Helmets Best FF Helmet?

Great forum! Thanks to all who have shared their experiences and insights. The take away, for me, is I need to go to a few shops and do several fit trials. The challenge will be discerning between what is a temporary discomfort that will go away with miles worn and what seems to be temporary that will not contour to my head no matter how much I wear. Thanks to all!
 
RickAK said:
Great forum! Thanks to all who have shared their experiences and insights. The take away, for me, is I need to go to a few shops and do several fit trials. The challenge will be discerning between what is a temporary discomfort that will go away with miles worn and what seems to be temporary that will not contour to my head no matter how much I wear.
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Rule of thumb ... if it fits snuggly all around, that's what you want ... avoid defined pressure points.

The pads will loosen up over time, so with a new helmet, you want the fit tight, without discomfort, and without specific pressure points.
 
All great advice... can only add a few personal preferences.

Noise was a big factor for me as well. My most comfy helmet is also the loudest... and find myself seldom wearing it. 95% of the time I wear Schuberth C3 Pro... very comfy and the quietest helmet I have owned to date. Now earplugs can fix your noise issues.

Depending on where you live/ride make sure it breathes.... here in TX airflow in the summer is important to me.

I think once you get the fit and safety/quality construction you start to pro and con the features before making your pick.

Happy New Years!
 
Small hot spots can be relieved pretty easily. My RF1200 had a small hot spot right in the middle of my forehead. It only appeared infrequently, and first time I ever experienced this in a Shoei RF series. I simply removed the liner and used a large serving spoon to gently compress the offending location. Didn't have to squeeze too hard, maybe depressed the area 1/16"+ . Worked perfectly. The 1200 is known for having tight cheek pieces. I was tempted to purchase the next size thinner, but I stuck it out and by end of season the helmet was completely broken in and now fits perfectly. I know I want that sucker as tight as I can get it without causing pain.

I'm told that in Japan there are helmet fitting shops that will custom fit your helmet to your head. Why this isn't common here I don't know, seems like there would be a market for it.

RT
 
If you are interested, I found this website that seems to provide some guidance for helmet selection and provides a listing of manufacturer's with head shape profile parameters.

www.webbikeworld.com

Motorcycle Helmet Reviews (Sorted By Internal Shape) | wBW

Looking for a helmet in a particular shape? See our motorcycle helmet reviews, sorted by internal head shape! Now you can easily find the ideal helmet for you.
www.webbikeworld.com

Again, thanks to all!
 
Like dduelin I've found Shoeis fit me very well. For me Bell helmets fit well also. My policy is to go to a local store and try on helmets until I find one satisfactory. I buy it from that store.

But because my choice(s) is/are generally pricey I then order replacements online looking for a deal. So I try to balance supporting a local shop with supporting my wallet.

My preference is for the convenience of a modular helmet. YPMV of course. And my number one desired feature in a qualifying helmet is an internal drop down sun visor. This has made riding so much more pleasant. The ability to have more granular control over sunlight is a joy. Good luck on however you roll.
 
I whole-hearted agree on the approach. If a person gets value from a local business (trying on helmet in the store), then I feel it is important to support the store with a purchase. As you have suggested, the purchase may not be the best price but there is intrinsic value offered by the store. I have a Shoei half helmet now and like the fit, but a full-face helmet is a different kettle of fish. Just need to try and buy. Thanks!
 
I've had a few helmets over the years and have had good luck and good fit with HJC full face helmets. I like the ones with the slide down inner eye shield .I just got a new HJC modular helmet for the benefit of the full face with the ability to flip open the front when it gets hot. Love this helmet . A very nice helmet for the price.
MIKE
 
One more vote for going to a shop and trying several on for fit. There's a Cycle Gear near Kansas City, the ones here usually have a good selection of different helmets, not sure if all their stores have similar stock or not. Since they do loosen up a bit after breaking in, the trick to helmet buying is knowing how snug is just right, vs. too tight. After you buy a few you just know, prior to that it helps to have someone in the store help you with that question.
 
