Looking for a new Helmet...suggestions??
03-09-2009 | 01:42 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Iron Rocket
Squid
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 78
From: Hanover,PA
Looking for a new Helmet...suggestions??
Im in the market for a new helmet. Looking to spend around $200. Im liking the new HJC-FS15. The KBC's are nice but reviews ive seen for them are not that good. Any ideas?
03-09-2009 | 02:58 PM
#3
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 818
From: Thornwood, NY
I've had (have 3 HJC's...) I agree the padding in the CL-14 seemed to get a bit "loose" over time, but I bought a AC-11 last time around (2 years now?) and it still fit's nice and snug.... I've been very happy with it.
They don't have alot of the features the big boys do (Arai, Shoei) but HJC seems to be a pretty decent helmet at a decent price... IMHO. I'd liek to have their Carbon Helmet.. looks sweet.
J.
They don't have alot of the features the big boys do (Arai, Shoei) but HJC seems to be a pretty decent helmet at a decent price... IMHO. I'd liek to have their Carbon Helmet.. looks sweet.
J.
03-09-2009 | 03:35 PM
#4
Junior Member
Squid
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 6
From: Wisconsin
I have an AGV XR-2 and I just got a Scorpion EXO-400 and obviously the was a huge price difference between the two and I think I can honestly say I like the scorpion way more for the street (haven't used it on the track yet) then the AGV. For all the feature's it has espeacialy the no fog shield and the price tag you can't beat it.
03-09-2009 | 03:51 PM
#6
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
From: Phoenix, AZ
I have and Icon, a HJC and a Scorpion.
The Icon looks the best, the Scorpion is by far the most comfortable and quiet, the HJC is crap.
I recommend Scorpion
Unless what you look like matters then get an Icon or Shoei..
But the Scorpion I think is a better helmet for less $$
The Icon looks the best, the Scorpion is by far the most comfortable and quiet, the HJC is crap.
I recommend Scorpion
Unless what you look like matters then get an Icon or Shoei..But the Scorpion I think is a better helmet for less $$
03-09-2009 | 03:57 PM
#7
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
From: Delmar NY
I'm on my second ICON - It is by no means an ARAI, but then it costs 1/5 as much too. It is comfortable noise and air flow not quite as good as a Shoei or Arai, but I think tons better than an HJC, for a similar price
03-09-2009 | 04:20 PM
#8
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
I had the KBC vr2 for a few days and loved it except for the fact that my big forehead didn't fit it which gave me a headache. Also it has perforations in the padding on the forehead which leaves imprints on your face. So you look goofy for a little while after wearing it. I like the liner, and it fit the back of my head really well, so it was quiet.
I bought a lightly used Shoei RF1000 after that for $250. There's tons of great condition gear on craigslist. So many riders out there buy the **** and never use it or get scared away from bikes. Only issue I've had is the lever to crack the visor open always breaks.
My first helmet was a Scorpion EXO-400, I actually had 2 of them. They were as noisy as the Shoei, the vents were worthless, and the visors on both of them leaked badly, and the aftermarket one did too. The visor release was also a bitch on one side, this is a common complaint.
I bought a lightly used Shoei RF1000 after that for $250. There's tons of great condition gear on craigslist. So many riders out there buy the **** and never use it or get scared away from bikes. Only issue I've had is the lever to crack the visor open always breaks.
My first helmet was a Scorpion EXO-400, I actually had 2 of them. They were as noisy as the Shoei, the vents were worthless, and the visors on both of them leaked badly, and the aftermarket one did too. The visor release was also a bitch on one side, this is a common complaint.
Last edited by CentralCoaster; 03-09-2009 at 04:22 PM.
03-09-2009 | 05:01 PM
#10
Sexual Daredevil
SuperSport
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 597
From: Mother Earth- orbiting around Charlotte, NC. But now over the border in S.C.
HJC makes helmets for lots of other names(private lable). Icon is made by HJC.
Shoei, Arai and Fulmer are the only ones that make their own helmets that don't make others'.
Shoei, Arai and Fulmer are the only ones that make their own helmets that don't make others'.
