Helmets Time to Replace My Helmet

[BamaRider]

When it comes to protection, the Arai will not protect your head any better then the HJC. Lets face it, if your crash hard enough to break a helmet, not a gonna matter. That much force is surely going to cause massive trauma to the neck and other vital areas.

Where the Arai excels is in comfort, quiet, fit and finish. Plus they just look good. I replace my helmet about every 4 years, no good reason, I just like new. I'm am currently on Arai #4. Helmet #2 was yellow. I wore it over a year. I can say it made a noticeable difference in traffic. I had fewer pull outs and cuts offs. I only replaced it because I wanted a graphic helmet for fashion.

Black not a good helmet in hot climes, (which I ride in most of time) and very poor for visibility. A driver will have a harder time seeing your hightest point, and make it harder for him to discern what direction YOU are looking, especially at night.
My :tc1:

 

[racer1735]

John, located where you are, a black helmet probably wouldn't be a detriment. Here in the Southwest USA, a black helmet is akin to putting your head in an oven during the summertime.

 

[Mick]

As for being seen if thats a issue there are cool reflective decals to fit every safety mind from black widows to checkered strips . so also a moot point .

This is what I use to think. I even had some of those multicolored graphic decals on mine at one time thinking they would increase conspicuity. However, on the group rides I mentioned in my post above, not only did the plain white helmets stand out, the guys that had the graphics on their helmets did not stand out at all. Those multicolored designs & graphics in effect created camouflage. When I began to observe that, I ripped off my graphic stickers.

As for reflective stuff, I put bits of white reflective tape on my helmet.

 

[Mick]

Here in the Southwest USA, a black helmet is akin to putting your head in an oven during the summertime.

This also applies to riding jackets, especially down here in Texas and the rest of the southwest. Conspicuity aside, it's why I wear a HiViz Yellow Aerostich. Several years ago Motorcycle Consumer News did a test where they laid different colored jackets out in the sun and measured the jacket's interior temperature after a certain period of time. The temperature difference was amazing. If I remember correctly, something like a 17 degree difference between the black and yellow (or was it white??). I doubt you would see anywhere near that much difference with helmets because of all the insulation between the shell and your head but when it gets in the high 90's & over 100 down here, every degree cooler is something to be thankful for.

 

[alphafang]

 

[c-lapier]

Now that you know what model/size Arai you want, just order it on-line. Competition Accessories has great deals on close-out graphics and some solid colors<$350-$380.00>. I think solid yellow & white are easily the most visable, but I didn't see white on sale. Black isn't a good idea; it only looks good on a Harley.

 

[Mick]

Now that you know what model/size Arai you want, just order it on-line. Competition Accessories has great deals

Rather then going on line, try Cyclegear if you live in a town that has one. They usually have a selection of Arias and if they don't have the color you want they'll get it shipped from one of their other stores. I bought my current one there 5 years ago for a 10% discount.

Over the holidays Cyclegear had a 25% discount on all Aria & Shoei helmets. Wish I had bought one but I instead purchased an HJC (HJC's were on a 40% off sale) thinking it would be a much cheaper alternative. Turned out it was way too loud for my old tinnitus afflicted ears. Think I'll wait until the end of the year before replacing my Arai and hope that between now & then Cyclegear has another mega sale.

 

[ST4Sal]

Well Personally I don't think the color of helmet is really going to matter much. I think if the person doesn't see your headlight or the motorcycle then what chance is there they'll see the helmet. Having said that I wear a Hi Viz Darien jacket so What the heck do I know

 

[pepollock]

Now that you know what model/size Arai you want, just order it on-line. Competition Accessories has great deals on close-out graphics and some solid colors<$350-$380.00>. I think solid yellow & white are easily the most visable, but I didn't see white on sale. Black isn't a good idea; it only looks good on a Harley.

