Helmet recommendations?

Hey Hivemind,
Just getting back into riding VFR after 20 years of absence! Likely buying a 5th, maybe 6th gen very soon. Like many of us, one of the main attractions after all the years still is that sweet V4 sound, especially with the GDC overtones of the 5th gen!
Back in my 2nd gen days I had a helmet with perfect balance of tolerable wind noise whilst hearing loud and clear that sweet V4 song at any speed and load, brilliant! I once tried some more up-to-date helmets with better features but it totally took away all the aural pleasures so hard pass at the time.
Other parameters: Doesn't break bank - hopefully $400 max is feasible
Obviously Snell / DOT approved
Must be available in red (matching bike) or yellow (highly visible)
Size L, boringly average shaped head
Need no fancy features such as super light weight, bluetooth, photochromic stuff etc.
If there are other solutions to separating "good" noise from wind noise, those are welcome as well! I'm also a road bicyclist, and have these for a similar problem: google "cat-ears for bicycle"
Thanks!

 

I used to be Shoei, but due to ridiculous pricing structure, went to HJC a few years back. They've been just fine. I prefer a race shape, good venting, and wear earplugs. I love their RPHA line. Look for prior year deals. There are some places in WV with killer deals the last time I rolled through there.

Like everywhere, prices have gone up a bit.

https://hjchelmets.us/pages/rpha-12

 

While I am (and always have been) an Arai man, I agree about HJC. They are a very good helmet and a great value. I sold them for years (years ago). Your budget should get you into a decent model.

I always wear ear plugs, regardless of distance or speed.

 

Thank you for the good insight! So are the HJC helmets good for engine noise appreciation?

 

That's a weird question. Wear ear plugs or don't. You can protect your head and your hearing if you want.

My VFRs tend to get their awesomeness thru my Arai and earplugs no problem.

 

What he said. All helmets kill your hearing without earplugs.

 

Totally agree on the ear plugs.
No helmet can match the ear protection of them.

As for the helmet, my Arai has been the best fitting helmet I've ever owned.

 

I've been alternating between HJC's and Scorpion. I love everything about the HJC besides the visor latching mechanism. My biggest gripe with the RPHA 11 was the flimsy latch that could snap off. I've recently got an RPHA 12 which has a much more robust latching mechanism--but it requires you to press a button to unlatch which I haven't gotten the hang of yet with gloves on. My Scorpion EXO-1 Air has been my primary helmet for racing the last year. It doesn't fit my head as well as the HJC's nor does it flow air as well. I've taken some pretty big hits in HJC's, and they worked well.

The couple Arai's I've tried on do really feel like the premium option.

As others have said, wear earplugs regardless. This shouldn't even be negotiable. You'll hear your surroundings far better, and you won't accelerate long term hearing damage.

 

Thanks! As it happens, I just ordered a Scorpion EXO-1 Air. And I got Artevive earplugs. Haven't been out to try this combo yet.

 

I'd buy an Arai if they could get over themselves and allow an internal drop-down sun visor. As they refuse to do that I will stick with my trusty Shoei GT-Air II. Honestly, the drop-down visor and a pinlock screen are for me the biggest game changers in helmet design in the past few years.

 

Devil's advocate but I'm willing to get over that since the Arai is that much more comfy than any other helmet I've tried on - bought an aftermarket transition visor from Ali Express for my Arai and it's amazing!

And if there are any reservations about chinese visor safety... I thoroughly vetted this one in many ways (seller sent me destructive test videos, and I also crashed in one haha)

 

If you discount Chinese brands - which degrade rapidly and rarely gain a decent Snell rating - all the big name brands could suit you. BUT the big factor is make absolutely sure the helmet you choose fits the shape of your head! There are Large heads and Large heads! Ideally find a decent motorbike store and prepare to spend half a day trying on their entire helmet range. You will quickly identify brands which just do not fit snugly and can eliminate that brand and focus on the ones you really feel happy in.

When I started riding I really liked the "look" of AGV helmets but having tried several AGV models they proved too long front to back and never really felt secure on my more round head. Eventually I tried a Schuberth C3Pro and was immediately impressed about how easy a flip top lid is to don (I need to wear glasses) and found the padding allowed for them. The integrated sun shade was excellent when riding in really sunny conditions around California. Another bonus is the quality sound deadening in the Schuberth helmets which is very effective and helps protect your hearing.

