Suggest me a motorcycle helmet

[MrBond]

My drivers license expires in October. I'm going to get a motorcycle sometime next year, so I am going through the motions right now to get my motorcycle endorsement. This way, both my Drivers license and motorcycle endorsement expire at the same time (and I only have to physically go into the BMV once every four years).

In Ohio, you can actually get the endorsement without owning a bike. You have to take the temp test (done and passed), then take the state MSF course ($25, they provide the bike). If you pass the MSF course, you can go right to the BMV and get your endorsement without a road test.

I don't NEED a motorcycle helmet to take the MSF, but I'm less than excited about using a loaner helmet that many people have been using before me.

I was all set to get an HJC helmet from Newenough, but the reviews are spotty. Most of them are "well, the helmet has its flaws, but the low price makes up for them". Someone suggested a Scorpion EX-400, which are pretty affordable at around $140, but I can't try them on first because no one here stocks them.

So I could use some suggestions on other brands to check out. Shoei and Arai come highly reccomended, but that's more than I want to spend right now. It's too much money to spend right now on something that's just going to take up room in my closet. If I can't decide before the MSF course, I just might get a skull cap and wear one of the loaners.

Edit: Got my helmet today:

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2097/helmetwk3.jpg

 

[Rumpltzer]

I'm looking at the ICON Alliance SS helmet at this online store. I like the black rubatone and the simple styling. It's $150 (shipped free), and that beats my local dealer by about $100 (plus tax) and it beats most other places that I've seen online. I haven't tried the helmet on yet, and I'm just beginning my search as well.

I'd be interested in hearing what others suggest.


I'm hoping that link will work for others. I had to send them my email address to get the price...

 

[notfred]

My motorcycle racing friend has a tendency to spend $400-500 on helmets. I can ask what he'd recommend if you want, but I don't think you're intereted in his price range.

 

[raptor13]

Shark makes really good helmets. I've had the S500 Air for well over a year and have loved it. I don't remember exactly how much I paid but it was somewhere in the $250 neighborhood. That's actually kind of cheap considering it's both SNELL and DOT rated.

You can't go wrong with Arai or Shoei. I strongly recommend both of those. Don't let price throw you off because I'm pretty sure you only have one head (that obvious joke aside; you know what I mean!). How much is it worth to you?

 

[MrBond]

I definitely understand more money = better usually. Part of me not wanting to spend more than a couple hundred right now on a helmet is that it's going to be unused for at least 6 months, but more likely close to a year or more. I don't need a helmet for the MSF, but it's one of those things where I'd like to have my own.

I'm going to think about it a little bit, but I think I might buy a cheaper helmet for the MSF, then when I buy my bike and riding gear, drop the two or three bills on a good helmet. This way, I'll have a passenger helmet if I want one.

 

[Rumpltzer]

In case you're still looking...

Helmet reviews here

More reviews here.

After a lot of reading, I'm now leaning more towards the Shoei RF-1000.

I had my first MSF course on Sunday and used a lender helmet that they had for the class. Five hours, long sleeves and jeans in a hot parking lot, but it was pretty fun. My neck got all burnt up, and it's probably going to start peeling by the weekend when I spend another five hours out there.

Don't forget your sunscreen.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Avoid the Roethlisberger Aero-Helmet.

 

[andylawcc]

pardon the hijack; but can Motorcycle helmets double as Auto-Racing helmets?

 

[MBentz]

Originally posted by: andylawcc
pardon the hijack; but can Motorcycle helmets double as Auto-Racing helmets?

I believe so. My friend wears his to the local 1/4 mile strip.

Also, a helmet protects your head. They dont call it a brain bucket for nothing.

How much is your life worth? Looks like $140...

 

[jagec]

I have an HJC CL-SP. It's DOT and Snell 2005 certified, it's bright yellow and thus very visible, gets good reviews, and fits me pretty well. It's also a piece of cake to take off/change the visor, and the vents work pretty well (the chin one much more so than the top vents). However, don't buy your first motorcycle helmet online...yeah, you'll save a few dollars, but what if it doesn't fit? I guess you could try them on at your local shop, and then buy on the internet, but that's a douche move IMHO. Unless, of course, you have a friend with the helmet, and it fits you perfectly, or you've been riding for a while and have a good idea about what fits and what doesn't.

Originally posted by: MBentz
Also, a helmet protects your head. They dont call it a brain bucket for nothing.

How much is your life worth? Looks like $140...

You can only take that saying so far...more expensive doesn't usually mean safer, it usually means quieter at speed. Buy the SAFEST helmet, not the most expensive.

 

[The Stigenator]

Scorpion EX400 is very well rated among peeps who have it. I personally have HJC helmets. SHOEI and ARAI are expenisve but worth it. Below them is HJC, Scorpion, KBC,
Then you got stuff like TTH, VEGA, BELL.

Basically get a HJC, i like mine. The Icon ones are okay i guess. But i prefer the HJC, better fit. By the way make sure you measure your head right. It should be a tight fit, but no uneven pressures. Basically take a measuring tape (or a peice of thread or floss) go around your head, with 1 inch above your eyes, and rest around in a hemisphere. Measure that, that's your hat size. Go for helmets in that hat size, each manufacturer has a hat size so you can refer to that. Then they vary in what kind of heads they fit, so go do a fitting first before buying. Dont worry about it being too tight when you put it on first, it will loosen up after a few hours of use.

