Motorcycle Helmets

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PT63
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Motorcycle Helmets

Post by PT63 »

My wife is buying me a helmet for xmas but i can't decide which one. I've got a cheap Box full faced helmet now which is'nt great but does its job.
So...Full face?..Open face?.. and what brand? What have you got? Any suggestions welcome. :)
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rainburg
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by rainburg »

I'd definitely go the full face route to provide the most protection. Otherwise, if you crash your lower face has no protection at all. In the US look for a Snell certification in addition to the DOT. The DOT is the minimum legal rating, but Snell is more rigorous. Perhaps all helmets in Europe have Snell? Or something else? Well, I'd look for the best safety certification I could find. Then you really have to try some on and see what fits you best. They should fit snugly and put some pressure on your cheeks so they stay in position correctly. I have an HJC and I'm happy with it, but it may be that paying a few hundred more (like a Shoei) would provide better vents or anti-fogging shields. When I got my helmet it was only for being an occasional passenger and I didn't want to spend much. Now I have my endorsement and ride regularly but I haven't seen a reason to upgrade. It is pretty comfortable and fits under the seat.

A helmet sounds like a very nice Christmas gift. :D
2011 Honda PCX, 2007 Suzuki Burgman 400
2 Honda Civics, 5 bicycles and 1 more on order
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by edscoot »

I got a Schuberth C3 a couple of months ago.

It's quiet, light weight and has good visibility. It is a flip front that I think has been tested to match full face crash protection (it has steel pins on the chin lock). It's got a pin lock anti fog and an internal sun visor.

There have been a few negative reviews of this helmet but I have found it very good and I would happily recommend it. It's not cheap though - mine cost £400 with £40 off!

There is one junction on my way to work at an awkward angle. With my old helmet (a Givi flip front - not good) I always had to stop to look over my shoulder- not so with the Schuberth. Its small dimensions mean shoulder checks are easy and you see more. It also fits under the seat with no problems at all (mine is size 57, it may be different for you).

It's very comfortable - imagine putting your head in a sofa :)

This is a quality product.
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by al69 »

I have a caberg kondra flip front and a kbc fluro i got free with the scooter.

I originally bought the flip front as i was wearing glasses but no longer need them.
Advantages are the flip down sun shield tinted visor.I also like the fact you dont have to remove it to go in a shop etc.It has the highest sharps rating.It also has a good quick release buckle system thats very easy to use even with gloves on.
Disadvantages are it does fog up and i cant get a pinlock insert for it or use an antifog mask thing in it.It also doesnt have good sideways visiblity for over the shoulder "lifesaver" glances.Poor ventilation too.

The kbc i like as its fluro yellow and has very good visiblity and is pinlock ready.It has good ventilation too.
The buckle design is horrible but i have a quick release adaptor on its way.
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by maddiedog »

I use a modular / flip front helmet, the HJC CL-MAX in silver. Here is the product page for it.

I like the modular helmets because they have all the protection of a full-face, but you can flip them up to put on your glasses, talk to someone, etc. Ventilation is good, and noise is good on a scooter (less good on the highway though).

HJC makes good quality helmets for pretty cheap. Shoei and Arai make much nicer helmets, but expect to spend $300+ easily...
Currently ride: 2011 Honda PCX 125 - Upgraded windshield and seat, keeping this one mostly stock
Previously rides: 2005 V-Strom DL650, 1974 Vespa Ciao, 2011 Honda PCX 170 (tons of mods - takegawa 170cc big bore kit, gears, etc), 1996 Honda Nighthawk 250, 1987 Honda Spree, 2000 KTM 125SX, 2003 Honda Silverwing, 2007 Genuine Buddy 125, 1998 Honda PC800, 2008 Buddy 125 (white), 2008 Buddy 125 (red), 2001 Honda Reflex, 1987 Honda Elite, 1988 Honda Spree, 2007 Yamaha Vino, 2007 Honda Metro, 2x 125cc pure-chinesium dirt bikes
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Woolley
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by Woolley »

mine is VERY similiar to maddies, and same brand.
http://www.hjchelmets.com/prds_ismaxbt.htm
I didnt go for the bluetooth optional extra for it because i'd never use it, i just got some of these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorbike-Mot ... 3cbedacb56
and there absolutely perfect for plugging my satnav in, cus theres a mesh in the helmet by your ears that the speakers fit perfectly behind, and i just shoved all the wires under the lining and i just pull the headphone jack out from the underneath the lining of the left cheek when i need it.
I got the white one with a black stripe cus it goes perfect with the white PCX :D
Last edited by Woolley on Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by maddiedog »

The IS-Max is nicer than mine, because you get the flip-down internal visor. :P
Currently ride: 2011 Honda PCX 125 - Upgraded windshield and seat, keeping this one mostly stock
Previously rides: 2005 V-Strom DL650, 1974 Vespa Ciao, 2011 Honda PCX 170 (tons of mods - takegawa 170cc big bore kit, gears, etc), 1996 Honda Nighthawk 250, 1987 Honda Spree, 2000 KTM 125SX, 2003 Honda Silverwing, 2007 Genuine Buddy 125, 1998 Honda PC800, 2008 Buddy 125 (white), 2008 Buddy 125 (red), 2001 Honda Reflex, 1987 Honda Elite, 1988 Honda Spree, 2007 Yamaha Vino, 2007 Honda Metro, 2x 125cc pure-chinesium dirt bikes
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Woolley
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by Woolley »

yeah i use the internal visor nearly everyday, its not as dark as it could be but does the job. I find that the slider for it rattles a bit when your going over 50mph though. But ive got used to it now.
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by felix »

