Touring Helmets?

I just ordered a Lazer Monaco Window Carbon helmet from Revzilla. It shipped today, so I should have it on Monday. It's a carbon fiber shell, modular, set up for bluetooth, it has Pinlock, and a photochromic visor that tints in the sun but is clear at night. The weight of the helmet is only 1500 grams or about 3.3 lbs. Mine may be a little heavier in the XL size I ordered, but to compare, a Shoei Neotech is 1837 in XL, so this is substantially lighter.

Revzilla were telling me that they didn't know if it would be superseded by a different helmet from the manufacturer (which has been making helmets for 100 years), so I emailed them and the said a new style is being released and that they would continue making parts, such as pads, screws etc for the next few years at least. I talked with two different people at Revzilla and they said the fit and finish they think is better on the Neotech, but, I literally read about 10 different review websites about the Monaco and they ALL said great things about them. And, one thing they all say is that the ventilation is really great on the Lazer.

I'll let you know how it works out.

By the way, the helmet is only $299 at Revzilla, vs $490 local to Duccmann and I, but easily over $550 everywhere else. http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/lazer-monaco-window-pure-carbon-helmet

 

Sons of Malarky

Farklemavens MC

 

bikehikeflyCO - hmmm, I'll take a peek. It's slightly heavier than the N104, which can be had for almost the same price on Revzilla. I'll check it out. I know it's always rated well amongst riders.

Lint - I'll check the Lazer helmets out, we have a few dealers that sell them locally here.

Badbilly - hahaha, I had though of Sons of Malarky as well

 

I have an HJC IS-16, it's a $150 fullface helmet with integrated sun visor and I ordered their pinlock visor afterwards. I like it because it's well ventilated, not super noisy, has the sun shield, fits my head snugly and was cheap. It also got a good review on webbikeworld http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/hjc/is-16/. My only complaints are that it's easy to break the sun visor tabs when you remove it for cleaning, and I feel like this helmet exposes some more of the back of my neck than I'm used to with helmets. If you want a modular style they have the IS-17 MAX for just over $200.

 

A well represented group here..

 

Dam you Lint, now Im on the fence again....and they had your size to fit that fat head of yours?

 

Oh Herman, did they say when the revamped monico is expected to be out?

 

I know, can you believe it?

 

I was considering the Monaco helmet as well, but a few thing deterred me from getting it and going with the Nolan instead. First was that they tend to be a bit snug and some of the reviewer said that it was near impossible to get the helmet on without taking your glasses off. As I wear glasses, this was a big minus for me and it would be just like wearing a full face helmet (which I could have lighter and cheaper).

Second was the lack of an inner visor (which contributes to the low weight of the helmet) and the photo-chromatic visor. I can see the advantages behind that and think that it is a great idea, but sometimes it is nice to not have to ride with a tinted shield during the day. Being an all all season rider, I get out when there is snow and ice still on the ground and I ride through canyons. During nice sunny days and riding through canyons there are still sections that have no sun in them and having a tinted visor obscures my vision of road debris, wet spots, and ice (this where is I prefer a clear shield and inner visor). I am not sure how quickly the photo-chromatic shield would transition or if it would lighten up at all, so that is why I nixed that one.

Overall it seems like a great quality lid, but just wasn't for me.

The N104 also looked like a great helmet and I was considering that one, but due to it being on closeout, they have a limited number of colours and sizes that would fit me. I really wanted the Arctic Grey, but they were out so I ended up with the N91, extra shield and shield bag for the same cost as the N104. I will say that I vertical line of sight in the N91 can be limited, but not too bothersome, but the N104 appears to have slightly more vertical line of sight.

Also, if any one needs it, here is a keycode for Motorcycle Superstore that gives you free shipping on ANY purchase (even those under $89): FS-THX-146

 

Neotec for me for all riding. Such a great product if it fits right.

 

Jim thats were I was headed (get it)
Does the drop down shield fog up on you? Wounder if you can get a slightly tinted face shield for it.

 

Hi Jeff, I bought Bell Revolver modular with sunshade a few months ago and really like it.

The good:
-being able to drop the shade and open the visor for some fresh air
-lifting the chin to talk to people-
-the venting is ok-
-the visor is ridiculously easy to change if you want
-under $200

The bad:
-magnet strap catch falls off right away, guess that happens to everybody
-noisy at freeway speeds
-fogs a bit in the cold
-not snell rated

 

If Jeff buys one of every lid that is great according to everyone, that's a lot of Canadian Pesos.

 

I have the GT-Air, which also has the sun visor and it will fog up from time to time but opening the chin vent helps clear it up. Since the Neo-tech comes with the Pinlock face shield, you can get a tinted pinlock lens that would give you decent coverage. Although I'm not sure what face shield the Neo-tech uses, but Shoei has released "Transitions" face shields for some of their helmets. So that might be an option as well.

 

Well I paid $139.99 for an HJC CL-16 and got a $130 credit back, so in a sense I got a $10 helmet. Not sure if my head is of equal value or not... :wink:

 

Nothing fogs up till it gets pretty cold. Below 30 degrees everything fogs. I stuck the pinlock in that comes with the helmet and no fogging of the shield at all. None no matter what. BUT my glasses fog pretty bad still. I don't HAVE to wear them so if it's that cold I just don't. And honestly I have no idea if the sun shield fogs. It's been SO COLD and so snowy I have not ridden in seems like weeks. I forget what it's like.
Also I believe if you can put a helmet on with glasses on, the helmet will fit too loose. That's been my experiance but I definately have not tried all the helmets available on so who knows.

 

Well shit, just tried Lints Lazer Carbon Monico and fits perfect even with my glasses on. $299 or $490 for the NeoTec?????????
Not sold on that flip down shield yet, sure wish I could test ride for a day. On the pin lock, can you get a tinted one for the Neo?
Like the fit and finish plus the Lazer is pretty darned light to boot.
Save $200 that I can put towards suspension twerks ......
Have ta sleep on it I
guess. ..

 

Hahah. Maybe if I win the lottery, in which case, I'll also be buying a summer vacation home down south so I can ride during the winter months.

I'm trying to have my cake and eat it too.

In all honestly, I'm looking at a balance between price and comfort (noise / fit). I realize that I'll have to make some compromises without having to spend double or triple the price.