What are the trusted helmet brands these days?

Jim...neotec is the one on my list...fit and finish is excellent. ...plus was told that the flip up hinge is metal and can withstand frontal impacts without separating. Fits me perfect with glasses also. Do you ever ride with it flipped up? Had to spend my $$ on something more important. . Picture?

 

I have a very round head and wore Shoei for years when I started riding. I stopped riding for a while and when I got back on two wheels, Shoei shape did not fit me anymore. That's been the case for the past 10 or so years.

I am due for a new lid and HAVE to try on helmets before purchase, but most shops don't have big inventory. I recently tried on a Shoei GT Air at Cycle Gear and it fit well, so I bought one. I'm glad Shoei fits again. Quality has always been tops, but they are not cheap. Bottom line is to buy what fits. If the brand I is ECE or SnellM2015 rated, it should be a good helmet.

Jose

 

Whats with it is: you get what you pay for. I recall the old ad used by Bell back in the day - "If you've got a $10 head, buy a $10 helmet. If your head is worth more, buy a Bell"

Cheaper helmets are made from cheaper stuff. They are built to a price rather than a standard. More expensive helmets have more and better features, use higher quality materials and are generally regarded as safer (although that last part does not necessarily hold true). Manufacturers offer a range so that they don't miss out on the varying market demand. Some people don't want to pay much, while other are willing to pay more. So manufacturers cater for each and every customer.

Of course you will always get the wombat who wants the top quality features at the low quality price. Its a bit like your boss telling you you have to perform like a managing director but they are only going to pay you like a janitor. Not much fun is it?

 

I have become a huge fan of OGK - Kabuto helmets. Their FF5V is Snell approved and really good price. They are very difficult to get on and off due to a small opening for your head, but once on, OMG, the most comfortable and best fitting helmet I've ever owned. Aerodynamically they are superb with no buffetting at high speed. New cheek pads are $25 and they use pin lock system for fog free riding. Top stuff.

 

I ride with it flipped up until I remember to flip it down. It's not recommended by them or me but when it's real hot and I'm in traffic I bring it up. But you have far less protection.
I have not dissasembled the hinge so I don't know how it's made but the latching mech is nice. There are double seals and little lips and fairings to reduce noise and buffeting. It's a very high tech helmet. They built it as well as they could but it's still a flip up.

 

I actually saw a Sheriff motor cop at work wearing one..stopped and talked with him and he said it's one of the best helmets he's owned. Said the exact thing....in traffic..hot..flips it up just to cool down.

 

So my initial impression, without having ridden in it yet, it's light, fits snug but comfortable and seems like a solid helmet. Finish looks good too IMO. Two items that need to be singled out. One, it did not come with a chin curtain, so you have to buy that separate (~$6) and trying to install the chin curtain was tough. Two, the top vent open/close mechanism seems a little "flimsy" but it's only an open/close, so not much to it. I'm hoping to get some road time with it and see if the airflow and possibly noise will be an issue. I wear earplugs so not overly concerned with latter aspect. The one cool thing for sure is the pinlock lens comes with the helmet and if you've never used a pinlock, you're in for a treat, they do not fog up!. Also, looks like you can get different lenses too, clear, yellow, smoke, etc. I put a dark pinlock lens on my Shoei RF-1100 when I was using that. Worked great with that setup, gonna try and get one for this helmet too...

And to answer your track day question, I was under the impression that most track day organizations used to call for SNELL approved helmets, which is partly why I grabbed this helmet that and I retired my Shoei RF-100, but I'm sure it will vary amongst the different organizers. TrackDaz in So cal just calls for a modern full face helmet Helmet: Full face (undamaged, made in the last 5 years). Fastrack riders calls for DOT and SNELL approved. I've seen other list that just call for a full face helmet. However, almost all of them call for one piece leathers or two piece with full circumference zipper that connects jacket and pants.

 

So you don't mind using a dark lens? I was thinking maybe the IS is just a gimmick?

I FB'd "2Fast" here in WA to see what they require.