Also look for something with SNELL and DOT certs.

 

[Captante]

Aside from the obvious saftey factor provided by Snell & DOT certifications, by far the most important thing about whichever helmet you buy is that its comfortable, because that way it'll be on your head instead of the back of your saddle or back home in the closet!
Arai helmets happen to fit my head the best & HJC's tend not to fit well but thats just me.. be sure to try on the helmet you go with & keep it on your head for 10 minutes at least before you decide its the one you want... it should feel a little too tight when you first put it on & then loosen up as the liner gets warmer.

 

[state 08]

Kinda crazy to see this post, considering the fact I just placed my order for my helmet online not even 1 minute ago.

Ended up buying an HJC AC-12, seen here. I bought the red Yikes III model.

 

[Kirby]

Motorcycle helmets are stupid. If you wreck you're dead, helmet or not helmet. If you somehow happen to survive, you'd wish you were dead.

 

[lokiju]

I have an HJC helmet that has the full face covered but can open up when you need to get some air at a stop or just get it out of your way for a second.

Helmet Closed

Helmet Open

The actual model is called "Sys-Max" and has been review to be a decent helmet, especially considering it's on the lower side of the $ side but still performs well.

Review of Sys-max.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
In case you're still looking...

Helmet reviews here

More reviews here.

After a lot of reading, I'm now leaning more towards the Shoei RF-1000.

I had my first MSF course on Sunday and used a lender helmet that they had for the class. Five hours, long sleeves and jeans in a hot parking lot, but it was pretty fun. My neck got all burnt up, and it's probably going to start peeling by the weekend when I spend another five hours out there.

Don't forget your sunscreen.

Shoei and Arai are flat out the best in the world... the RF1000 is a hell of a helmet..
for those on a budget though there is a GOOD alternative...
Scorpion helmets are dot/snell 2003 certed have a great nice breathing kevlar shell and a removable liner... these are VERY comparable to Shoei and Arai and have crash tested very well..
the good part is the helmet sells for 200 bucks.. and its comperable to the 500$ race reps.
do not buy Shark.. do not buy HJC... do not buy any other lesser reviewed helmet.. this is your brain we are taling about here.. stay with the guys that know how to build these helmets..

 

[NatePo717]

How about this one? Helmet!

 

[Amused]

Personally I like full face flip-up helmets. Makes going into a quickie mart and such so much more convenient.

One I found on lokiju's link.

http://hjchelmets.com/clmax.htm

A more expensive Shoei:

http://www.shoei-helmets.com/road/helmets_road.aspx?h=5

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: CVSiN

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
In case you're still looking...

Helmet reviews here

More reviews here.

After a lot of reading, I'm now leaning more towards the Shoei RF-1000.

I had my first MSF course on Sunday and used a lender helmet that they had for the class. Five hours, long sleeves and jeans in a hot parking lot, but it was pretty fun. My neck got all burnt up, and it's probably going to start peeling by the weekend when I spend another five hours out there.

Don't forget your sunscreen.

Shoei and Arai are flat out the best in the world... the RF1000 is a hell of a helmet..
for those on a budget though there is a GOOD alternative...
Scorpion helmets are dot/snell 2003 certed have a great nice breathing kevlar shell and a removable liner... these are VERY comparable to Shoei and Arai and have crash tested very well..
the good part is the helmet sells for 200 bucks.. and its comperable to the 500$ race reps.
do not buy Shark.. do not buy HJC... do not buy any other lesser reviewed helmet.. this is your brain we are taling about here.. stay with the guys that know how to build these helmets..

WTF are you talking about stay away from HJC and to imply they don't know how to make a helmet?

I've never seen a bad review on the sys-max from HJC. What basis do you have for making such a claim?

 

[lozina]

not sure if it's street legal

and not sure if it will keep the bugs out

but it sure would be original!

 

[Que-TiP]

I have a nolan n100e helmet. Its fits my huge head and is a flip up so i don't have to take my glasses off to put it on.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/photos/300/g7815.jpg

There are of course better and worse helmets, but my advice is to get one that fits your head the best.

 

[olds]

http://www.bellhelmets.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_id=144

 

[Amused]

Originally posted by: Que-TiP
I have a nolan n100e helmet. Its fits my huge head and is a flip up so i don't have to take my glasses off to put it on.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/photos/300/g7815.jpg

There are of course better and worse helmets, but my advice is to get one that fits your head the best.

Nice helmet. I love flip-ups and Nolan has some great accessories for this model.

I like this one, too:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?******19035&department=101&Division=1

 

[Bulk Beef]

Motorcycle helmets are stupid. If you wreck you're dead, helmet or not helmet. If you somehow happen to survive, you'd wish you were dead.

I'm sorry, but you don't know wtf you're talking about.

2 of my helmets

Left was a highside at about 60 mph, right was highside at about 115. Obviously, if you do a faceplant into a brick wall, you're f-d, but that's fairly rare.

 

[lozina]

Originally posted by: sward666

Motorcycle helmets are stupid. If you wreck you're dead, helmet or not helmet. If you somehow happen to survive, you'd wish you were dead.

I'm sorry, but you don't know wtf you're talking about.

2 of my helmets

Left was a highside at about 60 mph, right was highside at about 115. Obviously, if you do a faceplant into a brick wall, you're f-d, but that's fairly rare.

What's a highside?