Looking for a new helmet

RidAnyThatRuns · 04-03-2009, 7:24 PM

I was wondering if there is a place that has comparisons of helmets?

jazzy · 04-03-2009, 7:31 PM

Why not here, as you're asking the question, just exactly what do you want to know???

StrumminRonin · 04-04-2009, 4:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RidAnyThatRuns

I was wondering if there is a place that has comparisons of helmets?

What sort of "comparison" are you looking for...?

In the UK there's a magazine called "Ride", which does many consumer product testing. I am guessing that this is what you have in mind:

RiDE Product Tests

They are bound to have done a helmet test, I suggest you drop them an email.

Destructo · 04-04-2009, 5:24 PM

The 'Sharp' test is the latest safety testing scheme over here in the UK.... not sure if this is any help to you? They test all new helmets as far as I know.

SHARP - The Helmet Safety Scheme

RidAnyThatRuns · 04-04-2009, 10:33 PM

What I'm looking for is a helmet, obviously safety is #1, that offers wind noise reduction and air circulation. The 2 helmets I have right now, an HJC '95 rated, and a Zamp FSA-1 '05 rated, will be good for protection but riding at highway speeds on my bike is so noisy that it is deafening and wearing earplugs is a bit uncomfortable and hard at times to keep in my ears when I put the helmet on. I'll even take recommendations, what ever they may be without insults.

TheEasterBunny · 04-04-2009, 11:01 PM

The best helmets I have ever worn have been Shoei... They are on the noisy side, but they are very comfortable and have such good air circulation that I sometimes have to close some of the vents at night to avoid freezing. I have several RF-1000s and X-11s. They are very lightweight helmets and don't "lift" at speed at all. Any helmet that is going to be lightweight and have good ventilation is going to have to give something up in the way of wind noise, unfortunately. On a side note, if you have the problem with your earplugs popping out when you put on a helmet, they weren't put in properly in the first place... A properly worn earplug can hardly be seen in your ear, and you shouldn't be able to see them at all when looking directly at a person's face. They shouldn't "stick out" of your ears at all, not even a little bit. If it's uncomfortable for you to get a plug far enough into your ear canal, maybe you should try a smaller size. The one size fits all approach doesn't work for everyone.

ldavis · 04-04-2009, 11:17 PM

good post bunny.. dead on about the earplugs.

on another note.. i LOVE my shoei rf-1000.. would have gone with the x-11 but the $$ talked me out of it.. shop around and you'll find a good deal on the rf.. just my .02.. there are tons of good helmets out there.. i have friends with scorpion's that love em.. arai..blah blah.. find one YOU like and try it on .. if it fits SNUGLY and comfortably.. then go with it..

StrumminRonin · 04-05-2009, 3:06 PM

How about these:

DIY Custom earplugs

Dignam · 04-16-2009, 1:26 PM

Web Bike World has some good review for specific models.

Motorcycle Clothing, Helmet and Product Reviews - webBikeWorld

But make sure you try on any helmet before buying it.

psustang89 · 04-30-2009, 9:13 AM

I wear a Shoei multitec and LOVE it! Will never go away from the flip-up modular design. Several manufacturers make this style of helmet now(HJC) and they're all cheaper than Shoei of course. When you pull up to a red light or in to get gas, you can talk to people w/o removing the helmet. It just makes things sooo much easier. Am currently shopping for flip-up model for my lady.

For those that question the safety of the modular design, I've been down three times and this model helmet has performed flawlessly. Two wrecks were pretty rough and the helmet never flipped open or cracked.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

cmack72 · 05-01-2009, 1:59 AM

on the Web Bike World Dignam

Bonefish · 05-01-2009, 6:10 AM

Schuberth lids.....comfy , safe and hardly any wind noise

DUX · 05-01-2009, 7:41 AM

Helmets can fit people very differently.

You need to find a shop where you can try on a bunch of different brands.

As for earplugs, as said before, they shouldn't "pop" out if installed correctly.

What kind are you using? Try some foam ones that you roll up and put into your ear canal. They then expand, holding them in place.

2nd option is to go to an ear doctor and have a custom set made specific to your ear. They can even mold them around speakers for your MP3 player/ipod.

DUX · 05-01-2009, 7:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psustang89

I wear a Shoei multitec and LOVE it! Will never go away from the flip-up modular design. Several manufacturers make this style of helmet now(HJC) and they're all cheaper than Shoei of course. When you pull up to a red light or in to get gas, you can talk to people w/o removing the helmet. It just makes things sooo much easier. Am currently shopping for flip-up model for my lady.

For those that question the safety of the modular design, I've been down three times and this model helmet has performed flawlessly. Two wrecks were pretty rough and the helmet never flipped open or cracked.

Just my 2 cents. Good luck!

There can be a big difference b/n brands of modular helmets. On some of the cheaper models, the chin bar is held in place by plastic tabs instead of metal.

reeseyboy · 05-01-2009, 5:58 PM

In my opinion (standard disclaimer!) my Shoei XR-1000 is the best helmet I've tried. Comfortable for all day riding and fairly quiet too. As for earplugs; I have a set of custom moulded ones and they are the business! So comfortable that I had another set made that I sleep in when I work night shifts!

Dignam · 05-01-2009, 6:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmack72

on the Web Bike World Dignam

Yea I read a lot of info there then drove down to a shop that stocks a massive variety and tried a ton on. Between the comfort and reviews I decided to buy a Shark RSX and then went online and bought it cheaper than the dealer I tried it on at of course. I have since been down and hit my head pretty hard. I did not have so much as headache, absolutely no head pains at all. The helmet did its job 110%. I purchased a new Shark RSX to replace it and not sure I will ever stray now that I know it is battle tested.