Helmets rec's for best hot weather full face?

Northern Rob

Northern Rob

STOC #5208
Joined
Jan 15, 2005
Messages
12
Location
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Hi, I'm also looking to replace my full face helmet. Believe it or not, the summers can get stinking hot in B.C., especially in gridlock traffic or when you ride in the interior (desert) of the province. I think the adjustable air vents on my HJC must be just for show. They don't seem to do a thing. I can use the thing as a crock pot to stew my brains. Anyone have a full face lid that they like for hot weather riding?

Thanks!

Rob
 
In my experience, the vents on my full face helmets and on the Nolan N100E I currently use are less effective on a bike with a windshield that directs air higher than into your chest. On the ST, the lower the windshield setting the better the helmet vents seem to work.

As far as which helmet has the best vents, the Nolan is better than the two full-face Shoei helmets I've also worn while riding my ST.
 
I love my Arai RX-7 Corsair. Keeps my head feeling good on both the R6 and ST.
 
Regarding the lack of ventilation of the HJC...i have the symax flip-lid model...and i remember on the vfr board where a fellow said that his investigation of his HJC resulted in there either no holes through the "styrofoam" of the inner liner for the helmet vents to allow air to enter helmet & he took a pencil & poked holes from inside that matched to the vents...when i looked in my helmet...same thing...holes not where vents were...and there were two holes in styrofoam that did not match at all to vents...so, you (&I), might poke holes through inner liner to get to the head...just a thought...
 
It doesn't get quite as humid here in Tempe, AZ; but, I believe we've got B.C beat on hot (I couldn't find a hot-devil smiley to put here).

Chris and I use the shoei RF-1000 (I ride every day).
The vents work.
Chris took a tumble and the Firemen and motorcycle cops that inspected her gear and helmet liked how light it was (and how well it protected her).

Mark
 
I have not used my Arai Corsair in the heat, but I can tell you, if ALL the vents are not closed in the morning you will freese your brain. I was looking for a new helmet mostly because it was black. To me, that is totally the wrong color for higher temp areas. Not to mention the vents really did not work very well.

For me, investing in a higher end helmet was a very good investment.
 
I did a Death Valley trip in October and it was 102F and my head was comfy in an RF-1000. I had the windshield down so the chin vent gets some reasonable air and to help the body keep cool. On interesting note, I once flipped up the visor to scratch my nose and DAMN :eek: the heat blast on my face. I was definetly way better off letting the helmet flow air around my head rather than air hitting me directly.
 
Just reading a Arai ad, the fine print states they do not extend their warranty to customers who purchase Arai helmets through mail order, phone or internet. Looks like they reallllly want you to go to the store to buy one.
 
On almost any full face helmet, it'll be cooler inside with the shield closed at any temperature over about 90F than it will be with the shield open.

Advice?

1) It seems normally that the more you pay for a helmet the better ventilated it is. Must be the manufacturers way of upselling you.
2) Get a white helmet. They're always cooler than darker colors.
 
My RX7 Corsair is good when hot. Can get pretty hot and humid here in Tampa. I usually wear sunglasses during the day, so in stop-n-go traffic in the city, with the windshield up I put the helmet visor up as well. If moving along pretty good I keep the visor down, cooler that way when moving, but when stopped or slow visor up is cooler.

Helmet color doesn't really make a difference in how hot one feels. I know, sounds counter intuitive, but I'll take empirical evidence over pure reasoning any day :)
 
HJC CL 14 in hot weather

Dave Wicks said:
Has anybody used HJC CL 14 in hot weather??
Click to expand...
Ya, that's my main helmet now and it's what prompted me to ask you guys about something better. It's hot, and it fogs up, other than that, its a real winner! :eek:

I'm probably the last guy on this site still riding an ST 1100 (a 93, but the darn thing just won't stop running), so no fancy schmancy electric screen that I can lower (okay, I'm jealous, I admit it). I'm sure that's not helping me get maximum air circulation.
 
Problem solved!

I had my HJC CL 14 in the bike shop recently and in passing I mentioned that the helmet was too hot and didn't vent well. The owner looked over the helmet, found a problem inside the vents and got it fixed for me. (Some plastic crap blocking flow). Now the helmet's fine. It didn't even enter my mind that it was my helmet that was defective - not the product line. :nuts1: Just wanted to update the post being as I slagged the HJC CL 14 inappropriately.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions on full face helmets.
 
Plus one on Helmetcity.com, very good customer service, competetively priced, and fast shipping.

I have been delighted with my Shoei RF-1000 as far as ventilation goes, surprisingly good when riding in hot desert temperatures.

Warmest regards,

beta
 
I was wrong about Helmetcity... :eek: It is www.helmetshop.com that is in Daytona FL. Just ordered a new shield for my Scorpion that I bought from them... they are very good and fast... traded out my JR pants for shorties with no restocking fees or punishment way back when... I just had to pay shipping back to them :D Great prices.... ;)
 
I have an RF-1000. I had a ride in 108-109 for a little over an hour, 100+ at two hours, with a 133 peak. My head was not complaining. It was hot of course, duh, look at the temps. Lifted the visor to scratch my nose and the 180-109 temp and 80pmh hurt like hell. The next time I had to scratch my nose I raised the windshield.
 
Shoei RF-1000

I am shopping for a RF-1000 and the latest and greatest is

RF-1000 White XL Part number 03-313-----$252.53 plus $14 in shipping.
Ron Ayers Motorsports


Cowboy

Anyone beat that?
 
I've worn Shoei and Arai for over 15 years, but the past 13 months I've worn a Suomy. If it fits your head-shape, you'll love it. Slightly louder than some other brands because it moves so much air. But that's also why we wear earplugs. I have the Gunwind, which I found on discount as its not being produced any more. But fit and finish are top-rate.
 
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