The optional integral bluetooth on most Schuberth helmets can connect to GPS, radio, mobile phone, bike to bike and rider to pillion coms. Obviously bluetooth is not essential but definitely worthwhile if you ever plan to take the new VFR on long distance trips. Downside of the Schuberth coms option is it is based on Scala rather than the far more popular Sena Mesh system over in Europe. If you really want bike to bike or rider to pillion coms then Sena is the way to go even if it means an external mounted system rather than a neat fully integrated helmet coms system.

PS you may want to update your forum information to include an approximate location - that way you may find nearby riders to compare notes with.

Hope that helps and have fun shopping


SkiMad

 

There are plenty of quality safe helmets. The higher $ is generally features (air flow control, shield mechanism, quiet) and marketing/brand.

 

A "feature" that I don't mind paying for (in my Arais) is ALL DAY COMFORT. Even if a helmet fits your head shape properly, it doesn't mean it's going to be comfortable over extended periods. And when a helmet reaches that stage it is distracting. Money also buys premium interior fabrics, foams and designs.

Gong to the store? An afternoon ride? No problem. Riding across state(s) from damn near sun up to sun down? The helmets that can deliver that are in a smaller group.

 

Agree with Capt 1000%. I'm lucky enough to test and review most every helmet that arrives Stateside. Most is ghost writing or under an alias.
I recall one review I did for the new ( back then ) Shark Race R Pro. I used it for a trek from AZ back to NC in May of that year.
Wrote it up and submitted the usual trip details and related stuff. How hot it was, man Shark dark smoke is too dark at night on the 40, the wind was crazy across OK, etc.
The magazine that hired me called and was a bit upset and confused, as I didn't talk hardly at all about the helmet. Told them that was the point, I didn't have or need to think about it or have any issues over 3 days and nearly 2100 miles. They still didn't get my point so I had to revise and resubmit the review.

All the blabbing reinforcing the reason most premium ( Arai & Shoei ) helmets are more than just premium priced. Couple of the newest brands do have me questioning their pricing structures, to be fair.
Fit, comfort, airflow, aero, replacement parts, etc play a major part in what I'll wear dawn to dusk.
I am a self admitted helmet snob and most of mine currently are Arai Corsair X and Shoei X-14.
Of late, more Shark, X-Lite and some sprinkle of HJC ( RPHA 11 and 1N ) have found the way into the rotation. Reword that, have * earned * their way into my helmet rotation.

 

I have worn ear plugs almost since I started my riding days with the VFR back in 06. Just tooting around town at lower speeds I may not wear them but a ride for any amount of time or over 60 KMH, about 50MPH, you should wear them. Hearing loss is a real unfortunate thing to happen. But you can also develop tinnitus. That is ringing in the ears, constant, never to go away. Hearing aid do not make that go away. You just get that ringing 24/7.

Cheap foamy ear plugs work very well. They really cut back on the wind noise in all helmets I have worn during my approx. 300,000 km riding life. You can still hear your engine purr but the damaging wind noise is reduced.
My first lid was a HJC. It was OK. But being a first, I had nothing to compare it with. Next was a Shark. I wasn't too impressed with that one considering the money I spent on it. I've had 2 Shoei lids and have liked those. One of my present helmets in the Shoei GT-Air 2. I very much like that one. The flip down sun shade inside works very well and holds up. I am told that many others with the flip down shades do not last long and become a problem. I wear the Shoei because they fit my head shape. But they are pricey. They are lighter than a lot of lids which makes a real difference if you have any neck issues like degenerative discs which I have. When I bought my Africa Twin, I bought another helmet. It was an AGV Adventure style helmet. AGV AX9 Siberia Matt Motorcycle Helmet (Black/Flo Yellow) The Visor Shop.com . I really liked the fit on that one. Ventilation was good but the better the ventilation is, the more wind noise your get so it is definitely back to the ear plugs.

My Shoei is getting quite old so it is due for replacement. I think I will get another AVG. I just haven't decided which one. The adventure AGV has a peak that catches too much wind riding my VFR though.

A little long winded but there you have it. MOFWIW.

 

I use the same ones...but in R/W/B...like any good patriot! Also worth noting is that they are LONG! I gut 1/2 to 1/4 of that smaller tip off. If not, they HURT when in for a long time.