03-09-2009 | 05:09 PM
#11
Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 99
I just bought a brand new HJC AC-12 Carbon Fiber Ben Spies replica on ebay for $200 shipped. I thought that was a pretty good deal. It's real nice and super light. I wore out my HJC CL-SP (it got too loose). I bought the next size smaller. Fits real well.
03-09-2009 | 05:18 PM
#12
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,138
From: Austin, Tx
I have HJC, Scorpion, Icon, a Shoei XL that came with a bike we bought. and a couple Harley half-cocked that were given to me by a moving neighbor. For you guys that complain about the HJC's fitting loose buy their cheek pads and everything is groovy! $8
Lots of people talk trash about Icon lids and I don't agree with them. My favorite hat is an Icon Mainframe Halo - great air if you want it, fits close so the extra bucks for cheek pads is saved, nose guard and chin curtain all standard equipment.
The helmet is no longer made but the people that have the usual good pricing on gear are
www.newenough.com
www.motorcyclesuperstore.com
www.motorcyclecloseouts.com
If you have a local CycleGear they always have helmets on sale so it would be worth a phone call before you buy online.
Good Luck! ATGATT rules the road and comes back tomorrow.
Lots of people talk trash about Icon lids and I don't agree with them. My favorite hat is an Icon Mainframe Halo - great air if you want it, fits close so the extra bucks for cheek pads is saved, nose guard and chin curtain all standard equipment.
The helmet is no longer made but the people that have the usual good pricing on gear are
www.newenough.com
www.motorcyclesuperstore.com
www.motorcyclecloseouts.com
If you have a local CycleGear they always have helmets on sale so it would be worth a phone call before you buy online.
Good Luck! ATGATT rules the road and comes back tomorrow.
03-09-2009 | 05:26 PM
#13
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
Forgive my bluntness, but comparing fitment online is stupid. Every head is different.
Now for air flow, fogging, functionality, price, durability, have at it.
I would never order a helmet online either, unless you already know how it fits. (And don't be that jerkoff that tries it on and wastes the local store clerk's time, then orders it online!)
Cyclegear is great, around here they let you bring it back for store credit if you're not happy with it. Obviously this results in them having to mark down some of their gear, but damn, it keeps me coming back to the store.
Another place down here has a zero return policy on helmets. I'm sure they have plenty of first time customers, but few repeat customers. They usually have more clerks than customers in the store.
Now for air flow, fogging, functionality, price, durability, have at it.
I would never order a helmet online either, unless you already know how it fits. (And don't be that jerkoff that tries it on and wastes the local store clerk's time, then orders it online!)
Cyclegear is great, around here they let you bring it back for store credit if you're not happy with it. Obviously this results in them having to mark down some of their gear, but damn, it keeps me coming back to the store.
Another place down here has a zero return policy on helmets. I'm sure they have plenty of first time customers, but few repeat customers. They usually have more clerks than customers in the store.
Last edited by CentralCoaster; 03-09-2009 at 05:29 PM.
03-09-2009 | 06:47 PM
#14
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
From: Phoenix, AZ
Oh for anyone in Phoenix I recommend http://www.thehelmetcenter.com/ as they are the only local shop that price matches internet prices.. So if you find a price online for any MC part they carry (and they carry lots not just helmets) you can get it from them at that price and save yourself shipping!
03-09-2009 | 07:16 PM
#15
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 205
From: Cincinnati Ohio
$200.00 does not get you much when it comes to Quality... Save a little more and get
a better helmet, we are talking about your head.
03-09-2009 | 07:40 PM
#17
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
I've had a bunch of helmets and sell helmets daily, IMO there's nothing wrong with kbc helmets they protected my head at 70 hitting the pavement with the back of my head.
it was a vr2 and bought another one after that, fit is different though and venting sucked.
Icon are good midlevel helmets nothing wrong with them but fit and finish is ok to good at best.
I like my shoei rf 1000 and you can find some older models for around 200 but for the money you can find some closeout bell star helmets for that price. I just picked one up and the ventilation is very close to the shoei x-11 and is loaded with extras. It came with a really nice lined carring case, soft and firm cheek pads, holes for speakers, fully removable and washable liner and more! Fit is similar to the rf but venting is MUCH better it has to be the best helmet I have ever purchused so far.
it was a vr2 and bought another one after that, fit is different though and venting sucked.
