Motorcycle helmet

[Puglet1]

What motorcycle helmet are you using ? I’m totally out of touch with them at the moment. Many years ago I wore a shoei but I am not up to date with the latest ones.
I am considering buying a touring bike but I need some help with helmet choice - with safety and cost in mind.

 

[Rannsachair]

I have a Schuberth C5: well made, comfortable for me, I like the flip up chin guard too. They are a bit pricey, though watch for sales or ebay offers.

 

[sickpup]

I have an Arai Chaser X and two Arai Quantics all with the egg shaped chin curtains from an RX7 Evo, Pro Shade or Iridium visors and Sena 10U intercoms.

 

[Nomad]

About 10 years ago I treated myself to a carbon fiber Bell, It's comfortable, very light, good visibility BUT the visor fit onto the shell is terrible.
Lots of drafts when riding at speed, riding in any type of rain got water on the inside of the visor.
I do not recommend.

Coincidence is an odd thing. The most comfortable helmet I had as a teenager was a Bieffe.
They disappeared / were bought out many years ago, my carbon Bell was made in what used to be the old Bieffe factory...


My everyday helmet is a budget fullface with flip-down internal tinted visor, not very trendy but very practical.

Try helmets from different manufacturers, ones that are comfortable for me don't fit my mate, his helmets feel wrong when I tried them.
Different shaped heads need different shaped helmets..

 

[Popcorn]

Not riding bikes any more, but better half got me a new lid for trackways, always wanted a Simpson Bandit from my Elsie days,
So got one of these

xlmoto

www.xlmoto.co.uk

 

[More Amps]

As said, it's very hard to recommend a helmet for someone else due to head shape. Think about what sort of riding you want to do - an open face isn't much fun on a naked bike if /when it starts raining or hailing! Best advice is get yourself to the biggest local retailer (sportsbikeshop/J&S/Infinity etc) as they will have a wider range than your average bike shop, then try them on and find one that's comfortable and doesn't leave your head rattling around.

 

[zzr1200]

As an ex-instructor, I'd recommend deciding how much you wish to invest, then go to a shop with the largest selection near you and try on as many as you can.

There's very little point in recommending any helmet to anyone, because as stated above head shape/size will affect your choice, also what's available and in stock by your supplier is another major factor.

We used to go to Hein Gericke, but they folded years ago in the uk.

I have an old Arai thats years old in the attic, but I haven't rode in years, it's just a reminder these days.....

 

[mtt.tr]

I wear agv they fit me well.

Schuberth don't fit me at all.
It's very personal you need to go try a load on

 

[waddycall]

Another vote for going to a good bike shop. Buying online is a real gamble. Can be tough to decide if that initial tightness will pass etc. I live near Damerells in Cornwall and there is a lady there who has helped me choose a few helmets over the years. My motorcycling could be a lot less comfortable without her advice.

 

[E T]

Like what is said above, you need a shop with a big assortiment, but also with a salesperson that knows his/her stuff and what to look for in a good fit. A helmet might feel good when you have it on for two minutes but still give you a headache after wearing it half an hour.
For me personally it's not just the fit, but also the wind noise they create/let through, but you can't test that in a shop.
I've had lots of helmets in my live, but my favourite brands remain Arai and Shoei. Bloody expensive, but worth it.
Next to the helmet get some hearing protection. When I was younger I always rode without, didn't do my hearing any good.

 

[RichardM]

Go and try some. Experience says you either have an Arai or Shoei shaped head.
I went to CMC yesterday and tried Shoel and HJC, both fit nice (I have worn Shoei for years) but HJC sizing is a little smaller than Shoei and at 60 cm I am on the cusp of L & XL.
Tried the flip up fronts but didn't like them, liked the sun screen in HJCs bit unsure about it not rattling in the long term.
Just looking to where I have to travel to try more!

 

[dobbslc]

Always check the date code in the helmet, I bought a "new" Shoei that the lining feel to bits in and when checked must have been 4-5 years old when I bought it!

 

[addjunkie]

Fit is far more important than brand. Go try them on.

 

[Kram]

Shark Race R Pro carbon. Its not the cheapest but worth every penny, couldnt go back to cheaper lids. Fits me very well. Mines a few years old now and I havent ridden much since covid times and getting the car.

Of all the helmets I've tried, its the best for not misting up in winter, cold weather and rain, the vents work well without having to crack the visor open. I never really liked the pinlock things.
Wind noise was low even at 120 it was pleasant.

As much as I dislike buying French, I would certainly get another.


Agv are best avoided, my first was one and I hated it.

 

[roofman]

Shoei about 7 years old, never been dropped and as its now moulded to my noggin with age, very reluctant to change it. Must have the dark visor with all my lids but carry a clear in my back box for night riding if ever caught out on a late ride home.

 

[Craig-SM]

See what make fits your head first before deciding. I’ve had helmets by Shark, Caberg, Shoei, Schuberth and Arai. They've all been good but the last three were the best quality.
The Schuberth I bought blind and ended up being an expensive mistake as it fitted around the face but despite adjusting the padding it was always a little loose on top. At low speeds not an issue but higher speeds and it made my head wobble as the air caught it and would blur my vision. I really wanted it to work though as it was noticeable more comfortable than any other helmet I’d worn.

If you can find the right make and model of helmet check online for last years version which will most likely just be a different colour scheme. Talking of colours remember that darker ones tend to absorb more heat from the sun, not a problem At higher speeds when the ventilation works well but slower speeds cooks your head.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Being a glasses wearer I find the flip front easier to put on and off.

 

[E T]

Being a glasses wearer I find the flip front easier to put on and off.

Same here. My current Shoei is my first flip front and I love it. The integrated flip up sun glasses are great to. No mucking about with separate sun glasses or dark visors. Just a flick of the switch when you need it.