Let's see. I go to a nearby dealer, try on a bunch of helmets, get lots of friendly assistance and then go home and order a helmet on-line? What's wrong with this scenario?

pete

 

[PaPa John]

Let's see. I go to a nearby dealer, try on a bunch of helmets, get lots of friendly assistance and then go home and order a helmet on-line? What's wrong with this scenario?

pete

I agree with what you have said. I like shopping at the local businesses for my items. Helmets are no different. I like the interaction with the non pushy sales persons that know their job. If I am treated right and they show a carry attitude, such as what Darcy did, I am inclined to come back for future purchases. Also I like to spend my hard earn $$$ (what's left at the end of the day) and support the local businesses. If we all shopped online, then we are only contributing to the closure of the smaller stores.

I for one will be purchasing my helmet from the dealer. Leaning toward the HJC brand. Just deciding on the model and final colour - but not black.

Ride safe. :biker:

John

 

[Scooter]

Whet to the local Honda shop and tried on different helments. Arai - the new one didn't fit to good, quess it was my head.

Which Arai helmet did you try on (Quantum-2, Profile, Vector, etc.)? The various models that they have are designed to fit different shaped heads.

I current have a black Arai helmet. Love the fit but I have had some problems with the black trim piece that circles around the bottom of the helmet partially coming off. Since I'm going on year 6 with this helmet I'll be looking to update this year. Will likely go with either a white or yellow helmet this time around.

I wish Arai made a modular helmet!

 

[ST4Sal]

I agree with what you have said. I like shopping at the local businesses for my items. Helmets are no different. I like the interaction with the non pushy sales persons that know their job. If I am treated right and they show a carry attitude, such as what Darcy did, I am inclined to come back for future purchases. Also I like to spend my hard earn $$$ (what's left at the end of the day) and support the local businesses. If we all shopped online, then we are only contributing to the closure of the smaller stores.

I for one will be purchasing my helmet from the dealer. Leaning toward the HJC brand. Just deciding on the model and final colour - but not black.

Ride safe. :biker:

John

John,
If you are a size large please let me know which helemt you like in the HJC Line I have plenty of Samples that are brand new from when I was a HJC Rep. I'm selling these very cheap.

Sal

 

[PaPa John]

John,
If you are a size large please let me know which helemt you like in the HJC Line I have plenty of Samples that are brand new from when I was a HJC Rep. I'm selling these very cheap.

Sal

HJC size that fit was a medium. Measured by noggin' and the tape said medium.

The ARAI at the dealer - Canadian Dollars - $900.00 smackers -. . The top of the helmet had a sharp spot inside and dug into the top of my head. Can' see spending that much if I am going to replace every five or six years.

Was going to go back yesterday, but noticed a muddle of oil under the car. That stopped the trip. Oh well Monday car to dealer and that is only a block from the motorcycle dealer.

My old HJC did me well and I liked it.

Don't see riding soon with the weather here.

John

 

[PaPa John]

Well, broke down today and purchased a new helment. Went with an HJC IS-16, white colour. Size medium.

Now ifonly the weather will start to co-operate so I can get out and ride. Probable have to wait another 4 weeks. Knowing the weather gurus up here could be longer.

Thanks to everyone for their input and help.

John

 

[Gymbo]

I hope the HJC works out well. I've been helmet shopping too. Nobody carries any helmets in my small town so I am planning on visiting some larger dealerships in Vegas when I am there next week. I have really liked my Arai...but it's 10 years old and it's time to retire it. I'm wanting to try on a Shoei X-11 & MultiTec , the Arai Profile and Quantum...and some HJCs and even a Nolan or two. I need a helmet that vents really well...I run really warm all the time. It has to be white. Here's why.

I have a big, tall head, so I need to try some on in-person to get a feel for fit by brand and size.

 

[gadintexas]

After much research, I am replacing my Nolan modular with a Shark RSR2. Composite fiber construction with Kevlar, supposed to vent and cool like a wind tunnel, and 3mm shield thickness. I figured I'd get away from the fiberglass helmets for my 'noggin.

 

[buzz1]

All my helmets are white. Cooler in the summer and naturally most noticeable. You can always put some reflective decals for more visibility at night. Black helmets are hard to keep clean like a black car. OGK FF-5 is a relatively new helmet in US. I think I'll try that one when it's time to replace my SHOEI RF-100.