What is a good helmet Brand?

I currently own an Arai Corsair...though good I am not willing to pay what they ask for a new one...something like $800.00 CAD

Arai used to be the best but competition seems to be very fierce nowadays..

Just wondering what folks are using and what is the general consensus regarding value and price is.

I personally like the HJC carbon, anyone using this one?

Scorpion EXO 1000 seems good as well as the Shark RSR...????

Is fiberglass better than Polycarbonate for shell construction? I assume Kevlar is even better for abrasion resistance...

Help a confused guy out!!!

I am looking for Protection, light weight and value.

 

Arai is (IMHO) rivaled by one other company: Shoei. Funny thing is I just went through a demonstration at my local bike shop on this issue.


Shoei & Arai use multi-density impact foam within each helmet. This helps to disperse & arrest the impact before it reaches your skull and is more effective than a single desity foam. I won't get into the the extended physics but think of it as layered padding vs. one big pad. Shock can travel through a uniform substance much better than a non-uniform substance, especially if they are layered correctly. Think of knocking on a wood table vs. knocking on a wood coaster that's on top of a pillow that's on top of table. A very rough description but you get the point.

Next there's the issue of the strength of the helmet itself. I'll cut to the chase - Shoei & Arai are stronger than Scorpion. The quality & strenth of the material used for the shell of the helmets from Arai & Shoei can support more weight (as demostrated to me by a person standing on the jawbone of an Arai shell) and it has more flex to it. This flex helps both arrest an impact and protect the rider by giving...instead of snapping.

I have nothing against Scorpion; they just aren't on the same level of protection (and price!) as Shoei & Arai. I personally feel both Arai & Shoei are worth it but it's kind of like Alpinestars vs. Fieldsheer.

Shoei are the quietest helmets out there (when properly fit of course) but that's because they use a wind tunnel to shape their helmets. They give great ventilation and you'll likely get the least buffeting from a Shoei. Shoei also has the QRBP (Quick Release Base Plate) to allow you to switch visors quicky - you'll find something similar on Scorpion - but that smoothness translates into less noise.

Arai doesn't use a wind tunnel, but they are the lightest helmets out there at this quality. Arai chooses not to follow the trend Shoei started with visor smoothness because they wanted to have a uniform thickness for the shell. As a result the visor does have an air-scoop effect which can increase wind noise, but it was a choice Arai made. These helmets are also very well ventilated including vents for the eyebrows.


You only get one brain; put it in the best brain bucket you can afford.



/personal opinion

 

Here's a site that will make it easier,maybe, to buy a helmet. Motorcycle Helmets - webBikeWorld

I bought another Shoei from these guys at about half off. They have the best prices I've seen. Which may not be saying much.

Motorcycle Helmets, buy from the Motorcycle Helmet Super store at Competition Accessories

 

Helmet brands are a very personal thing, I like the look of Arai but can't wear them, they just don't fit right. I know they are different in the UK but the quietest helmet I have ever had is my current Schuberth S1. I had an HJC carbon (model FS-10 over here) and while it is very good it didn't last long, the liner covers split on both sides by the strap. Also the visor was very draughty. The Schuberth visor isn't as good as my old Shoei XR1000 but nearly, and it has an internal sun visor which for me is an essential.

 

Hmmm Shoe X11 here, its my first propper expensive helmet and it is pretty fabulous and looks good. A good helmet is like your first good pair of sunglasses, before you get them they seem an extravagance but once youve used it for a while you dont know how you lived without it. Having said that there are other good brands about and for me it came down to fit. First of all find the helmet that fits best then buy the best one you can afford.
Good luck with it.

Also XLITE look pretty good they are the Lexus of Nolan.

Cheers MGVFR

 

I got both Arai and Shoei, I would go for Shoei cause they fit much better.

 

I use a Shoei RF1000 that I bought on Competitionaccessories.com for about $275. Now I think they're down to about $250.
The helmet has been great. I've actually gotten many comments on how cool it looks (Gloss Black color), it's very comfortable, and the ventilation works great too.

