[santanaea5785]

I was just wondering what are some good quality helmets around? I've owned and used HJC, Zox, Nitro, Vega, etc. I just ordered a KBC tk-9. I was wondering what helmets are best for quality and safety. Thanks for the help.

1 thing I wanted to add, WHERE can I get those top grade helmets(Shoei, arai, suomy, agv, etc) cheap online? paying 4 to $600 is just rediculous.

[-Z-]

You're not gonna have much luck getting a new Shoei, Arai, AGV, etc for less than 400-600 bucks....Sorry, but in my personal opinion, it really is a case of "you get what you pay for"...Most of the more expensive helmets are made from lighter stronger materials than the thermoplastic shell that your TK-9 is made of. For example, a fiberglass shell is better than a thermoplastic shell because whereas the plastic will break and then be completely done, fiberglass flexes and bends then breaks, kinda like a tree branch. If you ever take a tree branch and bend it until it breaks, you'll see that it takes a lot of energy for it to actually tear. Once it does, yes there is a break in the branch, but the fibers that make up the tree branch still have all their strength still. You can't get that sort of thing with plastic.

The other thing is, a lot of times the benefits of a "better" helmet aren't just how well of an impact it takes. Lighter weight helmets create less strain on your neck. Lighter materials are more expensive. Quieter helmets leave you more comfortable. Sound-deadening material isn't free. Well ventilated helmets require a fair bit of engineering and testing to actually perform as hoped for. All that work isn't free. Helmets with removable interiors can be cleaned up a lot more easily and faster than helmets without removable lining. The system to hold the lining in place but also allow it to be removed isn't free either.

Pretty much any company can make a helmet that survives certain impacts per DOT or Snell standard. Not every such helmet though will actually be comfortable to wear.

I say this, not to belittle your choice of helmet or to crush your hopes of finding a top grade helmet at a really good price, but to maybe shed some light on why these top grade helmets actually cost as much as they do.

Another way to look at it though, would be like this. Of all the gear that you could possibly wear when you ride, the only thing that protects your brain is the helmet. So you kinda got to ask yourself, how much is your brain really worth to you?

[sammae01]

One of the main factors when buying a helmet other than its quality is its fit. Many different manufacturers make different shaped helmets to fit different shaped heads. I personally tried on and previously owned a few helmets ranging from Zr1,Vemar, and Shoi. But it was when I happened to pick up and try on my brothers Arai RX7 corsair that I didn't know how well a helmet could fit. It conformed to my head better than my previous helmets and was extremely light. So I too am trying to find a helmet for a reasonable price. But Since I want my next helmet to be the Colin Edwards Valencia I will be hard pressed to find it for cheap, if at all.

If you find a place for cheap higher end helmets let me know

[-Z-]

Originally Posted by sammae01

One of the main factors when buying a helmet other than its quality is its fit...But it was when I happened to pick up and try on my brothers Arai RX7 corsair that I didn't know how well a helmet could fit. It conformed to my head better than my previous helmets and was extremely light.

Yeah, I've used of budget helmets from both KBC and HJC in the past, but once I actually tried on a couple of high-end helmets, the difference just amazed me. I use a Shark RSR2 now. I think the final selling point on that one for me was the whole "crumple-zone" technology that they incorporate in it.

Of course, the one with graphics I have retails for almost $700. If I could find it at a much lower price without sacrificing quality, I'd definitely buy another just to have as a spare!

[nedro]

Helmet Harbor usually has the best prices. If they're too expensive, buy a car.
Home | Helmet Harbor

[CBR400RR]

I was just wondering what are some good quality helmets around? I've owned and used HJC, Zox, Nitro, Vega, etc. I just ordered a KBC tk-9.

I personnaly wouldn't waste my money on any of those or risk my life as to me my life and head are worth a lot more. I think Arai, AGV, Shoei, Suomy are some of the best you can buy and you do get what you pay for. I use an Arai RX7 corsair and it's the best helmet I have ever used.

[oldnslow]

Originally Posted by CBR400RR

I personnaly wouldn't waste my money on any of those or risk my life as to me my life and head are worth a lot more. I think Arai, AGV, Shoei, Suomy are some of the best you can buy and you do get what you pay for.

[D.Nac]

Originally Posted by nedro

Helmet Harbor usually has the best prices. If they're too expensive, buy a car.
Home | Helmet Harbor

on Helmet harbor. Go to the website and read the reviews. They will tell you what features you are spending money for. There is a reason some helmets cost more, part it is image but, that is a small part. In my opnion the Shoei X11 is the best helmet made, but you cant go worng with Arai.