RickAK said:
I whole-hearted agree on the approach. If a person gets value from a local business (trying on helmet in the store), then I feel it is important to support the store with a purchase. As you have suggested, the purchase may not be the best price but there is intrinsic value offered by the store. I have a Shoei half helmet now and like the fit, but a full-face helmet is a different kettle of fish. Just need to try and buy. Thanks!
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Depends on the shop. My local will match internet pricing. I went looking for an RF-SR, they didn't have my size. Ended up with a RF1200, and for $440, when the best price I could find online was $499. I'd say they treated me well.
RT
 
It has been alluded to in a few posts already about getting the right fit and comfort and that is important. Reviews are equally important. You need to read up on the things you cant test in a store, like noise/aerodynamics and ventilation. Also, try to pay attention to the weight... I find a bit of weight reduction makes for a more comfortable ride. I have issues with my neck so the weight might just be a "me" thing... YMMV
 
Given a well constructed helmet, fit is next. Trying them on at a store gives you some help on sizing but little help in determining how it will feel after half a day on the road. The best assist to fit that I have found is here.

After construction quality and fit (both head shape and size) you can start looking at features. Some will argue that they want the very highest helmet protection they can get. I have worn Arai for decades and that was part of the logic that got me there. I just got a new Arai a few weeks ago as my current one has aged out at five years of service. There was a pretty thorough study done that showed that once you hit the threshold of good quality construction, more than that doesn't really help. The study sited that in accidents that were severe enough to compromise the helmet, that there was another injury present that would have been fatal regardless of a head injury. In other words, in a good quality helmet, your head is much better protected than the rest of you.
 
I’m just going to add here to what I’ve already posted, once I discovered the best helmet fit for my noggin and I’ve been with Shoei Qwest for @ 9 years (discontinued). Some are still available onEbay. I’ve recently purchased a new one still in box for half price ($200) also purchased another one identical to that which the seller claimed was only worn twice for much less than half price. ($150)
A good quality full face helmet need not be expensive, they should be replaced @ 5-7 years depending on use
 
Its a very personal thing. I have a big head and all of the largest size helmets that I tried were way too small. The visor would not close without taking off the end of my nose. and the newer ones with inbuilt sun visor, well, forget it.

All except one manufacturer - Shoei. They make their largest size in just plain colours - blue, black or white. I prefer white for the moses effect that they have on the cars ahead, and they don't absorb as much heat on hot days. And they are much cheaper. Ive had the XR2, XR1000 and XR1100. I'll be going to them first for my next one. It saves me a lot of time, they fit me and are comfortable. Wind noise isn't a problem as the flip up screen directs the air flow over my helmet.
 
jonjonboo said:
I’m guessing in in the UK a white helmet helps spread a Red Sea of cars ?
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That's correct. The drivers who don't use their mirrors too often see a headlight, a white helmet and a fluorescent jacket (see avatar) and make assumptions and react accordingly. They seem not to notice that the bike is red. It happens a lot and It never fails to amaze me how a rider approaching from a long way back riding in a very visible position, can still be a surprise to so many cars.

Not that I rely on it or ride as if its an emergency. It is just an observation.
 
I don't remember this thread - but there seems to be a lot that I don't.
As @jfheath reminds us above, the very best helmet you can buy is one that fits YOUR head. And stays "fit" after wearing and riding and wearing and...
 
Sadlsor, I agree with your assessment.
The helmet must fit YOUR head.
Having first established a good fit, I would add that I deeply believe that a helmet with MIPS technology will protect your irreplaceable head better than one without.
Check it out here: https://mipsprotection.com/
I wear a Bell Qualifier DLX MIPS helmet and wouldn't consider buying my wife a helmet with anything but MIPS.
Take Care All!
Vince
 
Back when I started riding, my grandfather gave me the best advice I ever got. Buy the best equipment and gear you can afford, upgrade when and where you can.
My wife has terminal cancer. I wouldn't have a bike if a good friend hadn't died and left me his ST. We're so deep in debt it's not funny. Add to that I have to get every phone call from her. All of them.
I went with a Sidici helmet, because it's what I could afford. I added a Cardo Packtalk Bold. It cost twice what the helmet did...
 
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