Modern Vespa

I'm trying to find a very low profile full face helmet (if there is such a thing). Something that doesn't feel like you have a satellite dish on your head.
My local shops don't have a very good selection to try on helmets and I thought someone out here would have looked for the same thing.
Any suggestions?

One thing that might help is to look for models that use numerous shell sizes. For instance a different shell size between Medium and Large and XL. This will help cut down the extra size. Many manufactures use a Large shell with different size padding to create a medium. Depending on the size you wear you could look for this. I know what its like to have limited selection in the area to try out so I feel your pain there. When I was last looking for a new helmet several members recommended the AGV line, I looked at them and they seemed to have a smaller profile than say a shoei or an Arai.

I have a FF Shoei RF1000, great ventilation, well made and pretty streamline. Doesn't feel overly big or cumbersome. Of course...it's expensive, but you get what you pay for...quality.

So my vote is for Shoei.

Above all...find the brand that fits you the best.

That's nearly a contradiction, but I'll throw in MOMO Devil and Schuberth J1, neither of which are full face helmets, but both offer better protection than open face models:

MOMO:



with chin bar removed:



Schuberth:



Neither of these are easy to get in the States, so expect to pay a bunch to have them sent over.

If it's just the weight that you have an issue with, you should try the HJC carbon fiber.



HJC also sells these shells to Joe Rocket, who makes them with several colors of translucent paint:



Is that the sort of thing you're looking for?

Check out some Fulmer or Nolan helmets very light weight and not to large

The bobber helmets are very light but its 3/4

A full face will kill you out there in the Peoples Republic, you can't hear what's going on around you, Can't see as well lot more weight on your neck,

Fun Fact: Did you know the whip weight of a helmet is what breaks the neck of a person tossed off there bike in some cases.

i really like my AGV S4.
http://www.agv.com/dyn_prod.php?p=S4_FLAT-WHT&k=96957

Well weight is not so much an issue, it's just the overall size of the helmet, I can fit easily into a medium and even some mediums like Shoei feel huge. Looks like my head is larger than the scooter.

Don't know if this is what you're looking for but it is very cool!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nexx-X30-Viper-Black-Gold-Helmet-L_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6749QQihZ020QQitemZ300336466929QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

That's a pretty sweet looking helmet.

Bull-puckey

I am sorry, but as a forensic scientist and a nurse I find that statement completely bogus. Find me an article in a peer-reviewed journal which quotes that. People break their necks in these situations from torsional forces related to impacts, not 'whip weight'. Most motorcyclists and such die not from broken necks, but from blunt force trauma to the head or torso.

That said, some helmets are too heavy for some folk's necks, and the weight of the helmet can contribute to neck and back pain on a long ride. Find what you feel comfortable and what fits. Make sure it's at least a 3/4 helmet, especially on these CA roads.

Yeah most companys use the same shell for may different sizes,

Fulmer has many shell sizes but you have to try them on at a dealer , they unlike all the other companys do not sell online , and must be fitted by a person that has been trained to fit the helmet,

The training is basic but most dealers have been trained by a Rep.

I think its something you get used to. When I started scooting I felt my helmet looked large on me. Now, not so much. For me, wearing my armored jacket helps balance out the bobble-head look.

Wow, I've never heard so many negative comments regarding full face helmets in such a small block of text. I have only worn a full face in CA, with very few limited exceptions. As far as less visibility, that's usually an opinion of those with little experience wearing full faces (similarly to the opinion of non-riders that all riders are going to get into a dismembering accident.) Once you adapt to wearing one, you have no less range of vision.

As far as being able to hear, I found it very interesting that you had prior recommended the Fulmer Bobber series (more specifically the V2, the Bobbers are the sparkle paint versions.) If anyone has ever worn a V2, they know that in order to maintain a narrow profile along the face, they are very snug against the cheeks. So much so, that they form a seal around the ears which nearly makes face to face conversation impossible, similarly to the hearing protection "earmuffs" that airport employees use on the runway. Not saying it's a bad helmet, but probably the worst example to use when trying to contend that full face helmets restrict hearing.

I really like the look of that S4. Do you know if they run a little small or a little big?

Everyone gets the "bobble-headed" feeling when they first start trying on helmets. They assume that they are the only one who has ever looked that way with a helmet on. The truth is, no one looks bobble headed with a helmet on, it's just a self-perception issue, similarly to when one hears their voice on a recording and thinks that is sounds funny.

To illustrate, has anyone watched a motorcyclist or scooterist ride by and think to themself, "man, that guy's (girl's) helmet makes him look like a bobble head! (also substitute Gazoo from the Flintstones, Dark Helmet or any of his crew officers from Spaceballs, etc.) We don't think that because we are used to seeing other people with helmets, but not ourselves, and looking in the mirror at the shop while trying one on does not give a good idea what you will look like once riding.

AGV's run very true to size. For reasonably priced, well made full faces, I think that they are the best. A new model this year is the K3, similar in many ways to the S4, but about $100 cheaper, and has a spoiler which basically eliminates helmet lift on the freeway. It is current;y my primary helmet, as well as that of the sales manager at my shop.

Yeah that's true. Thanks for the insight, here's to not feeling like a bobble-head!

I wear a Zox Kaba helmet in gloss black with a dark tint visor and love it.

I would be curious to see the original article that this 'Fun Fact' came from and the research used to prove it.

V2 Bobber update: the V2 has sound channels and has little to no pressure on the ears , they also have holes in the leather for venting and sound , its not your classic bobber its a very updated version of a classic.

Sorry about the Full face bashing but being a Paramedic for the last 12 years the I guess I just bash on the problems I have seen & the heads I have had to scrap up off the ground.

And well living in Florida now the state with the most Motor Drivin Cycles in almost the world most accidents happen to people that don't know how to use there Helmets .... Yes there is away to use your Helmet

I have many full helmets from when I raced , but now they only come out if its chilly out.

I recently bought one of these - a Duchinni D505.



It wasn't a brand I was aware of , but it certainly feels very well assembled and nice and sturdy, but not too large on my head. In fact I've gone for a small which fits perfectly despite me normally taking a large in full face lids.

It was a bit odd at first as I'd only ever used full face helmets. One one hand I was aware of how much more exposed I was and it obviously wouldn't provide as much impact protection as a full face. On the other , you have much better peripheral vision and better hearing too , so you are more aware of what's going on around you which would reduce the chances of you having a crash in the first place.

I'm also looking for a full face helmet, nothing too bulky or heavy, just something somewhat compact - I love the look of that schuberth even if it isn't a full face. I got caught out in the pouring rain last night with only an open face helmet so it is kinda vital that I order my helmet today or tomorrow. Salesman today recommended Shoei raid 2 so that's what I'm currently considering -

them quick release visors are crap they take an age to get off and thats not just me but a few of the lads say the same ... but i still love my craft rxx3 in matt black and iridiun visor mmmmmmmmmm sexy

Does that come with a chrome option?


I'd like to thank nikonat for his OP. I've been looking for a similar option. I like my HJC but it is quite HUGE.

There are some good one listed here for me to check out.

wkrp,
Glad that one turned out well for you!
https://modernvespa.com/forum/topic36548?highlight=

[quote="nikonat"]I really like the look of that S4. Do you know if they run a little small or a little big?[/quote]

like almost everything italian made, they run small. i bought a small and when i first got it boy was it TIGHT, but it's gotten better over time.