I have the IS-33:
http://www.hjchelmets.com/prdc_is33.htm

I used to use the internal visor everyday as well. Until I cracked the shield and ordered a tinted smoke replacement. Never used the little one again and the full face tint is PRICELESS. Note: I don't do any night riding.
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by TC3 »

I have a Shoei XR1000 that is light, has good vents and good on sound even crusing over 100 and also a Nolan lift up helmet I hardly use now. The Shoei has a half tint visor and a strip across the top I got from somewhere has the tint is not that dark on its own. I prefer this set up as can still use in dark by lifting head up a lil when needed.
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by PT63 »

Ok full faced it is, i like the flip-up front but now which one?
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Woolley
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by Woolley »

my is-max costs £140 from honda dealership just to let you know. They knocked £50 off though cus i bought a pcx :lol:
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by maddiedog »

PT63 -

If you're in the USA, I usually either order from Amazon. Their prices are awesome.

Here's my helmet for $126 + shipping... Here's a search with more colors and sizes. There is a new version out too, the HJC CL-MAX 2.

Here's Wooley's helmet for $179 + shipping. Here's a search with more colors and sizes. For some reason, the CL-MAX 2 and CL-MAX are the first few results.

I couldn't find AL69's flip-front on Amazon, might not be available in the USA. Same with edscoot's Schuberth C3.

:)
Currently ride: 2011 Honda PCX 125 - Upgraded windshield and seat, keeping this one mostly stock
Previously rides: 2005 V-Strom DL650, 1974 Vespa Ciao, 2011 Honda PCX 170 (tons of mods - takegawa 170cc big bore kit, gears, etc), 1996 Honda Nighthawk 250, 1987 Honda Spree, 2000 KTM 125SX, 2003 Honda Silverwing, 2007 Genuine Buddy 125, 1998 Honda PC800, 2008 Buddy 125 (white), 2008 Buddy 125 (red), 2001 Honda Reflex, 1987 Honda Elite, 1988 Honda Spree, 2007 Yamaha Vino, 2007 Honda Metro, 2x 125cc pure-chinesium dirt bikes
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Woolley
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by Woolley »

mines actually this one maddie
http://www.amazon.com/HJC-Helmets--MAX- ... 874&sr=1-2

Bluetooth ready. Not that it makes a difference. Dunno what the difference between mine and the "solid" one.
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by PT63 »

The wife's getting cold feet over the price of the top range helmet's so i'll have a cheaper one. I like the look of the ones posted up till now so i'll have a look for them in the shops and try them on before i buy, thank's for the help guy's :D
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by al69 »

I cant heap enough praise on the pinlock antifog visor system, it really does work a treat.I cant believe how good it is in everyday use keeping the visor from fogging up ,it just works.Before i was always lifting the visor at traffic lights or when i stopped, now i just lift it when i get to where i want to be, it really is that good.
If you are in the market for a new helmet its worth considering if the helmet is pinlock ready or has an available pinlock visor.I found out the hard way my caberg helmet wont have one available till next year.
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by trigg123 »

Arai chaser, great fit .good quality ;) ;)
Scoots so far- Peugeot jetforce 125,honda Dylan 125,yamaha x max 125,honda pcx 125,honda nss300 forza ;-) and bikes were kh250, zxr750L1,zx9B1,zx9c1,wr426,xjr1300sp,09-z1000
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by rich666 »

I went for a LIDL helmet cost me £39 for a flip front in Matt Black. It's the same as a Viper Helmet that costs £100.
I've also got a cheap Back up helmet - a blue Duchhini full face thing (£20 quid in a summer sale) that looks as cheap as it it sounds.
it tastes like...Eagle!
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by Scottish »

I recently upgraded my Nitro for a schuberth C3, big difference, much quieter, more comfy, great ventillation, far greater visibility ( I can glance down at my dash now without bending at the neck!), smells nicer, less drafty, far superior sunvisior etc etc its more expensive but I got mine 2nd hand one off ebay for £250 and it was in pristine condition

Also has space for bluetooth headphone inserts which I filled with these> http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000WQIPPO cheaper alternatives instead :D

My advice? get a nice 2nd hand schuberth C3!
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Re: Motorcycle Helmets

Post by maddiedog »

Scottish -- you're not supposed to get helmets 2nd hand. After a while of use, the helmet conforms to your head and won't properly protect anyone else's head, unless they have the exact same shape head.

How is using bluetooth in the helmet? I've thought about getting a kit like that, but I'm afraid no one will be able to understand me talk! :lol:
Currently ride: 2011 Honda PCX 125 - Upgraded windshield and seat, keeping this one mostly stock
Previously rides: 2005 V-Strom DL650, 1974 Vespa Ciao, 2011 Honda PCX 170 (tons of mods - takegawa 170cc big bore kit, gears, etc), 1996 Honda Nighthawk 250, 1987 Honda Spree, 2000 KTM 125SX, 2003 Honda Silverwing, 2007 Genuine Buddy 125, 1998 Honda PC800, 2008 Buddy 125 (white), 2008 Buddy 125 (red), 2001 Honda Reflex, 1987 Honda Elite, 1988 Honda Spree, 2007 Yamaha Vino, 2007 Honda Metro, 2x 125cc pure-chinesium dirt bikes
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