[MadnohB]

Originally Posted by -Z-

You're not gonna have much luck getting a new Shoei, Arai, AGV, etc for less than 400-600 bucks....Sorry, but in my personal opinion, it really is a case of "you get what you pay for"...Most of the more expensive helmets are made from lighter stronger materials......

.......Another way to look at it though, would be like this. Of all the gear that you could possibly wear when you ride, the only thing that protects your brain is the helmet. So you kinda got to ask yourself, how much is your brain really worth to you?

- Z – has it pretty much spot on.

With 5 riders in the family we go through a lot of helmets and I’m not even going to state how many are in use but trust me if I say, we can give a good account of the better helmets. Two names regularly surface as the top brands namely Shoei and Arai and if you can, go for the top of the respective ranges.

Shoei – X11 (X-spirit) and Arai RX7 Corsair………..but they are not cheap

personal preference - Shoei X-spirit (X11)

Certain brands, fit certain head shapes better. Therefore, first establish if you have an Arai or a Shoei head or for that matter any other brand.

Happy hunting

[jenuinejohn]

SHARK RSR FOR ME EVERY TIME

[IRISH MIKE]

Arai for me all day. Always have been always will be...However Ive been hearing good things about Shark's.

[Bigtoe]

Any full face helmet is better than no helmet. I'd rather see someone with a cheap ass $100 full face HJC than nothing at all. Sure the high end helmets are great. I have a few myself. But a helmet, any helmet, is only good for one impact. Then they are all trash.

[fl-929]

Originally Posted by jenuinejohn

SHARK RSR FOR ME EVERY TIME

After watching Corser getting nailed in the head by Barros during a WSBK race, Shark's stock went up for me

[Doomwitha929]

Said it befor and I'll say it again... SCORPIAN. I wore NOTHING but high line Shoei helmets for years. When I got a bike again last year I needed a new helmet but did not want to spend the $600 bucks give or take that I did in the post but did not want a "cheap" helmet. I cannot stand the fit, finish or look of the low line helmets. I was turned on to Scorpian helmets by friends at my local shop where I have gone for years. I was impressed with every aspect of the Scorpian helmets. Their construction is very much like Shoei helmets and the quality of construction is top notch. I have looked at pretty much every brand of helmet (even own a ROOF BOXER from the UK) and I believe Scorpian is the best deal for the money and as good as many helmets costing far more.

[HondaForLife954]

Originally Posted by -Z-

For example, a fiberglass shell is better than a thermoplastic shell because whereas the plastic will break and then be completely done, fiberglass flexes and bends then breaks, kinda like a tree branch. If you ever take a tree branch and bend it until it breaks, you'll see that it takes a lot of energy for it to actually tear. Once it does, yes there is a break in the branch, but the fibers that make up the tree branch still have all their strength still. You can't get that sort of thing with plastic.

Composite-made up of disparate or separate parts or elements usually a fiber and a matrix.

The fibers in a carbonfiber/glassfiber/kevlar(a puncher resistant fiber) helmet are used to transfer the loads around your head on impact. The matrix which holds the fibers in that helmet shape, can be made of many things, themplastics or thermosets(ie plastic or epoxies). When a fiber breaks it no longer transfers the load in a composite. But the great thing about composites is that the matrix is able to transfer that load to other fibers. Like -Z- said a plain old Polycarbonate plastic helmet does not do this but if you add CF/GF/kevlar it will. The reason why a carbonfiber/glassfiber/kevlar cost so much is driven by a few things, material cost, manufacturing cost, graphics etc. Material cost and manufacturing cost in my mind is the reason these helmets cost so much. Carbonfiber can range from """15$-250$/lb""" depending on the type of fiber. Standard carbonfiber called AS4 is right around 25$/lb. Add epoxies and tooling and manufacturing supplies it starts to get $$pricey$$. I am not sure about the foam aspect of the helmet but there are 1000's of grades out there. I do believe it is much cheaper then the CF but still plays the biggest roll in the impact by crushing in stead of your head. Yes tests will say one helmet is better then the next but just having helmet is always better then none. Here in colorado we do not have the helmet law...i just dont see how people dont wear them. I feel naked without mine. Thats Why i never leave home with out it.

Now that thats out of the way....I have a KBC, HJC, and an ICON helmet. I really like the KBC bc its quite, does not fog, and it is comfortable. i hear scorpion helmets are awesome and might get one....but I might stay with another KBC this year. They are all budget helmets like every one has said and they do the job of protecting my head if i ever fall.

