right,looks like the bikes a keeper...(cant stop playing with it!)..i need a new crash hat(old agv is dated mar 1977!) lots of makes i,ve never heard of out now!...pref under£100...oh,i,ll need a jacket..and boots..and trousers...and gloves...its gonna get expensive
Correct fit is paramount and if possible an acu gold sticker (I know there is some disagreement about whether the gold sticker actually means anything, but generally it always used to signify the helmet is approved for racing, so has passed the necessary tests.)
you really need to try lids on because like everything different makes are different sizes. my missus has a caberg flip font and flip down sun visor that was under £100 and she loves it.
The missus has a Shoei that cost £££'s but it is light, fits like a glove and looks the mutt's - as said by Robotstar5, how much do you value your bonce....
I'm always in for a bargain but not when it comes to my bike gear. I have an alpine star two piece and an Arlen ness one piece with an agv lid and Arlen ness boots and gloves, cost a bit but I had an off at 55mph with my one piece and walked away unscathed. A mate of mine had a pair of leather trousers that cost £40 and came off at the gooseneck at the Isle of Man (just dropped it doing about 15-20 mph) and his trousers burst like a bag of crisps and he had gravel rash down his **** and thigh.
I would double your budget and you will get a lot better lid IMO
I always wear leathers or textiles, both with body armour in, does get a bit hot in this weather but I prefer to keep my skin intact I cringe when I see some one riding a sportsbike in trainers & shorts.
The twisty riders don't know any better, but that's darwinism.
I recently changed my Helmet, my old one was a few years old.
I have to wear a Flip Helmet because I have to drive with Glasses.
I tried every brand upto the most expensive, Shubeth, Shoei etc right down to cheaper ones.
Was not happy with any really.
Went to another shop and they sold Caberg Helmets.
I ended up buying a Caberg Duke for £115 it is one of the best Helmets I have bought!
It is also 5 Star Rated in the Sharp Ratings
i spent all afternoon trawling round helmet emporiums..some nice lid,s and a big price variation , i looked at these sharp test results hmmm.. shoei gt air..rrp £469 3 stars ...arai condor rrp£240 2 stars ...schuberth s1pro,,rrp£450 2 stars bell m10 rrp£300 3 stars.....or i could buy lazer lz6 rrp£70..5 stars! nitro,s and ls2 helmets also have good ratings..i realise finish,fabric,weight etc may not be as good...but a funny price difference!..i am really not sure...
Since your on a budget and you already have a lid, even if it's an old one as long as it's still in good condition and you know it's never been dropped/bounced etc I'd spend on clothing first and get a better helmet when you can afford to.
I got my clothing from JTS (www.jtsbikerclothing.com) it's nowt fancy but it fits well and wasn't expensive, has armour and removable thermal linings, keeps me warm and dry in winter but too hot in summer when going slow in towns. The wife has better stuff from Hein Gericke, cost more but she doesn't get too hot in summer like me :-)
just looked at bay of evil...ls2 full face,internal sun sheild,pin lock ready,anti scratch visor,removable lining,blah blah..snazzy graphics...£45 inc del..! at ghostbikes.....hmmm
Well, I'm not sure if it's just the manufacturers or generally good advice, but 'they' recommend you change your helmet every five years or so. I don't follow that rule but they eventually get tatty & manky. My Shoei is comfy and looks cool (matt black with tribal 'tattoos') but was too spendy to replace at the mo.
As mentioned, fit is paramount regardless of brand but wind noise can also be a factor. I like the idea of a jet helmet for round town.
Not if the "new" one has been bounced etc, sorry but I wouldn't trust a helmet of ebay EVER.
I know it's sad to say but I've worked with guys that have come off and scratched/chipped/damaged their helmet (ooh err missus!) and then bodyfillered, sanded and repainted them. I wouldn't put it past them to then sell it on as well, after all their thinking will be "if I repaired it good enough for my bonce, then it's okay for whoever I sell it to"