 

Don't forget, I'm in Sunny Southern California, it's sunny here just about everyday! I prefer the smoked pinlock lens versus a smoked shield. Difference being, it's easier to remove the pinlock lens if it gets too dark, than to have to carry a spare clear shield with me. Also, most of, if not all helmets that have the drop down internal sun visor will not be SNELL certified, same applies to modulars. My GT-Air and Schuberth C3 (modular) both have the internal sun shade and I love that feature, but neither are SNELL certified helmets, both are DOT, but not SNELL.

You'd be hard pressed to find a internal sun shade helmet in either format that officially has a SNELL sticker on it. My understanding is the shell and liner construction is what gets compromised with the sun shade models, thus preventing them from passing the SNELL testing procedure. In fact, Arai went with an external sun shade in order to maintain their "every" helmet being a SNELL certified helmet.

 

So what about the Scorpion EXO 1100? I like the fiberglass and kevlar.

The "Preciosa" is only $150. The problem is, it has rather gay graphics (no offense meant). I think that's why it's over $100 less than solids or other graphics(?) Nothing some wet sanding and matte black wouldn't fix. Actually I think I could rock the black and purple.

Preciosa

 

I know a few riders who like their Scorpion helmets, two things though...not very quiet and not SNELL, if that's still on your radar

 

out of stock on the Preciosa

 

I have a big, rather oblong melon. I like my Scorpion EXO. I chose it because it fit well and it was under $200. To me fit is the most important thing with the padding being firm and thick. I am in the market for a new hat and have been looking at the HJC CL-16. They fit really well. My buddy swears by his Arai but I want to feel comfortable about leaving my lid. No one looks twice at my Scorpion. I love the Bell designs but they just don't fit my head. The only lid I ever crash tested was a Nava, years ago. (anyone remember those?)

 

My cousin had a Nava, don't recall the model, but I rememer the name Nava on it.

 

Sounds like a Scorpion would be no good for my very round melon. KBC is out of business, but they made a GREAT helmet that fit me perfectly.

Jose

 

I crash tested a Kiwi...yup a Kiwi.
It saved my melon...had a nice gash in it. Kiwi Vs. the back of a sod truck.
I walked away. At that time it was one of the only ones that had a quick release clip.
After that, I purchased an AGV...don't know the style.
Thank God, I never had to crash test it.

Bill

 

So I did my first road test today, although I didn't get to go on the freeway, so my observations are based on low speed riding (<50MPH). First, the face shield optics, without the pinlock lens installed, are great! When the shield was down I had to do a double check to see if it was actually down. However, without the pinlock lens installed, the face shield did seem to want to fog up rather quickly, so installing it may change optics a little, but it will definitely help keep fogging away. Ventilation was meh! particularly from the top vent, but the chin vent did pretty good. However, even with the chin curtain installed, I did feel a bit of airflow from under the chin bar. I should add though, I did have on a skull cap, which may have contributed to the lack of feeling much airflow from the top vent. Noise level was on par with my Shoei GT-Air which is pretty good but I do wear earplugs. But as stated, this is at lower speeds.

The weight of the helmet while wearing it is good, however, since I did not get to go at higher speeds, I cannot say much about wind buffeting and how it reacts when turning your head for lane check. The graphics BTW look real good in person, the friend I met for lunch complimented them as soon as I walked into the restaurant. I hope you don't mind the minor thread jack Rob, just figured I throw my 2 cents in now while the helmet is still available...

Bottom line is I'm happy with it so far. Here are some pics for you.

 

No jack at all. I was looking for opinions and experience.

It looks really sharp.

 

Well, I think I've made my choice- full circle around to Bell. The Revolver EVO helmet. I *really* wanted an internal sunshade after being blinded for a few miles last week. I wasn't looking for a modular but I think I'll enjoy the advantages. There are several other features I like but at $200, I'll save some cash if I need to by a SNELL rated helmet in the future. Now I'm just waiting for Revzilla to tell me why I don't have any Zilla cash in my account.

[video]http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/bell-revolver-evo-helmet-solid[/video]

 

I just purchased an HJC CL-17 in white. It fit and the price was right. We will see what it's like in the wind.

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/hjc-cl-17-helmet