Icon are good midlevel helmets nothing wrong with them but fit and finish is ok to good at best.
I like my shoei rf 1000 and you can find some older models for around 200 but for the money you can find some closeout bell star helmets for that price. I just picked one up and the ventilation is very close to the shoei x-11 and is loaded with extras. It came with a really nice lined carring case, soft and firm cheek pads, holes for speakers, fully removable and washable liner and more! Fit is similar to the rf but venting is MUCH better it has to be the best helmet I have ever purchused so far.
03-09-2009 | 07:50 PM
#18
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,138
From: Austin, Tx
Forgive my bluntness, but comparing fitment online is stupid. Every head is different.
Now for air flow, fogging, functionality, price, durability, have at it.
I would never order a helmet online either, unless you already know how it fits. (And don't be that jerkoff that tries it on and wastes the local store clerk's time, then orders it online!)
Cyclegear is great, around here they let you bring it back for store credit if you're not happy with it. Obviously this results in them having to mark down some of their gear, but damn, it keeps me coming back to the store.
Another place down here has a zero return policy on helmets. I'm sure they have plenty of first time customers, but few repeat customers. They usually have more clerks than customers in the store.
Now for air flow, fogging, functionality, price, durability, have at it.
I would never order a helmet online either, unless you already know how it fits. (And don't be that jerkoff that tries it on and wastes the local store clerk's time, then orders it online!)
Cyclegear is great, around here they let you bring it back for store credit if you're not happy with it. Obviously this results in them having to mark down some of their gear, but damn, it keeps me coming back to the store.
Another place down here has a zero return policy on helmets. I'm sure they have plenty of first time customers, but few repeat customers. They usually have more clerks than customers in the store.
03-09-2009 | 08:02 PM
#19
2nd mouse gets the cheese
SuperBike
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,697
From: Beaverton, OR
Also there is no evidence that says an expensive helmet will protect your head any better then a cheap helmet with the equivalent safety certs. It all comes down to fit (based on your head), options, and finish. So if you slide on finish and options you can still get a decent fitting helmet on the cheap.
03-09-2009 | 08:29 PM
#20
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 320
From: Arlington Heights, IL
Check out the new Bell helmets. I tried one on and was pretty impressed. They are light and appear to be higher quality than my Icon. Don't get me wrong, I like my Icon. Anyway, here is a link for last years models on sale for $200.
http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/h...+recoil+helmet
http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/h...+recoil+helmet
03-09-2009 | 08:58 PM
#22
Moderatio est Figmentum
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 427
From: Covington, Georgia
My last two were an Icon mainframe and a Suomy Spec1-R. I'll take the Suomy anyday over the Icon. When it comes to helmets find what fits like it's supposed to and has the features you want. If it isn't in your price range, save more until it is.
03-09-2009 | 09:10 PM
#23
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 714
From: Fredericksburg, VA
I've been cursed with the Arai bug for several years now. Nothing else comes close to the fit, feel, and perfection Arai's have. I've tried a Shoei, Icon, HJC, and half helmets. They are all crap. I can usually find the right Arai on Ebay for less than $300 either slightly used or brand new in box. Motorcyclecloseouts.com has several on sale right now for $350.
03-09-2009 | 09:12 PM
#24
geezer
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 556
From: Honolulu
I have an HJC FS15 Surge that I purchased from New Enough, it's my 3rd HJC helmet and I'm happy with it.
I've tried on many different helmets, but always come back to HJC not because of the cost, but because of the larger eyeport...Shoeis and Arais seem to cut down on my peripheral vision which makes me very uncomfortatble when riding the bike.
Like I said, I got mine for cheap at New Enough, something like $175 shipped.
http://www.newenough.com/pricing/private/2761
I've tried on many different helmets, but always come back to HJC not because of the cost, but because of the larger eyeport...Shoeis and Arais seem to cut down on my peripheral vision which makes me very uncomfortatble when riding the bike.