-Z- Not to pick on you but I deal with thermoplastic composites and they are just as good or better then thermoset composites. But your right a plain thermoplastic helmet is not as good as a composite one. But it is much cheaper and much easier to manufacture and tailors to us poor composite engineers who cant afford the high end helmets.....

late,

954rrforever

[HondaForLife954]

BTW if you guys ever need or feel the want to make your own carbonfiber parts heres a great website fiberglast.com

[-Z-]

Originally Posted by HondaForLife954

-Z- Not to pick on you but I deal with thermoplastic composites and they are just as good or better then thermoset composites. But your right a plain thermoplastic helmet is not as good as a composite one. But it is much cheaper and much easier to manufacture and tailors to us poor composite engineers who cant afford the high end helmets.....

You won't get any argument from me on that one.

[Ninja95]

good question to ask!! its all about what fits you best.

i have a AGV Rossi Replica R-X2 love it!! fit is great and it actually is the Lightest helmet on the market. its pretty quite compared to my Suomy.

cost me $500.00 on sale

[rokitt51]

If you ask me, top notch is just a name brand on a helmet. I dont too much signify shyt to me, although i like Shoei and Arai more than any other helmet... Its mostly because i can buy the helmet this year and two years doen the road its still snugg on my head, whereas i have tried most of the others and less than a year down the road the previous was not true. All of these helmets on the market have passed inspections and tests to be approved for road use.

[Bigtoe]

Originally Posted by Ninja95

its all about what fits you best.

So True. If the helmet doesn't fit, it has no chance to do it's job.

[Doomwitha929]

not to offend anyone but the whole all helmets are about the same... you are just paying for a name BS is getting old. That is like saying all cars are about the same and when you spend 800 grand for a Bugatti you are juat paying for a name. Before people who read this get the wrong idea and make a bad decision based on such misleading info let us all be honest. There is a reason helmets like Shoei and Arai cost more then cheap HJC and KBC type helmets. They are better. Now I dont know if they are 6 times better but they are better. Scorpian is the one helmet I have seen that is comparable to these at a much better price. Given unlimited funds I would still choose the Shoei.

[105ina55]

I just ordered a Shoei RF1000 for $300.00 shipped from this place.. check em out Competition Accessories: Automotive, Motorcycles, Atv, Outdoor, Sports, Recreation, Events, Rally, Bike Week

[-Z-]

Originally Posted by rokitt51

All of these helmets on the market have passed inspections and tests to be approved for road use.

I have to say that while this is what most people believe, it's not exactly true.

There are helmets out there that are for sale, but don't even have a DOT sticker on them. Some of them will say "only for novelty use", but instead of being prominently displayed on all of them, some of those will have it marked somewhere like on the inside of the shell, some even under the lining. I gotta say, what's the deal with that?

Helmets that have a Snell sticker on them have been tested by the Snell Memorial Foundation and have passed their standards. Helmets that have a DOT sticker on them are being certified as able to meet the DOT standard according to the manufacturer. Read what I just wrote very carefully. The maker of the helmet says that the helmet will meet the DOT standard.
According to the DOT standards, however, the manufacturers don't even have to test their own helmets to say that. Theoretically, they can put together a helmet that they THINK would meet the DOT standard and label it with a DOT sticker.

Now, to prevent this sort of thing, the DOT does randomly purchase helmets from retail locations throughout the country and test those helmets themselves, in order to make sure that manufacturers are playing things straight. But notice what it says there. It says "retail locations" and "randomly purchase" in there. So that brings up two concerns. One, which helmets have actually been tested so far. Two, what of the helmets that are available for sale ONLY through the internet or mail order? You gotta ask yourself, are they really safe at all?

[jkobflys]

I own 2 shoeis rf100 diabolic and the rf900 picote a haydend replica rx7rr arai, and a bell, the one with the spider web and flames design, in the past i wore the arai quantum f okada and i must say that that was the best helmet i have ever owned the fit, weight and confort has been the best of all, second is the rf900 picote and third is the rf1000 diabolic, the bell helmet is straight up sh*t the front of the helmet were the outside shell and the inside padding meet started to come apart the minute i took it out of the box and the fog repelent smoked wind srceen, it started peeling as soon as my breath hit it.
I cant really complaint to much i paid $130.00 for the bell vs. the $550.00 to $600 for the arais and shoeis, and like -Z- said you get what you pai for. its just a shame the bell has a realy kick ass desighn.

by the way i want to say thanks to Mr. -Z- in my book a realy stand up guy when it comes to making deals.
I owe you a beer man.

[jkobflys]

Originally Posted by jkobflys

and also i know this should go up in the for sale section but since we are on the topic the Hayden replica rx7rr is for sale i dont wear it and originaly bough it for my wife its a medium and it comes with a light smoked wind screen with the tear off tabs, also have an extra set of replacement parts for it (the side covers ) its the one that is red and bright yellow with the barb wire ill post pictures tomorow im looking for $230.00 shipped anyware in the u.s the helmet has been used 6 to 8 times the wife is not really into riding

New thread with pictures in for sale section.