 

I've used Shoei as my brand of choice. Arai just don't fit my head as well as the Shoei.

I currently have the RF1100 and it's likely the best helmet I've ever put on. It's as quiet as they come, comfy, and handles cross winds really well too.

Yes - it was pricey ($400+), but like was said before - you want the best protection for your head as possible....right?

 

Bell helmets.
They have reasonable cost and were the FIRST ..FIRST to make a full coverage helmet. It was the Bell STAR. They wrote the book. They did testing, they are the masters.

 

Only asking since you seem to have a great deal of experience with Bell helmets and I don't (not from first hand experience nor from demos):

What are some of the safety innovations they've implemented within the last 10 years? Other than experience (which does count in my book) what are the reasons to choose Bell?

 

Founded 1954!
Bell helmets had the first full face design 1966 . The Bell Star.
The full face design revolutionized the hemet industry.
Bell helmets had the FIRST TESTING, and developed standards to build helmets.
Bell helmets and company have a lot of experience and in racing that really counts.
The FIRST Snell Memorial Foundation Standards are released and Bell becomes the FIRST company to pass.
They supply 800 police departments with helmets.
Bell introduces products for anti-ballistic military and law enforcement use.
More world champions have worn Bell Helmets than ALL other helmet brands combined. From Grand Prix racing through the Indy 500 to Olympic cycling, Bell helmets have played a vital role in protecting sportsmen and women for nearly 50 YEARS !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1240OZoVNEI&feature=related
Team Riders Josh Herrin and Aaron Gobert lead the list of Bell Riders flying the Star on the AMA Pro Road Race circuit...



Truth is there are many good brands and you have to get the one that fits your needs. And your budget.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pdm_6vcP80w&feature=related

Actually, the 1559 grams puts the size large Bell Star in the lowest 1/3 of helmet weights of all the helmets we've tried, which is excellent, especially considering the helmet meets both DOT and Snell 2005 safety standards!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34CwJ41Ao9s&feature=player_embedded

 

I wore nothing but Bell helmets many years ago when they were made in the US and you bought them according to hat size. Different company, different helmet.

 

Seems like he company is making a comeback and really trying hard.
New blood in the company now.

 

Ive had Bells, Shoei's, Arais, and Vegas.

Currently using a Scorpion EXO which I really like, lot of helmet for the money, but a tad heavy.

Thinking about looking into HJC and Suomis, two guys I ride with like them.

 

I cant speak on value because no price is too high for me to protect my dome. But I tried on many helmets including the shoei when shopping for my helemet. I went with the Arai & unfortunatley ended up using it! I broke 7 bones & my head took a few shots...road rash etc. But felt no pain in my head, just a scratch on my nose from where the face shield came off.
I will never buy another brand.

 

Not a lot of verbal clutter there! Thanks!

 

Rossi wears AGV, so I guess that must be ok if it is fit for the King of MotoGP! MotoGP riders wear (and crash in) AGV, HJC, Bell, etc, and they are all still alive after some horrendous crashes, so I guess the helmet makers must be doing something right. There are many good helmets out there, and they don't have to be ONLY Shoei or Arai. Most all major brands are DOT and Snell approved. As long as they have that, look for fit, comfort, and read up on the wind noise reports.

HJC, AGV, Shoei, Arai, Shark, Schuberth, Bell, Scorpion are all great helmets. Most of that 800 you will be paying for that Arai are for the name, paint scheme and venting. Yes, it is a good helmet, but not 800 dollars good IMO. Don't let anybody talk you into thinking that this is a "two" helmet market (as in Shoei, and Arai), as it is not at all.

 

Get a "Fuel" helmet from Wal-Mart, they have Slick 50 there too near their little motorcycle section.

 

I have a Joe Rocket RKT-101 Carbon which is made by HJC. It's been two years now, and I love it. Comfortable and very light, with my only complaint being the wind noise on the highway. Earplugs fixed that, and I am a happy guy. I'll probably by another.