OP
UTC

Ossessionato
GTS 300ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2009
Location: Austin, TX, USA
 
Ossessionato
GTS 300ie
Joined: UTC
Posts: 2009
Location: Austin, TX, USA
UTC quote
My HJC helmet is just not fitting as well as it used to. I need to buy a new helmet. I was thinking about getting something that is higher quality. I want good venitilation and removeable pads. It must be full face. Any recommendations on brands or particular helmets? I want to stay below $400. I would prefer a solid color over a design, but I am not really picky about it.
@michael_moore avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
GTS(me)/GTV(wife)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1228
Location: Mill Valley, CA
 
Molto Verboso
@michael_moore avatar
GTS(me)/GTV(wife)
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1228
Location: Mill Valley, CA
UTC quote
The biggest variable in helmets is fit - find one that fits you well. You'll want to get it a bit snug at first, because as you've seen with your HJC, the foam compresses over time. Go to a good motorcycle shop and find a knowledgeable salesperson. Do not buy your helmet online without trying the fit. There are various head shapes that fit certain models of helmet better than others. It used to be that Shoei helmets fit different head shapes than Arai, but now each company makes so many models and each have different fit, so you just have to try them on.

Assuming you find one that fits well, you'll find good ventilation increases the price. I have worn a Shoei X-11 for the past 4 years, and it has very good ventilation, but it isn't cheap. ($400 is a reasonable ballpark figure though.)

Other things to look for are:

- If you wear glasses, are they comfortable under the helmet?
- How easy or hard is it to remove the shield? I find Arai almost impossible to remove, but some people find it easy. YMMV.
- Can the interior foam pieces be removed for cleaning?
- How heavy is the helmet? Lighter is better.

On the topic of safety, there are a ton of choices in materials, and various certification organizations. My basic feeling is once you get above a couple of hundred bucks for a helmet, the differences in safety from one helmet to another are going to be minor. Also, some people look for quieter helmets, but if you're interested in ventilation, then you'll find your helmet will be noisy. I just wear earplugs all the time and it isn't a factor for me.

Hope that helps.
@cajun_critter avatar
UTC

Hooked
07 GT 200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 276
Location: Denver, CO
 
Hooked
@cajun_critter avatar
07 GT 200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 276
Location: Denver, CO
UTC quote
Check out a Scorpion Helmet, good ventilation. The cheek pads are can be increased or decreased in size, because they can be inflated with a pump in the check. Also, it has a built in Sun Visor...very handy here.
@oscillator avatar
UTC

Molto Verboso
1974 Rally 200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1775
Location: Heading north on Forever Street
 
Molto Verboso
@oscillator avatar
1974 Rally 200
Joined: UTC
Posts: 1775
Location: Heading north on Forever Street
UTC quote
Michael Moore wrote:
The biggest variable in helmets is fit - find one that fits you well. .
+1.

Go to a good local moto shop, find out if you have an Arai or Shoei shaped head & get one that fits properly: ie snug.

Pay what ever they are asking for that helmet. Use it for 5 years (or until you drop it or crash), then buy the same one on-line or whatev. Better yet, go back to the same good local moto shop and pay whatever they are asking for that helmet.

Your brain will thank you.

\\osc
UTC

Addicted
Esme Partly Kitted ET4.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 634
Location: SW LDN
 
Addicted
Esme Partly Kitted ET4.
Joined: UTC
Posts: 634
Location: SW LDN
UTC quote
The AGV S-4 is really appetizing me atm. I also have the AGV blade openface. The fit is absolute to my oversized medium head lol (I not making sense at all)
@benito avatar
UTC

Moderator
2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16296
Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
 
Moderator
@benito avatar
2010 Dragon Red GTS 300 Super, 2018 Grigio Titanio Piaggio Liberty S 150
Joined: UTC
Posts: 16296
Location: Toronto, Canada, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
UTC quote
If they fit your head shape well Shoei helmets are well made and quite quiet. I will need to purchase another helmet in the next year and was trying helmets on again recently, I kept going back to the Shoei RF 1000 for the combination of relatively light weight, good reviews and good fit for me.
@tb avatar
UTC

Ossessionato
Vespa 2005 GT200 & Honda Metro
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3517
Location: Honolulu
 
Ossessionato
@tb avatar
Vespa 2005 GT200 & Honda Metro
Joined: UTC
Posts: 3517
Location: Honolulu
UTC quote
As recommend in prior post...try on helmets...same brand may not fit the same on their styles...overall fit...checkbone compression...etc.

My son opted to get me a helmet for Father's day. He really wanted me to get an Arai due to his experience on flipping over a cager who decided to beat oncoming traffic...and stopped...did hit his head on pavement and was very greatful for his helmet...reviewing online reviews helmets were good...

He got me a solid black matt finish (no graphics), light weight compared to my HJC's, shield slide is smooth (they give you some kind of lubricant) and ventilation is really good; the model was a Vector.

Price was somewhere around $380.00 - $400.00 online.
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