I am in the market to buy a new modular helmet. I am looking at spending about $200 to $225 range. Anyone have any recommendations? I ride all year round, something that has good noise reduction. Any deals going on right now? 
Helmets What modular helmet to buy?
- Thread starter Bigman
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Re: What helmet to buy?
In general get one that is snug (not tight) and fits the shape of your head.
One I'd stay away from if it's still out there is the symax II. Don't have a problem with HJC in general but this one wasn't thought out well.
Noisy, fogs up easily, and it leaks.
In general get one that is snug (not tight) and fits the shape of your head.
One I'd stay away from if it's still out there is the symax II. Don't have a problem with HJC in general but this one wasn't thought out well.
Noisy, fogs up easily, and it leaks.
Re: What helmet to buy?
I am glad that you mentioned this, because of all of the helmets that I have been looking at this one was at the top of my list.
sherob
Old Herder of cats.
Someone had the Scorpion EXO900 on sale under $200... nice helmet, been pretty happy with mine.
Scorpion does not make a modular helmet, do they?
sherob
Old Herder of cats.
Yes, EXO-900... it's called the Transformer... you can convert it from modular to 3/4. It looks like the guy was liquidating them for $189 back in July... they are all gone. Bike Bandit has them for $230ish now.
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I bought a Shark Evoline 2 and I like it allot. I tried the Shoei because I really like their products as well. Both are reasonably light being that they are modulars; actually, I should say they are well balanced and I find that important.
I wear a different size in the modulars; that is because they use a different shell; just saying this so you don't assume you fit a Large in a Shark full face, you'll fit a large in the Evoline. I wear a large in full face ad Medium in Evoline.
I like the "double lock" feature of the chin bar, internal smoke visor that comes down enough. I also like the fact that it locks up in the fully open (sits behind the helmet, not way on top, catching wind) or closed positions. If you get a bit of fogging or require a bit more circulation, it has several locking (clicks) positions for the visor. Visors easy to operate with gloves on. If I could not have tried and found an Evoline, I was going for the Shoei.
What gives me so much faith in Shark is not only they are underrated on this side of the pond, they are one of the top picks in Europe... Most important is that a well fitting Shark helmet saved my life when I hit the moose with my head at 70 MPH...
Cannot stress enough that no matter what you pay or buy, it has to be well fitted. Most motorcycle shops I ran across do not know how to fit you, not all, but most. So, my advice would be to get knowledgeable about fitment, then, go try some helmets and remember to use that knowledge. Find your head type to determine which model conforms to that, operate the visors with gloves on, walk around with it on, get on a bike if you can, assume the riding positions, how is your visibility? etc...
The Shark or Shoei are over the mentioned budget; not a problem... Any helmet (DOT - Snell) that fits good, with features you can use and operate easily in your price range, is the one you should get. If you got a great deal on a top of the line helmet that is too large, remember that it can tear your head off in an accident; one that is too small, will make you uncomfortable, (diverts your attention from the task of riding), give you pain and headaches, etc.
If you intend to wear glasses under it, try it with glasses to check pressure points; if you will be listening to tunes, try it with your ear buds, etc...
This is just one guy's opinion, and according to Peppermint Patty, I should not leave the house without a helmet, ever...
Grizz
I wear a different size in the modulars; that is because they use a different shell; just saying this so you don't assume you fit a Large in a Shark full face, you'll fit a large in the Evoline. I wear a large in full face ad Medium in Evoline.
I like the "double lock" feature of the chin bar, internal smoke visor that comes down enough. I also like the fact that it locks up in the fully open (sits behind the helmet, not way on top, catching wind) or closed positions. If you get a bit of fogging or require a bit more circulation, it has several locking (clicks) positions for the visor. Visors easy to operate with gloves on. If I could not have tried and found an Evoline, I was going for the Shoei.
What gives me so much faith in Shark is not only they are underrated on this side of the pond, they are one of the top picks in Europe... Most important is that a well fitting Shark helmet saved my life when I hit the moose with my head at 70 MPH...
Cannot stress enough that no matter what you pay or buy, it has to be well fitted. Most motorcycle shops I ran across do not know how to fit you, not all, but most. So, my advice would be to get knowledgeable about fitment, then, go try some helmets and remember to use that knowledge. Find your head type to determine which model conforms to that, operate the visors with gloves on, walk around with it on, get on a bike if you can, assume the riding positions, how is your visibility? etc...
