Which flip-up helmet?

[Bikerjon]

New helmet time and wondering if anyone has recently bought a flip-up lid that they would recommend? I have a particularly bad track record buying helmets - stuff that felt comfortable in the shop turned out to be not that great when on the bike, so more often than not they end up on ebay! If it helps, my most comfortable lid is a 10 yr old Arai Chaser, but I've tried various brands over the years.

Any recommendations? It's mostly for the scooter so not looking to go too crazy on the budget - probably up to and around £200

[bogie]

Have a shop around see if you can pick up last years colour etc on a Shark Evo One, or Evo One 2 or Evo ES. They are over £300 latest models but occasionally £200 or less. They are the most versatile flip up design and homologated to be worn in both open and closed positions. Been using one as my go to helmet for over 8 years now.

[V8RX7]

Everyone says I'm wrong so ignore the following:

I buy a looser fitting helmet and then pad it to suit using 5mm closed cell foam, that way there are no pressure points, or if there are, I can remove the padding I've stuck there.

No one can advise you what fits you best although Sportsbike shop allows a road test in their helmets (at their stores) I'm waiting for them to reopen

[Brads67]

V8RX7 said:

Everyone says I'm wrong so ignore the following:

I buy a looser fitting helmet and then pad it to suit using 5mm closed cell foam, that way there are no pressure points, or if there are, I can remove the padding I've stuck there.

No one can advise you what fits you best although Sportsbike shop allows a road test in their helmets (at their stores) I'm waiting for them to reopen

Well you are deffo wrong that's for sure ! lol.

Schuberth make awesome helmets.

[Jazoli]

Have a look at the HJC RPHA90, I recently bought one and thought it was fantastic quality for the money, It didn't fit me properly though so I sent it back, think they topped most of the tests they were in.

As for padding your own helmet, how fking ridiculous, the manufacturers spend millions on R&D but you know better

[shoestring7]

bogie said:

Have a shop around see if you can pick up last years colour etc on a Shark Evo One, or Evo One 2 or Evo ES. They are over £300 latest models but occasionally £200 or less. They are the most versatile flip up design and homologated to be worn in both open and closed positions. Been using one as my go to helmet for over 8 years now.

Make sure you get a decent warranty, the mechanism can be problematic.

[Andy XRV]

V8RX7 said:

Everyone says I'm wrong so ignore the following:

I buy a looser fitting helmet and then pad it to suit using 5mm closed cell foam, that way there are no pressure points, or if there are, I can remove the padding I've stuck there.

If you ever feel the need to upgrade this one has gone through some extensive testing and will probably offer improved protection

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFk0UWvhMRE

[doggydog33]

I had a Schuberth C3 pro. Was a good quality feeling helmet. It also worked when needed.


Might be a bit higher than your budget but I’d happily have another one.
Doggydog

[Stuart Fordyce]

HJC IS Max II is a good option - I've just retired mine after five years of pretty much daily use. Could be a little quieter at motorway speeds and would be nice to have SHARP 5 stars rather than 4, but then none of the 5 star ones fitted my head. I know J&S are doing disposable balaclavas instore if you want to go and try helmets on.

[bogie]

shoestring7 said:

bogie said:

Have a shop around see if you can pick up last years colour etc on a Shark Evo One, or Evo One 2 or Evo ES. They are over £300 latest models but occasionally £200 or less. They are the most versatile flip up design and homologated to be worn in both open and closed positions. Been using one as my go to helmet for over 8 years now.

Make sure you get a decent warranty, the mechanism can be problematic.

yes I had a minor issue with mine at 4 years old and it was returned, fixed and serviced like new. They have 5 year warranty standard, just get it from large reputable retailer.

[Bikerjon]

Thanks all, I like the look of the HJC IS-Max 2 at the budget end and also the Shark EVO ES as a slightly more expensive option. Might order both and wear for at least 30 mins at home and see which one feels best.

Always impressed with Schuberth build quality but I just don't get on with the fit for some reason.

Does anyone have a Caberg Duke? That also seems a contender.

[V8RX7]

Jazoli said:

Have a look at the HJC RPHA90, I recently bought one and thought it was fantastic quality for the money, It didn't fit me properly though so I sent it back, think they topped most of the tests they were in.

As for padding your own helmet, how fking ridiculous, the manufacturers spend millions on R&D but you know better

You just said that they spend millions on R&D and yet it didn't fit your head

I think you'll find they try to make the most profitable helmet, at the cheapest price, that fits their average sample head size / shape

It's far safer adding padding than removing it which is what other do with pressure points

[arcticGT]

I’m using the Shark Evo-es.

Comfortable, fairly quiet and I like the fact the chin at goes all the way back behind the helmet instead of acting as an air brake.

[Chipchap]

I too have been an Arai fanboy. Moved to X Lite carbon full faces a few years ago and just 2 weeks ago I bought an X Lite 1004 carbon from Helmet City. I added comms so it was c£470 but the helmet alone was something in the region of £280 which is dirt cheap for a full carbon lid.

[RizzoTheRat]

Bikerjon said:

Always impressed with Schuberth build quality but I just don't get on with the fit for some reason.
.

Love my C3 but if they don't fit you I doubt Shoei will either as both seem similar fit to me.

Be careful with cheap flip fronts. A mate had an off in a Takechi and broke the chin piece off, luckily didn't smack his jaw in to the road but could have been very nasty. I think some of the cheap ones are only rated as open face helmets and the chin bar isn't strong enough to certify them as full face.

Shark generally seem pretty decent and as someone mentioned above some of theirs are rated for use as open face or as full face, my C3 is only rated for use with the front down.

[outnumbered]

I've just bought a Shark EVO ES, and I'm pleased with it so far after a few rides. The only thing I don't like is the clasp as I prefer double-D fittings, but they're hard/impossible to find these days on a quality lid.

[Stuart Fordyce]

Bikerjon said:

Thanks all, I like the look of the HJC IS-Max 2 at the budget end and also the Shark EVO ES as a slightly more expensive option. Might order both and wear for at least 30 mins at home and see which one feels best.

Always impressed with Schuberth build quality but I just don't get on with the fit for some reason.

Does anyone have a Caberg Duke? That also seems a contender.

The wife's had one for a few years as pillion. I would have had one if it fitted. On long days the sun visor can irritate her at the top, but it seems a good lid.

[Felters]

Just watch out for the weight. All the flip ups seem heavier than their full face siblings.

[SAS Tom]

V8RX7 said:

Jazoli said:

Have a look at the HJC RPHA90, I recently bought one and thought it was fantastic quality for the money, It didn't fit me properly though so I sent it back, think they topped most of the tests they were in.

As for padding your own helmet, how fking ridiculous, the manufacturers spend millions on R&D but you know better

You just said that they spend millions on R&D and yet it didn't fit your head

I think you'll find they try to make the most profitable helmet, at the cheapest price, that fits their average sample head size / shape

It's far safer adding padding than removing it which is what other do with pressure points

Of course you’ll know different but most people don’t know how a helmet should fit. They will go for a helmet that is clearly too big because “it’s comfortable”. That being the case, how would you know how much or what type of foam to use? Also how do you secure it? Many manufacturers use different density foam in layers too. Do you add foam in certain places or all over?

OP if you’re unsure of fit I would recommend going to your local shop and asking someone there to help you. Definitely don’t buy a helmet that doesn’t fit because some of some clown.