Dirty Helmets

[tropicoz]

Seeing as how I'm most likely picking up a dirt bike real soon, I'll need to grab some gear. I'm up to speed on track gear/brands, and I'm assuming some of the quality names carry over to the dirt world, but holeee shit there are so many dirt helmet brands in all kinds of price ranges. Without going to an Arai and it's associated price range, can you guys give some names and models of helmets I could look at? Price range is $200ish (I don't even know if that gets you a decent dirt lid...I usually shell out at least $400 for track bucket).
Thanks

[csmutty]

I just was faced with the same dilemma. Ended up with a bell moto 9. Helmet is awesome. Light as hell and all day comfy. Now I think my next street lid will be bell too.

[maxim_X]

There are some snell, dot, fiberglass helmets for that price like the Fly f2. The materials won't be very nice on that lid though. I'm in the market as well, shoei, bell, 6d and suomy are on the short list.

[Garandman]

I have a Shoei but mu son got the Bell, works well.

[typeone]

are you interested in used at all? i have 3 dirt lids and wear only one of them now... all Troy Lee Designs... sold one to Petorius earlier this season and have another TLD i bought last season that i'm not using. it's the P51 Matte Gray colorway, here's a pic attached below. let me know.

if you're not interested in used, you can tell i like the TLD lids my SE3 is super comfy... but they are expensive. ~$550. my next lid will be either an Airoh or Leatt.

[cdovego]

Suomy

[CEO]

What size are your helmets Clinton? Those are great, just pricey...

I know it's just as important to protect your dome in dirt as street but in the woods you know it's going to get all scratched to shit. For some reason in my head that makes me want to spend less. I know, doesn't make a ton of sense.

[typeone]

@CEO ... Medium

[CEO]

Ah, too bad, too small for me.... #fathead

[union]

I have a Thor helmet I've been happy with. It's a little more then your $200 price range but its a good helmet. It fits about the same as my Arai street helmet.

[Chippertheripper]

I've had various levels of quality lids over the years. That suomy mr jump is hands down the lightest and coolest wearing of them all. I plan on grabbing another when Dove does another factory order with more than 24hr notice. I think I paid $330 for mine.
The lesser expensive helmets I wouldn't really say protect any less (especially in the woods) but they're noticibly heavier and considerably hotter. In winter, not such a bad thing. In summer, during a 4-6hr enduro, it can make or break you.

[butcher bergs]

It's a couple years old now but I'm pleased with how my Fly Racing Trophy Lite has held up. Though I haven't had the pleasure of smashing it off anything with my head in it, nothing has broken on it (visor, for example) and it wears well enough to be used for many hours at a time across a few days.

[Rambunctous]

Listen to that guy Chipper he knows dirt stuff. For me I went to motorcyclecloseouts.com and got everything from them. I like buying the 3 year old MX shirts and wearing them around. Cheap, durable, and rather good looking. I use a KTM branded helmet. Lotta money but very nice. My backup is a Bell. Very decent too.

[lrrs313]

FYI, Motosport . com usually has some pretty good closeout deals on helmets. A friend of mine picked up a Shoei for around $300. Really nice helmet. There is definitely a difference between the $200 helmets, the $350 helmets, and the Shoei/Arai level helmets. Personally, the $200 helmets don't really interest me any more (and I've owned and crashed a few of them). Even the $350 helmets are a huge step up in materials, weight, venting, and comfort. Well worth the extra money, IMO.

[typeone]

+1 to Chips comments. they all work but weight, comfort and liner durability usually go out the window with the cheaper stuff.

don't think it's been mentioned but whatever you buy, make sure it has a removable / washable liner. so nice to have a fresh interior. i like to wash mine in some light Oxy + laundry detergent mix every handful of rides.

[typeone]

Ah, too bad, too small for me.... #fathead

are you looking for any more gear? think i still have spares i don't use, some pretty much new. mostly red/black colorways though.

[tropicoz]

Clinton, I like that helmet and I'd be all over it if I didn't have a pinhead. Too bad it's the wrong size for me.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm a huge fan of Suomy so I'll check into those first.

[tropicoz]

are you looking for any more gear? think i still have spares i don't use, some pretty much new. mostly red/black colorways though.

I need pretty much everything. What ya got??

[typeone]

Clinton, I like that helmet and I'd be all over it if I didn't have a pinhead. Too bad it's the wrong size for me.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm a huge fan of Suomy so I'll check into those first.

what size do you wear? i wore Small in HJC, which is odd, but mostly Medium in everything else.

the Suomy Mr Jump is stupid, stupid light. so light it feels fake. def check one out.

I need pretty much everything. What ya got??

OK, i'll take an inventory and get back to you. Pete scored a few items, cant remember what i have left. i'll look tonight.

[tropicoz]

[QUOTE=typeone;1433047]what size do you wear?QUOTE]
I wore a M in the older Suomy Spec 1R exteme helmets, but I think they revamped their sizing with the new SR-Sport. I now wear a Small in that and also a Small in an Arai.

[cdovego]

[QUOTE=tropicoz;1433049]

what size do you wear?QUOTE]
I wore a M in the older Suomy Spec 1R exteme helmets, but I think they revamped their sizing with the new SR-Sport. I now wear a Small in that and also a Small in an Arai.

Yes, small SR-Sport is very similiar fit to old medium Spec1r.

The dirt lineup starts on page 15. Van Leeuwen Distributing

If you guys want to do another group buy - speak up.

[CEO]

are you looking for any more gear? think i still have spares i don't use, some pretty much new. mostly red/black colorways though.

Yeah man, I could def use more/better stuff and we are about the same size. Let's talk next time we meet up, maybe bring your stuff.

[Chippertheripper]

I don't know shit, don't listen to me...

Chris, in the spring, for sure.

[slowkermit]

Please count me in for a helmet, whenever this happens.

[cdovego]

We'll shoot for Feb/March timeframe - I'll give more notice this time around.