The Shark or Shoei are over the mentioned budget; not a problem... Any helmet (DOT - Snell) that fits good, with features you can use and operate easily in your price range, is the one you should get. If you got a great deal on a top of the line helmet that is too large, remember that it can tear your head off in an accident; one that is too small, will make you uncomfortable, (diverts your attention from the task of riding), give you pain and headaches, etc.
If you intend to wear glasses under it, try it with glasses to check pressure points; if you will be listening to tunes, try it with your ear buds, etc...
This is just one guy's opinion, and according to Peppermint Patty, I should not leave the house without a helmet, ever...
Grizz
Throttlejockey
Padden is my hero
Re: What helmet to buy?
Definitely not a big and bulky helmet. The Scorpion helmet is HUGE compared to the Bell.
Definitely not a big and bulky helmet. The Scorpion helmet is HUGE compared to the Bell.
I like my Shark Evoline 2 - a bit heavy though it is comfortable and the chin bar folding all the way back is nice.
This is kind of like asking what shoes to buy... Be sure to try them on. The Bell Revolver isn't comfortable for my head shape; my SyMax II is. (I don't seem to have leakage problems with mine, it doesn't fog any worse than my previous helmets, and the fit is good.) The HJC is the best I've found, for me, so far, and a lot of people are wearing them. The Nolan 103 is too tight around the chin for my likes, but the less expensive 95(?) fits OK. The Shoei MultiTech is also a bit tight around the chin. I'll be looking at their new model when it comes out, though. All modular helmets are going to be noiser than a full face. Earplugs are a good idea for long trips with any helmet. I prefer the cloth laminate helmets to the polycarbonates, but you'll find that they are usually the more expensive models in a company's lineup.
I have the Scorpion EXO 900. I love it, but had a huge issue with it for the first 3 weeks. It was killing my head in 2 spots just above my forehead. I pulled the liner back and found 2 foam protrusions, likely not trimmed off after the foam had been removed from the mold. I took a razor blade and trimmed them off. Problem fixed. Very good helmet! It breaths really well. I rode in a down pour for a couple of hours Saturday and with the help of anti-fog spray, to keep the inside shield from fogging, I was dry as a bone. Of course I did have good rain gear too.
Uncle Phil
Site Supporter
Been using HJC CL-MAX for years. Very happy with them and have two on the shelf from the last time they went on sale.
Two Brothers
Walking, Talking, and Smiling!
I am in the market to buy a new modular helmet. I am looking at spending about $200 to $225 range. Anyone have any recommendations? I ride all year round, something that has good noise reduction. Any deals going on right now?
Head down to Cycle Gear and try some on. Then call me. I can almost get everything. Just a few out there I cannot get. As always I'll try and help you guys all I can.
Had a few modulars. I have a new Scorpion EXO900, and it is improved over the one I had 2 years ago. They are a bit heavy but well balanced, you will need one size larger than most others. Better than HJC for noise, CL Max quite noisy, Symax 2 not too bad. The Nolans fit more round heads but have little chin room. Shark Evoline is nice, but didn't turn me on. As suggested, you have to go try them on.
Shoei has a new one coming out, looks like an improvement over the Multitech. Nolan coming out with the 104 soon also.
Shoei has a new one coming out, looks like an improvement over the Multitech. Nolan coming out with the 104 soon also.
I'm happy as if I had sense with my HJC BT......it is light (made of plastic), has an easy flip, a built in sun viosor and it doesn't get funny or scary when I ride with the front flipped up ....
stmike1300
Re: What helmet to buy?
I have a symaxII ,i like it but yes it is a bit noise.
I have a symaxII ,i like it but yes it is a bit noise.
+1 on the EXO-900. Ventilates really well. I had an HJC and the front vent holes were pointed almost vertical and very little air passed through. The EXO-900 has a top/front pop-up "scoop" that directs air down into the helmet well. There's also a rear slide-open vent that draw air out the rear. It was difficult to tell how much air was moving through when it was hot out. Once the temps dropped, I could really feel the air cycling through the helmet. The EXO-900 is a little heavier than the HJC, but hadn't bothered me at all. As mentioned, get the next size up from what you normally get. I normally used XL helmets but found that I needed the XXL for the EXO-900.