lid it put me off.

Just purchased an ARAI QV which is basically an RX7v with different venting for road use.

[andburg]

not sure if its representative and obviously has its drawbacks but the medium shark evo-one i have is so small a shell that i cant get it on my bonce with the chin bar in place.

[Prof Prolapse]

Mr OCD said:

I'll post some up later on today.

It cracked in two places (badly on the chin with a hole), visor popped off on impact so gravel and dirt thrown into my eyes, etc. In fairness it did the job, and I walked away with just concussion. However, given the state of it compared to my previous helmets I've smashed over the years I've decided to go back to ARAI.

A bit of research since has shown there is no SHARP rating for this helmet (!) and they are made in china these days, not USA. It's only when you look at the cracks you see how thin and cheaply made it is ... for a £600 lid it put me off.

Just purchased an ARAI QV which is basically an RX7v with different venting for road use.

Which Bell helmet did you have? Only in general Bell helmets seem to perform well in SHARP tests. Usually better than Arai, for example your new Arai QV, despite being 5 stars, still has lower side impact protection than my £70 Bell M5X.

In terms of pictures of the damage, we all love a good smash picture, but it doesn't actually tell you anything useful about the safety of the helmet. That's why they carry out scientific tests.

Back to helmet shell sizes. I have a Shoei GT air in large, and it gives me a proper bobble head.

[seveb]

https://www.shoei-europe.com/uk/products/NXR

Shoei NXR for example has 4 shell sizes for 7 helmet sizes. Shoei have been doing this for years.