Like I said, I got mine for cheap at New Enough, something like $175 shipped.
http://www.newenough.com/pricing/private/2761
03-09-2009 | 09:46 PM
#25
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
03-09-2009 | 09:49 PM
#26
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 987
From: San Diego, CA
Uh, cyclegear isn't the only shop in the world that lets you try on helmets. Heck, I bought my Snell-SA rated helmet from a local shop that let me try on a few. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a brick n' mortar store that sells those, even in San Diego. The $250 Pyrotech and the $800 Bieffe fit me best, guess which one I bought.
IE... if you are replacing a helmet you've already worn, you can expect the fitment to be similar. I guess if there was some quantitative info besides "it doesn't fit", then it would be useful to others. For example, I have a big forehead and small cheekbones and small neck, and all the KBCs I tried seemed tight up top. Right now I'm using a medium Shoei RF with small cheek pads, but the bottom end still isn't small enough to fit the back of my neck properly, so it's noisy as hell.
IE... if you are replacing a helmet you've already worn, you can expect the fitment to be similar. I guess if there was some quantitative info besides "it doesn't fit", then it would be useful to others. For example, I have a big forehead and small cheekbones and small neck, and all the KBCs I tried seemed tight up top. Right now I'm using a medium Shoei RF with small cheek pads, but the bottom end still isn't small enough to fit the back of my neck properly, so it's noisy as hell.
Last edited by CentralCoaster; 03-09-2009 at 09:54 PM.
03-09-2009 | 10:05 PM
#28
Thread Starter
Iron Rocket
Squid
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 78
From: Hanover,PA
Ive gone down to the local dealer a few times and tried Arai,Shoei,KBC,Sharks,Hjc's,Scorpions,Sparxx and Icons. The Shoei and the Shark fit the best. But the visor's for the Sharks cost a fortune!! I like the look of the Scorpions and they are more in my price range and get very high ratings. I might have to refresh my memory and try them on again. I really like this helmet!!
http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/s...elmet+-+laconi
http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/s...elmet+-+laconi
Last edited by Twin Kat; 03-09-2009 at 10:11 PM.
03-09-2009 | 10:53 PM
#29
geezer
SuperSport
SuperSport
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 556
From: Honolulu
03-09-2009 | 11:09 PM
#30
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 293
alright, well im chiming in with a less than ordinary response...dunno how much you lean towards safety, but im following the SHARP standard over in the UK a bit more now, since some research strongly suggests that snell has evolved the helmet market in such a way that helmet manus creat helmets to meet or beat snell, not for savin your noggin. what we end up with is a much harder/stiffer helmet that ends up transferring G's to your brain. bad news. anyways, you can see that research reflected in the SHARP standard...for instance, a lower range AGV Stealth scores 5/5 stars (its NOT snell certified, nor was it designed to meet or exceed snell), whereas a top of the line Ti Tech scores only 4 stars, and worse, Suomy's Spec 1R gets only 3!--the higher market helmets tend to be alot stiffer.
anyways, im grabbing a pair of stealths for myself and the gf soon...they can be found for about 200$ online nowadays if you look hard enough. they might not have all the great doo dads, but they vent lots of air, theyre super light, and they score top marks in a more practical helmet safety standard. plus, they look damn good too.
btw im rocking a cl15 by hjc at the moment. not the prettiest helmet, but its reasonably sturdy. the visor seal is goin wonky though, so i get alot of air leak and fogging tends to be a problem. hjc's are pretty good in my book, especially compared to alot of "barely snell" brands (m2r) or lamo only DOT brands like zox...those helmets tend to fall apart pretty damn easily without you even doing anything.
anyways, im grabbing a pair of stealths for myself and the gf soon...they can be found for about 200$ online nowadays if you look hard enough. they might not have all the great doo dads, but they vent lots of air, theyre super light, and they score top marks in a more practical helmet safety standard. plus, they look damn good too.
btw im rocking a cl15 by hjc at the moment. not the prettiest helmet, but its reasonably sturdy. the visor seal is goin wonky though, so i get alot of air leak and fogging tends to be a problem. hjc's are pretty good in my book, especially compared to alot of "barely snell" brands (m2r) or lamo only DOT brands like zox...those helmets tend to fall apart pretty damn easily without you even doing anything.
